Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Woodland Park 80863 Home Owners - 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t For Sale by Owner

Why Woodland Park, Teller County 80863 & Colorado Springs Resident Home Owners Should NOT For Sale By Owner!
Carrie Lukins
www.RunningRealtor.net
719-651-2199



















Some homeowners may consider trying to sell their home on without the assistance of a real estate professional, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). We think there are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers.

Here are five of our reasons

1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With

Here is a list of some of the people with whom you must be prepared to negotiate if you decide to FSBO.
  • The buyer who wants the best deal possible
  • The buyer’s agent who solely represents the best interest of the buyer
  • The buyer’s attorney (in some parts of the country)
  • The home inspection companies which work for the buyer and will almost always find some problems with the house
  • The appraiser if there is a question of value
  • Your bank in the case of a short sale

2. Exposure to Prospective Purchasers

Recent studies have shown that 92% of buyers search online for a home. That is in comparison to only 28% looking at print newspaper ads. Most real estate agents have an extensive internet strategy to promote the sale of your home. Do you?

3.  Actual Results also come from the Internet

Where do buyers find the home they actually purchased?
  • 43% on the internet
  • 9% from a yard sign
  • 1% from newspapers
The days of selling your house by just putting up a sign and putting it in the paper are long gone. Having a strong internet strategy is crucial.

4. FSBOing has Become More and More Difficult

The paperwork involved in selling and buying a home has increased dramatically as industry disclosures and regulations have become mandatory. This is one of the reasons that the percentage of people FSBOing has dropped from 19% to 9% over the last 20+ years. 

5. You Net More Money when Using an Agent

Many homeowners believe that they will save the real estate commission by selling on their own. Realize that the main reason buyers look at FSBOs is because they also believe they can save the real commission. The seller and buyer can’t both save the same commission.
Studies have shown that the typical house sold by the homeowner sells for $184,000 while the typical house sold by an agent sells for $230,000.   This doesn’t mean that an agent can get $46,000 more for your home as studies have shown that people are more likely to FSBO in markets with lower price points. However, it does show that selling on your own might not make sense.

Bottom Line


Before you decide to take on the challenges of selling your house on your own, sit with a real estate professional in your marketplace and see what they have to offer.
What's Your Home Worth?
Call Carrie Lukins, SellState Alliance Realty, at 719-651-2199 or visit www.RunningRealtor.net


Friday, November 28, 2014

Woodland Park 80863 Colorado Real Estate Home Buyers Tips

Buying Your Woodland Park, Colorado 80863 Home

Get the most out of your money with these handy home-buying tips.

Buying Secret #10: Keep Your Money Where It Is


It’s not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around three to six months before buying a new home. You don’t want to take any big chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a complete paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, amass too much debt or buy a lot of big-ticket items, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan.

Buying Secret #9: Get Pre-Approved for Your Home Loan
There’s a big difference between a buyer being pre-qualified and a buyer who has a pre-approved mortgage. Anybody can get pre-qualified for a loan. Getting pre-approved means a lender has looked at all of your financial information and they’ve let you know how much you can afford and how much they will lend you. Being pre-approved will save you a lot of time and energy so you are not running around looking at houses you can't afford. It also gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal and the best interest rates. Do your research: Learn about junk fees, processing fees or points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the loan.
Buying Secret #8: Avoid a Border Dispute
It’s absolutely essential to get a survey done on your property so you know exactly what you’re buying. Knowing precisely where your property lines are may save you from a potential dispute with your neighbors. Also, your property tax is likely based on how much property you have, so it is best to have an accurate map drawn up.
Buying Secret # 7: Don’t Try to Time the Market
Don’t obsess with trying to time the market and figure out when is the best time to buy. Trying to anticipate the housing market is impossible. The best time to buy is when you find your perfect house and you can afford it. Real estate is cyclical, it goes up and it goes down and it goes back up again. So, if you try to wait for the perfect time, you’re probably going to miss out.
Buying Secret # 6: Bigger Isn’t Always Better  - Search
Everyone’s drawn to the biggest, most beautiful house on the block. But bigger is usually not better when it comes to houses. There’s an old adage in real estate that says don’t buy the biggest, best house on the block. The largest house only appeals to a very small audience and you never want to limit potential buyers when you go to re-sell. Your home is only going to go up in value as much as the other houses around you. If you pay $500,000 for a home and your neighbors pay $250,000 to $300,000, your appreciation is going to be limited. Sometimes it is best to is buy the worst house on the block, because the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.
Buying Secret #5: Avoid Sleeper Costs
The difference between renting and home ownership is the sleeper costs. Most people just focus on their mortgage payment, but they also need to be aware of the other expenses such as property taxes, utilities and homeowner-association dues. New homeowners also need to be prepared to pay for repairs, maintenance and potential property-tax increases. Make sure you budget for sleeper costs so you’ll be covered and won’t risk losing your house.
Buying Secret #4: You’re Buying a House – Not Dating It
Buying a house based on emotions is just going to break your heart. If you fall in love with something, you might end up making some pretty bad financial decisions. There’s a big difference between your emotions and your instincts. Going with your instincts means that you recognize that you’re getting a great house for a good value. Going with your emotions is being obsessed with the paint color or the backyard. It’s an investment, so stay calm and be wise.
Buying Secret #3: Give Your House a Physical
Would you buy a car without checking under the hood? Of course you wouldn’t. Hire a home inspector. It’ll cost about $200 but could end up saving you thousands. A home inspector’s sole responsibility is to provide you with information so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to buy. It’s really the only way to get an unbiased third-party opinion. If the inspector does find any issues with the home, you can use it as a bargaining tool for lowering the price of the home. It’s better to spend the money up front on an inspector than to find out later you have to spend a fortune.
Buying Secret #2: The Secret Science of Bidding
Your opening bid should be based on two things: what you can afford (because you don’t want to outbid yourself), and what you really believe the property is worth. Make your opening bid something that’s fair and reasonable and isn’t going to totally offend the seller. A lot of people think they should go lower the first time they make a bid. It all depends on what the market is doing at the time. You need to look at what other homes have gone for in that neighborhood and you want to get an average price per square foot. Sizing up a house on a price-per-square-foot basis is a great equalizer. Also, see if the neighbors have plans to put up a new addition or a basketball court or tennis court, something that might detract from the property’s value down the road.
Today, so many sellers are behind in their property taxes and if you have that valuable information it gives you a great card to negotiate a good deal. To find out, go to the county clerk’s office.
Sellers respect a bid that is an oddball number and are more likely to take it more seriously. A nice round number sounds like every other bid out there. When you get more specific the sellers will think you've given the offer careful thought.
Buying Secret #1: Stalk the Neighborhood
Before you buy, get the lay of the land – drop by morning noon and night. Many homebuyers have become completely distraught because they thought they found the perfect home, only to find out the neighborhood wasn’t for them. Drive by the house at all hours of the day to see what’s happening in the neighborhood. Do your regular commute from the house to make sure it is something you can deal with on a daily basis. Find out how far it is to the nearest grocery store and other services. Even if you don’t have kids, research the schools because it affects the value of your home in a very big way. If you buy a house in a good school district versus bad school district even in the same town, the value can be affected as much as 20 percent.
Tell Us What type of Home Would Be Perfect For You

