August 2012 Real Estate Newsletter

 

Sharon Cardwell AMERICAN HOME, INC. 98765 West Iliff Avenue Lakewood, CO 80228 To work within any budget, the newsletter is available in full color, color covers/black inside, or all black ink. See our web site for pricing: www.RealtyResourcegd.com(Click on the  “Newsletter” tab found in the upper right corner.)

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CLIENT S NAME NAME YOUR CLIENT ADDRESS CLIENT S ADDRESS CITY, STATE, Z IP !

Sharon Cardwell REALTOR®

“Knowledge. Experience. Dedication.” 

A “DEAR FRIENDS” friendly,seasonal message appears The term “Dog Days of Summer” got its here each month. $5 more you name from the ancientFor belief that Sirius, caninsubmit also called the Dog Star, close your proximity own message. to the sun, was responsible for the hot

Dear Friends: This is a typical back page that includes the agent s photo and contact info. However, for a small charge, agents may submit their own full or half page piece. Display new sales/listings, sell ad space, or promote a community event. Custom art service are also ava available. ilable. !

weather. Now that we’re into the month of  August, we’re truly experiencing the Dog Days.

SNAPSHOT OF MY BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY 

Focus on the details of each transaction,  to keep my clients’ real estate goals on track, and on time.

 Y OUR O UR BUSINE BUSINESS SS AND REFERR REFERRALS ALS ARE GREATL GREATLY Y

Subscribers have 3 choices for this panel: Standard Referral (shown here), a Thought for the Month, or an Estimate of Value.

If you’ve managed to keep your garden and lawn from fading in the summer heat, be Choose the version sure to take photos of your home. One of  perfect for you! these days, when you put your home on the sell,uses you may find yourself sell• market Single: tocopy the “I” and “me.” ingwords in a season when the flowers aren’t in • bloom, Plural: and copythe uses yard is covered in snow. yard snow. If  the words “us” and such is the case, be happy you have a “we” so it s perfect you’ll for supplyworking of photos agents in a that help potential buyers team. fall in love with your home. !

Speaking of putting your home on the market, if you’ve given thought to the idea, call me and let’s talk. The re’s a lot happening in our local market, and I’d be happy to share that information with you.

APPREC APPRECIAT IATED ED.

STAY COOLAND ENJOY THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER !

Sharon Cardwell  REALTOR, ® GRI American Home, Inc.

98765 West Iliff Avenue • Lakewood, CO 80228 Office: Fax:

(303) 777-2222 777-2222 •

Cell:

(303) 567-2380

(303) 772-3277

E-mail:

[email protected]

Website:

www.SCSellsHomes.com “Knowledge. Experience. Dedication.” 

Sharon Office: (303) 777-2222 Cell: (303) 567-2380 Fax: (303) 772-3277 Email: [email protected] Web: www.SCSellsHomes.com

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COLORADO REAL ESTATE

News & Views NEWS AND ARTICLES OF INTEREST TO I fy o ou urho om m e i s c ur rree nt lly y li sstt ed ed fo r s al al e, e, th iiss is no t i n ntt en en d dee d a s a s o oll iicc it at at iio on n..

THE COLORADO HOMEOWNER

A UG US T 2 0 01 12

                 There’s an industry saying that states: “A Letting strangers into your home always home priced right is already sold.”  presents an element of risk. However, Although there is no doubt that properly there are safeguards that can be put into  place, and I can provide you  pricing  pricin g a home is crucial with details on how this to obtaining a sale in a issue would be handled. timely manner, homes on the market in the Front  Negotiating a “win-win” Range need a far more agreement . Numerous obstacomplex strategy. In addicles can complicate a home tion to establishing a proper price, here’s a look at some of the impor- sale, but my experience and expertise will tant services you’ll receive, should you and guide you through this unfamiliar process I work together to sell your home.  Helping you make the right “first impres sion.” You cannot overlook the importance of first impressions with potential buyers. Knowing which improvements cost little,  but have the highest impact, can put thousands of dollars into your pocket--and help get the home sold more quickly.

and murky issues.from By working withdemystify me, you’re protected loosely written offers and unfair requests that can easily derail your sale.

Closing with confidence. Working in close concert with the title company, we’ll make sure the costs of your sale are in line with the estimate of net proceeds you’ll be  provided with earlier in the process. We  Finding the largest largest pool of potenti potential al buye buyers. rs. will also review the Preliminary HUD-1 The buying process has changed substan- figures with you so there won't be any surtially over the past few years. For example,  prises at closing. it is estimated that approximately 80% to mind--after the sale. By using 90% of buyers now start their search by  Peace of mind--after looking on the Internet. Understanding state and industry approved forms, and where them to find those buyers and ishow to attract to specific properties crucial to generating a sale in a suitable time frame. Showing your home with safety in mind.

making certain all the details of the are properly disclosed to buyers and home their  agents, you’ll have total peace of mind in knowing you’re protected from unfair  claims after the sale.

