Conscious Real Estate Partners with Work Options for Women – WOW!

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Conscious Real Estate is proud to announce a partnership with Denver nonprofit, Work Options for Women.  WOW is an innovative nonprofit designed to help impoverished women gain the skills and confidence they need to work their way out of poverty and become gainfully and permanently employed in the food service industry.  Since 1997, this organization has been using food to change lives.

Take a peek.

There are a lot of great way you can support this organization:

-You can donate.

-You can dine at Cafe Options located at 1650 Curtis Street in downtown Denver.

-You can take cooking classes with acclaimed Denver chefs for which 100% of your ticket price goes to WOW

-You can attend their 10th annual Women Cook event on May 5th, 2014, featuring a dinner prepared by an amazing list of renowned Denver women chefs.

-You can follow WOW on Facebook or Twitter.

And of course, when you buy or sell your home with Conscious Real Estate, we donate 10% of all commissions to the nonprofit of our clients’ choice, and you can choose to donate to WOW!  Call Allison Parks at 303-908-9873 or email [email protected].

Conscious Real Estate Partners with S.O.U.L. Foundation

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Conscious Real Estate is pleased to announce a partnership with Denver-based nonprofit, S.O.U.L. (Supporting Opportunities for Ugandans to Learn.)

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S.O.U.L was founded by Brooke Stern and her father, Kenneth Stern, who set out on a backpacking trip through eastern Africa in 2009. After spending just 5 days in poverty-stricken Bujagali Falls, Brooke’s idea of creating a not-for-profit foundation devoted to helping the impoverished Ugandan community began to take shape. In reflecting on her first visit to Uganda, Brooke states, “In the village we saw hunger but we also saw thirst: thirst for knowledge, thirst for a better tomorrow, thirst for the opportunity to lift themselves out of gripping poverty.”

Brooke returned to Uganda one month after her initial life-changing visit. She immersed herself in the culture and community for 13 months.  Like her village neighbors, she lived without electricity, hot water, or the comforts of modern society.  She devoted this first year to listening to and learning from the villagers before she realized that the most effective soul-ution for the community would involve accessibility to education. Shortly after that, S.O.U.L. Foundation was born.

S.O.U.L. believes that education is the foundation upon which Uganda will build a stable and prosperous future. Families already struggling within the cycle of subsistence living must pay school fees for every child seeking an education.  Often these fees are beyond their means, and as a result, children with motivation and academic potential never see the inside of a classroom.

S.O.U.L. Foundation focuses on creating partnerships with families through a shared approach to learning. To achieve this goal, S.O.U.L. created its Education Program. The foundation contributes 50% of tuition and book fees as well as a daily school lunch for each sponsored student. This provides scholastic opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach while keeping families invested in the academic success of their children.

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S.O.U.L. Foundation envisions a world free of extreme poverty and chronic hunger, where people have the economic means to sustain their families. Their Village Business Cooperatives are designed to increase villager’s incomes in a sustainable way, thus allowing the rural poor to meet their families’ basic needs while creating additional income that brings the dream of education and upward mobility within reach.

You may donate to S.O.U.L., get involved, or follow on Facebook or Twitter.

When you buy or sell a home with Conscious Real Estate, you may choose to donate 10% of your agent’s commission to S.O.U.L.

Conscious Real Estate Partners with Women’s Global Empowerment Fund

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Conscious Real Estate is pleased to announce a partnership with the Women’s Global Empowerment Fund.  The mission of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF) is to reach underserved women of Northern Uganda through economic, social, and political programs.  Implementing grassroots strategies, marginalized women are given the tools necessary to alleviate poverty thus facilitating sustainable development and empowerment.

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Women’s Global Empowerment Fund was founded upon the belief that microcredit loans, when bundled with educational programming, can build social capital and increase the potential for women’s empowerment and success.  Clients invest their loans in activities in which they are already skilled – such as farming, food processing and selling, raising chickens and livestock, operating a shop, tailoring, construction, restaurants and tourism. Each borrower must earn enough to pay back their loan with interest, participate in the savings program, and have enough to purchase necessities. When the first loan is successfully repaid, the borrower is eligible to apply for a second loan to expand her business.

Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, in partnership with Literacy Aid Uganda, has developed a program that is relevant and responsive to the educational needs of their clients. When a woman learns to read and write, possibilities and opportunities are created.  To date, WGEF has provided over literacy opportunities to over 600 women.  In 2011, WGEF had 5 clients run in political races, with 3 successfully taking office.

WGEF clients have experienced empowerment, gained leadership skills, understanding of advocacy, legislative participation and policy development. Women in the program are leading in their communities, speaking out on important issues, advocating for women and families, challenging their leaders and community members to do better, moving their communities forward. Through relevant and meaningful programs, this nonprofit has been able to offer women critical knowledge to transform their communities, creating a brighter and more secure future for themselves , their families, region and nation.

