Lorraine Sayer Realtor ABR,CDPE,GRI Colorado Springs,CO RE/MAX advantage

Christmas Season in Colorado Springs

The Christmas season is a magical time of year with lots to see and do here in the Pikes Peak region. So for those willing to bundle up and head outdoors there’s plenty of adventure during December to celebrate the holidays. And for the more meek and mild the arts come alive through our local churches and symphonies to provide memorable programs to delight.

The Christmas season is a time to share, make new friends, entertain guests, and watch the city come alive with activity. Most events take place regardless of the ever changing unpredictable snow storms that can sneak through in December, and many welcome the added charm of new fallen snow back dropped against the already picturesque Rocky Mountains here in Colorado.

December upcoming events here in Colorado Springs:

1. Downtown Tejon Street Holiday Stroll: http://www.downtown80903.com/events/holiday-stroll

2. Live Nativity: http://www.coloradospringscreche.org/

3. Festival of Lights: http://coloradospringsfestivaloflights.org/

4. Pikes Peak Center for Performing Arts presents: Deck the Halls http://events.gazette.com/colorado-springs-co/venues/show/479162-pikes-peak-center

5. Gingerbread Skate: http://www.k12.com/cova/event/colorado-springs-cova-winterland-gingerbread

6. Children’s Holiday Magic: http://holidaymagiccs.org/

7. Nutcracker: http://attitudespac.wordpress.com/

8. Annual Holiday Tour of Old Colorado City Historic Bed and Breakfasts: http://attitudespac.wordpress.com/

9. McAllister House Holiday Tea: http://mcallisterhouse.org/event-teas

10. Electrical Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: http://www.cmzoo.org/guestInformation/events/electricSafari.asp

Take time to enjoy the season and from my family to yours…….Merry Christmas!

That depends upon what the question is: are you asking about the house or the house and land? This particular Forclosure property in Chateau at Antelope Ridge is listed at $34,900 and if you are searching for a home via the web that sounds pretty sweet considering the median price for homes in Colorado Springs, El Paso County was $187,000 in October 2011.

The home looks great and has nice features. The area is newer, convenient commute to military bases, and 5 minutes to the newest shops and restaurants along the Powers corridor but just as your parents taught you, “if it sounds too good to be true it probably is….”

The assumption that the land goes with the house is where an excited buyer can have the wind knocked out of their sails. The Chateau at Antelope Ridge is one of the rare land lease neighborhoods in Colorado Springs and for the current home owners that is a palatable home ownership partnership and they are satisfied with the conditions of the lease attached to their home.

For those desiring a more traditional home purchase the knowledge that there is a separate obligation besides their mortgage on the property might be something that they are not ready to engage in. Shopping for a home on the web is the wave of the future but buyers might want to consider partnering with a professional local Realtor to get ALL the facts before signing on the dotted line.

The old cliché in real estate is location, location, location, but the marketing cliché of today is great photos, great photos, great photos. Marketing dollars need to get stretched and I get that but the place to skimp is not in the photos that get placed on the web for sellers.

According to an article today that was posted in AGBeat: “ The NAR report focuses in on the critical nature of photography, with 85 percent of home buyers finding property photos to be “very useful” on websites….”

Here are some tips to make your property listing shine above the rest and stand out when a buyer is a click of the mouse from buying a house:

1. Unless you have a gift in the photography realm- hire a professional. A good photographer that understands great marketing photos should be number one on your list of vendors.

2. Unless you have some version of a Photoshop program on your computer revert to #1.

Realtor Attempt

3. Stage the home. Furniture, plants, artwork, and splashes of color add depth to your photos. Buyer’s interest will wane with bare walls unless the home has stunning architectural features to maintain interest

4. Light is your friend. Turn on all the lights, open drapes and pull up those blinds.

5. Don’t forget the neighborhood amenities. Buyers would like to know if there is a community center, park, pool, golf course, unique shopping district, or views. Show what is unique to the neighborhood.

6. Daytime is not your only option. A good pro can take amazing night shots with lights on in the house and sometimes if the home has a Plain Jane appearance a night shot will bring out the best in a home.

