Tag: Denver

How to Find the Best New Restaurants in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Denver has long been known for its great food and eclectic restaurants that serve a lot more than just your standard Denver Omelet. But sometimes, it may feel like there are too many restaurants so that you don’t know which ones you should actually check out. (We hear you now—there can never be TOO many restaurants.)

In the past, you may have relied on Yelp or Google reviews as your sole means of finding a good restaurant. But here are five publications that you can check out which also feature great food spots in Denver.

  1. 303 Magazine

This great online publication has sections for restaurants and bars as well as other fun things to do in the Denver area like concerts and art exhibits. The magazine includes reviews of local restaurants, announcements of new restaurant openings (or closings), and special interest pieces about local spots. Currently, there’s a piece on the much-loved Welton Street Café which is being featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network.

  1. Thrillist

Another great lifestyle publication that covers multiple cities is Thrillist. This one has interesting reviews of restaurants as well as suggestions for where to eat such as “The Best Places to Eat in the Denver Airport,” “The Most Fun Sports Bars In (and Around) Denver,” and “Everything You Have to Do in Denver This Weekend.” This is a great way for both the locals or the visitors to plan out their weekend (or vacations) including food and activities.

  1. 5280

This publication has some awesome articles highlighting specific cuisines of the region. In the current listing, you can find articles on “A Taste of Colorado-Mex” which highlights the hybrid of Mexican and Colorado cooking and “How Chef Charles Mani is Heightening the Denver Area’s Indian Food Scene.” The site also has recommendations for high end restaurants if you are looking to check out celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey when they visit the area.

  1. Denver.org

This website is a great resource for those who are planning meetings, conventions, or destination weddings in the Denver area. If you need to recommend restaurants to your guests, then this site has a great rundown including favorites such as Jovanina’s Broken Italian and Woodie Fisher’s Kitchen and Bar.

  1. Eater

Then we have Eater, another lifestyle publication that features the best of a variety of cities. Currently the site is featuring articles such as “The 38 Essential Restaurants in Denver.” But it also contains a “Heatmap” that shows the most popular dining spots in the area.

With so many options to choose from, it may be hard to find the absolute best restaurant for your tastes on any given night. But with these five publications, you can be assured to have plenty of help narrowing down the field.

 

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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.

Preparing for the Fall Homebuying Season

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Home Improvement, Homeowner.

Although traditionally the warm weather months of spring and summer have been the best for home sales, many people still like to get out and start house hunting when the weather takes a slight dip during the fall.

The cooler temperatures seem more ideal for visiting and touring homes to (eventually) pack up your belongings and move into a new house. If you have been thinking about buying, but haven’t decided to make that move just yet, remember that you can still take advantage of tax breaks that are given to homeowners so you can claim them on your taxes when you file in 2020.

If you are looking to make a home purchase, here are a few things you should do:

Educate yourself

The first thing you need to do, especially if you’ve never purchased a home before, is to educate yourself. Many of the types of loans, requirements, and terms used by realtors can be quite confusing. You can find many government offices, libraries, and real estate agencies will offer introductory courses to educate homeowners on all of the intricacies of this complicated process.

Get your finances in order

The next thing you will need to do is assess your finances and determine your budget. This means that you need to check your credit score to determine if you have the credit needed to buy a house. (Generally, a score of 740 or higher is necessary to get lower interest loans.)

You should also evaluate your budget by determining just how much you can afford monthly and how much you can place as a down payment on the property. This will help determine “how much house” you can afford and help you narrow down your search later on. Once you determine how much you plan to pay on the house upfront, you need to transfer this money into an account so that you can easily cut a check or transfer the funds.

Get preapproved

Another thing you can do to help make the process even easier is to get preapproved for your home loan. This way, you can make an offer on your dream house as soon as you find it without having to play “wait and see” to show that you will be approved for the loan. If there is a bidding war for the house you are interested in, this preapproval will give you a competitive edge over the other prospective buyers.

