All posts in Real Estate

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Plan Ahead When Leaving Your Colorado Home Because of Fire

No one wants to have to evacuate their home, but in the case of the Colorado fires, it may be necessary. The safety of your family is more important than anything, but when you have warning, you can do some essential things to protect your belongings and your home. Here are some things you’ll want to remember when leaving your home. The Colorado real estate is replaceable but your personal items aren’t.

Create an Inventory of Items

If you have plenty of time before evacuating, or if you expect that you’ll have to evacuate soon but there has been no official call, you may have time to create an inventory of your items. To do this, take a video camera with you around your home and catalog as many of your items as possible. Don’t forget personal items like jewelry and other valuable things. Once you have the video tape created, you can make lists at another location using the videotape as a guide. This can help immensely with insurance claims if needed.

Protecting Your Home

While in some cases, devastation is unavoidable, there are some things you can do before leaving that will help you protect your home. First and foremost, turn off any gas lines that are going into your home. Close all of the windows and doors in your home so that it’s protected as much as possible. Next, turn on your sprinkler system so that the ground outside is wet. Place materials outdoors that will help with fighting fires, such as buckets full of water, extra long hoses connected to water sources and shovels. Wet the exterior of your home down by saturating it with a water hose.

Things You Will Want to Take

You can replace larger items in your home, but there are some things you will want to have ready to leave in case you must evacuate. Your pets should have carriers ready so that you can get them and go at a moment’s notice, and they should have collars with identification information on them. Make sure to pack a tote bag with pet supplies like pet food, medication, leashes, etc. Don’t forget to pack the video camera with the inventory tape. Gather important documents into folders, such as your driver’s license, your family’s social security cards, birth certificates, and financial items like check books, credit cards and any cash you have on you. You’ll want to also include the deed to your home, medical information and supplies, and the deeds to any property you own, such as car titles.

If you have extra time, you’ll want to gather the things in your home that can’t be replaced such as baby books, photographs, and anything with sentimental value. Finally, you’ll want to pack at least a few days’ worth of clothing and toiletry items that are necessities.

Although it’s a scary thought to have to leave your home and your real estate behind, being prepared can make it easier for you and planning ahead can ensure that you don’t leave anything essential behind.  From all of us at BULL Forms Colorado we are thinking of you and hoping that you are safe.  BULL Forms Colorado is your simple, easy, real estate form supplier.

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Denver Real Estate Market Rebounding

Individuals who are considering selling their home in Denver will be pleased to know that the real estate market seems to be rebounding. According to recent data, the prices of homes inDenverare increasing and the available number of homes is decreasing. This can mean several things for both buyers and sellers.

New Data Results for Denver Real Estate Market

According to Metrolist, which is the largest mls service inColorado, the average sales price for homes in the Denver area went up about 6% in April to more than $275,000. In addition to this, the average days on the market for a home in Denver have been decreasing while sales under contract and sales pending contract have increased. The price has gone up about 11% from April of last year for single-family residences in Denver and the number of homes for sale since that time has decreased by 43%.

Declining Inventory

Because inventory is declining, agents, home owners and buyers should expect the market to be competitive in the upcoming months. This often means individuals will need to act quickly and be serious about offers. The Denver market is changing on all fronts.

What This Means for Sellers

For sellers, this is great news. It means they can expect a higher sales price for their home and likely, a higher number of offers and more competition for their home. They should expect to consider these competitive offers and use this data for their benefit, because it’s a great time to sell a home in the Denver area.

What This Means for Buyers

Buyers should expect some competition if they’re searching for a home in the Denver area. They should approach home owners with only serious offers and expect to increase their offer, especially if they’re purchasing a home that is highly sought after from other potential buyers. It also means that they should act quickly if they see a home they’re interested in, since the days on the market (DOM) have significantly decreased for homes in this area. Waiting around for the price to come down isn’t a healthy approach with the way the market is currently looking, because it’s more likely that the home will sell to more serious buyers.

