Monday, November 15, 2021

FOR SALE: 2568 Syracuse St, Stapleton



Live in the exciting Stapleton area of Denver for under $500,000! This townhouse-style condo has an open floor plan with a fireplace and huge pantry, two bedrooms up plus loft, 5-piece primary bathroom plus a giant walk-in closet, two balconies and a 2-car attached garage. The HOA takes care of all grounds and exterior maintenance so you can fly off to Rome on a moment's notice! The development is quiet, and the location is walkable to many neighborhood amenities including parks, restaurants and gyms. Contact me for a private showing!


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


Friday, October 15, 2021

Saturday, September 11, 2021

FOR SALE: 1242 S Mesa Court, Superior

Rock Creek Ranch is a popular place to be, with its mature landscaping, great neighborhood amenities, and Boulder Valley schools. With over 2800sqft, this 2-story has a living room, family room and rec room so there is space for everyone and all their activities. The three upstairs bedrooms have a desirable separation between the primary and other bedrooms. There is a main level bedroom with adjacent 3/4 bath which is convenient for guests. The basement bedroom is currently being used as an office but is a conforming bedroom with egress window. The owners moved the laundry room to the basement (washer and dryer included) so they would have more space in the mudroom, but the taps are still there if you'd like to bring it back up to the main floor.

The kitchen has been recently remodeled with stainless appliances, beautiful counters and refinished hardwood floors. It looks out onto a large, low-maintenance, composite deck. The lot is just over a quarter acre, with mature trees shading the deck, sprinklers in the front and back, and a drip irrigation system. All the windows in the house have been replaced except for one in the primary bathroom.

Other features include a gas fireplace in the family room, Nest thermostat, shed and desirable cul-de-sac location. The listing price is $849,000 and the home will be available to view until Sunday evening when offers are due. If you'd like a private showing, don't hesitate to contact me!


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


Saturday, September 4, 2021

FOR SALE: 8460 Decatur St #132, Westminster

Looking for that lock and leave lifestyle, a reliable investment property, or maybe your own cozy retreat? This Prospectors Point condominium is the answer. This 1-bedroom, 1 bath unit has some great features like plantation shutters, a large walk-in closet, central A/C, and the clothes washer and dryer included. The bedroom is big enough to accommodate a home office or work out space. The murphy bed cabinet in the living room adds an extra bed for guests, or remove it to enjoy the wood-burning fireplace. As an end unit, there is plenty of natural light plus a covered patio to enjoy the Colorado weather. Just 15 minute to downtown Denver, the location is convenient for work or play, and at $190,000 you can't find better value in the area. Contact me for a showing!


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


Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2Q21 Boulder County Stats

The first half of the year's numbers are in and they are still maintaining the trend from the first quarter. We've seen an uptick in listings this month, although that wasn't hard to do since we were so low to begin with.
Buying activity seems to have slowed a bit as people go on vacation. This was not something we saw last year with Covid - could be that we are returning to a more predictable seasonal pattern. If so, things will pick up a bit after Labor Day until November.

If you need a market activity report for your county or neighborhood let me know. It's still a good time to sell!


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


Sunday, July 18, 2021

FOR SALE: 1562 E Riverbend Street, Superior


This one will not disappoint! The owners of this Rock Creek 2-story have taken great care of their home, and polished up the cosmetics, too! Let's start with the the 3 bedrooms up and 5 piece primary bathroom. Two of the bedrooms share a full bath and have some separation from the primary bedroom. All of the windows in the house have been replaced in the last few years and let in a ton of natural light. The main floor has a renovated eat-in kitchen with counter seating along with a formal living and dining room. The family room has vaulted ceilings, wood floors and a gas fireplace. Top it off with a main floor bed/office, remodeled powder room and laundry.

The finished basement has a 3/4 bath near the conforming guest bedroom, storage space, plus a large bonus room that serve many purposes at once. The basement carpeting is brand new and the water heater is just two years old. The private backyard has a play structure and deck, with patio furniture that can be thrown into the deal. Since this is a corner lot, the 2-car garage side loads with a south facing driving so the snow will melt by midday. A radon mitigation system is already installed and a pre-listing inspection has been done to give the new buyers peace of mind and offers are due by the evening of July 18. Asking price is $849,000 and includes the neighborhood amenities - tennis courts, pools, clubhouse, exercise room and walking trails. Just minutes to shopping and restaurants in a few directions - drive over and see why people love Superior!


