Colorado ranks fifth nationwide in the amount of solar power generated. New renewable-energy technologies (as well as a state mandate that Colorado’s investor-owned utilities get 30 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2020) boost Colorado’s production and use of energy from wind and solar sources. “Colorado is widely regarded as national leader in […]
Archives for 2012
Pocket Neighborhoods
December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Changing demographics are reigniting a hunger for community. For this and other reasons, pocket neighborhoods have a huge potentiality to increase. Pocket neighborhoods represent a pattern of housing that fosters a strong sense of community among nearby neighbors, while at the same time preserving their need for privacy. Examples can be found across the spectrum […]
TOD Clear Creek Transit Village
December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The TOD Group, a New Orleans-based company, is in discussion with national builders to construct up to 1,125 apartments, town homes and condos on a 21 acre development just north of Denver. This TOD will stand out both regionally and nationally because of the abundance of natural amenities surrounding the site. An integrated landscape will […]
Winterizing Your Property
December 1, 2012 by 1 Comment
Consider preparing your property for winter to lower energy costs, increase comfort in cold months, and possibly improve resale value. The three main updates to focus on for the winter are the windows, exterior and furnace. Adding energy-efficient vinyl windows to the home can have an average payback of more than 69 percent. Vinyl replacement […]
Governors of Wind Energy States Banding Together
November 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
John Hickenlooper is one of a group of governors pushing congressional leaders to swiftly pass an extension of the federal production tax credit for wind energy, set to expire at the end of the year. Hickenlooper joined Iowa’s Terry Branstad, Kansas’ Sam Brownback, and Oregon’s John Kitzhaber on a conference call this week supporting the […]
FHA
November 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Federal Housing Administration has released its most recent revisions to the guidelines for condominiums seeking approval for FHA-backed mortgage loans. FHA approval is crucial to marketability for condos, since 30 to 50 percent of condo purchases are made with FHA-backed mortgages. The revisions go into effect immediately and will expire August 31, 2014. With […]
New Medicare Tax Coming in 2013
November 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The housing market may be recovering, as many experts suggest, but investors are still struggling to understand what taxes they will owe upon selling their homes. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect those who hold rental income properties and vacation homes starting in Jan 2013. “Unearned income” will be subject to a […]
Limon Projects to Increase Wind-Generated Electricity
November 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Wind farm operators race the clock to get their projects operating by the end of 2012, when the federal wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) is scheduled to expire. The credit pays wind farm operators $22 per megawatt hour of energy generated. Therefore, before the year ends, we expect to see the amount of electricity Colorado […]