Which Down Payment Strategy is Right For You

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.

But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.

THE DOWNSIDE

The downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years, and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20-percent down payment, which will eliminate some homes from your search.

THE UPSIDE

The national average for home appreciation is about five percent. The appreciation is independent of your home payment, so whether you put down 20 percent or three percent, the increase in equity is the same. If you’re looking at your home as an investment, putting down a smaller amount can lead to a higher return on investment, while also leaving more of your savings free for home repairs, upgrades, or other investment opportunities.


THE HAPPY MEDIUM

Of course, your home payment options aren’t binary. Most borrowers can find some common ground between the security of a traditional 20 percent and an investment-focused, small down payment. Your trusted real estate professional can provide some answers as you explore your financing options.

Dealing with Hardwood Floors

As a Realtor, I see many different flooring options when viewing homes. Hardwood floors are highly desirable for most homeowners, but they come with their share of challenges when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. After a few months or years of heavy use from kids playing with toys and chairs being shuffled around, it may be time for some DIY fixes.

Hiding scratches: If you’ve got a good eye for matching colors, you can actually use crayons or markers or purchase wax sticks from the hardware store to fill-in scratches. Try to match the stain color on your floors, but don’t worry if it’s a little off. If the color is close, once the scratch is filled, it’ll look like a variation in the wood grain.

Polishing floors: You can make a polish solution for your floors from household ingredients. Mix olive oil and vinegar in equal parts, pour it directly into scratches, and then wipe it off after 24 hours. It may take several applications, but this homemade polish will fill and cover most scratches.

Clever decor: It’s not a long-term solution, but sometimes the most painless way to fix scratches in your floors is to cover them with a rug or furniture arrangement.

Spot sanding: For deeper scratches, you’ll need to spot sand with fine steel wool or sandpaper, use wood filler, and stain and seal the repaired area.

Tips for Viewing Homes Online.

It is a well-known fact in the real estate world now that most buyers search homes online before they engage an agent. Long gone are the days when buyers would contact an agent, identify with the agent what they wanted and then the agent would set up the showings based on what was available in a listing book.

Now it’s easy to spend hours looking at home after home with beautiful photos of gorgeous kitchens, well-manicured lawns, modern kitchens, and giant bedrooms. Although this is a great place to begin, it’s important to keep in mind that all may not be as it seems.

Here are some tips to avoid getting duped by listings online.

• Caveat Emptor! You’ve heard it said, “If the price seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.” This certainly applies to online home shopping. More than once I’ve had buyers ask me about a property they have seen on Zillow or another home search website. They’ve noticed it because it seems like a great buy. Sadly, after researching the property I have to tell them that the home is not for sale and some scam artist that doesn’t own the property has posted the home online. 
• Photos can be and usually are deceiving. Real estate photographers are very good at highlighting the best features of the home and often use wide angle lenses to make spaces appear larger than they really are. But, be aware that there may be less photo-worthy features they aren’t displaying. Don’t forget to look at the property features listed below to gather a better idea of what the home has to offer. Even if the photographer is not intending to deceive, it is amazing how different a room can look compared to the picture. 
• Ensure you are looking at current listings. Nothing is worse than falling in love with the perfect home, only to check out the listing date to find it was posted two years ago. Make sure you use websites that are pulling information daily from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and have your real estate agent verify it is available. An alternative is to ask your agent to set up a specialized query of the MLS for you, This way you will only be looking at homes that are available.
• Use your real estate agent as a resource. If you find a seemingly great listing online, always run it by your agent to confirm you aren’t missing something important. They can also provide neighborhood details, price comparisons for similar properties just sold in the area, additional listings that match your criteria, and more. Once you a find a home you’re ready to view, make sure you bring them with you to answer questions and be an extra set of eyes.

Reduce Stress with These Home Organizing Tips

Between work, family, school, etc., you may be feeling stressed so reading an article on organizing your home may feel like adding additional burdens to your already busy life. Bear with me and I'll explain. Though it sounds counter-intuitive, studies show that decluttering your home can help eliminate stress, distractions, and chaos while making you more productive, successful, and happier.

Who doesn't want to be more successful and happier? It's worth a try, right? Following are some organizing tips to get you started:

• Making your bed every morning is motivating. According to a survey at Hunch.com, 71 percent of bed makers say they are happy, while 62 percent of non-bed makers consider themselves unhappy. Make your bed as soon as you get up.
• Wipe down your bathroom as you go – towel off the shower or squeegee glass walls; wipe off counters and put toiletries away.
• Keep kitchen counters clutter-free and clean so they’re ready to go for the next meal prep or use.
• Never let dishes sit overnight. Put them in the dishwasher, or if you hand wash, take the ten minutes to wash and dry after each meal.
• At the end of each day, pick up the main living spaces of your home – put away toys, clutter, etc.
• Organize items for the morning – school backpacks, pack lunches, coats, briefcase, etc.
• Spend five minutes each morning or evening walking your yard – if you stay on top of weeds, toys, dog poop, etc. you’ll thank yourself on weekends.
• Donate, garage sale, purge. If you haven’t used something in the last year, someone else can.
• Don’t let your mail hit a flat surface. Stand by your recycle bin to open your mail and discard anything you don’t need.
• Scan the paperwork you need and digitally file bills, paperwork, etc. Scanners with wifi capability can even sit next to your recycle bin!

If all else fails, hire a professional organizer to help you get started. In one instance, a group of co-workers chipped in to help their cubicle mate get organized!

Landscaping for Privacy

Most of us are spending more time outdoors now that Spring (Summer?) is here. In addition to hiking, ball games, and picnics, many people enjoy the great outdoors with backyard barbeques. Spend time in your own yard is one of the best parts of homeownership. However, you might find yourself wondering if you need a little privacy from neighbors and passing cars. Fencing is one option, but some types of fences can be difficult to maintain, or they might be very expensive to construct. An alternative might be shrubs or trees to protect your privacy.

When thinking about using a living privacy screen, you need to figure out the reason for shielding your view. It could be a neighbor with a messy yard or you might want a secluded spot for your hot tub. Once you determine your reason for privacy then you can make an educated choice when buying your plants. For example, a privet shrub will grow densely and form a boundary that’s formal in appearance. If you decide to go with evergreens, they can reach higher in height than a legal fence. If you have a space issue, shrubs which are smaller and trees which you prune to the desired heights are also an option.

