Colorado Homes for Sale-Colorado Metro Denver Area Specialists

5 Questions you must ask your realtor before you list your home for sale.

Your house is a major part of your life and when it comes time to sell it you need to get the best possible price. Here are some things to ask your prospective realtor before you list your house for sale.

1 How many homes have you listed and how many homes have you sold in the last 6 months? You are looking for a realtor that has experience with homes that are just like yours and from the same neighborhood. They can tell prospects about the schools, churches etc.

2 Could you send me some info about yourself? You always need to do some research on someone that is listing your house. If they don't have promotional materials odds are they are not professional. If they avoid your request they will probably take a back seat when someone is looking to buy your home.

3 What is the average time when it comes to listing and actually selling a house? If they are moving houses too quickly they might not be getting the best prices that they can.

4 How long have you been in business? You always want someone with experience, or a new agent that seems very whiling to do its best research and job when it comes to your house, that is a no brainer.

5 Do you have assistants in case I need to get in touch with someone? Every real estate agent has assistants if they are serious about their work.

This is just a list to go by before you sell your house. Your main goal is to get the best possible price. If you want ask around your neighborhood or go to the local community meetings and ask around. Odds are someone in the room has bought a house in the neighborhood, but don't forget that there are new agents in the market, and now because they are new that means they wont give you a good service as well...we were all new at one point!!!

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor 

Some Sugestions for Aurora Colorado Sellers and Colorado Sellers!!!

After years of hearing from successful sellers that they didn't have to do a thing to sell, they now need to understand how they can stand out from their competition. Here is a handy list to help sellers determine if some features in their home might need some attention.

·  Test all door and cabinet knobs. Replace mismatched or inexpensive hardware for a quick update. Buyers rarely can get beyond a knob that comes off in their hand as they attempt to use a door.

·  Take the time to paint walls, trim and ceilings. Keep adjoining rooms in one color palette, which will make your home appear larger. Clean up spills from messy painters. Hire professionals to paint mullions on windows and staircase spindles.

·  Slipcover mismatched furniture in a room that requires visual unification.

·  Discover ways to organize day-to-day room needs. Substantial wicker baskets or square stainless steel or brass containers can organize magazines, remote controls and toys. Books provide a good look, but vary them by laying some down and standing some up.

·  Wallpaper is considered fill-in-the-blank decorating. No two people have the same taste in this instant decorator wannabee. If it's more than three years old, take it down and paint in a neutral color. And wallpaper borders are out.

·  Simple furniture rearrangement can bring new life to a tired space. Float sofas and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings on bare tile and wood floors. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri, fresh fruit or glass crystals on side and coffee tables.

·  Make sure there is balanced lighting in every room for dusk and evening showings. Dimmers help set the right tone.

·  Polish and wax hardwood floors to brighten and blend an old finish.

·  Clean every surface until it shimmers and shines. Clean can seal a deal. Don't forget the windows.

·  Purchase the best quality carpet pad which can make any new carpeting "cushy," and home buyers love cushy. Stay away from shag styles; buyers know it won't be around long in style cycles.

·  Streamline window fashions. Heavy drapes are in the minority. Think "let the light shine in" when placing blinds and shades. Light and bright can overcome other issues with a home.

·  Freshen-up closets with closet organizers to maximize storage space and paint a neutral, washable color. Make sure buyers can see the back of all closets and cupboards. Lighting is an often overlooked feature in closets, but buyers will always turn on lights when viewing a closet, big or small. Thinning closets, cabinets, basements, attics and garages will also help your storage spaces look larger. If you can't part with items, rent a storage locker to hold items for decision making later.

·  Don't forget the basement; dark, dirty and musty basements are a turn-off to buyers. Add extra lighting, paint the floor and vacuum out all the cobwebs. Organize storage areas and take the time to clean the washing machine and dryer. To spruce up the hot water heater and furnace, wipe down with a strong cleaner. Scrub the laundry tub and sweep left-over leaves out of exterior stairs and window wells. Run a dehumidifier to reduce basement moisture.

·  Take a good look from the street or road at the front of your home. Look for shrubs that are overgrown or dead and remove and replace them with shrubs or plants that are to scaled to your home. Small inexpensive bushes send the wrong message.

