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For literally centuries, natural, exposed interior brick has added charm to homes and businesses around the world. Because brick is made from soil-based clay, it has a natural patina and texture that is warm, comforting and impossible to replicate. However, long-term exposure to unattended water leaks can make a brick wall or fireplace appear damaged – whether it is or not.

The first couple of months of every New Year are primetime for predictions. Everything from dollars (the economy) to donuts (diets) is fair game for the prognosticators in all industries.

The much-discussed millennials, who were born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s, will soon make up the largest living generation. According to Pew Research, millennials are on the cusp of surpassing Baby Boomers (those born after World War II) as the nation’s largest living adult generation. This is based on population projections from the U.S. Census Bureau as of 2016.   

California has long been considered a trendsetter in environmental conservation, and it recently showed why. In May 2018, the state became the first state to require solar panels on nearly all new homes, the latest sign of how renewable energy is gaining ground in the U.S.

The most expensive investment any individual or family makes is typically the purchase of a home. Whether it involves buying an existing home or building a new structure, when it comes time to sign the mortgage documents, the reality of this new financial responsibility can be very sobering.

Just beneath the surface of the earth lies one of the pieces to a puzzle that has fascinated humans since prehistoric times – renewable energy. Along with solar and wind, geothermal energy has inched its way to the top of the wish lists of both dedicated environmentalists and profit-seeking entrepreneurs. Why? It is virtually inexhaustible. It is constant, 24/7, in all weather (unlike solar and wind). And, finally, when current harnessing technology is employed, it is extremely inexpensive.

For residential real estate and particularly custom homes, the lot on which a home is built is often as important as the building itself. In Colorado, with its “purple mountain majesties” and pristine natural beauty affording breath-taking views, the location and elevation of a home must be given a great deal of thought by homeowners and their builders.

The loft look is one of the most popular styles of residential real estate today, and it continues to evolve. Most attribute the beginning of this industrial look to the 1950s and 1960s when manufacturers moved out of large cast-iron buildings in New York's SoHo district. When this occurred, artists, musicians and other creative types moved in.

At first glance, the design style known as “modern farmhouse” sounds like a conflict in terms. For anyone who grew up on a farm or visited grandparents who lived there, they most likely have memories of life on the farm as anything but modern!

DALLAS – A television series sponsored by Acme Brick Company since its launch airs its record-breaking 1,000th episode in the Dallas-Fort Worth market on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. on WFAA-TV (channel 8, ABC).

Hot On! Homes, produced by Crozier and Henderson Productions, Inc., showcases new home communities and home builders.

"We are extremely humbled to reach the 1,000th episode milestone,” said Leslie Crozier, co-founder of Crozier and Henderson Productions. "We are proud to have produced the longest running TV series in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The millennial generation has the undivided, rapt attention of the real estate industry. Why? According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the National Association of Realtors said they were the largest group of home buyers, at 34 percent, from July 2015 until June 2016.

More and more custom home builders are being asked for less and less from clients who want a modern design. In 1947, architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe opined that “less is more” in terms of aesthetic and functional architectural design and this began the evolution of “modern” home design.

For anyone contemplating the sale of their home, the picture in 2017 is rosy indeed. According to residential real estate advisory site, Zillow, the median home value in the United States rose 6.8 percent over the past year – and predicts another 2.7 percent increase next year.

Americans are on the move…literally. According to a Gallup Survey, one in four Americans moves to a new home every five years. The statistics blog site FiveThirtyEight, notes that the average U.S. citizen will move 11.4 times in their lifetime. Compare this to Europeans who move only 4 times in their lifetime.

Given the fact that the Denver area has become one of the country’s technology hot spots, it is no surprise that “smart homes” have become very popular, especially among buyers of custom homes.  Many experts believe 2017 will mark the tipping point for these technology-enabled homes.

Swimming pools have had a long, colorful history dating back to the sixth century B.C. According to one account, “the most prominent pool history comes from the ancient Greeks and Romans. A major change in the quality of life occurred in these times as individual wealth increased and, with this increase in the standard of living, came luxuries like pools.”

Because of their constant use, and misuse, popular phrases such as “carbon footprint” lose their original meaning over time. When this happens, the expression can become a vague, catchall term that means whatever the user chooses for it to mean.

The trend toward multiple generations living in one home is strong and getting stronger. The reasons for this are as diverse as the political, cultural and financial opinions of the various generations who have decided to live together.

According to Pew Research, “In 2014, a record 60.6 million people, or 19 percent of the U.S. population, lived with multiple generations under one roof.

A vibrant city, such as Denver, is teeming with activity, often 24/7. The sounds of building construction, horns blasting and constant traffic are part and parcel of a dynamic city brimming with opportunity. Unfortunately, it is also noisy, and this can be annoying and even unhealthy.

There was time when a swimming pool surrounded by a concrete border was the height of luxury. Those days are long gone, especially among custom homes in the $2 million and greater range. In fact, many architects and real estate experts feel the hottest trend in luxury homes is the outdoor space.

While it may seem counterintuitive, the minimalist design found in many tiny apartments in large cities has become extremely popular in luxury custom homes. Some of these are found in upscale neighborhoods of Denver and surrounding areas. This “loft” look—which features reclaimed wood, vintage-looking fixtures, exposed pipes and brick walls—is particularly prevalent in the bathrooms of these homes.

Coloradans are justifiably proud of the natural beauty of their state. Indeed, the “purple mountain majesty,” which was immortalized in the song “America the Beautiful,” first came to the song’s lyricist, Katharine Lee Bates, as she witnessed this breathtaking beauty from Pikes Peak, located near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Watch the home improvement channels, such as HGTV or DIY Network, for more than an hour and there’s a good possibility that some great new ideas will be presented for the “largest room in the house”—the backyard. While this outdoor oasis has been popular since rural families started moving to urban areas, there have been many changes in the form and function of the backyard, and custom home builders have taken notice.