It’s wise for serious buyers and sellers to work with qualified real estate professionals in the Denver area with the way the housing market is now. Those who are searching for a home may not have the necessary tools to find something that suits their needs and budget, while a professional real estate agent will. The same goes for sellers who want to reach a larger market of buyers.

BULL Forms offers all of your real estate forms online in a simple to use format. Buying a home in Denver.  Take a look at our Denver Real Estate Forms.

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Families Move During The Summer In Colorado

Many families and individuals move to Colorado during the winter to enjoy the many outdoor sports that the area has to offer. However, there’s an old saying that goes, “I’ve moved to Colorado for the winter and stayed for the summer.” With gorgeous weather and beautiful natural areas, many people are drawn to Colorado in the summer time. It’s a perfect time for real estate agents to target families moving during the summer in Colorado. There are numerous benefits for those families.

Summer Outdoor Sports

Like the skiing in the winter,Colorado offers up a wide variety of outdoor summer sports as well. For instance, kayaking, canyoning and wading are just a few great things that outdoorsy people in California enjoy. In addition to that, rappelling the mountains, or learning to climb the mountains is a lot of fun. This allows real estate agents to target active individuals and young families who love to be outdoors.

The Art Community

One of Colorado’s greatest draws is its art community, especially in areas near Denver. During the summer, communities come together and have huge art walks so visitors can visit several different booths featuring different artists, styles and mediums of art. Those who visit the art walks might see huge abstract paintings, pottery, jewelry from master jewelry makers, and so many other types of arts. Colorado is a wonderful place for artists, too, as they will be welcomed into art communities and can showcase their masterpieces.

Family Friendly

All areas of Colorado are family-friendly, making it the perfect place for young families. Colorado features wide open spaces rather than smog-choked cities with buildings just inches from each other. Families will love the activities available to them, from numerous wildlife parks and lakes to museums and art galleries. Many couples who lived in nearby cities might consider moving to Colorado to raise their families, and targeting those individuals is a great idea. The communities and schools are wonderful and few things are better than growing up in the beautiful natural areas of Colorado.

Healthier Living

Colorado natives rave about the fact that farmer’s markets are more plentiful than grocery stores, so getting fresh, delicious produce is easy. In addition to that, during the summer in Colorado, the ski resorts are transformed into playgrounds. Many offer bike riding or horse back riding, hiking, and even Euro-style bungee jumping. The entire atmosphere says, “Get up and move!” It’s a healthier way of living than in many other areas, so it’s very attractive to families, and even retired couples. Those who want to see green grass rather than concrete everywhere they look are perfect candidates for Colorado homes.

Overall, the summer is a wonderful time in Colorado to target individuals who are moving. The area offers up so much, from beautiful, spacious homes to immaculate communities and warm, welcoming people. Of course, there’s always the promise of winter and those fun winter sports in a few months as well!

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Properly Insuring Your Colorado Real Estate

As a real estate agent in Colorado, it’s essential that you advise your clients on the proper kinds of property insurance. While property insurance is important all over the country,Colorado has some unique risks that those property owners should be aware of. By advising them the correct way, you can help them ensure that their investment is protected in the case of extreme conditions.

Homeowners 1 Policy

There are 8 types of Colorado homeowners insurance that homeowners can consider. Many homeowners have a Homeowners 1 policy (HO1), but many don’t know that it’s really not enough because it covers so little. When clients consider that it covers basic issues like fire and lightning, burglary, malicious mischief, most think this is enough. However, it doesn’t cover some of the serious conditions that may happen in Colorado.

Homeowners 2 and 3 Policies

The Homeowners 2 policy (HO2) will cover damages that occur to the home; usually the roof. This includes damage from frozen pipes and damage from weight on the roof from snow or ice. It also covers damage that may happen to appliances from electrical issues. The Homeowners 3 policy (HO3) will cover the home as well as the losses of objects inside the home and some bodily injuries. The HO2 policy also covers those things mentioned in the HO1 policy.

