It has been four months since the Sultan Newman Group made the switch to Compass and thought it was time to share more information about the company and what lead us to make the switch. “The real estate industry is a $217 trillion-plus global asset class, yet it has been largely untouched by technology. Buying […]

We don’t often blow our own horn here, but some things are worth celebrating— and that includes our recent designation as the leading real estate franchise of 2018, by Entrepreneur magazine. More than 1,000 franchisors applied to be included in Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500 survey. Franchisees were evaluated on unit growth, financial strength, stability and brand power during 2018. […]

Study shows the use of real estate agents highest in 18 years Despite the proliferation of apps and websites designed to help people buy and homes on their own, most people continue to choose traditional, in-person brokers. In fact, a new study shows that use of real estate agents is at its highest level since the […]

Denver International Airport earns accolades When it was first built, Denver International Airport (DIA) suffered so many operating glitches that it became the favorite go-to joke for late-night TV hosts. Now the joke is on them: The Wall Street Journal recently named DIA the best “big airport” in the country.  “Drawing from a survey of 4,800 readers […]

Shhhh. The newest trend in home decor is a secret! Can you keep a secret? Then you might be a candidate for the newest trend in home décor: secret doors. That’s right – those hidden passages once confined to mystery movies and novels have now made their way to the average home. According to the Washington Post, it’s all due to manufacturers offering ready-made doors disguised as bookshelves, mirrors and other options. “[A]s pre-built, ready-to-install doors become more widely available,” notes the Post, “people are adding them for aesthetics, for fun or maybe because they watched too much Scooby Doo.” The Post reports that three years ago Home Depot began offering online pre-hung bookcase-doors from Murphy Door in Utah. “It has become more of a trend than we expected,” Jeff Watchko, interior door buyer for the store told the Post. The development can be attributed in part to homeowners hoping to hide valuables in secret rooms. But concealed doors can also solve design issues. For example, in Nicole Buell’s small condo, the doors to her only bathroom were in her bedroom and living area. The door in the living area was taking up space she would have liked for pictures or bookcases. But removing the door and replacing it with a wall would have left the only entrance to the bathroom in her bedroom, making it awkward for guests. A bookcase that doubles as a door was the perfect fix. “With the help of her father,” notes the Post, “she constructed shelves and mounted them on the ball bearing hinges to create a bookcase that swings open to reveal the loo.” Some, however, admit they don’t care about practicalities. Sometimes, the $850 to $1,750 price tag just pays for fun. “We were redoing our master bathroom and closet, and I don’t know where I saw hidden doors,” Leigha Basini told the Post, but I was a big mystery reader as a child, and when I saw we could have a hidden door, I wanted one. It was probably three-quarters fun and one-quarter storage.” In all, it’s an exciting trend hiding in plain sight. But, remember: you didn’t hear it from us. If you need help finding any properties feel free to reach out to me directly! The  Colorado Broker, Joseph Newman REMAX of Cherry Creek Photo Copyright: Katy Belcher/Unsplash 

This November, I have joined the movement to help raise money and awareness for men’s health. Together we can make a difference for men’s health – in prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. HELP ME STOP MEN DYING TOO YOUNG. I have joined up with my buddy Eric Elkins and we put on a MOVEMBER Happy Hour at Interstate! $1 from each Horse’s Neck cocktail purchased was donated to the Movember Foundation, $40 in total. Put your money where you Mo is! Visit my page to donate. We still have more days to donate to reach our goal! https://mobro.co/13852872?mc=1 In the United State, 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. More from the MOVEMBER FOUNDATION THE MOVEMBER FOUNDATION Stopping men dying too young Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends face a health crisis that isn’t being talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent. THAT’S WHY WE’RE TAKING ACTION. We’re the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. We know what works for men, and how to find and fund the most innovative research to have both a global and local impact. We’re independent of government funding, so we can challenge the status quo and invest quicker in what works. In 15 years we’ve funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world. By 2030 we’ll reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%. Again, I really appreciate your support. Visit my page with the MOVEMBER Foundation. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! –Joseph Newman, The Colorado Broker.

