As the stock market takes us all on an unsettling roller coaster ride, leaving us worried about where our finances will land on any given day, there’s one investment that is offering sure-fire returns: a home. “At a time when stock market performance is all over the map,” notes The Group in a recent newsletter, […]

Make this your New Year’s resolution: Document your belongings! The recent California wildfires have made us all more aware of the fragility and unpredictability of life: What we take for granted can be gone in an instant. While that’s a philosophical point to ponder, the thought also has practical applications, particularly when it comes to […]

Tis the Season for Entertaining! When entertaining rolls around, charcuterie boards that are festive for the holidays is my go-to entertaining spread! Let’s talk about creating the ultimate festive charcuterie board with cheeses and fun additions! Meat and cheese boards are customizable, gorgeous, require no cooking, and are the perfect hearty appetizer spread! Charcuterie boards are not only gorgeous, they contain a combination of flavors and nibbles for a simple no-fuss party snack! It’s not difficult to prepare a meat and cheese board that everyone will rave about! First off … how do you pronounce charcuterie?  [shahr-koo-tuh–ree]. Secondly… What is a charcuterie? Charcuterie is the art of preparing meats which are often cured or smoked such as bacon, ham or salami.  A charcutier is a person who prepares charcuterie and while the term is loosely translated in English to “pork butcher”, any kind of meat can be used. The wonderful thing about a charcuterie board is its versatility. You can mix and match flavors and textures. You can focus on a particular style or region. You can leave some items off the menu altogether. For instance, you could nix bread or crackers from a gluten-free board, or substitute fig salami for Italian salami and hummus for pâté on a vegetarian board. Or double-down on variations of a group favorite (a culinary tour of the pâtés of various regions of France, anyone?). Now that we have all that out of the way. Lets start building this thing. Board: Find the right boards to build your platters. Large cutting boards, marble slabs, slate boards or ceramic platters are great options. Meat: I estimate about 3-4 slices of meat per person when building a board.  I try to include a variety of flavors and textures for example a sliced pepper salami, a rolled prosciutto and thoughtfully piled ham. Cheese: Choose a variety of cheeses; about 1 or 2 oz per person as an hors d’oeuvre.  Look for various hard and soft cheeses from mellow to sharp.  Cheeses are easiest served already sliced. Bread and Crackers: Again variety is key, I like to include buttery flaky crackers, grain crackers and thinly sliced and toasted baguettes. Fruit & Nuts: Both dried and fresh fruit will add gorgeous color and lots of flavor to your charcuterie board! As you are purchasing fruits, keep a variety of colors in mind for a beautiful board.  Nuts should be shelled and salted. Pickles, Olives and Dips: Adding small bowls filled with dill pickles, olives, jellies, mustards and delicious dips is a great way to add some zip and flavor to your board. Most of the items can be prepared, washed and/or sliced ahead of time meaning this easy appetizer can take just minutes to prepare. If you are looking for some major charcuterie inspo below is a list of Sultan Newman Group’s favorite places to take family and friends around Denver! FNG – Highlands 3940 W. 32nd Ave. | 720.667-3727 www.fngrestaurant.com Colt & Gray – LoHi 1553 Platte St. | 303.477.1447 www.coltandgray.com The Bindery – LoHi 1817 Central St. | 303.993.2364 www.thebinderydenver.com Hearth & Dram – Ball Park 1801 Wewatta St. | 303.623.0979 www.hearthanddram.com Urban Farmer – Down Town 1659 Wazee St. | 303.262.6070 www.urbanfarmerdenver.com Fooducopia – Wash Park 1939 E. Kentucky Ave. | 303.722.7838 www.fooducopia.com Culture Meat & Cheese – RiNo 2669 Larimer St. | 303.292.2222 www.culturemeatandcheese.com Max’s Wine Dive – Capitol Hill 696 Sherman St. | 303.593-2554 www.maxswinedive.com Cattivella – Stapelton 10195 E 29th Ave. | 303.645-3779 www.cattivelladenver.com Vinue – Cherry Creek 2817 E 3rd Ave. | 720.287-1156 www.denverwinebar.net Barcelona Wine Bar – RiNo 2900 Larimer St. | 303.816.3300 www.barcelonawinebar.com Sip | eat + drink – Down Town 891 14th St. | 720.464-6765 www.sipeatdrink.com Neighbors – Park Hill 2202 Kearney St. | 303.333.1149 www.neighborsparkhill.com The Preservery – RiNo 3040 Blake St. | 303.298-6821 www.thepreservery.com Deep Roots Winery and Bistro – LoDo 1516 Wazee St. | 720.328.4786 www.deeprootswines.com Thank you so much for visiting our page! If you are looking for a property to host all your events at please contact one of our team members at the Sultan Newman Group!  

