The Latest Trend in Snowy Cities: Outdoor Heated Stair Mats

If you’re tired of shoveling snow off your stairs or slipping on ice that blankets them in the mornings, then here’s a gadget to make life a little easier:
Outdoor heated stair mats.

Install these guys on your stairs, and they’ll melt up to 2″ of snow per hour and keep ice from forming and making footing treacherous.

The stair mats are powered by electricity, so they will need to be plugged into an outlet, but they eliminate the need to shovel snow or spread chemicals to de-ice the area, so it’s not a bad trade off. They plug into a standard 120V outlet, so you don’t need anything fancy to hook them up. The mats are supposed to be durable enough that you can leave them outside all winter.

Frontgate sells 3-mat sets for $250, and you can also buy additional mats one at a time. There’s a heated doormat too (hey, you want the complete collection, right?).

For information on homes in your area please feel free to contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/.

Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) Luxury Housing Report Detail: Denver

The charts above show the 7-day and 90-day rolling averages for list price, days on market (Dom), and inventory for the Denver metro area's luxury market (e.g. top 10 zips with median prices above $500k)

Joan Rogliano is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) and is an active member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. The Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designation assures affluent buyers and sellers that the agents who have earned it have the knowledge, experience, competence, and confidence they require. For more information contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com.

Learn How to Prevent the Fastest Growing Crime in America!

Yes, it’s Identity Theft!
Join us to hear the truth about the scams, misconceptions and how to truly protect yourself and your family.

Our Special Guest is Robin Fudge Finegan, and she will be speaking specifically to Women's Issues and Identity Theft, and also enlighten us regarding consumer issues we may not be aware of.

Robin is the Director of Consumer Fraud for the Denver District Attorney's office. She provides training nationally, and internationally, on issues related to consumer fraud prevention
Her presentation is not only informative but her delivery will bring some humor and inspiration to a serious topic that concerns all of us.

Be sure to bring your favorite munchie to share.
Beverages & fun will be provided.

Please join Wildflower Group
February 26th, 6:00 - 8:30
Our meeting location:
7899 S. Lincoln Ct.
Littleton, CO 80120

If you have any questions feel free to contact Joan Rogliano
303-667-5485

RSVP to info@wildflowergroup.net to reserve your place.
As always, feel free to invite a friend to join Wildflower Group!
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The Wildflower Group is an organization that strives to empower women with practical information about finances and real estate, and to create a sense of community. For more information visit www.wildflowergroup.net

What is a First Time Homebuyer?

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a first time homebuyer is defined as not owning a home for the past three years. That opens up the criteria of who will benefit from the new stimulus packages.

First time homebuyers can receive a Gift ... an $8,000 Tax Credit Gift with no repayment. With President Obama signing into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this week, first time homebuyers that close on a home between January 1 and November 30, can request up to an $8,000 Tax Credit, which is not paid back unless the homebuyer moves within three years.

Other features of the program:
1. Tax Credit (additional refund, not just a tax deduction) is up to 10% of the sales price
2. Individuals with income over $75,000 and couples with combined income over $150,000 will have less Tax Credit eligibility
3. Tax Credit can be claimed on this year's tax return, an amended return in 2009, or next year's tax return
4. Buyers can use State Bond programs and qualify for the Tax Credit

What a wonderful time for those that are renting or living with relatives, parents that have children that don't currently own a home, and homeowners in prices ranges that normally attract first time homebuyers. This, coupled with low interest rates should be a real incentive to jump back into the housing market.

For more information on finding the right home or advice on listing your property contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com. www.roglianorealestategroup.com.

Good News For Real Estate Investors

Starting March first, Fannie Mae will abandon its controversial policy of refusing to finance investor mortgages where the borrower already owns more than three other income properties that have mortgages on them.

Under the new rules, investors will be able to own a total of five to ten financed properties if they meet Fannie's other eligibility and underwriting standards.

Loan- to-value ratios on Fannie Mae-financed investor purchases will now go as high as 75 percent for single unit acquisitions and as high as 70 percent for projects with two to four units, provided the applicant has a minimum FICO credit score of 720.

Borrowers will also have to pass a series of other tests including the following:

First, they cannot have filed for bankruptcy or been foreclosed upon at any time during the past seven years, and they've got to have a spotless record on their other mortgages -- no late payments of 30 days or more -- during the previous 12 months.

Second, they've got to fully document rental income for any new acquisition, along with their revenues on all other investment properties, backed with two years worth of federal income tax returns.

Third, applicants owning no more than four units will need to show six months of bank reserves to support the new investment purchase, plus two months of reserves for every other investment property they own. Borrowers who own five to ten properties will need to show that they've got six months of reserves on hand for every property.

There's no question here that Fannie is looking to deal ONLY with the most financially stable multi-unit investors -- to skim the cream off the top of the investor market, and reject everybody else who can't come up with the heavy reserves. But if you fit the requirements on cash and credit, and can make the big downpayments, Fannie's policy change just might open the door to some very attractively priced long-term fixed rate financing.

If you would like more information on investment properties contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/.

Add Some Animal Attraction to your Valentine's Day

Enjoy Valentine's Day this year with a free day at the Denver Zoo for Colorado residents.

Remind your sweetheart that swans mate for life -- as do prairie voles. The Denver Zoo is open from 10 a.m - 5 p.m. on Sat. Feb. 14, 2009 and admission is free to couples and families alike.



Here are some fun facts about the zoo you can share with your Valentine as you leisurely stroll through the impressive 80-acre wonderland in Denver's beautiful City Park:

· On November 7, 1896, a young cinnamon-colored American black bear named Billy Bryan was tethered to a tree in City Park - humble beginnings for Colorado's number one cultural attraction.

· Denver Zoo is consistently ranked as one of the most popular zoos in the United States and features a diverse animal collection.


· Denver Zoo participates in more than 40 Species Survival Plans, cooperative breeding and conservation programs dedicated to sustaining populations of endangered species.


· Denver Zoo received international attention while successfully hand-raising polar bear cubs Klondike and Snow.

· Denver Zoo is home to Mshindi, the world's only rhinoceros that paints with a brush. This 3-ton artist is virtually a Van Gogh and his work can be seen inside the Pachyderm House.

· Denver Zoo scientists serve as adjunct faculty at Colorado State University and the University of Denver.

· Denver Zoo's national award winning “Wonders in Nature - Wonders in Neighborhoods” program reaches more than 10,000 urban children who each receive 80 hours of program instruction. The program is taught in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.

Happy Valentines Day!

Divorce the House Before the Spouse

Splitting up after years of marriage? Divorce your house, then your spouse. If you're still linked through the house, than you're not really divorced.

That bit of advice goes against the almost universal desire to hang on to the family home, especially by the spouse who ends up with custody of the children. Indeed, the courts almost always give special consideration to the parent who gets the kids: Keep the kids, keep the house.

However, the place is often so filled with memories, both good and bad it's not the family home anymore. It can be a huge anchor both emotionally and financially. People also tend to underestimate the true cost of homeownership, so much so that the remaining spouse's ability to afford the place is often drastically overstated.

Even in a friendly divorce, if there really is such a thing, certain key expenses are either forgotten or overlooked. Lawn care, homeowners' association fees, even the basic costs of maintenance and upkeep are among the costs that are rarely considered, either by the courts or the spouses.

Then there's the even bigger issue of hidden debt. Ideally there will have been no secrets between the husband and wife. But money is a major cause of divorce, and in many cases, one spouse has no clue that the other one has rung up big bills that have become undisclosed liens against the property.

In most divorces, the spouses determine what the house is worth, and the one who gives up the place is usually given a credit of some sort for his or her half of the equity the couple has in the place. Typically, the parties split the difference based on an appraisal.

But along with that appraisal one should obtain an independent, third-party inspection of the property to determine whether there are any latent defects that could impact its value. You wouldn't buy a house without an inspection, so why would you accept one in a divorce without an inspection? What if something's wrong or about to go wrong? You can use the inspector's report as a punch list, and either use the marital assets to make the necessary repairs or reduce the value of the property accordingly.

Make sure to ask your inspector to estimate the remaining life of the property's major appliances and systems. If something is on its last legs, you'll want to know in advance so you can adjust for that as well. While you're at it, order a termite inspection—the damage those little buggers cause is often significant.

One other item that needs to be factored in is the tax ramifications of any settlement. A settlement can not be fairly evaluated without checking with how the IRS will interpret your division of property.

Fortunately, a major mistake is preventable—but only during your divorce, not afterwards. Information is the key – more of it and as early as possible. More due diligence and more information from more financial and real estate experts, all much earlier in the divorce process should safeguard you and your family’s financial future.

Joan Rogliano created the Wildflower Group, an organization that strives to empower women with practical information about real estate investing and home ownership. www.wildflowergroup.net.

Investor Report: Self-Storage Facilties

It's not a high-glamour, high profile niche in real estate investing, but it could be one of the safer, cash-flow producers in tough economic times: We're talking about self-storage facilities for small-scale investors.

Yes, there are lots of them out there -- more than 52,000 nationwide. But the industry racks up $20 billion a year in sales and people always need a place to keep their extra "stuff."

Better yet, many centers generate positive cash flows even with unit vacancy rates above 30 percent, so small-scale local investors who have a knack for management and marketing can often do well - even in a down economy.

One investors strategy with self-storage is to buy existing facilities in the $2 million and up range that have significant potential for growth in value by boosting rental revenues and occupancy rates through intensive management oversight and modest fix-ups.

Here are 3 key elements of this approach:

1. Thoroughly research and understand the demand and current performance of self-storage facilities in your area. The storage business draws customers from a relatively small geographical radius of about four miles. Locations with large numbers of multifamily dwellings such as apartment buildings, condos and small houses tend to do best.

2. Since competition comes with the territory you've got to be prepared to out-market them with creative sales strategies and even out-manage them with personalized services.

3. Well-chosen, modest-cost improvements go a long way: lighting, cleanliness, security, and even asphalt paving.

The other good news is that once you win the client over they tend to be devoted tenants, and aren't going away. It is rare for a customer to move their belongings from one unit to another, so first impressions are everything!

For more information contact joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit www.roglianorealestategroup.com.

Finally - Your Very Own Phone Butler!

Tired of fumbling with pen and paper to write down a number? Sick of those high phone charges for calling 411?

Those Google people never fail to amaze us. Now they have come up with an 800 number you can call and ask for any business in the country. They then dial it and connect to it for you.


You can use it from a land line or cell phone and, once programmed into your cell phone, you can get connected with one push of a button. In addition to dialing for you, you can request by business category and get a map or a text message with more detail.

Neat stuff - and oh yes - there is no cost for this service. Just call 1-800-GOOG-411.


Long live Google.




Visit Joan's website today at www.roglianorealestategroup.com, www.wildflowergroup.net.

146 Days to Tax Credit Deadline!

The countdown is on.

If you are a first time homebuyer you can receive a $7500 Gift from our government in the form of an additional $7500 tax refund for closing on a home prior to June 30, 2009.

While interest rates have ticked up from 50 year lows, they are still very, very attractive. Your actual interest rate is dependent upon the program choice, down payment, loan size, type of property, and credit score.

What a wonderful opportunity to buy a home: low interest rates, wonderful selection of homes, and a $7500 Tax Credit!

Contact Joan@roglianorealestategroup.com today to learn more about getting preapproved and finding your dream home. http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/, http://www.wildflowergroup.net/.

Can Color Spark Interest in Your Home?

Many salespeople and stagers say neutral beige or off-white walls are what sells listings—but a touch of color may be just what you need to revive buyers' interest in a languishing listing. Although beige may offend no one, the right color on a home's walls or spotlighted in the accessories can trigger positive physiological and psychological responses among potential buyers.

Research on color responses has shown that warm colors, such as orange and red, can increase excitement and energy, whereas cooler hues, such as blue, can be calming and relaxing. Indeed, research shows color can influence a person's senses—even body temperature—and make scenes more memorable. Knowing the responses colors evoke offers insight into where and when you should use color in a home to appeal to buyers.

White, on the other hand can makes the room invisible. White is a missed opportunity to create a feeling in the space. It doesn't help buyers imagine themselves in the home. (Not to mention, in Asian cultures, white is associated with death and can add a certain doom to listings.) Pastel colors—which have a mostly white base—can have a similar, invisible effect.

So what color can lift a buyer's spirits? The most potent color is green. In light-spectrum research that focused on treatments for season affective disorder, subjects exposed to green colors were in better moods than any of the other subjects tested.

But before you start splashing green on all your listings, take caution. Not all shades of green are a safe bet. For example, lime greens—or any yellows with green undertones—look sickly to most buyers. Medium shades of green such as sage—and bedrooms painted in creamy tones of green—can be a good choice. Studies also favor buttery yellows inside and out, complemented with white trim accents.

Use the Color Wheel to Mix & Match

Remember learning about the color wheel in grade school? This 12-step circular rainbow graphic shows the relationship among colors and can serve as a helpful guide in choosing what colors to mix and match in a home to get pleasing results. Here's a refresher.

The color wheel is broken down into three main categories: primary (foundation colors used to create all other colors), secondary (created by combining two of the primary colors), and tertiary (formed by combining a primary and an adjacent secondary color).

To mix and match colors easily, you can use the color wheel in one of two ways:

1. Complementary Two colors that fall directly opposite one another on the color wheel (e.g. red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple). They create a maximum contrast and can be visually intense.

2. Analogous Color schemes that consist of any three colors located side by side on the color wheel (e.g. yellow, yellow-orange, and orange). One of the three colors usually dominates. This color scheme can add depth and energy to a room.

Color is always a very personal choice. So color choices can be subtle. A color doesn't have to be bright yellow or tomato red to be noticed. It can be a derivative or a subtle tint or tone of those particular colors to create the warming effect buyers want in a home.

For more information on how to prepare your home to sell contact Joan@roglianorealestategroup.com or visit http://www.roglianorealestategroup.com/, http://www.wildflowergroup.net/.