·  Limit yard ornaments to a favored few. Excess ornaments can make yards look busy and buyers might want them included in a purchase contract.

·  Paint and refresh yard lights, flagpoles, mailboxes, window boxes, fences and trellis. Don't forget the swing set or play equipment.

·  Replace broken bricks on terraces, cracked concrete patios and steps.

·  Restore screens on porches and lanai's. Dirty, rusty and ripped screens limit functionality to homebuyers.

·  Don't leave pets unattended for property showings, especially if you think they could be aggressive or territorial around strangers.

·  Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy issues.

·  A barking dog or overly-friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home.

AND REMEMBER SHOW YOUR PROSPECTS THAT YOU HAVE HAD A GOOD LIFE IN YOUR HOUSE, GAVE THEM A TASTE OF THE GOOD MOMENTS WITH NICE PICTURES, DO NOT TAKE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE HOUSE, SHOW THEM YOUR PERSONALITY, THAT WAY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES LIVING THERE !!!!!

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor Aurora Colorado Realtor 

The use of the borrowed money to finance an investment. As a rule, an investor can receive a maximum return from the initial investment (the down payment and closing and other costs) by making a small down payment, paying a low interest rate, and spreading mortgage payments over as long a period as possible.

Example:

If an investor spends $ 100,000 for rental property, makes a $20,000 down payment, then sells the property five years later for $125,000, the return over five years is $ 25,000. Disregarding ownership expenses, the return is not 25% ($25,000compared with $100,000), but 125% of the original amount invested (25,000 compared with $ 20,000).

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor 

Market Value V.S. Market Price

Remember differences!

Market Value is an opinion of value based on an analysis of data. The data may include not only an analysis of comparable sales, but also an analysis of potential income, expenses and replacement costs (less any depreciation).

Market Price, on the other hand, it is what a property actually sells for, it is the sales price, in theory, market price should be the same as market value. Market price can be taken as accurate evidence of current market value, however, only if the conditions essential to market value exists. Sometimes property may be sold below market value, for instance, when the seller is forced to sell quickly or when a sale is arranged between relatives.

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor 

Why do Real Estate Agents think they are Appraisers as well???

Real Estate has had so many changes though out the years, and  it's hard to keep track of everything.  One thing that to me  has had a significant change is "appraising a property" as we all know, we are not appraisers, but we can come up with an average market value for what the property should sell, or at least we were able to do it.

Not all estimates of value are made by professional appraisers, an agent often must help a seller to arrive at a listing price or a buyer determine an offering price for property without the aid of a formal appraisal report. In such a case, the agent prepares a research of the marketplace, primarily similar properties that have been sold known as a competitive (comparative) market analysis.

The agent must be very knowledgeable about the fundamentals of valuation to compile the market data. The competitive market analysis is not as comprehensive or technical as an appraisal and may be biased by an agent anticipated agency relationship. A competitive market analysis should not be represented as an appraisal.

But now, I have noticed that it is very hard to come up with the value, and there are so many things that contribute to that factor, for example the HUGE amount of foreclosures, the economy, market (whether is a Buyer's or a seller's market), the popular desire, etc

Unfortunately, there are many agents that don't take the time, to consult a "Licensed Appraiser" to get an estimate of the property, and because of that, so many deals die, because agents submit contract without really checking if the asking price reasonable.

So what I suggest, is always consult an actual appraiser, they know what they are doing, way better than we do, and that will save you and everyone who is involved in the transaction so much time, and trust me...then will appreciate it!!!!

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor 

First differences between Modular & Manufactured Homes

How can you see the first differences between a modular home and a manufactured home?

Well, I will explain this, because I have deal with these ones several times for some customers who are looking very inexpensive houses, I have told by an appraiser the first difference that you can see between a modular home and a manufactured home. 
The manufactured has a metal tag somewhere outside the house that says "it conforms to a federal building code, called HUD Code", modular do not have that metal tag outside. Sometimes you can not see the metal tag and you need to check in the closets and try to find them.  

