The benefits of having LED lighting in your home

For those of you who haven’t changed to LED lights quite yet, this blog is for you. There are so many great benefits to switching over to LED lights including extended lifespans of the lights, lower maintenance requirements and reduced energy consumption. According to the DOE, it is estimated that LED lights can save 190 terawatt house of electricity per year which equals almost $15 billion dollars saved. These lights last longer and will cut your electricity bill, why wouldn’t you trade in your regular light bulbs for LED light bubs?

If those reasons aren’t enough, here are a few more to get you on the path to changing over to LED lights:

·      Energy efficiency – LED lights use about 50% less electricity then traditional fluorescent, incandescent and halogen options. This results in lower energy cost savings where lights might be on for longer periods of time. Because LED lights are mounted on a flat surface, they emit light hemispherically rather then spherically which reduces wasted energy and light.

·      Extended life – Unlike typical light bulbs, LED lights never actually burn out they merely dim over time. LED lights have a lifespan of 30,000-50,000 hours or even longer while a comparable fluorescent lasts 8,000-10,000 hours.

·      Durable – LED lights do not have any filaments or glass enclosures making them more resistant to breaking.

·      Cold temperature operation – LED lights function well in the cold unlike fluorescent lamps. LED performance increases as operating temperatures drop which means they work well in refrigerated display cases, freezers and outdoor applications.

·      Rapid cycle – LED lights are unaffected by turning them on and off in a rapid cycle unlike traditional lights that have a shorter lifespan the more they are switched on and off.

·      Instant on – Unlike traditional lights that do not provide full brightness from the moment they are switched on, LED lights come on at 100% brightness almost instantly.

·      No UV emissions

These are just some of the many positive reasons to switch over to LED lights in your home. I am seeing many new build homes that only use LED lighting and it saves my developers and buyers a great deal of money at the end of the day. Take a minute to go around your house and see what lights can be changed and do that for the environment and to save some money!

Where to find the best chocolate for Valentine's Day in Denver

What do you like to do with your loved ones for Valentines Day? Is there a certain restaurant you always go to with your significant other? Do you have a daily ritual like taking the day off and spending it just the two of you? Does your lady friend expect some flowers or does your man friend appreciate some gadgets? Valentines Day is a fun day to remind those ones in your life that you love them (there are 364 other days to do this as well but this is the holiday of the year so it’s fun to show your love!). And there are so many ways to do that – and one tradition that people particularly like to indulge in would be the sweet side of the holiday, the chocolate side. This might be one of the sweetest filled holidays (that and one of the biggest floral holidays of the year) and I am a big fan of all the amazing chocolate you can get around Denver. I have compiled a list of some of the best chocolate shops below so if you still need to grab something sugary for your loved one check one of these amazing places out!

Roberta’s Chocolates – 4840 W 29th St

Nothing says quaint chocolate shop like Roberta’s that has been serving up sweets to the Denver area since 1995. The shops doesn’t just have chocolates either, they serve up truffles, fudge, lollipops and dozens of great gift ideas. Have a specific chocolate shape or design you want to send to your special someone? Roberta’s has over 10,000 molds to make custom candy or chocolate that is unique and special for your Valentine.

Chocolate Crisis Center – 3370 Walnut St

Hopefully no one has to take a trip to the doctor or the ER this Valentines Day but if you have a chocolate emergency you might want to get that checked at the Chocolate Crisis Center in LoHi. They have an online shop ready to go 24 hours a day but if you are feeling the need to go in a try some chocolate and have a consultation so you can find the perfect chocolate for you and your loved ones.

Temper Chocolate at Denver Central Market – 2669 Larimer St

Developed by chef John Robbins, this chocolate shop might be new to town but they are causing quite the stir at Denver Central Market. With chocolates that are fresh and unexpected when it comes to flavors, patrons are surprised and delighted at the tastes of every chocolate they eat.

Chocolate Lab – 2504 E. Colfax

If you want a good truffle, no, a great truffle, then go see the chocolatiers at the Chocolate Lab because they are dedicated to bringing the best of the best to Denver when it comes to all things chocolate. Every truffle in the shop and chocolate is hand-dipped and made to be the best of the best.

The Chocolate Therapist, Inc. – 2560 W Main St Littleton

Need a good therapist? What about a chocolate therapist? This shop is a great place to go when you need help figuring out just what type of chocolate to get your loved ones. Their unique chocolate are infused with organic flavoring oils, nuts, spices and natural fried fruit.

