Friday, December 29, 2017

My Word for 2018

Our office is big on setting goals, and we review them a couple of times a year as a group. Even though a few of our agents literally hide when these meetings come up, I actually enjoy them. Statistically, people are more likely to follow through and achieve their objectives when they write them down. I find it even more helpful to set smaller milestones on the way to the big goals. It can be motivating to achieve some successes along the way to what can sometimes be a daunting ambition.

Another part of this process that has become a custom is setting our "Word" for the new year. One Word That Will Change Your Life is the book we trade around the office, seeking inspiration. Even though I've read it a couple of times already, I find it helps focus me on what I really want for the upcoming year. This year I picked it up and my Word came to me after about 10 minutes of flipping through the pages.

It is "Courage."

Some of my Words in the past have been directly related to my job. When I received my GREEN designation I chose "Sustainability," vowing to improve my business practices and educate my clients on green choices. Others, like "Support," were intended to remind me of my commitment of service to others in both my professional and personal choices. The Words helped me re-center when I got so busy (or so NOT busy) that I lost sight of my purpose.

I resisted "Courage" when it first popped into my awareness. We've joked in the office about how, in hindsight, our Words really did shape our year and not always in the way we would've liked. Did I want to tempt the universe to test my fortitude? Still, I had to acknowledge that there were events coming up that were going to require me to pull up my big girl panties and get on with it. Some of them I have initiated and believe they will be beneficial, and yet there is a lot of anxiety associated with them. For example, members of my family and I are going to try to purchase our first investment property. While I am excited about this new project it's hard to forget about the risk involved, even though it's a venture within my area of expertise.

Other things are passing-of-time inevitabilities. My youngest daughter is finishing high school in the spring and her interest lies in international studies of some sort. My oldest daughter is talking about an internship on the east coast but also has aspirations to travel. Dennis and I will be empty nesters, and I'll be lucky if one of the kids stays in the country. While I am excited to see them experience the world, it will be quite an adjustment to only see them once or twice a year. People have reminded me that I will have great places to visit them, but I'm not ready to trade a 15-minute drive for a 15-hour flight just yet.

Heraclitus said that the only thing constant is change. Sometimes change is fun and sometimes it sucks, and sometimes you don't know which one it will be until you are knee-deep in it. In 2018, I will strive to remember that I have control over my response to the changes in my life, and that being afraid is an opportunity to be brave. 

Heraclitus also believed in the everlasting Word, that in some sense we are all one and can recognize a unity of experience. My wish for you in the New Year is that you feel that unity as life brings you change, that you realize all that you have come through already through strength and determination, and that you never forget your extraordinary capacity for courage.
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Friday, December 22, 2017

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Effect on Real Estate

Questions about the new tax plan have been swirling for months. As of this writing, the bill has not been signed by the President but there seems to be no reason why it won't be shortly. If you're a homeowner, or have been thinking about becoming one, here are a few points that might be of interest to you:
  • The new bill limits the deduction for the total of state and local property taxes and income or sales taxes to $10,000 for either individual or married couples filing jointly. It also precludes the deduction of 2018 state and local income taxes prepaid in 2017.
  • Up until now, homeowners were allowed to deduct the interest paid on their mortgage loans up to $1,000,000. Going forward, the new limit will be $750,000. This probably won't affect the majority of homeowners, though, since existing loans will be grandfathered in at the old levels. Additionally, the median sales price nationally is about one-third of the new limit so only those that purchase in more expensive zip codes will notice a difference. 
  • The standard deduction is being doubled to $12,000 for individual filers and $24,000 for joint filers. This is likely to reduce the amount of people who itemize, which could also reduce the impact of the lower mortgage interest deduction limit.
  • In the past, the IRS has allowed a deduction for uncompensated casualty and theft losses related to your home or vehicle. Now the deduction can be taken only if the loss is related to a presidentially-declared disaster.
  • A deduction was also allowed for moving expenses, should the relocation be job related. That deduction has been eliminated for everyone except for members of the military.
  • For developers, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit has been retained, which allows qualified agencies to issue tax credits for the development of affordable housing around the country. However, a lower corporate rate will devalue the credits in the future and likely contribute to a decrease in low-income housing being developed. 
  • The Historic Tax Credit, which provides for the rehabilitation and preservation of aging structures has been retained but modified. Gone is the 10% credit for buildings older than 1936; now the building must be a certified historic structure to receive a 20% credit.
  • The final bill increases the amount of eligible qualified property that commercial real estate owners can immediately expense from $500,000 to $1,000,000. While land and buildings do not qualify, improvements to non-residential property do, such as HVAC systems, roofs and security systems. 
  • The final bill retains the current law on the capital gains exclusion, Mortgage Credit Certificates, and carried interest compensation and 1031 Exchanges for investors. Homeowners may still deduct interest on their home equity loans as long as the funds are used to substantially improve their property.
I've seen a lot of difference scenarios run and tax liability calculated so far and I have to say that I'm having a hard time keeping the effects of the various changes in my head all at once. This might be a good year to talk to a financial professional to determine how buying a home or investment property will affect your specific situation. If you need a good resource, let me know - between myself and the cooperating agents in my office I've got a great team of experts that can advise you.


