If you want to live the American Dream, then owning a home is on the list of things to consider. For some individuals, it may not be affordable or easy to become a homeowner. Even if you were able to finally become a homeowner, having your own house could appear to be burdensome, especially if the homeowner’s insurance and property taxes are higher than usual. The state of the economy and current interest rates are also two contributing factors to purchasing a home. These are things that are definitely out of your control. It goes without saying, then, that to make such a large investment means that you must seriously consider the best place to live. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best states to live in 2016.

Minnesota
According to real estate experts, Minnesota ranks number seven on the list of places to live in 2016. However, the state received a higher ranking in a 2015 study. In 2015, the price per square foot of a single family home was 6.6%. The average home price is currently more than three times that of the median income per household.  

Idaho
In Idaho, the conditions for new homeownership have improved. In 2015, the prices of homes saw an increase of 9.8%, per square footage. This makes Idaho the state that had the highest rate in price appreciation. In comparison, the prices for homes per square foot increased by only 1.7% in 2014.

Montana
In the United States, the state of Montana is not as densely populated as other areas in the country. Census data revealed that for each square mileage, there are just 6.8 residents. So, if you are looking for a lot of breathing room, then Montana would be the ideal place to live.

Utah
Want to find that affordable place to call home? Then consider the state of Utah. Both Colorado and Utah are running almost head to head in the affordable home category. Homeowners, on average, in the state of Utah will pay less in closing costs compared to all, but three states in the U.S. In addition, homeowner’s insurance continues to remain low. The cost of homeowner’s insurance on average is about $580 per year.

Colorado
Of all five top U.S. real estate markets discussed here, Colorado stands at the top when it comes to growth and stability. As a whole, the state of Colorado is a great place to live, especially for homeowners. The average property tax rate is only 0.58%, which is one of the lowest in the United States. In addition, the state boasts the second highest rate in price appreciation per square footage. The 6.5% population growth between 2010 and 2014 shows that there are people moving to this location and for several reasons, one of which is for the affordability. If you're curious about the rest of the list, check out Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability. 


Rental in Colorado
If you are looking to rent a studio apartment, you would end up paying $1,039 per month, which is $22 lower than the national average studio rent. It can get quite expensive if you were to rent apartments with one, two and three bedrooms. For that reason, it may be better to purchase a home in order to enjoy the tax savings and low insurance.  

Choose one of the homes for sale in University Park if you are thinking of relocating to the area. Contact Elevation Realty to talk about your real estate needs. You are also welcomed to make contact by phone at 303-579-3566.

If you are looking for homes for sale in Denver, the neighborhood of Observatory Park has a lot to offer new residents. The area is a charming college town with the convenience of being centrally located. The serenity of this conventional neighborhood is evident in its shaded trees, picturesque roadways, historic houses, and a scenic view of neighbors sitting on their front porches on nice summer evenings.

The Transformation
The neighborhood is bordered by Yale Way, and East Evans. The area is transforming really quickly, replacing the neo-eclectic mansions with colonial homes, Victorians, Tudors, and older ranch homes. However, as of now, single family homes are the most dominant in the neighborhood of Observatory Park. There are fraternity houses, apartments, and sorority houses closer to the University of Denver.

Easy Downtown Access
Overall, this is a quiet and well shaded haven, located southeast of the downtown area in the city of Denver. For that reason, it is easily accessible to the center of the city and to the highway, connecting to prime streets that run throughout some of the most diverse retail shopping areas. Residents of the community that don’t like to commute by car can access the two light rail stations.

The University Offerings
The University of Denver is in close proximity to the area and so residents have the option of attending lacrosse games that feature the University’s highly ranked national team. The Newman Center offers performing arts entertainment. Unique pubs and enjoyable bistros are part of the staples of the university community. The University’s park offers a large playground, tennis court, and sports fields where baseball, rugby, and basketball are played. Robert H. McWilliams Park is much smaller and quieter, but more scenic.

The Face Lift
Homes in Observatory Park have gone through a huge face lift with mansions being constructed block by block. Anyone that owns an older ranch home in the neighborhood may be feeling lucky as a homeowner. If you are looking for a home where the value is predicated on the current transformation, then Observatory Park is the ideal option. The area has a wide range of architecture, even if to a small degree. Homes up for sale are mainly ranch homes, but if you love colonial homes, Victorian homes, or Tudor homes, then these are also available.