A mixture of shrubs, trees, and plants will give you the most attractive living fence. You can, in addition, put up a trellis or latticework for plants that will grow up and cover it. This is an excellent choice for an open porch or a garden area with benches.

Another thing to consider when selecting your choices is what kind of maintenance you’re willing to perform. Some evergreens and hedges need to be shaped and pruned often. Other shrubs and perennial plants won’t need as much work to keep them looking nice. Consider what you’re willing to care for in trimming and pruning before you plant your living fence.

Denver is rated 5b to 6a by the USDA Hardiness Zone and has alkaline soil in some parts. Both of these facts need to be considered before planting anything in your yard. Just because a plant says on its label then that it will grow in Zone 5 doesn’t mean that it will if planted in alkaline soil. So, when checking out plants, shrubs, and trees online or at a gardening center, you need to read the label for pH levels as well.

Below are some plants, shrubs, and trees which will grow in Denver in Zone 5b to 6a and alkaline soil:

Alleghany viburnum

Alleghany viburnum: This shrub, with its large leathery leaves, will grow 8-10 feet tall and wide. The leaves stay on throughout the winter until new growth pushes through in the spring. The dense shrub will shield unwanted views nicely. It is versatile, as it grows in sun to part shade.

Apache Plume

Apache Plume: This shrub grows to 4-6 feet tall and wide, is xeric, and requires very little care once it likes where it’s planted. The plumes have a purple tint for added color. It mixes well with other shrubs, trees, and plants and grows in sun to part shade.

Fernbush

Fernbush: This shrub will grow 3-5 feet tall and wide and has aromatic leaves. It’s xeric, and bees love it. The shrub will grow in part shade or sun, and in sand or clay.

Pampas Grass

Hardy Pampa Grass: This ornamental grass will grow 8-10 feet high and 4-6 feet wide. It likes sun, is drought tolerant, fast growing, easy to care for, and deer resistant. It will attract butterflies and birds.

Cotoneaster

Hedge Cotoneaster: This shrub is also known as the Peking Cotoneaster and grows 6-8 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide. The foliage is dark green with small pink spring flowers, followed by black fruit. It makes a high screen and will grow in alkaline soil, partial sun, and full sun.

Skyrocket ® Oak

Skyrocket® Oak: This oak grows in a uniformly narrow shape with a height of 40-45 feet and width of 12-15 feet. It grows in alkaline soil. Use this oak as a windbreak, or a natural fence when planted close together.

These are just a few of the many selections that there are to grow a privacy screen. With all the plants, trees and shrubs available; you are sure to find the perfect one for you.

21st Century Grocery Shopping

I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again. I love technology especially technology that saves me time. Recently King Sooper has been pushing their grocery shopping service called “Clicklist” so I decided to give it a try one day when I had a full day.

The process is fairly simple, you set up the application on your phone with your loyalty card and payment information. Next you select your items to purchase and select a pick-up time. When your pick-up time arrives you go to the Clicklist parking area and dial the number displayed in your parking space. When the attendant answers they will ask your name and the number of your parking spot. Within a few minutes, they are bringing the groceries out to your car. Since I consider grocery shopping a necessary evil, I loved the process!

It went so well, I wondered if  Walmarts service worked the same. I was also curious how the prices would compare as I have often shopped at Walmart for groceries in the belief that the prices are lower than traditional grocery stores.  I installed the Walmart Grocery app. Next, I selected the same items on both the King Sooper and Walmart apps. To my surprise the prices on food items between King Sooper and Walmart were pretty much the same.

If you are considering using one of these services, I've provided you a comparison of the two services and their phone app to help in your decision process:

• Searches-Shop by favorites, department, word search or scan. Both King Sooper and Walmart allow all of these ways to shop in their app. With the Walmart app you will need to mark your favorites the first time by clicking on a heart. King Sooper uses purchases through your loyalty card to determine your favorites.
•  UPC Scans- You can scan the UPC code on the product through the app to find the item in both King Soopers and Walmart apps. This is helpful if you are having trouble finding the item through a word search.
•  Store Preference- You can set your preferred store location in both apps.
• List or Cart- The King Sooper app allows you to add items to a list or a cart. The list of items is organized by the aisle location. This is helpful if you intend to physically go to the store instead of ordering through their app. Walmart only has a cart option.
• Pick up Times- Reserving a pick-up time is required in both applications. King Sooper requires a 4-hour advance notice to pick up. Walmart ran out of same day pick up times when I tested the service so orders would have to be picked up the next day. However, Walmart also has a delivery service in addition to their pick up that might work instead. I didn’t test the delivery services. 
• Fee- King Sooper charges a fee of $4.95 per pick up. The first three times you use the app for pick up are free. Currently, Walmart doesn’t charge a fee. Walmart does have a $30 minimum purchase requirement which I haven’t seen in the King Sooper app. 
• Coupons- King Sooper has digital coupons built into their app as well as the weekly ads. This will only work for King Sooper coupons, not coupons from the newspaper. Walmart doesn’t appear to have the ability to use coupons, nor does it show weekly ads. 
• Price- The current price of each item is shown in both applications. King Sooper’s app contains a disclaimer that the price could change prior to pick up. Both apps also keep a running total so you know exactly how much you are spending. I really like this feature as I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a store planning to spend $100 and walked out with $200 of groceries. With the app, I have a very good idea of what I’m spending. It’s also more difficult to impulse buy with this services. 
• Substitutions- The King Sooper app allows you to indicate if you will allow them to substitute a similar item if they don’t have your selection. One time I order zucchini squash and they substituted with organic zucchinis as they were out of regular zucchinis. This feature is not in the Walmart app. 
• Special Instructions- King Sooper’s app has a place to indicate special instructions. I haven’t used it, but I assume you could indicate preferences like wanting a cantaloupe that is still green. Walmart doesn’t have this feature.
• Gas Points- Your gas points for your purchases are tracked in the King Sooper app. As Walmart doesn’t award gas points, this feature is not in their app. 
• Pictures- Both apps show a picture of the item which helps to ensure you are buying the right item. 
• Quantities- Both apps allow you to indicate the number of the product you want. The first time I used the King Sooper app, I wasn’t paying attention so I ordered one zucchini when I would have picked up four if I was physically shopping. 
• Deli- Limited deli items are available through King Soopers app. For example, I can purchase mesquite turkey slices but the honey turkey slices are only available in the store. Walmart did not have any deli items available. 

