Time is of the essence for most sellers 

When you make the decision to list your house for sale, you often have a compelling reason for it to sell quickly: buying a new home, changing jobs, relocating to be closer to family, etc. It's a rare seller who wants his home to be on the market for months on end.

So, if you want to sell your home faster, consider these 10 tips: 

1. Boost curb appeal. The exterior of your home is a buyer's first impression, and some buyers might even pass on a showing if they don't like what they see outside. Fresh paint, healthy plants, clean windows and more can help. 
2. Fix obvious problems. Take time to make repairs. Buyers notice things like loose railings and dripping faucets, and these issues can make them think twice about the overall condition of your home.
3. Price it well. Of course you want to make money on your home sale, but the price should reflect the current market, comparable nearby properties and the condition of your home. 
4. Declutter. Simplify the interior as much as possible. Leave key pieces of furniture and accessories to show off a room's living potential, but pack up clutter and personal items. 
5. Think like a buyer. That spare room you use for storage? Restage it as an office or a guest room. Show off each room's full potential so buyers can imagine life there. 
6. Add warmth. Fresh flowers, a fire in the fireplace, the smell of baked goods, comfortable throw blankets: All of these small touches can help a home feel more homey for buyers during a showing. 
7. Take great photos. The first step to booking showings is a great online listing. The more quality photos your listing has, the better. 
8. Play up the location. The listing and marketing materials should emphasize your neighborhood's positives: great schools, beautiful parks, nearby dining and entertainment, etc. 
9. Be flexible. Showings can be inconvenient, yes, but more showings translate to more offers and faster sales. Be willing to vacate at 8 p.m. on a Sunday, if needed. 
10. Work with a pro. An experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the whole process, from pricing to marketing. Their experience can make the difference between a fast sale and a slow one. 

As we move into fall, keep in mind that there will be less competition in the market. Fewer listings mean your house has a greater chance of selling. 

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience, and our expertise about Steamboat, to work for you. 

Back-to-school means fall is on its way

Many schools are already back in session, and you can feel an ever-so-slight chill in the air. Fall is coming, and it is an especially beautiful time in Steamboat Springs. (Oh, who are we kidding? We can say that in any season here. Not that we're rubbing it in.) 

Back-to-school time offers a bit of a lull in the tourist season here (before the slopes open and welcome people for glorious winter vacations), but there is still so much to do. So, take advantage of smaller crowds during the fall and enjoy some of these activities: 

All Arts Festival
Aug. 18-21, 2016
Sneak in one last incredible summer festival this weekend as you enjoy music and dance performances alongside incredible visual art displays. 

Wild West Air Fest
Sept. 3-4, 2016
The best pilots in the west come together for incredible exhibitions of formation flying and air acrobatics. Visitors can even sign up for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to fly above the Yampa Valley in one of the planes. 

OktoberWest
Sept. 16-17, 2016
You don't need to fly to Germany to enjoy beer and gorgeous mountains. Celebrate Oktoberfest Colorado-style with local beer and food, a cook-off and great activities. 

View the fall colors by helicopter
Ongoing
Zephyr Helicopter Company offers one-hour tours of the Yampa Valley, and fall is a great time to take in the scenery as it transforms with fall foliage. 

We invite you to visit Steamboat Springs to discover why so many people return here year after year, and why many decide to stay for good. If you would like to make Steamboat your home, or vacation home, contact us using the form below. We will help you learn more about the area and find the perfect option for you. 

Steamboat celebrates the 11th Steamboat Wine Festival 

Planning to be in or around Steamboat Springs this weekend? If you're not here already, you should come on over! August 10-14 is the 11th Annual Steamboat Wine Festival, sponsored by Sotheby's Wines. This is your opportunity to enjoy some great wine, great food, great seminars and events, and an amazing environment to enjoy it all. 

For more details, visit: steamboatwinefestival.com. For an insider's guide to the festival, check out this article from our friends at Sotheby's: Steamboat Wine Festival 2016 Insider's Guide.

