7 Geodesic Homes

fun article from Trulia.com...Enjoy!

There’s No Place Like Dome: 7 Geodesic Homes

Would you live in a dome-shaped home? We found 7 geodesic styles that might change your mind.Quirky and unusual, any home with a geodesic dome is certain to inspire curiosity. But they aren’t just local landmarks. Geodesic domes are both energy-efficient and resistant to natural disasters. Filled with light and character, they’re beautiful too. Want proof? Browse these seven homes across the U.S. But beware — you might end up wanting a “home sweet dome” of your own.



1. $134,900 in Fort McCoy, FL

Situated on 10 acres in central Florida, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom geodesic dome is a graceful, simple work of art. The home’s red front door gives a brilliant pop of color. When your friends are boarding up their homes for hurricane season, know that your dome was designed with the integrity to withstand the strongest storm. Skip the storm prep and enjoy a cup of joe on the second-story balcony before you head down to take care of your chickens, goats, or horses in one of the property’s paddocks and coops.



2. $350,000 in Idaho Springs, CO

There is no better place for a home with earthy quirkiness than the Rocky Mountains. With wooden shingles, a spiral staircase, and two decks, this three-bedroom, one-bathroom dome blends right into the Colorado countryside.



3. $289,900 in North Myrtle Beach, SC

Built in 1992, this five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has blueprints that date back to the 1988 World’s Fair, when engineers worked to design the most aerodynamic and energy-efficient home for the area. The result? This quaint little home, located just blocks from the beach and Main Street. Traditional enough for a family beach house or a permanent residence, unique enough to count as a landmark, and sturdy enough to brave the strongest coastal Carolina storms. - See more at:



4. $1,350,000 in Ojai, CA

This compound, with two main houses and a geodesic dome, is the perfect escape. To find the dome, head to the backyard, where the airy enclave awaits. A spiral staircase leads from the kitchen and living room to the loft bedroom above. Minimalism is key at this garden hideaway. Whether you use it as a guesthouse, writer’s retreat, artist’s loft, or a personal sanctuary, you’ll find peace here.



5. $545,000 in Randolph, NJ

Modern meets vintage in this five-bedroom geodesic home. A contemporary take on a potbellied stove is tucked in one corner, contrasted by an orange statement wall that illuminates six of the home’s geodesic triangles pointing to a breathtaking window — the home’s focal point.



6. $595,000 in Sarasota, FL

Blend natural elements with abstract shapes, and you have the recipe for this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The dome’s stark, concrete exterior — which is completely tornado- and hurricane-proof — is softened by natural hardwood doors and surrounding gardens. Inside, a staircase leads to an open, airy living room featuring white walls, hardwood floors, and glimpses of the rooms above, accessed by a spiral staircase.



7. $987,000 in Portland, ME

Not many people can say they are able to measure their home in square feet and by diameter. But the diameter measurements are hardly the most distinctive aspect of this 5,000-square-foot, 46-foot-diameter dome. The house promises a sensory experience from the moment you step foot onto the mosaic foyer floor. Be sure to pry yourself away from the beauty before too long — you’ll want to have time to study the intricate, carved-wood doorway leading to the kitchen. In the living room, cast your eyes to the sky to catch a glimpse of the wood-paneled triangles that create the dome.

25 Hacks That Will Save You Money on Energy Bills

ways to save money around the house from trulia.com....

25 Hacks That Will Save You Money on Energy Bills

Try these tips to save money — and ease your home’s energy use — fast.Quick: What’s the biggest contributor to your carbon footprint? If you said your car, you’re incorrect. For most of us, it’s our homes, with heating and cooling making up nearly 50% of energy usage. Even if you’re not worried about climate change, energy efficiency should be on your radar. The average household spends $2,200 annually on energy bills; being more energy-efficient means lower bills and a more appealing home to buyers.

Luckily, you don’t need to get fancy to start saving money. Sure, solar panels and geothermal heating systems have great return on investment over the long haul, but they have expensive upfront costs. It’s easier and cheaper to begin with the low-hanging fruit.

From smartly situated shrubbery to cleaning your HVAC unit, here are 25 simple hacks that will help you start saving kilowatts — and Benjamins — fast.

1. Get a home energy audit

Hiring an auditor to do a simple checkup of your home helps determine where you might be losing energy — and money — and how to correct it. Many utility companies offer this service for free.

2. Mind the gaps

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the gaps around windows and doors in most houses are equivalent to having a 3-by-3-foot hole in your wall. Good insulation is the best measure for keeping cooled and heated air inside, but caulking and weatherstripping are the next best things. Heavy drapes and other window treatments can also help.

3. Purchase efficient appliances

When replacing appliances, look for Energy Star–certified models, which are held to higher standards of energy efficiency. Learn how to read EnergyGuide labels — and recognize that they aren’t the same thing.

4. Get programmable

Programmable and smart thermostats such as Nest help reduce energy costs by turning down the heat or air conditioning when you’re not around. Nest can learn your routine or recognize when you’re away; plus, you can adjust it anywhere from an app on your phone.

