Thekey to this is starting small. If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of cleaning out your entire garage at once, take an hour everyday and tackle mini projects within the project. Separate what you’ll be keeping from what you’re going to throw away and recycle. Take all your old unused solvents to a proper
disposal facility the next day. After a week’s time or so, you’re space will be looking in tip top shape. Or if exercise is your goal, then start slow. Running
three miles a day five times a week right out of the gate after living a sedentary lifestyle for many years is just not realistic. Instead, make a point to walk
around the block and each day go one block farther – chances are that you’ll start enjoying your exercise so much that it will become part of your daily
routine in short order.

Above all else, don’t be afraid to take action. Call up an old friend you’ve lost contact with, join a wine tasting group or blog about your favorite cook book.
Taking charge of your life everyday in some fashion will leave you in a position of empowerment – small steps lead to great things.

As I reflect back and look toward the future I’m inspired by my journey and the chance to shine my light in your lives. Thank you for your friendship and business patronage – I look forward to serving you in 2012. May the best of your past, be the worst of your future! Michael Madsen

• Get Set Up – One of the best ways to find a broker is by referral. Ask friends in your desired areas who they recommend. Visit some open houses in your targeted neighborhoods or your current one if you’re looking to sell. You might also walk into a reputable real estate office with a broker on duty. Talk to the broker, take a look around, and if you like what you see, set up some time for an interview to learn more.

• The Right Credentials – Formally interviewing a broker, whether you’re a buyer or seller, is an excellent way to get started selecting a partner. During the interview, find out if the broker is a REALTOR®. REALTORS® adhere to a strict code of ethics, maintain a higher level of knowledge of buying and selling real estate, and have access to a wealth of information and resources that can make a significant impact on your transaction and experience. With one of the biggest transactions of your life, you want to partner with someone who has the right credentials.

• It’s All About Fit - Find someone who is an expert in the areas you’d most like to live. My clients come to me because of my expertise in urban Denver homes, from Wash Park to the Highlands. I know urban Denver neighborhoods inside and out, and whatever your lifestyle (gay, straight, single, family with children, retired and so on), I will find the home and neighborhood that is right for you. It’s important to select a broker who you have a good rapport with, who you can be honest with, and who you trust to be honest with you. A candid, frank relationship always brings the best results.

• Enjoy the Ride – If you’ve done your due diligence and found a well-respected, credentialed broker who has the expertise you’re seeking, sit back and relax. Listen to your broker, trust him or her, be honest and let them bring the opportunities to you. Expect “Legendary Service,” and if you get anything less, find someone new who will make the buying or selling process flawless.

Looking to buy or sell your home? I’m here to help! Urban Homes. Legendary Service.

There are several things you can do to take advantage of the fall season and help your home sell before the holidays:

• Fall Fixes – Always put your best foot forward when it comes to showing your home. Take the time to deep clean your home this fall – de-clutter, clean and service your furnace, winterize your sprinkler system, and other seasonal maintenance. A well-cared-for-home shows a lot to a buyer and it will not go unnoticed. Also, save all your maintenance receipts for the buyer – proof positive that your home is in tip-top shape.

• Yard Upkeep – Keep your landscaping looking neat and clean through the fall. You want to give the buyer vision for what your home looks like when it’s in bloom, and show no signs of deferred maintenance.

• Update Photos – If your home is already on the market, take new photos (with a quality camera) for the web listing and promotional materials. An update on the season keeps your home looking fresh and inviting for potential buyers.

• Competitive Pricing – Price your home in accordance with the market. Overpriced homes become very stale and overlooked and are shown less frequently by brokers. And, overpricing can eliminate serious buyers who are unwilling to look out of their price range. For more information on competitive pricing, contact me.

• It’s the Little Things – Potential buyers are trying your home on for size to see if they can envision themselves and their family living there. Make it easy and go the extra mile with little touches that can make your home more inviting. In the fall, you might try a few pumpkins on the front porch or a tasteful fall wreath. Inside, seasonal table linens and a few fall candles make nice additions. Don’t overdo it – remember less is more.

Thinking of selling your home this fall? I’m here to help!

Don’t worry – you don’t have to go out and buy that on-demand hot water heater right away (although, they are a fantastic idea and worth the upfront cost in the long run). Here are five simple things you can do to make your home more energy efficient all year.

1. Counter “Phantom Energy” – Numerous appliances and gadgets in your home consume energy even when they are turned off. This phenomenon, known as “phantom energy,” can account for up to 10 percent of your total energy costs! Turn off or even unplug appliances like TVs, stereos, computers and printers when you’re not using them. Another option is to plug them into a power strip and simply flip the switch to off when not in use.
2. Seal Windows and Doors – Is your home drafty? Those air leaks can do a number on your energy bill because they mean cool air escapes in the summer and warm air escapes in winter. Go through your home to identify air leaks around windows and doors and use caulking and weather stripping for easy repairs.
3. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances and Lightbulbs – If you’re in the market for new appliances or need to replace some lightbulbs, think GREEN. When you purchase energy efficient appliances, you can save on your energy bills and receive rebates for going green! And, by switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) instead of the conventional type, you can save almost three quarters of the energy. Learn more here.
4. Plant a Tree – Seriously. If you have an older home with less-than-stellar insulation, planting a tree or a shrub can save you energy. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, “the foliage blocks infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in winter the bare branches let this radiation come through.”
5. Schedule an Energy Audit – Want to take energy efficiency to the next level? Go to the pros and schedule an energy audit. Auditors can thoroughly inspect your home and recommend the best tools and solutions to make your home more energy and cost efficient.

