As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Mid-Century Gem

 

W+M agent, Pam Catania’s clients

They painted the walls white (they were pinks and oranges), put in black fixtures, and subtled down the southwestern to sell it.”
— Pam Catania

After nearly 30 years, W+M agent Pam Catania’s clients decided it was time to give their beloved home a fresh look before putting it on the market. Their impeccable taste— refined over decades—leans towards classic mid-century design, perfectly complementing the home’s original architecture.

When they first bought the property, it had a heavy southwestern influence, with pinks, oranges, and adobe accents throughout. To modernize the space, they painted the walls white and added sleek black fixtures, toning down the bold color palette while leaving the striking adobe fireplace and flagstone floors intact. The wooden beams which span the ceiling were also preserved, maintaining the home’s character. The master bath saw a big transformation, moving from 1980's pink and teal to a more modern aesthetic.

Pam suggested these updates to appeal to today’s buyers, and within a few months, the home was ready to shine. The layout features the primary bedroom on one side of the house, with secondary bedrooms thoughtfully placed on the other, providing both privacy and functionality.

As owners of a custom cabinetry and countertop business, the couple’s attention to detail is evident throughout, with handcrafted cabinetry and woodwork adding a personal touch throughout the home.

The property also includes a charming ADU that’s been part of the home from the start.

Situated in a coveted neighborhood that is known for its custom-built homes on spacious lots, this 3,200 sqft gem offers the perfect blend of mid-century charm and modern updates—all on one floor.

 

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Just Listed: Bright and Spacious Hyland Greens Retreat!

 
 
 

Light pours into this Hyland Greens home through large windows and skylights!

There are multiple areas to gather, from the formal living room in the front, to the dining area, the den with a cozy fireplace, or the play area in the basement.

The home features 4 bedrooms upstairs, along with two versatile flex spaces perfect for workouts, an office, or spare bedrooms. The kitchen boasts a gas range, stainless steel appliances, skylights, and a bay window with a charming breakfast nook.

Step outside to enjoy two patios—one equipped with a heater—making outdoor living and entertaining both easy and comfortable.

The neighborhood HOA offers fantastic amenities, including 2 pools, 2 tennis courts, a basketball court, and a path that’s plowed during the winter. Plus, enjoy stunning golf course and mountain views throughout the community.

This home has everything you need to LOVE living here!

Listed by Emily Johnson for West + Main Homes. Please contact Emily for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(303) 935-8787
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Emily Johnson
303-704-3045
emily@emilysellsdenver.com



 

Just Listed: Spacious 3-Story Townhome Near Elm Creek Reserve!

 
 
 

This stunning 3-story end-unit townhome, built in 2021, feels like new construction.

The open-concept design features beautiful LVP flooring in the kitchen, with a sleek quartz kitchen island perfect for entertaining. The kitchen is equipped with a gas range, stainless steel appliances, a gorgeous backsplash, and top-of-the-line finishes, along with plenty of storage space. Just off the kitchen, a deck offers the ideal spot for outdoor dining. The living room is modern and inviting, with an electric fireplace that creates a cozy atmosphere for relaxing evenings. The upper level boasts a luxurious primary bedroom with an ensuite bathroom featuring a shower, dual vanity, and a pass-through leading to a large walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a convenient laundry room complete the upper floor. The lower level offers a versatile walk-out recreation room with durable LVP flooring and carpet, as well as a large, finished storage room to meet all your needs. The garage provides additional storage space, ensuring plenty of room for organization. Located just steps from Elm Creek Reserve, this home offers the perfect blend of outdoor living and convenience, with bike paths and walking trails nearby. Commuters will appreciate the easy access to nearby freeways, ensuring a quick and smooth commute to work or city attractions.

Listed by Diane LeBlanc for West + Main Homes. Please contact Diane for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(405) 652-6635
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Diane LeBlanc
763-234-0572
diane@westandmainmn.com



 

How Much Home Equity Have You Gained? The Answer Might Surprise You

 
 

Have you ever stopped to think about how much wealth you’ve built up just from being a homeowner? As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — maybe even more than you realize.

