The Sultan Newman Group are approaching our 3rd month at Compass and thought it was time to share more information about the company and what lead us to make the switch. “The real estate industry is a $217 trillion-plus global asset class, yet it has been largely untouched by technology. Buying and selling decisions are […]

As the stock market takes us all on an unsettling roller coaster ride, leaving us worried about where our finances will land on any given day, there’s one investment that is offering sure-fire returns: a home. “At a time when stock market performance is all over the map,” notes The Group in a recent newsletter, […]

5 amazing perks you can get with your DPL library card (besides books) We all know that a Denver Public Library (DPL) card is a ticket to limitless books and video tapes. But did you also know that your library card can get you free passes to local museums, help you learn a foreign language […]

Make this your New Year’s resolution: Document your belongings! The recent California wildfires have made us all more aware of the fragility and unpredictability of life: What we take for granted can be gone in an instant. While that’s a philosophical point to ponder, the thought also has practical applications, particularly when it comes to […]

Denver’s housing market slows in November, while prices remain high Like the weather, the Denver housing market cooled in November. While such slowdowns are typical of the fall/winter season, this may also represent a longer-term trend, according to some experts. The Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ (DMAR) monthly report shows that the number of residential homes […]

Tis the Season for Entertaining! When entertaining rolls around, charcuterie boards that are festive for the holidays is my go-to entertaining spread! Let’s talk about creating the ultimate festive charcuterie board with cheeses and fun additions! Meat and cheese boards are customizable, gorgeous, require no cooking, and are the perfect hearty appetizer spread! Charcuterie boards are not only gorgeous, they contain a combination of flavors and nibbles for a simple no-fuss party snack! It’s not difficult to prepare a meat and cheese board that everyone will rave about! First off … how do you pronounce charcuterie?  [shahr-koo-tuh–ree]. Secondly… What is a charcuterie? Charcuterie is the art of preparing meats which are often cured or smoked such as bacon, ham or salami.  A charcutier is a person who prepares charcuterie and while the term is loosely translated in English to “pork butcher”, any kind of meat can be used. The wonderful thing about a charcuterie board is its versatility. You can mix and match flavors and textures. You can focus on a particular style or region. You can leave some items off the menu altogether. For instance, you could nix bread or crackers from a gluten-free board, or substitute fig salami for Italian salami and hummus for pâté on a vegetarian board. Or double-down on variations of a group favorite (a culinary tour of the pâtés of various regions of France, anyone?). Now that we have all that out of the way. Lets start building this thing. Board: Find the right boards to build your platters. Large cutting boards, marble slabs, slate boards or ceramic platters are great options. Meat: I estimate about 3-4 slices of meat per person when building a board.  I try to include a variety of flavors and textures for example a sliced pepper salami, a rolled prosciutto and thoughtfully piled ham. Cheese: Choose a variety of cheeses; about 1 or 2 oz per person as an hors d’oeuvre.  Look for various hard and soft cheeses from mellow to sharp.  Cheeses are easiest served already sliced. Bread and Crackers: Again variety is key, I like to include buttery flaky crackers, grain crackers and thinly sliced and toasted baguettes. Fruit & Nuts: Both dried and fresh fruit will add gorgeous color and lots of flavor to your charcuterie board! As you are purchasing fruits, keep a variety of colors in mind for a beautiful board.  Nuts should be shelled and salted. Pickles, Olives and Dips: Adding small bowls filled with dill pickles, olives, jellies, mustards and delicious dips is a great way to add some zip and flavor to your board. Most of the items can be prepared, washed and/or sliced ahead of time meaning this easy appetizer can take just minutes to prepare. If you are looking for some major charcuterie inspo below is a list of Sultan Newman Group’s favorite places to take family and friends around Denver! FNG – Highlands 3940 W. 32nd Ave. | 720.667-3727 www.fngrestaurant.com Colt & Gray – LoHi 1553 Platte St. | 303.477.1447 www.coltandgray.com The Bindery – LoHi 1817 Central St. | 303.993.2364 www.thebinderydenver.com Hearth & Dram – Ball Park 1801 Wewatta St. | 303.623.0979 www.hearthanddram.com Urban Farmer – Down Town 1659 Wazee St. | 303.262.6070 www.urbanfarmerdenver.com Fooducopia – Wash Park 1939 E. Kentucky Ave. | 303.722.7838 www.fooducopia.com Culture Meat & Cheese – RiNo 2669 Larimer St. | 303.292.2222 www.culturemeatandcheese.com Max’s Wine Dive – Capitol Hill 696 Sherman St. | 303.593-2554 www.maxswinedive.com Cattivella – Stapelton 10195 E 29th Ave. | 303.645-3779 www.cattivelladenver.com Vinue – Cherry Creek 2817 E 3rd Ave. | 720.287-1156 www.denverwinebar.net Barcelona Wine Bar – RiNo 2900 Larimer St. | 303.816.3300 www.barcelonawinebar.com Sip | eat + drink – Down Town 891 14th St. | 720.464-6765 www.sipeatdrink.com Neighbors – Park Hill 2202 Kearney St. | 303.333.1149 www.neighborsparkhill.com The Preservery – RiNo 3040 Blake St. | 303.298-6821 www.thepreservery.com Deep Roots Winery and Bistro – LoDo 1516 Wazee St. | 720.328.4786 www.deeprootswines.com Thank you so much for visiting our page! If you are looking for a property to host all your events at please contact one of our team members at the Sultan Newman Group!  