Before you remodel, consider these 4 questions & ask your realtor, AKA someone on the Sultan Newman Group team! After years of living in a home, there’s nothing quite as exciting—or daunting—as the idea of undertaking a home remodel. While the prospect of a shiny new house is irresistible, you want to make sure the project addresses any issues you’ve had with your home through the years. In short, making the space more applicable to your needs takes thoughtful consideration and careful planning. “As a professional organizer, I’ve seen homes that were aesthetically gorgeous but just didn’t flow well for my clients’ needs,” notes Patricia Lee, a professional home organizer writing for Houzz. “…For the most successful remodel, you’ll want to consider how you live now and how you’d like to live ideally. After all, remodeling is a chance to set new, more organized habits.” Lee suggests homeowners consider these points before getting started: What isn’t working? Think of the way you use the spaces in your home. For example, where do your children do their homework? Is this place conducive to concentration (and supervision)? Do you have a dedicated space for important papers, electronic chargers, keys, computer work? List the issues you would like to address to streamline your home’s efficiency. Do you have adequate storage space? Is your pantry space big enough, or do food items overflow onto your counters? Do you have a place for the family to stash backpacks, purses, and mail when they enter the home? If not, plan new areas to accommodate these items. (For example, you might add a mudroom so purses and other items can be neatly stored out of sight from the rest of the house.) Is your family situation in flux? Are you planning to have children soon? Their storage needs can be substantial. By contrast, if your children will soon be grown and out of the house, this can open rooms for new uses. Will your aging parents be moving in? If so, you’ll need to think of items like a ground level bathroom with a walk-in tub, an in-law suite or mini kitchen that can allow them some independence. Are there better ways to use existing spaces? Do you have a living room you never use? Think of putting it to better use. Have a closet that’s not pulling its weight? Consider turning it into a work space with a desk for a computer or drawers for craft items, etc. To sum things up, look at every inch of your home and reconsider its uses. Then let the project begin! Feel free to contact one of us on the Sultan Newman Group team and we will be happy to provide a list of our preferred contractors to ease some of the worries!   REMAX of Cherry Creek Photo by Harprit Bola on Unsplash  

