Is there a potential fire in your junk drawer? If there's a 9V battery there, watch out!

A couple of 9V batteries caused a fire in a man's new home in Denver recently. If you store your batteries, you need to know about this!

Spring yard care tips in Colorado Springs

Spring! It's time to start taking care of your yard. Clean-up and cutting back perennials is a good place to start. Here, Catherine has some tips for you.

7 things to do when snowbound

Top 7 Things to Do When Snow Keeps You Home

Feb. 11, 2010 | By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

Yay! Snow day!

All right, now that everybody has that out of their systems -- what do you plan to do with your free time? This blizzard has left some people trapped in the house for days. For others, boredom may just be starting to set in. So to help pass the hours, we have come up with seven ideas to keep you and your family entertained while stuck in the snow.

These are just seven ideas. There are plenty of other good ones. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments section. Maybe for the next storm we will expand the list to 10 or even 14 things to do when stuck inside. Let's all just hope we aren't snowed in forever.

Board Games

There's nothing quite like spending time with your family. Don't just plop down in front of the TV. Do something the whole family can join in on: board games.

Sure, they may be old fashioned and don't come with as many bells and whistles as that Wii or Blue Ray player. So what? These games have been around for decades. There must be something good to them.

Monopoly isn't only fun because it lets you buy real estate, collect rents, build hotels -- all while you try not to go broke -- but it also teaches some good lessons in risk, investing and managing money.

For something a bit less challenging, try Candy Land, which has been many children's first game for more than 50 years. Colorful characters and whimsical places take children through a journey of magic and fantasy. What better activity for a snowy day?

Some of our other favorites include Bobble, LIFE, Jenga, checkers, chess, Clue, and Apples to Apples.

Winter Cleaning

All right, enough fun. Now it's time to get down to some work. Have that closet that you have been meaning to clean out, but just never found the time to tackle?

This might be the perfect day to clear out those clothes from last season -- or two waist sizes ago -- that you aren't wearing anymore. But don't throw out those outfits. Make a pile and when the snow clears, donate them to a local charity. And, hey, for most people the donation is a tax deduction.

After you organize your closet, move on down to the basement or garage. Look, we know it's not going to be fun, but would you rather do it today or on a bright, sunny spring day?

Movie, TV Marathon

OK, now you deserve some vegging out on the couch.

That show or movie you've been dying to see? Well, now is the time. You know you have always wanted to watch "Lost" or "Mad Men" but have missed too many episodes to keep track of what's going on. This is your chance: Make a snack, or two, shut off the phone, pop the DVD into your player and start at the first season's first episode.

Or maybe today is the day to watch that movie you've been waiting and waiting to see. Sure, your cable company might have plenty of picks on-demand, but check out the American Film Institute, which lists the top 100 movies.

When you're done with those Netflix wrappers, make some origami. Yes, that's right, origami. There is of course a Web site that shows you how. It's aptly named Netflix Origami.

Spend Time with the One You Love

Birth rates have been rumored to go up nine months after big blizzards and power blackouts, although subsequent reports said the supposed bubbles weren't real. (The urban legend arose from the 1965 Northeast blackout. The New York Times did a series of stories in which doctors said they noticed an increased number of births nine months later. The theory was debunked in 1970 by a University of North Carolina demographer.)

Now, we're not suggesting that people go out and try to increase the size of the population. But with Valentine's Day right around the corner, it might not be a bad time to curl up with the one you love and spend some quality time together. And hey, besides shoveling, it might just be the best way to burn calories during a blizzard.

Read, Read and Read Some More

You know that stack of books on your nightstand that you say you'll get to one of these days? Well, today is that day. You don't need any great supplies or exertion of personal energy to read. You can even do it in bed.

Maybe it's finally time to tackle that self-help book, or that romance novel. Why not read more about Wall Street and the recession, or maybe some fiction about the secret meanings of all the buildings in Washington, D.C.?

It might be freezing out, but with a good book you can easily pretend to be on a warm, tropical beach.

And, of course, if you have run out of some good books to read, don't worry: There are plenty of other good stories on ABCNews.com to digest. And while you might be stranded at home, we are here furiously typing away for your pleasure.

Cook, Bake and Experiment

You might not be able to make it out to the grocery store to pick up that vanilla or chili powder. But don't let that stop you. Take out the cookbook and start experimenting. Chocolate chip cookies for the kids? A new souffle? Or how about turning that old standby meatloaf recipe into something with a kick?

Cooking can either be a great solitary escape or a fun family activity. And nothing is quite as comforting as a good home-cooked meal on a snowy day.

