Everything You Need to Know About Alternative Fireplaces

 

No chimney, no problem! Alternative fireplaces are hotter than ever. Learn which one could be right for your home.

A fire makes every room feel cozier, and now you can have one pretty much anywhere you want one. Fireplaces powered by alternative fuel sources, such as gas or electricity, don’t require a chimney — or a major renovation. Some are freestanding and just plug into a regular outlet. Keep reading to find out which type is right for you and start shopping!

Gas Fireplaces

Choose this option if you want the look and feel of a wood-burning fireplace without all the hassle.

The Pros:

  • Real heat-emitting flames turn on and off with a switch, remote or app.

  • Fuel doesn’t require refilling. Units connect directly to your home’s gas line.

  • No need to store and transport real logs. (Faux logs or stones should be dusted.)

The Cons:

  • You need to hire a pro to install; the cost could run from a few hundred to more than $1,000.

  • There are two main types: direct-vent (pulls air from outside) and ventless (pulls air from the room). The ventless systems are illegal in some areas, so check local laws.

Electric Fireplaces

This is the clear winner if you want to do the job yourself. Take it out of the box, plug it in, flip a switch!

The Pros:

  • The most common models are 120-volts that plug into an outlet like any other appliance.

  • Many designs let you customize the brightness of the flame and turn off the heat.

  • There are no fumes, smoke or soot.

The Cons:

  • Flames look fake, but some designs lean in with fun flame color choices (like green and purple).

  • Running it for several hours daily on high could cause an uptick in your electric bill. Occasional usage shouldn’t cost more than a dollar or two.

Bio-Ethanol and Gel Fireplaces

These are typically freestanding or wall-mounted. The fuels burn cleaner than wood.

The Pros:

  • Freestanding models are easy to set up and can be placed almost anywhere, even in the middle of a room.

  • They offer the combo of a real smokeless flame and sleek modern design.

  • Venting is not required.

The Cons:

  • You have to manually light and extinguish.

  • Fuel refills are more expensive than natural gas. You’ll need a liter of bio-ethanol or a can of gel for every two to three hours.

  • They don’t provide much heat.

Wood Pellet Stoves

Consider this if you love the look of old-school wood-burning stoves but want to set it and forget it.

The Pros:

  • Wood pellets burn cleaner and more efficiently than logs.

  • Most have easy electric automatic ignition.

  • They give off strong heat that can warm a room nicely. Some have thermostats to set the temperature.

The Cons:

  • A fireplace pro must install a proper vent system, which can cost thousands.

  • You’ll need to refill pellets (a 40-lb bag lasts 8 to 12 hours).

  • Most run on electricity, so it goes out if you lose power.

Read more at HGTV

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This factor can get your mortgage application denied — even if you’re a high earner

 

If you need to get a mortgage to buy a house, make sure your finances are in order — especially your debt to income ratio.

Your debt-to-income ratio is all your money debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. It’s the “number one way” lenders measure your ability to manage the monthly loan repayments, per the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The debt-to-income ratio was the most common reason for a denied mortgage application, at 40%, according to the 2024 Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers report by the National Association of Realtors. 

Other factors that affected homebuyers in the approval process were a low credit score (23%), unverifiable income (23%) and not enough money in reserves (12%), the report found.

The NAR polled 5,390 buyers who purchased a primary residence between July 2023 and June 2024 and found that 26% of homebuyers paid all-cash — a new high.

Lenders look for a ‘healthy’ debt-to-income ratio

Repeat buyers who gained record home equity in recent years drove that trend, according to the NAR.

But for those who need to borrow in order to buy, lenders and institutions look at your debt-to-income ratio to see if you may struggle to add a mortgage payment on top of other debt obligations.

“The higher your debt-to-income ratio is, the less chance they’re going to feel comfortable lending to you,” said Clifford Cornell, a certified financial planner and associate financial advisor at Bone Fide Wealth in New York City.

It’s a factor that affects home applicants of all income levels, said Shweta Lawande, a certified financial planner and lead advisor at Francis Financial in New York City. 