Downsizing benefits and tips 

We have seen many people move to Steamboat Springs from all over the country, and the world, in search of the unique lifestyle a Colorado mountain town offers. For these people, access to ski slopes, bike and hiking trails, great fishing spots, a lively western town and fresh mountain air takes top priority when choosing a new home. For many, that also means choosing a new home that is significantly smaller than their previous one. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Benefits of downsizing

As mentioned above, one of the key benefits of downsizing is lifestyle. A condo near the base of a ski lift, for example, puts you right in the middle of your favorite recreational activity. While you might have a smaller indoor space, that mountain slope outside your balcony more than makes up for it. That also hold true for people who want to live in town within walking distance of great restaurants, galleries and shopping. 

Another significant benefit of downsizing is less maintenance. With fewer rooms to heat, clean and maintain, you have more free time to enjoy your hobbies, family and friends. 

Tips for downsizing

Moving from a large home to smaller one, or even a condo or apartment, takes a little planning and creativity, but you can do it. Here are a few tips: 

• Prioritize. You know you need to offload some furniture and possessions. Items that make the cut should fit your new lifestyle and the dimensions of your new home.
• Sell. If you need to part with a lot of furniture and collectible items, consider using an auction or estate sale company to help. They will handle the marketing and sale for you, while also attracting serious buyers. 
• Recruit. Ask family members, especially unbiased ones, to help you sort through things and decide what stays and what goes. 
• Keep. Be sure to keep important papers, family heirlooms, photographs and other items with a high sentimental value. It can be tempting to toss too much when downsizing. 

Most importantly, remember how much lighter and freer you will feel once you have sorted through your belongings. Downsizing is a step toward your new lifestyle, so try to look at it as a beginning rather than an ending. 

If you would like to learn more about living in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of real estate experience to work for you. 

Winter or summer, the Olympic Games unite

Steamboat Springs is home to more Winter Olympic athletes than any other town in the country (more than 80 since 1932). So, when the winter Olympic Games roll around, we are often rooting for some hometown guys and gals who grew up skiing, boarding and skating in our beautiful Colorado mountain town. 

While we might not have many homegrown athletes in the summer games, we feel a strong affinity for all Olympians because of our local Olympic heritage. We have watched athletes train tirelessly in pursuit of their dreams, and we have a unique appreciation for what goes into the making of a world-class athlete. 

Of the 554 athletes on Team USA's roster for the games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19 hail from Colorado. We will be cheering them on with extra gusto in events from women's soccer to swimming to track and field. Colorado Olympians, Steamboat Springs is behind you.

As we take pride in watching competitors from our beloved home state, and from all of Team USA, we are also reminded of the Olympics' power to unite people from around the globe. Athletes from all backgrounds and cultures come together for a common purpose every two years with a common goal in mind: excellence. 

Both the summer and winter Olympics highlight years of dedication, hard work, teamwork, collaboration and respect. Our hats are off to each competitor who has worked so hard to earn his or her place in the Summer Olympic Games. 

Locally, the games are a great excuse to spend more time with your neighbors and to build community. Whether you meet at a local watering hole or a friend's basement to watch, we hope the Olympics help you find a little common ground over the next few weeks. 

If you would like to know more about living in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We would be happy to answer your questions. 

First-time buyers should be aware of these expenses

As you get ready to start your search for your first home, you know you need to keep budget in mind. A common rule of thumb is that your income should be about two or three times larger than your expected mortgage payment. However, there is more to the home-buying bottom line than just the mortgage. 

Consider these additional home ownership expenses when buying a home: 

Property taxes

Taxes on your new home will vary depending on the size of the home, assessed value, location and more. This chart gives you an idea of how much these taxes can vary from state to state, and your real estate agent can help you locate specifics for the neighborhoods or properties in your target area.  

Private mortgage insurance

PMI for short, this insurance is applied to your mortgage by your lender if you have a low down payment or don't meet other requirements. It helps offset the lender's risk. You can generally ask your lender to drop PMI once you reach 20 percent equity in your home, but be sure to review the details before signing. 

Home insurance

Most mortgage lenders will require you to carry home insurance, which will add to your overall mortgage payment each month. Get quotes from several insurance providers and ask for discounts that might apply to you. 

Closing costs

From title fees to inspections, a number of fees go into closing costs. Your real estate agent will outline these expected costs for you before your deal is final. 

