View Post

You Know You’re a Coloradan When…

In Homeowners by Doug Phelps

You worry about getting sunburned and frostbitten on the same day. You’re not surprised that a few weeks into Rockies baseball season some games are cancelled because of snow. You secretly chuckle when anyone east of Denver tells you they have mountains in their state too. You know that South Park is a real place. You go anywhere else on …

View Post

Five Daily When-You-Wake-Up Reminders

In Buyers by Doug Phelps

  Today can be great, but only if we make it so– Why do we often feel so powerless or helpless?  Because we convince ourselves that we are.  We wait for things to be given to us, instead of using our innate gifts to make things happen.  In life, there are no true entitlements, and the truth is that if …

View Post

Making Home Ownership a Reality

In Buyers by Doug Phelps

Coming up with the down payment has always been a difficult task for most buyers, especially young and first-time folks.  This is especially true in today’s market where a variety of factors – including student loan debt averaging $30,000 for the 20-something market – have made this even tougher to accomplish. As a result, in recent years there’s been a …

View Post

The Challenge Of Repositioning

In Sellers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Repositioning. What is it? You own a house. You need to sell it to buy another because the one you own is too small, too large, too old or in the wrong area. Or, you are just tired of it. Or, there has been a marriage, divorce, a death, a job change or … well, the list is endless. Unlike …

View Post

Why New Construction?

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

The BRC have also created this interesting article on the benefits of considering New Construction when buying your next home. Why New Construction? Superior Energy Efficiencies and Advanced Building Technologies – savings on monthly utility bills and easier maintenance. Builder Warranties – not found in re-sell. Builder Financing – financing options most existing-home sellers can’t/won’t offer. Allows Demanding Buyer to …

View Post

Are You Planning To Buy A Newly-Built Home? Then You Need A Professional Real Estate Agent To Represent You!

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

The BRC recently provided advice for buyers of newly-built properties. Below I have outlined their recommendations: Buying A Brand New Home Is Exciting. The ability to choose your favorite floor plan, personalize your interior decor by choosing colors, options and features that suit your needs and wants, can be a satisfying experience that enhances your enjoyment of living in a …

View Post

Fewer Home Sales Mask Supply & Demand Patterns

In Homeowners by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

You are likely hearing ‘everywhere’ that the availability of resale home inventory in the Denver metro area is low.  It has also been reported that there have been fewer homes sales so far this year.  This makes it look like both supply and demand are down for the year. In reality, neither is true.  It can all be confusing so …

View Post

What Makes Some Homes a Better Investment Than Others?

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Most everyone wants to make a good investment in their home. The longer one stays put the greater the chances are to accumulate equity. Some homes and some neighborhoods do considerably better when it comes to appreciating in value. What factors might make one home a better long term investment over another? Consider: Quality of schools.Even if you don’t have …

View Post

Benefits of Using an Agent When Buying a New Build Home

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

New home builders and their staff are good people by and large. However, they are the seller and you are the buyer. Sellers and buyers always have different objectives and agendas. It is smart to have someone equally skilled as the builder’s representatives to help look out for your best interests. Because they won’t. The Agent is Paid by the Builder.  …

View Post

Multiple Offers Impact Buyers … and Sellers

In Buyers, Sellers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Multiple offers on a given property have been a part of our current strong seller’s market. One can easily see how this can create frustrations for buyers. It often creates headaches for sellers too. What is a seller’s market? Defining this is typically done by looking at the number of months of inventory on the market at any one time …

View Post

New Construction Pros and Cons

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Buying a newly built home or one that’s been previously lived in have their advantages and both have people who love them. A newly constructed home is the most expensive item most families will ever purchase, easily more expensive than buying a previously owned home. However, the trade-offs are worth considering. Benefits of Buying a New-Built Homes A new construction …

View Post

Buying Brand New Homes … and Chess

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Imagine – you are back in high school and that you play chess about once a year.  A nerdy guy asks you if you want to play a “quick” game.  It just so happens that behind those pimples, thick-rimmed glasses, and pocket protector is the president of the school’s chess club. How’s that game going to work out for you? …

View Post

Staging: The Economical Remodeling Alternative

In Homeowners by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Here is a rather typical scenario: An agent is working with a seller and a home stager to get a house ready to go onto the market.  They have done a bunch of low-cost and even no-cost things that have made the house show better, so it will stand out in the emotional thoughts of potential buyers.  The client says, …

View Post

Get Referrals for the Services YOU need

In Homeowners by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

I and my colleagues at CHR believe in working by referral. Doing so allows us to focus on our clients and their needs before, during and after closing a real estate transaction. Purposely, the bulk of our business comes from past clients and friends who refer us to the important people they know. I love the concept of working by …

View Post

Gift Idea: Money for a Down Payment

In Buyers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

The holidays are over. For lenders however, gift giving is on their mind all year long. This is because many loan programs allow some or all of the down payment to come as a gift from a family member. An FHA loan, which is available to everyone and not just for first time homebuyers, has a down payment requirement of …

View Post

Call Early When Needing to Sell

In Sellers by Doug PhelpsLeave a Comment

Agents sometimes get calls that go something like this: CALLER: “Oh … I’m glad I caught you. I want to sell my house and need to have it on the market by this weekend.” AGENT: “Great! I’m so glad you want me to help you with your home sale. Are you aware that it’s Thursday…Thursday afternoon?” CALLER: “Yeah. Sorry for …