Before you remodel, consider these 4 questions & ask your realtor, AKA someone on the Sultan Newman Group team! After years of living in a home, there’s nothing quite as exciting—or daunting—as the idea of undertaking a home remodel. While the prospect of a shiny new house is irresistible, you want to make sure the project addresses any issues you’ve had with your home through the years. In short, making the space more applicable to your needs takes thoughtful consideration and careful planning. “As a professional organizer, I’ve seen homes that were aesthetically gorgeous but just didn’t flow well for my clients’ needs,” notes Patricia Lee, a professional home organizer writing for Houzz. “…For the most successful remodel, you’ll want to consider how you live now and how you’d like to live ideally. After all, remodeling is a chance to set new, more organized habits.” Lee suggests homeowners consider these points before getting started: What isn’t working? Think of the way you use the spaces in your home. For example, where do your children do their homework? Is this place conducive to concentration (and supervision)? Do you have a dedicated space for important papers, electronic chargers, keys, computer work? List the issues you would like to address to streamline your home’s efficiency. Do you have adequate storage space? Is your pantry space big enough, or do food items overflow onto your counters? Do you have a place for the family to stash backpacks, purses, and mail when they enter the home? If not, plan new areas to accommodate these items. (For example, you might add a mudroom so purses and other items can be neatly stored out of sight from the rest of the house.) Is your family situation in flux? Are you planning to have children soon? Their storage needs can be substantial. By contrast, if your children will soon be grown and out of the house, this can open rooms for new uses. Will your aging parents be moving in? If so, you’ll need to think of items like a ground level bathroom with a walk-in tub, an in-law suite or mini kitchen that can allow them some independence. Are there better ways to use existing spaces? Do you have a living room you never use? Think of putting it to better use. Have a closet that’s not pulling its weight? Consider turning it into a work space with a desk for a computer or drawers for craft items, etc. To sum things up, look at every inch of your home and reconsider its uses. Then let the project begin! Feel free to contact one of us on the Sultan Newman Group team and we will be happy to provide a list of our preferred contractors to ease some of the worries!   REMAX of Cherry Creek Photo by Harprit Bola on Unsplash  

