Happy Thanksgiving!

My wish for you this Thanksgiving Day is that you are blessed with a roof over your head, enough food to fill your belly, and the warmth of your loved ones surrounding you.  May you take that feeling with you through the rest of the year, remembering to be grateful everyday, and spread that spirit and generosity everywhere you go.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me personally and professionally this year.  And for those whom I have only just met, I promise to earn the trust you have given me and make you thankful we worked together!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Seven Sins of Greenwashing

If I get a chance to discuss sustainability options with people, I usually find that they are in favor of making choices that preserve our environment and resources.  They might get excited about products that offer to save them money in the process, but even then they are slow to make a commitment.  Why?  Sometimes, they are victims of greenwashing - when manufacturers make claims about their products that lack verifiable proof of a positive effect on the environment or the wallet.  This can make it hard to know who to trust, resulting in decreased motivation to change.

The following are the "Seven Sins" of greenwashing:

• Hidden trade-offs - when a product may be considered green in one aspect but other elements of it are not, sometimes with the sum more negative than positive.  For instance, most people have heard that bamboo flooring is an ecologically friendly option to hardwood trees, growing to maturity in as little as three years.  However, depending on where the bamboo is harvested and how much energy it takes to get from the farm to the manufacturer to you, you could lose most or all of the benefits.
• No proof - a product may boast, say, 90% post-consumer recycled content, but offer no proof of the claim or any way to verify the numbers.
• Vagueness - product descriptions that just aren't very descriptive.  Claims of "all natural ingredients" just don't tell us very much.  Plus, just because a product is natural doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy - take belladonna, for instance.
• Irrelevance - some trends take root in an industry and become the norm after a while.  Boasting that a product is "CFC free" doesn't mean much anymore, since the ozone-depleting compound was phased out beginning in 1987.
• Fibbing - well, this is one is obvious, although I am still surprised anytime I find someone outright lying on labeling.
• False labels - a product or company may boast an endorsement from some organization that you think you recognize, giving it automatic credibility.  Upon closer examination, the organization only appears to be one with industry standing - perhaps the acronym is a letter different, or the green logo is similar but not the same.
• Lesser of two evils - implying that applying a green practice to an unhealthy product makes it healthy, like organic beer.

Keeping these tactics in mind can help you navigate through the green marketplace.  Next time I'll share with you some of the organizations and certifications to look for when selecting a sustainable product or company.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Let Me Help You Fight Green Fatigue

Despite how it sounds, green fatigue does not refer to a particular style of clothing, nor does it indicate a distaste for broccoli.  Green fatigue is what many people suffer these days because they are overwhelmed by the amount of green claims by companies and products, and they don't know how to measure or verify the positive effects.  Without reliable, easy-to-understand data, people can be hesitant to make commitments to green products or lifestyle changes.

I, too, was confused and overloaded until I saw the light - a green, softly glowing light, like Oz in the distance.  I've just earned the National Association of REALTORS® GREEN Designation, and I'm excited to begin employing my knowledge to help my clients learn how to integrate sustainability into their real estate decisions and their lives.

Sustainability just means a way of life that allows the current generation to fill its needs without compromising future generations' ability to do the same.  It's about saving money and resources, discovering innovative approaches to energy efficiency, creating healthy indoor and outdoor air quality, developing new green jobs, and ensuring our country's energy independence.  A balance of People, Planet and Prosperity.

It's funny; I've encountered people who roll their eyes at the words "green" or "sustainable," but when you are able to discuss the details and implications of those choices they are usual in agreement with the intentions and results.  I'll be making it a goal of this blog to sift through and discuss the huge amount of choices and information out there, while I learn the best ways to incorporate sustainable practices in my own business and personal life.  More than half of the Millennial Generation (those born between 1981-2000) believe that humans have caused global warming and feel a responsibility to do things differently than previous generations.  Sustainability is not a passing fad, it's what we must learn how to do for our own well-being and success.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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FOR SALE: 208 S. Jefferson Avenue

 

Brand new listing in Dutch Creek!  Just steps away from Louisville Community Park, half a mile to historic downtown, and backing to public open space and the Coal Creek Trail!

208 S. Jefferson Avenue, Louisville

 New wood floors throughout, wood-burning fireplace in living room, some stainless steel appliances.  Deck and fruit trees in the yard to enjoy the Colorado weather!  Furnace and water heater were just replaced last year, so that's one thing a buyer need not worry about.  Clothes washer and dryer are included.  3 bedrooms and 1 full bath upstairs, listing price is $365,000.  

View from the back deck

Come out and visit me at the Open House Sunday, Nov. 10 from 12-2pm.  Inventory is low - you have to see this rare Dutch Creek property! 

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Staufer Team Has Moved!

 

After 7 years on Spruce Street, Staufer Team has moved to 932 Main Street.  Just around the corner, in an older building with a charming front porch and a renovated interior.  We're still getting moved in and organized, but we'll be holding a Grand Re-Opening Open House on Saturday, November 16 from 9am-3pm.  If you're in the neighborhood, stop in, say hello and enjoy some refreshments with us.  Pictures to come!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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A Tour of Hunters Chase

Hunters Chase is a great subdivision tucked away on the southwest edge of the city.  Comprised primarily of 2-story patio homes from 1466 to over 3000 square feet, the neighborhood is well cared for and boasts a park in the middle and HOA-maintained front yards.  If you'd like to peek inside a few of the properties, you can tag along with my tomorrow morning.

10175 Wyandott Circle - $215,000
At 1466sqft, this is one of the smallest homes in the development.  No basement, but it does have 3 bedrooms up with 3 baths including a 5-piece master bath.  While it's at the end of a cul-de-sac, it also backs to an apartment complex on the north side of the neighborhood.  The seller claims to have mountain views, and has spruced up the property with new paint and carpet.

10025 Wyandott Circle - $224,500
This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home has almost 3000sqft, but only 1874 of that is finished.  The good news is there is room to grow and customize the basement to a family's specific needs.  The kitchen has been updated with stainless appliances and the common living area enjoys a double-sided fireplace.  The bathrooms are also updated, leaving less work for a potential buyer, but backing to 100th Avenue could mean more noise.

10106 Wyandott Circle - $224,900
While this home has only 1466sqft, it's the highest priced property in the neighborhood that isn't currently under contract.  Also a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home, the finishes are basic and the basement is unfinished.  It's also been on the market for 72 days with a $10,000 price reduction about a month ago.  It's bank owned, which usually means a good deal, but given the comps I think there's still some wiggle room.


I always recommend setting up listing alerts for my buyers, so they can begin to narrow down the property types and neighborhoods they want to visit.  The earlier they can start this process, the better, as it will help them recognize a good value when it does pop up.  It also helps them make a confident final decision, having already reviewed many properties online.  If you are interested in learning about a particular neighborhood, give me a call and I'll get you set up.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Beware of Deed Scam

There is an official-looking letter being sent to new homeowners and those just closed on a refinance that advises them to get a copy of the deed to their home.  This company states that for just $85, they will obtain and send the homeowner their recorded deed.

Don't bother.  You, in face, received a copy of the deed in your closing paperwork.  It will take a few weeks for the recorded version to be available through the county, but if you are interested in having a copy at that time for your records, you can request one for free.  Most counties allow you to do it online in moments:

Adams County Clerk and Recorder

Broomfield County Clerk and Recorder

Boulder County Recording Division

Jefferson County Recording Division

If you ever have questions about letters you receive in the mail about your property, feel free to contact your Realtor and pick her brain.  Don't have a Realtor that keeps in touch with you, you say?  I would love to be that resource for you - give me a call.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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