6 Near-Genius Ways to Fool Burglars Into Thinking You’re Home Like telling your lights to turn on and off when you’re miles away. Your home: You love it, but unfortunately sometimes you have to leave it, especially around the holidays. Traveling in itself can be a huge stressor, doing a few little things before you leave can help keep your mind at ease. Whether it’s the eight hours a day or eight days with the in-laws in Kansas, allowing your biggest investment to fend for itself can be stressful. And it’s a legit concern; when your home looks empty, break-ins happen. A lot. Ugh. You could deter burglars by never leaving your house again. Or you could do the next best (OK, way better) thing, and just make it look like someone is there all the time. Here’s how. #1 Light Up a Room (From the Road) Your parents may still rely on their lighting timer — on at 8 p.m., off at 7 a.m. That old-fashioned option still works, but apps are more fun. They not only turn your lights on and off, but can do so randomly for a more realistic effect. And you can decide to flip on your porch light while sipping a mojito in Fiji. You can Google your options, but one affordable example is the Lutron Caséta Wireless system (about $80 for the device and $55 per switch). You replace your current wall switches with these wireless ones and “talk” to your lights from afar. #2 Fake a Netflix Binge Nothing says “we are definitely home” like the colorful glare of a television dancing in the window. Put the little FakeTV gizmo where it can project light onto a curtain, and that’s exactly what your home will say to passersby. The device (which runs between about $20 and $40 depending on size) plugs into an adapter and can either work on a timer or with a light sensor, so it can switch on when it gets dark. #3 Change Up Your Shades Remotely Leave your window shades down while you’re gone and you might as well put out a “Gone Fishin’” sign. Check out wireless options to throw some shade on the go. Several companies have systems — including Hunter Douglas PowerView, Pella Insynctive, and Lutron Serena — that allow shades to go up and down at your command for about $300 to $500 a window. #4 Make Some Noise Burglars can change plans in a hurry at the first sound of life inside a home — they’re a bit tetchy that way. So one option when you’re just gone for the day is a noise app, like Sleep And Noise Sounds that can play on a homebound phone, tablet, or computer. With noises like vacuuming and a boiling kettle, it can deter a thief who cracks open a window. #5 Make Them Ring And Run “Burglars will often ring your doorbell, and if no one answers, they’ll go around back and kick in the door,” says Deputy Michael Favata with the Monroe County Sheriff’s office in New York. Now you can answer the door with the Ring Video Doorbell ($180 for the basic model). If someone pushes the doorbell, you can talk to them through an app on your phone. Whether it’s your nosey neighbor or a sketchy stranger, you can say, “I’m in the basement” while you’re really on the slopes. They’ll never know. And even if they don’t believe you, they know they’re being watched (insert devilish laugh here). #6 Try a No-Tech Technique Not everything requires a gadget. Here are ways to up your home security without downloading a single app: Hire a house sitter. Then someone will be home. If there’s snow, have a neighbor walk up and down the path to your door, shovel a passage up to the garage door and drive in and out of the driveway. If it’s hot out, ask them to keep your plants looking fresh with regular waterings. And don’t forget to bring them a nice gift from your getaway. Ask friends, family, or neighbors to just be present on your property — use your patio, play in your yard, or bring in the mail. Invite a neighbor to keep a car parked in your driveway. During the holidays, they may be happy if they need overflow for visitors. Install a fake security camera for as low as $8. Burglars may not notice these fakes don’t have all the wiring necessary to be real. And their blinking red lights offer reasonable doubt. Get a dog. A real dog. While you’re at work or running errands, nothing deters bad guys and gals like a barking, slobbery security guard. And when you go away, having a pet sitter stay can be as economical as some boarding facilities (especially if you have multiple dogs), and you’ll get the benefit of a human and canine sentinel. Many of you probably already know these home hacks, but it is always nice to have a quick little refresher! If you need any suggestions for home security don’t hesitate to reach out. Hope you have a safe and Happy Holidays! – Your Colorado Broker, Joseph Newman   House Logic  

School Districts are More Important to Denver Home Buyers than other Amenities We all know home buyers desire high-performing school districts. But what are they willing to sacrifice for this priority? Plenty, according to a recent survey by Realtor.com. The survey found that 78% of home buyers place a good school district above other amenities. “School districts are an area where many buyers aren’t willing to compromise,” Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale noted of the survey’s findings, as reported by CBS MarketWatch. “For many buyers, ‘location, location, location’ means ‘schools, schools, schools’.” According to MarketWatch, more than half of home buyers (59%) studied test scores to determine a school district’s quality. Others considered whether the school had a gifted and talented program (53%) and art and music education (49%). Among the amenities they were willing to sacrifice for great schools: a garage (19% were willing to let this go); updated kitchen (17%); number of hoped-for bedrooms (17%) and outdoor living space (16%). “Of course, buying in a good school district comes with a significant premium as well,” adds MarketWatch, which cites a 2016 Realtor.com study noting that homes in higher-rated school districts were 49% more expensive on average than the median-priced home nationwide. Reach out to me at The Colorado Broker and I would be happy to provide you with a school district map so you can see what district is right for your family.   ReMax of Cherry Creek Photo Copyright: Pan Xiaozhen / Unsplash.com