Maintenance

The cost of maintaining a home sometimes comes as a shock, especially to former renters. When you own a home, there is no landlord to replace a furnace or water heater. If you are moving to a home from an apartment, or upsizing, factor in added utility costs to heat and cool the home, as well as water the lawn. 

These expenses can vary by county or neighborhood. Different mortgage options can also impact the bottom line. Work with your real estate agent to assess the affordability of any home you plan to buy. He or she can help direct you to the options that will work best for you without breaking your budget. 

If you are buying or selling a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you. 

Enjoy a smoother move with these tips

Moving an entire household, whether it’s a one-bedroom apartment or a large two-story home, is no simple undertaking. I know very few people who actually enjoy the packing process (although there are a few who take joy in it), but there are ways to take the stress out of packing:

Start early

As soon as you know you plan to move, make a list of what needs to be done. Give yourself enough time to work through the list a little at a time so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

Sort through your belongings

Tackle the junk drawers, garage and storage closets first – all the places where you keep things that you may or may not need or want in your new home. Then move to more commonly used items in your bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen. Sort everything into four groups:

• Keep – Hold onto items you use regularly, even if you don’t use them every day. Think about your lifestyle in your new home and what you will need or want there. Think critically about which furniture items to keep, in addition to smaller things.
• Sell – Anything that is in good, usable shape, but that you no longer want or need, is a great candidate for the Sell pile. List things on garage sale sites or hold a garage sale at your home. Why not make a few dollars to help offset the cost of moving?
• Donate – Again, this pile should include items in good and usable shape: No tattered clothes or broken appliances, for example. If you can’t sell some things from the Sell pile, donate them.
• Toss – Use this pile as a last resort, but old papers and magazines can be shredded and/or recycled, for example. Toss or recycle whatever can’t be easily donated.

Pack strategically

Grouping like items together will help the unpacking process go faster in your new home. Label everything according to destination room and use (e.g. kids’ toys, kitchen cookware, basement games, etc.)

When choosing boxes, think small for heavy items, but big for lighter items. A big box of pillows is much easier to lift than a big box of books.

Work with movers

Hiring movers can make the whole process much faster, but talk to your moving company about the level of prep work they will do and how much it will cost. Will they pack, or will you? Also find out which items, such as plants, they won’t move.

Move anything valuable or especially sentimental yourself to save yourself the heartache of lost or broken items.

If you are planning a move to or from Steamboat Springs, contact us. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you in your home buying or selling adventure. 

Make Steamboat your second home

If you need a break from work and a change of scenery, we invite you to visit Steamboat Springs for a long weekend.

For Denver metro residents, Steamboat is the perfect break from the July heat and a great place to relax and unwind. For people visiting from out-of-state, it offers a small western town setting with a Colorado mountain lifestyle. 

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Here are just a few high points you can enjoy during your visit: 

Hot springs

As our town's name implies, Steamboat is home to several hot springs:

Check out Old Town Hot Springs with the whole family, where kids and adults alike will enjoy the water slides and hot springs pool. While there, take a BodyPump, spin or yoga class, or any one of the water fitness classes. Unwind with a massage. 

Strawberry Park Hot Springs offers a more rustic experience. Soak in the springs while surrounded by trees and stunning mountain views. Ages 18 and older only after dark. 

Outdoor recreation

It goes without saying that Steamboat Springs is the ultimate outdoor playground all year long. If you visit in the this summer or fall, these options might interest you: 

Spend a relaxing day on the river with a guided fly-fishing trip. Steamboat Flyfisher and Bucking Rainbow Outfitters are among the local shops offering guided fishing trips. 

Join fellow wildlife enthusiasts at the annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival, Sept. 10-14. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes stop in Steamboat Springs to rest prior to flying south for the winter, and you can observe these beautiful birds in their habitat during the festival. 

Dining 

Stop at Bistro C.V. to enjoy its seasonal, new Rocky Mountain menu offerings, including olive-brined quail, chicken-chorizo pot pie local wagyu beef. 

Laundry Kitchen and Cocktails features rustic and comfort small or large plates, including smoked trout, pork cheeks and buffalo sirloin. 