Homeowners 4 and 5 Policies

 The Homeowners 4 policy (HO4) isn’t typically something homeowners will need to worry about, because it is for apartment dwellers. However, the Homeowners 5 Policy (HO5) will cover everything that is covered in the HO3 policy as well as the physical loss of personal possessions. It does have some items that are not covered, so homeowners will need to read their policies thoroughly in order to determine specifically what is not covered.

Homeowner 6, 7 and 8 Policies

Homeowners don’t typically need to worry about the HO6 and HO7 policies, because these cover condominium units and losses for mobile home units. However, the HO8 policy is an important one because it covers certain things for homeowners that aren’t covered in the previously discussed policies. It covers the same items as the HO1 policy, but it provides cash coverage to homeowners rather than replacement cost coverage. This is most valuable in cases where the home is an older home, and it provides cash value after the depreciation is deducted.

By informing clients about Colorado home insurance, you can be sure they’re knowledgeable enough to determine what the best insurance for them is. It’s important to encourage them to research their options fully so they can choose the coverage that best suits their specific needs, but talking about the differences as well as the benefits is a wise choice Colorado real estate agents can make for their clients. Its always best to consult with an insurance professional and make sure they are advising rather than yourself.

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Spring Skiing In Colorado Helps Real Estate Sales

Great Colorado Spring Season Skiing Has Brought Out the Purchasers

Individuals who love winter sports, especially skiing, have come out in droves to purchase great Colorado Springs real estate. This allows them to be closer to the ski resorts, therefore saving money and enjoying the ability to visit more often. The 2012 spring skiing season has been a wonderful one, tempting ski lovers even more.

Ski Resorts Near Colorado Springs

There are numerous ski resorts for Colorado Springs residents to choose from, and each one has their own unique features and draws. The Arapahoe Basin Ski and Snowboard Area, established in 1946, offers a summit elevation of 13,050 feet as well as over one hundred carved trails sure to please. The Eldora Mountain Resort is another crowd pleaser, with top elevation at 10,800 feet and 680 acres of “skiable terrain.” They also offer the difficult double black diamond trail, Corona Bowl.  This is just a few of many, many wonderful ski options near Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs Average Home Prices

Another important factor that has added to the increase of home purchases in Colorado Springs is that there’s a home for every budget. For instance, in Northwest Colorado Springs, the average home price is about $268,850 while the Northeast Colorado Springs area boasts an average home price of about $206,463. Those looking for a more affordable home have taken advantage of Eastside Colorado Springs’ home price average, which is about $173,775. The average is even lower in Central and Downtown Colorado Springs, at about $141,448.

Snapping Up the Homes Quickly

Statistics show that individuals are purchasing homes more quickly this year than last, and a lot of that could potentially be due to the great ski season. For instance, in Eastside Colorado Springs in February, homes stayed on the market an average of just 118 days. In the Central and Downtown area, the average was just 92 days on the market and in the Northeast are, just 91 days. The lowest average is for Northwest Colorado Springs, where the average number of days a home has been on the market is just 55.

Benefits of Purchasing Colorado Springs Real Estate

Within 100 miles in nearly every direction, there is a plethora of ski resorts and areas to choose from. Avid skiers have the ability to drive to a ski resort in just over an hour, so there’s no need to purchase a nearby hotel room or plan an all-day drive. This also allows those ski fans to visit the resort of their choice more often, so they can get in all the ski or snowboarding time they want. Living near a number of ski resorts allows individuals to save a lot of time, a lot of money, and certainly enjoy themselves a lot more often.

Those who love outdoor winter sports like skiing and snowboarding should consider Colorado Springs as a great place to purchase real estate. Numerous benefits as well as beautiful homes combines to create the perfect home for the winter outdoor enthusiast.

Listing Your Colorado Vacation Home In The Winter

While it’s true that there are fewer buyers during the winter in Colorado, listing a vacation home in the winter has its unique benefits. If you’re considering selling your Colorado vacation home, it’s important to understand the benefits of listing your home during the winter as opposed to the spring or summer. Knowing these benefits can help you sell your home successfully and potentially sell it faster.