Other Options
If you are looking for a rental, you will also find a few town homes, and duplexes around the perimeter of the neighborhood. There are few neighborhoods in Denver that are almost entirely occupied by single families. As it relates to aesthetics, the broad streets, tall trees, and wide turfs of grass that separate the sidewalks, the community is one stretch of shade, inviting you to enjoy long summer walks. In fact, the community lacks nothing when it comes to amenities such as large thoroughfares, large parks, and a direct commute to downtown.

Extended Needs
In addition to your living arrangements, the area also offers great shopping and entertainment experience. There is no daily need that cannot be fulfilled in and around Observatory Park. Pioneers hockey team is one of the top ranking in the city. If you are a hockey fan you will enjoy the games. You can attend concerts, theatre performances, lectures, and seminars at the cultural center.

If you are considering relocation to an area where you will have balance and a great living experience, then Observatory Park is a viable option. Contact Elevation Realty to discuss your real estate needs. You can also call 303-579-3566.

Everyone knows that the Denver real estate market is hot, and our 365 days of sunshine doesn’t hurt the cause. Along with our many days of sunshine comes a very real winter, and those living in and around Denver want their homes to be energy efficient. Even newer homes can lose energy—heat loss through the roof and windows is the most common culprit, as are clunky, older major appliances such as furnaces and water heaters. If you’re looking into buying a home in University Park or you already own property in the area, here are some energy-saving things to look for in an energy efficient home.

1. Make sure your attic, walls, and the area around windows are well-insulated
Insulating materials slow down heat loss but don’t stop airflow entirely. Having properly sealed floors is crucial to maintaining a leak-free thermal barrier and is one of the most important steps you can take for conserving energy in your home.

2. Upgrade or replace windows
Much of a home’s heat loss occurs through the windows, so you can potentially cut your energy bill by 20% if you replace your single-paned windows with double-paned or triple-paned  windows. Replace aluminum window frames; vinyl frames are more resistant to heat transfer.

3. Plant shade trees around your house
Deciduous trees, preferably planted on the west side of your University Park home, provide shade for your house and yard during the hottest months and times of day; they will naturally help cool your home during the summer. In the winter, the leaves will be gone, allowing the sun to warm your home during the day.

4. Replace older furnaces and appliances with a high-efficiency unit
Newer furnaces models burn less fuel and burn hotter and changing air filters allows air to circulate more easily, so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard. New appliances are also more energy efficient than their older counterparts—and in addition to adding efficiency, new appliances are attractive and can add automatic aesthetic value to your home.

5. Improve the efficiency of your hot water system
Make sure your water heater is set to warm (120 degrees) firstly, then insulate your hot water lines so they hold in heat longer between uses. Using low-flow fixtures, such as showerheads and faucets, will save water. The newest technology is “on demand” hot water, which uses a small pump to deliver hot water to fixtures faster and more efficiently, with a heater that only fires when you need hot water.

6. Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent
Compact fluorescent bulbs last 8-12 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use much less wattage, though they cost a little more when you initially buy them.

7. Schedule a professional energy audit
This is the first step in assessing how much energy your home uses and how you can save energy. It should include a blower-door test for maximum effectiveness. This device works as a leak-detector, sucking most of the air out of the house and allowing the technician to locate gaps.

8. Take advantage of new tax incentives to improve your home
Available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these incentives cover up to $1,500 of home improvements (windows, insulation, air conditioning, etc.) on an existing home.

Interested in finding the perfect, energy efficient home in Denver’s popular University Park neighborhood? Let our real estate experts at Elevation Realty guide you in your search for a modern, energy-efficient home. Check out our University Park market trends for the area and give us a call at 303-579-3566.

It is not top secret that the housing price in Denver is increasing and that inventory for housing is scarce. While this may be terrible for homebuyers, it is the opposite for home sellers. Scarcity in housing inventory is a positive outcome for the person who wants to get their home sold. Many Denver homebuyers are strapped for cash and very exhausted from conducting extensive real estate searches. This can be problematic for the home seller who is not sensitive to the existing real estate market trend. In the meantime, several issues could arise, resulting in a difficult selling process. For that reason, the seller has to be prepared.