There are so many great chocolate shops in Denver and the surrounding communities that you should have no problem finding the right one for your loved one this holiday season! Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day full of lots of love!

Important Moving Tips For People With Diabilities

Moving to a new home can help you to expand your horizons, meet new and interesting people, and perhaps even start afresh. But the many tasks involved with relocating can add stress to what should be a great adventure. In this post, we'll show you how to steer your way around these potential pitfalls.

1. Choosing a New Place to Live
Locating accessible housing is like meeting your perfect romantic match. You know it's out there; the trick is finding it. Here are some tips to help you in the quest:

● Read the ads. Sellers of accessible housing often go out of their way to list handicap-friendly features in the property description. Use caution when relying on seller information, however. Sometimes they will list improvements such as a wheelchair ramp but neglect to mention that the bathrooms, hallways, appliances, etc. are unsuitable for people with physical challenges.
● Consult an internet database of accessible housing. This is a great way to find out about opportunities across the country.
● Contact a realtor. Local agents may know of options you could otherwise overlook.

2. Adaptable vs. Accessible Housing
If accessible housing is in short supply in the area to which you plan to move, then you may want to consider an adaptable home. These are modifiable existing homes that can meet the needs of the physically challenged with minimal remodeling, according to information provided by North Carolina State University. Here are some factors to keep in mind when considering this option:

● Choosing an adaptable home will allow you to customize its layout, features, and décor to your tastes and priorities.
● The cost of carrying out these projects may fall on you. However, you will find many potential resources for meeting these costs, including private foundation grants and HUD-sponsored loans.
● There are websites that can help you to locate a builder with the right certifications and experience. Remodeling a home with physical challenges in mind usually requires specialized construction skills.
Let's say you've found the perfect home, and you're anxious to move in. Your next step is to decide what to do with your belongings. Many people find that hiring a professional is the best way to go. Here is why:
● Peace of mind. Most professional packers offer coverage in case an item gets damaged, lost, or stolen.
● Expertise. Like many tasks, packing and moving are more complex than they appear at first. For example, items such as electronics, medications, and artwork require special care to avoid potential damage.
● Freedom from sore muscles. Packing and moving takes more than brute strength. It involves a lot of bending, twisting, and other movements that present special challenges to those with disabilities. Why put yourself through this ordeal when someone else can do the job for you?
Okay, your belongings are packed, and moving day is almost upon you. Here are some tips for making it go smoothly:
● Keep kids and pets out of the way. You may want to set aside a room in which they can relax and enjoy themselves away from the hustle and bustle.
● Have water and snacks on hand for the movers. This is a great way to show your appreciation for their help.
● Make sure you know the route to your new home ahead of time. Trip-mapping services like Siri can make mistakes.

The key to any successful move is covering your bases. Taking time to plan the process can save you from countless hassles down the road. We wish you all the best as you enjoy life in your new home.

Guest post by Patrick Young and AbleUSA

February Market Trends Report

A new year starts, resolutions begin and we all get to start 2018  off right! With all these new things happening, not as many home sellers and Buyers were thinking about selling or buying.  Sales were down in the Signature market with single-family home sales down 34.67 percent, and condo sales down 13.16 percent. Sales may have slowed, but month over month and year over year price per square foot (PSF) was up 4.56 percent in the Residential Signature market (single-family plus condo) from the prior months at $252 PSF, and up 12.50 percent year over year at $224 PSF from one year ago. WOW, a lot can change in a year!  January literally came in with a BANG year over year with sales up 11.36 percent in the Signature single-family market and an impressive 266.67 percent in the condo market. Our sales volume was also up 8.69 percent year over year in the Signature single-family market and 285.98 percent in the Signature condo market. Even with the cooler temperatures in January, the Signature condo market was HOT year over year. Maybe February will bring some love to home sellers and they will think about selling as our months of inventory remains low in this segment of the market at 3.80 months of inventory in the single-family market and 2.97 months of inventory in the condo market. Don’t forget the conforming limits increased January 1st to $453,100 as the new base limit, and now most Denver metro cities and counties are at $529,000 or higher. This now gives your buyers more purchasing power to enter into the Signature market and rates are still low for Jumbo loans and HELOC (Home Equity Line Of Credit) loans.  
 

Full Report Here

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