Tag: Colorado

Protect Your HomeProtect Your Home

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021| Carrie SummersProtect Your Home| 0 Comment| 5:55 pm

“For people living in wildfire-prone areas here in Colorado, mitigation is a proven method to reduce the risk to your home and property,” said Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “Now is the time to take what steps you can, before we get any further into this summer’s wildfire season.” 

The Storm Prediction Center issued the first extreme fire danger warning for Western Colorado and Eastern Utah in 15 years. Unfortunately, this serves as a reminder that we are now in the height of wildfire season in Colorado and the West.

Tips for wildfire mitigation

  • Clear a safety zone around your home and remove trees, leaves, brush and pine needles. Create a zone of at least 100 feet, but know that 200 – 500 feet is often recommended. Also remove overhanging tree branches near your home.
  • Be sure propane or fuel tanks are at least 30 feet away from all structures.
  • Keep the smoke detectors and fire extinguishers inside your home working properly.
  • If you do not have access to a community water system or water hydrant, get a water storage tank. Make sure your garden hoses reach all areas of the property, and keep them visible and in accessible areas.
  • Be sure your entrance road is accessible. Inaccessible roads can prevent fire-fighting equipment from reaching your home quickly. The street address should be easily visible from the entrance to the property so emergency responders are not delayed.
  • Use fire-resistant materials in the structure of your home, especially the roof, which is most vulnerable
  • Do not store firewood on your deck or porch.

We have a couple of great companies that can help you be proactive.  Give Carrie Summers a call 970-759-2540. We are here to help!

Tips for First Time Home BuyersTips for First Time Home Buyers

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021| Carrie SummersTips for First Time Home Buyers| 0 Comment| 10:46 pm

1.   Start saving early

Here are the main costs to consider when saving for a home:

  • Down payment: Your down payment requirement will depend on the type of mortgage you choose and the lender. Some conventional loans aimed at first-time home buyers with excellent credit allow as little as 3% down. But even a small down payment can be challenging to save. For example, a 3% down payment on a $300,000 home is $9,000. Use a down payment calculator to decide a goal, and then set up automatic transfers from checking to savings to get started.

  • Closing costs: These are the fees and expenses you pay to finalize your mortgage, and they typically range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount. You can ask the seller to pay a portion of your closing costs, and you can save on some expenses, such as home inspections, by shopping around.

  • Move-in expenses: You’ll need some cash after the home purchase. Set some money aside for immediate home repairs, upgrades and furnishings.

2. Decide how much home you can afford

Figure out how much you can safely spend on a house before starting to shop. NerdWallet’s home affordability calculator can help with setting a price range based on your income, debt, down payment, credit score and where you plan to live.

3. Check and strengthen your credit

Your credit score will determine whether you qualify for a mortgage and affect the interest rate lenders will offer. Take these steps to strengthen your credit score to buy a house:

  • Get free copies of your credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — and dispute any errors that could hurt your score.

  • Pay all your bills on time, and keep credit card balances as low as possible.

  • Keep current credit cards open. Closing a card will increase the portion of available credit you use, which can lower your score.

  • Track your credit score. NerdWallet offers a free credit score that updates weekly.

How To Improve Your Credit ScoreHow To Improve Your Credit Score

September 1, 2020September 1, 2020| Carrie SummersHow To Improve Your Credit Score| 0 Comment| 4:21 pm

A good credit score is important when applying for home financing. Here are 7 ways you can increase your score:

  1. Pay your bills on time and in full.

           Late payments can stay on your credit report for 7 years.

  1. Pay off debt and keep balances low on credit cards and other revolving credit.

  2. Dispute credit report errors.

          You are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three reporting agencies. Requesting one has no impact on your credit score. Review your  report and dispute any errors such as wrong or outdated information.

  1. Keep credit cards open.

         Closing a credit card can lower your utilization which can lead to a lower score. Keep the card open and use it occasionally so the issuer won’t close it.

  1. Pay more than once in a billing cycle

          If you can afford it, pay down bills every 2 weeks rather than once a month. This lowers your credit utilization and improves your score.

  1. Contact your creditors.

          If you miss payment deadlines, and can’t afford your monthly bills, call and set up a payment plan immediately.

  1. Get a prepaid credit card.

          Get a prepaid credit card from a bank for $200-300. Don’t overspend and use it to purchase gas and other small purchases.  Pay the bill on time and you will     get the pre-payment back in 6 months to a year, as well as a higher score.

Give me a call – Carrie Summers 970-759-2540.  I’m here to help you become a home owner!

Hiking above MancosHiking above Mancos

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020| Carrie SummersHiking above Mancos| 0 Comment| 8:40 pm

Just above the town of Mancos, there are endless hiking trails where you can explore and seldom see anyone.  This past weekend I hiked on some old closed off mining roads and never saw a soul!   At 10 am it was 56 degrees and after hiking 6 miles it had warmed up to 67!  Pretty sweet when Phoenix and Albuquerque areas are having record breaking heat this summer.

I am always looking for a hiking buddy!  Come explore with me and find out why Mancos is a great place to call home!!

What to Repair Before You ListWhat to Repair Before You List

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020| Carrie SummersWhat to Repair Before You List| 0 Comment| 5:11 pm

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before selling your home.

Repaint walls.

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair floors.

Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh the landscaping.

Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and fill in mulch and gravel.

Fix your fixtures.

Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handle? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detailed-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can be a real eyesore in a home. Updating cabinetry, repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment

Cost of Living in Mancos vs. DurangoCost of Living in Mancos vs. Durango

June 24, 2020June 24, 2020| Carrie SummersCost of Living in Mancos vs. Durango| 0 Comment| 8:51 pm

Mancos, nestled in between Durango and Mesa Verde National Park has a wonderful small town atmosphere.  From art galleries, breweries, a revitalized downtown, and endless supply of outdoor fun, Mancos is a great place to live.  If you are thinking of moving here, it’s essential to know the cost of living.  Cost of living includes all the necessities like cost of transportation, housing, food and utilities. Knowing the cost of these basic items can help you decide how much you can expect to spend on a monthly basis, and how much you’ll need to earn in order to live a good lifestyle.

Mancos housing costs are 48.8% lower than in Durango and it’s only 30 minutes away.  That is huge when you are looking to move.  The median home cost for a home in the Mancos (81328) zip code is $326,400 vs Durango it’s $470,800!  Your money goes a lot farther in Mancos!

Right now with 30 year fixed loans hovering around 3% and 15 year at 2.5%, now is a great time to move!

What makes Mancos magical?  The people.  We are an eclectic group of young farmers, ranchers, artists  and young families who want a slower pace and wide open spaces.  The town of Mancos now has about 1600 people, one stoplight, a grocery store, natural food store, several excellent restaurants, brewery, and an excellent school Pre K-12.

Let me help you fall in love with Mancos!

Time to Prune!Time to Prune!

February 27, 2020February 27, 2020| Carrie SummersTime to Prune!| 0 Comment| 5:28 pm

Curb appeal is very important.  If you are thinking of selling, now is the time to take a look at your place thru new eyes.  Do you have trees that are growing too close to your home, or fruit trees that need trimming?

I highly recommend Underwood Forestry.  Steve Underwood and his crew do an excellent job.  I had Steve do fire mitigation around my home and my pear trees at my office are prolific due to regular pruning.  Call Steve at 970-560-9800 for all your tree business.  This is money well spent because a home that has beautiful trees is more valuable than a house with trees that are dead or unruly.
Need other ideas?  Call me, Carrie Summers with Colorado Ranch & Home Realty 970-759-2540.  I’m here to help!