“If you’re a high earner, you might not experience an issue saving towards a down payment, but that doesn’t mean you have a healthy debt to income ratio,” she said. 

Here’s what you need to know about your debt-to-income ratio.

How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio

If you’re looking to apply for a mortgage, the first step is to know what your current DTI ratio is, said Lawande.

Take your total required monthly debt payments, like your monthly student loan or car loan payment. Divide that sum by your gross monthly income, she said. Multiply the result by 100 and you have your DTI expressed as a percentage.

A DTI ratio of 35% or less is typically considered as “good,” according to LendingTree.

But sometimes lenders can be flexible and approve applicants who have a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or higher, Brian Nevins, a sales manager at Bay Equity, a Redfin-owned mortgage lender, recently told CNBC.

A way to figure out your housing budget is the so-called 28/36 rule. That guideline holds that you should not spend more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses and no more than 36% of that total on all debts.

For example: If someone earns a gross monthly income of $6,000 and has $500 in monthly debt payments, they could afford a $1,660 a month mortgage payment if they follow the 36% rule. If the lender accepts up to 50% DTI, the borrower may be able to take up a $2,500 monthly mortgage payment.

The ‘better’ debt repayment strategy

You can improve your debt-to-income ratio by either shrinking your existing debt or growing your income.

If you have existing debt, there are two ways you can work to pay it off, experts say: the so-called “snowball method” and the “avalanche method.”

The snowball method is about paying off the smallest debt balances first no matter what the interest cost is, which can feel less overwhelming, said Shaun Williams, private wealth advisor and partner at Paragon Capital Management in Denver, the No. 38 firm on CNBC’s 2024 Financial Advisor 100 List.

“One is what’s best on a spreadsheet, and the other one is what makes someone feel best from a behavioral finance standpoint,” Williams said.

Yet, “the avalanche is better because the true cost of debt is your interest rate,” he said, as you’re more likely to pay down the debt faster.

Let’s say you have student loans with a 6% interest rate versus an existing credit card balance accruing a 20% interest rate. If you’re sitting with credit card debt, consider tackling that balance first, Cornell said.

“Whichever one’s costing you the most to borrow is the one that you want to pay down as quickly as possible,” he said.

If you’ve already done what you could to either consolidate or eliminate existing debt, focus on increasing your income and avoid other large purchases that would require financing, Lawande said.

“The goal is to just preserve the cash flow as much as possible,” she said.

Read more at CNBC

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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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Just Listed: South-Facing Condo with Breathtaking Views & Modern Charm!

 
 
 

Dreaming of mountain views?

This stunning south-facing end-unit condo at Sunnyside Flats boasts breathtaking views of Byers Peak, Winter Park Resort, and the Continental Divide. Inside, you'll find a custom-designed fireplace with a large mantle, adding warmth and character to the beautifully appointed living space. The condo features 2 spacious bedrooms and a versatile bonus area currently set up as a bunk room. Nearly-new, it shines with modern finishes. Fully furnished with stylish, turn-key décor, this home is ready to enjoy. The larger garage provides ample storage for all your mountain gear, and the private deck, hot tub ready, is the perfect spot to unwind after a day of adventure. Located on the bus route, this condo offers the ultimate blend of comfort, style, and accessibility.

Listed by Leah Bishop for West + Main Homes. Please contact Leah for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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

Presented by:
Leah Bishop
970-531-4723
leah@leahkbishop.com



 

Sweet Traditions: W+M’s Holiday Cookie Favorites

Celebrate the season with the cookies we love most! Our W+M agents share their cherished holiday recipes to sweeten your celebrations.

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

Rich with caramel notes and a hint of nutty brown butter, these soft, chewy cookies are sure to become a favorite!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Kaitlyn Ward

Cozy Chai Cookies

Chai vibes all the way! These chai spice cookies are infused with the delightful spices of your favorite milky chai tea latte, including cinnamon, ginger, and allspice.

