Tag: Fort Collins Real Estate

Home Search Blueprints

Whether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced homeowner, doing your homework before looking for a home is the key to saving you time and helping you get the best value for your money. How is it that your real estate agent helps you? Here are some home search blueprints.

  1. The first step in shopping for a home is to make sure that you have financing ready to go! Your agent can recommend trusted lenders that will take you through the pre-approval process so you are ready to go shopping for your home.
  2. Your Realtor helps you find a home. But more than that, they provide you with information on neighborhoods, schools and the locations so that you can make good decisions on a home that best fits you. Your agent helps you clarify your needs and wants and provides you with property options that meet your specifications as much as possible.
  3. Now it is time to write the offer and negotiate. Your realtor will analyze the value of the home and advise you on what your initial offer should be. The market affects what you can do, but a good negotiator can tip the scales In your favor. Your agent will direct you on how to proceed with the seller’s response to your offer.
  4. Inspection time! Your agent knows the best home inspectors in the area. They will recommend
    the best that can help provide you with the true state of your home that you are interested in buying.
  5. Once you know about the condition of the home it is time to negotiate repair requests. Your agent can help you understand the inspection report and help you evaluate what is important to you to have repaired by the seller or if you should asked for a concession at closing. Realtors help you focus on what repairs to asked for and what to let go of. They can also provide a list of trusted workers.
  6. Your realtor handles all of the details so that your home purchase goes smoothly. They keeps everyone informed. They monitors the loan process so that you can successfully get to closing.
  7. Closing Day! You only need to get through closing to finally get your home, but details can make the difference on that final day. Everything from making sure you bring your driver license to making sure that the wire is received by the title company. Your agent does everything she can to insure that your closing day goes off without a hitch.

Follow these home search blueprints and use an experienced agent. Your agent is your experienced guide through the process from beginning to end. Contact us today.

Plan Ahead to Sell Your Home

If you are thinking that 2022 is the year to sell and move you need to plan ahead to sell your home.  Spring, as I am sure you have heard, is a hot time for sellers and when the real estate market bursts to life.  2021 was a strong market all year long with interest rates being at near record lows.  Spring 2022 is expected to be a great real estate market for sellers. To have your home ready for market by spring, what should  you be doing to prepare?  It may not take as much time as you might think but it is good to prepare so that you are ready to go when the time comes.

The first step is to contact Lestel.  Have her do research on the market in the price range of your home.  You need to know how long it might take to sell your home.   As a seller you need to think backwards.  If it takes 45 days to sell your home and you want to be in your new home by June 1st. You will need to be putting your home on the market early to mid-April. 

Lestel can also tell you is if there are things you need to prepare your home for sale.  Should you be replacing the tired carpet or does it look just fine given our current sellers’ market.  She will make suggestions that will help you maximize what you are able to sell your home for.  She will not suggest you spend money if you will not get more than the money back for improvements.

For example, she does suggest that you replace carpet.  That will cost $5,000.  She will make sure that you get at least $7,000 more for the expense and effort.  It is not worth it if your home would only be worth $5,000 more. Lestel can make some staging suggestions also.  This is not the full staging appointment that she does when you get the house on the market. Instead it is things that you can start doing to prepare like decluttering or furniture rearranging.

Next step is, by the mid to end of March, it will be important to have Lestel do a market analysis on your home.  The reason for waiting until just before you are ready to put your home on the market is so that you have the most up to date, accurate information on the market. Recent sale prices of homes that are similar to your will guide the pricing of your home. 

Plan ahead to sell your home in advance of when you want your home on the market can minimize stress and maximize what you get for your home.  The extra time can make a big difference. Contact us to start today.

2022 Home Decorator Trends

If you are like most people you spent more time at home in 2020-21 than you ever have.  Depending on how you feel about your home that time spent could have added to your joy or taken from it.  You may be feeling like home is ready for a refresh in the new year.  A new year always means new decorator trends are announced.  With this in mind here are some 2022 home decorator trends you may want to try.

