Month: August 2020

Fall Break Staycation Ideas for Families

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Motherhood.

Think back to some of your most cherished childhood memories. I’m going to bet that a lot of them are centered around summer vacations with trips to visit family, hitting the beach, or enjoying amusement parks. And chances are you’ve been trying to recreate those kinds of memories with your own family. But now that the summer is over, it may seem like those opportunities are fading with the heat.

If you want to do something fun with your family this fall but don’t have the time to go on a long trip, consider these staycation ideas in your area:

  1. Fall Festivals & Pumpkin Patches — During the fall, there are plenty of local fall festivals and pumpkin patches that can provide you with plenty of opportunities for family fun. Many of these don’t just have the opportunity to buy or carve pumpkins. They also feature cornfield mazes, games, arts and crafts, and great snacks like funnel cake and hot apple cider.

 

  1. Haunted Houses — For those with older kids, you might want to check out the local area for a haunted house. Many of these attractions are enlarging over the years from a simple house to outdoor trails through mazes or the woods complete with scary characters ready to give you the chills.

 

  1. County Fairs — Another great activity during this time of year is annual county fairs that pop up in locations across the country. These fairs, complete with kiddie rides and more exciting activities for the adventurous, are really popular. And you might even want to try one of the scary fried concoctions that appear every year like fried Oreos or even fried bubble gum. (Yes, that’s really a thing.)

 

  1. Camping Trip — Once the summer heat dips, then fall is a great chance to get outside and do some camping. Whether it’s in a cabin in a state park or just a tent in the backyard, all of these activities let you get back to nature. This is also the perfect time of year for this so that you can enjoy the fall foliage and watch the leaves change colors.

 

  1. Get Outdoors — Even if camping isn’t your thing, this is also a good time to enjoy outdoor activities. Try hiking a trail or taking a kayak for a short trip around a lake.

All of these activities are great opportunities to build memories and bond as a family. The fall also presents you with staycations that you don’t get to try during the rest of the year.

 

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

To Renovate or Not: Where to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Home Improvement.

When it comes to renovating a home, there are generally two mindsets at work. The first is that you want to make your house nicer and more suited to your own style or preferences. But the other one is that you want to make an improvement to your home so that you can recoup your money when you go to resell the house.

Let’s look at the best options you have for improving your property value with renovation projects:

  1. Garage Door — If you’ve never replaced your garage door, then it’s an option you should really consider. Most home builders choose a very basic model that has no personality or style to it. It’s just a generic white or off-white door. Instead, consider replacing this with something more sophisticated like a rustic wood garage door or one with window panels to let natural light in.

 

  1. Kitchen Cabinets — Many people want to do a full kitchen remodel with all new cabinetry, custom backsplashes, and top-of-the-line appliances. This is great if you’ve got the money, but it’s not going to give you a lot of return on investment. Instead, leave your cabinets as they are, but replace the cabinet doors. This simple upgrade will give you a chance to do a lot of cosmetic improvements without breaking your bank.

 

  1. Bathroom Upgrade — Another great remodeling option is to redo your bathroom. Overall, this has the potential to actually increase your home’s value by more than you put into it. Replace your current toilet with a low-flow option that will reduce your water usage. You can also enlarge your shower stall, especially if you have a separate tub that you are willing to sacrifice. An extra-large shower with multiple shower heads and a sit-down bench is a great selling point.

 

  1. Wood Deck — Many homeowners are looking for a great house and a great backyard for entertaining. You can meet the needs of this last point with a simple wood deck or patio addition to your home that will end up recouping almost your entire investment. And, as a bonus, you can get lots of use out of it yourself in the meantime before you decide to sell.

 

  1. New Vinyl Siding — One last upgrade that can really help you with the value of your home is the exterior, specifically new vinyl siding. This may not seem particularly spectacular or exciting, but a refreshed exterior with new siding will give your home more curb appeal. This refers to the positive initial impressions you get when someone first pulls up to the house. A home with good curb appeal is well on its way to getting a good asking price on the market.

These five home renovations aren’t the only improvements you can make. But they are five that have the potential to get you the most bang for your buck and will help the most when looking for resale value later on.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Our Favorite Fall Décor Trends This Year

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Home Improvement.

The fall is approaching and many of us are already tired of the chaos and confusion that has come with 2020. From COVID-19 to political upheaval, many of us are looking to our homes as a bastion of support and refuge from the world outside. But those of us who have also been stuck inside for the past few months may be looking to make a change in our décor this fall.

Here are the top decorating trends you can choose if you want to make a change this year:

  • Single Colors — For a while, you may have been told to do layers when it comes to colors, pairing up a complementary palette to tie everything together. However, in 2020, many of the designs we are seeing a focus on a single-color scheme. Before you start thinking this may be overwhelming, remember that you can use multiple shades of the same color and also add these with white or cream so it doesn’t look totally monochromatic.
  • Add Color to the Kitchen — Speaking of colors, one of the things you might want to consider redoing is the color scheme of your kitchen. For years now, white has been the dominant color for kitchens. And while it is still the most chosen shade, many designers are pushing people to add color to their kitchen so that it doesn’t look so simple and plain.
  • Invite in the Great Outdoors — Many of us are getting cabin fever thanks to the quarantines and lockdowns. So, you can ease some of the anxiety from this by adding natural touches to your décor. Adding plants and flowers (even if they are fake) can help create a soothing atmosphere. To add to this, include scented candles to bring in some soft lighting with the smells of nature. You can also try using rattan furniture and furniture accents. This material, previously thought to be exclusively for outdoor patio furniture, is another way to add some outdoor feel to your home.
  • Bold Laundry Rooms — One of the most forgotten rooms in the house is the laundry room. But this year, spruce up this bland room with some bold colors or decorative flairs. Chalkboard walls are a great way to enliven the laundry room so you can let the little ones do some decorating of their own. And, if you are like us and love different storage solutions, this is the perfect time to look at what options are out there.

