Just some thoughts from a Colorado Springs Realtor of information we will need at the time of signing the listing contract, or shortly thereafter:

• If you are signing for the Seller, we will need a copy of the Power of Attorney document.

• Your current loan statement (mortgage company, loan number, approximate balance and phone number), including any lines of credit or second mortgages.

• Have social security numbers available for each Seller.

• Have your HOA information available and please contact them to obtain the last 6 months of homeowner association minutes, by-laws and financials for the area.

• Please give us two house keys.  One will be in the lock box, and the other we will have at our office.

• Any receipts of furnace cleanings, improvements, building permits, etc.

• Does your home have a security system?  You will either need to activate the system or give us the code.

This is a shortlist of preliminary things that will help us to get your home listed more quickly to get it SOLD FAST!

Feel free to contact our Colorado Springs CO Realtors at Selley Group Real Estate, LLC:  2139 Chuckwagon Rd, Ste 210 – Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 – 719. 598. 5101

All agents affiliated with Selley Group Real Estate, LLC are actively licensed in accordance to the laws of Colorado.

Portions of this article are written by Gordon, as framed by the expressed opinions of Cherise, but not proofread.

A general label does not always apply to every circumstance. So, we should not be surprised if labeling a financial market as strictly bullish or bearish or a real estate market as a buyer’s or seller’s market does not apply to the entirety of the Colorado Springs Real Estate market.

Nonetheless, the tide has certainly turned from being a recessed market, in which buyers were determining the actual sales prices by making savvy purchases at some great bargain prices, to a Seller’s market. 

Nowadays, especially in the price ranges under $400,000, the inventory is very low, thus the Seller’s are determining the pricing on listings by holding steadfast to their asking prices.  And to boot, many Sellers are getting what they are asking within very short time frames, especially if they have properly maintained and staged their homes appropriately.

This trend of shortened time frames for contracts, closings and multiple bids is also gaining momentum into the higher price ranges as well.  I’ve personally noticed that more buyers are inquiring about the higher price ranges these days.

Yet, I do not want to give the wrong impression about the Colorado Springs Real Estate market as being a Seller’s market exclusively.  Many, many contracts still have heavy buyer demands in which the Seller is expected to pay closing costs.  As for other Seller situations, some might not be taking the sizeable hits like they did in the last few years, but several are still taking some financial whacks to get their homes sold in this window of opportunity.

But for the most part when appraising the market, and as for the future, the potential of inflation will simply drive the real estate market into high gear.  Is it a Seller’s market?  Simply put, yes it is as we are still in the recovery process, so each situation is still either Buyer’s or Seller’s.

Feel free to contact our Colorado Springs Realtors at Selley Group Real Estate, LLC:  2139 Chuckwagon Rd, Ste 210 – Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 – 719. 598. 5101

All agents affiliated with Selley Group Real Estate, LLC are actively licensed in accordance to the laws of Colorado.

Portions of this article are written by Gordon, as framed by the expressed opinions of Cherise, but not proofread.

The EF-4 Tornado Touchdown in Moore, Oklahoma seems to have gripped many of us, near and abroad, as that community has been devastated by what appears as an unfair act of nature.  Our hearts and prayers certainly go out to those who have been directly impacted by these unwanted winds of change.

Just last year, we thought we had lost our business and home to the unforgiving flames of the Waldo Canyon Fire.  I can express that we too experienced the raw emotions of shock and painful grief that followed after a horrendous and surreal event.  It takes you to a place on the edge between life and death, in which total collapse of your life is waging war with your resolve as to how you’re going to start your life over again.

Nowadays, thousands and thousands of families are facing similar challenges as the trials and tribulations just keep happening.  In fact, it’s hard to keep up with the amount of devastation that is occurring in our country, as well as around the world.  After awhile, you begin to become numb to all of the pain and devastation because if you internalize every misfortune that others might incur, then you may actually cause the stress of worry to do something harmful to yourself.

So how do we comfort others from Oklahoma who are left with nothing except maybe the shirts on their backs?

First of all, we deeply acknowledge your pain and are sorry for the pain that you have to endure.  We realize the restoration process is not going to be an easy one, so our extended apologies are not given flippantly or with lack of connectedness of heart.

Second, Cherise and I were struck by the announcement that Moore, Oklahoma is predominantly a faith-based community.  We know from our experience of faith and overcoming tragedy that you are not defined by the damaging winds of the tornado, but rather, you will be noticed for how you respond to this horrific event.  We encourage you to draw even closer to God in your pain.  Let Him set you free from your miseries.  The path to recovery is much smoother when falling into His grace versus the pathway of rugged individualism.

We extend grace and peace in Christ to you all!

Feel free to contact our Colorado Springs CO Realtors at Selley Group Real Estate, LLC:  2139 Chuckwagon Rd, Ste 210 – Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 – 719. 598. 5101

All agents affiliated with Selley Group Real Estate, LLC are actively licensed in accordance to the laws of Colorado.

