This is the time of year that the Denver real estate market always seems to heat up. Sellers begin to put their homes on the market and buyers begin to actively look to purchase.  It seems that nearly every year the trend is mostly the same.  We have had a few tough years lately in the Denver real estate market and the activity has been down but the trend is relatively the same. This year can potentially be a more vibrant real estate market due to several factors, including the current buyer tax credit which is set to end April 30th. 

So, what are just a few things sellers can do to improve the odds of selling their home in this prime time of the season? Well there really are no secrets that we all haven’t heard or read before.  The basics remain the key to success.  In working with buyers in the Denver market and listening to their input, I can offer a few suggestions that may be useful.

1.  Curb Appeal – Take a little time to spruce up the yard and outside of the house.  We had some early snow here in Denver, perhaps you never even had a chance to do that last of the year clean up before the snow started. Add mulch, mow, trim, maybe power wash or at least hose down the cobwebs off the siding, especially at the front porch and door.  This is the first impression and if your otherwise beautiful home has no curb appeal, sometimes the buyers won’t even bother to come in. 

2.  Clean and Declutter -  Don’t take this lightly!  Also, don’t take it too personally either.  If your home is cluttered and maybe in need of some elbow grease then take care of it.  If your agent or someone else has told you this, then don’t take it personally, just take it as good advice and act on it.  You probably wouldn’t try to sell your car or any other valuable asset without first cleaning it up a bit, would you?

3. Stage it -  The feeling a buyer gets when touring your home is so important.  You want to make sure your home is staged to offer a warm, comfortable feel to the buyer.  Sometimes this is just a matter of using what you already have and strategically placing it.  Sometimes it may require the services of a professional stager.  If it is within your budget, then a professional stager can work wonders for your home’s appeal.  In any case, another set of eyes can usually make a difference.

4.  Exposure – Where is your home being marketed?  You aren’t just relying on a sign in the yard and maybe an ad in the paper are you?  Today’s buyers are first looking to the internet by an overwhelming majority.  You need to make sure your home is exposed to the millions of potential buyers out there with a solid internet strategy.  This should include not only traditional websites, but a strong social media exposure as well.  This is vitally important and crucial to your success.

5. Price – Yes, its true.  No matter what you’ve done to prepare and market your home to the buyers out there, if it is too overpriced it still won’t sell.  You’ll need a good pricing strategy.  Pay attention to market reports and absorption rates for the local real estate market.  Be realistic and flexible.  Your price needs to be in line with the fair market values in your area.  You won’t fool the buyers and certainly not the appraisers.  I regularly post market reports and trends for different areas of the Denver real estate market so you can always check back here, or contact me and let me know what area you are looking at & need info for.

I hope these few tips can help you in preparing your home to sell.  Many sellers beat the odds and get top value for their homes in minimal time, even in this market.  Usually, it is because they have taken the time to set themselves apart from the competition.  If you’re considering a move in the Denver area, give me a call or email, I would love to help.

Looking for more info about Selling Your Denver Home? Try these…
What is an Absorption Rate?
Selling Your Vacant Home?
Your House Won’t Sell if Buyers Can’t See It

Steve Scheer, Denver Realty Partners

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

There are so many things we should do for the regular maintenance and safety of our homes. If you’re a bit like me, sometimes you just don’t get around to doing them for a long time, maybe never.

Carbon monoxide can be a killer in the home, and has been too many times. This poisoning happens when the unseen or un-smelled gas builds up in a home and is breathed in by the occupants. Very little exposure is needed to become deadly. Tragically, this did happen to an entire family vacationing in an Aspen home last year as well as a young woman in her Denver apartment. Both instances occurred within a short period of time drawing attention to this long time problem.

One of the simple maintenance items that should be done on every home is to install carbon monoxide detectors. This simple act can save your life! The tragedies of last year drew the attention of lawmakers and Gov. Ritter signed into law the Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act requiring all new or sold residential homes to install carbon monoxide detectors on all floors within 15 feet of a bedroom. Rental units will be required to install new detectors when tenants change.

This new law went  into effect July 1, 2009. Hopefully, this will save a lot of lives that may otherwise needlessly be lost to this silent killer.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

Steve Scheer is a REALTOR® in the Denver area – serving Denver Colorado and the south suburbs including Denver, Highlands Ranch, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Littleton, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Englewood, Aurora, Castle Pines North, Castle Pines Village, Castle Rock.  Steve is a Denver native and has been licensed in CO since 1994.