The bottom line is I will use the service again. Some may feel the fee for the service isn’t justified but if I can save a couple hours of time and energy, I think it’s well worth the fee. If you check it out, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Your Colorado Yard Checklist

Colorado is looking so beautiful right now with the multitude of flowering plants, deep green lawns, and budding trees. It makes you want to be outside all the time even for someone like me with pollen allergies. With high temps in March, a dry streak and then snow, the weather can be confusing to the plants, however. Some are starting to bloom and will be in danger if we have a freeze or heavy wet snow.

If you are looking to keep your yard in good shape then you might want to check out the website, Plant Something Colorado. They have some recommendations for Colorado safe plants. They also have a helpful month by month guide on keeping your yard and garden groomed and healthy.

Here are some ideas to get you jumpstarted:

• If the weather is warm and dry, water shrubs and trees.
• Should the forecast include freezing temperatures, protect plants with fabric, burlap, laundry baskets, boxes – just don’t let anything touch the new leaves or the cold transmits the cold directly into the plant. 
• Plant Something Colorado recommends fertilizing trees, shrubs, and flower beds while dormant.
• Clean out beds, pull up old mulch.
• Trim ornamental grasses and perennials once new growth is showing.
• Core-aerate your lawn now, and if needed, fertilize with a nitrogen mixture, while the weather is cool. Control weeds now, too – Horticultural vinegar (ask at your local garden center) is good for spot treating.
• As soon as your lawn is 3.5”, begin mowing – try not to remove more than 1/3 of the blade (2.5” – 3” height) to keep your lawn healthy. It will usually grow at a faster rate in April and May. It’s a good time to overseed areas or bare spots that need it while the temperatures are still cool.
• If you’re a pet owner, check fences for areas that need repair to keep your yard dog-friendly and safe.
• Colorado’s one of the few places where lawns can suffer from snow mold if there are long periods of snow cover, and then damaged by clover mites. Inspect your lawn for both.
• Test your sprinkler system, timer, etc. Sharpen lawn mower blades and tune up your garden tools; your maintenance now will go a long way for the summer months.
• For those of you with a balcony v.s. a yard, you’ll want to remove old soil from your garden pots, mix in fertilizer and seed any herbs or vegetables you’re growing in pots.

Summer Fun

School is almost out so you’re probably starting to wonder what you are going to do to keep the kiddos entertained while still giving them some intellectual stimulus. You don’t want to break the bank so there are only so many movies or theme parks you can attend. If you’re struggling to come up with some ideas, here are some free activities that will be fun for the whole family. 

Berry Patch Farms

13785 Potomac St.
Brighton, CO 80601
(303) 659-5050
www.berrypatchfarms.com

Fall may have it’s pumpkin patches but late summer is the time to pick apples, plums, cherries, and raspberries at the Berry Patch Farms. It’s a great way for the kids to learn about agriculture while they pick the fruits and vegetables.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Sloan’s Lake Park
1700 N. Sheridan Blvd.
Denver, CO 80212
(303) 953-7277
www.cdbf.org

Dates: July 18-19, 2015

A beautiful annual event celebrating Asian cultures, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is in 15th year. Not only are there boat races around Sloan’s Lake but the event also has a kids area called Dragonland. Here the kids can create origami and dragon masks. There are also plays and storytelling. Don’t leave without trying some of the great Asian food or shop for some souvenirs. 

City Park Jazz

City Park
2001 Colorado Blvd.

Denver, CO 80205
(303) 744-1004
www.cityparkjazz.org

Every Sunday through August 9, 2015

What’s better than free summer concerts? Bring your blankets and picnic while the kids dance to the music. Some of the performers scheduled for this year are The Sam Mayfield Blues Revue, the Ellyn Rucker Trio, the Lynn Baker Quartet, the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts and many more. Shows start at 6:00 p.m. 

The Denver Art Museum

100 W 14th Ave. Parkway
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 865-5000
www.denverartmuseum.org

The Denver Art Museum just announced that children under the age of 5 are free while youth from 6-18 are only $5.00 if the adult is not a member and free if the adult is a member. The museum has many interactive kids areas where they can create their own art.

Free Movies At Infinity Park

950 S. Birch St.
Denver, CO 80246
(303) 692-5799
www.infinityparkatglendale.com

Check out their website and you will find select Monday evenings are free movie nights at Infinity Park. Fun movies will include “How to Train Your Dragon”, “The Princess Bride and “Remember the Titans." Don’t forget to bring a big blanket and a picnic dinner

It's Almost Farmers' Market Time!

As the days are now longer and we are starting to see more temps above 70 degrees. I am reminded
that it’s almost time for the Farmers Markets to open for the summer. Each year my husband and I look forward to spending Saturday mornings walking down the vendor aisles looking for items to try. The peak of our summer is when the melons come in from Rocky Ford.

Denver has some amazing markets to choose from for fresh and locally grown fruits, vegetables and wines, each with a different personality. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, some have music, some have chef event and some have local eateries. If you are a regular at your local market, maybe this is the year you check out a market that isn’t in your neighborhood. If you’re looking for a new place to try, here is a roundup of some of these great markets.

CHERRY CREEK FRESH MARKET 

E. 1st Ave. and University Blvd.

The Cherry Creek Fresh Market is called the “Cadillac of Farmers Markets,” and for good reason. Not only can you find locally grown produce and food vendors, you can also enjoy live musicians, chef events, and gardening tips from Master Gardeners and Master Composters. Parking is free during the market.

WHEN: Saturdays, May 5–Oct. 27, 2018, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.; Wednesdays, June 13–Sept. 26, 2018, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

CITY PARK ESPLANADE FRESH MARKET
E. Colfax Ave. and Columbine St.

This is a great farmers market located at the historic Sullivan Fountain is the City Park Esplanade Fresh Market. This market focuses on a strong agricultural market so you will find a great selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables. There's also plenty of free parking.