Understanding Housing Trends
For a better understanding of the existing housing trends in the Denver area, here are several ways that you can avoid the most common headaches when selling your home. First of all, home buyers are usually looking for an outdoor lifestyle. The primary reason is that people in Denver love the outdoors. If your property has a big yard, small balcony, and deck, it would be sensible to  spend time and money to spruce up the lawn, put a coat of paint on the exterior, and decorate the garden with new plants.

Outdoor Space
Denver residents spend quite a bit of time outside at different times of the year. For that reason, buyers look for homes that would accommodate this. The seller, then, has to do a complete cleanup of the yard, making sure it is fresh and in good condition.  This will entice buyers. Without a private outdoor space, the seller can add house plants to the inside. Window treatments can be updated to intensify the natural lighting. A home staging can be done to create a comfortable nook inside the home.

What the Buyer is looking For?
As a seller, you are not just selling a house. It is not all about the roof and the walls, or the building. Home buyers are also seeking other things such as:

• A fast commute
• Safe exercise route
• Friendly neighbors

They also want comfortable living accommodations. Good schools are important to people who have children. A seller is also promoting the community and the neighborhood activities as well as the lifestyle that the buyer can expect.

Improvise by Adding Appeal
If the seller’s home lacks the most contemporary amenities and has no outdoor space, then the seller can use the features of the community as the main selling points. One of the appeals is the close proximity to grocery stores, shopping centers, and entertainment facilities. The ability to be able to walk to these establishments could be the deciding factor for the buyer. This is usually at the top of most buyers’ wish list.

The Finished Home
Most buyers want to see a finished home, void of the need for inspections, repairs, or renovations. You may have to ask the realtor to include home staging so as to showcase the home’s potential. It is much easier to finance a home that is ready-made with no repairs rather than have to consider renovations prior to moving in.

There is a list of homes for sale in Aurora. If you want to move to the Denver area, then contact Elevation Realty for a large inventory selection of houses for sale. You can also make contact by phone by calling 303-579-3566.

Although the process of buying an Observatory Park home usually starts online, it’s important for all buyers to take the time to look at the home in person before making an offer. Why? Buying a home is a huge investment, so you want to make sure that everything in the online listing is as it seems in person. Here are a few aspects of a home that could be different in person vs. online:

The size.
Some realtors can intentionally make rooms appear larger by photographing them from different angles or changing the arrangement of the seating. To make sure that you’re really getting that beautiful, spacious living room that you fell in love with, schedule time with an Elevation Realty realtor to see the Observatory Park home in person.

The five senses.
When you view an online listing, you are judging an Observatory Park home based only on the way that it looks, but what about how it smells? Or sounds? Take the time to see the home in person so you can see if there are any obnoxious sounds in the neighborhood. Is there a dog down the street that constantly barks? A major intersection where there is nonstop honking? While you’re there, take a few deep inhales of the air and see if you can smell anything unusual. One of the most noticeable signs of mold or mildew is an unpleasant odor, so potential buyers should always steer clear of homes with a musty scent. Learn how to test for mold and mildew at home.

Who’s next door?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell who will be living next door to you by looking at an online listing. Potential homebuyers should always visit a home in person to take a sneak peek at who their next-door neighbors will be. After all, you will be spending the majority of your time within just a few hundred feet of each other, so you want to make sure that it’s someone you can get along with. When you visit the Observatory Park home in person, listen closely to see if the neighbors are noisy. It will be hard to enjoy any outdoor space that comes with the home if your neighbors are blasting music or talking loudly to each other. Pay attention to how well they maintain their yard and outside of their home. Although it may not matter to you now, it will affect the resale value of your home in the future.

What’s hiding?
There’s no requirement that states that online listings need to show pictures from every room in a home for sale in Observatory Park. Therefore, it’s up to potential buyers to make sure that they have visited the home in person and thoroughly looked through every room. Online listings could be hiding a room that is in need of serious repairs that the seller is unwilling to make. In this case, if you went based off of only the online listing, you would have no idea about the expensive repairs you would need to complete as soon as you were the official owner of the home.

Ready to search for the Observatory Park home of your dreams? Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying journey.