Real Estate & Relocation ^ Colorado

When to move

Denver real estate discussions...

Over heard recently from an elderly couple selling their home.  The Mr. just turned 81 and his bride was a young 74.  After many years of searching for the  "last home" they finally found the perfect one for them.  Or at least settled for the closest thing to perfection.  But not without some regrets.

The Mrs. told me they waited way too long.  In her opinion by the time one is 65 years old, they should be in their "last home."  Waiting too many years beyond that is just too difficult.

Home prices surged beyond their ability to purchase  nearby their children.  The shear relocation pieces in themselves brought on unnecessary stress and at times panic.  The physical move even though it was orchestrated by family with the help of professional movers was difficult.

Downsizing from a huge home into a more manageable one takes time, patience and a strategy.  Waiting until one HAS to move is a serious mistake.

Planning ahead wins out, once again.

The Importance of Photos

Recently I closed on a home that should have sold for much more than it did. The home was a little dated but it was located on the most beautiful open space I've seen in a long time. My buyers and I both agreed the reason we were able to purchase it priced as well as we did was thanks to the amazingly crappy photo the listing agent used in the MLS!

The photo obscured the house to the point one only had to guess what the it actually looked like. In total, the agent only presented 5 or 6 photos of the house in the marketing materials.  None of them did it justice!

I'd love to post it here, but I would not want to get anyone in trouble. I merely want to make a point.

Pay attention to what your listing agent is posting on the internet.  If you have a  listing agent who is not offering your home in the best light, it could come back to bite you!

Most people begin their search on the internet. The one and only one thing that pulls them into looking at your home are the photos. Buyers need photos, good photos and lots of them.  Trying to market your home without a decent collection of photos is a huge handicap. 

My buyers and I agreed, the listing agent's mistake was our gain.  Funny how that works!

Photos are the topic of concern on many websites these days.  One of my favorite blogs to drop by is one by Athol in Connecticut.  He has made an entire blog featuring Bad MLS Photos.   Unfortunately for  the consumer and our industry,  the future of Athol's  blog fodder is secure...

(the photo is NOT of the home I sold. It is one pulled from my extensive collection of personal bad photos, it was taken through a screen.)

Crested Butte for the weekend

Living in Colorado offers so many options when your schedule frees up for a day or two.  My Lone Tree camera club announced a weekend trip to photograph the wild mountain flowers in Crested Butte, I jumped at the chance to go.

Crested Butte is located just north of Gunnison in surrounded by three wilderness areas: Raggeds, Maroon Bells-Snowmass, and West Elk. The drive from Denver is 4-5 hours of Rocky Mountain scenic beauty.  We drove along the Arkansas river on Highway 50, turning  north on Highway 135.

Our Colorado scenery is spectacular anytime of year. One can see for miles into the distance, this day was no exception. We watched in awe as thunder heads accumulated precisely over the town of Crested Butte.  As if timed exactly for our visit, the clouds opened up with a heavy downpour, while we unpacked the car.  The weather continued long after dinner and as we crawled into bed, but the next morning the sky cleared all but for a few misty fog clouds, perfect for composition!

My club members filled up two 4-wheelers as we headed for the hills.  Lucky for us we head 4-wheel drive vehicles because we seriously needed them!  Loaded down with a ton of gear we drove toward Schofield Pass via FR 734. We passed through Pittsburg (I only know this because I read the sign!) and the silver mining, former ghost town of Gothic. I say "former" ghost town, because it is now occupied. The charming western town was alive and kicking when we drove through.

Photographic groups I've learned travel with different priorities.  Unlike typical day tourist, the group stopped at any and all photographic opportunities. With the scenery in the mountains this day, I can say we didn't make good time, but we got some outstanding shots.

I really enjoyed the leisurely tempo of the day. We would stop for 20-30 minutes and take photos to our heart's delight. The leader would gently beep the horn, signaling for us to finish up, it was time to go.

I also enjoyed the camraderie of the people.  We scouted out particular flowers or backdrops and shared them.  I was handed a book of Colorado flowers and assigned the task of learning the names of flowers as others would ask.  I must say I never realized how many different varieties of flora there is to be found in one area.

Colorado is rich in beauty, I hope you take time to enjoy it!