WHEN: Sundays, June 3–Oct. 28, 2018, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

THE FARMERS' MARKET AT HIGHLANDS SQUARE

32nd Ave. and Lowell Blvd.

In its fifth year, The Farmer’s Market at Highlands Square not only has farm-grown fruits and vegetables, and live music but a charming location. While there you can also visit the local boutiques and eateries.

WHEN: 2018 dates not available yet

STAPLETON FRESH MARKET

E. 29th Ave. and Roslyn St.

Located at the Founders' Green, the Stapleton Fresh Market has the typical local produce but also freshly popped kettle corn. As opening day is Father’s Day, wouldn’t this be a great place to spend it?

WHEN: Sundays, June 17–Oct. 14, 2018, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

UNION STATION FARMERS' MARKET
Denver Union Station Plaza

As the name indicates, the Union Station Farmers’ Market at the historic Union Station, It features local produce, meat, dairy, coffee, baked goods as well as chef demos and live music.

WHEN: Saturdays, May 12–Oct. 20, 2018, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.


OLD SOUTH PEARL STREET FARMERS' MARKET
On the 1500 block of Old South Pearl St., between Florida Ave. and Iowa Ave.

The charming South Pearl neighborhood is host to the Old South Pearl Street Farmers' Market every Sunday in the summertime. There is fresh produce, ready-to-eat treats, artisan cheeses, just-out-of-oven baked and freshly roasted chilies.

WHEN: Sundays, May 20–Nov. 18, 2018, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

HIGHLANDS RANCH FARMERS' AND STREET MARKET

9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch

A potpourri of fresh produce, garden décor, cooking equipment and handbags can be found the Highlands Ranch Farmers’ and Street Market.

WHEN: Sundays, May 6–Oct. 28, 2018, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

LITTLETON FARMERS' MARKET
7301 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton

The Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center hosts the Littleton Farmers Market. Great shopping can also be found in the Aspen Grove shop. Try the Bistro for breakfast or lunch while you are there. If you don’t want to deal with the traffic on Santa Fe, take the light rail to Aspen Grove.

WHEN: Wednesdays, June 13–Oct. 10, 2018, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

FOUR SEASONS FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET
7043 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge

Although the Four Seasons Farmers and Artisans Market has year-round indoor shopping, it offers an open-air option during the summer. The focus of this market is healthy, high-quality foods such as fresh fruits and vegetable, raw goat milk, preserves, baked goods duck eggs, flower and local meats. Artists, jewelers, and photographers also display their work.

WHEN: Saturdays, May 19–Oct. 20, 2018, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

SOUTHWEST PLAZA FARMERS' MARKET

Southeast Parking Lot at Wadsworth and Bowles Ave.

This is my neighborhood market. You will find the usual fresh produce, baked good, and honey. One of my favorite wineries, Avanti, also has a booth where you can try samples of their wine. Sometimes the Tupperware lady is there also.

WHEN: Saturdays, May 5–Oct. 27, 2018, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

LAKEWOOD FARMERS' MARKET

Mile Hi Church, Alameda Ave. and Garrison St., Lakewood

The Lakewood Farmers' Market, features kettle corn, cheese samples, as well as fresh produce. While there you can also check out the knitted shawls and handmade soaps.

WHEN: Saturdays, June 16–Sept. 29, 2018, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

What Can a Buyer Do in a Seller’s Market?

There is no question that we are still in a Seller’s market. The median sold price in February was up 10.3% over the 2017 February median sold price. The lack of inventory and the competition for homes is especially frustrating to buyers. If you are a buyer and you are tempted to give up looking for a home, I have a little good news for you.

The Denver Metro Realtors Association released their April market report with some positive news for Buyers. The Market Trends Committee saw active housing inventory increase 13 percent month over month in March to 4,482. As the Denver Metro February 2018 numbers saw the lowest inventory mark, this is significant.

In March, 6,335 new listings were added to the housing market, an increase of 36.44 percent from the month prior. That increase was slightly offset by 5,674 listings being placed under contract, demonstrating strong home buying activity.

So, what can a buyer do to improve their chances of getting their offer accepted in this competitive market? Below are some tactics to use during the search and offer process.

When looking for a home:

1. Have a pre-approval not a pre-qualification letter from a quality lender. A pre-approval means the lender is indicating that based on the info the buyer provided, they look to be qualified. Any new information obtained during the pre-approval process could change this. With a pre-qualification letter, the lender has taken the next steps and verified the income and asset information provided by the buyer. This will significantly cut down the loan process timeframe and reduce the possibility of the loan falling through. The Seller will see your offer as stronger than those with a pre-qualification letter. Not all lenders are equal. Using a locally based lender that knows the area will reduce unnecessary requirements. You also want a lender that has a track record of closing transactions. The right lender made the difference on one of my transactions.

2. Have as much cash available as you can manage so you can make your highest and best offer when you are ready to submit an offer. You may not get a chance to negotiate. Having cash is not possible for some people if you don’t have assets you can use. However, if you don’t have the cash available you might be able to use your 401(k) account. Most 401(k) accounts allow the withdrawal of funds to purchase a primary residence. The withdrawal becomes a loan that is paid back from your paycheck. Of course, those funds are meant for your retirement so you may be hesitant to withdrawal from your 401(k). Here is an alternative. A lender I work with has a program where you can pay for the down payment with cash from your 401(k) and then they will concurrent give you a loan at close that will pay back the 401(k) money. It is set up to pay off the 401(k) loan in the time frame that will eliminate any penalties.

3. Have your Realtor contact homeowners in your preferred neighborhood. The agent can call or mail the homeowners a letter letting them know that they have a buyer that is interested in purchasing a home in the neighborhood. They can also contact expired and withdrawn listings. This tactic can be used to find homeowners that have considered selling but don’t have their property listed. They may not want to deal with the hassle of listing their home.

4. If you have a home to sell, get it under contract before you make an offer. Like it or not, Sellers see a home contingency as a negative. They fear that if they must wait for your home to sell then it may cause problems for the closing on their transaction. If your home is under contract already, then it reduces some of the Seller’s worry. A better tactic might be to sell your home and rent until you find the home you want. This tactic not only removes the contingency but may make your offer a cash offer. A definite point in your favor as far as the Seller is concerned as it will likely mean a faster close.

