How to Help Your Denver Real Estate Agent Market Your Home

Who knows your home and your neighborhood better than you do? No one! So help your Denver real estate agent market your property by providing him or her detailed information about your home and your neighborhood. Give your agent:

·         A schedule of your home’s maintenance – Provide a list of your home’s maintenance schedule including when you did landscaping, pest control, window washing and furnace inspections. This helps potential buyers feel good about the upkeep and maintenance of the property.

·        A history of renovations and upgrades – Buyers want to know what is original to the home and what you’ve added on. Put together a folder that contains the renovations you’ve made, why you chose to do them, any building permits you obtained and the contractors you used.

·        A map of the area marked with schools, parks and points of interest – Think about the different lifestyles of the people who might purchase your home and try to appeal to multiple types.

·        A list of great local establishments – When you’re new to a neighborhood, you never know where to go for good food or affordable dry cleaning. Make buyers feel immediately at home by putting together a list of your favorite local vendors and restaurants.

·        A description of the neighborhood — and make it positive – Highlight how often HOA meetings are held, what cul-de-sac the children play in and which neighbors usually host the annual block party. Reading positive information on the neighborhood will help a buyer build an affinity for your home.

By providing these documents, you’ll help your Denver real estate agent create an identity for your home that will hopefully have an emotional impact on buyers and quickly make them feel at home.

If you’re looking for a Denver real estate agent to market and sell your home, please click for free market analysis, call me direct at 303-525-8721 or email me at Huffman@ccpre.com . I’ll show you my proven marketing plan that gets homes sold fast.  Read my other blog on preparing your home for sale.  Don't forget to check our website YourDenverHouse.com.

Please see my reviews and profile on both Trulia & Zillow

Autumn Curb Appeal for Your Denver Real Estate, Not Just For the Rich and Famous

It’s easy to make your Denver real estate look great in the spring and summer, but autumn lawn care and curb appeal is just as important. By taking the following steps, your property will be just as appealing to prospective buyers during the fall and winter as it would be during spring and summer:

1.     Rake and dispose of leaves and pine needles. A yard that needs leaf removal can cost a seller. Leaving a mess of leaves that need to be raked can make a buyer think the house needs work, whether it does or does not.

2.     Consider planting ornamental kale and cabbage in containers. Ornamental varieties from the cabbage family will add color and withstand the chills of winter.

3.      Clean out the gutters. Clean, leaf-free gutters tell potential buyers that you’ve kept up with the maintenance on your Denver real estate.

4.      Keep decks and patios in good repair. Treat the wood, wash down the deck, repair any loose boards or hand rails. Spray-wash any moss or algae that might be growing due to wet weather.

5.      Add adequate lighting. Many prospective buyers meet their Denver real estate agent after work for home tours. It is helpful to install solar walkway lights to illuminate paths and the driveway.  Also turn on outside lights and consider adding a few temporary spot lights to focus on the home’s architecture or landscaping.

6.      Set out your patio or garden furniture during fall and winter months. Keep them clean and inviting. The buyer will look at the back deck or patio and quickly see it is a place to be enjoyed.

7.      Make the front door the focal point. Hang a large wreath that showcases the striking colors of autumn like browns, golds, oranges and reds. Buy one or make your own with dried or fresh autumn leaves, berries and pine cones.

I specialize in listing Denver real estate for sellers. If you need assistance listing your home for sale, contact me directly at 303-525-8721 or email me at Huffman@ccpre.com.  Denver metro area buyers can search all Denver MLS listings at the YourDenverHouse.com website.

Please see my reviews and profile on both Trulia & Zillow

 

4 Things Buyers Dislike in Denver Homes for Sale

You’ve decided to put your house on the market, you’ve removed all unnecessary furniture and you’ve cleaned it from top to bottom. Even though you have a good start, maintaining a clean household may not be enough; you also have to cater to fussy buyers. By updating just a few features, you’ll immediately increase your property’s appeal to buyers looking at Denver homes for sale.

Selling a house is stressful enough without having to worry about every detail and anticipating what buyers are looking for. So, we’ve saved you some trouble by listing what buyers are definitely NOT looking for. Make these relatively easy changes and picky purchasers will have less to complain about when it comes to your property.

1.       Neglected landscaping ­– The front yard of your home is the first thing buyers see, so make sure it’s eye-catching, tidy and inviting. A yard looking like a graveyard (unless it’s Halloween decorations) might make potential buyers drive right on by.

2.       Popcorn ceilings – Not only do most buyers find these unattractive, but they also know that popcorn ceilings are impossible to clean and difficult to paint. Additionally, Denver homes for sale that were built before the mid-1970s could contain asbestos in popcorn ceilings. Have popcorn ceilings tested for asbestos, and if all is clear, you might want to invest in a contractor to smooth them out.

3.       Crazy paint colors - Paint any room that is red, teal or another out-of-the-ordinary color a nice beige or off-white.

4.       Brass fixtures – If your doorknobs and cabinet pulls are all brass, buyers may zero in on that as a negative feature that they’ll have to update. Eliminate a potentially bad focal point by easily and inexpensively replacing the fixtures yourself.