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Jenny Roope

Photo courtesy of @dessertfortwo

Pistachio Pudding Cookies

Bright, nutty, and oh-so-easy to make—these pistachio pudding cookies, topped with a maraschino cherry, are a festive treat everyone will love!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Emily Johnson

Russian Tea Cakes

These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Russian Tea Cakes, also known as Snowballs, are a holiday classic with a nutty twist and a dusting of powdered sugar. A beloved holiday classic and a must-have on any cookie tray! Here are two of our fave recipes!

Get Lara’s fave recipe here

Get Diane’s fave recipe here

Submitted by Lara Burchfield and Diane LeBlanc

Walnut Squares

Walnut squares are a nostalgic holiday treat, with a rich, buttery flavor and the perfect crunch from walnuts—always a favorite to bake with loved ones!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Amy Ascencio

Dark Chocolate Chunk Pistachio Cookies

These dark chocolate pistachio chunk cookies are rich, elegant, and packed with festive flavor—perfect for the holiday season!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Michelle Schwinghammer

Photo courtesy of @pineapple_and_coconut

Hawaiian Snowballs

These sweet, buttery cookies with macadamia nuts offer the perfect balance of texture and flavor for the season.

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Angela Spangler

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Infused with rich brown butter, these chocolate chip cookies feature a perfect contrast of crispy edges and chewy centers, offering an elevated twist on a beloved classic.

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Claudia Ramirez

Photo courtesy of Becky Elhardt

Almond Cardamom Holiday Cookie

These vegan and flourless almond cookies are a fragrant blend of cardamom, orange zest, and pistachios, offering a deliciously unique flavor profile with the added richness of dark chocolate drizzle—a delightful choice for making occasions sweeter!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Becky Elhardt

Sugar Cookies

From classic to creative, these sugar cookie recipes prove that the simplest treats can be the most fun—perfectly sweet, endlessly customizable, and always a holiday favorite!

Get Kathleen’s fave sugar cookie tree recipe here

Get Emily’s fave classic recipe here

Get Kendra’s fave classic recipe here

Submitted by Kathleen Male, Emily Lawless, and Kendra Clark

Buckeyes

Buckeyes combine the smoothness of peanut butter with rich chocolate, creating a sweet, indulgent treat that’s always a hit with everyone.

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Elizabeth Fischer

Date-Nut Pinwheels

Date-nut pinwheels are a delightful combination of sweet dates, crunchy nuts, and buttery dough, making them a unique and irresistible holiday treat that’s both flavorful and fun to make!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Emily Hayduk

Pecan Tassies

A buttery cream cheese pastry filled with sweet, toasted pecans makes for a decadent bite-sized treat that's impossible to resist!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Alicia Duncan Coulter

Photo courtesy of @halfbakedharvest

Vanilla Hot Chocolate Molten Cookies

Warm and gooey, these vanilla hot chocolate molten cookies are a cozy blend of rich cocoa, melty dark chocolate, and a hint of sea salt—perfect for sharing the magic of the season!

Get the recipe here

Submitted by Michelle Schwinghammer


Just Listed: Welcome to Villa Park where a newly remodeled 4 bed/2 bath home awaits!

 
 
 

Welcome to Villa Park where a newly remodeled 4 bed/2 bath home awaits!

Nothing was overlooked on this one - New kitchen, baths, paint, flooring, and deck! New HVAC, roof, AC, fence. The open concept provides a great entertaining space with two bedrooms for main floor living. Downstairs is a perfect media room/family room with the ability to have a guest suite, as you'll find the other two bedrooms and a 3/4 bath. Enjoy the Colorado weather in the newly landscaped large backyard that is fully fenced! Parking won't be an issue with 5 off street spots. The home is convenient to major commuting routes, sloans/highlands, and all the amenities you could need. Call for more information and a tour! Showings begin 12/2.

Listed by Leslie Maginn for West + Main Homes. Please contact Leslie for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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

Presented by:
Leslie Maginn
820-474-5891
Leslie@lesliemaginn.com