 

largest jump in more than 60 years, according to a Bloomberg analysis of Federal Reserve data. Residential mortgage debt peaked in 2007 at $10.6 trillion, doubling in six years, according to Fed data.

 Ne ws Brief Br ief s ! The National

Association of Realtors recently reported that NEWS BRIEFS offers a foreign buyers stepped up their ! Home remodeling continues purchases of U.S. homesbrief by look at local and national news. to grow steadily in the U.S. 24% over the past year. The More residential remodeling most popular states with forprojects were started in April eign buyers were Florida, 2012 (the latest statistical data California, Texas and Arizona. available forinthis newsletter issue), than any of the prior ! Housing starts in the West six Aprils. Census region of the US, which includes Colorado, were ! Recently released Colorado up 25.9 percent from May statistics indicate that the 2011 to May 2012, counting strongest markets, in terms of both single-family and multihome prices, are Boulder, Ft. family units. According to new Collins, and Denver. The housing construction and weakest markets were Grand housing starts data released Junction and Pueblo. recently by the US Census Bureau, housing starts in the ! The Front Range storms of U.S. West region hit a fourJune 7-8 resulted in an estiyear high. mated $321.1 million in auto and property claims from hail, ! Home equity in the first wind and flooding. The lion s quarter of 2012 rose to $6.7 share of damages was to !

trillion,as thehomeowners highest leveltaking since 2008, advantage of record-low borrowing costs to refinance their loans, brought cash to the table to pay down principal. The 7.3 percent gain was the

roofs, along with hail battered and flooded vehicles. Hail is still historically the state s most costly insured catastrophe due to the widespread damage to cars and property. !

COLORADO CORNER On Top of the World: Pikes Peak  Here s a wonderful way to spend a hot, sweltering day in August: head up to the top of Pikes Peak, west of Colorado Springs. The !

OLORADO “Ctop CORNER ” good is another temperature at the is generally adrive cooler in Colorado Springs. Whether you to30 thedegrees top, or take thethan standard monthly feature focusing Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, you pass through these five on a place, an event or an llinterestdistinct climatic zones: ing tidbit of Colorado history. !

• You ll start at the Eastern Plains Zone (up to 6,000 feet above sea level). This area is comprised of wildflowers, grassland and many small animals like prairie dogs and rabbits. !

This elevation is home to deer, elk, bear and mountain lions. • The Sub-Alpine Zone is from 10,000 to 11,500 feet and is a less hospitable environment comprised of spruce, fir and bristle-cone pine trees.

• From about 6,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation is known as the Foothills Zone and it is composed of small bushes, juniper and scrub oak. You ll find racoons,

• Above 11,500 feet is the Alpine Zone. The tund tundra ra here is composed of tiny flowers, moss and

skunks, squirrel, deer,mountain and the lion. occasional bear and

lichen, plus yellow-bellied marmot and bighorn sheep.

• You ll then pass through the Mountain Zone, which is from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Here you ll see forests of pine, fir and aspen.

For details on visiting the area, check out this website: http://www.pikes-peak.com/ 

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 When disaster strikes strikes home in Colorado The focus on natural disasters the Better Business Bureau and this year in Colorado has been Home Builders Association to on the devastating fires that see if complaints have been destroyed so manyOur homes in the lodged against a contractor you articles throughout the newsletter foothills and mountain considering. contain atowns. balanced are mix of information appealing buyers, sellers and general But there’s another disastertothat articles of interest to everyone . estimates from sevFront Range residents face this • Get written time of year: hail. In fact, eral contractors and be sure they according to the include any oral Rocky Mountain  promises made. II nnfsour m r aa tni co n e Association, we can count on three or four catastrophic hailstorms every year. Since the hail season is generally from mid-April to mid-August, we’re not out of the woods yet.

Ask explanationsforfor price variations, and don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder. Get a copy of the final, signed contract before the  job begins. begins.

• Resist dealing with any contractor who asks you to pay for  Whether your home has been hit the entire job up front. A deposit with hail, or damaged by high of one-third to one-half is stanwinds this year, when disaster  dard procedure. Pay by check or  strikes, the demand for qualified credit card, and pay the balance contractors exceeds the supply. only on completion of the job. Enter the home repair rip-off  artist who’s just looking to scam • Be skeptical of contractors desperate homeowners. The fol- who encourage you to spend a lowing tips are offered for  lot of money on temporary homeowners who may be facing repairs. repairs after a disaster hits home: If you’re the recipient of a repair  • Deal only with licensed and rip-off, before any action can be insured contractors. Verify the taken on a consumer complaint track record of any roofer, within Colorado, you must con builder or contractor you’re tact the Attorney General’s thinking of hiring. Ask for a list office and put the complaint in of recent customers and call writing. To receive the form, call 1-800-222-4444, or downthem for references. load the form at: http://www.coloradoattorney • Get contractor recommendageneral.gov/departments/ tions from friends, neighbors, consumer_protection/ and insurance agents--or call consumer_fraud and let’s talk. talk. And check with

 Ask for this month’s FREE Report: Newest scams, frauds and cyber-crimes designed to steal your $$$ of the newest  con games Con artistsEvery are issue includes a FREE Report general interest. This encourages people on the market, and becoming more to concontact you, giving you an increased offers tips from the creative and opportunity to create a business bond FBI on how to protect vincing than ever they won t forget. !

before. However, knowing what to look out for can help keep you from falling victim to their games. This month s Report looks at !

yourself. Just call or email and ask for your FREE copy of this eye-opening eye-opening August Report.