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

By noon yesterday, I had heard mention of the new IKEA store 3 times.  And by 5pm – that number grew to at least 15. Word spread quickly that there would be an IKEA store opening in the Denver area and while shoppers that are familiar with IKEA are delighted, there are further implications of the news as well.

Let's face it – the media tells us every day how rough the economy is over and over across the board nation wide.  But we have been hearing some other messages in the Denver area, such as this latest report that I posted about:  The Health of the Denver Real Estate Market.  The bottom line is, IKEA is not going to build a store where they see no promise for a lucrative future – so the fact that they are expanding into Colorado is good news.  

So for those that like the IKEA style from Sweden – you will soon be able to shop without driving to Utah or Phoenix. IKEA has long been a favorite with first time home buyers as it offers a great selection of higher quality furniture and accessories at affordable prices.  On more than one occasion I have had had home buyers in Denver- especially first time home buyers tell me that they are having furniture shipped into town from IKEA – so this is also good news for those IKEA fans.  It will also create more jobs in the area and its a good indicator that the Denver area economy is doing better than other areas and can support this growth.

Its looking like IKEA will be located near I25 and County Line Road, just a bit north of Park Meadows Mall.  An opening date has not yet been announced but its sounding like it is about 2 years out.

Its the time of year to recycle your electronic and computers. The HRCA routinely organizes this event and it couldn’t be coming at a better time for me.  We did have one CPU go “Poof” this year – so it is a great opportunity to get rid of it and out of my house – in proper & safe way.

The event is free, however this time around optional donations that are suggested at $20 will be taken for the Highlands Ranch Community Scholarship Fund or the Highlands Ranch Cultural Association.   There is a nominal fee of $15 to recycle small televisions and $30 for large ones.

The computers and Electronic Recycle Event will take place in Highlands Ranch Town Center (Highlands Ranch Pkway & Dorchester) on August 23rd from 9am – 3pm.  Its really quite a sight to see everything that is collected.  I have now brought items over to this event 2 different times, and it has always been well organized and speedy.  Round up your recyclables now and be ready – you’ll be glad you did.

Some of the items that can be recycled at the event are: Computers, Lap Tops, Fa Machines, Printers, Monitors, Computer Mice, Radios, Phones, PDA’s, Cell Phones, televisions (see cost for T.V.s above) and more.  For a complete list, click here. More information can also be found at www.executiverecycle.com/.

If you are going to be selling your Highlands Ranch home anytime in the near future, this is a great time for you to start de-cluttering and getting all of those old electronics out now, the proper way.

The HRCA has many events like this for the community throughout the year.  You can always check the HRCA website for ongoing events and they even have email alerts available now as well.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

Every few months in Douglas County CO the Household Chemical RoundUp takes place, giving residents an opportunity to properly and safely dispose of hazardous waste.

The next Round-Up will take place this Saturday, July 26th form 9:00 am – 3:00 pm in Highlands Ranch, CO at Shea Stadium and is open to all Douglas County residents.  Make sure you remember to bring a valid drivers license or utility bill to show your residency.

The Highlands Ranch Metro Districts web site displays a few list of all of the items that can be disposed of at the Round-Up.  A full list of the event sponsors is also available there as well.  It is also noteworthy that they are asking folks to consider a optional $20 donation to help off-set the cost of proper, safe disposal.

Now I have seen this line at times and I am going to just suggest that if you plan on disposing this Saturday, head over early as if it is anything like it has been in the past, you will be glad to get through the line early in the day.  The next event will not be until September in Castle Rock, so if you have waste to dispose of – this is a great opportunity to do it now.

And lastly, according to the HRMD web site, they are still looking for volunteers for this Saturday's event.  So if you have some time to spare, check it out. 

Shea Stadium is located in Highlands Ranch on Town Center Drive, just east of Santa Fe Drive and next to Redstone Park. 

If you are moving soon or have just moved into Douglas County – for sure you have some paint cans or other items that you need to dispose of.  Propane tanks are also common items that folks need to get rid of when they are moving – if this is the case – this event will be perfect for you.  

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver Homes Here