11 Easy-Up, Easy-Down Decor Hacks for Stress-Free Holidays Give or take a Scrooge or two, everybody loves the holidays: Decorating the tree, hanging lights, hanging holly … all those things! But you know what nobody loves? Taking all those things down. Because, wow, what an unorganized mess. Before you go all Scrooge, get your jolly back with these simple holiday decorating hacks. #1 Protect Ornaments With Holiday Recyclables Anne Arntson for HouseLogic Trimming the tree should feel like the happy ending of a Lifetime holiday movie, not a game show guessing which box will contain broken memories. Keep ornaments safe for next year by stowing them in leftover party cups, hot-glued onto a piece of foam board cut to fit inside a storage bin, recommends Lisa Woodruff, a Cincinnati-based professional organizer. Or pack ornaments away using bubble wrap from holiday packages, or egg cartons from those countless cookies you made. All of these options make for shock-absorbent padding that’s more durable than paper towels or tissue paper. Richelle Hesselink You dream of decking every hall, every year, but when the holidays roll around, you’ve got a brisket to bake and cocktails to clink. So focus your festive energy on just one iconic focal point — a wreath on the front door or greenery on the mantel — something that easily changes with the seasons. Or, create a display that makes you feel merry year-round. (Try repurposing storefront letters to spell out “LOVE” or “JOY” — sentiments that never go out of season.) #3 Get a Decorating Toolbox Courtesy of Lowes.com Before you can hang a single strand of lights or sprig of mistletoe, you have to find the gosh-darn zip ties, track down the floral wire, and repurpose a few extension cords. Just thinking about the prep work makes you ready for a long winter’s nap. But this year’s gonna be your prep for next year, and the years to follow. As you put everything up, keep a running checklist of what you need. Then stock a toolbox that gets replenished every year. #4 Leave Your Light Hooks and Nails in Place for Next Year If you like to trim your home’s roof and siding with holiday lights, you know what a hassle it is to find last year’s nail holes while balancing on a ladder with your extremities slowly freezing. So, this year, use hooks that match your siding (not nails because they fall out easier) or paint them so they are indistinguishable from your siding or trim before you put them up. Then leave them up when you take down your lights. Come next year, just rehang your lights and bask in your twinkling success. #5 Wrap Lights Around Cardboard   Christina Hoffmann for HouseLogic There’s nothing like a multicolored knot of lights to put a damper on your bright holiday spirit. So as you take down this year’s lights, wrap them around empty gift boxes or cardboard. Make a small notch on each side to keep the ends snugly in place. Next year you’ll spend less time untangling your lights and more time basking in them. #6 Hang Wreaths on Rods or in Rafters Russell Gregory All year you look forward to hanging that wreath you got for a steal at an after-Christmas sale. Rather than tossing it in a trash bag, where it can too easily get seriously mushed or even forgotten, hang it on a rod or from nails hammered into the attic rafters or garage walls, Woodruff recommends. It will be easy to find, and will be in pristine shape for next year. #7 Store Your Tree With the Decorations on It Chris Baldwin No, seriously. If strategizing the placement of skiing Garfield and his 107 dangly friends is your least favorite part of holiday decorating, skip it after this year. Ask someone to help you tightly wrap this year’s decorated (artificial) tree — yep, ornaments and all — with heavy-duty stretch plastic wrap (the type that professional movers use, which you can find at home improvement stores). Next year, just cut the wrap and reshape the branches. Happy holidays indeed. #8 Or Give In and Buy a Tree Bag BalsamHill.com Every December 26, you begin to dread awkwardly wrestling your artificial tree back into its original packaging. This year, go ahead and spend the 50 bucks on a tree bag or box, Woodruff says. It will seal out dirt, dust, and bugs, won’t smash the branches, and some styles even allow you to store your tree fully or partially assembled. Plus, just knowing you can skip the reassembly next time makes for an extra happy New Year. #9 Trim Those Trimmings Give Back Box Getting out decorations should be a welcome walk down memory lane — not a guilt trip through items you “should” display but … ugh. So when you take down this year’s decor, follow the old rule for paring down your wardrobe and get rid of anything you didn’t use — you know, that carol-singing mounted fish from your dad or Nana’s crocheted coaster set — and donate them. “If it’s a sentimental item, take a picture of it,” Woodruff says. You won’t waste storage space and, come next year, you’ll be greeted only by items you love and use. #10 Organize By Room If you’ve got snowmen in every bathroom and a jingle bell on every drawer, you may end up with mountains of half-empty boxes piled everywhere for longer than you spend enjoying the decor. Get your halls decked more efficiently by sorting your boxes of trimmings by room, Woodruff suggests. Then, label each light strand by location — mantel, doorway, tree, etc. Decorating is merrier when you can grab a bin and make an evening of it, one room at a time. #11 Create a “Must-Have” Bin  Anne Arntson for HouseLogic Put all your favorite decorations in one “first-up, last-down” bin. Next year, you’ll spend more time enjoying your cherished menorah or manger and less time rummaging to find it. Thank you for taking the time to read up on some of the best holiday hacks we have seen. Sultan Newman Group will definitely be putting some of these into practice this year. Hope you have a great Holiday Season. Let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you! –Sultan Newman Group    Article by: HouseLogic