DEAS S GREEN IDEA

FORTHE

Instructions for Life

COLORADO HOMEOWNER

 A green approach to lawn care care Water is a precious resource for Colorado homeowners, and hot weather tends to see an increase in water usage. Rather than beef up your water bill during the of August, taking a green “Ghot IDEASFOR REENmonth THE OLORADO HOMEOWNER ” is the amount of  approachCto lawn care can reduce a standard monthly feature water you’ll use, without diminishing the beauty of your lawn. focusing on simple ways Here are some tips for weAugust: can all play a part in protecting Mowing: If your grass is too our environment. Reseeding: If you plan to

short, you’ll use more water to keep it alive. By mowing at 3 to 3.5 inches, you’ll promote greater root activity, thereby creating a healthier root system that uses less water. In addition, the longer leaf   blades will protect protect the root and soil from the harsh heat and strong Colorado sun. Cutting the

reseed your grass, the best time is between mid-August to midSeptember. This gives the grass seeds  plenty of time time to ger ger-minate and establish roots before freezing weather sets in.

grass too short also makes it susceptible to disease, insects and drought, and leads most homeowners to turn to pesticides for solutions.

the Front Range. As a result, many homeowners turn to her bicides to kill  bicides kill wee weeds. ds. If you must use chemicals, August and September are good times to do so because the plants are actively moving food down to the roots to store for winter, taking the herbicides along.

Thatch: Thatch buildup is a major contributor to lawn diseases, so when it’s more than one-half inch deep, power raking is recommended. By aerating the lawn, you’ll loosen the soil and allow better penetration of air, nutrients and water  to your lawn.

Weeding: The best time to remove weeds is after a nice long rain. Unfortunately, we don’t get too many of those in

 from the Dalai Lama  • Take into account that great love • Be gentle with the earth. and great achievements involve • A loving atmosphere in your home great risk. To increase readership is theoffoundation for your life. appeal, this corner the • When you lose, don’tnewsletter always features • In disagreeme disagreements nts lose the lesson. something to make you think, with loved ones, deal or to make you laugh. only with the current • Remember that not situation. Don’t bring getting what you up the past. want is sometimes a wonderful stroke • Live a good, honorof luck. able life. Then when you get older and • Learn the rules so think back, you’ll be able you know how to break to enjoy it a second time. them properly. • Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

• Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship. • When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. • Spend some time alone every day. • Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

• Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for  each other exceeds your need for  each other. • Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. • If you want others to be happy, practicecompassion.

• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. • Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

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• Follow the three R’s: - Respect for self, - Respect for others an andd - Responsibiliity ty for all your actions.

Out of Colorado s 64 counties, name the largest and the smallest--in terms of geographic area. !

COLORADO TRIVIA An excellent resource for  details on Colorado lawn care can be found at: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/  pubs/garden/0  pubs/ga rden/07202.ht 7202.html ml

Six problem areas that can delay or derail a closing The myriad of details involved in closing on a home today is quite daunting. So it stands to reason that when closing day arrives, and stacks of papers must be signed, any snag in the process can delay or even derail the closing. For this reason, smart buyers don’t wait for the last minute to review certain documents or fulfill their obligations. For buyers, this is an area where having a real estate professional at your side is extremely valuable

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coverage on the new home. Talk to your  ings or additions to the house that overlap insurance agent and arrange for coverage as the property line or violate zoning regulasoon as possible. tions. By reviewing the survey, then com paring it while while walking walking aro around und the property, property,  Homeowner Associations: If the home you can avert potential last minute problems. you’re looking to buy has a homeowner  association (HOA), get a copy of the rules Settlement Shock: In Colorado, buyers can and read through them. The closing table is review a complete settlement sheet a day not the time to discover something in the  before closing. closing. Howeve However, r, by reviewing as HOA rules that is a deal-breaker for you. much as possible in advance, you can eliminate any surprises such as who pays for  The Encumbered Title: You’ll want to what, and how much you’ll need to bring to make certain that the property is sold to the table to close. you free of leases, easements or liens, so

a title search as soon as possible Unmet Seller Obligations: If the seller   because you’ll be guided, step-by-step. Here are six common problem areas that can ordering should allow time to clear up any possible  promises  promises to fi fix x anythi anything ng and it isn’t done, done, it delay or derail a closing:  problems that could arise. can stop a closing. Mak e sure all oral agreements are in writing, and ask that your real  Insurance  Insuran ce Requirem Requirements: ents: Your lender will The Survey: Most survey problems have to estate agent stay on top of repair work to want to see an insurance binder showing do with encroachments such as trees, build- keep things moving along.