Year: 2019
Selling? Things to do and NOT doSelling? Things to do and NOT do
Here’s some tips of things to do and NOT do when selling your home.
1. Don’t try to sell it by yourself. For sale by owner homes sell typically for 20% less than with a Realtor. Plus do you know what to disclose? You could be opening up a huge can of worms by trying to do it yourself.
2. Have the Realtor do a market analysis. Look at similar homes that are on the market, and that have sold to set the price.
3. Once listed, make sure you have the home looking it’s best. Clean up the front yard, maybe a fresh coat of paint on the deck, and declutter! Do not plug in air freshners to cover up a smell. Remove the cat litter boxes, make sure all animals are outside of home and won’t bug or bite a potential buyer.
4. Allow the Realtor to put up a sign. I understand you don’t want “looky lous” however you want it to sell so we need to get the word out. Share your listing with all your friends, co workers and share on social media.
5. When you do have a showing, do not be around. Buyers want to feel comfortable looking around and do not want a tour or story from you. Put a snack on the counter for Buyers with a note, saying “Enjoy the view”! You want the Buyers to linger and not feel rushed. Put together a list of things you love about the home and leave on the counter along with a plat map of the home.
In today’s market it is a Seller’s Market since there are few homes for sale. Be sure to put your best foot forward to get top dollar.
For more tips, please give me a call. Carrie Summers 970-759-2540 MancosHomes.com
Looking for a new home? Covenants- Pros and ConsLooking for a new home? Covenants- Pros and Cons
Are you shopping for a new home? Many people contact asking for homes or land without covenants. Covenants are rules that restrict your use. Sounds bad, however without them you might be buying a home and it turns into your worst nightmare.
When land is subdivided in Montezuma County (Mancos, Cortez and Dolores), the county requires covenants for setbacks, weed control and fire mitigation. It’s very important you understand the pros and cons of covenants.
Recently I showed a home to a potential buyer and once looking at the neighbors we soon found out that their place was in disrepair and had cars coming and going throughout the day. If there were covenants it might have prevented this kind of activity. I have story after story, of unhappy homeowners trying to live in an area that doesn’t fit.
Sure you want to do whatever you want on the place you own, however we all have to live together in harmony unless you are miles away from others.
Most covenants have restrictions to building size, how many animals, type of home you can build, and road maintenance. If you were living in an area with covenants, you have grounds to get the neighbors to abide by the rules. Without covenants, you can call the sheriff however getting them the neighbors to change, might just cause more friction.
It’s best to do your homework, before you buy. Call me, Carrie Summers, I’m here to help. 970-759-2540
Priceless MemoriesPriceless Memories
The 4 Corners is a great hub for day trips or weekend getaways to explore the desert of Canyonlands in Utah, get lost in the mountain peaks, and play in the many rivers and lakes, like the Dolores River and Navajo Lake. With over 300 days of sunshine a year it’s a great place to call home and make memories.
My parents gave me the love of riding horses and the mountains. Each summer, our family would pack up and ride 20 miles into the mountains and camp for a week to 10 days. My first pack trip was when I was two years old. I rode my own horse. When I got tired, my Dad would just put me in front of his saddle and I’d take a nap while we kept exploring the mountains. Some of the best days of my life were there in the mountains. There were 6 of us and we loved being so far up in the mountains that we would rarely see another soul. Yes, there were times we spent the day in our tent, reading, playing cards and napping, while it poured outside. Many mornings there was frost, so hunkering around the campfire was a necessity!
Are you a good neighbor?Are you a good neighbor?
This week I was suppose to close on 10 acres, however all things can change. The potential buyer was walking around the property, noticed the fence was down and horses were grazing. Horses were put back on neighbors property and fence was fixed. The neighbor told the potential buyer that “the grass would go bad if not eaten” and that she’d take the fence down again and cut the gate. Well needless to say, the buyer backed out of the sale and didn’t want to have a neighbor like that.
Colorado law states that property owners have to fence animals out, however that doesn’t give the right for a neighbor to cut down the fence. So who’s fence is it? Well, whoever has maintained the fence! The property owner had installed a 4 string, slick wire fence 5 years ago along with stays. Pretty nice fence until it was cut down.
Last month I also had a crazy experience while showing a home. The neighbor was beating on the drums, yelling and when we walked over, the dog bit me. We learned from another neighbor that there has been many problems with them, in which cops have been called. The buyers loved the home, but wouldn’t buy it due to the wild card next door.
So the question is, “Are you a good neighbor?” Remember to treat people like you like to be treated and it’s a happier world! Tip of the week- If your are buying, be sure and meet the neighbors!
Are you ready to sell your home?Are you ready to sell your home?
I’ve got Buyers!I’ve got Buyers!
Each day, my list of buyers grow. There is a shortage of homes for sale! These buyers are prequalifed for a loan or have cash to act now. If you are thinking of selling, this is the time to list! Need help getting your home ready? Just call me! Currently I’m looking for the following properties.
1. Single level 2 bedroom home with garage, stick built, 5 acres, under $350k in Mancos, Cortez, & Dolores area..
2. Intown Mancos 3 bedroom home or on outskirts under $400k.
3. Land 10 acres or more, no covenants. Under $150k
4. Single level home with 5-20 acres under $400k
5. Remote home, off grid, year round access under $275k
MancosHomes.com 970-759-2540. We are here to help!
The Right Smell Can Help You Sell Your HomeThe Right Smell Can Help You Sell Your Home
Every home smells like something. It could be the fish you just cooked last night or the cookies. People can remember smells with 65% accuracy after a year. Visual recall, on the other hand, is only about 50% after 3 months. During one of our realtor tours several years ago, I went into a home that had such a strong cat odor. I still remember it like it was yesterday. All of the realtors walked in the door and immediately went outside.
If you are going to sell your home, the deep cleaning you do will help with the smells.
~ wash pet beds and clean litter boxes then put in garage
~ put muddy boots in garage and in a bag
~wash curtains
~have carpet professionally cleaned
So what kind of smells help sell your homes? Just don’t put a freshener. Some of them, are too potent and are offensive. I suggest simply cracking a window. If it’s warm outside, leave the door open. Fresh air is just that fresh! Research also shows that homes that smell of lemon, orange, vanilla, pine, cedar and cinnamon can help you sell. You can put a few essential oil drops around the home or use a diffuser prior to a showing. Just remember to turn off the diffuser. No one wants to see a diffuser, since people might think “what are they trying to cover up?”
You want the potential buyer to linger in your home, so I suggest baking cookies for them and having cups of water. Leave a note that says “Enjoy”.
Pricing Your Home to SellPricing Your Home to Sell