Just dust off one of your cookbooks and -- depending on how long you are stuck at home -- go through it page by page.

Do Your Taxes

Yeah, we don't want to do them either. But before you know it, April 15 will be here. Plus, if you are getting a refund, why not get that cash now? Maybe you can use the extra money to buy a really nice Valentine's Day gift -- or, perhaps, a new, more-powerful snowblower.

Just as with cleaning out the garage or your closet, would you rather do it now -- or in April?

CSBJ: FHA borrowers to save under Obama proposal to lower insurance rates

From The Colorado Springs Business Journal | Published January 11, 2015 | Written by Bryan Grossman

President Obama last week proposed lowering insurance premiums on FHA-insured loans by 50 basis points, claiming this would save 250,000 borrowers an average of $900 annually in house payments.

“The annual premiums on FHA loans, an especially popular source of financing for first-time home buyers, have increased five times since 2010,” according to an article in the Washington Post. “They jumped from .55 percent of a loan’s value to 1.35 percent. Those fees will drop to .85 percent toward the end of January. The White House projects the lower premiums will entice 250,000 buyers to take out FHA loans in the next three years, and that the new borrowers will save an average of $900 annually.”

According to a news release issued by RealtyTrac, a national source of comprehensive real estate data and housing information, “this reduction in insurance premiums means that instead of paying 1.35 percent for the loan amount each month in mortgage insurance, borrowers will now be paying just 0.85 percent of the loan amount each month.”

RealtyTrac analyzed the data and found this would save $917 a year on median-priced homes nationwide, according to the release, which is close to the claim Obama made.

“But we all know that no one actually pays the national median price for a home,” the release said. “People pay the price of a home in their market.”

RealtyTrac analyzed this on a county-by-county basis and created a heat map to show where homebuyers will save the most, and also what markets would be considered affordable for median income earners — where a median income earner would need to spend 28 percent or less of his or her income to purchase a median-priced home — after the reforms, and which markets would still be unaffordable after the reforms.

Approximate anticipated average annual savings by county in Southern Colorado:

El Paso: $960

Pueblo: $552

Douglas: $1,645

Teller: $886

Read on CSBJ: http://csbj.com/2015/01/19/fha-borrowers-save-obama-proposal/

Polimino: Seller's market over

On InsideRealEstateNews this week, Dan Polimino swears that the seller's market in Colorado is over.

Polimino says:

I am ready to proclaim that the seller’s market is over. Gone are the days of multiple offers, homes selling in a few hours at over the asking price. Get ready for business being back to normal.

We believe that based on two strong economic factors:

• The rate of new home builds was ramping up faster than expected and as such, home builders would soon pump more and more inventory into the marketplace, giving buyers more choices. This would level out prices and builders would begin to take a larger market share.
• It was not realistic to think that Denver could sustain a 10 percent annual growth year after year. We believe that the market would not pass a 6 percent gain in appreciation this year and it looks like that is what it’s going to shape up to be.

To read Polimiino's conclusions, and the full article, click here.

Bloomberg: Young Renters Trading Size for Frills

Published in Bloomberg | July 10, 2104 | Written by Prashant Gobal

Young professionals are paying top-market rents to live in new upscale apartment towers sprouting in Nashville and other downtowns across the country. They’re sacrificing living space for a prime urban location and extras such as cooking classes, dog-wash stations and poolside Wi-Fi.

Developers, in the biggest U.S. apartment-construction boom in almost a decade, are shrinking the size of units so they can command luxury rates without narrowing the pool of potential tenants. The median size of apartments in new U.S. buildings fell last year to 1,043 square feet, the smallest since 2002, Census Bureau data.

At the same time, leasing is getting more expensive. The U.S. average rent per square foot was $1.25 in May, the highest in records dating to 1996, according to Axiometrics Inc.

To read the entire article: http://ow.ly/AibwP

Realtor.org: Great news! Your house is probably worth more money today than it was in January

Published on Realtor.org | Written by Adam DeSanctis | June 23, 2014

Existing-home sales rose strongly in May and inventory gains continued to help moderate price growth, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four regions of the country experienced sales gains compared to a month earlier.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said current sales activity is rebounding after the lackluster first quarter. “Home buyers are benefiting from slower price growth due to the much-needed, rising inventory levels seen since the beginning of the year,” he said. “Moreover, sales were helped by the improving job market and the temporary but slight decline in mortgage rates.” 

