Littleton Pumpkin Patch

If you are looking for something fun to do with the family in the next couple of weeks that fits the season, then undoubtedly the pumpkin patch at Bellflower Farm on Bowles in Littleton is the place to go. They have a miniature maze, small blowup haunted house, log cabin, pony rides and a jumping castle this year. There is a charge for admission, but once inside your children will have a blast, I know mine did. When you are done playing there are many terrific pumpkins to choose from.

The pumpkin patch is on the south side of Bowles between Grant Ranch Blvd and Lowell. Parking can be a challenge if it is busy, but definitely worth it. Happy pumpkin hunting!

Sold Homes September 2008

Sold homes by neighborhood - September 2008 Bow Mar/Bow Mar south Address Bed/Bath Fin Sqft Sold Price Days on Market **4620 Tule Lake Drive 4 bed 5 bath 3954 $699,000.00 27 **4501 Homestead Street 4 bed 3 bath 3422 $775,000.00 11 Burning Tree Address Bed/Bath Sq Ft Sold Price Days on Market No September 2008 sales Governor's Ranch Address Bed/Bath Fin Sqft Sold Price Days on Market **9674 W. Long Drive 4 bed 4 bath 3118 $319,000.00 30 ** 8948 W. Progress Place 3 bed 3 bath 2496 $324,000.00 43 **5204 S. Everett Court 5 bed 4 bath 2486 $377,500.00 14 **5154 S. Hoyt Street 4 bed 3 bath 3080 $435,000.00 92 Columine Valley Country Club No September 2008 Sales Columbine Knolls Address Bed/Bath Sq Ft Sold Price Days on Market **7638 S. Ammons Court 4 bed 3 bath 1904 $350,000 20 **7349 S. Ingalls Court 4 bed 3 bath 3463 $373,000 4 **8203 S. Balsam Court 4 bed 4 bath 3839 $410,000 119 Grant Ranch Address Bed/Bath Sq Ft Sold Price Days on Market **5599 S. Gray Street 3 bed 4 bath 2324 328,500.00 16 **5927 W. Berry Ave. 3 bed 4 bath 2482 $335,000 1 **6370 W. Sumac Ave. 4 bed 4 bath 3114 $351,500 23 **5603 S. Gray Street 4 bed 3 bath 2054 $365,000 5 **5924 W. Ida Drive 4 bed 4 bath 3360 $345,000 70 **5712 S. Benton Way 5 bed 5 bath 5800 $945,000 16 “Based on information from Metrolist, Inc. for the period of September 1st 2008 through September 30th 2008.” Note: This representation is based in whole or in part on content supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist, Inc. does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Content maintained by Metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. “THE ASTERISKED (**) PROPERTIES WERE LISTED AND/OR SOLD BY OTHER COMPANIES.” If you missed purchasing one of these homes, there are many other great properties currently for sale in these communities. Click the Home Buyers Scouting Report icon at the top of the the right column to start your free no obligation home search, or for a custom personalized list of all homes for sale in your area or to set up private showings of homes listed for sale contact us via at cosmithteam@kw.com and we will be happy to assist you!

Give the allowance at closing or do the work ahead of time?

Allowances............ Carpeting, painting, landscaping etc. Let's face it we all "live" in our homes and things over time start to get warn down. A lot of people have a hard time finding time to maintain their home. Over time, deffered maintenance kicks in. In our house we make a list of things at the beginning of the year that need attention. Whether it be re-painting base boards or banisters, carpet cleaning, exterior work, re-caulking bath tubs and showers, the list can go on and on and often is overwhelming. When we go into a listing presentation these are all things we look at, they are all things potential buyers will look at and that will affect the value of your home. Especially in today's market a well maintained home is important to buyers, they have so many choices available to them and often a well maintained home will stand out. Our recommendations to our customers is NO allowances for carpet or painting, get the work done prior to listing your home. One reason is the home will show much better with the new carpet then with the old and a couple samples laying out. Buyers have a hard time visualizing, they also don't want the hassle of getting a bunch of work done after closing. People like their home to be move in ready. The other reason is you will often get more for your home if these items are done prior to placing it on the market than you would get if they weren't done. Sometimes allowances can not be avoided, and we understand that as well. You may have a problem animal in the house or other situations that make it a much better option to offer the money up at the closing table and let the buyers take care of it after closing. Allowances can often present a problem with lenders at closing, so make sure to talk about all of these issues with your Realtor, before making your final decision. A little work before can often help your home sell faster and who wouldn't appreciate that in this market!

