Spring and summer is one of the best times to put your home up for sale! The market is blossoming and you are at an advantage. Additionally, great curb appeal and gorgeous interior for your Observatory Park home will attract potential homebuyers to you even more. Whether you want to clean up the yard, or need to make some revisions to your home, there are a variety of things you can do to that can increase the value when you are ready to sell!

1. Find Energy Savings: When you can save potential homeowner money—that automatically puts you on their radar. One of the simplest things you can do is to update all of your light bulbs to LED. Energy Star explains these bulbs can save 70 to 90 percent and last up to 25 years, so future homeowners may never need to even change a bulb for years. Another great idea is to upgrade your windows that keep UV rays from coming in, or air from able to leak in. This will keep air conditioning or heat from over running in the summer and winter months. Last, invest in a programmable thermostat. This is a great way to be able to control your temperature settings and avoid your heating or cooling from running throughout the day when you aren’t home wasting money. Learn more about how to assess your home with energy star.
    
2. Yard Solutions: When updating your lawn prior to getting your house on the market, there is no need to completely renovate for ideal curb appeal. First, one of the simplest things you can do is mow your lawn, edge and keep it simple. Next, if you have older mulch or unkempt shrubs, invest in new mulch, remove all the weeds and replace the flowers if the existing ones are wilting or in bad shape. For shrubs, make sure they are trimmed and not overgrown. Keep in mind with your home; while the landscaping can draw potential homeowners in, you don’t want the landscaping to overtake the home itself. Last, if you have a driveway that is cracked or falling apart, you may want to look into costs to upgrade it.
    
3. Interior Changes: Sometimes the smallest of changes can make the most impact for a potential homebuyer. First, update all of your door and drawer knobs to be consistent. Next, if you have an unfinished basement, updating that space will add more value to your home. Also, many homebuyers find success in adding granite counters and updated appliances in kitchens and bathrooms—up to $20,000 for resale in some cases. Find more ideas on which home improvements pay off, check out HGTV’s article.

If you are ready to put your home up for sale, or would like more advice on how to increase the value of our Observatory Park home, Elevation Realty can help. If you’re interested in finding the value of your home on the home valuation part of our website and contact us at 303-579-3566 to get started!

Have you ever wondered why some homes have large for sale signs in their yards, while others have smaller signs that simply say “for sale by owner”? If a seller chooses to work with an agent to sell his home, the agent will place a large, branded sign in the yard to advertise that the home is available. But, some homeowners try to sell their home without an agent’s help, and in this case the home is referred to as being “for sale by owner.” If you’re considering buying one of these homes in Observatory Park, here’s what you should know:

It may be difficult to negotiate.

There are many reasons why a seller would choose to sell his home on his own rather than work with an agent. One reason is that he does not want to pay an agent’s commission after the deal is over. Another could be that he does not agree with the value that local real estate agents have placed on his home. What does this tell you? Money is very important to these sellers. Because of this, it may be much more difficult to negotiate a fair price for a home that is being sold by the owner. If you’re seriously interested in a home, ask your agent to be direct with the owner and find out if there is any wiggle room in the price. If he’s not willing to come down at all, don’t waste your time submitting an offer unless you are willing to pay full price.

Always get an inspection.

You never want to assume that someone is trying to hide a major problem with a home, but you shouldn’t trust someone you don’t know, either. It’s always important to get a home inspection before closing, but even more so when you’re buying a home that is for sale by owner. If the owner makes a fuss about you asking for an inspection, this is a red flag that you should think twice about purchasing the home. Here’s what to know about the home inspection.

Ask your agent to hold the seller accountable.

Unless the seller is a licensed real estate, he may not be familiar with the legal duties of a seller in the state of Colorado. It’s up to your agent to hold the seller responsible and ensure he complies with the law. For example, sellers in Colorado have to provide buyers with a disclosure statement that covers whether the property is in a special taxing district, the home’s source of drinkable water, and any new transportation projects that may be taking place in the community. Make sure your agent stays on top of the seller to ensure he is fulfilling all of his legal obligations.  

When in doubt, it’s best to trust your agent’s advice. If you’re ready to find a home that fits all of your needs, contact the professionals! Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.

Looking for a deal on a new home? The market is fairly competitive right now, so it may be frustrating to see that prices are higher than you had hoped. But, one way to save money on a home is looking for a fixer upper, which is a home that needs a bit of work before it's perfect. Not just any fixer upper in University Park in Denver will do, though. To find the perfect fixer upper, follow these tips:

Know what the tough fixes are.

Some repairs are inexpensive and easy to fix, while others will require a lot of effort. Before buying a fixer upper, you have to know the difference so you understand how much work will need to be put into the home. For example, applying a fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to completely transform a room, and it doesn’t take long to do it, either. However, replacing a roof or HVAC system is something you will need to call a professional for, so it will be much more expensive and take a bit more time. Knowing the difference between simple and tough repairs will help you find a fixer upper that is worth fixing.