Tour the neighborhoods

In order to find your dream home, take the time on weekends to tour neighborhoods you’re interested in. A lot of homeowners who are looking to sell will take advantage of the fall temperatures to host open houses. You can sometimes bounce from open house to open house on a Sunday with several in the same neighborhood. No matter how much you may fall in love with the first house you see, it’s important to shop around and find the one that is perfect for you.

Fall is a great time to get out and start looking at a new home for you and your family. Not only do the cooler temperatures make the house hunt more comfortable, but you can also get your family moved into your perfect home without breaking much of a sweat.

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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.

Fourth of July Activities Around Denver This Week

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Summer has arrived, and as those temperatures start to climb all over the Denver area, it’s time to start planning for the biggest event of the summer—Fourth of July!

This year, there are plenty of activities going on during the week leading up to the big day as well as the weekend to follow. Here’s a sampling of what’s on deck so that you can go ahead and make plans for you and your family:

  1. Fireworks—The biggest and most traditional of these events is, of course, the local fireworks celebration. This year, the Independence Eve Celebration will take place on July 3 in Civic Center Park. Besides the fireworks finale, which is always spectacular, the program also features a patriotic concert and light show on the Denver City and County Building. If you are planning to attend, be sure to get there early to get a spot on the lawn as it is first-come, first-served and it tends to fill up fast. There are no reserved “seats” so bring your own lawn chair, beach blanket, and plenty of bottled water. Also, consider using public transportation as parking will be at a premium for this big event.
  2. Sports—If you like a little bit of action with your entertainment, then there are two sports events to look forward to. The first is America’s favorite pastime—baseball. The Colorado Rockies will be hosting the Houston Astros on July 2nd and 3rd. On the 2nd, the team will be giving out handheld American flags as a promotion, and both the 2nd and 3rd will feature post-game fireworks displays. This is a great option if you don’t want to have to fight for a spot at the public fireworks display. But if you want something a little different, now is the perfect time to check out the Denver professional lacrosse team, the Outlaws. They will be playing the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Broncos Stadium on July 4th.
  3. History and Literature—If you prefer your history less American Revolution and more War of the Roses, then you might want to check out the Colorado Renaissance Festival which will be running from June 15th to August 4th in Larkspur. Or, you can also enjoy a Shakespeare in the Park experience which will perform the bard’s comedy As You Like It on July 6th and 7th at the University of Colorado Boulder Theater.
  4. Music—Every year, there are plenty of musical acts that come to the Denver area. For the week of the Fourth of July, Red Rocks will host Zeds Dead, Blues Traveler, and a three-night set from the Avett Brothers. Other concerts coming to the area include Shawn Mendes (July 2nd), Santana and the Doobie Brothers (July 3rd), Melissa Etheridge (July 7th) and City Park Jazz (June 30th and July 7th). There’s definitely something for almost every musical taste in your family.

From traditional events like fireworks and baseball to some unusual choices like jousts and lacrosse, there’s definitely something for everyone this year during Fourth of July week in Denver.

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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.

Summer Staycation Ideas for Families in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Summer vacation is here and for many of us, the idea of being locked in a cramped car or plane for hours on end just makes us cringe. Thankfully, some brave soul a few years ago coined the phrase “family staycation” and it has been growing in popularity.

For those who don’t know, a staycation is where you stay at home and spend your summer vacation resting and relaxing and either doing some things in the general area of your home or venturing out on a road trip that is fast and able to get you home that night with no hotel accommodations required.

