Real Estate & Relocation ^ Colorado

Defining Your Own Success

When packing your boxes to make the big move it's important to keep your goals in  mind.  Getting caught up in the excitement and pressure of the move is easy, but you can still make it on "your terms."

Defining "your terms" means first figuring out what is most important to you.  Often times relocatees have difficulty with a move because of this lack of clarity.  They want everything one specific way and refuse to budge or they budge on everything putting themselves out on all points.

For instance say you have 5 terms that are important to you, but they don't all rank at the same level of importance.  Knowing your ranking preference will help you when it comes time to make decisions and negotiate.

I can't tell you how often I end up being able to negotiate a settlement  on a home in my buyer's favor, because they shared with me their order of preference on terms.  As luck has it, sometimes your terms are the exact opposite of the terms ranked by a seller. 

Knowing your preferences clears the path and brings the important items into focus.

Before you take the first step in a relocation, be clear on your objective.  Seek a consensus between partners so when it comes time to make decisions everyone is on the same page.

Kristal Kraft specializes in  helping people relocation to Denver and the 'burbs.

Make it easy

For a buyer looking for a home is stressful. From the seller's perspective it probably doesn't seem as bad as their side.  Keeping a home in marketable condition while living in it has got to be on the top of the stress list.  Selling Denver real estate these days is a challenge for both parties.

33 days of snow on the ground is just one more task to the "honey do list".  Keeping the sidewalk & driveway clear of snow and ice is always appreciated.  Not just by the people who travel the sidewalk, but for the homeowner who has to clean the floors inside.

Keeping you home in "show home" condition during the winter months takes more care, taking the effort to make showings easy will pay off in the long run.  So many homeowners aren't doing their part.  If you do yours you'll be way ahead of the game.

Hiking the hospital

A bad day at work is better than a good day here...

Knowing your numbers

  Our lives are filled with  numbers, phone numbers, speed dial, security codes, social and credit card numbers.  Those aren't the only numbers important to know.  When you start to purchase a home it's important to know your numbers ... before you start looking.

Buying a home is a major investment and there are many things to consider.  The worst thing a buyer can do is go looking for a home before knowing how much he can afford (assuming the buyer is on a limited income, needing to use a mortgage to finance the home).  OK, cash buyers can stop reading now.  Please leave the room, we don't want you to see the envy in our eyes!  :)

Home buyers who are the happiest are those that know their limitations.  When you know how high you can look, you don't waste time looking at homes that will only discourage you from looking at the ones that fit into the budget.  It's the old adage, beer vs champagne budget.  Start off with champagne and you are ruined for beer for good!

Start with a good lender

Most lenders these days can get a loan PRE-approved in a short time.  Be sure they know all the pertinent facts about you, don't without any obligations, thinking what they won't know won't hurt you.  It will.

As the lender/loan officer asks you for information, s/he is building a file on you and your ability to pay.  They will review your credit report, and check your employment references.  Validating your file fully prior to you finding a home is really in your best interest.

Once the work is done, you are ready to start looking for a home.  Having a pre-approved loan puts you in a strong negotiation seat.  The time you took to get prepared should and will save you time and possibly money on your purchase.

Knowing your numbers, all of them is an investment in your future.

32 Days of Snow on the Ground

Typing out the name of this post reminded me of the song we used to sing on school trips, 99 bottles of beer on the wall....you know the words.  Well in the bottles in the song get progressively less, while the number of days on snow on the ground is increasing.

We are so OVER it!  In my many years in Colorado I have never seen snow stick about this long.  Each week over the past 5 weeks we have been getting a significant amount of snow.  The only good news is the more efficient manner in which the snow is being removed.  This morning my street had actually been plowed prior to my leaving the house. 

The snow is effecting the construction crews.  With such depths they are having a hard time meeting schedules and finding a place to put the stuff.  I've seen big trucks hauling the snow away.  I have no idea where they are going, but like most people I'm so glad to see it gone.

We need some nice normal sunny Colorado days.  The weather man almost promised the worst is over...I hope he's right!