I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Renovation Series - Canyon Cosmetic

"Welcome to our new home! Got any food?"
Anyone who is paying even a little bit of attention to the real estate market lately knows there is a dearth of inventory, forcing buyers to consider options that they may not have in the past. Obsessive HGTV watchers pride themselves on being able to see past wallpaper and tiny closets to a vision of what their dream home could look like. Still, some properties can be challenging to embrace.



Enter Erica and Rob, into this 1970 bilevel with a tiny master bath and dog pee soaked carpet. If ever there was a need for strategically placed eucalyptus air fresheners this was it. But these two potential buyers focused on the positive features of the property - hardwood floors, a great room that offered killer views, a few acres with deer roaming about, and a location that felt like a mountain getaway but was actually only minutes from amenities. Almost everything else could be changed with a little imagination and some creative financial strategies.


Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a hammer; you can have some pie after you take down that wall. 


Renovating an entire house can be daunting - you definitely need to be organized and connected to some real professionals. Contractors should be licensed and insured and know which permits need to be pulled for your area. There's even a new loan product that allows you to roll renovation costs into your conventional mortgage. Build yourself a good team - starting with a Realtor who has renovated four houses top to bottom, personally and professionally, and has a huge directory of tested service providers. I also have a knack for mentally removing walls to see the potential of a floor plan (and then ACTUALLY removing walls; your fault for buying me a reciprocating saw for Christmas, Honey). 

Check in periodically to see the progress on this promising home. In the meantime, give me a call to find your diamond in the rough - I'll even buy you a tool belt as a closing gift.
 

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Friday, November 17, 2017

Adding Indoor/Outdoor Living Space

Friends of mine recently decided to convert their deck into a back porch to extend their enjoyment of the Colorado seasons. They swapped out the traditional French doors leading to the deck with glass accordian doors. The decking is composite so they don't have to stain or paint it regularly. They closed in the space underneath the deck, even though it is still just dirt with weed cover and gravel, to keep the air there warmer. Heaters mounted high up on a couple of walls do the rest of the job in the coldest months. 

The space is complete with bar, counter lighting, barbecue grill and hood, sink, built in cooler, wine refrigerator, margarita machines, beer and nitrogen taps, popcorn machine, fireplace and two flat-screen TVs. I'm sure I've forgotten something but you get the idea!

Some cities will restrict whether you can completely enclose the space with doors and windows or have to leave it open. Be sure to check your local restrictions and apply for the correct building permits. It may seem like a bit of a pain, but you'll want to make sure the job is done correctly and safely and the city inspectors can give you that peace of mind. Also, if you eventually sell, buyers will be wary of improvements made without permits and you could lose money or even the sale if you haven't followed the proper processes. If you'd like the name of the fantastic contractor that pulled all of this together, let me know!



I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Start Saving Now


Buying a home is a considerable expense. If you're trying to save up, make sure that you're not accidentally wasting money in the process. Check to see if you're guilty of some of these habits that could be setting you back.
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Are You Seeing Everything There is to See?

Most people begin their real estate search online these days. It makes sense that people would want easy tools that could give them facts about their home or other properties right away with no commitment. Information is plentiful, but separating the wheat from the chaff can be more challenging. No, I'm not going to rant about any public real estate sites. They are here to stay, though it's important that we understand their place in the real estate firmament. If you would like to see my more expanded opinion, you can check out this post.

You probably know that the local MLSs feed information to other public real estate websites, sometimes very quickly, sometimes not. You may not know that sellers on the MLS can choose for their homes NOT to be listed on some of these properties, for a variety of reasons. This means you can't always be sure that you are seeing all of the homes for sale unless you have access to the MLS directly.

Another snag - the Boulder MLS and Denver MLS haven't been playing very nicely together. Due to a failed buyout attempt, they have decided not to share information with each other. This means that real estate agents have to set up property searches for their clients twice. And because there is overlap in the service areas for both MLSs and some of us agents belong to both, clients are often getting duplicate emails and properties. Frustrating and time wasting for everyone, and it doesn't look like it's going to get resolved anytime soon.

Staufer Team to the rescue! In order to provide the best customer service we can, we have purchased a website that combines all of the listings from both MLSs. Even better, our clients can login, look for houses, and save properties searches themselves. They can mark their favorites, make notes and request showings directly through the site. One stop shop.


How do you find this dream come true? Login to robbin.viewboulderareahomes.com. Despite the name, it'll show you properties from Julesburg to Durango. It's never too early to get to know the market, and I won't bug you (too much) ;)

Image: J i J y
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Buyers, Don't Stress!

Buying a home is a big decision, but that doesn’t mean it has to terrify you! When you’re ready, let’s meet up and put some of those home buying fears to rest. I am an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), and love working with first time homebuyers.

https://homebuying.realtor/content/terrified-buy-home-put-your-biggest-fears-rest?om_rid=AABel6&om_mid=_BZqIbmB9fseWK2&om_ntype=REBACWeekly

I look forward to hearing from you!
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Thursday, July 20, 2017

FOR SALE: 1820 Sussex Street, Lafayette


New listing in Coal Creek Meadows! A chance to get into Lafayette and the Boulder Valley School District. Plus, the LaMont Does Adventure Waterpark is only a short distance away and scheduled for completion this summer.