11 Easy-Up, Easy-Down Decor Hacks for Stress-Free Holidays Give or take a Scrooge or two, everybody loves the holidays: Decorating the tree, hanging lights, hanging holly … all those things! But you know what nobody loves? Taking all those things down. Because, wow, what an unorganized mess. Before you go all Scrooge, get your jolly back with these simple holiday decorating hacks. #1 Protect Ornaments With Holiday Recyclables Anne Arntson for HouseLogic Trimming the tree should feel like the happy ending of a Lifetime holiday movie, not a game show guessing which box will contain broken memories. Keep ornaments safe for next year by stowing them in leftover party cups, hot-glued onto a piece of foam board cut to fit inside a storage bin, recommends Lisa Woodruff, a Cincinnati-based professional organizer. Or pack ornaments away using bubble wrap from holiday packages, or egg cartons from those countless cookies you made. All of these options make for shock-absorbent padding that’s more durable than paper towels or tissue paper. Richelle Hesselink You dream of decking every hall, every year, but when the holidays roll around, you’ve got a brisket to bake and cocktails to clink. So focus your festive energy on just one iconic focal point — a wreath on the front door or greenery on the mantel — something that easily changes with the seasons. Or, create a display that makes you feel merry year-round. (Try repurposing storefront letters to spell out “LOVE” or “JOY” — sentiments that never go out of season.) #3 Get a Decorating Toolbox Courtesy of Lowes.com Before you can hang a single strand of lights or sprig of mistletoe, you have to find the gosh-darn zip ties, track down the floral wire, and repurpose a few extension cords. Just thinking about the prep work makes you ready for a long winter’s nap. But this year’s gonna be your prep for next year, and the years to follow. As you put everything up, keep a running checklist of what you need. Then stock a toolbox that gets replenished every year. #4 Leave Your Light Hooks and Nails in Place for Next Year If you like to trim your home’s roof and siding with holiday lights, you know what a hassle it is to find last year’s nail holes while balancing on a ladder with your extremities slowly freezing. So, this year, use hooks that match your siding (not nails because they fall out easier) or paint them so they are indistinguishable from your siding or trim before you put them up. Then leave them up when you take down your lights. Come next year, just rehang your lights and bask in your twinkling success. #5 Wrap Lights Around Cardboard   Christina Hoffmann for HouseLogic There’s nothing like a multicolored knot of lights to put a damper on your bright holiday spirit. So as you take down this year’s lights, wrap them around empty gift boxes or cardboard. Make a small notch on each side to keep the ends snugly in place. Next year you’ll spend less time untangling your lights and more time basking in them. #6 Hang Wreaths on Rods or in Rafters Russell Gregory All year you look forward to hanging that wreath you got for a steal at an after-Christmas sale. Rather than tossing it in a trash bag, where it can too easily get seriously mushed or even forgotten, hang it on a rod or from nails hammered into the attic rafters or garage walls, Woodruff recommends. It will be easy to find, and will be in pristine shape for next year. #7 Store Your Tree With the Decorations on It Chris Baldwin No, seriously. If strategizing the placement of skiing Garfield and his 107 dangly friends is your least favorite part of holiday decorating, skip it after this year. Ask someone to help you tightly wrap this year’s decorated (artificial) tree — yep, ornaments and all — with heavy-duty stretch plastic wrap (the type that professional movers use, which you can find at home improvement stores). Next year, just cut the wrap and reshape the branches. Happy holidays indeed. #8 Or Give In and Buy a Tree Bag BalsamHill.com Every December 26, you begin to dread awkwardly wrestling your artificial tree back into its original packaging. This year, go ahead and spend the 50 bucks on a tree bag or box, Woodruff says. It will seal out dirt, dust, and bugs, won’t smash the branches, and some styles even allow you to store your tree fully or partially assembled. Plus, just knowing you can skip the reassembly next time makes for an extra happy New Year. #9 Trim Those Trimmings Give Back Box Getting out decorations should be a welcome walk down memory lane — not a guilt trip through items you “should” display but … ugh. So when you take down this year’s decor, follow the old rule for paring down your wardrobe and get rid of anything you didn’t use — you know, that carol-singing mounted fish from your dad or Nana’s crocheted coaster set — and donate them. “If it’s a sentimental item, take a picture of it,” Woodruff says. You won’t waste storage space and, come next year, you’ll be greeted only by items you love and use. #10 Organize By Room If you’ve got snowmen in every bathroom and a jingle bell on every drawer, you may end up with mountains of half-empty boxes piled everywhere for longer than you spend enjoying the decor. Get your halls decked more efficiently by sorting your boxes of trimmings by room, Woodruff suggests. Then, label each light strand by location — mantel, doorway, tree, etc. Decorating is merrier when you can grab a bin and make an evening of it, one room at a time. #11 Create a “Must-Have” Bin  Anne Arntson for HouseLogic Put all your favorite decorations in one “first-up, last-down” bin. Next year, you’ll spend more time enjoying your cherished menorah or manger and less time rummaging to find it. Thank you for taking the time to read up on some of the best holiday hacks we have seen. Sultan Newman Group will definitely be putting some of these into practice this year. Hope you have a great Holiday Season. Let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you! –Sultan Newman Group    Article by: HouseLogic

