The great American lawn- especially when April and May showers help it to green up- is a beautiful thing.  But not so beautiful on your wallet!

Lawns can be high maintenance.  "Every year, the average American spends 73 hours mowing, fertilizing and pruning their yard - an agricultural labor of love that rakes in $40 billion a year nationwide!" declares BrightNest, an online site for homeowners.

Save money by using these tips:

1.  Water at night:  Denver Water has declared a Stage 2 drought effective April 1, 2013, so you can't water between the hours of 10am and 6pm.  Watering at night when it's cool, alleviates evaporation.

2.  Mow your grass high.  "Observe the 3" rule." states the article.  "At 3", grass has more surface area for photosynthesis to occur, which will result in a stronger root system. Stronger root systems prohibit weed-growth, so you'll spend less money (and time) on weed killer, which can cost upwards of $30 bottle.

3.  Xeriscaping:  This is a great year to add native plants that tolerate our drier climate better than traditional grass.  Colorado State University (CSU) offers great resources for gardeners.

4.  Plant perennials which come back year after year, instead of spending money and time planting annuals.

5.  Fertilize with Compost:  "Not only is commercial fertilizer jam-packed with toxic chemicals, it can be pricey, too (up to $40 a bag)." states BrightNest.  "Avoid the store-brought fertilizer dance altogether by composting your food scraps and using those, instead. Your yard, your wallet and the planet will thank you."

6.   Mulch, Don't Bag it!  Return your grass clippings to the yard through mulching. Some homeowners believe this leads to build-up of thatch, but the clippings break down quickly and return nutrients back to the yard.

A little planning can make a big difference in costs to maintain your yard.  Hire a landscape planner to help you redesign and save a little money this year- and don't be too quick to rip out the sod and substitute plastic and gravel, advises CSU.  Extensive use of rock on south and west exposures can raise temperatures near the house and result in wasteful water runoff.

Read the full story at BrightNest.

photo credit: ♔ Georgie R

Posted in Technology And You

You've decided to buy a condo.  Maybe you're not ready for a house and a yard or maybe you are downsizing from that house and yard, either way, there are a few things you should know before buying a NEW condo.

The nice thing about new construction is, well, it's new!  It has the latest finishes, fancy upgrades and no one will have lived there but YOU!  Like a bright shiny penny.  "Make sure you watch out for these 3 common snags on newly constructed digs." counsels Alison Rogers on LearnVest.com.

1. Square Footage:  "Condo owners buy a 'percentage of common interest' in a building, which includes the square footage of the individual unit, but also a little slice of the hallways, lobby, and elevator space." says Rogers.  "As a result, a "900-square-foot" condo probably isn't going to be 900 square feet inside. The best way to make sure you're buying enough space is, when you visit the apartment, to think about how big your furniture is and where you would put it."

2. Homeowners Charges are Estimates Only:  Part of the homeowner's dues include charges to maintain the common areas.  The builder estimates these costs, and it's a good chance they will understate the potential.  In all fairness, it's pretty hard to guess what heating and maintaining the pool or lighting the common areas will cost, but expect an increase when the building is done.

3. Recession Lessons:  When the recession happened, many planned projects came to a screeching halt and languished or never happened at all.  Be cautious and make sure there is an "out clause".

Before you buy any real estate, however, make sure you understand the local market and realize that real estate is a long term investment.  If you plan to live there, make sure your job is stable and you will be happy to be there for the long haul.  (Find a real estate professional to help you)

Hopefully the market will continue to go up and the housing market will recover and your brand new condo will be a great new beginning!

Read the full article at LearnVest.com

photo credit: aaron.knox

Posted in Technology And You

The Economic Development Council of Colorado named Windsor the Small Community of the Year for its efforts to attract and grow businesses and development within the community.

"This is an exciting time in economic development, not only for the town, but for me personally," said Stacy Johnson, the town's economic development manager. "There are a lot of great projects going in Windsor right now. It is a great place to live and do business."

Johnson is the only member of the town's economic development department and has focused on being an advocate for local business.   Since she was hired in April 2011, she has helped create 473 jobs with an average salary of $61,429 and a total payroll of more than $32 million, according to the Windsor Beacon. 

Read more at the Windsor Beacon.