If you would like to donate to WGEF, click here.  If you would like to volunteer with WGEF, call:  303-520-7656 or email: [email protected].  You may also follow WGEF on Facebook or Twitter.

Remember, whenever you buy or sell your home with Conscious Real Estate, you can choose to have your real estate agent contribute 10% of their commission to WGEF!

5 Tips for Selling Your Home in Denver in the Spring

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potted plant, gardening tool, gloves, paint brush & paint can

Spring weather can be a challenge if you are selling your home in Denver. One day will be warm, the next day may bring snow. The weather may be windy, sunny, or both. As a seller, you need to take advantage of the season’s offerings to bring offers in.  This is time right before the market heats up and you want your home to stand out among the competition!

1)  First, it is time to begin taking care of your lawn – your lawn is the outdoor’s carpet. Landscaping makes a big difference when you are selling your home!  Hard rake, fertilize, and aerate your lawn now. Doing so will cost $75. The best time to do so are just before a spring snow, or during a warm period when you can water.  This brings us to the next point – water. Take advantage of the warmer days, and water your grass. It is not advisable to turn on a sprinkler system just yet, but a $10 oscillating sprinkler for 20 minutes will do the trick. (Don’t forget to unhook your hose when complete as to not freeze your pipes!) A great tip I learned is to use an organic green pigment to make your lawn seem greener than your neighbors. You can do this for mulch beds as well.

2)  Since the grass is dormant, now is a good time to edge the sidewalks and along the driveway, if edges along fences and concrete walkways and patios are neglected. Cut overgrowth now, and use a turkey baster to gently distribute spent cooking oil to prevent future weed and grass growth. Remember, do not let this oil come in contact with fences and plants as it might stain or kill.

3)  Revive your mulched garden by fertilizing and watering as you would with your lawn. To revive sun-bleached mulch, purchase an attachment for your hose diffuser. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, and shake regularly as you spray only the mulch. A leaf blower and a hose will remove dirt, debris, and revive rock beds.

4)  Colorado temperature extremes are also hard on concrete. Your local home improvement store will have caulk and concrete fillers that will preserve soil related cracks in cement stairs, patios, and driveways for less than $100.

5)  Finally, bring out the plants!  Temperature resistant plants like petunias can go in the ground, and less hardy tulips and lilies in your existing planters which can be covered or brought inside during the inevitable cold spell.

If you would like assistance with buying or selling your home in Colorado, please contact Allison Parks at 303-908-9873 to get started!  Remember, Conscious Real Estate always contributes 10% of all commissions to the nonprofit of your choice.

A Comparison of Countertop Materials

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Granite

A natural stone, granite is a popular option for it beauty and durability. Granite is the toughest and densest of the pure stones, providing a kitchen countertop that’s extremely scratch resistant and may keep its luster longer than most materials. Granite slabs are of the more expensive of kitchen countertop surfaces, though it’s still a practical material in that is nearly indestructible.

A drawback is that granite (and the other hard materials listed) is that it is hard on your crockery. You will notice that after a time, your crockery has managed to develop a number of chips.

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Marble

Another pure stone, marble is considered elegant and will last longer than most kitchens. It is nevertheless of the more expensive countertop options and requires specific care: acidic foods and liquids like orange juice will etch the finished surface of a marble kitchen countertop.

Slate

Due to it richness and beauty slate is usually used for inside purposes including kitchen counter tops, rest room sinks or fire surrounds. It can be used in both trendy or traditional kitchens. Slate is durable, strong, and can withstand onerous use. It is less expensive than marble.

Concrete

Concrete countertops are a fantastic complement for industrial and contemporary kitchen designs – available in pre-formed sections or poured and fashioned on-site. Concrete is a good material for unusually formed counters and can be stained any color, though the most popular shade is a natural gray.  Concrete kitchen countertops are expensive, require a sealant, and have to be handled with care. The countertop can crack if the concrete contracts.

Timber

Timber always adds great value to any kitchen. It is simple to re-finish – whether it’s due to damage or simply to fit in with your new decor. There are a number of timber finishing products that are extremely durable. Bamboo counter tops have a very good flammability rating, so are particularly suited to being used for a kitchen counter top. Another specific characteristic of bamboo, is that it tolerates moisture very well compared to other timbers.

Stainless Steel

Advantages are; very hygienic, easy to wash, has ability to face up to extreme wear and heat. Stainless-steel can offer a fashionable kitchen. Stainless steel can be noisy and difficult to repair when scratched

Tile

Tile surfaces can handle scorching pans, are heat and stain resistant as well as having a wide range of styles available. There are many types of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass, pure stone and mosaic. It has good design flexibility. Tile can usually be used for trim or back splashes. The downside of tile is that the grout can be easily stained.

Additionally tiles are easily chipped or cracked.

