Melanie Hood's Blog Posts

Is the Remodeling Boom Over—or Just on Pause?

A slowdown in renovation projects is settling in after a pandemic-fueled boom, but there are plenty of reasons why the pullback may not last long.During the pandemic, Americans became ultra-focused

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Mortgage Rates Just Edged Higher, but Homebuyers Aren’t Giving Up. Here’s Proof.

Despite an unrelenting state of limbo where buyers aren't buying and sellers aren't selling, there are small signs that spell hope in the weeks ahead.What a difference a year can make.Today’s

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How to Deal With Your Doom Pile

Doom piles (or doom boxes or bags) may be trending on TikTok right now, but the concept has been around forever. It's when you gather together a bunch of random stuff that's cluttering your space,

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6 Essential Tips for Decluttering the Garage

The garage is a place to keep our vehicles—and things would be a lot easier if we just stopped there. But, for many, this ultimate utilitarian space is clutter’s final graveyard. The

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How to Help Your Children Buy a Home

Options range from family loans to outright gifts to help your children buy a home.If you want to help your children buy a home there are a number of ways to go about it ranging from family loans to

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NAR Is Making the REALTOR® Voice Heard on LLPAs (aka the added fee for those with higher credit scores).

NAR=National Association of RealtorsLLPA=Loan Level Price Adjustments (aka the added fee for those with higher credit scores).Fee changes announced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lead to both

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Pros and Cons of Buying a Condo

There are many pros and cons of buying a condo.Deciding whether to buy a condo or another type of property comes down to your lifestyle, preferences and budget. We break down the different factors

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Fact or Fiction? 6 Down Payment Myths You Should Stop Believing Immediately

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, that pesky down payment has probably kept you awake more than a few nights. We get it—while a pre-approval is crucial for determining

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5 Sweet Tax Deductions When Selling a Home: Did You Take Them All?

You may be wondering if there are tax deductions when selling a home. And the answer is: You bet!Sure, you may remember way back to 2018 and its new tax code—aka the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

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Backyards Are the Must-Have Home Feature for 2023

It used to be that impressive chef’s kitchens and massive, walk-in closets were at the top of every buyer’s list as they searched for homes, but a new home feature has made a sharp rise

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60 Ingenious Storage Tips & Ideas to Organize Your Cabinets

This is a long article, so I'm including the link to the article, here. You'll know exactly what to put in your cabinets and drawers.When it comes to cabinets, you think, out of sight, out

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Oversized Pendant Lights Are Stealing the Spotlight in Spaces Everywhere

We’ve been seeing a renewed focus on statement lighting for a while, but oversized pendant lights, specifically, are sprouting all over right now.While good lighting is essential in any

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12 New Year's Resolutions Every Homeowner Should Make

Your home is probably your greatest asset and investment. Pledge to take good care of it in the new year.When you own a home, a lot can go wrong. And it's important to prepare for that financially.

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Inflation, The Fed, and Mortgage Rates - What's Going On?

The Federal Reserve announced another .25% increase to its benchmark short-term interest rate this week, following a lot of speculation after the recent turmoil in the banking industry.

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10 Brilliant Spring Cleaning Shortcuts

Consider this your ultimate spring cleaning handbook—especially if you're someone who doesn't like to spend days and days wiping and washing your way through your house. These time-saving tips

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9 Dos and Don'ts for Choosing the Best Front Door Color

Ready for a front door refresh but not sure where to start? Look to these expert color tips and discover the perfect hue for your home.Your front door color shouldn't be an afterthought. After all,

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Is the Media Keeping Home Buyers in a State of Fear?