Smart home trends continue to be hot for 2022.  Maybe it is time to try a nest thermostat or a ring door bell.  The trend has more to offer than just those basics.  Smart homes can automatically control lighting and smart appliances are expected to grow in popularity too. 

Rattan and wicker furniture is making a comeback.  They bring a beach vacation vibe to your home.  The materials blend well with existing decors which may also explain their popularity.

Light woods have come back. 

If you have some of the dark wood floors that were popular several years ago, you understand why that trend faded so quickly.  The dark floors showed scratches and dust.  New lighter colored wood floors are more forgiving, neutral and go with everything.  Moreover, white oak and maple are taking the lead. 

Curved shapes are in.  That means everything from round rugs, to round mirror and round bathroom sinks. Additionally, curves respond to our need for softness. 

Plantscapes are in and a new passion for many.  That is everything from hanging plants to terrariums.  Plants add a feeling of warmth to our spaces and as a bonus they clean the air in our home.  Moreover, there are plenty of plants that are easy to grow if you have a brown thumb.

Additionally, there are other decorator trends that are on the horizon. 

  • Black Kitchens
  • Dark Bathrooms
  • Kitchen Cabinets Without Hardware
  • Large Format Porcelain Tiles
  • Painted Floors
  • Strict Minimalism
  • Colored Ceilings
  • Large Wall Murals

Some of these new trends may not seem so new at all.  The funny thing about decorator trends just like fashion they seem to circle back around.  Additionally, you can decide what, if any of the new trends you would like to include in your home.  Here’s to 2022 home decorator trends.  Enjoy your home! Contact us to learn more.

How To Buy Your First Home

Congratulations!  You have decided to buy your first home.  That means you need to get connected to a great Realtor.  It is important that you get to know your agent and your agent gets to know you.  That means you should have a sit down meeting with the agent you are considering working with. Here is an example of some questions that you might be ask.

  • Why do you want to buy know?
  • Are you working with a lender?
  • How many houses have you looked at? Moreover, what did you like and not like?
  • So, what would you do if we found the perfect house tomorrow?
  • What is your favorite room of your house?
  • How important is outdoor space?
  • Who will we be shopping for?  Do you have pets to consider?
  • How long do you think that you will live in this home?
  • What is your preferred method of communication?

When your agent gets the answers to these questions or questions like them, your agent will start to get a feel for you and what you feel is important.  This will help your agent find the home that is right for you.  Of course your agent will also be interested in the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and if you need a garage.  Moreover, the more information you share with your agent the better. 

It is helpful for your agent to know what you love about where you live now.  If you hate everything about it, tell your agent that too! It is vital to communicate both the things you love and hate so your agent can find you the best options out there.

Now that you know how to buy your first home you are ready for the hunt for the perfect home for you.  Additionally, make sure to enjoy it! Contact us to help you with your home search today.

Where To Start When Buying A Home

If you are interested in beginning your home search, but you are either a first time home buyer, or someone who hasn’t bought a home in a while we want to shed some light on first steps and provide you with insight into the process. So, where to start when buying a home. The very first step is to find a lender to work with. We have a couple of recommendations here.

Once you select a lender

You will likely begin by filling out a loan application in order for your lender to be better able to understand your financial situation. You will answer a number of personal financial questions. The process might feel a little uncomfortable. Rest assured it is confidential and will stay between you and your lender. When complete your lender will be able to tell you how much you can spend on a home. It is always up to you to choose to spend less, but you cannot spend more.  This is because this number is tied to your debt to income ratio. This is the amount you earn vs the amount you owe on other liabilities like car payments.

Your lender might also need to do some credit repair in order to boost your credit score. They can tell you exactly which things should be paid off in which order and which accounts you might be better off closing for good. Once you begin this process do not buy a car, or close accounts without first discussing it with your home lender. This can completely derail the process and set you back to square one. For more information see our blog post What Not To Do When Applying For A Mortgage.