5. Consider delaying your home search until September. Prices and competition for homes start to drop off as kids go back to school and people start thinking about the holidays. There won’t be as much inventory either, but you won’t have to go up against 20 other buyers if you find the home you want. A bonus point is prices will be lower.

When making an offer on a home:

1. Agree to make earnest money “hard” after a certain date such as after the inspection. This means the earnest money will not be refundable after the specified date. It shows the Seller that you are a serious buyer and reduces the possibility that the buyer will get “buyer’s remorse” and back out of the transaction. A Seller’s worst nightmare is to take their property off the market for four weeks only to have the buyer walk away before the transaction closes.

2. Use an escalation clause. An escalation clause states that the buyer is willing to beat any offer higher than their offer by a specific amount over the highest offer with a maximum purchase price. For example, the purchase prices might be $250,000. The escalation clause will state the buyer is willing to beat any offer over $250,000 by $1000. As long as the final purchase price does not exceed $260,000. Escalation clauses have positive and negative points. The downside is the Seller will know exactly what is your top purchase price. If there are multiple contracts, then escalation clauses are nightmares for the listing agent. One of the positive points is that your offer will not be automatically be kicked out by higher offers.

3. Agree to pay the difference if there is a gap between the appraisal and the purchase prices. Lenders will only lend on the lesser of the appraised value and the purchase price. In the past, if the appraisal came in lower than the purchase price, then the contract was open for negotiation. Recently we have seen buyers offering to pay the difference. If you use this strategy then your real estate agent should have a very strong handle on the values in the neighborhood. Prices will most likely go up but if they don’t, you may have overpaid for the property if you paid for the appraisal gap.

4. Agree to either waive the inspection or agree to require no inspection requirements. I would never recommend waiving the inspection unless it’s a very new home. Even then I would recommend getting the inspection, so you know if you have any potential issue. If you get the inspection you can agree to not request any fixes. Repairs required by home inspections are expensive for seller so knowing that they won’t have to make any repairs could be a point in your favor.

5. Write a letter to the Seller about what you value about the home. It may seem corny to you but Sellers want buyers that will love the home as much as they did. It puts a face to the buyer and personalizes it for the Seller. I have seen more than one transaction where the Seller went with a buyer with a lower offer because they liked the letter the buyer wrote.

Finally, all of this may seem overwhelming so your first step is to select the right real estate agent. A good agent will already know these tactics and when to use them so they can make the process stress free for you.

If you are interested in seeing some more stats from the Denver Metro Realtor’s market trends report, you can down the report at this link-  DMAR April Market Trends Report

What Does theTax Cut Bill Mean to Colorado Homeowners?

As a Realtor, it is my responsibility my clients to stay current on any issue that impacts homeownership including taxes. If you are a homeowner, you may be wondering what the impact of the tax bill will be to you. As most of the changes take effect on the 2018 tax year most of the tax preparers are waiting for direction. However, there are a few areas where the tax implications are known so I am covering them today. 

MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION

For many people, the mortgage interest deduction is one of the few remaining write-offs they have. In the original House bill, the mortgage interest deduction was limited to $500,000 and second homes were no longer allowed for the deduction. Congress apparently heard the concern being voiced before they finalized the bill as the mortgage interest deduction was lowered from $1 million to $750,000 with a mortgage age condition instead. The reduced mortgage limit of $750,000 only applies to mortgages originated after 12/14/2017. For mortgages originated before 12/14/2017 the mortgage interest remains deductible on existing mortgages up to $1 million. The second home mortgage interest deduction is also still allowed. Additionally, the homeowner with a grandfathered $1 million loan can also refinance that loan and maintain the $1 million deductibility limit as long as the new loan amount does not exceed the amount of the mortgage being refinanced. Granted there are certain areas where 750,000 mortgages are more common. In those areas, the new bill could have a negative impact on home prices. As the median home price in Colorado is below $400,000, the limit to $750,000 won’t impact most people.

GAIN ON SALE OF HOME

This item was also causing quite a bit of concern prior to the passage of the bill. In the original House and Senate bill, the time a homeowner must live in their home to qualify for a capital gains exclusion would have changed from 2 out of the last 5 years to 5 of the last 8 years. If passed, many potential sellers might have delayed selling their home for a year or two to avoid the capital gain tax. With Colorado’s limited housing inventory, this would have further reduced the number of homes available. Thankfully, this item was removed so the exclusion has not changed. The exclusion allows homeowners that have lived in their home for 2 of the last 5 years to exclude up to $250,000 of capital gain as a single person or $500,000 as a married couple.

STANDARD DEDUCTION

The final bill doubled the standard deduction for joint filers. Because the tax advantages won’t be significant most homeowners won’t itemize deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes. If you find itemizing cumbersome you might find the change an improvement. Some real estate professionals feel that without the tax difference between renting and owning a home, some people will choose to rent rather than buy. This would reduce the demand for homes. Personally, I believe most people buy a home for reasons other than the tax write off.  My clients express a desire to be able to buy a home they can personalize as their own. Or they want to be in a specific school district. Another reason expressed is the benefits of a long-term investment as property values have always increased, some years more than others. All of these reasons are not available to a renter.

DEDUCTION FOR STATE AND LOCAL TAXES

The final bill still allows homeowners to deduct property taxes but sets a cap on the amount of the deduction at $10,000 for both single and married couples. Where property taxes are higher in certain states, the $10,000 limit is significant. As property taxes remain comparatively low in Colorado, the deduction limit probably won’t have much impact on our housing market.

Foreclosure v.s Short Sales

As a real estate broker, I try to stay current on all things housing related. If my clients have questions, I want to have the answers. Some of the questions I get are about foreclosures and short sales so for this week’s blog, I thought it would be helpful to discuss them.

Can I Buy a Home That's In Foreclosure?

I am often asked by buyers looking to find a good deal on a home if I can help them buy a home in foreclosure. As much as I’d like to help them with this goal, I have to tell them that in the current market with rising property values, there just aren’t many foreclosures or short sales. In most cases, homeowners that find they can’t make the mortgage payments for some reason, are able to refinance or sell their home and pay off the mortgage so they can start over.