Builders say negative housing headlines are keeping buyers from the market. Are negative headlines about the housing slowdown giving home buyers the jitters just as the busy spring season

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Americans May Want More Space, but Their Apartments Are Getting Smaller

The rent isn’t just too darn high—the apartment that you’re renting may well be getting too darn small, too.In 2022, the average size of new apartments was 887 square feet, a

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7 Things All First-Time Homeowners Get Wrong—and How To Avoid Those Big Mistakes

Like most major milestones in life, becoming a first-time homeowner comes with quite a few learning curves. Even after you close on the house and it becomes officially yours, there’s still a

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10 Outdated Home Trends Millennials Hate But Boomers Love

Trends come and go, but some should definitely stay gone. Sometimes it’s a mystery as to why trends even rose to popularity in the first place. Whatever the case, as you ring in the New Year,

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2023 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions: Homebuying Costs Aren’t Coming Down

After being overwhelmed in the housing frenzy of the recent past, homeowners, sellers, buyers, and renters may be underwhelmed in 2023. The slowdown in home sales transactions that began as mortgage

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Moving Tips and Simple Tips for Downsizing

If you’re paying for a long-distance move, you’ll want to be sure you don’t waste money moving. Once you factor in the distance of your move and the size of the boxes required to

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Single women are racing ahead of men in homeownership. Here's why....

Kyla Wright's original plan was to complete her master's degree, move out of her parents' home and rent an apartment somewhere in Detroit. But once she started looking for rental units, her mother

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The Non-Aesthetic Home Mindset Celebrates the Flaws in Our Spaces

TikTokers are posting their lived-in, not-always-spotless homes to show that authentic spaces don’t have to be perfect all the time.Looking at #designtok, you’d think that every standard

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Decluttering tips – 30 ways to tidy and organize your home

Looking to declutter your home? Here, we take a room-by-room approach with expert guidance on sorting, rethinking and reorganizing everything you own!Decluttering is a job that should be done

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Are Your Parents Ready for Senior Living?

Are you wondering if it's time for your parents to move into a senior living community? Coming to the realization that your parents may not be able to do the things they did so effortlessly once

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10 easy, speedy ways interior designers refresh their homes for a New Year

Refreshing your home in the New Year doesn't have to be about remodeling – these quick changes can breathe new life into your space, fastA New Year allows for a new outlook – and that

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Pinterest Predicts the Top Home Trends for 2023

From weirdcore decor to rainwater collection, here are the home trends we’ll be watching.PHOTO: KATARZYNA BIALASIEWICZ/GETTY IMAGESWhenever you need a spark of inspiration, it’s

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5 Reasons This Isn’t a Repeat of the 2008 Housing Crash

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun draws the distinctions between today’s real estate market and that of more than a decade ago.Many homeowners are still haunted by the 2008 housing crash when

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12 Days of Downsizing

The holidays present some challenges for downsizers.  While the idea of entertaining, giving and receiving gifts, and generally staying busy with seasonal obligations and activities can make us

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20 Low-Light Indoor Plants for Your Home

Low-light conditions are always a challenge for the indoor gardener. Even plants that do well in outdoor shade tend to need more light when grown indoors, and this can be hard to come by unless you

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Turnkey properties: Perfect for the entry-level or busy investor?

Anyone who has watched House Hunters knows the term “turnkey home.” Usually one member of the house-hunting couple wants a fixer they can “put their mark on” and the other is

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Clutter and Depression

It’s been proven. Clutter is a bummer — literally.Dishes in the sink, toys throughout the house, stuff covering every flat surface. This clutter not only makes our homes look bad, but

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This was a March 2022 article about "The True Cost Of Waiting To Buy" but still applies today!

