Please prepare a standard Colorado Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate and email to
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with a copy of your Earnest Money Check and a pre-qualification letter for purchases involving a loan or a proof of funds letter or bank statement for cash offers.
Addendums will not be provided until the Bank has accepted your offer.
You can expect a response within 48-72 hours excluding Holidays and Weekends.
When submitting an offer, please keep the following guidelines in mind: - We need a date and/or number of days from MEC* for Loan Conditions Deadline. Keep in mind your lender needs to submit figures to the Title Company 72 Hours before closing.
- We need a close date or number of days from MEC*. Keep in mind it could take 3-5 days for you and the Bank to have fully executed contract. A general guideline for setting this date would be 30 days for cash at closing, 30 to 45 days for a Conventional Loan closing and 45 to 60 days for a FHA/VA Closing.
- The Bank will not consider an offer that is contingent upon your buyer selling another home.
- Title is transferred via Special Warranty Deed.
- The Buyer is responsible for causing and paying for any and all surveys that may be required by Title.
*if your contract is in days from MEC and bank requests dates, we will assume to have a MEC 5 days after an offer is submitted and calculate from there.
Once you receive the Bank Addendum (provided after the bank has accepted your offer), please have you Buyer initial EVERY page and sign where indicated. The Bank will kick the addendum back if they Buyer misses an initial/signature spot. You will need to return the Buyer Signed Addendum within 24 hours of acceptance.
4 Top Building Trends for Vail, Colorado Homes
If you think Vail, Colorado homes are in style, you just might want to look around. The building trends for 2009 range from green to efficient and more. Here’s a quick peek at the new trends – many of which look like they’re here to stay.
More storage – Flat walls are out, closets are in. Homebuyers are demanding storage spaces, from walking closets to built-in storage systems. If you’re looking to sell and have issues, it might be due to the lack of storage space. Look around; see if you have areas that can be maximized for storage. Consider turning that small fourth or fifth bedroom into a walk-in closet.
Living outdoors – Over the years, the rise in individuals that want an extended outdoor space has gone up. If you have a porch or patio but it’s exposed to the elements, look into screening it in. Outdoor spaces that can be used year-round (or close to it) are big sellers.
Home office space – The need for a home office is rising as well. Windows and space are essential for working in a relaxed environment. If you have a room that can be converted into a comfortable office space with ease, don’t forget to add it to your sales pitch.
Green and healthy – Green homes are no longer a trend; they’re more the norm now. Buyers want efficient homes and features that reduce utility costs. Better insulation, recycled materials, carpets with no/low gas emissions and paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are all the rage. This is one trend that doesn’t seem likely to go away.
If you own one of the Vail, Colorado homes, pay attention to the building trends. They aren’t just what buyers say they want; these trends are what they’re buying.
If you’re thinking of selling your home but aren’t sure whether you to update it first, I can help. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at
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for more information.
5 Questions to Ask Your Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agent When Selling
If you’re ready to sell your home but it’s not yet on the market, asking the right questions of your Vail, Colorado real estate agent is a good way to help your home get sold. These questions assist agents in creating a customized marketing plan for your home, as well as helping you know what to expect. The top five questions are:
1. When is the best time of year? Spring is supposedly “the” time of year to put home on the market, but it all depends on the specific area. In addition, many historic trends are completely disappearing and can’t be trusted as an indicator. Your Vail, Colorado real estate agent can help you with a good timing strategy to get the best out of your particular area.
2. What features can I accentuate? Take the time to walk through the home with your agent. Discuss with him what you’ve enjoyed about the place and listen to their suggestions as well. Together, create a list for the agent to use in his sales and marketing tactics once it goes on the market.
3. How can I de-clutter my home? Statistics show that homes sell faster and for more money when they appear roomy, clean and are clear of personal clutter. Your agent can look over your home and give you suggestions to achieve that goal.
4. What’s the bottom line price? Let your agent know what you’d like to get from the sale, as well as the lowest price you can afford to accept. Your Vail, Colorado real estate agent will evaluate your property as compared to other similar properties that have sold recently and recommend an accurate price range.
5. What do I have to disclose? You may be obligated by law to disclose certain problems about your home, as well as common insurance and utility costs. Make sure that you find out from your real estate agent exactly what you have to disclose to maintain legal compliance.
Remember, a good Vail, Colorado real estate agent is there to help you. You don’t have to do it alone, so share the responsibility.
If you want to sell your home, let me put together a custom marketing plan designed to sell your home fast and for top dollar. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at
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for more information.
Horror Stories to Avoid When Buying Vail, Colorado Real Estate
Everybody has a horror story of some kind, when talking about Vail, Colorado real estate. There are just some things most people don't think about when searching for property to buy or sell, whether you’re the buyer, the seller or even, yes, the agent.