The attached chart from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs 4th Quarter Foreclosure Report for 2017 demonstrates this. Notice that the  4th Quarter 2017 foreclosure filing rate is higher than the sales at auction rate. This shows that the homeowners were either able to bring the mortgage current after the Notice of Election and Demand was filed or they were able to sell the home and pay off the mortgage.

According to this report from the Division of Housing:

“During the fourth quarter of 2017, Colorado public trustees reported 1,654 foreclosure filings and 447 sales at auction (completed foreclosures). During the fourth quarter of 2016, there were 1,794 filings and 633 sales. Comparing year-over-year for the fourth quarter, foreclosure filings fell 7.8 percent and completed foreclosures fell 29.4 percent. The foreclosure sales totals reported for the fourth quarter of 2017 was the lowest sales totals recorded since the Division of Housing began tracking quarterly foreclosure totals in 2007.”

What Can You Do If You Find You Can’t Make the Mortgage Payment

As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview.

A short sale comes into play when a homeowner needs to sell their home but the home is worth less than the remaining balance that they owe. The lender can allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed, freeing the homeowner from the financial predicament.

On the buyer side, short sales typically take three to four months to complete and many of the closing and repair costs are shifted from the seller to the lender.

On the other hand, a foreclosure occurs when a homeowner can no longer make payments on their home so the bank begins the process of repossessing it. A foreclosure usually moves much faster than a short sale and is more financially damaging to the homeowner.

After foreclosure, the bank can sell the home in a foreclosure auction. For buyers, foreclosures are riskier than short sales, because homes are often bought sight unseen, with no inspection or warranty.

The good news is if you are a homeowner and you find you can’t make the mortgage payments due to job loss, medical bills or some other reason, you have options. If you need help, give me a call. I can put you in touch with a lender to help with the refinance or advise you on selling your home.

A Better Paint Job

No matter what the state of the house I own, I end up painting something. Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your home a makeover and personalize it. Whether it’s updating an old bathroom paint scheme or adding a bold accent wall, paint can totally transform a room. But painting can be a big hassle and come with tons of prep work and clean up. Here are a few tips to make your painting experience more enjoyable and lead to a more professional finish.

PREPARATION

Alexander Graham Bell said " Before anything else, preparation is the key to success" so take the necessary pre-steps if you want to make your painting a success.

Prep beyond tape and drop cloths

A drop cloth will protect your floors, but a thick and durable drop cloth is also a little clumsy to maneuver. For smaller, awkward items that are in danger of paint splatter, use plastic wrap. It’ll make it much less frustrating to protect a toilet or bathroom sink.

Be ready for spills and splatters
At the very least, a few drops of paint are going to end up where you don’t want them. Have a rag and some Q-Tips ready for the inevitable paint splatter, so that you can quickly wipe them off before they dry and set on your frames, countertops, or hardwood floor.

Use heat to remove the tape
Painter’s tape should not be left on the surface for more than 10 days but sometimes you get distracted and can’t get back to your project. When that happens, patience is the key when removing painter’s tape. Hold a heat gun or hair dryer a few inches away from the tape as you remove it little by little. The heat will break down the adhesive and make removing the tape a much less frustrating task. Be prepared though, it can still tear and leave splotchy edges no matter how careful you are.

Stopping and Starting
When you are painting you may find you have to stop before the job is completed. Try wrapping your paintbrush in plastic wrap. It will keep the brush from drying out for a day or so until you can pick up where you left off. Putting a plastic bag over the paint can and tape around it will keep your paint fresh until you can come back to finish.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINT FINISH

It can be intimidating to stand in front of the paint swatches at the paint or hardware store and try to make a decision. Picking a color can be difficult enough—and then you have to choose the finish. Choosing the color is up to you, but here’s a simple guide to choosing the correct finish for your project.

High Gloss
High gloss paint has the most sheen, and will be the most durable. That durability is best suited for the kitchen, on surfaces like cabinets, door frames, and window trim. It’s best to avoid using high gloss on walls, because it will be too reflective.

Semi-Gloss
It’s not as shiny as high gloss, but it’s still great for kitchens and bathrooms, because the sheen protects from drips, splatters, and other moisture.

Satin
Satin has a velvet-like look, but is still a durable finish, and works best in high-traffic areas. Be careful when applying, because satin paint will reveal sloppy brush strokes.

Eggshell and flat
These finishes have the least amount of sheen, and are the least durable. They’re great for hiding imperfections in your walls, but the low durability means they should be avoided if the room is subject to wear and tear from kids or pets. Use these paints in dining rooms, bedrooms, and other low-traffic rooms.

Finally, the best thing about paint is if you don't like it you can paint over it. So relax and have some fun with it!

Secret Weapons for DIY Projects

Is there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft store? I’ve mentioned before that I am a Pinterest junkie and one of my favorite things to find on Pinterest are common household items that I can use on cleaning projects around that house. Here are a few of my favorite finds:

1. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry right now. You can soak items in vinegar to remove mineral deposits (like in a clogged showerhead), and you can boil vinegar in your microwave to remove odors and make it easier to clean. Have a puppy that had an accident? Put some white vinegar in a spray bottle. After cleaning, spray the white vinegar on the spot to neutralize the smell and discourage the puppy from going there again. Make sure you only use white vinegar on your carpeting as other types might stain.

2. Cola: A can of Coke or Pepsi can be used to clean many surfaces, including your glass windows, porcelain toilet, or chrome fixtures. Just do some research before using it on metal surfaces, as it can be corrosive. I haven’t tried it myself, but some people have indicated that Coke can remove the mineral deposit ring in the toilet bowl also.

3. Baking soda: This item may be more useful for applications other than baking. A baking soda-vinegar paste is great for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Baking soda can also be used to absorb odors.

4. Butter knife: Screwdrivers are easy to misplace. If you can’t find a screwdriver when you need one, a butter knife—preferably an older one that you no longer need for table setting—is pretty effective for both Phillips- and flat-head screws.

5. Toothpaste: Is there an unsightly scratch on your car or bike? The grit in tartar-control kinds of toothpaste makes for an effective scratch remover. Clean the scratch, apply some toothpaste, let it sit for a few minutes, and then buff it out with a paper towel.

6. Dryer sheets: After drying your clothes the used dryer sheets are great for wiping off TV screens and computer monitors as they don’t generate static electricity. You can use new dryer sheets to remove crayon marks from the wall and clean off chrome faucets. Just be careful when cleaning walls especially a wall with flat paint as the dryer sheet can remove the paint.