The True Cost of WaitingHow much is waiting costing you?! Let’s take look at an example from the Denver market:You're purchasing a home that costs just under $650,000, which is near the

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Six Potential Outdoor Hazards That Threaten the Safety of Your Pets

A yard should be a great place for your pet to roam free, exploring the outside without fear. But yes, while the yard can be a wonderful place for pets to play and enjoy time with or without you,

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What to look for when hiring a Contractor

From small but annoying issues like leaving garbage behind to big safety concerns like painting over black mold, we’ve seen it all. The good news is that our experiences mean we have a short

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4 Free or Low-Cost Ways to Drastically Improve Curb Appeal

While curb appeal is essential when selling your home, you want to consider the cost and budget appropriately. There are several ways to improve your landscape without spending an excessive amount

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What Homeowners Should Know About Rain Barrels

Sustainability is trending, especially among young buyers, and an aesthetically pleasing rain barrel offers cost savings and curb appeal.Outfitting a house with a rain barrel does more than collect

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What You Need to Know About Seasonal Pet Care in Your Home

I love animals and thought this week would be a great time to add an article about Pets in your home as the weather is changing.  Photo Credits: Krista Mangulsone via UnsplashNot

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SURVEY: Most Teens aspire to own a home someday but report significant financial and homeownership knowledge gaps

(Colorado Springs, CO) – A new survey by Junior Achievement USA and Fannie Mae shows most teens (88%) would like to own a home someday. The survey reflects that most teens (85%) believe

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How to Invest in Real Estate: Guide for Beginners

You have probably heard at some point that “real estate is a great investment” or “real estate is the best way to earn additional income.” While it’s great to know that

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5 Ways To Sell Your Home for More Money (Without Spending Big Bucks)

Real estate over the last two and a half years can really be summed up by one phrase: Epic seller’s market. We’ve seen countless people list their homes and receive multiple

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Home Prices Just Took the Biggest Plunge in 6 Years: Is Now the Best Time To Buy?

The turbulent story of America’s housing market has yielded yet another surprise twist. After steadily climbing to the record-shattering apex of $450,000 in June, home prices are at long

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5 Budget-Friendly Decor Trends To Keep Your Outdoor Space Comfy From Summer to Fall

The season of backyard barbecues and lazy hammock-lounging days isn’t quite over yet, folks.Sure, the wisp of fall is in the air, but some of the best weather (read: sunny but not blisteringly

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4 Items That Are Always Negotiable When Buying a Home

Whether you’re a homebuyer or a home seller, you’ll end up a home negotiator at some point in the process.The transactional nature of real estate exchanges means there will always be

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The pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper

I would rather avoid a fixer-upper because I feel some are what I call fix and flippers.  When someone buys low and goes in and fixes things, they tend to do it at a low cost, cutting corners,

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4 Signs the Housing Market Is Cooling Down—and What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

Despite the sweltering heat, real estate’s red-hot tear is, at long last, slowing down and chilling out.In our series “How’s the Housing Market This Week?” we look at the

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No, I haven’t hit all of these big financial milestones at 30. Here’s why that’s okay....

I’m turning 30 today, and according to standards set forth by leading personal finance experts, I’m a failure.Though I’ve been investing in a 401(k) since I got my first full-time

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The Housing Market Just Came To A Complete Halt

There is a shift happening in the housing market.After more than a year of soaring demand, exploding home prices and increasing real estate sales, the market finally seems to be cooling off.&ldquo

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Happy 4th of July America

Here is a little history mixing the housing industry with the 4th of July. Enjoy!In the grand sweep of world history, the U.S. is a young country. Even so, there are plenty of homes built prior to

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Majority of Aging Adults Say They’re Not Moving

Baby boomers hold the majority of real estate wealth in the U.S.—and as they age, they increasingly say they plan to stay put in their current homes. Sixty-six percent of U.S. adults aged 55

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5 Things To Know About The Housing Market Right Now

Home prices across the nation have reached record highs and continue to increase. But there are early signs that a slowdown in prices is in the cards, as newly built home sales tumbled over 16% in

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Create a Schedule for a Stress-Free Move

Moving into a new home is exciting but can become stressful with so many steps in the process. Laying out a schedule and determining all the tasks that need to be completed before moving day can

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The Benefits of Home Ownership