Find a reliable home inspector.

Before you close on a home—whether it’s a fixer upper or not—you should always have a home inspector come take a closer look. There could be a lot of hidden problems with a fixer upper, and a home inspector will be able to spot them before you agree to do a deal. An inspector could notice signs of mold or a potential problem with the foundation. It’s important to know every single problem that the fixer upper has so you can use them as bargaining chips during the negotiation. Learn about the common problems found during home inspections.

Look into loans.

Buying a home may drain all of your savings, so how are you going to pay for the renovations? Don’t put an offer on a fixer upper until you have talked to a lender about financing the renovations. Most people who purchase a fixer upper take out a renovation loan either through a mortgage or a home equity line of credit. Almost every lender offers these loans, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be approved for one. Make sure you have this conversation with your lender prior to making an offer on the home—and come to the meeting prepared. The lender will need to know the approximate cost of repairs and the value of the home after the repairs are complete. This will help them determine whether it’s wise to approve the renovation loan.

Are you ready to look for a new home in University Park? Regardless of whether you’re looking for a fixer upper or a move-in ready home, talk to the professionals! Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.

Every University Hills real estate buyer is looking for a home that has all of the features on their wish list. While most buyers are looking for common features such as two-car garages or spacious master bedrooms, others are interested in finding a partially or fully furnished home. If you are considering buying a home with furniture, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:

Don’t: Keep items you don’t need.

It’s unlikely that you will love every piece of furniture within a furnished home, so don’t be shy about telling the seller which items you don’t want. Why? No, it’s not to hurt their feelings by insulting their choice of décor, but rather to make your life easier. If there are items you don’t want, you will be responsible for disposing of them after you move in unless you make it clear to the seller that they should be removed prior to closing. You’re going to be busy enough handling the move, so let the seller take care of the unwanted items before you get there.

Do: Create an inventory.

You and your real estate agent should create a list of items within the home so you know exactly what you should be getting. Do a walk-through within a day or two of closing, and bring this list with you. As you make your way through the house, check each item off of the list to ensure everything is still there. Some sellers may change their minds and decide to keep a few pieces of furniture without telling you, but you shouldn’t let them get away with it. Creating a list in the beginning of the process will help you keep track of what should be in the home.

Don’t: Trust the seller’s valuation.

Sellers raise the price of their home to include the value of the furniture, but you shouldn’t trust their valuation without doing your own research. Ask for a list of the items so you and your real estate agent can look up how much they would cost if you were to buy them brand new. If any pieces are antiques, you may want to ask an appraiser for his professional opinion before submitting an offer on the home.

Do: Look for partially furnished homes.

It’s rare to find a home that is fully furnished, so you should also keep an eye out for homes that are partially furnished. These homes typically come with a handful of furniture pieces, and they are usually larger items that are difficult for the seller to move, such as a headboard, couch, or dining room table. Even if you would ideally like to find a fully furnished home, you shouldn’t rule out looking for partially furnished homes. Learn how to buy an already furnished house.

Ready to find a furnished home that fits your needs? Leave it to the professionals! Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.

So, you’re ready to pack up your belongings and start the next chapter of your life in a new home. What do you plan on doing with your current home? Homeowners have two options: they can either rent their home out, or sell it. Which option do you plan on choosing for your home in Observatory Park in Denver? Here are some things you should consider before making a decision:

Financial considerations.

Many homeowners have to sell their current home in order to afford moving into a new one. If this is your situation, then you should definitely sell your home so you can buy the home of your dreams. However, if you have a little bit of financial flexibility, you should consider renting it out so you can have an additional source of income. Work with a real estate agent who can help you calculate how much you would be able to get for rent so you can figure out if it’s worth it. In some cases, you may do the math and realize you’re not going to make much after taxes and insurance are deducted.

Option to move back.

Are you relocating because of a job? If you’re not sure whether your move is permanent, it may be wise to keep your current home and rent it out temporarily. Ask your tenants to sign a short-term lease so you have the option of coming back home if the move doesn’t work out for one reason or another. Learn the ten terms to include in your lease or rental agreement.

The market.

Ask a real estate agent to come look at your home and provide you with an estimate of how much it would sell for if placed on the market. Are you able to get as much as you expected? If so, then feel free to sell it while the market is hot, but if not, it doesn’t hurt to wait and see if you can get more after a little bit of time has passed. Remember, the real estate market constantly fluctuates. If it’s down in your area right now, it could be scorching hot within just a few months. Consult with a real estate agent to determine if it’s best to sell now or wait it out by renting your home to tenants.

Time.

If your schedule is packed from the time you wake up every morning to the time you go to sleep at night, you probably shouldn’t try to fit being a landlord onto your daily to-do list. Selling your home is the better option if you don’t have the time to commit to keeping up with a second property.

Are you ready to move out of your current home? Regardless of whether you’ve decided to sell or rent out your home, it’s important that you work with the professionals at Elevation Realty. Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.