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Does Your Current Home Fit Your Retirement Plans?

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Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It’s the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms.

But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life?

That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services.

When you’re thinking about how to make your retirement savings last, those rising expenses matter. And if you’ve started to wonder whether your money will stretch as far as you need it to go, don’t worry. You may have more control than you think.

One way many retirees are protecting their savings is by relocating. Because your dollars do go further in some places.

Moving to an area with a lower cost of living can help you save on regular expenses like your housing, utilities, and taxes – especially if you downsize at the same time.

And that can free up room in your budget for the things that make retirement some of the best years of your life: travel, hobbies, spoiling your grandkids, or any of the other things you’ve been dreaming about doing in this next phase.

That’s not to say you have to move. It just means you’ll want to think about where you plan to live and make sure you’ve got enough savings to cover actually living there. It’s all about planning. As Go Banking Rates explains:

“How much you should have saved for retirement depends on a few key factors, including your location. Where you choose to spend your golden years is critical.”

And you don’t always have to go far. Sometimes it’s out of state, but other times moving to the suburbs instead of living near the city can make a big difference. And that’s worth thinking about as you plan for your next chapter.

Whether you’re considering downsizing, moving closer to your grandkids, or heading to an area where you can stretch your savings, a real estate agent can help. They’ll work with you to explore the options that make sense for your goals – and can help make selling your current house easier. They can also connect you with trusted agents in other parts of the country if you’re considering a big move.

Bottom Line

You’ve worked hard to build a future you can enjoy. If your current home or location no longer supports that, it may be time to explore what’s next.

What does your ideal retirement look like? And could a move help make it even better? Connect with an agent to talk about how to make that vision a reality.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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9 Tricks to Prevent Weeds From Invading Your Lawn This Summer, According to Gardening Experts

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Weeds are plants that grow where they're not wanted, a common problem for many homeowners. Most weeds tend to have generous seed production, rapid germination and establishment, and seeds that remain dormant for an extended period. For example, a single redroot pigweed can produce up to 30,000 seeds a season. Those seeds can stay dormant in the soil for over 70 years, just waiting to sprout.

What Causes Weed Problems?

Poor soil conditions, such as compacted or poorly drained soil, can create an environment where weeds outcompete desirable plants. Improper lawn care practices, including incorrect mowing, watering, and fertilization, can weaken your lawn and make it more susceptible to weed invasion. Additionally, disturbances to the soil, often caused by construction or landscaping projects, can bring dormant weed seeds to the surface, where they suddenly germinate and grow.

Weeds compete with your grass and plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight, leading to a weaker and less attractive lawn. They also harbor pests and diseases that further damage your yard. Moreover, some weeds are invasive species that can spread beyond your yard and negatively impact local ecosystems. Here's a guide on preventing weeds from growing in your yard so you can avoid these outcomes.

Natural Ways to Prevent Weeds

Preventing weeds as they appear or quickly after sprouting takes less time than removing an established weed infestation. Natural weed prevention methods focus on creating a healthy lawn environment and discouraging weed growth. Natural strategies to control weeds include the following.

Mulching

Apply organic mulch—wood chips or straw—to garden beds, as well as tree and shrub bases. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health as it decomposes. "Add a layer of mulch or plant ground cover to block sunlight and reduce open soil space where weeds might take root," says Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at the lawn care company Sunday. "Aim for a mulch layer about 2-4 inches deep. Mulching also helps maintain soil moisture while acting as a barrier against weeds."

Maintaining Healthy Soil

Regularly test your soil's pH and nutrient levels. You may need to balance it with organic matter, like compost, to improve fertility. Healthy soil promotes strong grass growth, which can outcompete weeds. Also, be careful with fertilizer. While too much fertilizer can help nurture weeds, such as annual bluegrass, Bermuda grass, or crabgrass, too little fertilizer can lead to sparsely used soil that is quickly overrun with weeds.

Mowing Properly

Mow your lawn to the recommended height for your grass type. Taller grass can shade the soil, making it more difficult for weed seeds to germinate.