Here, then, are some of the best staycation ideas for those families in the Denver area:

  • Breckenridge—Let’s start with this beautiful little town that is about 90 minutes outside of Denver (on the way to Vail). Although this area is known for its winter sports and recreation, the summertime boasts popular activities such as an alpine gondola, horseback riding, and even an alpine rollercoaster, luge, and rope-course. This abundance of activities will keep your family happy and occupied on your trip.
  • Garden of the Gods—This one is great for multiple reasons. First, admission is free to the nature park, where you can walk and explore some of the most beautiful sights in the world. For additional fees, you can do rock climbing experiences and jeep tours as well.
  • Downtown Aquarium—This Denver staple is always a great place for a quiet day of watching fish and other sea creatures. New to the aquarium is an exhibit that allows you to suit up in scuba gear and explore a tank filled with sharks from the safety of a shark cage.
  • Butterfly Pavilion—While we are talking about the beauty of nature, you might want to consider doing a staycation trip to the Butterfly Pavilion. For the prettier and relaxing side of this exhibit, you can check out butterflies that are indigenous to regions from Colorado to the tropics. But you can also check out some of the creepier crawlies such as Rosie the Tarantula, as well as underwater invertebrates.
  • Casa Bonita—This has been a staple in the area for over 40 years and is the very definition of “dinner and a show.” The restaurant features great Mexican staples (including an all-you-can-eat buffet), plus a variety of shows including pirates, gorillas, cliff divers, and a gunfight. You can also check out puppet shows, the arcade, and spend some time at the gift shop.

Don’t feel like you have to go on a massive road trip this summer to have some fun and relax. Instead, stay at home and do a few day trip activities in the general Denver area.

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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.

Top Parks for Families in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Summer is upon us and if you are like me, you are dreading the prospect of being packed away in the house with kids whining about having “nothing to do.” I always like to have a backup plan on hand for a fun day activity that will let the kids run themselves ragged and get rid of all that crazy energy that they seem so full of.

Here are some of the top parks in Denver that you can take your family to this summer for a fun-filled day:

  1. Central Park (Stapleton)—I’ve got to put this one at the top of my list for the sheer joy of the place and the beautiful, vibrant colors. Central Park has purple trees and colorful foam mountains that serve as the backdrop for family fun. Alongside this creative décor, they also have activities for all kids including rock-climbing and traditional playground equipment. There is also a fountain and sandcastle area for those who miss getting to do this at the beach. Finally, you absolutely must check out the “sensory sound garden” that allows kids to experiment with chimes and drums.
  2. Westminster Center Park (Westminster)—One of my favorite children’s tales is Peter Pan, so it should come as no surprise that this one is highly recommended. Westminster Center Park is also affectionately called Peter Pan Park because it is built around creating a miniature Neverland for kids to explore. The park boasts playground equipment built around a pirate ship, as well as tunnels, rocks, logs, and bridges that will fire up their imagination.
  3. Discovery Park (Wheat Ridge)—This one gets high marks for the sheer variety of the activities at the park. Besides having traditional playgrounds for little kids and older ones as well, you can also enjoy sandcastle building in the sandpit and cool down at the splash pad. This one also sets itself apart from other parks by its natural beauty (a creek runs right through it) and the skate park which allows your adventurous older kids to enjoy themselves.
  4. Downtown Children’s Playground (Denver)—No list of parks could be complete without this perennial favorite. The only thing that might detract from this one is that it is too well-located. Because it is in the heart of downtown, it gets larger crowds, especially on the weekends or during major family events. But if you do find yourself in the area and want the kids to run off steam, this park not only has traditional playground features, but it also includes a rubberized cushioning that will protect the little ones if they take a tumble.

No matter what part of Denver you are in, check out the local parks and playgrounds in your area. Spend some time during the day or early evening running off that energy and your kids may even wear themselves out and sleep well that night.

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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.

How to Prepare to Buy Your First Home

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

If you’re thinking seriously about buying your first home, then you should know that the experience can be trying and difficult at times. The process can be a long one and can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.

In the end, however, when you walk into that home knowing that it’s yours, it feels so much more satisfying than renting. You should feel pride in what you have accomplished, especially knowing the economic benefits of owning versus renting.

