4 Top Building Trends for Vail, Colorado Homes

If you think Vail, Colorado homes are in style, you just might want to look around.  The building trends for 2009 range from green to efficient and more.  Here’s a quick peek at the new trends – many of which look like they’re here to stay.

More storage – Flat walls are out, closets are in.  Homebuyers are demanding storage spaces, from walking closets to built-in storage systems.  If you’re looking to sell and have issues, it might be due to the lack of storage space.  Look around; see if you have areas that can be maximized for storage.  Consider turning that small fourth or fifth bedroom into a walk-in closet.

Living outdoors – Over the years, the rise in individuals that want an extended outdoor space has gone up.  If you have a porch or patio but it’s exposed to the elements, look into screening it in.  Outdoor spaces that can be used year-round (or close to it) are big sellers.

Home office space – The need for a home office is rising as well.  Windows and space are essential for working in a relaxed environment.  If you have a room that can be converted into a comfortable office space with ease, don’t forget to add it to your sales pitch.

 

Green and healthy – Green homes are no longer a trend; they’re more the norm now.  Buyers want efficient homes and features that reduce utility costs.  Better insulation, recycled materials, carpets with no/low gas emissions and paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are all the rage.  This is one trend that doesn’t seem likely to go away.

If you own one of the Vail, Colorado homes, pay attention to the building trends.  They aren’t just what buyers say they want; these trends are what they’re buying.

If you’re thinking of selling your home but aren’t sure whether you to update it first, I can help.  Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

5 Questions to Ask Your Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agent When Selling

 

If you’re ready to sell your home but it’s not yet on the market, asking the right questions of your Vail, Colorado real estate agent is a good way to help your home get sold.  These questions assist agents in creating a customized marketing plan for your home, as well as helping you know what to expect.  The top five questions are:

1.  When is the best time of year? Spring is supposedly “the” time of year to put home on the market, but it all depends on the specific area.  In addition, many historic trends are completely disappearing and can’t be trusted as an indicator.  Your Vail, Colorado real estate agent can help you with a good timing strategy to get the best out of your particular area.

2.  What features can I accentuate? Take the time to walk through the home with your agent.  Discuss with him what you’ve enjoyed about the place and listen to their suggestions as well.  Together, create a list for the agent to use in his sales and marketing tactics once it goes on the market.

3.  How can I de-clutter my home? Statistics show that homes sell faster and for more money when they appear roomy, clean and are clear of personal clutter.  Your agent can look over your home and give you suggestions to achieve that goal.

4.  What’s the bottom line price? Let your agent know what you’d like to get from the sale, as well as the lowest price you can afford to accept.  Your Vail, Colorado real estate agent will evaluate your property as compared to other similar properties that have sold recently and recommend an accurate price range.  

5.  What do I have to disclose? You may be obligated by law to disclose certain problems about your home, as well as common insurance and utility costs.  Make sure that you find out from your real estate agent exactly what you have to disclose to maintain legal compliance.

Remember, a good Vail, Colorado real estate agent is there to help you.  You don’t have to do it alone, so share the responsibility.

If you want to sell your home, let me put together a custom marketing plan designed to sell your home fast and for top dollar.  Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Horror Stories to Avoid When Buying Vail, Colorado Real Estate

Everybody has a horror story of some kind, when talking about Vail, Colorado real estate. There are just some things most people don't think about when searching for property to buy or sell, whether you’re the buyer, the seller or even, yes, the agent.

Exhibit A

Sheryl (name changed to protect the innocent) is exhibit A. Now, she thought she’d bought a nice house at a good price. Everything seemed to be perfect. The one place that Sheryl went wrong was forgetting to do a home inspection on that beautiful piece of Vail, Colorado real estate.

After a pleasant day of moving in, she went to take a shower. Turning on the faucet, she noticed the water pressure wasn’t what it should be. Ignoring the indications of worse yet to come, she flipped from faucet to shower. Only a few lonely, sad drips came from the showerhead. To compound the issue, she discovered that the washer didn’t have enough pressure to get her clothes clean, washing dishes was an exercise in futility and if a hose was turned on in the garden the second story toilet wouldn’t flush.

After much ado, many phone calls and two plumbers, Sheryl found that the beautiful tree in the front yard that had sealed the deal had also burst the pipes. She now had to pay to have the tree removed (it couldn’t be saved), as well as the pipe dug up and replaced. In addition, she owed the water company for all the water lost through the break.

The moral: Don’t skimp on the details just because you’re under pressure.

Exhibit B

Bob, a real estate agent (again, name changed), still loves open houses. They’re a big deal for him and he makes plenty of contacts that way. However, even Bob, who has been in the industry for years, forgot to do a last walk through before a certain open house started. Unfortunately, he and the potential buyers found an unpleasant surprise in the upstairs bathroom, deposited thoughtfully by the current owner. In trying to take care of the surprise, he found the toilet was blocked and the bathroom fan didn’t work. Needless to say, the potential buyers didn’t stick around to tour the rest of the house.

The moral: A short walk-through can save a lot of embarrassment.

With any Vail, Colorado real estate, there’s always the chance that you’ll miss something. A homebuyer’s checklist or home seller’s checklist is a great way to make sure you don’t. If you do, try to take what comes with a grain of salt, a lot of patience and as much of a smile as you can muster.

If you’re trying to find a great home without the horror, I can help. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

3 Tips for Taking Advantage of Your Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agent

By now, everyone has heard, and understands, the term “down market.” It sounds like a really bad thing, doesn’t it? However, with the help of your Vail, Colorado real estate agent, you can take advantage of the many wonderful bargains to be had. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

#1. Do Your Research

Right now, you have a great advantage as a buyer. Housing prices are generally lower and sellers or normally more willing to negotiate. In addition, there are tons of listings available, so you aren’t stuck with only two or three choices. This is where your Vail, Colorado real estate agent comes in.

Once you know the area you’re interested in, you’ll need to know the price range in the area. Knowing what the expensive, median and low prices are can give you room to bargain. Look online, but also check with your agent. If they don’t know the area themselves, a good agent will have contacts that do.

#2. Get Organized

Organization is essential in a down market. You aren’t the only one looking for a bargain on a home, and if you find one you like but delay the buying process, you could lose a great deal. To cover for this possibility, make sure you’re prepared to buy at a moment’s notice.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage (not pre-qualified) and have someone on hand for the closing paperwork. Have a home inspector and insurance agent close by, as well as your real estate agent. The more necessary people you have lined up, the better the chance of getting the deal you’re hoping for.

#3. Use Your Agent

If someone wants to sell his or her home in a hurry, you have better bargaining power. This is the best place to take advantage of your real estate agent. You want those motivated sellers, and a good agent knows how to spot them. As well, they can find out if there’s been a price drop and if the house has been on the market for a long time.

A Vail, Colorado real estate agent is a great asset in a down market. If you’re going to hire one, make sure you take advantage of their knowledge and expertise, no matter whether you’re selling or buying.

If you’re looking for a bargain on a great home, I can help. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.