Colorado Relocation Group

Small Upgrades That Go a Long Way

This week’s blog comes to you courtesy of Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter. Read on! No one wants to spend a fortune when it comes to selling a home, but most want to spruce up a few areas to make their property more appealing to potential buyers. There are several types of small improvements individuals [...]

Avoiding Real Estate Mistakes in the Pikes Peak Region

Everyone makes mistakes – it’s a fact of life. The key is to try not to make big mistakes that can potentially cost you a lot of time and energy, or worse, a lot of money. Property transactions are potential mistake pitfalls unless you have solid, professional guidance, and are willing to prepare yourself in [...]

Keep Some Cash In Hand When Selling

This week’s blog is courtesy of the Coldwell Banker Blue Matter Blog site. Enjoy! How to Limit Spending When Getting A Home Ready To Sell It is common for homeowners to think that selling a home is an expensive endeavor, which may in turn cause them to hold off on putting their home on the [...]

Why Do I Really Want That Colorado Home?

According to some experts, the Colorado housing market is starting to make a turnaround. Whether it is or not, some people want or need to buy a home now–for any number of reasons. If this is your situation, the following questions could help solidify your decision—or show you that waiting might be a better option. [...]

Colorado Residents Know How To Help!

Enjoy this inspiring blog from Coldwell Banker! Coldwell Banker Colorado Declares “Day of Service” in Wake of Tough Summer with Wildfires and Theater Shooting By Chris Mygatt On August 1 hundreds of Coldwell Banker agents, staff and their families donated their time and effort at several sites in Denver, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. This [...]

Renovating???

February 25th, 2013

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What’s Worth Renovating?
One of the questions most frequently asked by homeowners considering a renovation is “What’s worth doing?” Well, the answer isn’t a simple one, because it all depends on what you want to get out of it. Is your purpose primarily to improve your property value, or increase your enjoyment of your home, or a combination of the two?

If you’re thinking primarily of increasing your home’s resale value, you should be aware that the cost of professional improvements to a home will very often not be recovered in a corresponding increase in your property’s value. A home’s list price is essentially a reflection of the demand from buyers for a home’s features and location.
“Just because you’ve invested a certain amount of money in your home renovation doesn’t necessarily translate into adding that same figure onto your potential resale price.
However, if you’re doing some of the work yourself, there’s a far better chance that you can recoup the costs of your improvement.

Generally, the areas to focus on in terms of increasing your resale value are the kitchen and bathrooms, since these are the critical areas that frequently are deciding factors in buying a home. However, even in these areas, make sure your improvements are limited to what’s clearly visible in a quick walk-through. New cabinets, counters, or fixtures will all win points, but upgraded plumbing is an expensive undertaking that will add little to the overall appeal of your home. Prospective buyers will expect reliable plumbing as a “given”, and will not be willing to pay a premium to get it.

Even if you’re not planning on selling just yet, a Coldwell Banker representative would be happy to talk to you to confirm what features are in demand by buyers in your area, and to counsel you on where you can concentrate your resources to get a good return.

If you’re planning on a renovation primarily to enhance your family’s enjoyment of your current home, you’ve never picked a better time to do it. The cost of financing a renovation is very affordable, with interest rates at a forty-year low. Basically, you can focus on what would please your family, but do keep in mind that you will eventually still want to sell that home, and some improvements can actually reduce your chances of future resale. If it’s a toss-up between a couple of potential renovations, you should lean towards the one that will be the most appealing to the maximum number of buyers in the future. For example, a home theater or media room is a current trend that would be enjoyed by just about anyone. On the other hand, a swimming pool can be costly to heat and time-consuming to maintain, so many buyers would not want to even consider a home with a pool. A Coldwell Banker real estate professional can guide you with these decisions as well. They’ll be happy to give you the benefit of their experience, and help you decide what’s worth renovating in your home.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Freddie Mac economist makes 2013 housing predictions

February 15th, 2013

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Frank Nothaft, chief economist for mortgage giant Freddie Mac, is in San Diego this weekend for the American Economic Association annual meeting. He took some time Friday to talk to U-T San Diego about his national and regional predictions for housing in 2013. Here are some excerpts:

On housing activity: It began to turn around in 2012 and will continue to pick up in 2013. Housing starts nationwide were up 25 percent in 2012 from 2011. Home sales were up about 9 percent during that same time frame. Housing starts this year may rise an additional 20 percent to 25 percent and home sales may rise another 8 percent to 10 percent. Southern California also will see pickup in home prices and sales.

Frank Nothaft On mortgage rates: Mortgage rates are going to stay at a very low level, mainly due to the Federal Reserve’s decision to continue buying up large quantities of mortgage-backed securities. That pushes up the price of those securities, which reduces the yield and drives the very-low interest rates. The 30-year fixed conforming loan rate is expected to remain below 4 percent.