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


Monday, July 5, 2021

Broomfield Heights 1st Filing 2Q21 Stats

Are we returning to a more normal real estate schedule? Last year, nothing was normal. Like everyone else, we were completely shut down for a few weeks. When things started going again they didn't slow down, not even very much in July and during the holidays.

This summer we're seeing the typical slump in showing activity while people head out on vacation, excited to be out in the world again. We are still low on inventory, and properties under $600,000 are still moving quickly.


Broomfield Heights 1st Filing saw 15 houses close in the second quarter, keeping pace with last year and exceeding the three years prior. 


The median $/sqft foot dropped slightly, but I'm not very concerned about that being a trend. That number moves from month to month depending on what is on the market. Also, I noticed more houses than usual in the neighborhood were sold off-market, at least one to a family member at a steep discount. Houses that don't make it to the MLS generally sell for less than they would have had they been given adequate market exposure and had a real estate expert negotiating and advocating for the seller's needs. If you'd like a Comparative Market Analysis of your home, contact me anytime, no obligation!


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


Monday, June 21, 2021

Another Satisfied Customer

My business operates mostly on referrals. My goal is to make happy clients that talk to me about their friends and family. Not only does this help my business survive, but if I get along with a client chances are I'll get along with the people they know. This is a great way to work.

Robin and Patrick bought a condo in Boulder about 6 years ago and just moved up to a detached home. The process was a little tricky in that we had to find a seller who would accept a contract contingent on the sale of their condo first. In this seller's market, it's unlikely in the Denver/Boulder area. As it turns out, they fell in love with a newer neighborhood in Loveland, so the seller gave us a week and a half to get the condo under contract and we were able to do so.

Communication with the other agent was not so smooth, as she was moving herself and her assistant quit. But she was good-natured and we eventually got all of the threads tied up. Robin left this review on my Google business page:

"I cannot say enough great things about working with Robbin. We first worked together seven years ago when we bought our first place, and she was the obvious choice when it came time to sell that place and buy a house. The process of selling and buying a home at the same time was so overwhelming and difficult, and having an agent like Robbin made all the difference in the world. Not only is she experienced, highly skilled and incredibly knowledgeable, she is also one of the most caring and genuine people I know. She has the remarkable ability to remain calm and levelheaded in extremely stressful situations, a quality that is vitally important in an agent. She is incredibly organized and on top of every detail. She also bent over backwards to help us throughout this process, and we are so grateful to her for that. With Robbin, it always felt like we were her top priority, day or night. We are so fortunate to have found her."


 

Thank you, Robin and Patrick! My only regret is that now that you've found your dream house, I won't get to see you as often. We'll have to plan a nice picnic at that lake!


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


Thursday, June 17, 2021

What You Need to Know about Metro Taxing Districts

Metro taxing districts are a part of a property's tax bill and are becoming more and more common in Colorado. Rather than including the costs of infrastructure such as roads and recreation facilities into the price of a newly built home, developers create a separate taxing district so that these expenses can be paid back over time. This keeps the prices of the homes lower, requiring less of a downpayment and creating more opportunities for home ownership.

Property Tax Certificate
The downside of these districts is the potential for unanticipated hikes in future property taxes. One study showed that a typical metro tax district payment increased by about 10% in the first four years. In addition, if houses in the new development are not built and sold as fast as anticipated, the existing homes will foot the bill for more of their share of the expenses. A Denver Post article not long ago cited both successful districts and those being abused, creating a source of revenue for the developer. 

Helpful information for evaluating metro tax districts can be found at the Colorado Division of Local Affairs. One thing to look for is the number of homeowners on the board; the more homeowners, the more likely decisions regarding the neighborhood will be made in the interests of the homeowners. Also, checking on the amount of total debt that can be issued in the future can help potential buyers determine what the worst case scenario for the tax bill would be. Smaller districts with fewer homes should be able to determine with a fair amount of accuracy what the total infrastructure costs will be versus very large developments that build for many years.