5. Clean vents

Clean HVAC vents and ducts regularly and replace filters according to manufacturers’ guidelines to keep them in peak running order.

6. Choose the right size

For in-window air conditioners, look for one designed to meet the needs of a room based on square footage. If it’s too big for the space, it’ll waste energy.

7. Turn it up … or down

If you must use air conditioning, turn it up 2 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. Turn the heat down 2 degrees in winter.

8. Use fans smartly

Ceiling fans can work in conjunction with heating or cooling units (look for fans that reverse direction to push heat down in wintertime). However, they don’t change the temperature of a room, so turn them off when you’re out.

9. Try an evaporative cooler

Live in a dry climate? An evaporative, or swamp, cooler distributes cool moisture into the air using less energy.

10. Cross-ventilate

Open windows across the room or house from each other to create cross-ventilation.

11. Get fired up

Fireplaces are cozy, but they allow air to escape — air you paid to heat. When the fireplace is not in use, be sure to close the damper. Better yet, consider a high-efficiency fireplace insert, or a wood-burning or pellet stove, which don’t allow air exchange between indoors and out.

12. Plant trees

Plant leafy trees on the south side of your home. In summer, they keep interiors shady, reducing utilities costs. In winter, with no leaves, they allow the sun to warm up rooms.

13. Install awnings

Overhangs and retractable awnings also help control the amount of sunlight that enters your house in summer and winter.

14. Plant shrubbery

Evergreen shrubs planted close to a foundation can add insulation value and protection from cold winds and high heat.

15. Go low-flow

After heating and cooling, water heaters account for the next highest energy use in most homes. Combat spending on hot water by taking shorter showers, but also by installing low-flow showerheads. Look for an aerating variety — they still have great pressure, but use air instead of water to deliver it.

16. Turn down the water heater

The factory setting on most water heaters is set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit — too hot for human skin. Turn yours down to 120 — it’s plenty hot and you’ll never again accidentally scald yourself.

17. Put on a jacket

Traditional water heaters keep a tank of hot water at the ready at all times. If your home has one of these, get a jacket for it. They’re available cheap at any home improvement store and help insulate the tank.

18. Go tankless

When it’s time to replace your water heater, look for a tankless or hybrid variety, which is much more efficient.

19. Launder efficiently

In general, use cold or warm water to do laundry, and do full loads. Hang your clothes to dry whenever possible.

20. Use the dishwasher

Here’s one tip that everyone will like: Using the dishwasher is more energy-efficient than washing by hand. Just be sure to do full loads.

21. Clean the fridge

Keep the vents and fan on your refrigerator clean, which allows it to function more efficiently.

22. Glow right

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are so 2004. Graduate to LEDs, which use a fraction of the energy, last longer, and provide better quality light.

23. Be bright

Install motion sensors, dimmers, and timers on lights; this is especially useful outdoors.

24. Unplug

Up to 75% of electricity used to power household electronics is sent to them while they are turned off. Unplug those cords when your devices aren’t in use, or use smart power strips, which shut down power to products in standby mode.

25. Get smart

Upgrade to Internet-connected appliances that can be checked on from a smartphone or tablet, giving you remote access to all your devices to help you save energy. Bonus: You’ll never worry about leaving your curling iron on again.

18 Brilliant and Inexpensive Ways To Hide The Eyesores In Your Home

18 Brilliant and Inexpensive Ways To Hide The Eyesores In Your Home

interesting article from lighter side of real estate...

-Does the underside of your desk look like a snake pit from the Indiana Jones movies? A drop cloth is the perfect solution for “out of sight, out of mind.”
-Why have pet bowls take up space when not used? Try a drawer insert for your pet’s dishes.
-Keep your charging station out of sight by moving it inside a top drawer.
-Last but certainly not least, there’s also the “hidden wire hook” method for keeping wires under your desk out of sight.

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How to Navigate Denver's Competitive Sellers' Market

interesting excerpt from 5280.com article on being a buyer in this seller's market...

How to Navigate Denver's Competitive Sellers' Market

Tips from a real estate pro on the do’s and don’ts of home buying in this summer's tumultuous market.

Denver’s real estate market is officially on fire. And with the confluence of our housing dearth and historically low interest rates, there’s no sign of a shift on the horizon.

This is all great news for sellers, but how do buyers best navigate the ultra-competitive environment? We spoke with Anthony Rael—chairman of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors Market Research Committee and a Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance—about the most recent market statistics for the 11-county metro area and what the numbers mean for those looking for a home to call their own.

The Data

For the month of May 2015, the median home price for single-family detached homes in the 11-county metro area continued to rise, increasing 2.57 percent in May 2015 to $359,000. The days a home spends on the market dropped 15.6 percent from April to May 2015, logging an average of 27 days on the market. Active inventory—while still very low—increased 11.5 percent in May 2015 to 4,545 single-family homes. Condos increased 17 percent in the month of May, to 1,112 units. That slight increase in inventory is important, says Rael, who expects this trend continue as the summer progresses. More homes on the market just might take the edge off the current furor.