Colorado Winter Sports
Individuals who are searching for a vacation home in Colorado are most likely looking to take advantage of the winter sports in the area, as well as the stunning winter beauty. From skiing to ice climbing, adrenaline junkies often look for beautiful homes that they can live in while they visit some of Colorado’s most promising winter sports locations. Even if your home is a little distance away from these locations, most individuals don’t mind because they’ll save a lot of money. Colorado vacation homes very near those popular ski locations or other winter sports locations can be very pricey. If a buyer can find a beautiful home that is thousands of dollars cheaper and 100 miles further from their favorite winter sports spot, chances are they’re going to take advantage of it.

Less Competition
Because there are fewer buyers, there are also fewer sellers during the winter in Colorado. You can take advantage of that because you’ll have less competition when you list your home for sale. Then, the individuals who are specifically looking for a Colorado vacation home are far more likely to actually view your listing and check out the benefits and features of your home than they might normally be.

Décor Advantage
Many people wait until spring or summer to sell their vacation homes, because they can deck it out with blossoming flowers and outdoor beauty. However, those who are selling a Colorado vacation home in the winter can do the same thing with holiday décor. Rather than fresh flowers in vases on the inside, try scented candles, potted fir trees, and glistening ornaments. While it may not appeal to every potential buyer, you’ll strike the same chord with those who would be impressed with spring and summer flowers.

Serious Buyers
Individuals who are willing to go out into the snow, brave the cold and show up for a house showing are not only interested buyers, they are serious buyers. The chances of them simply wanting to “browse” your home without intentions of purchasing are very slim. In addition to that, because there is less competition for those home buyers, you can potentially get a better price for your house than you would be able to in the spring or summer. This, combined with the fact that you’re dealing with serious buyers, is a wonderful reason to list your Colorado vacation home in the winter.

Overall, while most individuals consider the spring or summer the best time to list a home for sale, Colorado vacation homes can sell quickly and for a higher price during the winter.

8 Reasons to use a Real Estate Professional in Colorado

Before selling your Colorado home, you should really consider utilizing the services of a real estate professional. While selling your home is something you can certainly do on your own, there are some unique advantages in enlisting the help of a qualified real estate agent.

1. An Agent Can Be the Middle Man
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a real estate agent is that they deal with potential home buyers so you don’t have to. This includes everything from the initial call to accepting offers and closing the deal.

2. Outlining the Benefits
Your real estate professional in Colorado can look at your home with a neutral stance and determine the best benefits, or unique attributes that will appeal to buyers. Those can then be advertised to draw in the largest number of interested individuals.

3. A  Real Estate Professional in Colorado Knows What the Market is Looking for
Whether you’re selling a home in Colorado Springs, Beaver Creek, Glenwood Springs or somewhere else, your real estate professional knows what your target market is looking for. He or she can use that information to better advertise and market your home.

4. Creating a Price
One of the hardest parts of selling a Colorado home is determining the price to sell it for. A qualified real estate agent can help you set a price that is fair to you, and a value to potential homebuyers. They know the market and the trends in the area and can use that knowledge to determine a great asking price.

5. Showing Your Home
Your real estate professional in Colorado can be in charge of showing your home when potential homebuyers want to see it, so you don’t have to take time out of your busy schedule to do it. This is very important if you’re moving out of the area before your home is sold. The agent can also lockbox the home so it’s protected when it’s not being shown.

6. Aesthetics
Another important role of a real estate professional is to help you in preparing the home to be seen. This includes staging the home or removing personal items, advising you on how the home should be cleaned or freshened up, and ensuring that it has great curb appeal.

7. Marketing
Your agent will know how to market the home in the best way for the surrounding Colorado area. This will help ensure that you get offers faster and that the home reaches a wider group of potential homeowners.

8. Negotiating
Finally, your Colorado real estate professional can negotiate with potential buyers to ensure that you get a great price and the buyers are happy with the value they’ve received. This might include accepting or rejecting offers, creating counter offers, reviewing contracts and more.
Having a real estate professional is essential when selling a Colorado home. They can help sell the home faster for a fair price and take a lot of the burden and responsibility off your shoulders.