7. Aluminum Foil: Foil crushed into a ball can be used to remove rust on pipes or grunge from the exterior bottom of pans. It can also be used as a replacement for dryer balls to remove static electricity from clothes.

Do you have some favorite DIY ideas you'd like to share?

5 Criteria for Pricing A Home

In my last post, I included a link to a National Realtor Association tool that shows listings are up this year! Last year things seemed to be leveling out. This year it appears consumer confidence is improving as more houses went on the market in January than at the comparative time last year. This is good news for Buyers as it means more homes are available to purchase. It is also good news for Sellers as more competition will help them sell their homes at the best price.

If you are thinking of selling this year, you are probably wondering what is a good price to sell your home? When you put your home up for sale, one of the best ways to determine the asking price is to look at comparable sales. There’s rarely a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, so a pricing decision often relies on comparisons to several recent sales in the area. Here are five criteria to look for in a sales comparison.

1. Location: Homes in the same neighborhood typically follow the same market trends. Comparing your home to another in the same neighborhood is a good start, but comparing it to homes on the same street or block is even better.
2. Date of sale: It varies by location, but housing markets can see a ton of fluctuation in a short time period. It‘s best to use the most recent sales data available.
3. Home build: Look for homes with similar architectural styles, numbers of bathrooms and bedrooms, square footage, and other basics.
4. Features and upgrades: Remodeled bathrooms and kitchens can raise a home’s price, and so can less flashy upgrades like a new roof or HVAC system. Be sure to look for similar bells and whistles.
5. Sale types: Homes that are sold as short sales or foreclosures are often in distress or sold at a lower price than they’d receive from a more typical sale. These homes are not as useful for comparisons.

All this information can be overwhelming and may be difficult to interpret. If this is the case for you, you might consider asking a Realtor to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA for you. It's usually free of charge. The Realtor will not only use the above criteria but can provide you with information that is specific to your neighborhood and help you to understand what the comparable information means for the selling of your home.  If you’d like to determine the best price for your home, I can work up a CMA just for you. Give me a call at 303-888-1587 or email me at cheryl@lawsonpropertysolutions.com

Market Update

If you are wondering if this is the year to buy a home, then check out this cool tool from the Colorado Association of Realtors http://www.coloradorealtors.com/…/regional-and-statewide-st…. For example, if you click on Jefferson County, you will see there are 45 more single family listings on the market this year compared to last year at this time. For condos and townhouses, there are 42 more units available this year compared to last year. We definitely need the inventory! I can tell you from personal experience that consumer confidence also appears to be up as there are more buyers also. If you are considering buying or selling a home, give me a call and let's set up an action plan for you!

Winter Lawncare in Colorado

During most winters, I consider the wintertime a

 vacation from lawn care. This year I see that brown turf called my lawn every time I go out or come home and I find myself asking “Should I be doing something?” Are you having the same thought? Today I want to share what I found out about winter lawn care in Colorado. 

Winter Kill 

Well cared for turf is resilient and strong, but winter weather can be unforgiving to even the best lawns. Serious damage from ice, wind, extreme temperatures and freeze/thaw can be done to the sensitive crown of the grass. The crown is the place where the plant stem meets the roots. These conditions could result in winterkill. Recovery could take longer if winterkill occurs. 

To prevent winterkill in Colorado, make sure the grass is prepped in the fall.

 • Use a fall fertilizer. Mow the grass and apply fertilizer after the grass has stopped growing, about six weeks before it goes dormant. 

• Rake up the leaves to prevent them from smothering the grass and giving rodents a place to live. 

• Slowly lowering the cutting blade of your mower with each mowing. Make sure the grass is as short as possible at the end of the season. This will protect any new growth that is more fragile near the end of the growing season. Long grass is also a warm place for mice and other burrowing creatures. They can create dead spots where they spend most of their time. 

• Monitor the weather and deal with conditions as they occur. 

Winter Watering 

In winter the bare grass can become desiccated or dried out when exposed to winter winds and extreme temperatures over long periods of time. When you water when your sprinkler is turned off it’s called “winter watering.” For most homeowners that would be between November through mid-April. 

Try to water 1-2 times per month during this period. Pick a day when the air temperature is above 40 degrees and the soil is not frozen. Watering at mid-day is also a good idea so the water doesn’t freeze and the water has time to soak in the ground before it freezes at night. If the water freezes, solid ice could suffocate your lawn and leave it matted. 

If lawns are not watered during the winter then root damage can occur Root health affects the wellbeing of the entire plant. With the dry air of winter, there is very little moisture in the soil. This can cause distress to your trees, plants and lawn. The damage may not be noticeable until the spring. 

Colorado lawns that are exposed to the south or west are especially susceptible. To prevent damage, water from October through March. 

Ice and Snow Cover 

If we are having periods of snow followed by warm temperatures, then freezing temperatures, it can create a thick layer of ice on a lawn. Most Colorado grasses can handle it but if the ice persists for more than 30 days the grass could be damaged or killed. 

It hasn’t been a problem this year, but a persistent snow cover can create insulated conditions near the soil surface. This could cause gray or pink snow mold. Snow mold is likely along the north side of the building and along driveways where snow has been piled up.  Remove the snow from the these areas and avoid large piles in the grass. You can also protect your grass from snow mold with a final application of fertilizer appropriately timed. 

Mice love these insulated area and can create noticeable trails in the grass in the spring. Mouse activity may also occur and leave noticeable trails in the grass in the spring. 

Keep it Clean 

Remove items such as lawn chairs, toys, before the first snow. This will prevent the possibility of stunted thin or even dead spots in the spring. 

Avoid Excessive Lawn Traffic 

When the grass is brown and short, people don’t think about the damage that too much foot traffic can do to a lawn. Even though grass is relatively resilient, it will still have a difficult time recovering if a path becomes well worn across the lawn. 

So there you go. I know that a nice lawn is going to help the curb appeal of my home and it’s resale value. I guess I can’t take the whole winter off from caring for my lawn.