This ranch home sits on a corner lot and has a full basement. 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, an eat-in kitchen and a fireplace in the living room round out the main floor. If you're looking for an affordable property to bring your DIY skills to, this is it! The house is a fixer-upper and being sold as-is, but it's priced accordingly.

I'll be holding an Open House on Sunday, July 23 from 10-12pm if you'd like to see the place in person. Call if you'd like a showing but can't make the open house. And start thinking about how you're going to decorate!
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Friday, July 14, 2017

FOR SALE: 662 Sunnyside Street, Louisville




Fresh listing in Louisville North! Great location - attend a pilates class, pick up groceries at Alfalfa's & take a short stroll thru the beautiful Colorado weather to your new home! Attend Boulder Valley schools and enjoy all that downtown has to offer. 

This trilevel home has 3 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, 1 car garage and 1296 sqft. Extensive hardwood floors greet you, custom kitchen built-ins hold your favorite coffee and the huge master bedroom provides plenty of room for a reading area as well as your bedroom furniture. There's also a backyard flagstone patio, slate tile, walk-in closet, and a radon mitigation system already installed. Great schools, close to downtown it already feels like home! 

I'll be holding an Open House on Sunday, July 16 form 1-3pm if you'd like to pop in. Or contact me to schedule a private showing. Settle in this house before the new school year starts!
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

PRICE REDUCTION - 245 Dahlia Drive, Louisville


Now $499,900 - get yourself into Dutch Creek! This 1668 square foot bi-level solves the challenges that some bi-levels have very elegantly! First of all, the upper level flows seamlessly from room to room. The kitchen is open to the family room while still being convenient to formal living and dining. You can just picture your friends mingling and moving comfortably from bar to buffet during your housewarming party!


Upstairs is a bedroom or office and a full bathroom. The kitchen has some stainless steel appliances and a long counter for casual dining. The entertaining space spills out from the family room onto the back deck and brick patio. Play catch in the yard, sip lemonade under the shade of the large tree, or tend to your thriving vegetables and flowers. The PVC hoops provide a structure for plastic sheeting that extends the growing season for those who can't get enough gardening!

The master bedroom walks out into the yard, providing convenience and natural light to the lower level. There's a full master bathroom, second bedroom, rec room and laundry room to round out the downstairs. The floor plan has a nice balance of allowing togetherness and also providing spaces to do your own thing.  

Hardwood floors, slate tile wainscotting, 2-car garage, fenced backyard, new James Hardie ColorPlus siding and front door, two-year old seamless gutters and downspouts, and low-maintenance, established front yard landscaping. At $499,900, you'll be hard-pressed to find the combination of square footage, features and location of this home anywhere else in Louisville.

So much about this area to love - enjoy movies in the park at the Louisville Community Park only blocks away, take your furry children to the dog park, or hop on your bike and head for an ice cream cone at Sweet Cow downtown. The neighborhood schools are some of the best in the Boulder Valley School District. Just move in, get comfortable and enjoy the Colorado lifestyle. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a private showing.
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

Thursday, June 8, 2017

FOR SALE: 245 Dahlia Drive, Louisville


Fresh listing in Dutch Creekthis 1668 square foot bi-level solves the challenges that some bi-levels have very elegantly! First of all, the upper level flows seamlessly from room to room. The kitchen is open to the family room while still being convenient to formal living and dining. You can just picture your friends mingling and moving comfortably from bar to buffet during your housewarming party!

Upstairs is a bedroom or office and a full bathroom. The kitchen has some stainless steel appliances and a long counter for casual dining. The entertaining space spills out from the family room onto the back deck and brick patio. Play catch in the yard, sip lemonade under the shade of the large tree, or tend to your thriving vegetables and flowers. The PVC hoops provide a structure for plastic sheeting that extends the growing season for those who can't get enough gardening!

The master bedroom walks out into the yard, providing convenience and natural light to the lower level. There's a full master bathroom, second bedroom, rec room and laundry room to round out the downstairs. The floor plan has a nice balance of allowing togetherness and also providing spaces to do your own thing.  

Hardwood floors, slate tile wainscotting, 2-car garage, fenced backyard, new James Hardie ColorPlus siding and front door, two-year old seamless gutters and downspouts, and low-maintenance, established front yard landscaping. At $520,000, you'll be hard-pressed to find the combination of square footage, features and location of this home anywhere else in Louisville.

So much about this area to love - enjoy movies in the park at the Louisville Community Park only blocks away, take your furry children to the dog park, or hop on your bike and head for an ice cream cone at Sweet Cow downtown. The neighborhood schools are some of the best in the Boulder Valley School District. Just move in, get comfortable and enjoy the Colorado lifestyle.

I'll be holding an open house on Saturday from 1-3pm if you'd like to stop by. Or feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a private showing. Buyer demand is high in Louisville and offers are being reviewed as they come in, so don't wait to visit!
  

I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 
Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com