On distressed levels: Foreclosures remain at relatively high levels but the nation’s so-called “shadow inventory” has come down appreciably during the past two, three years. Still, there are about 3 million homes in the nation that are seriously delinquent on their mortgages. But again, that’s fallen appreciably, dropping by 1.5 million. We should also expect the bank-owned home supply to be limited over the course of 2013.

On the progress of the recovery: “The Fed recognized that the housing market has been the laggard (among the economic sectors.) And that’s why they introduced Operation Twist and the third round of quantitative easing in order to push mortgage rates to these record-low levels. And in order to really stimulate housing activity. Indeed, I think they have been successful in what we’ve seen in the past year,” he said.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Home Selling Advice For Winter

December 18th, 2012

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While many home sellers would prefer to sit back and hope for the best regarding the sale of their home during winter, the cold and snowy season means they might have to put in some work at their residence to help get it off the market.

Home sellers would be wise to spend some time and energy improving the look and feel of their home prior to allowing prospective home buyers to tour the residence with their real estate agent.
Shoveling
One of the more arduous winter tasks for homeowners is shoveling. Bankrate reports home sellers need to keep on top of heavy snow accumulation on their property. Specifically, clearing walkways of snow is ideal so that buyers who wish to tour the home can clearly get to the front door.

Additionally, the website reports it is smart to ensure the driveway and street area in front of the home is clear of snow so home buyers have plenty of areas to park if there’s an open house.

Monitor weather
One task home sellers should perform is monitoring the weather for days which they plan to showcase the home to potential buyers. Should there be a snow storm or other inclement weather on the day of an open house, sellers should be flexible and consider changing the date of the showcasing to prevent buyers from having to travel the roads, according to Bankrate.

The last thing home sellers and their agents want is for buyers to come visit a home when they would risk their safety in doing so.

Decorations
To make the home look warm and appealing during the winter, Bankrate reports home sellers may want to hang up some decor to accent their home and the snow outside, if there is any.

However, instead of adorning the house with holiday arrangements and pieces, the website report home sellers would be better off hanging wreaths and wrapping garland around banisters. Too many holiday decorations tends to be a put-off for some buyers, according to Bankrate.

Also, more playful home sellers could build a snowman in the yard, according to the website, which could be a great welcome for prospective buyers – particularly those with families.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Making the Choice Between Two Homes

November 9th, 2012

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a post from Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter

Some individuals buying a home worry they won’t find their dream house. However, many may not know how to proceed when they have fallen in love with two properties. Making the decision between two houses can be difficult when they both feature affordability, space and great features. To avoid feeling buyer’s remorse after purchasing a home, there are a few factors to consider when making your choice.

Neighborhood Amenities

If both homes are perfectly suited to meet a buyer’s needs, it may make sense to go outside the house itself for more insight. When individuals move into a new house, they are not simply moving to a new home, but also a new neighborhood. Hence the real estate mantra “Location, Location, Location.” For this reason, compare the communities the two homes are located in to determine which one is a better fit. There are several factors buyers should consider, such as proximity to their offices, how the school systems compare with surrounding areas and the crime rates of the neighborhood.

It can also be helpful to meet some of the neighbors and ask about their experiences living in the area. Polls and statistics can tell buyer a great deal about a community, but speaking with the locals allows consumers to both learn more about the culture of the area and introduce themselves to their prospective new neighbors.

Future Value

In many cases, a homeowner may have goals that drive what type of home they are seeking out. For example, some may be looking for a starter house while others are seeking out a property they can retire in. It can be helpful to examine prospective houses against those in the neighborhood. If buyers are planning to sell their home within a few year and other houses in the area are depreciating in real estate value, this may influence their decision. On the flip side, properties in some areas may be appreciating in value, which can be beneficial to a buyer’s long-term goals.

In addition, owners who are comparing the prices of two homes may want to speak with their real estate agent about whether there is room for negotiations with the sellers of the two properties. If money is the deciding factor, buyers may find that they will get a better price with one seller over the other.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

How to Maintain Your Lawn in the Fall

October 31st, 2012

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a blog from Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter

Labor Day is barely out of sight so why are we talking about fall already? Well before you know it the season will be changing and as any good landscaper will tell you it’s the key time to get your lawn ready for the following spring.

Every year I plan to do something about my lawn in the fall to make sure it’s lush and green come April, but then things get busy and before you know it, I’m shoveling snow…

But this year I came across this incredibly simple and useful video that gives me some easy steps to take to make sure my lawn gets the care it needs sooner rather than later. The video is barely a minute long and most of the elements shown for improving your lawn are probably things already in your garage.