Carrie Lukins
SellState Alliance Realty
Your Running Realtor
www.RunningRealtor.net
719-651-2199

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Woodland Park Colorado Real Estate Teller County - Home Buyers Love Living In This Pristine Beautiful Area


Eighteen miles west of Colorado Springs real estate in Teller County, Woodland Park is a flourishing tourist community perched at 8500 feet elevation at the foot of Pike's Peak in the Rocky Mountains. Real estate in Woodland Park lures Colorado Springs homebuyers to its pristine natural beauty, extensive recreational options, friendly community, and high-quality lifestyle.  Woodland Park's restaurants and cafes, galleries and shops, and community events welcome travelers during every season.


















"The city above the clouds" in the Pike's Peak National Forest is home to 7500 residents who enjoy stunning panoramic views, deep blue skies, lovely parks, sport fields, and hike, mountain bike and snowsport trails.  Other recreation includes ice-skating, golfing and unlimited year-round recreation around excellent ski resorts such as Breckenridge and Keystone.  All the while, amenities and primary homes in Colorado Springs are just minutes away.

Woodland Park real estate is available at a variety of price points.  Exclusive homes and vacation homes in subdivisions like Woodland Park, Woodland Valley Ranch, Flying Cloud, Catamount, and Trout Creek range from $650,000 to over $1.5 million.  Mountain View Park, Sunnywood Manor, R & D, Westwood Lakes, Eagle Pines I, Forest Edge Park, and Gray Horse Ranch real estate ranges from $150,000 to $650,000.   Paradise Estates, Ridgewood, Tranquil Acres, Columbine Village and Spruce Haven offer affordable full-time and vacation homes under $150,000. 

The children and youth attend schools operated by the Woodland Park School District RE-2.
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Call Carrie Lukins, Your Running Realtor, SeelState Alliance Realty. at (719) 651-2199 to learn how our acclaimed city can work hand-in-glove to help you achieve your lifetime goals.   In appreciation for those who serve our nation in the military, Carrie also offers active and retired military VA buyers incentives


Carrie Lukins
Your Running Realtor
SellState Alliance Realty
Colorado Springs, CO  80920
719-651-2199



Thursday, October 16, 2014

Woodland Park, Colorado, 80863 Teller County Home Buyers Real Estate Market Trends & buyers Guide

City Of Woodland Park, Colorado

The City Above the Clouds

Today with over 7,200 residents, Woodland Park is a flourishing community of people who demand a high quality of life. Tourism continues to fuel the economy, often turning first-time visitors into lifelong residents. Just 18 miles west of Colorado Springs in Teller County, experience the history, adventure and beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Pikes Peak by Keith Wilcox

Woodland Park Real Estate Overview


Average price per square foot for Woodland Park CO was $174, an increase of 10.8% compared to the same period last year. The median sales price for homes in Woodland Park CO for Jul 14 to Oct 14 was $255,000 based on 71 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price increased 16.7%, or $36,500, and the number of home sales decreased 16.5%. There are currently 241 resale and new homes in Woodland Park on Trulia, including 10 homes in the pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank-owned stages of the foreclosure process. The average listing price for homes for sale in Woodland Park CO was $378,912 for the week ending Oct 08, which represents an increase of 1%, or $3,620, compared to the prior week.









Brought to you by
Carrie Lukins, Realtor
SellState Alliance Realty 
Colorado Springs, CO 80920 
719-651-2199