• 

  8 Easy Mistakes Homeowners Make on Their Taxes

  Don’t rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary — know the score on each home tax deduction and credit. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Welcome to the Internet of Things

I’ve talked about my geekiness before.  I can’t help it, I love gadgets.  I love that they just keep improving our lives. For example, my father had a pacemaker put in last week.  The hospital gave him a box that just plugs into an ordinary wall outlet. But what it does is far from ordinary.  The box gets information from his pacemaker and sends it to the Cardiology group wirelessly.  He doesn’t have to connect to it or hit any send buttons.  How cool is that!

Because of my love of all things technology, I’ve written in the past about home tools like iRobot. Today’s article is a continuation of that theme as it’s about home automation. 

You have probably heard the phrase “Internet of Things” or IoT. It’s currently transforming the way we live. Our lives are no longer connected to the internet through just computers and smartphones – we’re now able to connect to any device in our home, from refrigerators and security systems to thermostats and baby monitors.

The list of IoT devices gets longer by the day and will only continue to grow. What exactly is IoT? According to Business Insider, the IoT is “a network of Internet-connected objects able to collect and exchange data using embedded sensors”. To put it simply, any device that connects to the internet (but isn’t a computer, tablet, or smartphone) is considered an IoT device. IoT devices will lock your front door, activate your sprinklers, vacuum your living room, purify your air, manage your washing machine cycles, start dinner for you, and remind you what you need to pick up from the grocery store.

IoT and Connected Home automation are becoming the norm. Forbes projects that 71% of consumers are expected to own at least one smart home device by 2025. By 2020, there will be over 24 billion IoT devices on earth – that’s four devices for every person (Business Insider). By 2021, according to Statista, smart home revenue will reach $32.2 billion. As consumers continue to buy smart home devices, non-smart options will become less and less available over time.

Transforming your entire home into a smart home can leave a small dent in your wallet. But smart home devices such as thermostats and air conditioners can save you money on your electric bills, meaning bigger savings in the long run.

Of course, there is also a dark side to having all this connectivity. Hackers are using it to get access to homeowner’s personal information or to listen to our personal conversations. Gary Davis from McAfee says that the most vulnerable part of any smart home system is the mobile device that controls it. Make sure your mobile device and any other devices communicating with it have 128-bit encryption or higher.  Because Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices can have security vulnerabilities, Davis says that both baby monitors and home monitors create the most risk.  This is the nature of technology.  The bad guys keep trying to abuse it and manufacturers have to constantly come up with new ways to try and prevent these intrusions. 

What the heck is Gars and Grapes?

Colorado may be more widely known for its craft breweries, but it also produces some great wines. The Colorado winery business is relatively young with the earliest wineries only going back to the late 1960s to early 1970s. Most of the State’s wines come from vineyards on the western slope where the low humidity, long warm days and cool evenings create just the right environment for the grapes to retain the acids for premium winemaking. Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite sources for wine, the Gars and Grapes/Avanti Winery. 

Whenever I can I try to buy from local producers to return money back to the community, so I was happy to find Avanti Winery one day while at the Farmer’s Market at Southwest Plaza.  That day they were offering tastings of a couple of their excellent dessert wines, Peach Moscato and Raspberry Rose.  I learned they have had their retail location since 2001 across the street at 9046 W. Bowles. They offer local and national wines.  They also have an extensive tobacco and cigar selection-hence the “Gar” in their name.  Inside the store is also a cozy tasting room in the back where they have wine tastings Thursday through Saturday.

You can buy wine from over 30 wines from all over Colorado at Avanti including:

• Bookcliff
• Boulder Creek
• Plum Creek
• Garfield Estate
• Grande River
• Graystone
• Hermosa
• Meadery Of The Rockies
• Mountain Spirit
• St. Kathryn
• The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey
• Talon Winery
• Whitewater Hill

I have tried the St. Kathryn from Palisades and Graystone wines from the Clifton area. I enjoyed both. I can’t wait to try some of the other Colorado wines.

If you are looking for some great Colorado wines, checking out Gars and Grapes/Avanti Winery at:

9046 W Bowles Ave
Littleton, CO 80123
303-904-7650
303-972-9995 (fax)
avantiwinery@aol.com

Hours: Monday Closed, Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-4

Dinosaur Ridge

One of the great things about living in Colorado is the many historical locations that are available to visit. To most people, early Colorado history means gold mines or frontier towns. Today I want to write about a place that is literally filled with ancient history called Dinosaur Ridge. This natural landmark located near Morrison, Colorado features real Jurassic dinosaur bones and footprints.

Early History

• The first discovery of bones was in in 1877 by Arthur Lakes, a professor at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.
• While constructing Alameda Parkway in 1937 workers also discovered hundreds of dinosaur footprints. 
• Up until 1973, the area was not managed. People would remove the bones as souvenirs. That all changed in 1973 when the area was recognized as having historical significance by the National Park Service and was designated as a National Natural Landmark. The State of Colorado has also named the area a Colorado Natural Area. 
• The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge organization was formed in 1989 to work for the preservation of the site and offers educational programs. 

Location

Dinosaur Ridge consists of two locations-the Main Visitor Center Complex and the Discovery Center Location.

Main Visitor Center Complex Location

Located at 16831 W. Alameda Parkway is the Main Visitor Center Complex. This is where you should begin your visit to Dinosaur Ridge.

At the Main Visitor Center you will find:

• Benton Seaway Box- a hands on experience where you can uncover dinosaur bones and try your hand at Sluice Mining.
• Exhibits such as Trek Through Time’s paleo-murals as well see Triceratops skull, T-rex teeth, thumb spikes, and displays of fossils and bones.
• The Main Gift Shop where you can purchase shuttle bus or Trek through Time tickets as well as souvenirs and snacks. 
• The Stegosaurus Snack Shack with items such as granola bars and water. 

Discovery Center Location

At 17681 W. Alameda Parkway is the Discovery Center and the start of Dinosaur Ridge Trail. Located on a 1.1-mile section of West Alameda Parkway the Trail is open to pedestrians, bicyclists, and hikes but is closed to through traffic. More than 15 fossil and geologic sites are located on the Trail.

During the months of May through October, free outdoor events called Dinosaur Discovery Days are open to the public. They are held monthly at Dinosaur Ridge on either the second or third Saturday of the month.

Doesn’t Dinosaur Ridge sound like a fun and educational place to spend some time exploring the past?