Where To Start When Buying A Home, Process Continued

As soon as you have your number from your lender they can provide you with a lender letter that is required with any offer you submit. This letter acts as the proof that you can afford the home you want to buy. When you have this letter in hand you and your real estate agent can begin to look at homes and figure out what specifically you want and need. We can narrow it down together until we find the home you want to buy. That is how you begin the home buying process. We hope that clears up where to start when buying a home. If you have specific questions, contact us. We would be happy to help.

2022 Foreclosure Crisis?

If you have spent much time reading the news you likely know that the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a massive loss of jobs, income, and stability for many Americans. Does this mean that there will be a 2022 Foreclosure Crisis in Fort Collins Colorado. You may also have read some opinions that the hardships people are going through. Will this ultimately result in the foreclosure of a massive number of properties. Something like this has not been seen since the recession of 2008.

However, the conditions that preceded that crisis are not the same as those we see today. Many Americans at that time participated in cash out refinances of their homes leveraging their homes value against the market. This left many of them high and dry. As they ended up owing more on their homes than they were worth.

Todays Market

Today the market has far outpaced that of 2008 and homeowner levels of equity are in abundance. These homeowners would not be upside down in their mortgage in the same manner as those in 2008. Which means that rather than face foreclosure they can sell their homes and pocket this equity. This also doesn’t take into account the fact that due to the pandemic the federal government has mandated forbearance on mortgages should homeowners choose to participate. 91% of the homeowners in forbearance have 11% equity in their homes. One can visualize this slice of the mortgage pie as the worst-case scenario, and they still have enough equity to walk away without facing foreclosure.

At the end of this there will still be those who will be foreclosed on. However, but the economic conditions that led to the mortgage crisis in 2008 are not the same as we see today. The economy should bounce back once COVID is a thing of the past, and jobs should return too. There is seemingly no real estate bubble. Real estate presents one of the more secure investment options outpacing bonds, notes and stocks which have proven extremely volatile throughout the pandemic. Hopefully that answers the question of a 2022 Foreclosure Crisis. If you have any questions about your property contact us.

Our Adaptations During the Pandemic

While the global pandemic continues so does our work. The real estate market in Colorado has not stopped and neither have we. In Colorado Real Estate Agents, Title Companies, and Real Estate Appraisers have all been classified as “essential services.” This is in order for the real estate market to continue functioning. At least as normal as possible. Here are our adaptations during the pandemic

We recognize that for some of our clients buying or selling a home simply can’t wait. At least until after the pandemic has ended. To address concerns over the spread of COVID-19 we are working with all of our clients a little differently. For our sellers we are currently offering a 3D tour of your home included in your home marketing. If you are not familiar with this process an example can be viewed here. We are also happy to offer Current Market Analysis’ to any of our clients. This is to understand how your properties current value looks in the current market. For our sellers the limited inventory on the market can be a huge benefit to the marketing of your home if now is the time you need to sell.

For Our Buyers

We are offering online home shopping meetings that can be held over the Zoom. While in person showings are not currently possible we have the ability to write a sight unseen offer that allows you to place a home under contract and then view prior to inspection to verify that it meets your needs. Additionally, means that you might be able to go under contract if you are 99% sure that you love the house just based on what you can see without setting foot inside the home.

This is beneficial if you are a member of an at risk group or at all concerned about having a showing during the normal marketing period as your viewing of the property in person can be put off until later in the process. As a buyer you have a unique opportunity right now as mortgage rates are still at multi-decade lows. That is our adaptations during the pandemic. Contact us today.

Local Industries in Fort Collins

One of the things that makes Fort Collins and Northern Colorado a great place to live is our economic diversity. There are a lot of local industries in Fort Collins, Colorado. We aren’t propped up by one major industry, instead we are a melting pot of large industry, small business, and of course Colorado State University. When it comes to real estate it also means that our home values are very stable compared to other parts of the nation.

