Sunny Homes & Associates, Inc.

Here are the final closeout numbers for 2023 with the December statistics!

Who doesn’t love the smell of popcorn? Well, we guess some people don’t, but not us!

What’s your favorite?

What’s the weirdest flavor you’ve ever had?

Tell us in the comments below!

January is National Blood Donor Month. Did you know there is currently an Emergency Blood Shortage? In times of severe weather, blood donations spike downward, which means trouble for those in need of a transfusion.

Please consider bundling up and heading to your local blood donation center – you could be the one to offer life-saving blood to someone in need.

Colorado CRS is the state chapter for The Residential Real Estate Council, a professional network of nearly 29,000 residential real estate professionals.

I'm honored to work with this amazing group of leaders. Ask me about becoming a CRS. I'm happy to help you join this top-notch group of REALTORS. Sunny Banka, Sunny Homes & Associates – 303-521-5331.

Thinking about purchasing an investment property in 2024? There are great reasons to consider doing it now instead of waiting until the Spring or Summer.

Typically, there is a smaller pool of buyers in Winter, meaning less competition for you. Because sellers may be more motivated to sell quickly, there are opportunities where sellers may be willing to negotiate and even come down on their price, which means maximizing your ROI.

Reach out to Sunny Banka at Sunny Homes and Associates today and let’s discuss your needs. I have helped many investors find great properties over the last 40-plus years as a Realtor®. I’d love to help you too! 303-521-5331.

🛁 Happy National Bubble Bath Day! 🌈 Have you ever considered swapping your basic tub for a luxurious garden tub? 💸💭 According to homeguide.com, a tub upgrade can cost anywhere from $800 to $4,600 (and beyond for those fancy jetted tubs!). 🤑✨

Studies reveal that home buyers lean towards having at least one bathtub in the house over showers only. 🏡🚿 What's your vibe—do you crave the bliss of a big tub or the chic simplicity of a shower? Drop your thoughts below! 👇

If you’ve already taken down the tree, you may want to get out and about this weekend – here are some winter events going on the 5th through the 7th of January - Feel free to list additional events in the comments!

Blossoms of Light (final weekend) – Denver Botanic Gardens
Zoo Lights (final weekend) – Denver Zoo
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo – Denver
The Pond Ice Rink at Southlands – Aurora
Gluten-Free Winter Market – Parkside Eatery – Aurora
Tattered Cover Kids Paper Airplane Contest – Stanley Marketplace – Aurora
Colorado Watercolor Society (final weekend) – Lakewood Cultural Center
Artists Choice Show (final weekend) – Lakewood Cultural Center
Gem, Rock and Fossil Sale – Thornton

The following notice came out from our local REALTOR Associations today. If you get a call from any of our Sunny Homes Realtors, like this, please know it is not us! We love and respect our clients, industry colleagues, friends and family, and would never call and speak with any of you in such a way. We also want you to be aware of an issue that is currently plagueing our industry, but may affect yours as well. If you do receive such a message from any of us, please let us know. You can reach Managing Broker/Owner of Sunny Homes & Assoc., Inc., Sunny Banka at 303-521-5331. We are actively working with authorities related to this situation.
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Please be aware of a concerning new form of harassment happening locally: AI-generated phone calls using foul language and threatening statements aimed at intimidating individuals. Reports have surfaced in our area, with Forewarn searches linking calls to real estate agents here in our state.

The modus operandi involves:

Deepfakes: The attacker uses stolen identity information and voice recordings to create AI-generated calls that sound convincingly like the real person.

Threats and Abuse: These calls use offensive language and threatening messages, potentially aimed at clients, competitors, or other targets.
Reputational Damage: These calls can seriously harm agents reputations and businesses.

Here's what we know so far:

Police reports have been filed. Authorities are actively investigating the source of these calls.
The Colorado regulatory agency has been notified and is investigating.

Your proactive measures can help:
Alert colleagues and clients: Inform them about this new threat and advise them to exercise caution with unsolicited calls.

Report suspicious calls: Immediately report any calls involving threats to the police and the regulatory agency.

Review cybersecurity practices: Double-check your online presence and strengthen your digital security measures to keep yourself protected from being a victim.

Report any call you receive to the police immediately.

“There are many signs of encouragement heading into 2024 in the housing market, such as more housing inventory from home builders, lower mortgage interest rates, and demographics.

This year, even the youngest baby boomer (born between 1946 and 1964) turned 60 years of age. Baby boomers are the largest share of home buyers and may be looking for their retirement property. Last year, half of older boomers paid all cash for their homes and are less concerned with mortgage interest rates.

Additionally, millennials (the largest adult generation) may be looking for their first property or a move-up family home. Housing demand is apparent. With added inventory and better mortgage interest rates, 2024 looks like a better year.”

Source: Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and VP of Research – NAR

At Sunny Homes and Associates, finding the perfect nest for the best years of your life is a crucial chapter. With our seasoned expertise and unwavering commitment, we take pride in guiding retirees through the intricate process of buying and selling homes. Your ideal retirement home awaits, and we're here to make sure it's a story worth celebrating. Call or text Sunny today at 303-521-5331 and let’s discuss your unique situation!

All of us at Sunny Homes and Associates wish you the best and most blessed year ever in 2024!