 

Don’t get discouraged when it comes to fixing up your house. Update these common sources of buyer complaints, and you’ll be well on your way to measuring up to or even surpassing other Denver homes for sale.  For more tips see my blog; preparing a home for sale.

 

I specialize in listing Denver real estate for sellers and assisting Denver metro area buyers in your search for a home.  You can search all Denver MLS listings at the YourDenverHouse.com website. Contact me directly at 303-525-8721 or email me at Huffman@ccpre.com and I will assist you.

Please see my reviews and profile on both Trulia & Zillow

 

 

Should You Downsize Your Denver Home?

There are many reasons to consider downsizing your Denver home. Obviously, if the kids have left the nest, or you’re recently widowed or divorced, moving to a smaller home can simplify your life in many ways. But even if the size of your household has not changed, there are still benefits to living in a smaller house.

·         Maintenance will be easier. Take a lesson from monks: The more possessions you have, the more demands they make on you. It’s no different with your Denver house. It’s easier to clean 1,000 square feet than 3,000 square feet or more. The more plumbing you have, the more chances that something will go wrong with it. The bigger your roof, the more expensive it is to replace, and so on.

·         It’s easier to age in a small home. Small homes tend to be only one story. As we get older (and we all are), it’s nice to not have to climb the stairs every day. You may even find a one-story home that has no stairs to negotiate outside, making it wheelchair-accessible.

·         Small homes are cheaper to heat and cool. Energy prices increase all the time and always will. While it’s important to have good insulation and tight windows, all things being equal, the smaller your square footage, the lower your utility bills.

·         Insurance will be cheaper. The size of your home is one of the main factors determining how much your home insurance costs.

·         Taxes will be lower. Again, property taxes are based partly on the square footage of your [city] home.

While you may not be ready to move into a tiny home, it’s worth considering the benefits of living in a smaller home. If you want to explore the possibilities, I specialize in helping Denver metro area buyers and listingDenver real estate for sellers. You can search all Denver MLS listings or contact me directly and I will assist you.  Call me directly at 303-525-8721 or email me at Huffman@ccpre.com . 

Please see my reviews and profile on both Trulia & Zillow

3 Tips to Hiring a Denver Real Estate Agent Who Will Work for You

Good Denver real estate agents can be valuable partners when buying or selling a home. Their marketing efforts, hard work, knowledge and negotiation skills are huge assets when house hunting or selling your home.

Below are three tips to help you hire a Denver real estate agent who will provide the best service for you:

1.     Make sure your expectations are clearly spelled out. Buying or selling a home involves a great deal of money and that has the potential to cause a lot of stress — especially if you feel your agent isn’t living up to your expectations. To avoid this problem, share your expectations with agents during the interview process. Be as specific as possible. Do you expect them to email you once a week with updates? Perhaps you want them to call you with feedback each time they show your home.

2.      If buying a home, ask how your professional will find homes that meet your standards. A good Denver real estate agent will take into consideration your budget and your needs. Then he or she will narrow down the choices to save you time and effort.

3.      If selling a home, agree on a marketing plan before you sign. Selling a home in today’s market requires a well-thought-out marketing strategy. An easy way to ensure prospective agents are up to the task is to ask to see their marketing plans in writing. A professional agent will have a clear strategy that includes both online and offline marketing.

If you have a dream of home ownership or need to sell your home, begin at YourDenverHouse.com. I specialize in helping Denver metro area buyers and listing Denver real estate for sellers. You can search all Denver MLS listings or contact me
directly at 303-525-8721 or Huffman@ccpre.com .

Please see my reviews and profile on both Trulia & Zillow

 

















































  

What Happens After You Sign a Denver Real Estate Contract?

What Happens After You Sign a Denver Real Estate Contract?

Buying a new home isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. When you find the Denver real estate of your dreams and place an offer that is accepted, don’t assume the marathon is over -- there are many more miles you must travel before closing.

Here are four steps to take after the contract is signed:

1. Be prepared for your earnest money or escrow deposit to be cashed. This money can be anywhere from $1,000 to three percent of the price of the home.
2. Go over disclosures with a fine-tooth comb. Your agent will help you identify any red flags. Then you want to familiarize yourself with the home’s history, zoning district and past building permits. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand.
3. Negotiate with your bank. It’s time to lock in an interest rate with your lender. You might have gotten pre-approved beforehand, but now you actually need the loan.
4. Schedule a property inspection. Attend the inspection, and come prepared with a list of questions for your home inspector. The point of this appointment is not just to highlight major issues, but also to familiarize yourself with the short and long-term maintenance of your new home.

Don’t get derailed by unexpected costs and time-consuming tasks that come after you sign a contract. You’ll want to be mentally and financially prepared so that you can close smoothly and move into your new Denver metro area home quickly.

If you have a dream of home ownership, begin your search at YourDenverHouse.com. I specialize in helping Denver metro area buyers and listing Denver real estate for sellers. You can search all Denver MLS listings or contact me directly and I will assist you. If you’d like more information about what happens before closing, please call me at 303-525-8721 or email me at Huffman@ccpre.com .

Please see my reviews and profile on both Trulia & Zillow