In today's environment, it is not uncommon to find cameras at the front of the home, a RING doorbell (or some other electronic doorbell), and cameras monitoring either the pets and/or children on the interior.In many luxury homes, interior cameras are very popular, and when buyers are touring the home, keep your comments to yourself until you return to the car.   It is not acceptable for Sellers to "hear your intentions" and use them against you, but they do.    Lately, it hasn't mattered what the price range is, I have seen the interior and exterior cameras.   Even standing at the front door, don't share your thoughts and/or intentions until you are out of earshot of the Sellers' equipment.When you do write on a property that has these electronic devices, will they be included in the s... 03/29/2022

Denver has the distinction of being the Mile High City, as we are 5,280 feet above sea level.   With that, you need to know a few things. ~ If you don't drink lots of water prior to your visit, you could experience altitude sickness.  This will make you feel dizzy, your tongue may feel like cotton, and you will get a headache.~ The air is thinner here!    You won't be able to fun up a flight of stairs or do the incline like you did at home.   The air will make you feel short of breath until you get used to it.We don't usually have humidity, so your skin will dry out (lots of lotion will be needed) and your lips will be dry all the time. Our weather can be a bit bumpy this time of year, when winter and spring can be seen in the same day!      We have seen beautiful weather in the 70's, b... 03/28/2022

It is a great day when you get a call from a homeowner wishing to put their home on the market.    You set a date and time for the listing appointment, and start doing the research it takes to provide a comprehensive CMA and to correctly price a home for the current market. Once in the home, I like to do the walk-through, noting all the upgrades and amenities throughout the home.   This is also the time I make notes for the Seller if there is a need for repairs to be made.     During this walk, I check for items that could potentially be an issue for FHA or VA appraisals.    During this walk is when I ask if the attached fixtures will remain in the home or be excluded. How many times have you walked a home, buyer loved it, wrote on the property, and at the walk-through found the curtain... 03/26/2022

 The stats are out for the month of February, and all the numbers revolve around the inventory number!   As of almost the end of March, we are still experiencing low inventory (hovering around 2,200 on weekends), down 63.7% over one year ago. I have had potential Sellers who want to list and buy, but are fearful of not finding a replacement home, so they stay put and remodel.   But when they do list, they sure are seeing a great bottom line!   Multiple offers are still happening and aren't across one price point, it is in all price points! This data is courtesy of Joan Cox - House to Home, Inc. Lately, we are seeing homeowners pricing their homes a bit closer to fair market value (some exceptions), and yet seeing increased price reductions (about 160 in a 7-day period).   Wonder if the ... 03/24/2022

 The stats are out for the month of February, and all the numbers revolve around the inventory number!   As of almost the end of March, we are still experiencing low inventory (hovering around 2,200 on weekends), down 63.7% over one year ago. I have had potential Sellers who want to list and buy, but are fearful of not finding a replacement home, so they stay put and remodel.   But when they do list, they sure are seeing a great bottom line!   Multiple offers are still happening and aren't across one price point, it is in all price points! This data is courtesy of Joan Cox - House to Home, Inc. Lately, we are seeing homeowners pricing their homes a bit closer to fair market value (some exceptions), and yet seeing increased price reductions (about 160 in a 7-day period).   Wonder if the ... 03/19/2022

This is the time of year in Denver we call - Roller Coaster Weather! Today we expect around 50 or a bit more, full sun.  Tomorrow is will hit a high of 65 degrees, but the winds will accompany the warm weather. This is the time of year when we see a warm day, sure enough, the next day we will see a snowstorm!   Sure enough, the day after Spring officially arrives, Denver will see 2-4" of the white stuff AGAIN.    We just had 8" on Thursday this week!   Back to the 30's!   With Colorado being so dry, having this much snow this year will stave off the fire season, which is always good to hear.   Don't want to be in the same position most of California is!   With Spring arriving tomorrow, sure will be excited to see anything GREEN.   Looking at my rose bushes, there are signs of some buddi... 03/19/2022

The Denver real estate market is on fire right now. Denver is coming off of a historic year. In 2021, more houses were sold than in any year before. In 2022, people are wondering if this trend can last and if they should hurry and get in on the market. To help with this, we provide an in-depth forecast of what is to come for the Denver real estate market this year. Buyer Demand Recently, U.S. News rated Denver as the 14th best place to live in the nation. The influx of people to the area in the last few years supports this claim. People are flocking to the Denver area for jobs in the tech field, for the incredible views, for the lovely four seasons weather, etc. Because of this, buyer demand for single-family homes is incredibly high at the moment. The need for homes has far exceeded t... 03/17/2022