Watering Adequately

Water your lawn deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly and frequently. Deep watering encourages root growth, which helps grass withstand drought and compete with weeds. Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and fungal growth. Remember, frequent light watering causes shallow roots, which helps some weeds grow.

Hand Weeding

Regularly inspect your lawn and garden for weeds. "If weeds do appear, remove them by hand or with a versatile weeding tool, making sure you get the roots to prevent regrowth," advises Valenzuela. Hand weeding is most effective when the soil is moist, making pulling the entire root system easier.

Ground Cover

Plant ground cover in areas where grass is challenging to grow. Clover or creeping thyme, for example, can compete against weeds and provide a low-maintenance alternative to traditional lawns.

Organic Herbicides

For a more environmentally friendly option, organic herbicides made from vinegar, salt, or citrus oil can be effective against some weeds. Although they may require more frequent and repeated application, they offer a safer alternative for pets, children, and beneficial insects.

Chemical Ways to Prevent Weeds

Chemical methods can provide more immediate results in weed control, but they must be used judiciously to minimize environmental impact. The most common chemical approach is to use herbicides.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Herbicides, such as those containing oryzalin, trifluralin, or non-toxic corn gluten meal, are applied to the soil before weed seeds germinate. They form a chemical barrier that prevents weed seeds from sprouting. Timing is critical with pre-emergent herbicides. Depending on the weed species you’re targeting, they should be applied in early spring or fall. Always follow the label's instructions when using herbicides. Proper application rates, timing, and safety precautions are essential to ensure effective weed control and minimize risks to humans, animals, and the environment.

Post-Emergent Herbicides

These herbicides kill existing weeds. They can be selective, targeting specific weed species without harming grass, or non-selective, killing all vegetation they contact. Selective herbicides are ideal for lawns, while non-selective herbicides are helpful for areas like driveways and sidewalks. Also, instead of applying herbicides to your entire lawn, use spot treatments to target specific weed patches. This approach reduces chemicals and minimizes potential harm to desirable plants and soil health.

Why Are Weeds So Unwanted?

Preventing weeds isn’t just a matter of getting rid of unwanted plant life. “Mowing weedy areas in or adjacent to your yard will also reduce tick habitat,” says Laura Iles, director of North Central Integrated Pest Management Center at Iowa State University. Ticks can cause debilitating disease and weeds make a perfect home for them—and other unwanted pests that are dangerous to children, adults, and pets.

Whether you prefer natural methods, chemical treatments, or both, stay vigilant and proactive in your weed control efforts. A well-maintained lawn looks great and supports a healthier, more resilient ecosystem for all.

Read more at Real Simple

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Just Listed: Historic Mid-Mod Home with Original Charm + Modern Updates

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This exceptional mid-century modern home sits in the sought-after Skyway neighborhood, between the Broadmoor and Bear Creek Regional Park on Colorado Springs’ Westside.

The residence was constructed in 1955 by the esteemed Don Price, a builder and architect responsible for approximately 100 homes in Colorado Springs, with a significant concentration in Skyway. The home's original design, conceived by Stanley Reese of New York City, was ordered by Hotpoint. Notably, this is a genuine Hotpoint Living-Conditioned Home from 1955, a significant architectural piece. 4 different and innovative homes were the grand prize in Hotpoint's 50th-anniversary contest, making this a rare and historically significant example of mid-century modern design. Don Price slightly adjusted the floor plan of the now 4-level home and made it even more unique. Encompassing 2,708 square feet, the home features 5 bedrooms (2 non conforming) and 3 bathrooms. Original architectural details include original jalousie windows for amazing airflow in the warm months and stunning fireplaces for coziness in the winter. Two mostly original bathrooms reflect the home's 1950s charm, complemented by tongue-and-groove ceilings, wood paneling, and natural stone accents. A 1-car garage is supplemented by a 2-car carport and new driveway. Modern updates include hardwood floors, new ceramic tile, a two-car carport, a brand-new electrical panel, and a Class 4 hail-resistant roof—blending original charm with thoughtful upgrades and room to make it your own.