Evaluating the metro tax district is an important but confusing part of the home buying process. If you need help, the Colorado Division of Local Affairs should be able to answer questions, as would the tax assessor in the county where the development is built. The existence of a metro tax district is not, in and of itself, something to be feared, but it is important to know what you're getting into.


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


Thursday, June 10, 2021

Broomfield Heights 1st Filing Neighborhood Garage Sale 2021

Join us June 12, 8am-3pm!

130 Agate Way
269 Agate Way
299 Agate Way
235 Beryl Way
259 Beryl Way
280 Beryl Way
116 Daphne Way
260 Daphne Way
275 Daphne Way
124 Emerald Street
127 Emerald Street
178 Emerald Street
185 Emerald Street
289 Emerald Street
146 Flint Way
270 Flint Way
235 Garnet Street
295 Garnet Street
200 Hemlock Street
130 Iris Street
145 Iris Street
250 Jade Street
800 W 1st Avenue
320 W 3rd Ave Drive


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


Monday, May 24, 2021

How Will the Gallagher Amendment Repeal Affect Property Taxes?

I recently attended a webinar explaining the Gallagher Amendment, and how its repeal could potentially affect our property taxes. This hour-long video will also include some information on the federal governments proposed tax policies and 1031 Exchanges for investment properties.


Should you need more resources, don't hesitate to contact me!


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


Monday, May 17, 2021

What the Heck is Clear Cooperation?

It sounds like something you might learn about on Sesame Street, but it's actually a policy enacted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in 2020. In keeping with its Code of Ethics, this rule was enacted by NAR to protect the consumer and advance the interests of home buyers and sellers.

You may be familiar with the real estate industry term "pocket listings," or perhaps you've driven past a home with a "Coming Soon" sign in the front yard. These are both ways that a real estate agent can begin to market a client's home and search for buyers. The debate has always been whether these practices are in the best interests of the seller and the public. 

A pocket listing is a property that an owner has expressed interest in selling and has given their agent permission to begin talking about but not list on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Sometimes there are good reasons for a client to want to do this. Perhaps they do not have a replacement home yet and are looking for a buyer who allow them to remain in the home until they have somewhere to go. Until an ideal situation presents itself, the owner is not quite ready to sell and move. Or maybe there is an occupant in the home who cannot accommodate showings and open houses and would rather quietly and quickly sell the home off-market.

Coming Soon listings are often used to generate anticipation and excitement about a new property for sale, so when the showing schedule opens up it fills up just as quickly. However, this approach can be abused when it's used specifically for the listing agent to find unrepresented buyers before the property is available to other agents, thus avoiding the obligation to share the commission with a buyer's agent.

There is an argument that these private sales hurt consumers in general, by depriving buyers of purchase opportunities before the sale, skewing data after, and not providing sellers with adequate market exposure which could result in a higher price than originally sought. Without a central database of properties for sale like the MLS, information can be fragmented and hard for the consumer to find and understand.

The MLS is an extremely important and useful industry tool. Agents who participate in the MLS already agree to cooperate with other members to find buyers and get their listings sold. NAR has attempted to level the playing field by requiring members to list their properties in the MLS once they are marketed to the general public. This ensures that the listing will be available to the largest group of agents and potential buyers, and minimizes business practices that are in the best interest of the agent or brokerage firm rather than the client.

Pocket listings may be used when the marketing of them is kept within a brokerage firm, as there are still situations when this may be in the client's best interests and at their direction. A Coming Soon listing must be put into the MLS within one business day of being marketed to the general public.

NAR has been accused by some private listing services of anti-trust law violation by discouraging listing on their systems. In February, a federal judge ruled for NAR in the case of The PLS.com, LLC v. The National Association of Realtors et al, noting that anti-trust laws were enacted to protect competition, not competitors. The court said that the Clear Cooperation Policy has "some plainly pro-competitive aspects," and does not have a restrictive effect on brokerage services to consumers. Other lawsuits are ongoing.