Home Buyers Choose Good School Districts Over Other Amenities We all know home buyers desire high-performing school districts. But what are they willing to sacrifice for this priority? Plenty, according to a recent survey by Realtor.com. The survey found that 78% of home buyers place a good school district above other amenities. “School districts are an area where many buyers aren’t willing to compromise,” Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale noted of the survey’s findings, as reported by CBS MarketWatch. “For many buyers, ‘location, location, location’ means ‘schools, schools, schools’.” According to MarketWatch, more than half of home buyers (59%) studied test scores to determine a school district’s quality. Others considered whether the school had a gifted and talented program (53%) and art and music education (49%). Among the amenities they were willing to sacrifice for great schools: a garage (19% were willing to let this go); updated kitchen (17%); number of hoped-for bedrooms (17%) and outdoor living space (16%). “Of course, buying in a good school district comes with a significant premium as well,” adds MarketWatch, which cites a 2016 Realtor.com study noting that homes in higher-rated school districts were 49% more expensive on average than the median-priced home nationwide. Reach out to one of the Sultan Newman Group team members and we would be happy to provide you with a school district map so you can see what district is right for your family.   ReMax of Cherry Creek Photo Copyright: Pan Xiaozhen / Unsplash.com

Computers can do home appraisals. But humans are better In our computer-oriented world, decisions driven by data and algorithms have become commonplace. This raises the question: Is there still a need for human input to get the right outcome? It’s a question many are asking regarding home appraisals. “With these [technological] advances, will computers inevitably replace appraisers when it comes to valuing homes?” asks John S. Brenan, director of appraisal issues for the Appraisal Foundation. He explored the idea in a recent Realtor Magazine article. Computer models, called automated valuation models (AVMs), are used by websites like Zillow, tax assessors, lenders and others. Most experts agree that AVMs have their place in today’s world. For example, they are useful in situations where the appraisal isn’t critical. Brenan offers the situation where a person owns a $2 million home free and clear and wants to take out a $50,000 line of credit. “I’d be irate” he notes, “…if I had to pay a large fee” for an appraisal. In this case, an AVM would work nicely and save the homeowner as much as $700 in appraisal fees. Computer algorithms also work well when evaluating average homes with no special variations. But few homes are “cookie cutter.”  AVM’s don’t consider whether the home is located on a busy street corner, if it has been updated or is in major disrepair, and so on. As Brenan writes: “[C]omputers don’t buy houses; people do. An AVM does a great job of analyzing tangible features, such as a property’s age, number of bedrooms and baths, square footage and lot size. However, a property’s overall appeal is something that has been, at least to date, extremely difficult to quantify.” Brenan notes that while AVMs can help appraisers in their valuations, the human element is still critical in most situations. “[U]nless and until AVMs can better emulate the human factor, an ethical and competent appraiser remains indispensable.” We have been in the industry for a long time and have established relationships with reputable appraisers in Denver throughout the years. Contact Sultan Newman Group if you would like contact information for our trusted appraisers in the area. ReMax of Cherry Creek