Don’t let the world around you get you down. Take charge of your own home and do a little redecorating this fall with these great ideas to liven up your environment.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Denver Parks to Visit Before Winter Hits

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

As summer starts to fade into fall, many of us in Colorado are already thinking about battening down the hatches to stay warm and cozy this winter. Part of that is trying to enjoy the natural beauty of the region before it gets too cold to venture outside. Another big part is enjoying the outdoors before we have to deal with a few months of cabin fever.

Here, then, is a rundown of the top parks in Denver for you and your family to check out before the winter hits:

 

  1. Alamo Placita Park — This park is maintained by the team at the Denver Parks and Recreation bureau and their hard work shows clearly in the beautifully landscaped terrain. If you can make it before October, you will enjoy beautiful gardens that are regularly cared for and will be a great location for a picnic or just a stroll amongst the flowers.

 

  1. Barnum Park — This park is named for former Denver resident and world-famous circus owner Phineas T. Barnum. Although Barnum originally planned to keep some of his circus animals here during winter months, that plan never worked out and the property is now a public park with a hilltop view of the Denver skyline. You can also enjoy spending time walking through trails, along the reservoir, or playing with your pooch at the park’s designated dog area.

 

  1. Confluence Park — The word “confluence” means the place where two bodies of water come together and that’s exactly what happens at this intersection of the South Platte River with Cherry Creek. You can enjoy a baseball or soccer game, walk with your dog, or bike around the creek. While the weather still holds up, this is also a great place to rent a kayak for a day on the water.

 

  1. Sloan’s Lake Park — While this is a really great choice for outdoor activities in the summer, you can still enjoy the park in the fall. This is one of those great places to get in the car, roll down the windows (or put the top down) and go for a leisurely drive around the lake to enjoy the view of the area.

 

  1. Denver Botanic Gardens — Here’s another great choice if you want someplace with beautiful flowers and other foliage. It’s not just great for a picnic or a stroll, but also boasts a bistro that provides takeout. Although entrance to the park is limited thanks to COVID-19, you can still get access by reserving a ticket to this natural beauty.

 

Denver is known for its beautiful outdoor vistas throughout the year. But those of us who are locals know that it may not be practical to venture out too much in the wintertime. With that said, these are the best locations to check out before the snow falls.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

The Best Way to Unpack When Moving into Your New Home

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Homeowner.

There’s only one thing worse than having to pack up your house for a move and that’s getting to your new house and being faced with stacks of unopened boxes. But don’t worry about that—there’s actually a way to get yourself organized so that the process won’t be as bad as you imagine.

Here are steps you need to take so you don’t end up finding unopened boxes months after your move:

  1. Organize Before Your Move — The first thing you need to do is get organized before you even move. When you pack up your house, be sure to label every box. It should include the room (kitchen, master bedroom, guest bathroom, etc.), the number of the box (Box 5 out of 6), and whether or not the items are essential. This last one is important. Prioritize what boxes you know need to be opened and unpacked immediately so you have a starting point when you arrive.
  2. Clean Your New House — Before you get started unpacking, clean everything in your new house. Once you unpack everything, it will be harder to get down into the nooks and crannies and get things cleaned up. Also, do anything you would like to start off with like lining your cabinets and cupboards for easier clean up later.
  3. Open the Priority Boxes — Before you tackle specific rooms, make sure that you open up those boxes you deemed as essentials. This should include anything that you know you will absolutely, positively have to have in the first day or two. Then, you can move on room-by-room.
  4. Start in the Kitchen — You’ll hear a lot of different debates about which area you need to start with. We believe the best bet is the kitchen. Let’s face it—you can live out of boxes for a day or two, even going so far as to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags if you have to. But at some point, you’ve got to eat so having that kitchen unpacked is your best bet. Chances are, this is also your biggest challenge since you will have so many boxes filled with heavy items and appliances. Get these items in place and (most importantly) get that coffee maker going so you can have the energy to conquer the rest!
  5. Move on to the Bedroom and Bathroom — Next, you need to move to your master bedroom and bathroom. Get the bed assembled and in place and then arrange your other furniture. (One big tip for getting clothes unpacked easily is to leave them in the drawers when you move. Just put plastic wrap around the drawers with the clothes inside and then you don’t have to use boxes or unpack them when you arrive.)
  6. Other General Tips — There are a few things that will help you out with this process. If you have kids that are old enough, have them unpack their own bedrooms and bathrooms. This will give them a sense of ownership of the new place. Also, save the utility rooms like laundry and the garage for last. These will be important but not right away.

Once you’ve got the essentials unpacked and set up, take a break. You don’t have to have this all done in one day (or even one weekend). No, you don’t want to leave it for months, but enjoy yourself and your new home before you tackle your other boxes.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.