It makes sense to me that both sellers and buyers would benefit from the most eyeballs looking at the largest MLS repositories in each sales area. I've run across many properties in my research that were sold off-market, and sometimes it looked to me like the seller left money on the table. Was selling price always their biggest priority? Perhaps not, and I'll give the benefit of the doubt to those handling the transaction that the client's best interests were served. If you're a REALTOR® like me and not just a real estate agent, you've taken an oath to uphold the Code of Ethics. I believe that the Clear Cooperation Policy clarifies the duties of the REALTOR® and is a beneficial change for the consumer.


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



Thursday, May 13, 2021

April 2021 Boulder County Stats

We continue to speed along the real estate highway, stopping to catch our breathe and grab an occasional smoothie. 

If you need more specific sales data for your neighborhood or your home, please contact me for your no-obligation Opinion of Value.


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



Wednesday, May 12, 2021

FOR SALE: 4658 White Rock Circle #1, Boulder


Boulder living without the Boulder prices! Have you been to Gunbarrel? It's just a few minutes from downtown Boulder and downtown Longmont, which are bustling now that vaccinations are being given! The lock-and-leave lifestyle is perfect for Colorado residents who have so much in the area to enjoy - exterior maintenance, snow removal, trash and water are all included so you can get into those mountains for the weekend! 

This 2 bedroom, 2 bath, garden-level condominium in Hunter Creek is great for a primary residence or investment property. The floors have been updated, as has the primary bathroom and walk-in closet. The unit comes with a washer and dryer, wood-burning fireplace, patio and two reserved parking spaces - one of them covered. The amenities are great - tennis courts, pool, clubhouse, workout room, not to mention the lovely grounds and nearby Gunbarrel Commons Park and Twin Lakes!

Contact me for a showing! At $324,900 I expect it'll be gone before the weekend!


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


Friday, May 7, 2021

FOR SALE: 1567 E Riverbend Street, Superior


This is your Superior dream home! Located in Rock Creek, backing to ponds, this five bedroom 2-story house has enough square footage for everyone to get a little privacy but also big enough rooms to play a game of pool or enjoy a movie together.

The main levels boasts wood floors, tons of natural light, some newer windows, a formal living and dining room, half bath and good sized laundry room. The kitchen flows nicely into the family room with vaulted ceilings and skylights. Newer stainless steel appliances, huge pantry and leather-finished granite countertops round out the eat-in kitchen. There's even an EV charger in the garage! Spend the beautiful Colorado evenings on the deck overlooking green space while you grill up dinner. Or entertain friends down below on the brick patio around the fire pit and in the hot tub!

Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a walk-in closet and updated 5-piece bath with quartz countertops. The whole-house fan works great to cool the house down between seasons. If you like it a little colder, the new central air conditioning unit can be counted on for years to come. In addition, the three other upstairs bedrooms have fans and share a roomy full bathroom.

The finished basement is just as great as the two upper floors. Game room, fifth bedroom, full bathroom, plenty of storage and a giant bonus room with Ikea cabinets included. Because it's a walkout, it doesn't feel at all like a basement. The exterior was just painted a couple of year ago so there's plenty of life left.

You probably know demand is high in the Boulder Valley School District. Not to mention the great amenities that Rock Creek, Flatirons Mall and downtown Louisville offer only minutes away. Asking price is $820,000. There is an offer deadline of Monday, May 10 at 5pm, so don't wait to call me for your private showing!


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


Thursday, April 29, 2021

FOR SALE: 5485 W 73rd Place, Westminster


Unlike most properties, this listing lives up to the beautiful photographs! This 3128 square foot, 2-story home is located in the Shoenberg Greens development, blocks from Faversham Park, shopping and dining. The main floor has 9' ceilings, engineered hardwood floors, gas fireplace, eat-in kitchen with granite island, gas stove, pantry and stainless steel appliances.

Take the stairs to the light-filled second floor where you will find three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, plus a loft and laundry room. The primary bedrooms has a large shower and walk-in closet and black-out curtains, and the finishes are tasteful and easy to accessorize.

The finished basement has a family room, utility room with storage, fourth bedroom and full bath. Also included are the clothes washer and dryer, radon mitigation system, Cat 6 wiring, whole house vacuum, and a 2-car attached garage. The listing price is $590,000.