  The 9 Health Fair will be in full swing and offering low-cost or free screenings at locations around the Denver metro area (sites outside the metro area have been added).    Not all screenings will be offered at every site, so be sure to visit the web site to check where you would like to get your screenings done.   Many screenings are FREE, and some are offered at a low cost.  The screenings are done from 7 am to noon in most areas.  TIPS - ~ This year they say based on the most current research findings, the 9Health Fair Medical Advisory Committee has determined that fasting is not required (optional) for blood screenings.  ~ Diabetics should not fast. ~ Continue taking prescribed medications. ~ Must be 18 years of age or older to participate.There are many screenings that are FREE,... 03/17/2022

 It is a known fact, anyone can walk into a New Home sales office, and buy a home.    You don't have to bring along a REALTOR to assist you - you can go it alone!   BUT, why would you, when representation is paid for by the Builder?   Let me explain a few reasons a Buyer SHOULD have representation to bring up some ideas -  1.  The Sales Representative is very helpful, but they are hired to represent the Builder, NOT the Buyer. 2.  When something is or seems wrong, you are the only one to make any noise to HOPE the builder fixes your issues.   When you have representation, you have a REALTOR® community behind you.   It doesn't take long for bad news about a builder to spread in our circles! 3.  Many times a Builder will offer incentives, but sometimes these options are not out in the ope... 03/15/2022

Seller is moving out of state and wants to leave right after the movers are finished packing and ready to hit the road.    "The closing isn't for another 3 more days - do I have to hang around, or locate a place to stay until we close?"In today's real estate, actually, you do not have to be at the closing, the closer can arrange to have all your documents ready for your signatures the day you are ready.  (as long as the mortgage payoff and HOA status information is back)   Even buyers can opt for a mobile notary wherever they are to get the documents signed.   This is especially nice for relocation buyers closing on their primary home that is out of state, and signing on their purchase in their new city. A Seller can close before the actual close date and have all their paperwork signed... 03/10/2022

 In brisk markets, Sellers may not have located a replacement home in mind, and a Post Closing Occupancy Agreement may need to be prepared to find the replacement home. This document describes who pays for the utilities, and requires the Seller to now carry Renter's Insurance after closing as well as the Buyer holding a non-owner policy.   It also identifies how long this short-term rental will be and if there is a deposit collected.    Rent can be collected, and is usually calculated off the Buyer's new mortgage payment, not the Seller's mortgage.    The rent and utility payment is collected at closing, and if Seller vacates prior to the end of the term, monies are returned to Seller.  (In this crazy market right now, the buyers are offering FREE rent in most contracts) The Seller must... 03/09/2022

I showed a home this past weekend where there was no sign.   My buyer asked why a sign was not put out, or if the REALTOR just didn't have one.   (I laughed at that comment)     There was a time when finding a home was driving through neighborhoods where you preferred to live.    Now, with the Internet and everything online, it isn't as important.  We don't get as many sign calls as a decade ago.     Sometimes when a home is vacant, a Seller doesn't want a sign in the yard, as it alerts burglars it is vacant and could be broken into.  This was the case with the home I was showing.   All the windows blinds were open, and lights were on but was vacant.    I would bet the agent or homeowner returned to the home at the end of the day, shut lights off, and closed the blinds. In my interview ... 03/08/2022

In today's frenzied Seller's market, many homes will be listed as AS-IS.   What does that mean?    Generally, it means the Seller has no intention of repairing/replacing anything, and the Buyer shouldn't ask for anything on inspection.Does that mean that is always what happens - NOPE!    I have an investor that says --- unless you ask, you will never know if they will fix it!     Even though a Seller may say AS-IS, doesn't mean a Buyer should forego an inspection.    Even if you write an offer with no inspection or resolution dates, a termination date will protect you, just in case there are items you did not expect.   What if the sewer line needs replacing, what if the roof needs replacing, has structural integrity issues, or the furnace and A/C?    Are you ready for those expenses? Do... 03/07/2022