So yes it’s a bit early to talk about fall lawn care, but better to be prepared with the lawn maintenance knowledge now than later.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Buyers: Know What Items are Included in the Home Sale

October 24th, 2012

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a new post from Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter!

There are few events during the home buying process that are better than walking into a beautiful property and seeing crystal chandeliers, top-of-the-line appliances and updated, energy-efficient fixtures. For buyers who are on the fence about the purchase, these small features may be enough to steer them toward buying a home. However, buyers should be aware of one of the most common misunderstandings that can occur when viewing a home: what they see is not always what they get.

In many cases, certain items that may be on display are not included when they actually buy the home. This can be disappointing for new owners, making it important to clarify what will stay and what will go after they have closed on the property.

Common features that are not included

There are several types of home features that sellers may forget to remove and store before showing a home. These include kitchen and bathroom fixtures, such as faucets, light coverings and even handles and door knobs, according to the Boston Globe. Most wall mounts and materials that are used to bolt other fixtures to a wall are also not included. In addition, most sellers do not plan to leave major appliances than they purchased, such as refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers. Lastly, buyers should not assume that window coverings will remain in the home after the previous owner has sold the property.

All items should be included in a contract

Most sellers will remove items they don’t plan to include in the home sale prior to an open house. However, this is not always the case and if buyers have questions about what will remain in the home after the sale, they should not hesitate to ask their real estate agent. After these points have been clarified, they should also be listed in a contract to avoid confusion or disputes down the line.

Negotiations for items

It’s not uncommon for buyers to try to negotiate with sellers to leave certain items in the home. Buyers who are interested in the new kitchen fixtures that match the granite counter tops perfectly should not hesitate to at least throw out an offer to the seller. Buyers may also simply ask sellers where they purchased certain items and price them separately to determine if it would be more affordable to negotiate with the owners or purchase the features after the home sale.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Getting Your Colorado Home Ready for Winter

October 17th, 2012

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Winter is a wonderful fact of life here in the Pikes Peak Region. Bright blue skies and snow-capped mountains sparkle in the crisp winter air. It’s one of the reasons we choose to live here, but it also means that we have to take some extra steps to get our homes ready for it.

Lawns keep growing until the ground temperature sinks to 40 degrees or below. Applying a high-phosphorus fertilizer now will encourage more root growth and give your lawn a healthy head start in the spring. Also, consider starting a compost pile that will be ready to apply to your spring landscape giving it a great boost into the warmer weather.

Shorter days mean there’s more of a need for exterior lighting. You can add curb appeal while beefing up both safety and security by installing low-voltage landscape lighting. Often seen along walkways and drives, they’re also great for highlighting any prominent garden feature including your front step. A garage floodlight with a motion sensor is also a good idea for keeping your driveway safe and welcoming for both you and your guests.

One of the worst cold-weather fears for homeowners is frozen pipes, and outdoor hose bibs are the most common places where they occur. Replace outdoor faucets with freeze-proof ones. It will save you from having to manually drain the system each autumn, and they will be ready to go when you are with no extra spring prep.

Door seals are a simple way to keep your home’s heat inside, but they do wear out over time. Check your exterior doors for ripped, compressed or bent seals, and replace any that may seem worn. It’s a simple procedure that will help keep your heating dollars to a minimum.

Windows are another place that Old Man Winter uses to steal your home’s heat. For older windows, check the caulking and weather-stripping, and replace as needed. For all windows, think about your window treatments. The right shades, curtains, or even blinds can help you save some of that heat from flowing out the window during winter.

Colorado winters are second to none, and they’re a great reason to choose to live here. All of us at the Roshek Group are ready to help you find your new property, whether you’re new to home ownership or simply ready for something different. Contact us today and get started on your home ownership dreams.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Teller County Annual Coat Drive

October 10th, 2012

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Bring your CLEAN used or new winter coats to benefit the Teller County Community.

October 22 – 26

The Roshek Group

Coldwell Banker 1^st Choice Realty

18401 Highway 24

Woodland Park, CO

It’s that time of year again when we start pulling out the sweaters and jackets so we can continue to enjoy the great outdoors during the crisp weather. It will soon be turning cold, and we want to make sure everyone in Teller County stays warm this winter.

Bring your new or used (clean) coats and jackets to our office during the week of October 22^nd through the 26^th. Coats will be given to the Community Cupboard and distributed to Teller County residents in need.

During these tough economic times, help is needed now more than ever. Our goal for 2012 is to collect 212 coats! Please go through those closets and help your friends and neighbors in Teller County.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

On the Rebound in the Pikes Peak Region

October 3rd, 2012

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The rumors are true – home prices are beginning to rebound in markets all across the country. Here in the Pikes Peak region this is obviously good news for sellers, but buyers need not despair just yet. There are still great buys to be had.