Read the full article here: http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2014/06/existing-home-sales-heat-up-in-may-inventory-levels-continue-to-improve

7 Colorado Lawn Care Tips for Green & Healthy Grass

Caring for a lawn at high altitude in a dry climate can be a challenge. Here are 7 tips to help you succeed. 

Lawn Care Tip 1 - One-Third Rule 

Removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade will stress out your lawn. If you cut or take out too much of the grass blade, your lawn will have a difficult time thriving and will instead look burnt out.

Lawn Care Tip 2 - Highest Acceptable Height

When you have long grass blades, your roots will grow deeper. Grass that has deeper roots will withstand drought and oppose pests and diseases.

Lawn Care Tip 3 - Sharp Mower Blades 

Your lawn's appearance is enhanced by sharp mower blades. Cleaner cuts of grass are provided by sharp blades. Grass will be able to recover from mowing faster when it is cut by sharp blades.

Lawn Care Tip 4 - Apply Fertilizer 

Use fertilizer to get a healthy, green lawn. You have to apply fertilizer at the right time to get the best results. Consult with your local Weed Man professional for options.

Lawn Care Tip 5 - Deal with Weeds, Insects and Diseases

Brown circles or dry areas around your lawn means that you might have a problem. As problems travel under the soil, big circles called brownouts caused by fungal disease or insects leave a line of traceable dead grass. Your Weed Man professional can help identify the exact problem and recommend treatment.

Lawn Care Tip 6 - Deep Watering

Deep (rather than shallow) lawn watering is encouraged to grow deeper roots. One inch of water to 12 inches of soil is the preferred ratio for watering actively growing grass. Watering your lawn every three days is better than watering a few minutes every day.

Lawn Care Tip 7 - Check Your Irrigation System

For proper turf watering, test your irrigation system. One suggestion is to place five straight-sided pans around your lawn. When you turn your irrigation system on, take note of how long it takes for one inch of water to accumulate. Check to see if all the pans get the same amount of water. You might need to adjust the amount or distance of your lawn's sprinkler heads.  

To read the full article on WeedManUSA, click here: http://ow.ly/ypPMD

AIA's 2014 Top Ten Green Buildings in the US

The American Institute of Architects has revealed its 2014 selection of top ten green buildings in the US.

As was the case with last year’s list, the judges came up with an interesting list of buildings that includes some lesser-publicized green-building projects, such as a homeless shelter, a treehouse, and even a Net-Zero energy courthouse.

To read the full article click here.

CSBJ Best of Business 2014 - Voting Ends Today!

The CSBJ Best of Business voting has begun.   Of course, we'd love for you to show your support for us again!  We are entered in the following areas:

• Best Property Management Residential: All Seasons LLC

There are some rules to the voting, but it is worth the few minutes it will take you to do it! Here are the steps, rules, and some recommendations.

1. Go to: http://csbj.com/2014-best-of-business/
2. Click on the image to begin voting.
3. Register/Login - complete simple login information
4. Start with the Non-Book of List Categories and the website will guide you through the entire list of categories.

It's that simple, but heads up! You must vote in at least 25 categories for your votes to count. You can vote for your favorites in any of the other categories. Happy Voting!

'Widespread' Softness Defines Market

from Colorado Real Estate Journal | by Jennifer Hayes | April 30, 2014

Widespread softness marked the Colorado Springs apartment market in the first quarter of 2014.
Apartment Insights recently released its Statistics/Trends Summary for the first three months of the year in which it noted vacancy rose, absorption dropped and rents saw a slight increase.

“Vacancy increased in most categories, including affordable properties, absorption was negative and concessions increased, more than offsetting the increase in rents,” explained Doug Carter of Sperry Van Ness/Doug Carter LLC, who co-authored the report with Cary Bruteig of Apartment Appraisers & Consultants. “Although long-term trends remain positive for the area, the recovery continues at an uneven pace.”

Read the rest of the story at the Colorado Real Estate Journal by clicking here.

Pros and Cons of Living Within a Homeowners Association

from Realtor.com | by Michele Lerner | April 25, 2014

Ask two different homeowners what they think about living in a community with a homeowners association and you may see one of them scowl and another smile. The difference of opinion on homeowners associations, or HOAs, depends on several factors, including individual personalities and preferences and the quality of the particular HOA.

To learn more about HOAs read the rest of the article by clicking here.

Neighborhood Red Flags When Renting

from Realtor.com | by Neil J. Leitereg | April 15, 2014

So, you have found a great apartment, one that is in your price range. While it seems perfect, it is important to consider not only the apartment itself, but also the neighborhood you will call home for the foreseeable future. You want to feel secure in your neighborhood, have access to the basic amenities that you need and feel that you’ll live there with peace of mind. Here are tips on looking for neighborhood red flags when apartment hunting.