(Read about Denver's condo construction woes)

The Upshot

There are good homes to be found at every price level, Rael says; it just takes a steady hand and a refined list of priorities. Buyers need to walk a fine line: Be financially ready to bring your best offer first, yet be mentally prepared to walk away from a bad deal.

“The dynamic now is that almost everything is priced at the top of the market, and that can cause a feeding frenzy,” says Rael. “I call it the ‘eBay mentality,’ where a buyer gets into a bidding war and thinks, I have to have it.” The danger is that even if a buyer gets under contract, two weeks later they look at the price they are paying and experience buyer’s remorse. "They think, What did I just do?"

The Strategy

In one word: preparedness. Buyers need a clear understanding of their financial situations and to research the prices in their chosen neighborhoods—just because they are approved for a certain amount doesn’t mean they should spend that much. And Rael cautions that once under contract, buyers shouldn’t let a tight market allow the seller to make unreasonable demands. There’s no reason to forgo the standard inspections, and if homes appraise for less than the contracted price, buyers should think hard before coming up with the difference in cash.

“I just don’t have the stomach to recommend that to my buyers,” says Rael. “I hate to use the ‘B’ word, but when buyers make up that difference in appraisals and we feed into the craziness, that’s how a bubble forms.”

The Silver Lining

There are pockets of sunshine in the market for shoppers with deeper pockets. Although luxury condos priced above $1 million fetched 130 percent of asking price in May 2015, homes in the $500,000 to $999,999 range saw average home prices drop slightly. The total number of homes sold in this price range for the month of May also dipped, which Rael thinks is a good sign for the region.

The 20 Hottest Housing Markets Right Now

interesting article form realtor.com

Daily Real Estate News | Monday, August 03, 2015

The U.S. housing market may be finding more balance, according to a new report from realtor.com®. For the first three weeks in July, the median list price rose to $234,000 nationwide, up 7 percent year-over-year, while inventories of for-sale homes rose and the median days on the market increased to 69 days.

"This year we're seeing inventory continue to grow in July, albeit at a slower pace than this spring," says Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com's chief economist. "And while demand overall is strong, the trend in median days on market is suggesting that the market is finding more of a balance, which bodes well for more moderate price appreciation in the months ahead."

However, some housing markets continue to see rapid growth. Realtor.com® found that 20 markets receive 1.5 to three times the number of views per listing compared with the rest of the nation. Inventory in those markets is moving 24 to 41 days quicker than the national average.

"These hottest markets are the best in the country from both a supply and demand perspective," Smoke says. "Sellers are seeing listings move much more quickly than the rest of the country and at an accelerating pace from just last month. Meanwhile, these markets are clearly attractive to buyers as the listings in these markets are viewed as much as three times more often than the national average."

Here is realtor.com's list for hottest housing markets in July:

1.San Francisco, Calif.
2.Denver, Colo.
3.Dallas, Texas
4.Vallejo, Calif.
5.Santa Rosa, Calif.
6.San Jose, Calif.
7.Midland, Texas
8.San Diego, Calif.
9.Ann Arbor, Mich.
10.Santa Cruz, Calif.
11.Detroit, Mich.
12.Sacramento, Calif.
13.Stockton, Calif.
14.Yuba City, Calif.
15.Columbus, Ohio
16.Austin, Texas
17.Los Angeles, Calif.
18.Oxnard, Calif.
19.San Antonio, Texas
20.Fort Wayne, Ind.

Colorado leads the nation in home price gains

more good news from Denver Business Journal

From June 2014 to June 2015, homes in Colorado appreciated 9.8 percent.

That's a higher appreciation rate than any other state in the country, according to a new report by CoreLogic.

Nationally, homes appreciated 6.5 percent during that time span, according to CoreLogic, which is based in Irvine, California.

"The stronger appreciation was registered in cities with limited inventory and strong homebuyer activity, such as San Jose and Denver," said Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic, in a statement.

Zillow estimates that there are 16 percent fewer homes for sale in Denver compared with a year ago.

Denver leads nation in another housing category

Denver's Market is Hot...interesting aarticle from Denver Business Journal...

Denver's housing market is leading the nation in a variety of categories.

Homes here sell faster than homes in any other market, the market leads the country in rising home prices, and the housing inventory here is as low as any other place in the country.

And now, Denver leads in another residential real estate category: It's tops in the country when it comes to the percentage of homes in foreclosure that have positive equity.

In a new report by housing data firm RealtyTrac, the share of distressed properties in Denver with positive equity was 83.7 percent, which is a higher percentage than anywhere else in the country

That's ahead of markets like Austin, Texas (83.1percent), Honolulu (77.5 percent), and San Jose, California (77 percent). Nationally, the figure was 42.4 percent, according to RealtyTrac.

And Colorado leads all states with highest percent of distressed properties with positive equity at 72 percent, topping states like Alaska (69.8 percent) and Texas (66.4 percent).

“Many homeowners that found themselves upside down in their homes just a few years ago are finding that they are now in a much better position with equity to spare, based on the strong appreciation we have experienced over the last few years,” said Greg Smith, owner/broker at Re/Max Alliance in Denver, in a statement.