Data released in early September from the National Association of Realtors show five consecutive months of increases in home prices through the end of this past July. In addition, the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller National Home Price Index for the second quarter of 2012 also shows an increase. It’s a modest but steady gain, and mortgage rates remain stable at some of the lowest rates seen in decades. Nationwide the backlog of homes for sale is clearing quickly, down over 19% compared to one year ago, and homes are spending less and less time on the market. This is one of those rare points in the real estate market when both buyers and sellers can benefit.

Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia, estimates that the housing market is now 34% of its way back to “normal” on Trulia’s housing barometer as compared with 32% in June, and 18% at this time last year. Construction starts are rising, and sales of existing homes are getting stronger even though there are actually fewer homes on the market. Mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure rates are falling, too, and taking all of this into account points to a gradual, consistent market rebound.

Good news for all is that the length of time a home is on the market has fallen dramatically. One-third of the houses bought in July of this year were on the market for less than one month. That’s down nearly 30% from last year. This is not only good news for conventional sales, but it also means that the number of short sales is dropping as well. Short sales take a long time to close, and they skew the time-on-market figure upwards.

Whether you’re buying or selling, now is a wonderful time to get into the real estate market. Interest rates remain low, and prices are still reasonable. All of us at the Roshek Group are here to help you find your new property, whether you’re new to home ownership or ready for something different. Contact us today, and get started on your home ownership dreams.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

The One Step to Fix Most Problems With Your Home TV Service

September 26th, 2012

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from Coldwell Banker’s Blue Matter

One of the worst things to deal with is having to call the cable company or your TV service provider. It’s painful. And the time we do have to call them is usually when we’re ready to sit down and watch something so there’s this added anxiety that you want this problem solved quickly so you can get back to enjoying some much needed TV time.

I’m here to try and help you avoid that stress. Not saying I can provide the answer to all your home entertainment issues, but there is one step that many homeowners don’t realize they can do themselves to solve the majority of problems when it comes to TV service issues. What’s the one step to take? Detach the cable from the wall for about 2 minutes.

That’s it. Now this doesn’t help if you have satellite service, but for the rest of those using a traditional or fiber-optic TV provider this usually does the trick. I’ve seen this step fix issues with poor picture quality, lip-sync issues, channels not loading, inability to access on-demand videos and more.

Most of the time when you call your TV service provider the first step they want you to take is unplug the cable/DVR box. Then they try and reboot your box. Or they send a signal to your home from the corporate office to test the quality. All of these steps are usually good ones to take, but the one they reserve as a last resort can often times help you out faster than going through these other steps.

What you should do is simply unplug the power to your cable/DVR box and then unscrew the coax cable from the wall and your box. This is the equivalent of CTR-ALT-DELETE for your TV service. It resets the signal and tries to start fresh with a new signal. Wait about 2 minutes before reattaching to give it enough time to reset the system. Before screwing the cable back into the wall, you want to touch the tip of the cable that goes into the wall with your finger to clear static from the signal. Do the same before screwing the other end into the cable/DVR box.

Then just plug the power back into your cable box and allow your system to boot up. 9 times out of 10 this solves the problem, but if it doesn’t it’s likely that you need someone to come out to your house to deal with the issue. No fun indeed.

In any case, I hope this tip will come to your mind when you’re about to watch a movie and you notice the audio isn’t syncing up with the picture. In about 2 minutes you should be ready for a popcorn-worthy cinematic experience in your family room.

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Colorado Living ...Where Dreams Come True

The Roshek Group

719-687-1531

PikesPeakRegion.com

Small Upgrades That Go a Long Way

Avoiding Real Estate Mistakes in the Pikes Peak Region

Keep Some Cash In Hand When Selling

Why Do I Really Want That Colorado Home?

Colorado Residents Know How To Help!

Renovating???

Freddie Mac economist makes 2013 housing predictions

Home Selling Advice For Winter

Making the Choice Between Two Homes

How to Maintain Your Lawn in the Fall

Buyers: Know What Items are Included in the Home Sale

Getting Your Colorado Home Ready for Winter

Teller County Annual Coat Drive

On the Rebound in the Pikes Peak Region

The One Step to Fix Most Problems With Your Home TV Service

Pikes Peak Regional Topics

Recent Pikes Peak Region Posts

Small Upgrades That Go a Long Way

Avoiding Real Estate Mistakes in the Pikes Peak Region

Keep Some Cash In Hand When Selling

Why Do I Really Want That Colorado Home?

Colorado Residents Know How To Help!

Pikes Peak Regional Topics

Recent Pikes Peak Region Posts

More Topics