3 Home Improvement Projects to Boost Your Bottom Line With home prices at record highs and interest rates ticking upward, more homeowners are staying put. The result? People are heading to home improvement stores in droves. “America is in the middle of a home renovation bonanza,” notes the Denver Post. The newspaper cites a recent HomeAdvisor’s True Cost survey that found that Americans invested over four times more in home improvement between March of 2017 and March of 2018 ($6,649) than they did over the previous year ($1,492). Sultan Newman Group has a list of preferred contractors in the Denver area and we are happy to hand over to you for all your bigger projects! For those considering leaping onto the bandwagon, the Post notes that not all projects are equal when it comes to adding sales value to your home. It quotes HomeAdvisor home expert Dan DiClerico, who offered this list of key projects to take on, in terms of resale value: Upgrade kitchen: Cosmetic kitchen makeovers, such as new appliances and countertops, can add 5% to a home’s value. For a median-priced home in Colorado—$367,000— that could add $18,000 in sales value. Increase livable space: The True Cost survey found that adding space to a home, as in finishing a basement, boosts the bottom line by 5%, adding $18,350 to the value of a median-priced home. Renovate bathrooms: Simple updates can make a big difference. Re-tiling the shower or bathtub, updating the faucet and sink and installing new tile can add 2-3% to your home’s value, boosting the bottom line by $7,340-$11,010. If you are looking to get renovate your home please let one of our team members know. Since we have been in the business for so long we have a list of contractors that we have used for years and would be happy to share that contact information with you. Sultan Newman Group ReMax of Cherry Creek Photo Copyright: Jared Rice / Unsplash  

Home Buyers Choose Good School Districts Over Other Amenities We all know home buyers desire high-performing school districts. But what are they willing to sacrifice for this priority? Plenty, according to a recent survey by Realtor.com. The survey found that 78% of home buyers place a good school district above other amenities. “School districts are an area where many buyers aren’t willing to compromise,” Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale noted of the survey’s findings, as reported by CBS MarketWatch. “For many buyers, ‘location, location, location’ means ‘schools, schools, schools’.” According to MarketWatch, more than half of home buyers (59%) studied test scores to determine a school district’s quality. Others considered whether the school had a gifted and talented program (53%) and art and music education (49%). Among the amenities they were willing to sacrifice for great schools: a garage (19% were willing to let this go); updated kitchen (17%); number of hoped-for bedrooms (17%) and outdoor living space (16%). “Of course, buying in a good school district comes with a significant premium as well,” adds MarketWatch, which cites a 2016 Realtor.com study noting that homes in higher-rated school districts were 49% more expensive on average than the median-priced home nationwide. Reach out to one of the Sultan Newman Group team members and we would be happy to provide you with a school district map so you can see what district is right for your family.   ReMax of Cherry Creek Photo Copyright: Pan Xiaozhen / Unsplash.com

Market Insights for Fall 2018 Housing inventory increases to the highest level in four years giving homebuyers more selection and signaling increased days on market and a slowdown in the rate of price growth. Is this the time to sit on the sidelines waiting for the market to turn? With interest rates expected to go to 5.1 percent in 2019 and forecasted appreciation softening but continuing to remain strong at 5.6 percent year over year in Denver, the cost of waiting is significant. Don’t fall into the trap of rumors about the Denver Real Estate market. Contact one of us at the Sultan Newman Group team directly and I will help guide you through the buying or selling process. A $425,000 home today will cost an estimated $23,800 more in purchase price in one year and $286 more a month in your mortgage payment – that’s a 13 percent increase or cost for waiting a year. With that being said, don’t wait to purchase until next year. The time to buy is now. Contact one of us at the Sultan Newman Group directly to get the buying process start. We have an excellent team backing one another that will make sure home buying is as seamless as possible. Quick Stats: Average active listings for August is 17,020 (1985-2017). Record high August was 2006 with 31,664 listings and 2016 represented the record low with 7,327 listings. August 2018 had 8,228 active listings. The 20-year average change in active listings from July to August is a .16 percent decrease. 2018 represents an increase of 7.65 percent. This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded. DMAR Market Insights If you have any real estate questions or needs please feel free to reach out to our Director of Operations at admin@re303.com and she will get you in touch with one of us.