Computers can do home appraisals. But humans are better In our computer-oriented world, decisions driven by data and algorithms have become commonplace. This raises the question: Is there still a need for human input to get the right outcome? It’s a question many are asking regarding home appraisals. “With these [technological] advances, will computers inevitably replace appraisers when it comes to valuing homes?” asks John S. Brenan, director of appraisal issues for the Appraisal Foundation. He explored the idea in a recent Realtor Magazine article. Computer models, called automated valuation models (AVMs), are used by websites like Zillow, tax assessors, lenders and others. Most experts agree that AVMs have their place in today’s world. For example, they are useful in situations where the appraisal isn’t critical. Brenan offers the situation where a person owns a $2 million home free and clear and wants to take out a $50,000 line of credit. “I’d be irate” he notes, “…if I had to pay a large fee” for an appraisal. In this case, an AVM would work nicely and save the homeowner as much as $700 in appraisal fees. Computer algorithms also work well when evaluating average homes with no special variations. But few homes are “cookie cutter.”  AVM’s don’t consider whether the home is located on a busy street corner, if it has been updated or is in major disrepair, and so on. As Brenan writes: “[C]omputers don’t buy houses; people do. An AVM does a great job of analyzing tangible features, such as a property’s age, number of bedrooms and baths, square footage and lot size. However, a property’s overall appeal is something that has been, at least to date, extremely difficult to quantify.” Brenan notes that while AVMs can help appraisers in their valuations, the human element is still critical in most situations. “[U]nless and until AVMs can better emulate the human factor, an ethical and competent appraiser remains indispensable.” I have been in the industry for a long time and have established relationships with reputable appraisers in Denver throughout the years. Contact The Colorado Broker, Joseph Newman,  if you would like contact information for our trusted appraisers in the area. ReMax of Cherry Creek

Market Insights for Fall 2018 Housing inventory increases to the highest level in four years giving homebuyers more selection and signaling increased days on market and a slowdown in the rate of price growth. Is this the time to sit on the sidelines waiting for the market to turn? With interest rates expected to go to 5.1 percent in 2019 and forecasted appreciation softening but continuing to remain strong at 5.6 percent year over year in Denver, the cost of waiting is significant. Don’t fall into the trap of rumors about the Denver Real Estate market. Contact me directly and I will help guide you through the buying or selling process. A $425,000 home today will cost an estimated $23,800 more in purchase price in one year and $286 more a month in your mortgage payment – that’s a 13 percent increase or cost for waiting a year. With that being said, don’t wait to purchase until next year. The time to buy is now. Contact me directly to get the buying process start. I have an excellent team backing me that will make sure home buying is as seamless as possible. Quick Stats: Average active listings for August is 17,020 (1985-2017). Record high August was 2006 with 31,664 listings and 2016 represented the record low with 7,327 listings. August 2018 had 8,228 active listings. The 20-year average change in active listings from July to August is a .16 percent decrease. 2018 represents an increase of 7.65 percent. This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded. DMAR Market Insights If you have any real estate questions or needs please feel free to reach out to me directly at Joseph@thecoloradobroker.com.  