With that being said, here are some things you need to do as you prepare to buy your first home:

  1. Check your finances—The first thing you need is a realistic appraisal of your finances. You have to determine if homeownership is something that you are financially ready for. Look at all of your monthly expenses and figure out if you will have enough money to put into emergency savings in case something breaks and you have to fix it. You will also need to have a substantial amount in savings for the down-payment on the loan.
  2. Get pre-approved—Next, you should start shopping around for the best interest rate on a pre-approved loan. If you get into a bidding war with other potential buyers, a pre-approval will actually swing in your favor since you don’t have to take the time to do extra paperwork. A pre-approved loan helps you find the cheapest rate possible and also helps you figure out exactly how much house you can afford.
  3. Find a realtor—Next, you will need to find a realtor with whom you can work closely. You want a realtor who will take into consideration all of your must-haves and who can find the best fit for your needs and budget. A realtor should be familiar with all of the neighborhoods in your area and should be able to find you the home that will work best for you.
  4. Hit a lot of open houses—An instinct for many first-time homebuyers is to go with the first house that catches their eye. Instead, you should look at as many homes as possible. Don’t settle on any until you are absolutely sure it’s what you want. This isn’t like a lease where you can move out after a year. You are making a long-term commitment, so you don’t want to rush in.
  5. Get an inspection—Once you find a home you are interested in, it’s essential that you get a home inspection. You don’t want to buy a house with serious plumbing or electrical problems, only to have to sink thousands into it for repairs.

After you’ve gone through all of this, it’s time to make an offer and see if your bid is accepted. Then comes the worst part of the whole process—the waiting. But once you get that call that your offer has been accepted, the feeling of elation makes the process well worth the experience.

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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.

Beautiful Public Gardens in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Spring is in the air and that means that the flowers are blooming all across the greater Denver area. If you like to get outside and experience nature’s varied beauty, then there are several locations you and your family absolutely must check out.

These public gardens are the perfect locales for communing with nature and getting some fresh air:

  • Denver Botanic Gardens: York Street —The first of Denver Botanic Gardens’ beautiful locations sits on 24 acres and features beautiful plants and flowers from all over the world. These plants and flowers have been specifically cultivated to thrive in the high-altitude climate of Denver. The York Street branch features seventeen separate gardens showcasing plants that thrive in arid Western areas.Additionally, there are international gardens that include a bonsai pavilion, a teahouse garden, and other exotic plants from Asia as well as South Africa. There are also seventeen other ornamental gardens that are decked out every spring with special flowers.

    The Mordecai Children’s Garden features plants from six different climates including alpine, subalpine forest, montane forest, plains and grassland, riparian, and montane shrubland. All of these provide beauty and educational experience in the pristine Denver surroundings.

  • Denver Botanic Gardens: Chatfield Farms —Located just a quick drive out to Littleton, this branch of the botanic gardens is a 700-acre working farm that allows locals to see some of the native glory of the local plant-life. This farm features a cut flower garden, an iris garden, a lavender garden, and a prairie garden. The farm also features a butterfly pavilion that contains plants grown specifically to attract hundreds of beautiful butterflies to the area.
  • Chester M. Alter Arboretum —Located on the campus of the University of Denver, this garden is meant to beautify the campus with 2,100 trees and more than 400 different species of plants. As a special addition to the gardens, the arboretum features nine “Champion and Notable trees” that are among some of the oldest in the state and also feature special plants from around the world.
  • Hudson Gardens & Event Center – On the west side of town, you can experience this wonderful garden for free most days of the year. Hudson Gardens makes their income off of throwing events on their beautiful property and by doing a light show during the holidays, allowing guests free admission year-round to see the beautiful flowers, gardens, trees, and mini-lake. A favorite of bikers, because of their extensive trails, the gardens also raise their own bees, own their own greenhouse, and frequently run a model train through part of an exhibit.

If you’re looking for something fun and educational to do in Denver now that the weather isn’t freezing, then these three garden locations offer you a chance to experience the natural beauty of Denver’s foliage along with international plants and flowers.

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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.

Tips for Jumping into the Spring Homebuying Season

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Real Estate.

