Anti Burglar Tips for Sellers

A House with the For Sale sign can be targets for criminals and squatters. Use the tips below to protect your property while its on the market.

Realtor.com suggests that you mark your valuables and record details. Use invisible-ink pens or engravers to mark identifying information (driver’s license or state ID numbers) on items. Log serial numbers and take photos of your belongings. Check to see if your police department participates in the Operation Identification program. They will have stickers for you to place on doors or windows warning would-be thieves that your items are marked. These steps may prevent them from pawning or selling stolen items and can help you reclaim recovered belongings.

If the home is empty, inform your neighbor the house is going on the market and to report anyone other than your real estate agent showing up to view the home after hours.

Make it look like you are home regularly, especially if the property is empty. Invest in lightening apps that can be controlled by your phone, or lamps that pop on at sunset.

A well manicured lawn usually means that the home is occupied but overflowing newspapers, and packages that accumulate by the front door is usually a tell tell sign that the home is empty.

When buying or selling a home in the Denver metro area, contact Delilah,

 and let me put my knowledge, experience, expertise, and professionalism to work for you. 

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Anti Burglar Tips for Sellers

The Top 3 Reasons That Turn Off Potential Buyers

As a real estate agent I have shown hundreds of homes and held tons of open houses. This gives me first hand knowledge to buyer's comments and reactions. One thing that is consistent with ALL potential buyers, judgement of homes are made immediately. So, if you are planning to put your home on the market, be aware of  things that could quickly turn away buyers, even in a seller's market.

Top 3 reasons:

• 70% of buyers are turned off by stained wall & ceilings, and damp patches.  
• 65% of home buyers are turned off by properties that are in need of major repairs 
• 56% of home buyers are turned off by cigarette and pet odors. 

Other Turnoffs

• Overpricing your home (buyers won't even bother looking at your home if the asking price is clearly higher that comparables in the neighborhood)
• Cluttered rooms
• Sellers who stick around when buyers are viewing the home
• Bad DIY (exposed wires, holes in walls, chipped paint)
• Not enough parking spaces 
• Poor natural lightening
• Old inefficient heating and air systems
• A small kitchen
• Outdated bathrooms & kitchens
• Bright & unusual colored walls
• Deceptive listing descriptions 
• Not enough storage space

When buying or selling a home in the Denver metro area, contact Delilah,

 and let me put my knowledge, experience, expertise, and professionalism to work for you. 

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The Top 3 Reasons That Turn Off Potential Buyers

Hidden Homeowner Costs

Budgeting for buying a home can be difficult enough when you’re just weighing mortgage options and a purchase price. But there are many other factors that go into the cost of home ownership. Some of them are one-time expenses that you’ll pay during the home buying process, while others will be recurring costs for as long as you own the home.

Closing costs
There are several smaller fees that add up to a rather large sum when you’re going through the closing process—loan fees, attorney fees, underwriting fees, and more. They typically add up to 2–5% of the purchase price. For a $300,000 home—roughly the national median—that’s in the neighborhood of $10,000, so be sure to budget for it.

Appraisal
Your lender will require an appraisal, and the appraisal fee (a few hundred dollars) comes out of your pocket.

Inspection
The few hundred dollars you’ll pay for a home inspection is money well spent, but it’s something you have to keep in mind during the purchase process. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing the house is free from any major issues, and you’re making a smart, solid investment.

Insurance
Although homeowners insurance isn’t legally required, it’ll almost certainly be required by your lender. Further insurance, such as flood insurance, may also be required (depending on your location).

Home Owners Association
If you’re living in a property or community with shared spaces, you’ll almost certainly have an HOA fee. This pays for things like trash removal, maintenance of common areas, and for recreational facilities like gyms and swimming pools.

If you are ready to start on the path to home ownership, give me a jingle at 720-316-4436.

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Hidden Homeowner Costs