The Many Benefits of HomeownershipThe past two years have taught us the true value of homeownership, especially the stability and the feeling of accomplishment it can provide. But homeownership

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Short Sales Vs. Foreclosures - What you need to know

Short sale vs. foreclosure:  Short sale and foreclosed homes are sometimes referred to as distressed properties. This doesn’t always mean the property is in physical distress, it

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Avoiding Foreclosure

With the interest rates rising, inflation rising, and many unknowns with the market, it could be hard to make your mortgage payment.  I want to provide you some information about how to avoid

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FOUR TIPS FOR AVOIDING HIGHER EXPENSES FROM INFLATION

To learn about creating an emergency fund, be sure to click on the link in the article.  You don’t need to hear it from us – the price of just about everything has been rising

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Are We Approaching Bubble Territory in the U.S. Real Estate Market?

Fast-rising home prices? Check. Out-of-control bidding wars? Check. Investors flooding the market? Check.Over the past two years, the nation has watched worriedly as home prices seemed to hit a

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We may be one fourth into the New Year, but you can always give your home a Refresh

It's never too late to:  Rearrange your furniture.  It gives you a new look, but may also help to sell the home.  You don't have to do this in January, you can do it anytime. 

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Rising Interest Rates May See a Slow Down in Denver's Housing Market

DENVER (KDVR) — As the Federal Reserve progressively turns up the dial on interest rates, Denver-area realtors are seeing something that hasn’t happened in nearly a decade: the market is

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There's No Place Like Home: Modifications don’t have to strip your home of style

Remaining at home as you age can bring its own challenges—and may require some new additions like grab bars, shower seats or chair lifts.Too often, though, people think adding these important

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Record High Home Prices Force some Buyers to Just Give Up!

Home prices nationwide have just broken yet another record, with the national median listing price soaring to $405,000 for the first time ever, according to a recent Realtor.com®

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10 Mistakes Buyers Make When Buying a Home

MISTAKE NO. 1 Choosing a real estate agent who is not committed to forming a strong business relationship with you. HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT Making a connection with the right real estate agent

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Condos & Townhomes Market Sees Slower Price Increases in February

Even though Condos and Townhomes are seeing slower price increases in February, the Denver County area shows prices jumping more than 15%.Now is the time to Buy. The Feds raised the interest rate a

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The Seven Habits That Lead to Happiness in Old Age

Imagine yourself 10 years from now. Will you be happier or less happy than you are today? I ask my graduate students—average age, late 20s—this question every year. The majority

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5 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes

We are still in Winter in Colorado, even though Spring is just days away.Have you taken the steps needed to keep pipes in your home from freezing in cold winter weather? When pipes freeze, the extra

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Tips to Update Any Backyard

These tips and more, will help you see the endless possibilities there are when it comes to upgrading your outdoor space. There are design ideas that will give you inspiration to rethink the space

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Easy Repair Tips if you're not a Handy person

Owning a home can sometimes feel like a never ending project that takes up a lot of time and money. From dealing with small issues like a squeaky door or a leaky toilet to bigger problems like

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Senior housing wealth tops $10 trillion for first time

Homeowners aged 62 and older saw their collective housing wealth increase in Q3 2021 by 4% compared to the previous quarter. This constitutes an increase of approximately $396 billion to a record$

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Growing Number of Americans Seek Single-family Home Rentals

I want to start by saying that even if a growing number of Americans are seeking rentals, it is still better to buy and own than to rent.  Interest rates are still pretty low and inventory is

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What is Trending in Kitchens for 2022?

