Hibernation Habits

For bears and squirrels, a shortening length of day signals that it's time to prepare for hibernation.  Polar bears dig tunnels in the snow, chipmunks store food, and squirrels and other animals prepare their dens and line them with insulating material.  Humans also have certain things we do to prepare for winter - gather our fall harvests, pull out our fuzzy, warm sweaters and get the leaf rake ready.  Spending a little bit of time to prepare your home for winter weather is also time well spent.

Preparing the exterior.  If you aren't able to get on the roof yourself, it's a good idea to hire someone to do so as regular inspections and cleaning will help prevent more costly repairs later.  Make sure that the gutters and downspouts are free of debris.  Cut back tree limbs that could become heavy with ice or snow and fall onto your structures.  If you have a chimney, make sure the cap is still on to prevent unwanted visitors.  Shut off exterior water valves, remove hoses and have sprinkler systems blown out to prevent pipe damage. 

Maintain energy efficiency.  Sometimes pipes located on exterior walls can freeze and burst.  Keep cabinet doors open during extreme cold spells and leave the water trickling from faucets that connect to pipes in unheated areas.  Wrap pipes with foam rubber sleeves or other insulating material and consider putting an insulated blanket on your water heater.  Have the furnace cleaned and inspected and a new furnace filter installed.  Be sure to keep up with the recommended filter changes as they can really affect the performance and life of your unit.  Caulk and weather strip doors and windows to reduce drafts.  If you've noticed that the snow melts off of your roof faster than your neighbors, it can indicate insufficient insulation in your attic.  Ice dams that then form on the eaves can cause roof damage and leaks.

Consider the safety and comfort of your family.  If you have a wood burning fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected and be sure the damper is working properly.  Change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and be sure to change the entire detectors about every 5 years.  Stock your kitchen for unexpected snow days; a few jugs of water is important should something happen to your pipes or main water source.  Root vegetables, such as carrots and turnips, last a long time and make hardy soups.  Avoid carbohydrates such as pastas as these will raise your blood sugar.  Instead, have frozen berries, nuts, oats and barley, canned tuna and almond butter at the ready.  Remember extra pet food if you have pets, and stock up on diapers and baby food if a little one is in the household.  The Department of Homeland Security recommends having three days worth of food in the home in case of an emergency.

Take precautions for travel.  About 70% of winter storm deaths are auto-related.  If you must drive in bad weather, travel with someone or make sure somebody has your itinerary.  Top off all of the fluids in your car and check that your tires have enough air and enough tread.  Keep a bag of salt or sand in your trunk to melt ice or help with traction.  Prepare a survival kit containing gloves, blankets, water, first aid kit, folding shovel, flashlight, ice scraper, mobile phone charger, and some kind of protein bars or other food that will last the season.  Just a few minutes of preparation can give peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Brats, Beer and Struedel

Autumn means the 6th Annual Staufer Team Oktoberfest!  Staufer Team throws this awesome party every September to thank it's clients and vendors for their support.  It's held at the Steinbaugh Pavilion in downtown Louisville and offers music, games for the kids, and a ton of food and drink.  Last year, we also had polka lessons - this year, face painting for the kids.


The turnout is outstanding, and I really appreciate being part of a group that recognizes the give and take of a relationship.  Myself and the other agents I work with really care about our clients; in a lot of cases, our clients become our friends.  While we hope that they will acknowledge our expertise and hard work by sending us referrals, we don't do the jobs we do just for the paycheck.  For most of us, real estate is a passion, and our homes are our sanctuaries.  We love being a part of helping people find their own homes, and celebrate the community that grows from these relationships.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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New Listings

I serve my clients the best when I am up-to-date on the local inventory, so I go out every Friday morning to look at new listings in addition to whatever properties I may see with clients during the week.  If you'd like to tag along, give me a call.

446 S Cherrywood Drive, Lafayette - $329,900
This 2505sqft home in Autumn Meadows boasts so many upgrades that it includes a separate document to list them all.  On a corner lot, the 2-car garage loads on the side and the private backyard has a deck and patio for enjoying the gardens and large trees.  There are 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, and an unfinished basement with a rough-in for future expansion.

718 Club Circle, Louisville - $359,900
If you want a detached home but prefer someone else handle the landscaping, then a patio home might be a good choice; the trade off is usually a higher HOA fee than a detached home would have.  This ranch is close to the Coal Creek Golf Course and within the Monarch K-8 area, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, 1412sqft, hardwood floors, fireplace, 5-piece master bath and all appliances included.

1884 Cedaridge Circle, Superior - $439,900
The list of renovations is long - new roof, gutters, air conditioning unit, furnace, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, carpet, light fixtures, faucets, sinks, doorknobs, paint inside and out.  The seller has owned it since 1994, and his Denver mailing address indicates that this 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2729sqft house was probably a rental for a time and in need of some TLC before going on the market.

425 Andrew Way, Superior - $495,000
With over 4000sqft total, this Rock Creek ranch has a great location with a walkout basement backing to open space.  With high ceilings, skylights, views and plenty of natural light this home will probably appeal to buyers looking for the convenience of being close to shopping and amenities combined with a little elbow room.  It's been on the market a week, and the agent has optimistically set an offer deadline for Friday at 5pm.

118 Crestview Court, Louisville - $639,000
The selling agent calls this property "the best home ever sold in this neighborhood!"  A completely remodeled 2-story with a finished basement in Centennial Heights, the list of improvements includes a gourmet kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a wine fridge, high-efficiency windows and a new flagstone patio.  A $20,000 earnest money deposit is requested for this 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 3510sqft home.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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