FSBO vs. Hiring a Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agent - 7 Points to Ponder

FSBO vs. Hiring a Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agent - 7 Points to Ponder

Selling a home isn’t easy, especially now. Yet some homeowners believe they can stick a “for sale” sign in the ground and have the house off the market within a few days.

While FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sales do occur, four out of five homeowners still use a Vail, Colorado real estate agent. Why? Because selling your home on your own is hard work, and even more importantly, statistics prove that real estate agents get homes sold faster and for more money than FSBOs.

If you’re not sure what you should do, here are a few things to think about:

FSBO

Sometimes, for sale by owner purchases are a good deal for the homeowner. That doesn’t mean you should just jump in, however. FSBO might be a good thing for you if:

1. It’s a seller’s market

2. You don’t care how long it takes

3. You are unwilling to pay the typical Vail, Colorado real estate agent commission

4. You have a good attorney who can keep you protected for the legal aspects

5. You have the time to learn how to do it, answer the phone and provide open houses

6. You’re comfortable negotiating

7. You’re confident you can price your home correctly

Real Estate Agent

Although you will have to pay your agent a commission, there are some definite benefits to hiring one:
1. A good agent can help you price your home correctly.

2. They have an abundance of resources to help find buyers, get the best price and get your home sold.

3. They make sure the potential buyer can actually afford it.

4. They’re good at negotiating and aren’t emotionally invested in the sale.

5. If for no other reason, they’re interested in getting the highest price possible because of their commission.

6. They put in several hours a day, that you may not have available, to get your home sold.

7. They have advertising resources, such as real estate magazines, that you may not be able to touch (or afford).

A Vail, Colorado real estate agent may not be the best way to go for you. On the other hand, you may not have the necessary information and time required for FSBO. Before going one way or the other, take the time to really look at both sides and decide which works well with what you expect from the sale of your home.

If you've tried to go the FSBO route, and it didn't work out, or if you know FSBO isn't for you, 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.

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Did You Know Floors Can Sell Vail, Colorado Homes?

Have you ever walked into one of the Vail, Colorado homes and looked down to see stained carpet or flooring? It brings a little thought of “ew” sometimes, doesn’t it? Imagine if you were a buyer looking at the same floor.

The right type of flooring, and flooring that is well taken care of, can make a big difference to buyers. If your floor brings on the “ew” thought, here are a few fixes to help make sure your home sells:

Does your home have hardwood floors?
You’re in luck. Buyers love hardwood floors and some will actually pay extra to get them. In fact, it could be that final selling point. If your hardwood floors are covered by carpet, painted over or showing anything but the natural wood grain, it’s time for an overhaul. Pull up those carpets and get to sanding.

With the ability to rent large sanders and other tools, you can either refinish the hardwood floor yourself or hire a professional. Remember, however, that hardwood floors in Vail, Colorado homes have a tendency to show off scratches, dents and uneven surfaces. If you don’t think you could do a good job, hire a professional.

Does your home have carpeting?
If you don’t have hardwood floors, take a look at your carpeting. If it’s stained, out-dated, bright or ragged, it’s time to pull it up. When laying the new carpet, use good carpet padding to make it comfortable to stand on. Many buyers will lean down and touch the floor, so make sure the carpet feels soft to the touch.

In addition, don’t go for the bright colors. Pick a neutral carpet color that goes well with the home.

Does your home have tiles?
Although tiles are beautiful, they typically show every ounce of old grime, dirt, chips and cracks. Go through your home and replace any that are chipped, cracked or show signs of bad wear and tear. Make sure the grout is clean and new looking, and use cleaners (or a steam cleaner) to get rid of any stains.

Beautiful floors can go a long way towards selling Vail, Colorado homes. Take a good, honest look at yours. Show your floors some TLC. It might just get your home sold.

If you’re ready to sell your 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.

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7 Ways Condos in Vail, Colorado Can Go Green

Want to go green but afraid it won’t work for condos in Vail, Colorado? Get rid of your worries, because it’s definitely possible. It just takes a little thought!

1. Go Energy Star – Anytime you get a chance, use Energy Star appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment. When it’s time to replace something, look for the Energy Star option.

2. Use a power strip – Many people have a slew of chargers and electronics. Instead of plugging them directly into an outlet, use a power strip and then turn the power strip off when the electronics aren’t in use.

3. Get an energy audit – If you get an energy audit you can find out how your insulation and heating and cooling equipment is working compared to the condos in [your city]. If it’s not up to par, you can find out where you need to start.