Fall in Colorado, while magnificent, is fleeting. So, you must get out and enjoy the season while it lasts! Here are a few of my favorite fall events throughout Colorado that make the transition from summer to winter just a bit easier:

• Colorado Mountain Wine Festival (Palisade, Sept. 15 – 18) – Thousands of wine lovers make the annual trip to Palisade to enjoy the best of Colorado’s wine country. From seminars and tastings to chef demonstrations and pairings, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss.

• Loaf ‘N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival (Pueblo, Sept. 23 – 25) – Already missing the summer heat? Don’t worry – the annual Loaf ‘N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival in Pueblo has enough heat to last you all year. Thousands of people gather at the festival each year to enjoy the area’s most loved crops – Pueblo green chiles and pinto beans or frijoles. Enjoy your green chile on a burrito or have it roasted on-site to take home.

• Great American Beer Festival (Denver, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1) – The Great American Beer Festival, now in its 30th year, is always one of the hottest tickets in town. With 2,400 beers served, 465 American breweries and 49,000 people – it’s a beer lover’s dream! Can’t get a ticket? Volunteers are always needed and welcome to taste the beers alongside attendees.

• Fall Foliage Trips (Throughout Colorado, Fall Season) – There is nothing like seeing a Colorado landscape painted with the gold, auburn and red of fall Aspen trees. Fall is the perfect time to see Colorado at its finest. Anywhere in the state, from the southwest region, home to popular destinations like Telluride and Ouray, to the Front Range, you’ll find plenty of gorgeous fall foliage. Just be sure to not wait too long – Old Man Winter has been known to come as early as the first few weeks of October!

These are some of my favorite fall events – what are yours?

1) Bebop and Scat in City Park:

You’ve still got time to enjoy City Park Jazz, the best open-air jazz club in Denver! Free every Sunday night through early August. http://www.cityparkjazz.org

2) Load up at the local Farmers’ Markets:

Denver’s Farmers’ Markets are more than just small potatoes. Find locally-grown produce, hear live music and browse an endless selection of costume jewelry J For a complete list: http://www.denver.org/what-to-do/museum-art/denver-farmers-markets

3) Jam out at Red Rocks:

The best place to see a live concert West of…well, anywhere! Check out the concert calendar and enjoy music under the stars from acts like Incubus, Stevie Nicks and Soundgarden. http://www.redrocksonline.com/Calendar.aspx

4) Take in a movie at Skyline Park:

Catch Oceans, Secretariat and Toy Story in August alone. Bring your four-legged friends!

http://www.downtowndenver.com/Life/WhattoDo/SkylinePark/MileHighMoviesinSkylinePark/tabid/266/Default.aspx

5) Catch Some Blues and Brews on South Pearl:

South Pearl Street is one of Denver’s most historical and charming neighborhoods and shopping districts. Not only does the area have fantastic restaurants (Sushi Den, anyone?), it also offers music festivals, farmers markets, art walks and excellent shopping throughout the summer. Catch Blues and Brews on August 13!  http://www.oldsouthpearlstreet.com/

Through Legendary Lifestyle, I also want to get to know YOU better as well. After all, my promise to my clients is providing expertise in Denver’s urban homes with legendary service. So, your comments and questions are ALWAYS welcome. And, if you want to contact me directly, simply visit the “Contact” page on my website and get in touch!

I encourage you to check back often. Until then, continue living the Legendary Lifestyle!

Homes for Sale in the Baker Neighborhood
There are old and new homes sprinkled all over the Baker area. From Victorian homes to brand-new developments, Baker has a variety of different types and styles of homes. A brand new development – Watermark – designed by the great architect Curtis Fentress now adds to this fantastic neighborhood. Watermark became available in the summer of 2007.

Buying Property in Denver’s Baker Neighborhood
The Baker neighborhood in Denver was designated as a National Historic District because many of the homes in the area have such distinctive architecture. Front gabled roofs with decorative shingles and front porches with turned posts characterize the houses in the area. Many Baker residents have great pride in their historic homes and strive to make the community as friendly as it is beautiful.
Baker Neighborhood takes its name from Baker Middle School, a local landmark, that was named after Denver’s first high school principle and president of Colorado University from 1892 to 1915.

Beautiful Homes in Bonnie Brae
The charming neighborhood of Bonnie Brae largely consists of attractive curvy streets winding through the charming homes and real estate. The homes in Bonnie Brae were designed to look like a small Scottish village. Amongst the many styles of housing are homes built in the Art Moderne architectural style, using bands of polished materials and glazed terra cotta. Another unique style of architecture used in the Bonnie Brae area is the international style of modern architecture, which focuses on asymmetrical composition.

Bonnie Brae – A Classic Colorado Community
The charm of the homes in the area only magnifies the charm of the residents. Bonnie Brae maintains a hometown feel with a rich historical culture. Bonnie Brae is a beautiful place to invest in real estate that you will enjoy for years to come.