Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs

Thanksgiving is November 24! Thanksgiving is a popular time for families to travel, as there are millions of people traveling all over the country. However, if you plan on staying in your Colorado Springs home this year, do you know how you are spending this holiday? If you don't feel like cooking - or cleaning - a big Thanksgiving meal, there are several local restaurants that are serving Thanksgiving dinner.

Hotel Elegante Event & Conference Center

When: November 24
Where: 2886 S. Circle Dr.
Time: Seatings at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Reservation: 719-302-9877
Price: $32.95 adults with a 15% discount for seniors & military; $15.95 children 6-12; Free children 5 and under

Springs Orleans

When: November 24
Where: 123 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Reservations: 719-520-0123
Price: $42 adults; $12 children 12 and under
$10 to add bottomless mimosas

The Famous, A Steakhouse

When: November 24
Where: 31 N. Tejon
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Reservation: 719-227-7333
Price: $40 per person

MacKenzie's Chop House

When: November 24
Where: 128 S. Tejon
Time: 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Reservations: 719-635-3536
Price: $36.95 adults; $14.95 children; Free children 6 and under

Ritz Grill

When: November 24
Where: 15 S. Tejon
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Reservations: 719-635-8484
Price: $23.95 adults; $11.95 children 12 and younger

Flatiron's American Bar & Grill

When: November 24
Where: 2540 Tenderfoot Hill St.
Time: 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Reservations: 719-576-2540
Price: $24.95 adults; $10.95 children 11-12; $5.00 children 10 and under

Academy Hotel

When: November 24
Where: 8110 N. Academy Blvd
Time: Seatings are at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Reservations: 719-278-7024
Price: $39.95 adults; $37.95 seniors 65+ or active military; $15.95 children 6-12; Free children under 6

Antlers Hotel

When: November 24
Where: 4 S. Cascade Ave. 
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Reservations: 719-955-5600
Price: $45.95 adults; $39.95 seniors; $19.95 children 6-12; Free children 5 and under

Thanksgiving in Colorado Springs

Happy Thanksgiving from your Colorado Springs real estate team! There's a lot of things to be thankful for this year and The Platinum Group, REALTORS are thankful for all of our wonderful clients. If you are looking to relocate to the Colorado Springs area, contact our expert team of REALTORS at 719-536-4444 today! We know relocating to a new area can be stressful. When you use our relocation services, we try to make your move to Colorado Springs as seamless as possible. 



The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com



6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 536-4444

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Fire Prevention Safety Tips

During the winter months, many people tend to spend more time inside. When the weather gets cold, many of us like to curl up next to our fireplaces and stay warm. However, many of our favorite winter activities could lead to dangerous fires. Lighting scented candles, cooking a delicious meal and lighting a warm fire in our fireplaces are all things that we enjoy, however, we want to ensure our safety while participating in these activities. Your Colorado Springs real estate team offer a few tips that you can follow to ensure your home is safe this season.

1. Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are a great tool to alert us of a fire in our home. However, they don't do much good if they aren't working properly. Installing the right amount of smoke alarms is essential. According to the Red Cross' website, in new homes, a smoke alarm should be installed on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. In addition, they should be wired together so if one sounds, they all sound. In existing home, at a minimum, a smoke alarm should be placed on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area. After making sure your home has the right amount of smoke alarms, you should test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. 

2. Inspect Appliances 
Sometimes, fires can start from old or damaged electrical appliances. It is possible that once you plug the machine in and turn it on, it can overload and catch fire. If you suspect that one of your electrical appliances are outdated, have them repaired or replaced. 

3. Be Mindful
It is important to be mindful of your actions. Remembering to blow out a candle once you leave, turning off the stove when not in use and keeping a watchful eye on your cooking can make a huge difference in your family's safety. Always be alert when there is fire involved because one tiny mistake can have drastic consequences.  

4. Turn Off Portable Heaters
Portable heaters are nice to have during the winter months to keep you extra cozy. However, it is important to remember to turn them off once you leave the room or go to sleep. Electric blankets are also nice to have during the winter months to heat up your bed before goes to sleep. However, it is important to use them safely. It is never a good idea to sleep with an electric blanket turned on. Instead, plug it in about half an hour before you go to sleep. That way it can get your bed nice and toasty and you can turn it off once you climb into bed and hopefully go to sleep before the blanket gets cold. 

5. Keep Your Heating Sources Cleaned
It is important to make sure your home heating sources are clean and in working order. A poorly maintained furnace or chimney can be the recipe for disaster. Before it gets cold, it is a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and inspected. That way you know it is ok to use. In addition, your HVAC system should be serviced twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. In addition to making sure your furnace is ok to use, they will check to make sure it is not leaking any carbon monoxide. 

Keep Your Home Safe

Ensuring your family's safety is probably one of the main reasons why you bought a Colorado Springs home. Keeping up with your home's safety not only keeps it in good condition to sell when that time comes, but it also gives you peace of mind. If you are wanting buy or sell a home in the Colorado Springs area, give The Platinum Group, REALTORS a call at 719-536-4444. 