To read these helpful tips at Realtor.com click here.

Report: Year-Over-Year Foreclosure Down in January

from Colorado Springs Business Journal | by Cameron Moix | March 31, 2014

While increasing from the month prior, Colorado Springs foreclosure rates decreased year-over-year in January, according to a report by real estate research firm CoreLogic.

CoreLogic reported foreclosures in the Colorado Springs area dropped from more than 1 percent in January 2013 to .77 percent in January 2014.

To read the rest of the article click here.

Average rent continues to rise in Springs

from Colorado Springs Business Journal | by Cameron Moix | February 28, 2014

Average apartment rent rose in the Colorado Springs metro for the 16th consecutive quarter (year over year) at the close of 2013, according to a report released Friday by the Colorado Division of Housing and the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado.

The report indicated that the average rent for Springs residents rose $9 (or 1 percent) to $799 compared to the same quarter of 2012. Although the year-over-year rate has increased for 16 straight quarters, the report specified that average rent is down from $830 during the third quarter of 2013.

To read the rest of the article at the Colorado Springs Business Journal click here.

The Mortgage Market Is About To Get Smaller

from PropertyManager.com | by Marc Courtenay | February 27, 2014

As 2014 begins a bureau created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), will set new rules concerning mortgages. Lenders will be required to verify and inspect borrowers’ financial records. The rules discourage lenders from allowing borrowers to carry total debt payments totaling more than 43 percent of the person’s annual income.

To read the rest of the article click here.

Local real estate forecast healthy for 2014

from The Colorado Springs Business Journal | by Cameron Moix | January 2, 2014

A key indicator of economic vitality in any metropolitan area is the health of its real estate market, and Colorado Springs is no different.

The incoming year, while as unpredictable as any, is shaping up to be positive in that regard, according to commercial and residential real estate experts.

Every prediction, forecast or outlook is fallible — but those that track the trends and crunch the numbers do their best to illustrate the future realistically and with whatever tinges of positivity or negativity are instigated by data.

In the Springs’ case, there seem only to be clear skies on the horizon.

The real estate market — both commercial and residential — continues to bounce back since turning the corner in 2011 and local experts see the coming year as a step closer to complete recovery. Colorado Springs real estate investors can only hope they are right.

To read the rest of the story click here.

Cold Weather, Rate Changes Will Impact Bills

from Colorado Springs Utilities | December, 2013

Old Man Winter paid us an unpleasant visit this past week. It may be warming up, but the extreme weather left something behind: higher utility bills. 

During the coldest days, customers used 77 percent more natural gas and 23 percent more electricity than what is typical for December. Since your utility bill is largely determined by your use, you will likely see an increase in your next bill. If you're looking for ways to reduce energy use and stay comfortable, check out our home efficiency checklist. You can also monitor your daily use with the My Usage tool.

To read the rest of the article click here.

Prepare Your Pipes for Freezing Temperatures

Below-freezing temperatures are coming this week!  Prepare your water pipes to keep them from freezing. Frozen pipes can burst when the temperatures drop, causing extensive and costly water damage.




Here are some simple steps you can take to help ensure your pipes are ready for the cold temperatures.

• Check water supply lines that are located in unheated areas. Check the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. 
• Insulate hot and cold water pipes in these areas. 
• Drain automatic landscaping sprinkler systems.
• Disconnect all hoses from water supplies around the outside of your home. 
• Set water to drip from any faucet served by exposed pipes. (Running water through the pipe,  even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.)

Cimarron Hills Named Third Least Expensive Suburb in U.S.

from Colorado Springs Business Journal | November 19, 2013

Cimarron Hills was named the third least expensive suburb in the United States, according to Movoto, a blog about “the lighter side of real estate.”

Located in Colorado Springs, the suburb lies between Powers Boulevard and Marksheffel Drive, bordered also by Colorado Highway 24.

Movoto Content Editor Randy Nelson studied the cost of living, food and utility costs, housing affordability, property tax rates and state income tax rates and sales tax. Nelson reviewed 139 suburbs of the 50 largest cities in the country.

Using the U.S. Census as a source, Movoto listed the suburbs from the most affordable, at number 1 to the least, at 139.

Colorado Springs is the westmost suburb in the top 10, behind Midwest City, Okla., and Moore, Okla.

 To continue reading about Colorado Springs suburbs click here.