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What's my home worth?
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MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
Get an accurate idea of what life will be like in your new home. Calculate everything in your budget.
MOVING TIPS
Get an accurate idea of what life will be like in your new home. Calculate everything in your budget.
Why an Agent
Engaging a realtor can provide numerous advantages when navigating the complex process of buying or selling a property.
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What’s your home worth?
Get a Market Analysis
According to Wikipedia: Real estate appraisal, property valuation or land valuation is the process of developing an opinion of value, for real property (usually market value). Real estate transactions often require appraisals because they occur infrequently and every property is unique (especially their condition, a key factor in valuation), unlike corporate stocks, which are traded daily and are identical (thus a centralized Walrasian auction like a stock exchange is unrealistic). The location also plays a key role in valuation. However, since property cannot change location, it is often the upgrades or improvements to the home that can change its value. Appraisal reports form the basis for mortgage loans, settling estates and divorces, taxation, and so on. Sometimes an appraisal report is used to establish a sale price for a property.
Mortgage Calculator
Our area of expertise lies in residential sales within the Colorado Springs, Colorado region. Whether you are purchasing a new home, relocating, or transitioning within the Pikes Peak area, the guidance of experienced professionals is crucial. Should you require assistance or wish to explore your options further, we encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience.
Moving Checklist
Ready to get moving?! Here are some of my favorite ways to get you and your household set up for success.
Organize
Start going through your closets, drawers and cabinets and analyze what items can be donated
Gather all legal documentation into one box and maintain in an accessible and safe place. Documents should include vehicle titles, registration documents and licensing, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock, legal, medical, and insurance records
Get estimates from three moving companies and make sure they have insurance
Start packing away items you don’t use every day
Deep clean the house (see cleaning checklist)
Meet with the stager for final staging recommendations
Change Of Address & Notifications
Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new location
The Home Stretch!
Make sure all of your inspection repairs are complete
Packing Tips
There are a lot of little things you can do when packing to help save yourself from a lot of stress. Here are just a few!
Pack A Moving
Survival Kit
Aspirin
Coffee, filters, and coffee maker
Paper cups and plates, plastic utensils
Paper towels, toilet paper, soap
Water, sunglasses and chapstick, no matter the season – stay hydrayed in Colorado!
Packing Hacks
Keep jewelry, important papers or medications with you
Label boxes as you pack them with content and desired room location
Leave lamps, china and artwork or breakables for movers to pack
Pack heavy items in small boxes
Do not over-stuff boxes; leave some extra room at the top
Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
Wrap breakables in newspaper, bubble wrap, clothes or towel
Use RED packing tape for critical boxes you want to unpack first
Put plastic wrap over drawers so you don’t have to empty out their contents.
Pack plates vertically so they’re less likely to break. Make sure you wrap them well!
Don’t take clothes off their hangers. Move them in bunches in garbage bags still on the hangers. Easy and way cheaper than wardrobe boxes.
Color code each box according to room so you can identify what needs to go where in a glance.
Add some padding to your boxes. Plastic grocery bags are great for cushioning your breakables. Don’t leave room at the top without padding because otherwise they may get crushed.
Remember to mark boxes with breakables as fragile. Whether you’ve hired movers or are doing it yourself, you don’t want someone to be too rough with those boxes.
Cut triangles in boxes about 1/3 of the way down to create handles for easy carrying
WHY USE A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL?
Contrary to the belief that avoiding real estate commissions will lead to greater profits, recent statistics from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) indicate that homes sold with the assistance of a real estate professional tend to yield higher returns. This trend is consistent across the entire United States, though it’s important to note that certain states, like Colorado, may experience even higher average prices.
As of October 2023, across the United States, the median selling price for homes listed as For Sale By Owner (FSBO) was $225,000, while agent-assisted home sales commanded a significantly higher median price of $330,000. This substantial difference of $105,000 emphasizes the value that real estate professionals bring to the selling process.
Moreover, the 2022 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reveals that 86% of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home. These sellers typically sold their homes for 100% of the listing price, with only 38% reporting a reduction in the asking price at least once. The typical home sold was on the market for a mere 2 weeks.
In an era where technology plays a significant role, it’s noteworthy that 86% of buyers still chose to purchase their homes through a real estate agent or broker, reinforcing the national trend. Additionally, 51% of buyers found their homes through internet searches, underscoring the continued importance of real estate professionals in navigating the complex housing market.
Furthermore, as of October 2023, NAR reports a membership of 1,578,077, reflecting the continued trust and reliance on real estate professionals across the entire United States.
In conclusion, while technological advancements have shaped the real estate landscape, the expertise and guidance of a real estate professional remain integral to successful and lucrative home transactions nationwide, including states with robust real estate markets where average prices, like in Colorado, are often even higher.
WHAT EVERY BUYER
SHOULD KNOW
Property taxes and qualified home interest are deductible on an individual’s federal income tax return in most cases.
Many times, a home is the largest asset an individual has and is considered one of the safest investments available.
A homeowner can exclude up to $500,000 of capital gains if married filing jointly or up to $250,000 if single or married filing separately. The home must have been the taxpayer’s principal residence for two of the last five years.
A portion of each amortized mortgage payment goes toward the principal, which is an investment.
A home is one of the few investments you can enjoy by living in it!
The majority of the time, a REALTOR® can show you any home, whether it is listed with a company or a builder or is even a For Sale By Owner.
Working with a REALTOR® to purchase a For Sale By Owner property is very advantageous, because someone will be looking out for your best interests.
Getting pre-qualified by a mortgage company will actually approve you for a specific loan amount subject to the property. This will give you confidence and will help when negotiating with the seller.
The right to conduct a property inspection, included in your purchase agreement, gives you the ability to negotiate with the seller once you know all the facts about the property’s condition.
In a “seller’s market,” don’t go looking for a deal. Set your sights on the right house for you, and then let your REALTOR help you negotiate the best price and terms.
Why Colorado Springs?
Get to know the different Neighborhoods that make up Colorado Springs. Find your next home based on Location, Schools, and Attractions with what serves your family best.