The kitchen is the heart of the house where everyone congregated during the pandemic, and it’s still the go-to room for multiple functions—that means it keeps changing.The kitchen became

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Improve your Home's Indoor Air Quality

House plants can do wonders.  Bringing houseplants into your home not only adds character and a bit of nature to the space, but they are quite literally a breath of fresh air. As it

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Sometimes you just need to Age in Place

Aging in PlacePREPARING FOR infirmity is one of the most important—and least popular—parts of financial planning. A neighbor’s recent stroke provides a stark example of this

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Looks like the year 2022 may cater to a Seller's market again

Throughout the ebbs and flows of 2021, interest rates remained low and buyer demand stayed consistently high. DMAR found there were more homes purchased in 2021, 63,684 than any previous year. While

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Please enjoy this State of the American Homeowner Report for 2021

Please stay alert and don't let your guard down with this Covid Virus, it is contagious and takes a while to recover whether you are vaccinated or not.  Stay Strong!In the meantime, enjoy this

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Buying a Home after age 50, here's what you need to know

Once you hit the half-century mark, you’ve likely accumulated a passel of belongings, some decent savings, and, quite possibly, some hard-earned real estate wisdom. But when it comes to buying

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As a Millennial, don't give up hope!

The number of higher-income millennials renting instead of buying a home is on the rise. The share of applications for apartments from people who earn more than $50,000 is at its highest level in

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What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know Right Now About Inflation

Inflation is a red-hot topic right now, and for good reason: In October, the annual inflation rate rose to an alarming 6.2%. That’s the highest it’s hit since November 1990, over 30

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Older Americans are driving the need for housing to age in place.

The Silver Tsunami, written by Steve WrightThe concepts of aging in place and universal design — that is flexible, durable design that is comfortable and accessible to all, including people

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Is it time to Downsize?

Holidays can be stressful, baking, shopping, hustle and bustle busy-ness, and when we shop for others, we tend to buy for ourselves too. We end up with more "stuff" and later wish we wouldn't have

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Host a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

No matter the size of your Thanksgiving gathering, hosting a large dinner can be overwhelming. If you are new to hosting Thanksgiving or looking for ways to make your day less stressful, check out

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Five Festive Fall Front Porch Decorating Ideas

Autumn has arrived in all its splendor — the perfect excuse to ramp up your curb appeal. Make your neighbors envious of your festive front porch with these five fun decoration ideas:Corn Husk

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I need to build a fence

Well, I need to remove an old fence and have a new fence built because the old fence is beyond repair, but have you seen the price of wood lately?   What is going on?For the seventh

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Major Housing Investment

Proposal Includes Key Housing ProvisionsCongressional leaders released a long-awaited framework Thursday for President Joe Biden’s signature Build Back Better plan, proposing a top-line price

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DIY Kitchen Storage Ideas

Time for the lids to stop piling up in the corner of your cabinet and store your pots properly.  Here are four ideas you can start with:1) Pot and pan lid storage bar.  Install a single,

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A new bill in Congress could help Americans struggling to become homeowners

If approved, the Low-Income First Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act of 2021 would offer 20-If approved, the Low-Income First Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act of 2021 would offer 20-year mortgages

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Condos Are Back!

It seems like just about everyone these days is trying to get a bigger home, a first home, a vacation home—or maybe just a new place in a cheaper part of the country. At least they’re

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What first time home buyers need to know for a move-in ready home

With millennial first-time buyers taking advantage of record low mortgage rates and jumping into homeownership, many are likely unaware of the projects they may have to undertake to get

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Updating Your Property for Universal Use

Whether you’re buying a new home you’d like to stay in for the long haul or updating the home you already have and love, universal design can ensure the property is accessible to all

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What a VA Loan can do for you

Because of the bravery and sacrifices of veterans and active military, the rest of the country’s civilians can live the American dream in safety. As one tangible way to say “thank you

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Don't give up contingencies

We know it's tough out there for buyers right now, but don't give up contingencies.All of this demand means buyers are going to ever-greater lengths to make their offer stand out. They’re

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Is the Air in your Home Clean and Safe?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. That percentage is even higher for older individuals.  Ever

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10 Tips for Moving with Pets

Moving is stressful for everyone.  It's in the top 5 most stress our bodies struggle with.  Imagine your pets, those furry buddies who thrive on consistency.  They stress like we do

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FHA Updates Student Loan Calculation Guidelines to Benefit Homebuyers

FHA Updates Student Loan Calculation Guidelines to Benefit HomebuyersHistorically, homebuyers with student loan debt have had trouble qualifying for mortgages due to their debt-to-income ratio.