If you know anything about the home real estate market, then you know that spring is the biggest season for home buying. Buyers have been cooped up in their old homes all winter and are looking to move while sellers have had the same time frame to get their homes ready for sale.

But, if you’re looking to get into the homebuying market, then there are a few tips you should take care of before you start shopping.

  1. Make a list—Before you talk with a real estate agent, you should write out all of the must-haves that you want in a house. How many bedrooms and bathrooms will you need? Is there a specific location that you want? All of these will help narrow down the agent’s search so you don’t waste your time looking at houses that won’t work for you.
  2. Get your credit in line—A good FICO credit score is essential to buying a home. Let’s just say, hypothetically, you are buying a $300,000 home. A mortgage at 4.14% will run you a total of about $520,000. But if your credit is bad and your interest rate comes out to 5.73%, that same home will cost you about $630,000. That means that bad credit will make the same home cost you over $100,000 more than it would if you had good credit.
  3. Save as much as you can—One of the biggest problems with buying a home is that you have to keep a lot of cash on hand for down payments and emergencies. The more you put down, the better your interest rate and monthly payments will be. But you should also have at least 1-2 months of income set into savings for a potential emergency, such as a major home repair.
  4. Get preapproved—Because Spring is such a huge time for buying a home, you are going to be competing with a lot of other buyers that will be looking at the same prime properties. To make yourself look better to the sellers, you should arrive with a pre-approval from a local lender. These will generally carry more weight than a pre-approved loan from an online lender. You need to do everything that you can to make yourself look appealing to the seller.
  5. Be ready to negotiate—It isn’t enough to just make an offer, cross your fingers, and pray. In a competitive market, you will probably have to pay list price and not be able to haggle down on the price. But, you can still negotiate other areas like extended home warranties and closing costs. This can save you some money without asking too much that might wind up killing the deal.

This spring, thousands of homes, both old and new, will be placed on the market. If you want to jump into this “selling frenzy” then you need to get your finances in order and be ready to negotiate in order to be successful.

 

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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.

Why Moms Love Living in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver, Motherhood.

Denver is a popular city that’s been growing steadily for about a decade. Ask any Denver mom, and they’re guaranteed to tell you it’s a great city for fun family activities, indoors or out.

But Denver’s also a great place for spoiling yourself and spending some “me time” to rejuvenate the body and spirit.  Here are some of the best spots in Denver for moms who need a little self-care this month:

  1. 5 Star Salt Caves — If you want a day spa experience unlike any other, then check out this man-made “salt” cave. The entire center surrounds the cave, which is made of Himalayan salt. Here, you can relax in a quiet environment and breathe in the salt-infused air – which is said to improve sinuses and breathing. In addition to salt therapy, the spa also features other traditional therapies such as saunas, massages, and footbaths.
  2. Upstairs Circus – Although this is better enjoyed with friends, it’s also a place you can come on your own to relax and get crafty. You can pay one fee for a variety of daily craft options and then design and craft all kinds of things including homemade jewelry and paintings as well as projects for the house such as key racks and serving trays.
  3. Movie Night – You don’t have to go see the latest blockbuster or yet another Disney cartoon. The Alamo Drafthouse in Littleton features special presentations of older movies in an unusual setting. One of their regular Signature Series features is an older, elegant movie such as Little Women or Sense & Sensibility, and you can skip the popcorn and enjoy high tea and biscuits or finger sandwiches. Or get the girls together for a night out dancing at the movies. Recent Dance Party nights have featured Brittney Spears and the Backstreet Boys for some flashback hits.
  4. BookBar – If you prefer a small, independent bookstore with real books rather than those big box stores or eBook readers, then you should check out this combination bookstore and wine bar. You can listen to a poetry reading, meet an author and get an autograph, or pick up a new book and curl up with a nice glass of wine.

Denver is a great city to explore and relax in. But for moms especially, it is filled with activities and opportunities that provide a break from the kids.

 

 

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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.