Tag: Selling a home

The Difference between Home Warranty and Home InsuranceThe Difference between Home Warranty and Home Insurance

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020| Carrie SummersThe Difference between Home Warranty and Home Insurance| 0 Comment| 6:12 pm

 

When purchasing a new home, it’s important to do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information on home insurance versus home warranty below to educate yourself on your options.

Home Insurance

Homeowners insurance pays for any accidental damages and loss that are caused by fire, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hail, however, damage from earthquakes and floods is typically not covered. It also covers the replacement of personal property in case of theft or damage and liability if a person were to get injured in your home or on your property. According to American Home Shield, the average annual cost of a homeowner’s insurance policy ranges between $300 and $1,000, and the bank usually asks you to obtain a policy before the mortgage is issued. Make sure to keep in mind that each type of coverage in the policy is subject to a limit and, in most cases, you will have to pay a deductible.

Home Warranty

A home warranty is designed to cover the cost of repairs and replacements of larger appliances and crucial systems in your home that may fail or break due to age and wear and tear. This includes but isn’t limited to HVAC, electrical, or plumbing components, kitchen appliances, and your washer and dryer. With a home warranty, you are required to pay premiums year-round, even if you do not use it, and it won’t cover damages if appliances were not maintained properly or if the damage is from a fire or other disaster.

Stuck at HomeStuck at Home

May 5, 2020May 5, 2020| Carrie SummersStuck at Home| 0 Comment| 4:32 pm

Stuck at home, and spending way too much time on the internet?  Go to MancosHomes.com and start dreaming about your new home!  Then start working on the outside of your home!  First impressions are huge!  Declutter, and fix things and get ready to sell your home!  Need help?  I’m here 970-759-2540

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!

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

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!

 

 

 

The Right Smell Can Help You Sell Your HomeThe Right Smell Can Help You Sell Your Home

March 25, 2019March 25, 2019| Carrie SummersThe Right Smell Can Help You Sell Your Home| 0 Comment| 4:22 pm

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

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.