Enjoy your family and friends this week! 🎄🎄🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at Sunny Homes and Associates!

Today is National Hard Candy Day, and enquiring minds want to know if your Mom or Grandma had a bowl of this kind of candy on top of the console TV set while you were growing up?

Did yours stick together in a big glob inside the dish?

Did you like this kind of candy? If you have a memory about it please share or give us a candy emoji in the comments section if you can relate!

Did you know that a real gingerbread house, large enough to live in, was built in 2013? The 36-million calorie home was built as a fundraiser for the St. Joseph Level II Trauma Center in Bryan, Texas. The house attracted about 600 visitors a night. The biggest issue the house faced was with the nearly 2000 bees desiring to make the sweet structure their new home.






Source: https://www.today.com/news/sweet-worlds-largest-gingerbread-house-raises-money-hospital-2d11690926

Alex Easton of Sunny Homes spent the day Ringing the Bell and helping fill the kettle for
Salvation Army with the SMDRA Young Professionals Network. Thank you Alex for helping give back to our community!

🏡🐾 Just like our furry friends deserve a spacious doghouse, we humans need a cozy home that fits the whole pack! 🐶✨

Imagine your pup trying to squeeze into a tiny kennel—uncomfortable, right? Well, finding the right-sized home is just as important for us! 🏠💑 Let's give our families (and pets) the space they need to thrive in. I can help with that! Call or text Sunny today at 303-521-5331. 🐕🏡

Happy National Cookie Day! Here is a nice twist on the traditional Mexican Wedding Cookie – Lime Meltaways! Let me know in the comments if this sounds like something you would try.

Ingredients:
¾ c butter, softened
1 c powdered sugar, sifted
Zest of 2 limes
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1-1/4 c sifted all purpose flour
¼ Tsp salt
2 Tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Cream the butter, half of the the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the lime zest and lime juice, vanilla and beat until mixed.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch and salt, then add to the butter mixture. Beat on low speed until combined.

3. Chill dough for at least 2 hours. Roll into 1.5-inch balls and bake on parchment covered baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes then cool slightly on a wire rack.

4. Place remaining sugar in a large plastic bag; place the warm cookies in the sugar-filled bag and toss to coat.

Credit: Jo Cooks

Helping you Buy or Sell your home is as individual as each of you. As a boutique real estate company, our real estate brokers are able to make your experience as personal as your perfect home.

Fantastic Ranch Style Home with finished basement. 4 bedrooms. Study/office on the main floor! 3 car garage. 2998 sf of living space.

Corner lot with beautiful hardwood floors. New exterior and interior paint. New windows and a newly poured patio! This home is clean and ready for the buyer to move in. Enjoy the pool and clubhouse!

Located near the shopping and restaurants of Southlands Mall. Easy access to E-470, DEN, Buckley SFB. $650,000.

Please call or text Sunny Banka today for more info on this lovely home! 303-521-5331.

Looking for a great horse property? Here it is! Amazing 3 bdrm/3 bath, 2120 sf ranch on 2.31 acres – 2 stall barn. Barn holds 300 50-60 bails or 21 3x3x8’ bails. Property includes arena, corral and pasture.

Updated kitchen with granite countertops and a gas stove, 2 fireplaces, newer heater, GFA furnace 90% efficient, swamp cooler, finished basement, large deck and plenty of ceiling fans! Country living doesn’t get better! Call Sunny or Desiree today for more info!

May your Thanksgiving Day be warm and full of love and laughter. Calories don’t count this weekend, so have at it!

As I reflect on my blessings this Thanksgiving season, the people in my life come to mind. I want to thank each one of you who has ever showed kindness to me, made me laugh, kept me company, worked with me, and all those wonderful things that good people do. You have impacted my life in a positive way and I am Grateful.

Isn’t this the cutest for Thanksgiving? Tell me in the comments what your favorite dip is for veggies!

Servings: 16
Prep & Total: 20 mins.

Ingredients:

2 red bell pepper
2 cups baby carrots
1 yellow bell pepper
candy eye balls
1 crown broccoli
2 cups baby carrots
2 cucumbers
1 cup snap peas
dip

Instructions

Make the face by cutting the bottom off of a red bell pepper. Make the beak by using a baby carrot, a piece of yellow pepper under the beak for the wattle (over the beak for a snood), and candy eyeballs!

To make the body, gather and prep your veggies. We like to wash and cut to sizes that are easy for grabbing.

Layer the sliced cucumbers first in a half circle around the platter. Then layer the carrots, yellow and red peppers, and broccoli pieces in smaller half circles. End with the snap peas at the bottom.

Then, just add the bowl of your favorite dip. Place the turkey face made out of a pepper in the dip bowl.

Source: Toombs County Farmers Market

You can never learn too much about Real Estate. Even as I train new Real Estate Agents, I need to hone my skills all the time. This month I’ve been able to do that at the NAR-NXT convention in Anaheim, California, as well as attending local SMDRA Connections events!

I’ve enjoyed meeting with great friends, new and old, including Cathy Colvin and Kelly Colclough Nesbitt while learning all the new tips and tricks in Real Estate.

I’m committed to making your buying and selling experience as smooth and simple as it can be. I’ve been doing this for over 40 years – call or text Sunny today! 303-521-5331.