Modular Homes

• Built in sections at a factory.
• Built to conform to all state, local or regional building codes at their destinations.
• Sections are transported to the building site on truck beds, then joined together by local contractors.
• Local building inspectors check to make sure a modular home's structure meets requirements and that all finish work is done properly.
• sometimes less expensive per square foot than site built houses.

Manufactured Homes

• Formerly referred to as mobile homes or trailers, but with many more style options than in the past.
• Built in a factory.
• They conform to a Federal building code, called the HUD code, rather than to building codes at their destinations.
• Built on a non-removable steel chassis.
• Sections are transported to the building site on their own wheels.
• Multi-part manufactured units are joined at their destination.
• Segments are not always placed on a permanent foundation, making them more difficult to re-finance or sell.
• Building inspectors check the work done locally (electric hook up, etc.) but are not required to approve the structure.
• Generally less expensive than site built and modular homes.
• Sometimes decrease in value over time.

Greets to Janet Wickel.

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor 

How long does the inspection take? 

An average home inspection will take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the size of the house.  Larger and more complex houses will take longer for the inspector to completely and accurately evaluate. 

Another factor that may affect the inspection time is the condition of the components at the property.  If the house and appliances have not been properly maintained, the inspector may need additional time to explain to the buyer what options they may have to either maintain or replace the items.                          

Ray Saenz, Colorado Realtor                                                                               

There are four basic steps to the home inspection. 

First, the inspector arrives at the property, makes general introductions and both explains what is going to take place and asks about any special questions or requests. 

Next, while the inspection agreement is being reviewed, the inspector will make a quick circuit of the property to size up the scope of the inspection. 

Then, there will be an in-depth walk-through inspection with the client.  This involves inspecting all visible areas and reviewing all accessible items and areas, including the heating system, central air conditioning system, interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic space and all visible insulation, the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, basement or crawlspace area, and the foundation and all visible structural components.  Any questions or items of special interest regarding a particular system or structural component are usually addressed at this time. 

Finally, a check of the entire property is made to verify that the condition of the property is the same as when the inspection started.  After this last circuit, the inspector will complete the hard copy of the inspection report.  All deficiencies and maintenance recommendations will be noted and a recap of deficiencies will be entered onto the summary sheet for the client.

Aurora Colorado Real Estate Homes for sale in Colorado Spanish Speaking Real Estate Agent Realtor 

5 reasons why an agent should attend to inspection

The realtor is the anchor of the real estate transaction.- Sometimes that includes a bit of hand holding with customers to make for a smooth sailing in what can sometimes be stressful situation.

Buyer and Seller expectations.- Many buyers and sellers expect that the agent will attend their inspection, particularly sellers who may be skeptical about allowing an inspector and buyer, basically two strangers all over their home for several hours.

Staying in the Loop.- It's essential that you know, hear, see and understand what the inspector saw, what he said, how he said it, what report says and the recommendations made. It helps you to prioritize the inspector's findings for your client so you can effectively walk him/her through the next process requesting repairs.

Professionalism & trust.- A quality professional is a reflection of an agent's own high level of professionalism. Forming a strong, professional and competent team, shows clients that the agents's professionalism extends to all aspects of the transaction.

Disclosure.- Attending the home inspection is a great opportunity for agents to affirm that they are interested in full disclosure.

Ray Saenz, Realtor

Cave of the winds Celebrating 125 years  1881-2006 in Colorado !!

If you love to learn and go to amazing places, this is one for you, another one great in Colorado Springs, I am wondering why Colorado springs is one of the most important recreation locations? J  you will see !!

The stories and history of caves are rich with treasures from time. Guess what? It has laser show too, family styled entertainment, lets see something interesting here.

"Two young boys on a church outing discovered cave of the winds in 1881. The cave has continued to entertain generations of families daily for 125 years! Visitors experience the beauty and fascinating history by taking either our discovery tour or our lantern tour."

Sit, relax and enjoy the canyon and the mountain views from the balcony of the canyon Rim Pavillion.                                                                                                  

For more information go to  à http://www.caveofthewinds.com/      Get 3d views and more information, etc.                                                                                                          

Hope to help you to know more about Colorado State.                                                 

Ray Saenz, Realtor