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Estate Planning: 16 Things to Do Before You Die (pre-death checklist)

I'm sure no one wants to die, or even think about it, but it is going to happen to all of us so we should try to plan ahead, especially if we own property.  If you have any questions about this

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Moving with Pets Stress Free

I am a huge animal lover and would love to help you find a new home to buy and get your pets settled in.  See below for a Dog Park finder locator.Moving into a new home is an exciting.

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Selling a Home with a Reverse Mortgage

A reverse mortgage can allow you to “age in place” at your home during retirement by turning your existing home equity into a source of income. While that may be your

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What is a USDA Loan?

I am working with Clients now that have a USDA Loan. What is it? USDA loans are home loans issued or guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture. These loans are part of the USDA

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Summer Outdoor Living Trends

By Lorie Jackson.Over the past year, Americans spent more time outdoors than perhaps ever before. Much like during the height of the pandemic, this summer’s outdoor living trends build on the

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Kitchen Designs to Inspire You

The kitchen is where everyone hangs out. So shouldn't it be a place you enjoy and want to share with everyone?The kitchen is the heart of a home. It’s where you cook family meals, bake

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What happens to the home your parents lived in when they pass away?

Steps to make the process easierI recently had a friend lose her mother and although the plan was always to sell the house, a few issues rose up dealing with power of attorney, executor, estate

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Selling Home Process

                                                       

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Reasons you Need to Hire a Realtor to Sell Your Home

8 Reasons to Use a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your HomeSelling a home is nothing like finding a buyer for a piece of furniture or even a car; it’s a complicated process with a great deal of

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U.S. District Court Rules Eviction Ban is Unlawful

Are you living in a Landlord's investment property but they don't take care of things or you're tired of rent increases?The Trump Administration initiated the eviction ban last year during the

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Simple Updates to Add Value to Your Home

Are you looking to add some value to your home but don’t have a big budget? Or do you want to improve its aesthetic without breaking the bank?Making improvements to your home doesn’t

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Gifts of Down Payments

Down payments can be a big hurdle when buying a home. In fact, nearly a third of first-time buyers received money from friends or relatives to source their down payment.  Millennial

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Do you want to visit your family or friends in a nursing home?

Here are a few tips to help with visiting a nursing home during Covid 19.  Call the Nursing home and inquire:1) What is the Nursing Home doing to make it save for visitors to visit?2) 

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Do pets improve your health, happiness and home?

Does having a pet improve your health?  As you get older, you're likely to find yourself at home more and if you're alone, a pet can help take away that loneliness.  If you have physical

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Paying off your Mortgage early, might not be a good idea

                                                       

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Tips to help Renters purchase their first home

When families are starting out, there are a few advantages to renting a home: Rent may be cheaper than a mortgage; no worry of home repairs and relocation for a job is easier. But, families often

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Interest Rates are Still Low, but for how long?

With the new Administration, do you think interest rates will stay low?  Inventory is low, so how can you buy the house you want when the rates are low if there are no houses available?I'm

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Did you know a Power of Attorney expires when you least expect it to?

A neighbor of mine passed away and her daughter was the Power of Attorney (POA). We were working together to put her mom's house on the market to sell after getting her mom moved to assisted living.

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Is it worth doing an Open House in a Seller's market?

Well, I have an Open House coming up in mid-March and I would love for everyone to attend.                             

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I wonder what my customers want?

