Stuart Dobson

Home Selling Advantages - Green Tips

Despite the slowing housing sales trends in most areas, Realtors who can highlight a homes 'greener' qualities may be gaining a competitive advantage for their sellers.  What is a green home?  A green home is designed, built, renovated, or improved in ways that make it more ecological and efficient with natural resources.  While some people go all out in building green to lessen a home's environmental impact, most people simply want to upgrade their home for the following four reasons:

Reasons to be green

1. Have more control over future maintenance costs.
2. Lower and better predict monthly expenses.
3. Enjoy health benefits from lower emissions and better air quality.
4. Improving their homes marketability and resale value.

How to get green?

The following are just some of the ways for homeowners to improve their homes, enjoy economic benefits, and increase marketability:

• Install Tankless water heaters.
• Replace old windows with Low-E windows.
• Install a storm door.
• Use paints that contain low- or no-VOC (Volative Organic Compounds).
• Spray foam insulation.
• Landscape responsibly (think Xeriscaping).
• Programmable thermostats.

Again, these are just some ways, there are many more. If you need additional tips concerning marketing your home, we're happy to help.

How to Sell a House in today's market

This is written after a phone call with a good friend who is trying (unsuccessfully) to sell his home in Atlanta.  He has gone through two agents who have not done what they agreed to do, insisted on 6% commission contract because of how much they do, and after reviewing what they've done, haven't even done the basics any real estate agent needs to do to sell a home.

The Basics:

1. Fully and completely list the home in your local MLS.  If there is a blank space on your MLS input screen or input form it means data is missing.  MLS's are GIGO systems.  If you can't even be bothered to fill in every blank, don't be bothered to take a listing!  95% of agents don't even complete this basic step.
2. Use a professional photographer/videographer service.  Unless you are a part time professional photographer, don't use your own pictures.
3. Get brochures done with at least the basics of the house on them; Address, photos, URL for video tour, schools, hopefully a Google map of the location.
4. Do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it!  Number #1 complaint.

Advanced Techniques:

These are the things that set a great listing broker apart from the crowd and show up in their results.

1. Complete a keyword optimized description for the house or home.
2. Utilize a Persuasion Architecture system for marketing.
3. DO NOT just provide a laundry list of features, describe the benefits.
4. Optimize the listing wherever you can; Trulia, Zillow, Listhub, Realtor.com, Craigslist, etc.

A full description of Keyword optimization and Persuasion Architecture is beyond the scope of a single blog post.  However, what it basically means is that you are identifying and targeting the most likely persona's who will be interested in the home or property and are creating custom optimized descriptions that trigger their particular benefit associations.  For example, a young wealthy couple with a new baby is probably more interested in local private schools available near the home than a wealthy retired couple is.  If your not identifying and targeting the most likely home buying prospects, what value are you adding to the marketing?

It's time that Realtors actually act and work like competent skilled professionals.  No one knows everything, and I learn and test new things constantly, but the above basic and advanced methods of selling a home can and should be practiced by every serious real estate agent.

Quail Valley

Quail Valley is a community that is very close to the 'action' in the north corridor of Thornton.  Located just north of 144th Avenue and the Wadley Farms neighborhood.  The homes in Quail Valley range from modest size 1800 sq ft up to over 3000+.  One thing they all share are large lots!  Also the neighborhood is just east of I-25 and is very close with easy access to The Orchard shopping center.  Super Target and King Soopers grocery stores are close and even making a quick trip up to the Larkridge shopping center is only about five minutes.  The School district is Adams 12, and since both Silver Creek elementary and Rocky Top middle school are so close, many of the kids can easily walk to school.  We are very familiar with these homes and neighborhood and have specialized in selling and helping people buy here.

If you are looking for a large lot, newer home with quick access to I-25, shopping and schools, we'd love to help you sell or buy your home in the Quail Valley neighborhood in Thornton.

Your Thornton Colorado Real Estate Broker, Stuart Dobson.

Northbrook

The neighborhood of Northbrook in Thornton is laid out mostly in a grid pattern that is easy to navigate and find your way around.  Located just north of Horizon high school and bounded on the west by Holly Street, it is a quiet neighborhood of homes built in the late 90's and early 2000's.  Many of the homes have fair sized mature trees and landscaping with decent sized lots relative to the houses.  The streets have sidewalks on both sides and are wide enough that two cars can pass get by each other if there happens to be a car parked on the street.

Some of the homes have mountain or city views but it is generally from an angle in the backyards or from the front porch.  The school system is the Adams 12 district and high school students can walk to Horizon through the neighborhood.  We are very familiar with these homes and neighborhood and have specialized in selling and helping people buy here.

We'd love to help you sell or buy your home in the Northbrook neighborhood in Thornton.

Your Thornton Colorado Real Estate Broker, Stuart Dobson.

Cinebarre's newest location Thornton CO

Cinabarre is a theater that let's moviegoers enjoy food and drinks from a full menu while watching a movie.  Their newest location just opened at 10001 Grant Street at the Thornton Town Center.  The theater has eight movie screens, a beer and wine bar and louge.  Also for Broncos fans, Denver Broncos games are on every weekend.