If you're familiar with this neighborhood, you know most of the properties only have a small patio area. This property is at the end of the street, and boasts a huge backyard complete with composite deck and fire pit. Plenty of room still for a garden, dog run or volleyball court! Offers are due Monday, 5/3, and the market is hot so contact me quick for a private showing!


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


Monday, April 12, 2021

Boulder County March Stats

All I have to say is - Sellers, what are you waiting for? We have a national housing shortage, and the data is backing up all of the stories I keep hearing from colleagues.

42% decrease in inventory from this time last year, 50% down from 2019. When people find out I'm a Realtor they sometimes say, "Oh, I bet you like this market!" But I really don't. When buyers are having to pay much more than homes are really worth, make important decisions in a few hours, and give up a lot of their consumer protections, Realtors don't feel great about their transactions. Plus, we and our clients are getting burned out on touring homes for months and making offer after offer with nothing to show for it.

Although it might now sound like it right now, I really love my job. My home is my sanctuary, and I love helping other people find theirs. I love when the seller has so many good choices and their investment is paying off. I love the people I meet who sometimes become close friends. Don't even believe that you're bothering me when you have a question or would like to send a referral my way. Just know that The Word for 2021 is Patience.


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


Monday, April 5, 2021

Broomfield Heights 1st Filing 1Q21 Stats

The market is still moving quickly. Our neighborhood saw 9 ranch sales and 4 quadruplex/triplex buildings this first quarter of 2021. The income property activity was unusual; looks like one owner is trying to offload 7 properties in total.

For the non-commercial properties, they sold at a median value of 5 days, with the longest being 8 days. All except for one sold at or above listing price. 


Three of those sold privately, not being listed on the MLS. Without photographs, I can't know the condition of the interior but two of the three sold quite a bit below the median $/sqft of $393. In this market, even fixer-uppers will sell with a decent $/sqft, so don't short-change yourself by not hiring a Realtor to give you adequate market exposure.


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


Thursday, April 1, 2021

Can I Claim the Mortgage Interest Deduction?

Details can be tricky. Double-check yourself with these tax rules affecting home owners.


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



Monday, March 22, 2021

Showing Conditions - Hurry Up and Wait

Even people who are not currently in the market for a new home right now seem to have heard about the speed of the Denver and Boulder area markets. Lots of buyers, not nearly enough homes, even when you add in new construction. This can create a really stressful situation for buyers, especially first-timers.

My experience lately is this. A new home becomes active online and within hours most of the next three day showing slots are taken. Agents who think their clients might want to see the home are booking a window, sometimes 2 or 3 windows to try to find a convenient time for their clients, and then canceling the ones they don't want later. Frustrating for those of us trying to schedule an appointment, but I know that their first responsibility is to their buyer and not to me.

With COVID restrictions, showings are not supposed to overlap so not more than one party is in the house at the same time. So in order to accommodate the demand, listing agents are reducing the showing windows to 15 minutes. While that might be plenty of time for an agent to assess a property, it's not enough for most typical buyers to make such a huge investment decision. Often they even feel rushed by the next buyers hanging out on the porch, waiting for them to be done. It's also too easy to miss or be late for your showing when you only have 15 minutes. Get stuck by traffic or a train going from one house to another and your chance is gone.

A better solution would be to extend the offer deadline a few more days. Not only is it in the seller's best interests to have adequate market exposure, but the offers they end up with will be stronger as buyers get more time to examine the property and think about their terms. The argument against this that I've heard is that buyers who submit offers will then have to wait longer to get an answer back, potentially missing out on other opportunities. And I get this, I've had buyers ask if it was okay to put offers on more than one property at the same time, just in case. It does take a little planning and skill on the part of the buyer's agent to manage the offer timelines and figure out the possibilities of success but it can be done in good faith.

As agents, we always want to do the most and best we can for our clients. We also have a responsibility to set expectations and explain potential pitfalls of allowing the market to drag us along. If we know there is a best practice we can utilize, we should make the benefits of that clear so that our client gets on board. In a competitive fervor, people can lose sight of their own motivations and needs, but if the agents can hold the space well the outcomes will be better for all involved.