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $500,000 and you still owe $200,000 on your home loan, you have $300,000 in equity. It’s essentially the wealth you’ve built through homeownership. Right now, homeowners across the country are seeing record amounts of equity.

According to Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the average homeowner with a mortgage has $319,000 in home equity.

Why Have Homeowners Gained So Much Equity?

The rise in home equity over the years can be credited to two key factors:

1. Significant Home Price Growth

Home prices have climbed dramatically in recent years. In fact, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), over the past five years, home prices nationwide have risen by 57.4%.

2. Longer Tenure in Homes

Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows people are staying in their homes for a decade. This increased tenure means homeowners benefit even more from home values growing over time. That’s because the longer someone has lived in their house, the more that home’s value has grown, which directly increases equity.

And if you’re one of those people who’s been in their home for 10 years or more, know this – according to NAR:

“Over the past decade, the typical homeowner has accumulated $201,600 in wealth solely from price appreciation.”

The Benefits of Having Home Equity

What does that mean for you? It means your house might be your biggest financial asset — and it could open up some exciting opportunities for your future. Let’s break it down.

  • Moving to Your Next Home

Your equity could help you cover the down payment for your next home. In some cases, it might even mean you can buy your next house all cash.

  • Financing Home Improvements

Thinking about upgrading your kitchen, adding a home office, or tackling other projects? Your equity can provide the funds to make those improvements happen, increasing your home’s value and making it more enjoyable to live in too.

  • Getting a Business Going

If you’ve been dreaming about starting your own business, your equity could be the kickstart you need. Whether it’s for startup costs, equipment, or marketing, leveraging your home’s value can help bring your entrepreneurial goals to life.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re thinking about selling, upgrading, or simply want to understand your options, your home equity is a powerful resource. If you’re wondering how much equity you’ve built or how you can use it to meet your goals, connect with a local real estate agent to explore the possibilities.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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How to prepare your home for a freeze – 7 things to check and put in place now before deep winter weather hits

 
 

It's normal for snow and ice to be a nuisance in winter, but bigger, more serious freezes can result in being trapped in your home, potentially with vital services cut out and supplies low.

Expert contractors say prepping your house for a big freeze is a vital task to carry out now, especially if you live somewhere that was hit badly last year. Their seven tips include insulating pipes and tanks, as well as stocking up on supplies and checking your insurance policy.

Here, they break down the best ways to prepare a house for cold weather and harsh freezes so you and your property stay safe until spring.

How to prepare your home for a freeze

Preparing your home for an intense freeze goes beyond when to worry about pipes freezing. It often involves prep work to ensure you will have everything you need to stay safe and healthy should you be snowed in, the power goes out, or local stores are closed due to adverse weather.

1. Insulate pipes and tanks

Gordon Chalk, heating expert and owner of Next Level Underfloor Heating says, ‘One of the most important things to do when preparing for freezing temperatures is to insulate your pipes and water tanks. Un-insulated pipes are most prone to freezing which can cause bursts and water damage.’

Given that there will be few service engineers able to reach you should you be snowed in, this is essential to avoid and an easy fix now in milder weather.

Chalk adds, ‘I recommend using pipe insulation sleeves which are widely available and easy to install. Also, make sure to insulate or drain any outdoor faucets. Insulating your hot water tanks will keep the water warm and save you energy during the winter months.'

It pays to brush up on what to do if a pipe bursts, just in case your insulation fails, or the weather is more extreme than expected. This plan should include where to find your mains water shut off, and tools to help you dry out any affected areas.

2. Service your heating

Keeping a home warm all day will also be essential in a freeze. This not only keeps you safe and well, but limits damage to your property, too.

Gordon Chalk, heating expert, explains, ‘Don’t forget to service your heating system. Before the temperatures drop, have a professional inspect your boiler or heating system to make sure everything is working efficiently. A well-maintained system is less likely to fail during peak usage. Check your thermostat settings and replace any old or damaged filters to be efficient.'

This proactive approach will save you from emergency repairs when you need your heating most, and having it on your radar to complete means you will be able to find experts with availability. Leaving it too late can result in engineers and pros being out on emergency calls, meaning servicing and routine jobs get pushed down the list in terms of their availability.