4. Check your seals – If you have windows and doors with poor seals, air can leak out, wasting the energy to heat or cool your condo.

5. Recycle – It’s cheaper than trash collection and helps the environment.

6. Rain catchers – Many condos in [your city] have balconies with flowerpots and small beds. As well, many owners use potted plants inside as accents. If you’re one of them, use rain catchers on your balcony to reduce water usage instead of watering each plant with fresh water.

7. Low flow toilets and leaks - If your association allows it, install a low flow toilet in your unit to help conserve water. As well, check the toilet for leaks by putting food coloring in the tank and see if it moves to the bowel without flushing. If it does, you have a leak.

If you’re looking for a condo that’s already green, 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.

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4 Ways to Get the Best Deal for New Vail, Colorado Home Construction

Some buyers would much rather have a brand spankin’ new Vail, Colorado home – fresh, clean and untouched. Does this describe you? Then read on and learn some of the guidelines for getting the best deal on your dream home.

Be on the lookout for disreputable builders…
Reputation is everything for a builder. Ask for recommendations from people you know, but also do your research. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Talk to people in the same development about their experiences with the builder. Look over the homes in the early construction phase to see what type of materials and quality of workmanship they provide in areas such as the foundation and plumbing.

Use your own agent…
Although a builder might offer the use of an agent, keep in mind that the agent is the builder’s. They aren’t looking out for your best interests. Hiring a buyer’s agent will give you someone who represents you and your best interests.

Research the location…
When it comes to new Vail, Colorado home construction, you may very well be looking at a development on the outskirts of town. It may seem quaint and quiet. However, if there’s a lot of space around, you could unknowingly settle into a place that will quickly become a bustling metropolis.

Check with the local town or city-zoning board to find out the types of zoning that surround the land. See if development plans have been submitted. Will the surrounding land have a strip mall or apartment complex that depreciates the value of your home, or high-end houses that raise it?

Check the weather…
Before you sign that contract, visit the area during or after a heaving rainstorm. You’ll want to look for signs of bad soil drainage, which can affect your new Vail, Colorado home and the surrounding property. Otherwise, you might have to build an ark to get to work.

If you’re looking at new construction and need someone on your side, I can help. Call me now 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.

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Can’t Afford the Rent on Vail, Colorado Homes?

If you’re looking at Vail, Colorado homes to rent but think you can’t afford them, you might want to take another look. This is especially true if you have a good credit history. When it comes to finding tenants, landlords have never been more willing to play “Let’s Make a Deal."

Sitting Pretty

Why would any landlord be willing to make a deal? The reason topping the list is, of course, the economy. With so many people having lost their jobs, finding tenants who can afford the rent on time isn’t easy. Second, many renters are trying to save money by having roommates. Thirdly, because of the marketing slump there are plenty of homeowners renting out their Vail, Colorado homes rather than selling them. Lastly, because of the first-time buyer tax credit, many potential renters are becoming homeowners instead.

All of these points add up to a high amount of vacancies, which put landlords in a pickle and have renters sitting pretty.

Taking Steps

Many landlords are trying everything they can to keep their rentals occupied to help pay for the maintenance on the buildings. The steps they’ve taken include such things as:

• Lowering rents

• Giving a month or two of free rent

• Lowering deposits

• Offering upgrades

• Offering storage and parking at lower rates

• Relaxing pet policies

• Allowing more leniency for breaking the lease

Let’s Make a Deal

So what can you do to take advantage of the renting situation? What points can you base your bargain on?

• Start with a good credit rating. If you have a history of paying on time, you have a chance at negotiation.

• Pay attention to the average rent in the area. If the rents on the Vail, Colorado homes you’re looking at are higher than average, you have a point to negotiate.

• Look at one-bedroom homes first, if they will work. Many two- and three- bedroom homes are taken by individuals sharing rent and families. There may be a surplus of one-bedroom houses, so you might have a better chance of snagging one of them.

If you’re looking for an affordable place to rent or buy, 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.

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4 Options You Can Negotiate When Buying New Vail, Colorado Real Estate

Are you looking to buy new construction? Many people are, but just as many aren’t aware that their newly built Vail, Colorado real estate comes with options and add-ons. In addition, they see a handsome price on new construction and think they’ve stepped into an unbelievable deal, not understanding that the price they’re looking at is for “bare bones.”

Here are just a few of the options and upgrades you might want to have your real estate agent talk about with your chosen builder:

Flooring – The “standard” for flooring is cheap carpet and thin padding. If you’re going for hardwood floors, you also may not get what you envision. An important thing to keep in mind is that most builders make their money on the upgrades and options. While they may offer upgrades for high quality flooring, it may actually be cheaper for you to buy it yourself and not through the builder. Do your research and either have your real estate agent try to negotiate down to a price closer to what it would cost you, or have the builder use the cheapest material possible and ask them not to glue or tack it down.