Exhibit A
Sheryl (name changed to protect the innocent) is exhibit A. Now, she thought she’d bought a nice house at a good price. Everything seemed to be perfect. The one place that Sheryl went wrong was forgetting to do a home inspection on that beautiful piece of Vail, Colorado real estate.
After a pleasant day of moving in, she went to take a shower. Turning on the faucet, she noticed the water pressure wasn’t what it should be. Ignoring the indications of worse yet to come, she flipped from faucet to shower. Only a few lonely, sad drips came from the showerhead. To compound the issue, she discovered that the washer didn’t have enough pressure to get her clothes clean, washing dishes was an exercise in futility and if a hose was turned on in the garden the second story toilet wouldn’t flush.
After much ado, many phone calls and two plumbers, Sheryl found that the beautiful tree in the front yard that had sealed the deal had also burst the pipes. She now had to pay to have the tree removed (it couldn’t be saved), as well as the pipe dug up and replaced. In addition, she owed the water company for all the water lost through the break.
The moral: Don’t skimp on the details just because you’re under pressure.
Exhibit B
Bob, a real estate agent (again, name changed), still loves open houses. They’re a big deal for him and he makes plenty of contacts that way. However, even Bob, who has been in the industry for years, forgot to do a last walk through before a certain open house started. Unfortunately, he and the potential buyers found an unpleasant surprise in the upstairs bathroom, deposited thoughtfully by the current owner. In trying to take care of the surprise, he found the toilet was blocked and the bathroom fan didn’t work. Needless to say, the potential buyers didn’t stick around to tour the rest of the house.
The moral: A short walk-through can save a lot of embarrassment.
With any Vail, Colorado real estate, there’s always the chance that you’ll miss something. A homebuyer’s checklist or home seller’s checklist is a great way to make sure you don’t. If you do, try to take what comes with a grain of salt, a lot of patience and as much of a smile as you can muster.
If you’re trying to find a great home without the horror, I can help. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at
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for more information.
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3 Tips for Taking Advantage of Your Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agent
By now, everyone has heard, and understands, the term “down market.” It sounds like a really bad thing, doesn’t it? However, with the help of your Vail, Colorado real estate agent, you can take advantage of the many wonderful bargains to be had. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:
#1. Do Your Research
Right now, you have a great advantage as a buyer. Housing prices are generally lower and sellers or normally more willing to negotiate. In addition, there are tons of listings available, so you aren’t stuck with only two or three choices. This is where your Vail, Colorado real estate agent comes in.
Once you know the area you’re interested in, you’ll need to know the price range in the area. Knowing what the expensive, median and low prices are can give you room to bargain. Look online, but also check with your agent. If they don’t know the area themselves, a good agent will have contacts that do.
#2. Get Organized
Organization is essential in a down market. You aren’t the only one looking for a bargain on a home, and if you find one you like but delay the buying process, you could lose a great deal. To cover for this possibility, make sure you’re prepared to buy at a moment’s notice.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage (not pre-qualified) and have someone on hand for the closing paperwork. Have a home inspector and insurance agent close by, as well as your real estate agent. The more necessary people you have lined up, the better the chance of getting the deal you’re hoping for.
#3. Use Your Agent
If someone wants to sell his or her home in a hurry, you have better bargaining power. This is the best place to take advantage of your real estate agent. You want those motivated sellers, and a good agent knows how to spot them. As well, they can find out if there’s been a price drop and if the house has been on the market for a long time.
A Vail, Colorado real estate agent is a great asset in a down market. If you’re going to hire one, make sure you take advantage of their knowledge and expertise, no matter whether you’re selling or buying.
If you’re looking for a bargain on a great home, I can help. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at
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for more information.
Don’t Forget to Inspect the Vail, Colorado Homes for Sale!
Just because you’ve found some interesting Vail, Colorado homes for sale doesn’t mean your house hunt is up. There’s much more to do before signing those closing papers, and one of the biggest is having the home inspected. In fact, getting a home inspection will probably be drilled into you by your real estate agent. Yes, it’s that important.
What can you find out from a home inspection report?
Although many people do get a home inspection, just as many have a difficult time deciphering the reports to find out what’s serious and what isn’t. To make it worse, inspections vary from state to state. Fortunately, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, who has a list of inspectors all around the United States and Canada, has a specific set of guidelines.
General Inspection
A general inspection doesn’t require a specific license. It covers such things as:
• Structure – how well the walls, ceiling, foundation and more are put together
• Exterior evaluation – landscaping, elevation, drainage, windows
• Plumbing – Checks the condition of piping and identifies the materials used
• Roof and attic – framing, flashing, gutters, ventilation
• Systems – water heaters, duct work, air conditioning, chimney, furnaces, sprinklers
• Garage – Slab, firewall, garage door
• Appliances – including smoke detectors
• Electrical – main panel, types of wiring, grounding, circuit breakers, light fixtures and more
The inspection reports will state whether the Vail, Colorado homes for sale have serious health and safety issues, bad or old roofs, systems malfunctions, foundation problems, and moisture and drainage problems.