To have a free, no obligation market analysis done on your home emailed to you click here and fill out the form.

Chatfield Avenue Improvement in Littleton Colorado

Chatfield Avenue between Everett and S. Wadsworth Avenue has always been congested during peak driving hours. The two lane road is no longer capable of handling the expansion that has been progressing over the last 5 years in this part of town. I remember when the only thing out this way was King Soopers and the gas stations. It has been amazing watching all of the expansion that has gone on and how the area is improving. The improvements to this section of Chatfield Avenue designs slated to done in the fall of 2008. As you know from driving the road or living in the area there is not much room to expand so Jefferson County will be aquiring land from the homeowners in the area to widen the road to a 4 lane road. There will also be landscaped medians put in, so not all the streets will be accessible from both directions. We have provided a link below that will take you the improvement plans from Jefferson County. What do you think of this Chatfield Avenue expansion?

Chatfield improvement plans

New program available to help borrower's in distress and new buyers with low FICO scores

After reading a Denver Post article this morning regarding a non-profit program that has recently come to Denver that can help some borrowers on the brink of losing their home to foreclosure, I felt the need to share the news! I knew nothing of this program before this morning, but am truly impressed with the opportunities that they are offering people in financial distress. As we all know “life happens” and some people just need a little bit of help to get their feet back on the ground. There is a program called the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America also known as NACA. This program helps troubled borrowers as well as new buyers qualify for new loans based on “character based” credit. The NACA helps out current borrowers by either restructuring loans with unfavorable terms if the loan to value balance is reasonable on the property, or by refinancing those loans where the loan balance exceeds the value. They offer some very favorable terms. Their interest rates are currently below market at 6.0% and borrowers can buy down their interest rate further with down payments. There are no closing costs, down payments or requirements for private mortgage insurance. All this help does not happen over night. The qualification process can take up to nine months, but if you are in the foreclosure process the proceedings may be stopped once the process with the NACA begins. The NACA cannot help every borrower, the ones it does help show a willingness to live within a budget and meet monthly obligations. Some conventional loan standards still apply to the program so a borrower’s monthly debt may not exceed 30 percent of their gross income.

They are holding another seminar here in Denver on August 23rd from 9am to 1pm, at Faith Temple at 12400 Hoffman Blvd in Aurora. For more information on the NACA you can visit naca.com. For more information on the value of your home or to sign up for our free no obligation home search visit http://www.coloradosuccessteam.com/ or email us cosmithteam@msn.com.

Denver Metro area numbers of sales up, while home prices dip.

Metrolist has released their July numbers. Home sales are up from that of July last year however the median price of condos and residential home sales has dropped. Number of homes sold from July of last year to July of this year increased by 2.95 percent. The median price for a condo dropped 5.7 percent while the median price for a single family home dropped 10.12 percent. This decline in price could be due to the number of foreclosed properties being purchased. Most of them are in poor condition and often do not have any appliances in them. This could cause the price drop that we are seeing in condos and residential real estate. For more specific numbers on your neighborhood feel free to contact the Colorado Success Team at cosmithteam@msn.com or visit our website at www.coloradosuccessteam.com.

How to successfully price your home to sell

So you are thinking about selling your home. You probably already have an idea in your head of what you think your home is worth. You meet with a couple different Realtors to get their feel for your home and what they think you may be able to sell it for. Here are a few things to remember when coming up with a price to list your home for.

Current market conditions: Listing your home for a higher price than it will most likely sell for and agreeing to lower the price in a couple of weeks does you or those first buyers through your home no good. All you are doing is turning off those first buyers through the home. Research shows that those buyers are typically the ones to purchase your home, if it is priced accordingly.

Upgrades/Updating: Yes you have stainless steel appliances and granite counters in your kitchen and your neighbors home that is for sale has formica counters and white appliances. Your stainless steel appliances and granite counters may help your home to sell quicker but they most likely will not add a signifigant value to it, and remember if you have over upgraded your home for the neighborhood, it does not mean your house will sell for signifigantly more it will just help it sell quicker.

Consider your timeline for selling: If you need to make a quick sale or just simply dislike having to vacate your home on short notice for a showing you may want to price your home agressively so you have less time on the market.

Current Inventory: If you have high inventory in your neighborhood (meaning a lot of home for sale) you may want to price a little agressively to make your home stand out to buyers who may be overwhelmed by their selection in that current location.