Listed by Anne-Kathrin Cao for West + Main Homes. Please contact Anne-Kathrin for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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

Presented by:
Anne-Kathrin Cao
210-970-1144
anne.cao@mrs-ann.com


 
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Just Listed: Cozy, Move-In Ready Lakewood Townhome with Natural Light

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Nestled in a quiet corner of the community, this bright and spacious townhome is waiting for you to call it home

Enjoy your morning coffee or evenings barbecuing on the patio that faces an expansive grassy area with mature trees, and a seasonal creek adjacent to the unit. This ground level 2 bedroom, 1 bath unit provides single story living and only shares one wall in the back of the unit. With no neighbors above, below, or on either side, each room is flooded with natural light. Featuring newer windows, stainless steel appliances, fresh paint, in-unit laundry hookups, and room A/C, this cozy townhome is move in ready. The location is not only a short car ride to the mountains and south Denver, it also has many great restaurants and businesses across the street!

Listed by Kendra Greeney for West + Main Homes. Please contact Kendra for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(720) 903-2912
hello@westandmainhomes.com

Presented by:
Kendra Greeney
(720) 323-1306
kendragreeney@westandmainhomes.com

 

Greater Denver Area Real Estate Market Report from March 2025

 
 

March 2025 is notable, marking five years from the beginning impacts of COVID-19 in Colorado. It's a historical experience in which we know the "before", the "during" and the "after." according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors Market Trend Committee.

A jumble of lessons in resilience, priorities and what is considered essential. Buried in all of this was a trigger activating a sudden need for change, whether it was a need for home offices and a place to school children or a yard for the kids and dogs who could no longer access school and park playgrounds, a place with a home gym or a detached home without public access points and elevators - this sudden urge was almost primal, a need to access a space that felt safe. This trigger, the combination of sudden demand and historically low interest rates, began a surge in the real estate industry that would last 24 months, culminating in a peak median sale price in the Denver Metro of $616,500 in April of 2022, a 38.5 percent increase from March 2020.

Five years later, we see the "after" - a market balancing out as normalcy returns, tempered by high interest rates. This March's median sale price in the Denver Metro was $599,000, down 3.9 percent from the peak. The balancing of the market has occurred with lower buyer demand, higher levels of inventory and stagnation in pricing. Primary residential homes are a longer-term investment; looking at the overall five-year performance of the market yields a 6.92 percent annual appreciation, which is in line with long-term averages.

Higher interest rates and affordability challenges have had the most significant impact on the market shift. In 2020, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was around 3 percent and remained in that range until the spring of 2022, when rates surged to about seven percent by year-end —where they have largely remained. This sharp increase in borrowing costs has slowed buyer activity, even as inventory has grown.

The first quarter of 2020 is our pre-pandemic benchmark, reflecting market conditions before COVID - driven demand accelerated activity. In the first quarter of this year, 15,529 new listings have entered the market, compared to just 6,666 in the first quarter of 2020. The 2020 surge in buyer demand began amid already-low supply. As inventory has increased, prices have stagnated. In the first quarter of 2020, 12,065 properties were sold; in the first quarter of this year, only 8,697 properties were sold - a 27.9 percent decline -highlighting that the market remains less active than it was before the pandemic.

The good news for buyers in this current market is that the pricing rebalance has allowed the drastic value jump to even out. Mortgage rates remain impactful on affordability; however, the increase in supply has provided more options to choose from and increased negotiating options with sellers.

Sellers are in a different position than in 2020-2022; buyers are pickier and looking for homes that have been well-maintained, require minimal updating and, of course, are priced competitively for the current market conditions. Buyers don't have the same level of urgency as during the pandemic years; sellers need to create that urgency by presenting a beautiful home at an attractive price.

Learn more about the market from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Thank you to our partners at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors for compiling this information.

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