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com









6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 536-4444

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Tips For Staging Your Living Room

When selling your Colorado Springs home, having it staged is an important part of the process. You want to make sure the people viewing your home could see themselves living there. From depersonalizing to painting, there are many things you can do to stage your living room. Your Colorado Springs real estate team is here is to help you sell your home quickly with these tips for staging your living room. 

Tips For Staging Living Room

Declutter
The first thing you should do to prepare your home for sale is to get rid of clutter. One thing that can make your home feel cluttered is too much furniture. When professional stagers prep a home to go on the market, they will take away about half of the homeowner's furniture and the house looks much bigger. Although you don't have to take away that much, but look at what you have and ask yourself what you can live without.

Lighting
One thing that will make your home seem warm and inviting is great lighting. Many homes are improperly lighted, so to fix the problem, add more lighting and not just to the living room, but all rooms of your home. Aim for a total of 100 watts for each 50 square feet. However, don't just depend on one or two fixtures per room. It is a good idea to have at least three types of lights including general overhead, task (pendant, under-cabinet or reading) and accent (table or wall).

Rearrange 
Many people believe that rooms feel larger and easier to use if the furniture is pushed against the wall, however, that is not always the case. Instead, furnish your space by floating furniture away from the walls. Also, reposition sofas and chairs to cozy conversational groups. Not only will this make the space more user-friendly, but it will open up the room and make it seem larger. 

Make it Bigger
Make your home seem bigger than it is by simply switching up the color. If you paint the room the same as the adjacent room, it will give it a seamless look and make both rooms seem like one big space. If you also paint the wall the same color as your drapery, it will give a seamless and sophisticated look. 

Paint Neutral
If you paint your living room a neutral color, it will help create a sophisticated backdrop that makes everything look more pulled together. Neutral colors also appeal to more people. However, you do not need to paint your walls a boring off-white color. Rich mid-tone neutrals like mocha or an earthy gray will bring a lot of attention to your living space. 

Look Down
Make sure all the floors in your house have been thoroughly cleaned. If you have hardwood floors, it may be a good idea to have them refinished if they are in poor condition. In addition, adding a rug could bring more warmth to the room. 

Clean Up
Having your home clean and free of excess clutter is important. People do not want to feel like they are invading your space while being shown your home. Make sure that toys are picked up and that there is no clutter on the coffee table. If you have pets, make sure their toys, beds and other items are put away. Although you love them, others may not. 

Sell Your Home With The Platinum Group, REALTORS

Staging your home is an important step in getting your home ready to be placed on the market. If you need help selling your Colorado Springs home, contact The Platinum Group, REALTORS. Our expert Colorado Springs real estate agents can help you sell your current home and help you purchase your new one! To speak with one of our agents about placing your home on the market, call 719-536-4444. 

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com








6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 536-4444

Friday, November 4, 2016

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall is in full swing and it is time to make sure your home is ready for the upcoming winter season. Taking care of your home is important not only so you have a nice place to live, but to also make sure that your home is in good shape in case you ever decide to sell. Fall is a good time for annual or bi-annual home maintenance projects, as the weather is not too cold or too hot. Your Colorado real estate team has created a checklist for you to use to make sure nothing is forgotten. 

Outside Home Maintenance

Fall is the perfect time to take a walk around the outside of your home, as the weather is still nice outside. Make sure everything is taken care of before the snow begins the fall to ensure everything is in good shape in the spring. Here are a few things you should check:

- Replace, repair or clean storm windows and screens. 
- Turn off water to exterior pipes to avoid freezing and cracking. If you want, you can also wrap exterior pipes with insulation. 
- Clean gutters so they are free of leaves and other debris. 
- Inspect roof for damage that could cause leaks in the winter. 
- Repair any crack on sidewalks or driveways.
 - Prune bushes and trees around your home to avoid anything breaking loose and damaging your home during storms. 
- Rake leaves to avoid lawn mold.

Inside Home Maintenance

As the temperature begin to drop, you will be inside more. You want to make sure that your home is not only safe but nice and warm as well. There are a few things you can do make your home more pleasant and cozy during the colder months:

- Check insulation levels in the attic to ensure it is at the proper amount. 
- Have HVAC system served to be sure it is working properly and there are no repairs that need to be made. 
- Change furnace filters.
- Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 
- Clean dryer vent to prevent any fires. 
- Seal cracks around doors & windows with caulk to prevent warm air from escaping. Install weather stripping if air is escaping from under doors and windows. 
- Clean and service chimney to ensure everything works properly and that there is no blockage.

For All Things Real Estate, Call The Platinum Group, REALTORS

Doing home maintenance checks in the fall ensures that your home will be ready for anything the colder seasons bring. However, routine maintenance also makes sure that your home is in tip-top shape if you ever decide to sell. If you are wanting to purchase or sell a home in Colorado Springs, The Platinum Group, REALTORS is here for you! Our expert team will provide you platinum service and results. To speak with one of our agents, call 719-536-4444.


The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com







6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 536-4444