Market Insights for Fall 2018 Housing inventory increases to the highest level in four years giving homebuyers more selection and signaling increased days on market and a slowdown in the rate of price growth. Is this the time to sit on the sidelines waiting for the market to turn? With interest rates expected to go to 5.1 percent in 2019 and forecasted appreciation softening but continuing to remain strong at 5.6 percent year over year in Denver, the cost of waiting is significant. Don’t fall into the trap of rumors about the Denver Real Estate market. Contact one of us at the Sultan Newman Group team directly and I will help guide you through the buying or selling process. A $425,000 home today will cost an estimated $23,800 more in purchase price in one year and $286 more a month in your mortgage payment – that’s a 13 percent increase or cost for waiting a year. With that being said, don’t wait to purchase until next year. The time to buy is now. Contact one of us at the Sultan Newman Group directly to get the buying process start. We have an excellent team backing one another that will make sure home buying is as seamless as possible. Quick Stats: Average active listings for August is 17,020 (1985-2017). Record high August was 2006 with 31,664 listings and 2016 represented the record low with 7,327 listings. August 2018 had 8,228 active listings. The 20-year average change in active listings from July to August is a .16 percent decrease. 2018 represents an increase of 7.65 percent. This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded. DMAR Market Insights If you have any real estate questions or needs please feel free to reach out to our Director of Operations at admin@re303.com and she will get you in touch with one of us.

CALIFORNIA MANDATES SOLAR PANELS IN NEW HOMES California, one of the leading green states in the country, recently took yet another environment-friendly step: Regulators approved a plan to mandate rooftop solar panels on most new single-family homes. The law, which goes into effect in 2020, covers single-family homes and multi-family residential buildings up to three stories high, including condos and apartment complexes. It is expected to add an average of $9,500 to the cost of building a new home, according to CNBC — but also is estimated to save $19,000 in energy costs over a 30-year period. Backyard with swimming pool in stylish home                 “This is an undeniably historic decision for the state and the U.S., Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Assn., told CNBC. “California has long been our nation’s biggest solar champion, and its mass adoption of solar has generated huge economic and environmental benefits, including bringing tens of billions of dollars of investment into the state.” “We cannot let Californians be in homes that are essentially the residential equivalent of gas guzzlers,” added David Hochschild, a member of the state energy commission. “This really puts us on a path to a more efficient future.” While many, like Hochschild, laud the development, others are less enthusiastic, noting that increased costs may worsen the state’s affordable housing crisis. Time will tell how the move plays out. Meanwhile, the unconventional law is bound to pique the interest of officials in other states, who will be watching the results closely. Mandated solar panels in sunny Colorado? Stay tuned.   Photo Copyright: zstockphotos / 123RF Stock Photo California mandates solar panels in new homes

If you have a child in college, no doubt you’ve experienced the severe sticker shock that comes with higher education. There’s little you can do about rising tuition fees, but what about room and board? One option is generally overlooked: Sometimes, buying property in the college town can lower your costs-and provide a lucrative investment down the road. Consider Tom K. Wilson’s story, as related by Boston.com. In 2001, the electrical engineer-turned-real-estate investor purchased a three-bedroom home in San Luis Obispo, so that his daughter could live there while attending California Polytechnic State University. He paid $385,000, plus another $10,000 to add a bedroom. His daughter shared the home with roommates. Six years later, Wilson sold the house for $760,000-nearly double his initial investment. The windfall covered the entire cost of his daughter’s undergraduate education, including housing, as well as a down payment on a home for her graduate school attendance. Such risks aren’t for everybody. “Not all parents want to complicate their children’s lives with logistical challenges like collecting rent from friends,” notes the website. But many feel that a home purchase can lower other logistical challenges that come with renting, such as avoiding “late-night noise, shady landlords, unsafe conditions and inflexible move-in schedules.” Recently, notes Boston.com, the home improvement website Houzz took a poll of 1,050 people, asking if they had purchased real estate in the town or city where their child attended college. More than half answered yes. While some noted that they wouldn’t do it again, due to the hassles of upkeep, others reported that they went on to invest in additional properties on college neighborhoods. As for Wilson, he notes that college markets are a good bet, as they present a relatively stable supply of renters. “I think it’s a good play,” he said. In the end, it depends on the housing market in the town where your child will be attending college vs. the cost of dorm housing-and your child’s ability to manage the situation. And if purchasing a home doesn’t work out, there’s always this alternative, promoted by one Houzz user: “I’ve just decided I’m buying our child a used RV for college housing.” Let the good times roll. 8167162 – money house in hand