Remember your home is most marketable and attractive to buyers when it first hits the market, so make sure that you have it priced well and in good condition to show and you will help yourself to have a quick sale!

For more information on what your home is worth or current market conditions in your neighborhood, visit www.coloradosuccessteam.com or email us. We will be happy to answer any questions for you or do a free no obligation market analysis on your home.

Should you do a home pre-inspection when selling?

Usually the home inspection on a property does not happen until it is under contract. In Colorado once a buyer has an accepted contract on a home, they will have an inspection done by a licensed inspector. The inspector will go through out the home and look at the structural components as well as interior, plumbing, HVAC systems etc. Then the buyers will go back to the sellers with a list of items if any that they feel need to be corrected prior to closing. We advise our sellers that if they feel like they may have a lot of inspection issues on a property or if they own an older home (those typically tend to have more issues than a newer home) to do a pre inpsection on their property. It allows them to disclose all defects on their property with confidence that they are not missing something major on the sellers property disclosure, as well as fix any issues that we know may be a huge problem when their home is under contract. We also feel that it can give the sellers the upper hand when it does come time to negoitiate those inspection items. Pre-inspections are not for every seller, but we do feel if your situation warrants getting one done, it can save you a lot of time and money down the road. It also will give you peace of mind when selling your home.
For more information or tips on selling your home visit our website at www.coloradosuccessteam.com

Should you do a home pre-inspection when selling?

Usually the home inspection on a property does not happen until it is under contract. In Colorado once a buyer has an accepted contract on a home, they will have an inspection done by a licensed inspector. The inspector will go through out the home and look at the structural components as well as interior, plumbing, HVAC systems etc. Then the buyers will go back to the sellers with a list of items if any that they feel need to be corrected prior to closing. We advise our sellers that if they feel like they may have a lot of inspection issues on a property or if they own an older home (those typically tend to have more issues than a newer home) to do a pre inpsection on their property. It allows them to disclose all defects on their property with confidence that they are not missing something major on the sellers property disclosure, as well as fix any issues that we know may be a huge problem when their home is under contract. We also feel that it can give the sellers the upper hand when it does come time to negoitiate those inspection items. Pre-inspections are not for every seller, but we do feel if your situation warrants getting one done, it can save you a lot of time and money down the road. It also will give you peace of mind when selling your home.

For more information or tips on selling your home visit our website at www.coloradosuccessteam.com

June 2008 SOLD numbers looking up from May for Jeffco South

The reported June 2008 residential housing numbers from Metrolist are up from those of May. This is good news for sellers, as we see an improvement in our local real estate market. June saw 204 homes go under contract in JFS up from 171 in May. Current days on market went down 30 days from that reported in May to 63. The average sold price in June was $329,499, up from $319,186 in May. Our average sold price is up signifigantly from $294,856 in January of this year. These numbers are great news if you are thinking about putting your home on the market! For detailed numbers on your specific neighborhood in Jefferson County South or other surrounding areas please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to send them to you!

June 2008 SOLD numbers looking up from May for South Jeffco

The reported June 2008 residential housing numbers from Metrolist are up from those of May. This is good news for sellers, as we see an improvement in our local real estate market. June saw 204 homes go under contract in JFS up from 171 in May. Current days on market went down 30 days from that reported in May to 63. The average sold price in June was $329,499, up from $319,186 in May. Our average sold price is up signifigantly from $294,856 in January of this year. These numbers are great news if you are thinking about putting your home on the market! For detailed numbers on your specific neighborhood in Jefferson County South or other surrounding areas please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to send them to you!

Tips for Selling your home with pets

Selling your home can be a challenge in todays market, especially when you have pets. Not all potential buyers are pet lovers and no matter how clean your keep your house they all leave an odor behind and can damage a house in one way or another. There are a few things you can do to spruce up that house and sell it quickly with pets.
Clean carpets before you list your home. After carpets have been cleaned try to keep your pets out of any unneccesary rooms once this has been done.
Vaccuum before every showing. This will help remove any excess hair and dirt from the floors, it is amazing what dogs bring in from outside.
If you have wood floors or tile/laminate try to clean your floors before every showing if you don’t have time to do the whole thing then just spot clean the areas where you can see dirt with the naked eye.
Weather permitting open some windows to let some fresh air in for closings if that does not work then buy and air freshner, just make sure it is a soft welcoming scent and for heavens sake don’t put it on the highest setting or buy 5 to place through out the home. Buyers don’t like to be over powered by any scent, even a pleasant one!
If possible remove dogs from property for showings. Cats typically can be left there as they usually are hiding and if they are out they are minding their own business. Most dogs create a huge distraction to buyers when looking at your home. You don’t want them worrying and paying attention to Fluffy when they should be looking at your home! If you are unable to remove the dogs then make sure they are crated somewhere or gated in a laundry room.
Make sure to pick up droppings in the yard daily, especially when it is hot outside. You want buyers to appreciate your back yard, not think they are stepping into a port a potty.
Replace anything in the property that your pet may have damaged. Ex: molding around doors, carpeting, refinish wood floors if severly scratched, replace screens, sod in back yard or fill yellow spots with new grass seed.
If you do these few things your home will sell quicker and most likely for more money than if you didn’t.