Denver’s luxury market hits record high in sales In Denver’s vibrant housing market, it’s not just bungalows that are flying off the market. Luxury homes are also selling at record levels. According to the Denver Business Journal, Denver’s luxury housing market surpassed $2 billion in sales by August of this year, the earliest it has ever hit that mark. Luxury homes are generally defined as those priced over $1 million. In recent months, such homes have been spending an average of 66 days on the market—far less than the historic average of 80-90 days. “I believe the growth of luxury buyers is a relatively new phenomenon,” Steve Danyliw, chairman of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ market trends committee told the Journal. Homes are selling at higher prices than in the past, which explains some of the change. Additionally, higher paying jobs have migrated to Colorado, through companies such as Charles Schwab, Strava, Charter and Xero, fueling buyers’ ability to pay high prices. More inventory in that price range has also impacted the total sales figure. This record-breaking streak is seeing a slowdown, however. “[Despite] more inventory and high sales volume, many luxury homes across the metro are also experiencing price reductions and are spending more days on the market,” noted one DMAR market trends committee member. As inventory continues to increase, he adds, price reductions are likely until February, when the sales season “kicks back into high gear.” If you are interested in buying or selling a luxury home in the Denver area, look no further, contact Sultan Newman Group today!   ReMax of Cherry Creek Photo Copyright: www.unsplash.com

Under Contract in 3 days! Whittier Gem, 2545 Marion Street! At Sultan Newman Group, we go above and beyond for our clients. When we get the honor of listing your property we will make sure everything is perfect so once your house hits the Denver Real Estate market we have already created buzz about your house! This vibrant & eclectic Whittier neighborhood presents a charming bungalow, ready for you to move right in! This floorplan maintains original architectural details – gleaming hardwoods, period fireplace, bay window, soaring ceilings – complemented by thoughtful updates throughout – fresh paint and added powder room. The kitchen features concrete counters with breakfast bar and new stainless kitchen appliances including a gas cooktop. There are two bedrooms, one with a built-in murphy bed, perfect for guests/home office, and a jack-and-jill 3/4 bath that has been modernized with a new vanity and slate tile shower surround. The basement provides excellent storage and houses the mechanicals. Outside, there is a Trex deck with pergola, flagstone patio, and hot tub – perfect for entertaining. An oversized 2-car garage sits on the alley. Great location adjacent to historic 5-Points/Curtis Park with light rail just 5-blks away and neighborhood shops & restaurants nearby. With so much buzz online, there were 65 scheduled showings before the weekend ended. This Whittier gem definitely did not last long, after being on the market for just 3 days our team received multiple offers well over asking price. Our seller was given all the information to make the best decision for him and now is home is Under Contract for 55K over asking price! Sultan Newman Group works diligently for buyers and sellers to make sure you have all the information you need to ensure we get you to closing. If you or someone you know is looking to put their house on the market, look no further, Sultan Newman Group is here to help you. Contact our team to preview your property and we work to achieve the same results!  

Winterize Your Home Before the Cold Really Sets In Steps to winterizing your home in Denver There’s a chill in the air and, along with it, that nagging feeling that home maintenance chores await. While it’s tempting to procrastinate, now is the time to attend to your home, winterize your home before the cold sets in. Your to-do list should include these duties to properly winterize your home: Clean gutters: Now is the time to remove leaves and other debris that have fallen into your gutters. This will help ensure good drainage after snowstorms, when melting occurs. Clean the chimney: If you haven’t done recently, hire a professional to rout out soot, creosote and other dangerous elements that accumulate on the inside of the chimney. It’s also advisable to place a screen on top of the chimney to keep out rodents and other creatures. Have your furnace inspected: It’s important to have an HVAC professional check the furnace for any malfunctions. Also, be sure to change the filters and keep new ones handy for monthly replacement during the winter months. Be sure you know where your water main is located. This will speed your reaction time in the case of freezing pipes and other emergencies. Also, drain garden hoses and put them in storage for the winter. Check the foundation around the house: Clear away any debris and vegetation from the house’s foundation so that you can spot any cracks or entry holes. If you find some, be sure to seal them off to keep animals from entering your home as the cold sets in. Caulk gaps in siding, windows or doors: This will keep the cold wind from blowing through your living room—and help you save on energy bills. By following these simple steps, home ownership in Denver winters doesn’t have to be so tough. If you have any other suggestions to better winterize your home please let us know! admin@re303.com REMAX of Cherry Creek Blog

