5 Reasons Why Monument 80132 Colorado Springs Home Buyers And Sellers Choose a Realtor

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous journey. You need an experienced Real Estate Professional to lead you to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or FSBO. 

The 5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Professional in your corner haven’t changed, but have rather been strengthened due to the projections of higher mortgage interest rates & home prices as the market continues to recover. 

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, there are over 230 possible actions that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, who knows what these actions are to make sure that you acquire your dream?

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. However, after looking at the list of parties that you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the value in selecting a Real Estate Professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people that you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical FSBO home sold for $208,000 compared to $235,000 among agent-assisted home sales.” Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.  

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a low-ball offer? Dave Ramsey, the financial guru advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring an agent who has their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying/selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line:

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of your most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a Real Estate Professional?
Call Charonda Wills, Selstate alliance Realty  at 719-930-4653. Visit www.CharondaWills.com.  Find your dream home here.

When Should Colorado Springs 80920 Home Sellers Consider Changing The Price of Their Home?

When is it time to consider lowering your listing price, or

 the price you are considering, to sell your Colorado

 Springs home?

1. What Do the Comps Say?
   • Comps are the comparable sales - that is homes similar to and near yours that have sold recently or that are currently on the market.
   • You need to look at these homes carefully to learn what the true value of your home is.
   • Make sure that the comps are truly comparable.
     • If you're home is not as nice or well-maintained as another otherwise similar home, you need to realize that your home is not likely to sell for the same price.
     • If another home has a larger lot or a slightly better location, that too needs to be considered when deciding how your house should be priced.
     • On the flip side, if your house is nicer or better located, etc. that too should be factored in.
     • Also consider the average days on market to see if most houses are selling sooner than yours has.
2. Has Your Home Been Exposed?

• Has your agent marketed your home?
  • How many Trulia views, Zillow reviews, etc. has the home had?
  • How many people have scheduled a viewing of your house?
  • If your house has received thousands of views on the internet but few visits in person, or if you have received numerous visits and no or low offers, your house has probably been marketed and exposed to the market.
  • If your home doesn't show views online or visits in person, then marketing is likely at least one of the issues.
  • 
    
  • Can You Change the Condition of Your House?
  • Are there things you could and are willing to do to make the home more appealing to buyers?
    • Paint, carpet, staging, a new kitchen?

Understandably, all sellers want the most money for their home.  If the comps show that your home is overpriced, if your agent is properly marketing your home and you are getting online visits or in person visits and no offers, if your home has been on the market longer than most homes in the area, if you can't or won't do any updates or changes to your home, then it is likely time to seriously consider a price adjustment.

Whether looking for a fresh approach or to list your home, I am here to help you.

Call Charonda Wills, SellState Alliance Realty at 719-930-4653 or visit www.CharondaWills.com

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What is a good price for your home in your market?

3 Things Colorado Springs Home Buyers Need To Ask In Woodland Park - Meridian Ranch - Palmer Lake - Monument Colorado 80831, 80132, 80863

If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, there are three questions you should ask before purchasing in today’s market.

1. Why am Ibuying a home in the first place?

This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with finances. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reveals that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money:

A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education

A place where you and your family feel safe

More space for you and your family

Control of the space

What non-financial benefits will you and your family derive from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.

2. Where arehome values headed?

When looking at future housing values, Home Price Expectation Survey provides a fair assessment. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number. Here is what the experts projected in the latest survey:

Home values will appreciate by 4% in 2015.

The cumulative appreciation will be 23.5% by 2019.

Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 15.1% by 2019.

3. Where aremortgage interest rates headed?

A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The ‘long term cost’ of a home can be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by approximately one full percentage over the next twelve months.

Bottom Line

Only you and your family can know for certain the right time to purchase a home. Answering these questions will help you make that decision.Call Charonda Wills, SellState Alliance Realty Today at 719-930-4653 and Visit www.CharondaWills.com

Colorado Springs Real Estate 80920 Guide For Selling Home

Current Colorado Springs Real Estate Facts For Selling Your Colorado Springs Home

Colorado Springs Real Estate
Homes Are Selling Faster, Prices Are Up, Buyers Are Very Active
Home sales are up. Median home sale prices are rising. Homes sold under 30 days on market are rising. Currently low mortgage rates are attracting home buyers. First time home buyers are up 32%. It really is a great time to list and sell your home. Need some advice? Call/Text Carrie Lukins, SellState Alliance Realty 317-538-5060. Visit www.yourhomesinstantvalue.com

We help you sell and move:)

What is Your Home Worth In Today's Market?