Plumbing and fixtures – Whether you want improvements or additional plumbing and fixtures (such as for a wet bar or a different location for the washer and dryer), these are easier to do before the Vail, Colorado real estate is finished.

Appliances – Check to see what brand and model the builder expects to use for your appliances. Most times, your real estate agent can at least negotiate a better model, if not your preferred brand.

Doors – Doors, especially interior doors, are usually thin, non-insulated and easily damaged. Although this may be fine in some areas, other areas may need better quality doors. This is a definite place for your real estate agent and builder to negotiate.

Make sure you understand your options; upgrade packages and deals for the new Vail, Colorado real estate before signing the contract!

If you're thinking of buying new construction, let me negotiate the best price, and all the details, for you. Call me before you start shopping for your new construction 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.

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4 Guaranteed Ways to Get Rid of Buyers for Your Vail, Colorado Home for Sale

Sometimes, just sometimes, it seems that people don’t really want to sell their home. They put the “Vail, Colorado Home for Sale” sign up in the yard and then steadily push potential buyers away. If you don’t want to sell your home, here are a few ways to get rid of the nosy buyers:

1. Open houses – Especially if you’re using a real estate agent, your home will be open to the public (i.e. buyers). The best way to discourage these buyers is by making sure you’re there to point out all the flaws and issues you’ve had while living there. They’ll eat it up and walk away.

2. Curb appeal – Weeds can cover up a beautiful lawn like nobody’s business. Putting away the lawnmower, garden sheers and weed eater is an excellent way to ditch potential buyers.

3. Painting the house – Every article written by a real estate guru on “how to market your Vail, Colorado home for sale” will tell you to paint your house in neutral colors if it needs to be repainted. Therefore, it stands to reason that if you’re playing “ditch the buyer,” the best thing to do is pick a color that screams, “Here I am!” No worries. Once you know for sure your house won’t sell, you can always repaint.

4. Clearing the house – It’s a known fact that buyers like to be able to see themselves living in the house. Your job is to go around and put up as many knick-knacks and pictures as possible to let them know it’s YOUR house.

Of course, if you’ve put up your Vail, Colorado home for sale, chances are you do want to sell it. Pay attention to the above and make sure you aren’t pushing clients away. If need be, ask your real estate agent to go over the house with you and provide suggestions on how you can improve your home’s buyer appeal.

If you’re trying to sell your home and want it to be marketable, 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.

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5 Things All Great Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agents Know

I’m going to tell something that may (or may not) shock you – Vail, Colorado real estate agents are a dime a dozen. No, no, really. However (and this is a big “but”), great agents are few and far between. Does that mean the others are out to scam the unwary buyer and seller? Not at all.

So what’s the difference? One of the biggest differences is in what they know. A great agent knows what’s going on in their chosen city and throughout the neighborhoods. They do their homework and are seldom surprised by rising trends.

What kind of homework? I’m glad you asked!

1. Keeping an eye on local pricing. Vail, Colorado real estate agents have to pay attention to the prices in their area. Are they high? Are they low? Are they steady? They have to know so they have an idea of which houses are priced at “fair” market value and which are overpriced or underpriced.

2. Knowing what’s up-and-coming. Agents have to stay aware of new infrastructure possibilities. For instance, there may be plans for a new shopping center to be built. That shopping center will help the community grow, and could become an attractive addition for homebuyers in the area.

3. Who’s taxing and how much? In large metropolitan areas, you have two towns side by side with completely different tax bases. Town one may have rising property taxes, while town two has consistently low property taxes. Those towns with lower property taxes are generally in higher demand than others.

4. Watching the surrounding area. If a large area is overpriced, that general means the outskirts are going to become more in demand. As well, if there are any major train or bus routes getting ready to be installed, these places may become more desirable.

5. Which school ranks best? Schools moving up the A-list of a state mean desirable places for parents. Agents who keep their eye on school rankings are agents who know a particular area’s target market!

In short, great Vail, Colorado real estate agents keep their fingers on the pulse of the city’s real estate market. This helps buyers looking for the perfect place, and sellers looking for the perfect buyer. Remember – your agent doesn’t have to know everything. They just have to know what’s important to your housing needs!

If you're ready to work with a real estate agent who's in the know on what's happening in this area, give me a call today at 970-471-0646 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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