Homeowners required to pay for sidewalk repairs In some parts of Denver, a stroll down a leafy block can be one part scenic, one part obstacle course. With so many sidewalks in terrible disrepair, a wrong step can send someone tumbling. As a result, the city has turned to a rule that has long been on the books but rarely enforced—one that makes Denver homeowners responsible for keeping the sidewalks near their properties well-maintained and, if necessary, repairing them at their own cost. Since summer, officials have begun sending city workers out to inspect sidewalks and to notify homeowners of their duties to repair any gaps, cracks or other deficiencies that could interfere with the ease of walking down a street. “We’re a growing city and we’re trying to give people other options to get around town,” Denver Public Works spokeswoman Nancy Kuhn told CBS4. “This program is addressing those hazardous sidewalks and making it easier to get around.” Most repairs will cost less than $1,000, notes CBS4. Homeowners are required to fix sidewalks within 45 days of receiving notice. If the job doesn’t get done in that timeframe, the city will fix it—and bill the homeowner. This year, the Neighborhood Sidewalk Program is focusing on central Denver, with other regions to get attention in following years. If you’ve received notice that your sidewalk is in disrepair, don’t choose someone to fix it randomly. Call us for referrals and we’ll happily guide you to trusted professionals.   RE/MAX of Cherry Creek Blog

How Much is My Home Worth? Are you thinking of putting your home on the market? One of the first questions sellers ask is, “How much is my home worth?” There are many ways to find an answer, from easy-to-access online calculators to in-depth appraisals. Here are some tips to help you navigate these tools and understand how much your home is worth. Online Home Worth Calculators Many sellers first turn to online calculators, easy to find on your favorite home search site or with a simple online search. Enter a few numbers into the calculator to instantly get a number. These calculators often vary depending on how they calculate the home worth. Enter your information into a dozen calculators and you could end up with a dozen different answers. Estimates are based on a variety of factors, from public records to user-provided information. However, online calculators are only as good as the information that is available. They cannot account for any upgrades you’ve done to your house, unique features about your home, or special qualities of your neighborhood. Unique factors like these add value but are not easily included in the calculation and thus left out of the equation. While online home worth calculators can provide a useful starting point as you’re thinking about selling your home, they should not be used alone. Online home value estimates are just that – an estimate. Use these calculators when you’re starting out, but consult with one of us at Sultan Newman Group if you’re seriously considering selling your home. Use the REcolorado Home Worth Calculator >> Comparative Market Analysis For a more accurate value, ask one of us to provide a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. In this analysis, your agent will combine real estate experience, housing market trends, and expertise with information about recent home sales and comparable homes in your neighborhood. We are local experts who will take time to understand your home. We can include much more detailed information in a CMA to ensure you are getting an accurate valuation. Unlike an automated online calculator, we can consider unique features of your home and factor those into its value. As your agent, we can provide important outside perspective as well. We understand how a possible buyer will see the value of your home, which is very important to attract the best offer for your home. With this insight and expertise, you’ll have a much deeper understanding of your home’s worth. As your Realtor, we can also use market trends to recommend the best time to put your home on the market. And when it’s time to sell your home, we will use a CMA to determine the best strategy for pricing your home for sale. Appraisal An appraisal is a final step to understand exactly what your home is worth. Typically, the appraisal will come after your home is on the market and under contract. An appraisal involves a comprehensive look at all the details of your home. This includes room size and number, square footage, and above or below grade spaces. The calculation also weighs the values of similar, nearby homes that have recently sold. Mortgage lenders rely on a formal appraisal to determine terms of a home loan for buyers. Because it is used as the basis for a home loan, an appraisal is typically performed when you have a serious buyer for your home for sale. Talk with one of us to determine how an appraisal fits into the process of selling your home. Each of these methods can be used to answer the question, “How much is my home worth?” Online home worth calculators can provide a useful estimate in the early stages but cannot replace the expertise of a Realtor performing a comparative market analysis. Talk with one of the Sultan Newman Group team members to learn more about determining home worth or selling your home. Visit our website for more information. SultanNewman.com  