Art and entertainment

The Steamboat Summer Concert Series has three admission-free concerts left in its lineup: Hot Rize on July 16, Robert Randolph and the Family Band on July 30, and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers August 7. 

There are too many great art galleries and unique shops on main street to mention them all, so set aside time to stroll, shop, grab coffee and people-watch in downtown Steamboat. 

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Once you have spent a little time in Steamboat, we guarantee you will want to come back again and again. So, if your schedule allows, we'd love to show you some vacation home options that could give you a second home in beautiful Steamboat.

If you are planning a visit to Steamboat and would like to take a morning or afternoon to view some properties, contact us using the form below. 

How to prepare for your house hunt

You have probably heard radio ads recently about record-low mortgage interest rates (according to Bankrate, current rates for 15-year fixed loans are as low as 2.85 percent), and that can be a compelling reason to search for a new home in 2016. In addition, there tend to be more listings available during the summer, so you have a better chance of finding the home that fits your needs.

So, are you really ready to make that leap and buy your first home, upgrade to a bigger home, or even downsize to fit your new lifestyle? Ask yourself these questions to determine if you are ready to buy a new home:

What can I afford?

Shoot for a home valued at two or three times your gross income, but be sure to factor in your current living expenses, homeowners insurance, maintenance and other costs – in addition to the mortgage – when determining how much home you can afford.

What do I need in a home?

Make a list of your must-haves. Keep this list short so you don’t limit your search to much – about four or five key items (location, lifestyle, number of bedrooms, etc.) will help you narrow down neighborhoods.

What would be nice to have?

Make a separate list of features that would be nice, but not necessary (items like a pool, fireplace, three-car garage, acreage, etc.), but understand that you might not be able to find everything on your want list.

How much do I need for a down payment?

Which mortgage fits my needs and qualifications? Determine how much you will need to put down on a home in order to qualify for a mortgage and secure a mortgage that fits your budget.

Is my credit in good shape?

Check out these tips from Bloomberg on how to improve your credit score, if it’s not.

Doing a little bit of prep work prior to searching for a home can save you time and even financial heartache in the long-run. Knowing what you can afford and what you need and want in a home goes a long way toward ensuring that you make the right decision.

If you are thinking about a mountain home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, contact us using the form below. We will put our local expertise and nearly 30 years of experience to work for you. 

Steamboat Springs climate is mild and easy

Welcome to the first week of summer. It's time for lemonade on the porch and lots of time spent outside with family and friends. 

Play outside

Here in Steamboat Springs, summer only adds to our year-round outdoor lifestyle. The days warm up, but the nights stay pleasantly cool. At a time when other locations are posting temps in the high 90s or even 100+, Steamboat feels pleasantly warm. It is the ideal time to get outside for a hike, fish along the Yampa River or even just linger with friends over lunch on an outdoor patio.  

At this writing, the local temperature is 78 degrees with 31 percent humidity. Tonight, it will cool off to 50 degrees –perfect sleeping weather. We'll maintain similar temperatures for most of the summer (although July and August averages trend slightly higher to the low 80s). Compare that to Phoenix's 100 degrees or Nashville's 96 degrees: I think we have the better deal here today. 

In Steamboat Springs, it is possible to spend long hours outdoors in the summer without feeling as if you're about to melt. Our dry climate makes even warm days pleasant and enjoyable.

It's one of the secrets that locals and Colorado transplants know about our state and our town: Our climate is pretty amazing. Even when the temperatures drop in the fall and the snow returns, we're outside playing. If you crave the outdoors, time in nature or the adrenaline rush of outdoor sports, Steamboat is your perfect home base. 

Grow something

This time of year is a great time to think about gardening in Steamboat as well. While our growing season is shorter than some, due to our elevation and beautiful mountain locale, it is possible to grow beautiful flowers and vegetables here. You can extend the season by using small greenhouses or planting in containers that can be moved indoors. 

You can plan your planting schedule using the Farmer's Almanac calendar for our zone, and experts at our local garden centers can help you navigate Steamboat Springs gardening. 

Our climate is just one of many reasons to live in Steamboat Springs. To learn more about our community and buying real estate in Steamboat, contact us using the form below.