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Colorado Springs Homes And Real Estate 80920: Home Owners Guide And Tips For Selling Your Home In The Winter

Colorado Springs Real Estate:

Home Owner Tips For Selling a Home In The Winter

Charonda Will, Realtor

SellState Alliance Realty, Colorado Springs, CO. 80920

www.CharondaWills.com

If the weather is getting colder and you need to get your home sold, consider the following advice to make the process easier and more effective. Use these Winter time home selling tips to effectively get your home sold.

• Keep the temperature up – While you may have a strong desire to minimize your homes utility bills as winter weather arrives, you need to remember that you are selling an experience when you are selling your home. The people walking through your door should be able to imagine themselves living in your home – something that is hard to do when they are shivering from the cold. You do not have to keep the heat going all of the time if you are OK with cooler conditions, but definitely keep the house warm while you are showing if you want to attract offers. Selling a home has a lot to do with emotional connections. Often times people will know they like a place within five minutes of walking through the door. Making it easier for them to connect with your home is a smart move.

• Take care of the ice and snow – If you live in an area where snow falls and temperatures drop below freezing, you should make it a point to keep access to your house free and clear of these obstacles and safety hazards. Your sidewalks and doorways should remain clear of snow and ice, both because it looks better and because it allows buyers access to the interior. It is also important for aesthetic reasons – people like a well-kept exterior. There are also legal reasons as well. Did you know that it is easy to get sued if someone falls and gets injured on your property because of negligence on your part? Some states  have made it a law that you have a legal responsibility to clear snow and ice from your home. Getting sued is never fun. It makes sense to spend a little extra keeping your property maintained especially when you are selling in the Winter.

• Keep the exterior clean – One of the problems with wintertime is all the grime that accumulates due to the snow and ice. Your windows and your siding may have a noticeable layer of dirt on it that is best cleaned off before you show the house. You only get one first impression, so make it count by cleaning the exterior. So while keeping your walk and driveway cleared of ice and snow is important you also want the general appearance of your property to be up to snuff as well. A graceful appearance is certainly one of the top winter home selling tips to exercise with care. Take a look at my guide for some additional exterior home staging tips as well as other helpful advice on making your interior shine.

• Watch out for ice dams – While many people love the almost magical look of winter time around a home with snow and cool looking icicle formations, these things can wreak havoc on our homes. One of the more common issues that can appear in cold winter climates is the formation of ice dams. Ice dams can form around the eaves and gutters of a roof causing tremendous damage. Ice dams can loosen shingles, tear off shingles, and force water into our homes. This can cause damaged ceilings, peeling paint, ruined insulation and if you don’t address the problem right away mold! Fixing ice dam problems is something you will want to address right away especially when selling your home.  There are not many things in a home purchase that will scare a buyer away faster than a water issue. As a Realtor one of the things we discuss with sellers all the time is how to prepare for the buyers home inspection. This is of major importance because it is the largest hurdle to clear when selling a home. Many buyers are scared to death of any kind of water issues. Not only will you want to actually fix the ice dam itself but any kind of water staining left behind as well.

• Showcase the fireplace – If you have a fireplace you should definitely show it off to buyers. How you do this will depend on several things. If you have a gas fireplace it is easy enough to start it up before a showing and add some ambiance to your family room area. However, a wood burning fireplace is not something you can just leave burning around the clock. You can set up the wood for a fire – at least demonstrating the potential for what the house can do. Talk with your real estate agent to determine the best way to do all of this. He or she may be comfortable starting a fire and taking care of it while showing your house.

• Show in the daytime if possible – You only get so much daylight during the wintertime. Try to time the showings of your home for when the sun is still shining. It may take some effort to get buyers to your house before the workday ends but there are obvious benefits to doing so. People can see how the house actually looks both inside and out and will be more likely to find it appealing because of this. Since you can’t control when people will actually want to look at your home it will make sense to have a well lit exterior for the occasional showing past daylight hours. Take the time to make sure you have all the exterior lights turned on. If you have spotlights for the backyard or deck area make sure these are turned on as well. Selling a home in the winter can be more challenging to show off your home’s exterior living areas but it is well worth the effort.

