Tag: Colorado Realtor

Turn your tax refund into a new home!Turn your tax refund into a new home!

January 27, 2020January 27, 2020| Carrie SummersTurn your tax refund into a new home!| 0 Comment| 5:35 pm

Excited about getting a tax refund and thinking about the 60″ TV you can buy or thinking of buying that new couch?  Well how about using it to buy a home!

Renters are typically paying more per month than home owners!  Many people think they need a down payment equal to 20% of the purchase price to buy a house.  Well, that is definitely NOT the case! There are FHA programs than require 3.5% and also first time home buyers programs with just 1% of the purchase price!
 Let’s say you were looking to purchase a home for $250,000.  This means your down payment for a conventional mortgage of 20% would be $50k.  Many lenders have loans for less than 20%.  FHA program loans requiring 3.5% down payment would be $8750 or home assistance programs would be $2500!  There are also closing costs to be paid, but you may be able to negotiate for the sellers to pay a part or all of the closing costs.  
If you’re tired of renting, use your tax refund to buy a place of your own. The 60″ TV can wait until next year when you have your own place to put it in!
I’m here to help!  Carrie Summers MancosHomes.com  970-759-2540

Selling? Things to do and NOT doSelling? Things to do and NOT do

August 6, 2019August 6, 2019| Carrie SummersSelling? Things to do and NOT do| 0 Comment| 4:19 pm

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

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019| Carrie SummersLooking for a new home? Covenants- Pros and Cons| 0 Comment| 11:02 pm

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

Are you a good neighbor?Are you a good neighbor?

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019| Carrie SummersAre you a good neighbor?| 0 Comment| 9:13 pm

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?

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019| Carrie SummersAre you ready to sell your home?| 0 Comment| 2:17 pm

Should I sell my house?  If you have been asking yourself this questions, I’ve got great news.  It’s a great market for sellers.  There are a shortage of homes on the market which drives home prices up.
Here’s some things to ask yourself.
1.  Are you emotionally ready to sell your home?  Are you ready to put in the work to get your home ready for sale?  Yes, it’s a big chore and I can help you declutter and make that first impression a good one.  Are you ready the reasons potential buyers don’t like your home?  Are you ready to leave those memories created in the home?
2.  Do you have equity in your home?  You need to know what your home is worth.  Look at your mortgage statement balance and call me for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).  With these two things I can help you determine your equity.    Do you owe more on your home than it’s worth?  Probably not since the last several years home values have been rising and that means you are building equity.
3.  So how much equity do I need?  You want to have enough equity to pay off your current mortgage with enough left over to provide a 20% down payment on your next home.  Having this 20% will help you keep your next private mortgage insurance (PMI) down.
4.  Are you out of debt and have cash in the bank?  This is super important that you have money to pay for emergencies.  So how much?  You should have at least 3 months of expenses saved up.  Need help working on a budget or figuring this out?  Call me.
5.  Does your current home fit your lifestyle?  Is it too small for your family or too far away from the school?  Do you really want to spend all your time shuffling kids around?  Maybe your home is too big, now the kids are out of the house or there are just too many stairs.
These are really important things to consider.  I’m here to be your trusted advisor.  Call me, Carrie Summers and lets talk.  970-759-2540

I’ve got Buyers!I’ve got Buyers!

April 8, 2019April 8, 2019| Carrie SummersI’ve got Buyers!| 0 Comment| 8:23 pm

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!

 

 

 

Pricing Your Home to SellPricing Your Home to Sell

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019| Carrie SummersPricing Your Home to Sell| 0 Comment| 1:19 am

When homes are priced properly to begin with they sell quickly and usually for the most money.  The above home was under contract within just 2 weeks.
Overpricing reduces advertising responses, loses interested buyers, has fewer showings, eliminates offers and helps sell competition’s home.  It also extends how long it will take to sell your home.
Realtors do not set the price, the market does.  Market values determine the price you should ask for your home.  It is determined by using comparable homes that have sold within the last 6 to 12 months and ones that are currently for sale.
A Comparative Market Analysis of your home will provide you with the necessary facts for setting the sales price. If you would like to know what your home is worth, give me a call at 970-759-2540.
During the first few weeks of a new listing, your home will have the largest impact.  The home should show its best and be well priced.
I’ve lived in Mancos for 28 years and would love to help you.  Check out my reviews on Zillow.com.

Are you ready to sell?Are you ready to sell?

January 10, 2019January 10, 2019| Carrie SummersAre you ready to sell?| 0 Comment| 5:01 pm

Selling your home is an emotional issue. Before you plant the “For Sale” sign in the front yard, take a minute to answer just a few questions:

  • Are you ready to put in the work to get your house ready for house hunters?
  • Are you committed to keeping it ready to show for weeks or months?
  • Are you ready to hear the reasons why potential buyers believe your home is not perfect?
  • Are you ready for honest—and sometimes hardball—negotiations over what buyers are willing to pay for your home?
  • Are you really ready to move out and leave the place where your family has made memories?

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to talk you out of selling your home! I just want you to be completely ready when you do decide to move on to the next stage of your family’s life.

Selling your home is a big deal.  A real estate agent does more than just schedule showings of your home.  They bring experience and confidence to the table when they handle their many job duties, which include:

  • Giving you advice about updates or repairs that will make your home more attractive
  • Helping you set a price for your home
  • Marketing your home so it receives as much exposure to potential buyers as possible
  • Scheduling showings with potential buyers
  • Advising you as you negotiate offers
  • Handling all the required paperwork
Make sure that your real estate agent can be reached via phone and not always texts.  Make sure they return your calls in a timely matter.  Google your prospective realtor.  How are their online reviews?  Do they have a good online presence?  Get referrals.  Do they live in your town and have sold any similar homes?  It’s really important that you do your homework.  
 
If you are thinking of selling your home, I’d love to sit down with you and show you how I can help the process go smoothly.  Call me, Carrie Summers 970-759-2540 MancosHomes.com

New Year, New View?New Year, New View?

January 3, 2019January 3, 2019| Carrie SummersNew Year, New View?| 0 Comment| 10:50 pm

Happy New Year!  It’s been a great snow season!  At my house I have 16 inches of settled snow, so perfect for cross country skiing and snow shoeing out my front door.  Do you need a new home in 2019?  Maybe the kids are at an age that they need their own room, or maybe you are an empty nester and need to downsize.  Unsure how to proceed?

I will come and give you a free market analysis on your current home, help you find a perfect home for you and make sure you are making a wise investment!  I’ll even orchestra the move!  Yes, I’ve been known to pack boxes, clean out barns, and  do windows!

I’m here to help!  I’ve lived here almost 29 years and would love to help you!!  970-759-2540 MancosHomes.com