10 cheap ways to improve the value of your home in Colorado

Many sellers are looking for some great ideas to spruce up their home prior to sale. Here are a few things you can do for low cost that will really improve the value and marketability of your home.
1. Make your kitchen really cook. The kitchen is still considered the heart of the home. Potential home buyers make a beeline for this room when they first view a home for sale, so make sure your kitchen looks clean and reasonably updated.
For a few hundred dollars, you can replace the kitchen faucet set, add new cabinet door handles and update old lighting fixtures with brighter, more energy-efficient ones.
If you’ve got a slightly larger budget, you can give the cabinets themselves a makeover. “Rather than spring for a whole new cabinet system, which can be expensive, look into hiring a refacing company,” says serial remodeler Gwen Moran, co-author of “Build Your Own Home on a Shoestring.” (Read more about cheap kitchen fix-ups.)
“Many companies can remove cabinet doors and drawers, refinish the cabinet boxes, then add brand-new doors and drawers. With a fresh coat of paint over the whole set, your cabinets will look like new.”
If you’re handy, you can order your own replacement cabinet doors and door fronts from retailers like Lowe’s Home Improvement or The Home Depot and install them yourself.
2. Give appliances a facelift. If your kitchen appliances don’t match, order new doors or face panels for them. When Nicole Persley, a Realtor with Real Estate of Florida, in Boca Raton, was sprucing up her own home to sell, her mix-and-match kitchen bothered her. The room had a white dishwasher, microwave and wall oven mixed with other pieces that were stainless steel with black trim.
When Persley called the dishwasher manufacturer to see about ordering a new, black face panel, the customer service representative clued her in on a big secret: Many dishwasher panels are white on one side and black on the other.
“All I had to do was unscrew two screws, slide out the panel and flip it around. Sure enough — it was black on the other side!”
Persley, who has remodeled numerous homes for resale, says that a more cohesive-looking kitchen makes a big difference in the buyer’s mind — and in the home’s resale price.
3. Buff up the bath. Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are often the most important rooms to update. They, too, can be improved without a lot of cash. “Even simple things like a new toilet seat and a pedestal sink are pretty easy for homeowners to install, and they make a big difference in the look of the bath,” says Moran.
Moran also suggests replacing an old, discolored bathroom floor with easy-to-apply vinyl tiles or a small piece of sheet vinyl. “You may not even need to take up the old floor. You can install the new floor right over the old one,” she says.
If your tub and shower are looking dingy, consider re-grouting the tile and replacing any chipped tiles. A more complete cover-up is a prefabricated tub and shower surround. These one-piece units may require professional installation but can still be cheaper than paying to re-tile walls and refinish a worn tub.
4. Step up your storage. Old houses, particularly, are notorious for their lack of closet space. If you have cramped storage areas, Realtor Moe Viessi of Miami suggests adding do-it-yourself wire and laminate closet systems to bedrooms, pantries and entry closets.
Firms like ClosetMaid allow you to measure and redesign your closets online. You can also get design details and parts for these systems at many large home-improvement stores. Most closets can be updated in a weekend or less.
In the end, your closets will be more functional while you’re living in the house and will make your home look more customized to potential buyers when you’re ready to sell. (Read more about taming your closets.)
5. Add a room in a week or less. “If you have a three-bedroom house with a den, the only reason the den can’t be considered a bedroom may be because it doesn’t have a closet,” says Persley. “If you add a closet to that room, you’ve now got a four-bedroom house. That adds a lot of value.”
Persley says it’s usually possible to add a custom closet system and drywall it in for less than $1,500.
6. Mind the mechanics. Finley Perry of F.H. Perry Builder in Hopkinton, