In honor of upcoming Father's Day

In honor of upcoming Father's Day, I thought it might be fun to learn some trivia about the holiday!


The idea of Father's Day was conceived in Spokane, Washington by Sonora Dodd while she listened to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.
Dodd (now known as "the mother of Father's Day") wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm.
The following year, June 19, 1910 was chosen for the first Father's Day celebration, proclaimed by Spokane's mayor because it was the month of William Smart's birth.
Decades later, the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Father's Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.
Father's Day by the Numbers
This is a big day for the 66.3 million fathers in America.
Nearly 95 million Father’s Day cards were given last year in the United States, making Father’s Day the fourth-largest card-sending occasion.
Sons and daughters send 50 percent of the Father's Day card to their dads. Nearly 20 percent of Father’s Day cards are purchased by wives for their husbands. That leaves 30 percent of the cards which go to grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles and “someone special.”
While not everyone in America is a fan of Father's Day, 72 percent of Americans plan to celebrate or acknowledge Father’s Day.
Gifts for Father's Day
Neckties are an old standby and lead the list of Father’s Day gifts. A good place to buy dad a tie or a shirt might be one of 9,189 men’s clothing stores around the country.
Other items high on the list of Father’s Day gifts include those items you may find in dad’s toolbox such as hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers. You could buy some of these items for dad at one of the nation’s 14,864 hardware stores or 5,795 home centers.

Other traditional gifts for dad such as fishing rods and golf clubs make for a happy Father's Day for the 22,410 sporting goods stores in America.
More than 68 million Americans participated at a barbecue in the last year — it’s probably safe to assume many of these barbecues took place on Father’s Day.
Mr. Mom
Mr. Mom is becoming a more common sight at parks across America with 147,000 estimated “stay-at-home” dads. These married fathers with children under 15 years old have remained out of the labor force for more than one year primarily so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home. These fathers cared for 268,000 children under 15.
The dads seem to stay home more with younger children. Preschoolers claim 20 percent of fathers with employed wives who were the primary caregiver for their preschooler. In contrast, only 6 percent of fathers provided the most hours of care for their grade-school-aged child.
Many families split the responsibility of child care. Many Dad's (32%) with full time jobs regularly worked evening or night shifts and were the primary source of care for their preschoolers during their children’s mother’s working hours.

And I would like to say happy Father's Day to a great dad that has put up with years of my antics.  Love ya more!
Jen

My new listing in Denver!!!

Listing 8601 S Estes, Littleton CO

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New testimonal from one of my clients

Sometimes You Need A Few Things-By Ann A Anderson

Being clutter-free, having everything in perfect working order, and in excellent condition is very important for a house on the market. But that's not always enough because the house could stll be, well, boring. And when there are so many houses on the market, it's very important that yours stand out from all the rest. So how can you do that?
Sometimes you have to spend a little money. Not a lot of money, and not for things that (probably) won't be used in the next house. But spending a little money on accessorizing to add that special 'wow' factor is money well spent, even if the things purchased aren't used again. Here are some purchases that help create that pizazz:

• First, make the entrance inviting. Buy a new door mat that says 'welcome'. Add a couple of pots with plants on either side of the door. Just make certain the plants are appropriate for the season. Even in the winter evergreens add a wonderful touch.
• Make walking in the front door warm and inviting. A large area rug provides instant warmth. If you have an entry table, add a lamp. Even with a chandelier, a lamp in the entry hall feels inviting.
• In main living areas (living and family rooms), add softness and pops of color with a few throw pillows, and perhaps an afghan draped invitingly over the arm of a chair. The color will draw the eye around the room and the softness invites people into the room.
• Emphasize the focal point, whether it's a fireplace, a beautiful window, or a bookshelf. Put the prettiest artwork or accessories here, but don't overdo it. Keep it simple but pretty. You want the buyers to notice the beauty of the focal point (which is what you're selling). But you need to create the interest so they'll see it.
• Create a sanctuary in the master bedroom with the addition of an upholstered chair. If you don't have one, use an extra chair you have and add a pillow and a throw. You'll still create the image without having the 'perfect' piece.
• Add pillows to the bed to add color and softness. Don't overdo it, but make it interesting and inviting. If the bedding is really in bad shape, try a new comforter with the pillows, or perhaps a bed-in-a-bag.
• Fluffly towels in the bathrooms (that are never used) are another great idea, as is a new bath mat. Just keep the rug the same color as the floor so it adds softhess without making the room feel smaller.

While none of these changes are big, they will all go a long way to giving your house some personality. But that's the house's personality and not yours. Remember, the buyers must envision themselves living in your house, even when your things are still in it.

Home Warranty Protection: Benefits for Sellers and Buyers-By Mark Etinger

Home warranty protection is an option for any home buyer, new or seasoned. It insures homes against repair issues with appliances or other home components when they just don't work like they are supposed to. While coverage differs from company to company, the over all idea is the same; to help save some money and give the buyer quick repairs. Home warranty plans can be beneficial for buyers as well as sellers.
For the buyer, home warranty service has obvious benefits in saving money. Especially when you are a new home buyer, you won't have a lot of extra cash after such a big purchase. The last thing you want to do is be spending what you have left on major appliance repairs. Having a warranty will cover those repairs and have you paying less in the long run.
Coverage usually applies to built in appliances but many can extend to free standing appliances if you switch to a different plan. Just be aware that any appliances broken before you purchase the warranty will typically not be covered, so those repairs will have to come out of your own pocket.
You can often negotiate with a seller to purchase the warranty themselves before you make a bid on the home. Most will in order to get their home sold quicker, so you may be able to avoid paying for the plan yourself.
Of course, there's also a lot of benefit if you are the seller buying the home warranty plan. First, you are going to attract a lot more buyers to your property. They'll be more interested in a home where they won't have to worry about moving in and having old appliances break down that they can't afford to pay for.
If you buy the warranty while selling your home you will only have to pay for it at closing and won't have to spend your own money before hand. It's also going to give those deliberating over your home the confidence to make the purchase, knowing you are taking the steps to keep their appliances covered.
You also don't want to suffer from any problems with buyers coming to you after a purchase about dysfunctional appliances. If they believe you sold them a house knowing about defects, they can file a lawsuit against you. You do not want to deal with legal problems after the fact, so it's best to cover yourself by buying warranty protection ahead of time.
Whether you are a buyer or seller, there are a lot of positives to choosing a home warranty plan. It'll save you money on one hand a help you sell on the other.

Manufactured Housing Buyer Guide - Useful Tips Before Buying Manufactured Homes-By Aphisit Chiewpanich

Buying a manufactured house maybe the most expensive purchase you've ever made. Make sure you do your research well and plan before you make any commitment. For home-buyers who are considering about buying a manufactured home, you might have to come up with process checklists to summarize your determined budget, needs, financials, site preparation work, etc. Check references as well as coverage insurance before you start seriously looking around to find your ideal home.
Manufactured homes are sold through retailers, real estate agents, manufactured housing developer, manufacturers and many are sold independently. Most of them will provide very supportive services but some are limited to some certain extent. Retailers usually offer nice packages; they will customize with you, take care with delivery and installation process, provide financial supportive information and set up warranty coverage. However, if you are seriously thinking about purchasing a manufactured home, make sure you look around and take these following tips into account.
Determine the size need and floor plan
Think about how much room you need, try to choose the right size for better right prize. With continue development, manufactured home builders today provide multiple choices from a small simple to a large multi-section home with fancy features. Homes are available with floor space ranging from 900 - 2500 Square feet. Decide your need, and then check with your potential retailers.
What designs and features are accessible?
Apart from size and floor plan, you need to decide what designs and features best meet your needs. Most manufactured home builders and retailers use computer- assisted design to customize your preference. You will have flexibility in choosing variations of design and feature both inner and outer. However, this depends on how much you would love to spend on your home.
What other additional costs to consider?
Once you decided to buy a house, there is not only a cost for the building to consider, but there are also future mortgage costs to concern. Start from land, if you have your own land the cost will be lighter but remember most of the manufactured homes are sold separately from the land. You also need to check added cost like septic system, electric and water connections, utility, routine maintenance as well as other regular payments such as land rentals, monthly bills and property taxes. Talk with your retailers or local Consumers Union for some guidance.
Array your financial options
Usually retailers will provide options before you can even get to the lot. Also you can talk with your area lenders for all your choices, make sure you completely understand all the terms and conditions before putting your signature on a contract paper. Knowing all options price in your area will help you to negotiate for better deal.
What warranty coverage is offered on the home?
Most retailers or installation contractors will provide warranty for transportation and installation but manufacturers might not always cover this option. Double check with your potential retailers and make them sign official written papers before start purchasing.
Friends and references are the most reliable tool to lean on. Consult them for better suggestion or you can seek help from Consumers Union and State Manufactured Housing Association, they can help you pick the right one with valuable advice. Remember to check retailers' background and if possible, ask to visit the manufacturing factory where homes are built.

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