Are you making these decorating mistakes? Here’s how to fix them! You’ve tried your best to make every room in the house shine, yet somehow you keep missing the mark. If only you could afford to hire a design professional. But there’s no reason to despair. Many decorating mistakes are easily fixed—and without the investment of a $200/hour designer. Recently the website Houzz listed common design mistakes and offered easy-to-follow ways to fix them. Here are four tips to improve the look of your home: Declutter your shelves. “Putting every ornament you own on open shelves often leads to a distracting mishmash of nondescript items,” notes Houzz. The website suggests taking every item off the shelf and categorizing each as “beautiful, interesting or out.” Place anything in the latter category in a “no” pile. Then, once the sorting process is over, study what’s left with an eye toward showing every item in its best light. For instance, “[y]ou might want to paint the back of the shelves to emphasize lovely shapes and colors among your chosen collection,” Houzz suggests. Brighten up a white kitchen: White kitchens are popular these days, but without the right approach, they can seem bland and sterile. Houzz suggests displaying kitchenware to add interest. For example, “Hang great-looking saucepans from wall hooks, leave a stack of pretty dishes out on display or set a bowl filled with fruits or veggies on the counter.” Also, brighten select spots with flowers, small colorful appliances, and so on. Take care when hanging art: Homeowners often make the mistake of hanging art too high, says Houzz. Aim for the picture’s center point to be at eye level when hung in places where people stand. Aim lower in places where people will be seated. If in doubt, hire a professional to help; this is one area where it’s worth the investment. Create a focal point: When you walk into your rooms, do you find it hard to know where to rest your eyes? If so, chances are, you’ve neglected to designate a central item of interest. When planning a room, start with a focal point—a stunning piece of art or furniture, a mirror, a rug. Then arrange the rest of your décor to complement it. If you like what you already have, pick one item to be the focal point and rearrange your furniture to direct attention to that item. Photo Copyright: Unsplash Re/Max of Cherry Creek Blog  

If you have a child in college, no doubt you’ve experienced the severe sticker shock that comes with higher education. There’s little you can do about rising tuition fees, but what about room and board? One option is generally overlooked: Sometimes, buying property in the college town can lower your costs-and provide a lucrative investment down the road. Consider Tom K. Wilson’s story, as related by Boston.com. In 2001, the electrical engineer-turned-real-estate investor purchased a three-bedroom home in San Luis Obispo, so that his daughter could live there while attending California Polytechnic State University. He paid $385,000, plus another $10,000 to add a bedroom. His daughter shared the home with roommates. Six years later, Wilson sold the house for $760,000-nearly double his initial investment. The windfall covered the entire cost of his daughter’s undergraduate education, including housing, as well as a down payment on a home for her graduate school attendance. Such risks aren’t for everybody. “Not all parents want to complicate their children’s lives with logistical challenges like collecting rent from friends,” notes the website. But many feel that a home purchase can lower other logistical challenges that come with renting, such as avoiding “late-night noise, shady landlords, unsafe conditions and inflexible move-in schedules.” Recently, notes Boston.com, the home improvement website Houzz took a poll of 1,050 people, asking if they had purchased real estate in the town or city where their child attended college. More than half answered yes. While some noted that they wouldn’t do it again, due to the hassles of upkeep, others reported that they went on to invest in additional properties on college neighborhoods. As for Wilson, he notes that college markets are a good bet, as they present a relatively stable supply of renters. “I think it’s a good play,” he said. In the end, it depends on the housing market in the town where your child will be attending college vs. the cost of dorm housing-and your child’s ability to manage the situation. And if purchasing a home doesn’t work out, there’s always this alternative, promoted by one Houzz user: “I’ve just decided I’m buying our child a used RV for college housing.” Let the good times roll. 8167162 – money house in hand