Types of Local Industries in Fort Collins

Oil and Gas production is one part of the economic picture in Northern Colorado. Yet when oil prices fluctuate we aren’t likely to see a corresponding fluctuation in the real estate market. The same goes for the technology and manufacturing sectors. Even when we have major players like HP, Broadcom and Intel in town. We also have quite a few small tech companies like Madwire, or even Otterbox. Even during a global pandemic when many are facing layoffs housing prices in Northern Colorado continue to climb.

We are clearly still a place where people want to live, and may even be the target area of those looking to move out of the big cities and into smaller communities. The outlook for Fort Collins and Northern Colorado is a bright one. As we continue to grow we also continue to attract top talent and top companies to our community. The installation of high speed fiber optic internet by the City of Fort Collins will surely contribute to  continued growth of professionals relocating to town. This is especially likely as workforces transition to “work from home” employment models for the long term. That is a bit about local industries in Fort Collins, Colorado. If you have any questions please contact us. We would be happy to share more about what makes Fort Collins great. We can also provide personalized tours of the area to help orient you to specific neighborhoods.

Always In Style Home Décor

Timelessness can be hard to find when decorating a home.  Home décor trends come and go. You can count on there being a hew “IN” thing next year what everyone is doing in their home.  Changing with the trends can be expensive and exhausting. Take a look at a few always in style home décor items.

Here are some always in style home décor items that will stand the test of time.

  • Hardwood floors.  You can be rest assured if you invest in really high quality hardwood floors they could stay in your home for a long, long, long time.
  • House plants. I know it seems odd to consider a house plan a décor item but they can certainly add warmth to a home and also help your home air quality improve.
  • Art.  Art can be a great long term investment.  Find a local artist that you like and make an investment in a piece that you love.  One that touches you.  That piece can bring you joy for a long time.
  • Throw pillows.  Now this is something that you can go over board with.  So watch how many but have some fun and decorate for the season or mix and match colors and textures. 
  • Real wood furniture. I know it is easy to just run to Target or Ikea and grab something because you need it, whether that need be an end table or a night stand.  But how about getting a piece or real wood furniture that will last and you can enjoy and move with you without it falling apart. 
  • Fireplace.  It is strange to call and fireplace décor but it can add so much ambiance to a room. They are an investment that will give you a great  return and they are enjoyable too.

A Few More That May Surprise You. 

  • Mirrors.  Yes, they are great to check and see how you look, but they are also timeless décor pieces. They can help a small area look much bigger.
  • Luxurious throw blankets.  We all love to cozy up on the couch under a warm, cozy blanket.  Don’t just run to Walmart and pick one up for $5.00.  Invest a bit more and get one that is really luxurious.  It will stand the test of time. 
  • Detailed pieces of furniture like console tables, night stands and ottomans.  These pieces help a room feel complete and take a rooms décor from bland to wow.
  • Family heirlooms and personal items that bring you joy. 

There is our list of always in style home décor pieces. Decorating your home does not need to be complicated and trending.  Invest in a few good pieces and enjoy! Contact us if you need help deciding how to decorate your space. We offer our clients home staging services.

Fort Collins Real Estate Market

The question that I get asked the most is, “how is the market”.  When there are things happening in the world, country and our area I hear that question even more.  People want to know if their investment is being negatively affected. Going through a global pandemic has folks asking that question even more.  In a word, the Fort Collins real estate market is GREAT. Prices continue to grow year over year in all segments of the market. This means that if you own a condo or a home you have likely seen a substantial amount of appreciation in your investment.

Median year to date home prices in Northern Colorado, through July 2020.

We are on track to see nice appreciation in the median price of all types of properties in Northern Colorado this year.  Days on the market has increased this year, but list to sales price remains strong at over 99%.  It is a great time to own a home in Northern Colorado. Remember if you have questions about the Fort Collins Real Estate Market, just call, text or email me.  The most current Fort Collins real estate numbers are available from the Fort Collins Board of Realtors. You can also contact us for a personalized home valuation.