Image Source: Windsor Chamber of Commerce

Posted in Technology And You

The housing market is slowly recovering and so are our bank accounts.  Experts believe that interest rates will begin to increase but, says Clif Droke, a financial marketing analyst, a sustainable rising interest rate trend isn't likely until after October 2014."

Make a Plan

The good news is that you have time to prepare to buy a home and, hopefully, still benefit from lower interest rates.  Make a plan to get yourself in financial shape to buy a home and start today.

 1.  Check Your Credit Score- Before you do anything else, you need to know what your credit score is and give you time to correct any errors or inaccuracies that may cause problems later. (Read: The Best Way to Claim Credit Reports)

To qualify for mortgage loans with the best interest rate, you would need a score of 740+.  FHA loans accept scores as low as 580, under specific conditions and with certain restrictions, according to Bill Rice on Quizzle.com. "However, these programs are constantly changing and often have restrictions - just like credit cards and auto loans." he says.  "To get more traditional mortgage loans, your credit scores need to get above the 620 to 640 range."  (Read: Credit: Use it or Lose It)

2.  Location, Location, Location- The old adage is important to keep in mind for that day when you will need to sell it.  Keep in mind transportation options; do you want to be close to work or school? (Read: Walkability Adds to Home Values)

Check out the neighborhoods you would like to live in.  Go to Open Houses, go to the local shopping areas and restaurants to get a feel for the area.  Talk to the homeowners to see if it's the right fit for you.

3.  It's all in the details... how big of a house do you need for your family?  "Think about your must-have items, including number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a multicar garage, pool, fireplace, eat-in kitchen or finished basement." states an article on MSN Real Estate. "What amenities and resources do you need to have? Does your home need to be in an area with great schools?  Once you decide what you need and want, it is time to start shopping. (Read: How to Choose the Right Home For You)

4.  Find an Agent:  Finding the right agent could make all the difference in your home buying experience.  Interview more than one agent and get referrals from friends and family. Make sure they understand your long term goals and needs. (Hire the Right Agent)

Your REALTOR® can also help you find a lender, insurance agent and home inspector to help you with the home buying process.  (Find a real estate professional)

5.  Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage:  You will need to supply a lender with at least two years of tax statements, and information about all your assets including savings, stocks, etc.  You will need to show proof of income and "If you're receiving money from a family member or friend -- for a down payment, for example -- you'll be required to provide a letter from the person giving the gift stating that the recipient has no legal obligation to pay it back." states the article.

Shop around for a lender.  Shop for the best interest rates, but also pay attention to closing costs.  (Read: Closing Costs: Don't Pay Too Much)

6.  Start Searching:  About 6 months before you want to move, is a great time to begin your search. There are many online sites to search for housing in your area which can be very convenient.  "But remember that online pictures can be deceiving." states MSN. "You will save yourself and your agent a lot of time by driving past the property before you agree to see it together."

7.  Making an Offer:  Reaching an agreement may involve many offers and counter-offers.  Your agent will be valuable in these negotiations and will be able to help you understand the contracts and the process. 

Denver is a sellers market these days with many homes receiving multiple bids.  Be prepared to lose a few bids before finally getting your home.  Keep in mind, that the fact that you have gotten pre-approved for a mortgage might make your bid get accepted over the others! (Read: How to Get a Pre-Approved Mortgage)

8.  It's Time to Move!  "As if the entire mortgage-approval process isn't stressful enough, you also need to worry about the logistics of moving." advises MSN.  "If you're a renter, now's the time to give your landlord the proper notice that you're moving out. You should contact your utility service providers to determine if you'll need to transfer or terminate your service and you may want to hire professional movers."  (Read: Preparation is the Key for Your Next Move)

By following these simple steps, you could be ready to buy your dream home next year!

See more at MSN.com

Posted in Technology And You

During the recession, Americans lost an average of one-third the value of their assets during the recession and a third said they experienced a large drop in their income.

But there was an upside to the recession as well.  "About half of all Americans have reduced their personal debt and more than two in five have built up an emergency fund." says Brandon Ballenger on Money Talks News.  "78 percent of the people who feel better prepared and more confident think the crisis led to permanent changes in their behavior."

More Americans are better prepared for retirement now than they were before the recession and 42 percent have increased contributions to their retirement accounts.

Read more at Money Talks News

photo credit: steffy.

Posted in Technology And You