Pressed boards (bonus)

The most common are the Formica® type tops. These tops are made from chips of wood pressed together and covered with a melamine plastic surface. These tops are the cheapest option, but also the least durable. Exposure to water will cause these tops to swell and the only option when damaged is replacement. Another point for consideration, is that plastic is not a food friendly surface. It has been scientifically demonstrated that the cuts in plastic harbour gems.

Recycled Glass

A sleek and modern look, combined with a low carbon emissions production process make recycled glass countertops an environmentally preferred product.  These countertops blend glass and stone in a variety of colors, making an attractive finished product.  Recycled glass countertops are also stain, scratch, and heat resistant and require little care and maintenance.

5 Culprits That Waste Energy in Your Home

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Heating and Cooling

Given how much money Americans spend to heat and cool their homes—in 2013, approximately $2,177 per family—it makes sense to invest in high-efficiency HVAC equipment that features a variable-speed air handler. A variable-speed air handler is essentially a “smart” fan. It runs nearly continuously at lower speeds to allow heated/cooled air to circulate evenly throughout the house. In the summer, the air handler removes humidity more efficiently because the fan runs almost nonstop at lower speeds.

According to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), furnace fans/air handlers consume 12 percent of the average household’s total electricity. An HVAC system with a variable-speed air handler allows your furnace and a/c to run at more than just one speed (high). Instead, it can run at a variety of speeds, using just enough electricity to power the fan to meet shifting heating/cooling needs.

Set-Top Boxes

Many electronics that appear to be off are, in fact, always on—a deceptive aspect of smart devices. Invest in Energy Star-qualified electronics when you upgrade your cable box, or buy a smart TV to cap the amount of electricity the devices consume in standby mode.

Chargers

Charging systems for cameras and phones draw phantom energy, too—they’re constantly drawing small amounts of juice unless you unplug them. You can reduce your home’s collective electricity draw by purchasing environmentally friendly charging platforms and power cords that automatically shut down when the device is fully powered. Or just be obsessive about unplugging them.

Gaming Devices

You wouldn’t want to sacrifice your PlayStation or Xbox to secure energy savings. And you don’t have to—just be smarter about turning them off. The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that a person could spend up to $100 more per year on electricity by forgetting to turn off consoles (compared with leaving them on 24/7). Set your system to power-saving mode. Newer models now automatically shift into power-saving mode after a certain period of time.

Old Appliances

Standard home appliances continue to use power even when you’re not using them. One example is the microwave, or any appliance that features a digital display. Even if you’re not heating food, the power display uses energy 24/7. Avoid the nuisance of repeatedly unplugging appliances and having to reset the digital clocks by investing in energy-saving appliances that bear the Energy Star seal.

How To Improve Your Credit Score in 7 Steps

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Thinking about buying a home, but are worried that your credit score will hold you back?  Here are 7 tips to improve your credit score.

1. Know your credit score

Credit scores range from 300 to 850.  Higher = Better.  Your credit score is based on whether you’ve paid personal loans, car loans, credit cards, and other debt in full and on time in the past. You’ll need a score of at least 620 to qualify for a home loan, most loans will require a score of 640, and a score of 740 to get the best interest rates and terms.

You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report annually from each of the major credit-reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Access all three versions of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Review them to ensure the information is accurate.

2. Correct errors on your credit report

If you find mistakes on your credit report, write a letter to the credit-reporting agency explaining why you believe there’s an error.  Send documents that support your case, and ask that the error be corrected or removed.  Also write the company or debt collector who reported the incorrect information to dispute the information – ask to be copied on any materials sent to credit-reporting agencies.

3. Pay every bill on time

You may be surprised at the damage even a few late payments will have on your credit score. The easiest way to make a big difference in your credit score without altering your spending habits is to diligently pay all your bills on time. You’ll also save money because you’ll keep the money you’ve been spending on late fees. Credit card or mortgage companies probably won’t report minor late payments, (less than 30 days overdue,) but you’ll still have to pay late fees.

4. Use credit carefully

Another good way to boost your credit score is to pay your credit card bills in full every month. If you can’t do that, pay as much over your required minimum payment as possible to begin whittling away the debt. Stop using your credit cards to keep your balances from increasing, and transfer balances from high-interest credit cards to lower-interest cards.

5. Take care with the length of your credit

Credit rating agencies also consider the length of your credit history. If you’ve had a credit card for a long time and managed it responsibly, that works in your favor. However, opening several new credit cards at once can lower the average age of your accounts, which pushes down your score. Likewise, closing credit card accounts lowers your available credit, so keep credit cards open even if you’re not using them.

6. Don’t use all the credit you’re offered

Credit scores are also based on how much credit you use compared with how much you’re offered. Using all $10,000 of available credit will give you a lower score than having $10,000 of available credit and using $1000 of it. Occasionally opening new lines of credit can boost your available credit, which also affects your score positively.

7. Be patient

It can take time for your credit score to climb once you’ve begun working to improve it. Keep at it because the more distance you put between your spotty payment history and your current good payment record, the less damage you’ll do to your credit score.