7. Buyers need help “seeing” potential. If listing in the dead of winter try adding some photos from the homeowner of the landscape during summer.

8. Sometimes photos tell too much. If the basement is unfinished with drab flooring and studs for walls or the garage is nothing but a storage bin consider skipping those photos as they might deter from the rest of the highlights. It’s ok to elaborate on the features of a basement or garage under property details but photos are the place to show the best assets.

9. The photo shoot would be a great time for pets and kids to play outside. The only items needed in the photos are the features of the home not the residents.

10. Don’t be afraid to try again. Marketing photos are not a one shot deal like a wedding. If you find a few shots are not capturing exactly what you had anticipated, try again at a different time of day or maybe from a different angle. The majority of sellers will cooperate knowing that you are seeking the best possible presentation of their home.

4^th Quarter Housing Market News for Colorado Springs

"Strike while the Iron is Hot" should be marketing strategy for home sellers in the 4th quarter of 2011 here in Colorado Springs, El Paso County. As of October, the number of active listings for sale was 3959 and with 758 of those homes selling it equates to a little under 5 1/2 months supply of homes. What does that mean for sellers? That the banks are holding back on the foreclosures being released and the available homes for sale are at the lowest since October 2010 at 5122 homes on the market. This area had been running between a 6-8 month supply of homes so the current 5 1/2 months supply gives an edge to homeowners willing to tolerate the marketing process during the holiday season.

Sellers have an opportunity to attract qualified buyers willing to purchase before the end of the year if they price competively, make sure their home shows well, and market effectively with a local Realtor. Buyers looking to close over the holidays will not be as tempted by the 235 short sales currently on the market and will be more inclined to grab one of the more traditional sale properties available.

Interest rates today on the local ENT Credit Union site show a 30 year fixed rate of 4.125% and a 20 year fixed rate at 3.875%. Buyers have an opportunity in the 4th quarter to escape from the rental trap and with increasing rents that might be the best option for first time buyers. It's also a great time to pursue a move up option grabbing a desirable fixed rate mortgage and purchasing that dream home.

For more information on the local Colorado Springs housing market or to find out what your home is worth contact Lorraine Sayer today and get the facts not the drama

10 Things Buyers Hate to “See” in Homes for Sale

Sellers should never miss an opportunity to shine above the rest when a buyer shows interest in their home. Buyers will formulate a rock solid perception based upon their visual inspection and sellers want to be in the top 3 on the first walk through for that shot at an offer. Here is a list of some of the fastest ways to turn off a potential buyer and have them heading for the front door and on to see the next property.

1. Animal Stains: Nothing turns off buyers faster than pet stains on carpet. If a professional can’t remove the stains consider replacing the damaged flooring. Poop patrol should also be done in backyards and along walk ways.

2. Dirty Clothes: Buyers associate dirty clothes with neglect and whether right or wrong they will start to interpret those piles of laundry on the floor as an indicator of the overall lack of maintenance on the home.

3. Rotten or moldy food in refrigerators: They will open the refrigerator especially if it’s included and it becomes quite a challenge to imagine keeping food in a container that currently holds a batch of developing penicillin.

4. Dirty toilets and sinks: no explanation needed

5. Broken windows: Buyers will imagine all kinds of scenarios and they do have vivid imaginations.

6. Unfinished projects: It’s time to hire a handyman to fix cabinet doors, grout or finish tile work, hang lights, paint walls, replace missing fence posts or any other chores that seem overwhelming.

7. Exotic pets: Snakes and rodents can make for great pets but the average buyer will either have an aversion to these creatures or equate their habitats with uncleanliness. Try to find a temporary housing situation for these family members.

8. Dorm furniture: De cluttering and pre- packing makes sense when selling a home but somehow dorm style living cheapens the experience for the buyer and they have to work harder to want the space for their personal items

9. Religious or political ads and décor: Buying a home is emotional and whether they agree or disagree with your personal choices they will consider it offensive or over the top if surrounded by your values and beliefs.

10. SELLERS: Staying in the home to answer questions, show upgrades and features, control pets, or any other reason is taboo and will have potential buyers racing for the door.

The showing is the seller's opportunity to capture the buyers attention so don't let lifestyle be the nemesis to a viable offer.