How often you need to service HVAC system will depend on the age of your system and how often you use it. Generally speaking, older HVAC systems will need more frequent upkeep.

You might also want to brush up on heating your home when the power goes out, just in case.

3. Stock up on supplies

It never hurts to have a stock of essential items to keep in your ‘junk drawer’ to help prepare for a freeze or prepare your house for hurricane season.

Gordon Chalk, heating expert adds, ‘In addition to preparing your home structurally, you should also stock up on supplies to ride out a freeze. Essential items are batteries for flashlights, warm blankets, nonperishable food, and bottled water. In the event of a power outage, these supplies will keep you and your family safe and warm. A first aid kit [available at Amazon] is also important as well as any necessary medication.’

4. Run your faucets

The best time to drip faucets is before a big freeze to prevent issues, rather than try to treat them.

Hendrik Vandepoll, co-owner of Service Force Plumbing says, ‘Whilst some suggest dripping the furthest faucet from the main shutoff is enough, simply letting the faucet furthest from the main valve drip will not prevent a vulnerable faucet that is closed from freezing.

'That specific faucet needs to be open to allow moving water through the vulnerable branch of the supply pipe, and to allow pressure buildup to release through it as well.’

You should also cover outdoor faucets to prevent spigots from freezing and cracking through winter, too.

5. Check your insurance policy

When futureproofing your home against extreme weather it is a good idea to check over your insurance policy and write the phone numbers somewhere easy to find so you know what to expect in an emergency. Keep your policy number and the company's contact or claims number saved in your phone, and in your phonebook.

Russell Vent, VP at Paul Davis Restoration, says, ‘You will want to understand your insurance policy and what is and is not covered by your insurer. Do not enter a freeze event assuming that every type of damage will be covered.

‘Call your insurance company or agent and review coverage for some of the types of issues listed above and others. Make sure you are keeping your home heated properly and you can prove it. Some insurance companies will require proof from your energy supplier that your home was being heated properly before affording coverage of a claim.

‘Finally, make sure you are checking on the property regularly. A good rule of thumb is every two weeks but it is best to clarify that with your insurance company. Failure to monitor your property, in my experience, has also led to insurance claim denials.’

Check the terms and conditions carefully too as sometimes historic events may make future claims impossible. Understanding your policy and securing the correct coverage, even if it comes at a premium may later prove to be a game-changer should the worst happen. Many new policies have an exclusionary time frame so make sure to check taking out a new policy doesn't disqualify you from making a claim in the next number of days, weeks, or months.

6. Invest in a portable generator

Part of preparing for a freeze is preparing a home for a power cut. This will be the most dangerous part of a deep freeze – especially if your heating is run on electricity.

Russell Vent, VP at Paul Davis Restoration strongly recommends ‘having a portable generator handy and with enough fuel (but never place it indoors).’

Joel Worthington, President of Mr. Electric, a Neighborly company, adds, ‘Standby generators should be serviced before the start of the cold season. This will help ensure the generator is ready to handle any outages that may occur due to the deep freeze.

A generator that has been serviced should be able to function when needed the most. Generators can keep the critical systems of the home, like the HVAC unit or heaters, running, which can help prevent frozen pipes, water damage, and other costly repairs from happening.

7. Check your home insulation

Keeping a poorly insulated home warm is possible, but not recommended when in dangerously cold temperatures. Before a big freeze hits, consider having your home’s insulation bolstered, suggests Josh Rudin, owner of ASAP Restoration.

‘Your attic is a huge source of heat loss during the winter, but even more so during a deep freeze cycle. If you have enough time to prepare your attic with some additional insulation do so and reap the benefits of savings on your electric bill.

‘Additional insulation helps to keep the temperature that you set on the thermostat inside your home more constant. More insulation usually equals more heat retention as a general rule of thumb.’

Learn more about the types of attic insulation on offer to help you choose the right one for your home, and consider adding insulation to your garage door.

When a deep freeze hits, you might want to consider some other steps you might otherwise avoid during winter, such as leaving the heating on overnight to stay warm. It won’t help to cut energy bills, but it will ensure that you and your property are safe for the duration of the cold snap.

Read more at Homes & Gardens

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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