I was sitting here trying to think of topics to research and write about and then it dawned me... rather than me tell anyone anything, why don't I ask what do they want?My first question to you

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Stunning Perennials that bring life to your garden

Is it too early to talk about planting flowers?  Sometimes the snow and cold can put you in a depressed mood while you wait for warmer days.  Maybe now is a good time to plant some flowers

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I am your Senior Real Estate Specialist

I am your Senior Real Estate Specialist and I specialize in helping Seniors find a home to meet their aging needs. I can help you downsize your current home and move into a less stressful place

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Thinking about Buying a New Home?

Thinking of buying a home?  Inventory is low in Colorado right now,search homes yourself and see.  So Agents are hoping the market changes but for that to happen, you need to sell your

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Where is my Earnest Money?

What is Earnest Money?  Well, according to Wikipedia, earnest money is:  A specific form of security deposit made in some major transactions such as real estate dealings or required

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Preparing for Tax Season if you claimed Unemployment in 2020

This article has some great information so I'm sharing it from Beverly Bird.Did you have unemployment benefits last year?  Did the pandemic affect your salary?  Many Americans who

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Home Buying Trends Here to Stay

Homebuying trends are emerging due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.                 Some trends fade away, but these are here to stay: 1. 

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Why You Need a Real Estate Agent

Why do buyers need a real estate agent? Professional real estate agents have experience, teams to support you, and a deep understanding of every facet of the homebuying process. Hiring the right

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Install Water Sensors to prevent costly water damage in your Home

If you have flooding from groundwater outside when the rain comes down hard and you have poor drainage around your house, or lots of snow melt in the Spring, water sensors will help. If the water

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Inventory May Be Low - But Check Out These Affordable Homes in the 80232 Area

Today, the market is slowing, the holidays are coming, but you can still find an affordable single family house in the 80232 area to share your Covid lock-down time in 2021.  Check them out.

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Downsizing over the Holidays

Holidays can be stressful, even during COVID, baking, shopping, hustle and bustle busy-ness, and when we shop for others, we tend to buy for ourselves too. We end up with more "stuff" and later wish

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Preparing Your Home for Snow in Winter Months

It's time to think about winterizing your home to prevent damage to your properties. Here are a few tips:Set the thermostat no lower than 60 degrees.Shut off and drain your sprinkler system

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Things to consider when buying Horse Property in Colorado

I am a Horse Owner Realtor.  I can help you find horse property in Colorado. Here are some things to consider when looking for horse property:Figure out how much land you will need. 

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Call of the Wild - Rural Properties are Coveted in 2020

In 2020, cities are seeing their residents flee to the suburbs and beyond. While space has become more of a trend in the last decade, COVID-19, politics, and incomes are driving singles, families,

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Happy Veterans Day to all my Fellow Military Patriots, Looking for Benefits or Discounts You Deserve?

The Great War, World War I, ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Veteran's Day began under Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day one year later on the first anniversary of the

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Featured Homes in Lakewood, CO Zip Code 80232

These homes are very affordable in Lakewood, CO:  Click Here   If you see anything you want to get into, please contact me by texting:  melaniehood   to   

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A Home-buying Wish List Helps Narrow Down Your Options

When you are tired of renting and start hearing from your friends and family that interest rates are so low, you could buy a house cheaper than paying rent every month, it's time to really look into

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Should you set a deadline for purchasing a home?

Should you create deadlines to purchase a home?Well, you'll want to be flexible if you have a deadline so you don't rush making decisions or pay too much for a home, but you'll want to be ready to

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How to sell a home to a family member or friend and keep the relationship

I did it!  My mom referred her neighbor and my friend referred her daughter and I matched them together after discovering their needs, so we closed the deal and everyone was happy.  You

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Is your Homebuyer proposal competitive?