Special Inspection
Some things require a specific license for inspection. Although you may not want to spend the extra money, these things can cause the “sick house syndrome” (people getting sick a lot for no recognizable reason). These problems should not be ignored:
• Asbestos
• Radon
• Formaldehyde
• Mold, mildew and fungi
• Rodents
• Lead
• Methane
• Radiation
Some issues aren’t big and can be dealt with fairly easily. Other things, however, are expensive fixes and usually deal breakers. Before you sign closing papers on one of the Vail, Colorado homes for sale, get that inspection done to find out what you’re really getting.
If you’re looking for a healthy home in good condition, I can help. Call me at 970-471-0646 or email me at
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for more information.
5 Myths Debunked About Vail, Colorado Real Estate Agents
Every industry has a few myths. Look at science – according to myth, if you’re a scientist, you’re also a lone wolf and a geek. Now, I’ve known one or two scientists, and they were anything but. Vail, Colorado real estate agents carry around a few myths of their own, passed around from homeowner to homeowner since the dawn of time.
Myth #1: Every agent drives a brand new, high-end car. Now, I don’t know about other Vail, Colorado real estate agents, but I tooled around town for several years in a used older-model Jeep. Not very shiny or showy, but it got me where I needed to go. While it’s true I now have a newer car, it’s definitely not brand new, and certainly not high-end. My Subaru is the ideal mountain car... not a Porsche, but how well does a 911 do in the snow?
Myth #2: Lenders and inspectors give agents kickbacks. Not unless those lenders, inspectors and agents want to go to jail. You see, in 1974, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act was passed. The RESPA says receiving or giving kickbacks is illegal. I don’t know about anybody else, but I’d rather keep my real estate license.
Myth #3: Agents make a lot of money. Those that pass this little myth around have never asked an agent. Remember the Jeep from Myth #1? Once all of our fees are paid, such as MLS fees, overhead, insurance and other expenses, the average agent's salary of around $36,000. For those that don’t know, middle class is somewhere around $75,000 and above.
Myth #4: Agents will say anything to get a sale. Some agents might lie to you, but most won’t. Personal reputation is especially important in the real estate business. An agent with a reputation for lying soon ends up out of work or without a license. Most agents, like me, are in this business because they love to work with people and are looking for a long-term relationship. I don't want to do just one deal with my clients and never see them again. I want to do multiple deals over the years, receive all of your referrals and have you as a client for life.
Myth #5: The higher the sale price, the more agents make. Many think that agents would be ecstatic if they sold a house for $10,000 more than expected because of their real estate agents' commission. If they are, they’re ecstatic for the client, not themselves. While the seller makes around $10,000, the agent makes about $150. With today’s prices, $150 doesn’t go very far and certainly isn't worth comprising their integrity.
The next time you think about Vail, Colorado real estate agents and everything you know about them, consider where you got the information. Is it something that “everybody knows” or something you know from experience?
If you’re looking for a professional agent who puts your needs first, you've found him. To learn more about me and the services I offer, visit my website at www.searchvailproperties.com.
Turning Away Buyers for Your Vail, Colorado Real Estate?
You don’t have to! Many sellers are turning away buyers for their Vail, Colorado real estate because the buyer can’t get the necessary financing. Understandable, but remember, the downturn in real estate has definitely made it a buyer’s market. Simply put, you may have trouble finding another one.
So what’s the “holy grail” of options? What can you do to sell your home when nobody can afford to buy it straight out? It’s called “owner financing”, or “Owner Will Carry” in real estate terms. In other words, you finance the sale. It’s not the end-all, be-all answer, but it’s worked for many as a win/win situation, and here’s why:
- Maintenance – Owner financing isn’t the same as “rent to own”. Once the contract is signed, you no longer have to worry about keeping up repairs.
- Interest – One of the nice things about owner financing is that, since you’re lending money to the buyer, you can charge interest on that loan.
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- Quit Claim Deed – You can require the buyer to sign a Quit Claim Deed, which goes into the escrow account with additional instructions. The Quit Claim Deed allows the Vail, Colorado real estate to be restored to you if the buyer is late with payments by a set amount of days. In this event, the buyer loses the title, as well as all payments they’ve made. Not only is this a big incentive to make payments on time, it’s also a good way to keep yourself protected from nonpayment.
- More potential buyers – Many potential buyers are unable to get financing for a large loan, but can qualify for a smaller loan. This means a larger amount of people will be interested in buying.
The best time to provide owner financing is when there are more houses than buyers. Now is a perfect example of such a time. If you’re having trouble selling your Vail, Colorado real estate and can afford to finance another buyer, owner financing is choice you should consider to get your home sold.
Would you like more information on owner financing? Call me today at 970-471-0646 or email me at
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