 Selling a home and preparing for a move requires organization in today’s market.   While preparing for a move, you tend to go through items throughout the home and decide what to keep and what to dispose of.     There are times sellers have items they would prefer not to move, and have no need for in their new property.     Would the buyer want these items?     Some sellers put sale tags on certain items within their homes for the buyers to know they no longer need pieces of furniture.  Today with furniture hard to get, this works more often.If the buyer does want the furniture, that works, but whatever you do, DO NOT leave your unwanted stuff in the home, including the garage.    If you have to, pay a trash company to haul off the large pieces, or take them to the dump.     There is n... 03/05/2022

  This is the time of year it can be challenging to keep a current exterior photo of the new listing.    In our market we have seen a few new listings hit the market, and funny to have a 60-70 degree day and see a home with snow.   It seems like once a week we see a snowstorm.  There is no sign of budding on the trees, nor the grass greening up yet.       When we see the home on the right in the MLS now, we KNOW it has been on the market for a very long time, since we haven't seen leaves since last October/November. Luckily, here in Denver, homes are going under contract quickly, and keeping a current exterior photo is not as important, but in higher price points where homes are on the market a bit longer, it is important.    I know I go back and take exterior photos without snow, so I ... 03/04/2022

I was speaking with past clients the other day, and they mentioned, they were going to watch for the onslaught of foreclosures that will hit the market. WHAT????    I looked yesterday, there were NO foreclosures, and NO short sales in the Denver metro area (8-county region).   Why would there be?    If a homeowner lost their job or fell onto hard times, all they have to do is call a REALTOR, and sell their home!    Every homeowner has seen a HUGE jump in home values over the last several years, and are sitting on a pile of cash.   WHY would a homeowner let their home back to the bank?  With our inventory at all-time lows, buyers are scrambling to secure a contract and "win the bid".   Offers are made thousands over list price, and promises to make up the "appraisal gap".   (the differen... 03/01/2022

  A Luxury Home can be identified differently in cities across the country, but in Denver, my Luxury blog posts will report on detached single-family homes listed in the Denver metro area for over $1.3 million.  (Over the years I have used $1 million as luxury, but with our rising home values, had the need to increase this amount.)  Some have mountain and/or city views, some properties back to a golf course, or have water views all to compliment one's lifestyle.  (however, we don't have much water)  Some are updated with products from around the world, and some have expansive square footage or on acreage.     Whatever a Buyer is looking for, most likely if you have over $1 million, you can find it in Denver or in the surrounding suburbs.     Here is how the luxury market fared for the m... 02/26/2022

Colorado experienced a horrific fire in Boulder County a few days after Christmas.   Some had lived in their homes for years, some were new neighbors.   There were almost 1,100 homes that burned to the ground, and many had severe damage and will not be able to return home for months.We are now seeing many burned lots for sale, and there are services available to haul away the burned debris.Many of these homeowners are finding they were severely underinsured.   One family has contacted the news crews and said their insurance will pay $860,000, but the home will cost $1.3 million per the adjuster to rebuild.   This insurance was recently issued (7/2020)    There have been 54 formal complaints against insurance companies to the Division of Insurance.   The Division of Insurance is trying t... 02/26/2022

 We hear about service animals and "comfort animals" and are not supposed to turn them away in public places.     Now should we allow other people's pets into our listings, especially when the property HAS pets?      I had a listing that was a HOT commodity, and was blessed to have LOTS of showings in just two days.   Sometime during the 2nd day, (18 or so showings that day) someone brought a dog, and left a deposit in one of the bedrooms. This Seller has a dog of her own, and two cats, which were very traumatized when she returned home.    It was sad hearing a week later, her dog has ingested the deposit, got very sick, and passed away a month later.  We are to allow these animals into areas where they were not allowed to before.    BUT, what if someone in the home has severe animal al... 02/25/2022

   Foodies in and around Denver have been waiting for Restaurant Week!   Denver Restaurant Week will provide two weeks where patrons will enjoy a multi-course dinner for $25, $35 or $45 not including tip or tax, and some offer a glass of wine!     There are hundreds of restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, and see a few more this year joining in.  Servers work their hardest during these two weeks and patrons should be generous with tipping!       Some restaurants have reduced the portions of the meals and included liquor/wine or dessert.     All restaurants are offering a special menu at these prices!   Reservations at high-end restaurants and popular local spots fill quickly.   (Do check back frequently, as cancellations do happen.)    On this site, you can browse by All Menus,... 02/22/2022