1. Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.

2. Pay attention to the outdoors. Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.

3. Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn’t fill up.

4. Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.

5. Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle.

6. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to find them.

7. Leave. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.

Today is the last day for the Festival where the streets of Belmar turn into a feast of Italian culture. Bocce tournaments, wine tastings, Il Postino, Tea with Mussolini

and I’m Not Scared & Life is Beautiful. The movies, children story hours and chef demonstrations are free. The festival started at 10am this morning and runs to 7pm. Click here for directions.
A presto !

Many of us who own older brick homes will occasionally see cracks in their brick houses. Maybe the mortar joints need repair, or your front porch has shifted. As we began to think about painting our 1906 2 story brick Denver Square, it was evident that we would also need to hire someone to do some tuck pointing. After gathering 3 bids, it was a pleasure to find Mark Dallasta, a 6th generation stone and brick mason. He returned calls promptly, spent alot of his own time educating us on all the nuances of bricks mortar and restoration. His knowledge of NorthWest Denver history was impressive and colorful. Thank you Mark for a great job! He can be reached at 303-420-0536. Tell him Jay sent ya…