Good news for employees with moving expenses! Last year’s tax reform law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Act), eliminated the rules allowing individuals to exclude from taxable income amounts an employer pays for some job-related moving expenses, except for certain active-duty members of the armed forces. Additionally, job-related moving expenses paid for by the individual and reimbursed by an employer are taxable. This change applies for tax years 2018 through 2025. (The Act terminates by its terms after 2025, assuming there is no extension.) The IRS has now indicated an employer can directly pay or reimburse an employee’s qualified moving expenses in 2018 if the expenses were incurred prior to Jan. 1, 2018. In other words, in determining whether employer-paid moving expenses are nontaxable, the IRS will look to the date the expenses are incurred, not when the amounts are paid or reimbursed by the employer. What were the rules prior to 2018? Prior to the change made by the Act, an employer could pay or reimburse tax-free an employee’s qualified moving expenses. No dollar limits applied to the amount of moving expenses that could be reimbursed tax-free (subject to the amounts being reasonable), no nondiscrimination rules applied under the tax code and the moving expense program was not subject to ERISA. Lockton comment: Any amounts not paid or reimbursed by the employer could be deducted when the employee filed his federal tax return. IRS Publication 521 provides the details on the parameters of tax-qualified moving expenses incurred before Jan. 1, 2018. Qualified expenses were those incurred for moving household goods and personal effects to a new residence, including related travel expenses but not meals. For moves outside the US (foreign moves), qualified expenses include moving personal effects in and out of storage. For employment-related moves, the employee’s new workplace had to be at least 50 miles farther from their former home than the old job location was from the former home. If there was no previous workplace, the new job location must have been at least 50 miles from their old home. Example: Joe moved to new home less than 50 miles from his former home because he changed employers. Joe’s old job location was 3 miles from his former home. Joe’s new job location is 60 miles from that home. Because his new job location is 57 miles farther from his former home than the distance from his former home to his previous job location, Joe meets this distance test and could have been reimbursed tax-free for his moving expenses, assuming he meets other requirements spelled out in IRS Publication 521. New tax law changes the rules The Act disallowed the tax-favored treatment of moving expenses beginning in 2018. However, the law was not clear whether the change applied based on when the moving expenses were incurred by the employee or paid (or reimbursed) by an employer. Based on the new IRS guidance, both of the following would be tax-free to the employee: An employer directly pays a third-party moving service after Dec. 31, 2017, for moving services provided to an individual prior to Jan. 1, 2018. An employer reimburses an individual after Dec. 31, 2017, for expenses incurred in connection with a move by the individual prior to Jan. 1, 2018. If an employer treated the payments or reimbursements noted above as taxable to the employee and withheld taxes, it can use the IRS-sanctioned adjustment process or refund claims process to correct the overpayment. The employer will want to make any such corrections prior to the issuance of the employee’s W-2 in early 2019. If you happen to be moving to the Denver area and are in need of a real estate agent, feel free to contact me directly The Colorado Broker Locktonbenefitsblog.com

Denver housing market shows signs of a cooling trend After months of overheating, the Denver housing market is finally dialing down the temperature. Active inventory is up, while prices are dropping slightly. According to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ (DMAR) August market report, residential inventory rose 2.78% in July over June and 3.96% over July of last year. While the Denver Post reports that inventory is still less than half of the historical average, it’s the largest supply of homes on the market in July in three years. Despite the availability of more homes, though, the number of sales dropped substantially (15.65%) from June, as well as from July of 2017 (8.54%). Meanwhile, average prices decreased somewhat, dropping 1.93% to $479,802 from June to July. The median price dropped .60%, to $417,500. Although the housing market traditionally slows this time of year, DMAR Market Trends Committee Chairman Steve Danyliw believes the numbers may represent a larger trend. “It’s not time to panic, but this market is showing signs of cooling, and Realtors need to manage seller’s expectations as market conditions change,” notes Danyliw in the monthly report. “…With inventory at a three-year high, the climate is perfect for slowing activity and price reductions as fewer and fewer homes are considered affordable.” Indeed, unaffordability may be one of the causes of the slowdown. Interest rates on a 30-year mortgage were 3.9% a year ago, notes a recent Denver Post article. “They now run closer to 4.6% and are rising, knocking more buyers out of the running.” Additionally, Zillow’s senior economist Aaron Terrazas, cited in the DMAR report, notes that rent growth in the metro area has mostly stabilized, reducing the urgency for renters to escape rising rents by buying a home. This has further lowered demand. In all, the report is a boon to buyers and perhaps a wake-up call to sellers, who are used to sitting in the catbird seat when it comes to realizing exceedingly high appreciation on their homes. “Can a cooling market be considered positive?” asks Danyliw. “To most sellers, no, but honestly, they have experienced unprecedented equity growth over the past several years. It’s time to share the love and keep home buying an option in the Denver metro area. “ Filed Under: Uncategorized