If you are looking for a home, you need to be ready to make an offer when you find the home you want.  First, you need to find a Realtor, so they can help you find the home, then get the offer

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I am never too busy for your referrals

Hi, my name is Melanie Hood, I am a Realtor working in the Denver, CO Metro area.  The recent house  I sold, I donated $100.00 to the Referral's Charity.  I will do the

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It's never too soon to think about your garden or yard

Fall is coming and then Winter, but it's never too soon to think about your garden or yard.  If you plan now, you can have beautiful flowers spring up next year.  Deciding what to plant is

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Home Seller's Perspective

Trying to see what the Seller's home perspective is, may help you purchase the home.My name is Melanie Hood and I sell Real Estate in the Denver Metro area.  I would love to help

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Set Yourself Up For Success When Purchasing a Home

Collaborate with a Real Estate AgentHi, my name is Melanie Hood and I sell real estate in the Denver Metro area. I work with all types of buyers, including first time home owners.;

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Options for Investing

Did you know you have options when investing in Real Estate?My name is Melanie Hood and I sell Real Estate in the Denver Metro area.  I would love to help you with your

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Budgeting for a Fixer Upper

Hi, this is Melanie Hood, a Realtor with EXIT Realty Cherry Creek, here to help you make decisions on your future purchase.  Are you the kind of person who likes to fix things? 

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The market is still hot!

Are you wondering how the market is doing during the COVID-19 Pandemic?Let me help you get the home of your dreams. If you have a home to sell, I can help get you top dollars for it.I am also

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Mini Split Air Conditioning Staying Cool During Summer

During these hot times, if you don't have a swamp cooler or central air conditioning to cool you down in your home, now is a good time to look at mini air conditioning units or individual room.&

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Hardwood Floors - Do you know when it's time to refinish?

Hi, my name is Melanie Hood, and I'm a reator working for EXIT Realty Cherry Creek.  I know some great hard wood floor finishers who would love to give you a quote on your hard wood.  

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Tax Deductions when Selling a Home and Tax Forms you need

Hi, my name is Melanie Hood, and I'm a realtor in the Denver Metro area working for EXIT Realty.  Were you able to take any deductions from selling your home last year?  Check out

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HOAs? Are they Voluntary or Covernant-based ?

Do your homework before deciding to live in an HOA as there are pros and cons.  Not everyone should live in an HOA, you need to learn more about the HOA, the area and if it is something you can

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Stay connected to Fight Off Loneliness during this Covid time

https://starthealthy.com/health/mind-body/fight-off-loneliness/?ts=1588702975896&cb=MjY0OTU5MA%3D%3D&utm_source=cam&fbclid

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We should be investing in our own home too

Hi, Melanie Hood here. Do you own a home? During this "stay-at-home" time, we should be investing in our own home.Now is a good time to fix what is broken, not just for yourself, but one day, you

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Why is a Home Inspection important? Check out this article to find out.

https://loftyhood.com/blog/post/663978?fbclid=IwAR01rK1qQnixEcy

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Challenges associated with buying a zombie house

https://loftyhood.com/blog/post/640242?fbclid

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Avoid Risk During the Home Selling Process

https://loftyhood.com/blog/post/550937?fbclid

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Things you need to know before attending a House Showing

https://loftyhood.com/blog/post/520790?fbclid

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Want to Live in Your Forever Home Long Term?

https://loftyhood.com/blog/post/499696?fbclid=IwAR0_1y_jWv0FtmM08aKrzZw3Pzt63pZ

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Weather is Hot, So is Lakewood's Housing Market

I just put a house under Contract in Lakewood, check out more homes for sale in this zip code (80232):  https://melaniehood.denverhomesearchnow.com/ask

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Coming Soon 5 bedroom Ranch in Lakewood

SOLD - - - 1667 So. Yarrow Ct. Lakewood, CO  80232Beautiful home coming soon in Lakewood. Within blocks to shopping and restaurants. Five bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, finished basement, finished

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Top 10 Most Wanted Bathroom Features

http://eyeonhousing.org/2019/03/bathroom-linen-closets-are-most-wanted-bathroom/

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