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


Monday, March 15, 2021

3rd Annual Broomfield Heights 1st Filing Garage Sale


This year's neighborhood garage sale is scheduled for June 12, 2021, 8am-3pm. Each participant in the neighborhood will conduct a sale at their house; no central location. It's getting bigger every year! If you live in the First Filing neighborhood and would like to participate, please let me know and I'll add you to the map. My company will take care of the advertising and signage. And I'll bring around some donuts that morning!

If you don't live in Broomfield Heights, please come out and do a little shopping!



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




Wednesday, March 10, 2021

What to Know About Your Credit Before Buying a Home

Like it or not, your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your life, ranking up there with your Social Security number, date of birth, and wedding anniversary. This three-digit number is your financial report card, except there’s no getting rid of it after college.

Your credit score shows lenders just how trustworthy you are when it comes to managing your finances, and it can either save or cost you thousands of dollars throughout your life. 

If you’re in the dark about just how significantly this number can impact you and the details behind your personal score, here’s an overview of what you need to know before hitting the mortgage application process.


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



Monday, March 1, 2021

Should You Buy New Construction?

In this competitive resale market, it's not a bad idea to consider new construction for your next home. Buying new means not having to rush to a decision after a 15-minute showing and trying to outbid ten other people. But before you write that check to the builder, consider a few things.

  • Is your timeline very important? Some builders have inventory that is ready or nearly ready to sell. Others won't pull permits until they have a buyer under contract. A dirt start can take 7-9 months to complete, and most new construction contracts will give the builder up to 2-3 years to actually deliver the home.
  • The prices advertised online are the base prices for the home, which buyers almost never pay. For most home builders, there are quite a few "extras" like central air conditioning that are not included in the base price. Certain lots in the development will have an additional premium for size, views or the proximity to open space. On top of that, buyers can sometimes spend up to 20% of the price in upgrades at the design center.
  • Moving into a new house means everything is clean and shiny, with no one else's grunge to sit in. It also can mean some risk. Unlike older homes where issues like settling have already occurred, a new home is a bit of an unknown. Generally, new construction has a 10-year warranty for structural issues, but that may not make up for the headaches associated with rectifying a bad situation.
  • Earnest money deposits that are due at the beginning of the contract period can vary from $1,000 - $10,000. This deposit is held in escrow and put toward the buyer's down payment at closing. But unlike resale properties, these deposits are often non-refundable. While a state-approved resale contract gives the buyer many opportunities to inspect aspects of the home and terminate the deal, the builder contracts typically only refund earnest money for a failure to secure financing. Home inspections are welcome, but a buyer's dissatisfaction with the results do not warrant an earnest money refund.

Home builders are usually very welcoming to buyer's agents, as long as the agent accompanies the buyer on their first visit. A good buyer's agent also knows the questions to ask to prepare buyers for the process and potential hazards. If you're thinking about visiting a new home site, it's very much worth it to have an experienced agent meet you there.


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


Thursday, February 25, 2021

What to Expect During a Home Inspection

 From finding an inspector to dealing with surprises - this is your guide to getting a house checked out.


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


Monday, February 15, 2021

Boulder County January Statistics

The trends from 2020 continue. The number of total active listings (detached single family homes) is down significantly from this time last year, almost 36%. Correspondingly, the average market time is down over 27% as buyer demand remains high.  Average and median sales price continues to go up as buyers compete for the homes for sale.



Townhouses and condos  are behaving similarly...




If you're a seller who's been on the fence about putting your house on the market, I advise you to seriously consider doing it soon. The property does not have to be in perfect condition to find interested buyers. Interest rate are still low and multiple offer situations can drive up the purchase price. If you're a buyer, I know a lot of ways to make your offer competitive and stand out. I also have a great app for house searching that is updated by both the Denver and Boulder MLS several times a day - just shoot me a text/email/phone call and I'll get it over to you!