Do you know when a belly can cause problems? Do you understand when to get a scope versus when to get a clean-out? Do you even realize that we’re talking about sewers not colonoscopies? If the answer is no to all of the above, it’s time to bone up on your sewer savviness. Admittedly, it’s not a sexy topic. But knowing how your sewer works and who to call for help when it fails can save you money and stress. Sewer Lines Only, a Denver-based company, offers definitions of these terms: Main line: The main line connects your service line to the city sewage treatment center. It is the city’s responsibility to maintain. “It is typically 10 inches in diameter and runs under your street or alley,” notes Sewer Lines Only. Tap: This is what connects your personal service line to the main city line. Clay line or clay tile: If you have a Denver home built before 1975, it’s likely to have sewer lines made of clay pipes. These often are infiltrated by tree roots and “have multiple joints that can become separated or misaligned, causing leaks.” New replacement lines are made of plastic. Off-set: This is a problem that typically occurs in a clay line. Because clay lines feature joints every 2-5 feet, the joints can move. When they get out of line with each other, this is an “off-set,” which sometimes collects debris. Belly: This is a low spot in the line where water and sewage may collect. Depending on the severity, it may be problematic. Clean-out: This is a spot that offers access to your sewer line. It’s usually found in your yard near the house. Clean-outs “are used to easily access your sewer line in order to inspect or clean it out.” Sewer scope: This is when a company uses a camera to record what is happening inside the line. The camera is usually fed into the sewer pipe through a vent stack on the roof, a toilet or a clean-out and helps to find blockages and pinpoint spots that need repair. Pipe bursting: This is when the existing line is replaced by “pulling a new line through the existing line.” This method will not resolve a belly and is allowable only in uniquely difficult excavations. To keep your sewer line free of trouble, it helps to flood it with water once a month and before you leave for vacation. Turn on all the taps, fill bathtubs with water and then drain them, run the dishwasher, flush all toilets. The rush of water will help push debris through the pipes. And when problems arise, be careful to hire professionals you trust. It’s best to avoid using a company that offers to both inspect your pipes and repair them, as that company is incentivized to find problems that may not exist. Call us for referrals before spending thousands of unnecessary dollars. —   www.rmcherrycreek.com/blog Photo Copyright: Nuwat Chanthachanthuek / 123rf.com  

Deciding Between Granite & Quartz? Consider these Pros & Cons When it comes to home countertops, two materials are taking the country by storm: granite and quartz. In fact, “two out of five homeowners choose one of these two surfaces, often for durability and easy cleaning,” according to a 2017 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. While they may have equality in public opinion, each material has distinct advantages and disadvantages. When deciding, it’s important to understand their differences. Here are some facts to consider, as provided by Houzz: Advantages of granite Longevity: Granite, notes Houzz, “is time-tested and has universal appeal.” While some colors may seem dated as time goes on, “you generally can’t go wrong with granite as a long-term investment. It almost always helps sell homes.” It comes in wide slabs: Granite can be found in slabs more than 70 inches wide, while quartz is more commonly 56 inches wide. Wider slabs generally mean fewer seams, and if only one slab is needed, this can cut costs. It’s cheaper: While “exotic” granite can be expensive, more common types cost from $35 to $55 per square foot installed – “significantly less than most quartz options,” notes Houzz. It’s natural: Since granite isn’t man-made like quartz, it has the unique patterns and textures only nature can provide. “As durable as quartz is and as innovative as manufacturing processes are becoming, it won’t ever be 100% natural, and that’s a deal breaker for a lot of homeowners,” notes Houzz. It can be used outdoors: While quartz may fade and discolor with long-term exposure to sun, granite should stay true to its original color, even in sunlight and weather extremes. Advantages of quartz It’s not porous: Spills of liquid, such as wine, can stain granite, if unattended too long. By contrast, quartz won’t stain from coffee, citrus juice, cooking oil, etc. It’s also “about as scratch- and stain-resistant as countertops get,” reports Houzz. It needs less maintenance: Because granite is porous, homeowners need to seal it every two to five years. They must also be careful while cleaning, as some soaps may stain the stone. By contrast, quartz can handle most detergents and doesn’t require sealing. It offers a clean look: For those desiring a streamlined look, quartz is the best option. Slabs of the same color won’t vary as granite does, and it doesn’t have the swirls and speckles of granite, which can look “busy.” It’s less brittle: While installing large slabs of granite, there’s always the danger of breakage, particularly if lots of angles are required. By contrast, quartz is manmade with resins and polymers that form strong bonds. Thus, it is less likely to break. Photo Copyright: dbvirago / 123RF Stock Photo From: Re/Max of Cherry Creek Blog Deciding between granite and quartz? Consider these pros and cons