• Emphasize comfort – Beyond keeping the house warm and the fire lit, you can do a lot of little things to make your home seem more comfortable and inviting. Buyers may be coming in out of the cold and feeling stressed from the house-hunting experience. They may be wondering if they can find a house they really like that will be good for both them and their loved ones. Let them know that your house fits this ideal by focusing on the little things. You could put a nice fluffy blanket on the couch, turn back the comforter on the bed and make sure the interior lighting is warm and cozy. Some sellers like to bake cookies or pie during a showing to keep the house smelling like home. Others like to put on some relaxing music and light candles. What you do will depend on your personality and the space you are working with. Putting in a little effort to make the home comfortable in an otherwise uncomfortable season can work wonders for your sale.  Colorado Real Estate Buyers pay attention to how well the seller had their home looking. Everything was perfect from the exceptional care they took with their exterior to the holiday decor to the subtle music playing in the background. All of the Realtors and buyers going through  homes are quick to comment on excellent appearances. It was clearly a difference maker as the home sold after only being on the market for a few weeks in a very slow time of year.

• Embrace the season – The holiday season is one of the greatest advantages you have while selling in winter. While there are certainly challenges presented by holidays and vacationing buyers, there are also a range of things you can do to tap into the energy that already exists due to the season. Sellers in wintertime often decide to decorate their homes for the holiday to really draw buyers in. Decorations, lights, scents and even presents under the tree can all do great things for your sale. Many buyers will have families or be planning on having a family. Let them see how great your home is for throwing holiday parties and enjoying time with family and friends. It may be just the thing to attract an offer. Just make sure you don’t go overboard. While being festive and having holiday decor can set your home apart from others it can also become a major distraction when you cross the limits. Ask your real estate agent their opinion. Realtors go into tons of homes so they should have a good understanding of what is tasteful and what is “too much”.

• No shoes – It is easy to be too accommodating to potential buyers, sometimes to your detriment. One boundary that buyers may actually appreciate is the “no shoes” rule. Considering all of the slush and dirt that can be pulled in from outside, it only makes sense to have visitors remove their footwear before walking around in your home. You have already had the carpet cleaned in anticipation of your showings. The last thing you want is mud and dirt brought in from foot traffic.You can place a sign at the door letting visitors know that shoes should be removed prior to entering. Some people offer disposable slippers to wear while in the house, although this is not necessary. What this does is show that you take pride in your home. Buyers generally appreciate this especially when they have the same mindset you do.

• Price it right – Depending on your area, the competition for selling a home may be less due to the winter season. However, this does not mean you should price your home excessively high. There are real risks that come with too high a price, including having your home remain on the market far too long to attract good offers. Work with your Realtor to set a fair price for your home that will attract offers right away. The sooner you sell your home, the better. This advice is really important when you are in an area where winter time home selling activity really decreases. The last thing you want to do is have your days on the market inflated heading into spring. This is just going to encourage buyers to make low ball offers on your home. Something I am sure you will want to avoid at all costs! Monitor the days on the market carefully and try to understand when it is appropriate to reduce your home price. Again your real estate agent should be a trusted adviser to consult with on this subject.

• General home selling tips – There are some things that go without saying when selling a home no matter what time of year it is. Besides properly pricing your home which is the most important thing you can do there are other items that are critical components to a successful home sale. These include among other things picking a top producing Realtor, having exceptional photography, keeping your place clean, and allowing easy access for agents to show your home. Request a list of best home sale tips here. When you follow these home sale tips there is no doubt your chances of success will improve dramatically.

• Make your marketing material count – One of the downsides of selling a home in the winter is that people can often times not get to see how great your lot looks. Maybe you have the greenest lawn on the block? How about a tree that is simple stunning when it is in full bloom in the spring? Do you have an amazing in-ground pool for summertime fun? These are all things that a buyer will not get to fully appreciate when you are selling in the winter. You can however, make it easier for them to picture. Do this by providing them with some of your best exterior photos during other seasons of the year. This is something that is great to have and will compliment any other creative real estate marketing you have left on the counter for a potential buyer to take with them.

Why Sell a Home In The Winter?

Now that you know how to sell a home in the winter you may be wondering if it is actually a good idea. Much like selling a home in the fall there are some advantages that come with selling in the winter. The biggest competitive advantage a seller has in the wintertime is less competition. Typically there are far fewer homes for sale in the winter than at other times of the year.

Most sellers will wait until early Spring to market their home. This benefits a seller as buyers have far fewer choices. Additionally while winter is usually much slower for home sales, the buyers looking are almost always more serious especially in areas where the weather is inclement. Unless they are really serious about buying a home it is doubtful a buyer will make a practice of going out and looking at homes in the snow and frigid temperatures.

Charonda Wills, Realtor

Let Charonda Wills at SellState Alliance Realtor help you get your home sold right! Call her today at 317-528-5060 or visit www.CharondaWills.com. Charonda knows the Colorado Springs Real Estate market, and how to showcase homes in any season and get them sold.

Home Starts Here

Charonda Wills

Realtor

SellState Alliance

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

www.CharondaWills.com

317-538-5060