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


Saturday, February 6, 2021

FOR SALE: 11371 Fenton Street, Westminster

 

In this low-inventory market, buyers are being asked to waive many contract contingencies to compete for the few properties out there. Good news for sellers but can be nerve-wracking for buyers and their agents, especially if the expectation is that there will be no inspection. As a Buyer's Agent, I never recommend waiving an inspection altogether, although a buyer should limit their repair requests to serious issues. As a Listing Agent, I advise my sellers to get a pre-listing inspection done so that they can know the issues and ready the house for the market. 

For this new Arrowhead listing, the sellers want buyers to know that most of the major systems have been replaced within the last few years - high- efficiency furnace, central A/C, water heater, electrical panel, plumbing, garage door, patio, exterior paint. This translates to peace of mind for buyers, knowing that they won't be surprised by any large expenses once they get into the home. The biggest item that will need attention is the worn carpeting, for which the sellers are offering a $4000 credit at closing.

Arrowhead is not far from several places to shop, eat or watch a movie. It's also just a minute from US-36. This 2-story home has a main floor master with 5-piece bathroom, three bedrooms up with a loft, large eat-in kitchen and separate dining room, stainless steel appliances, wood floors on the main level, partially finished basement, sprinklers in front and back, washer and dryer included. With a total of 2875sqft, there's room for everyone to have their own space.

Contact me if you'd like to see it - we have dozens of showings already scheduled this weekend. Or check out the video tour or 3D tour and let me know if you want to tour it in person.


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


Biden's Actions on Fair Housing

Biden's Actions on Fair Housing: President Biden recently issued several actions related to ending discrimination and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity for all Americans.


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


Thursday, January 28, 2021

The 7 Worst Habits Homeowners Need to Break Now

Bad habits are so easy to fall into. But in the end, we know they only make us miserable. Especially when they cost you money. Here are 7 bad habits to break now for a happier you (and a fatter bank account)!


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


Tuesday, January 19, 2021

2020 Boulder County Statistics

Compiled for the entire 2020. Not a lot of surprises here, if you bought or sold in 2020 you could feel these stats - low inventory, high demand. We're expecting much of the same for 2021.



Boulder County has averaged 5.5% appreciation since 1978, 5.6% in the past decade. If you'd like to see what your neighborhood has been doing and get a free, no-obligation opinion of value for your house just let me know. We can also talk about the costs associated with selling and how much you can expect to walk away with should you decide to sell.


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


Monday, January 11, 2021

How to Pick Paint Colors to Fix Any Room's Quirks

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

© Copyright 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®


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


Saturday, January 9, 2021

Broomfield Heights 1st Filing Update

As my buyers could tell you, the market did not really see a seasonal slowdown this year. Yes, there were less listings in December but we've seen low inventory for years. More telling is that there are still multiple offer situations happening in many neighborhoods. To give you an idea, a bilevel in Northglenn fell out of contract a few days ago and was planning on beginning showings again on January 15. Within hours it was under contract again. The first time around, the sellers received 13 offers. The second time, four of those buyers came back, one buyer knocked on the door to ask the sellers to see it and submitted an offer, and the sixth wrote a bid sight-unseen.

Broomfield Heights, the neighborhood I live in, is no different. My neighborhood is the original filing in the city of Broomfield, built in the late 1950s - early 1960s. It's mostly brick ranches with full basements with a few bi- and tri-levels thrown in. Solid homes, good sized lots, many needing upgrades and some getting picked up by investors who are flipping them back onto the market within months. 

Despite the pandemic and election uncertainties, sales in 2020 exceeded 2019 and 2018 in the 1st Filing of Broomfield Heights, with quarterly sales pretty consistent across the year. 

The median $/sqft can vary, but the trendline is still on an upward trajectory. The $/sqft is only one factor to consider while evaluating the value of properties. When used in a fairly homogenous group, i.e., homes that are the same age, same construction, similar square footage, it can be a good indicator of appreciation. 

If you'd like a Broker Opinion of Value on your home, let me know. I just need a quick tour of your house and a list of upgrades you've completed since you bought. I can also provide you with an estimated net sheet that will show all of the costs associated with selling. This will give you a good idea of the proceeds you could walk away with if you decided to sell. No obligation, no high pressure, just information and a solid resource for your real estate needs.


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