Portions of this article are written by Gordon, as framed by the expressed opinions of Cherise, but not proofread.

I find “Top Ten” lists as being straightforward and very informative.  No wonder David Letterman used his “Top Ten” list of humorous puns to capture the hearts of Americans.  Top Tens are top tens.  They help bring to mind the necessary components of what we think and then afterwards, how we react to them.

Here’s my Top Ten “Must-Do’s” List to Sell Your Home FAST:

1.)   Hire a RealtorÒ

The goal here is not to hire any RealtorÒ, but rather the kind of RealtorÒ with whom you can develop a trusting relationship.  Not all Realtors are created equal, just as your individual wants and needs about selling real estate are individualized to you and you alone.  The key to finding that right person is to interview more than one agent.  Comb through his or her details, such as experience, credentials, online presence, market knowledge, community involvement, etc.  No one has to tell you as to which RealtorÒ is best for you.  You will know who that person is.

2.)   Understand Your Market

Market seasons are very fast changing these days. There are many variables that affect market values and sales statistics other than local considerations, such as geopolitical influences.  Speaking specifically of our 2013 market, one can expect fast activity due to low inventory, especially in the price ranges under $400,000.  Note however, this is a generalized trend and pertains to those residential homes that are most likely prepped competitively in the listing market.

3.)   Establish the “Right” Price

Accurate pricing speaks volumes about the chance that a particular home will sell or not.  That’s why it is essential to have a comprehensive market analysis performed by a RealtorÒ on your behalf.

4.)   Prepare, Clean & Get Rid of the Junk

This might seem like simple and straightforward advice to many, but really, most clients I work with need help in this area.  De-cluttering and getting rid of past memories attached to physical things are very difficult for many to do.  So here’s my next advice about this.  Hire a home stager!

5.)   Interior Fixes & Upgrades

Weigh the value of your home when it comes to fixes and upgrades.  Sometimes you can try to save a penny by not investing into your home before it’s listed, then you might actually lose thousands on the sale of your home.  Buyers today want perceived value in their purchase.  They want turnkey, not projects.  Oftentimes, the investment into upgrades will help the Seller to come out on top in the long run.

6.)   Incentivizing Your Buyer

Paying for closing costs is typical way to help to incentivize the buyer when it comes to negotiations about getting a listing under contract.  This is not an unusual step in the contract process these days.  In fact, it is very common for the Seller to pay for closing costs to help many buyers with down-payment requirements.

7.)   Disclose What You Know About the Home

Don’t hold back information about your home.  What you think is hidden will be revealed someday, especially if there are some deficiencies in your home.  Disclose everything up front to save you from any legal entanglements in the future.

8.)   Insist on Online Marketing

Online marketing combined with social media marketing comprises 91% of buyer inquiries into the real estate process.  Make sure your property is thoroughly and effectively marketed online!  This part of your marketing is changing as fast as technology is changing these days.

9.)   Offer Direct Access on Showings

If you truly want to sell your home in the rhythm of market absorption, then you have to make your home available for showings as much as possible.  Homes with major showing restrictions tend to remain on the market longer than other homes that are being shown more often.

10.)  Endure to the End

Here’s how the real estate market is different these days as opposed to previous years.  The psyche of the buyer and seller are different, based on the unreliability of all the financial markets.  And as well, there are more regulations than ever when it comes to lending, appraisals, inspections, title, etc.  Basically, there are more moving parts to contend with during the real estate transaction process with higher levels of stress to endure to the end.  My advice is to hang in there to the end.

Feel free to contact our Colorado Springs CO Realtors at Selley Group Real Estate, LLC:  2139 Chuckwagon Rd, Ste 210 – Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 – 719. 598. 5101

All agents affiliated with Selley Group Real Estate, LLC are actively licensed in accordance to the laws of Colorado.

Portions of this article are written by Gordon, as framed by the expressed opinions of Cherise, but not proofread.

This blog post doesn’t contain any complex market statistics nor do I share any topnotch business advice.

Pictured above is a recent photo of our son, Jake, and his lovely wife, Rebecca. They live and work in Sydney, Australia, but found time to surprise us a few months ago when they visited us in Colorado Springs. Our family is very tight-nit and I know Gordon, especially, misses his son greatly.

It’s just a reminder that our work as professional Realtors is not limited to sales, but we serve a very important role of assisting others to find the right place for them to really call home.

Top 1% in sales, Cherise Selley, a Broker/Owner of Selley Group Real Estate, LLC and a Realtor in Colorado Springs CO, assists internet relocation clients with real estate in Colorado Springs and the Tri-Lakes areas.

All agents affiliated with Selley Group Real Estate, LLC are actively licensed in accordance to the laws of Colorado.

Portions of this article are written by Gordon, as framed by the expressed opinions of Cherise, but not proofread.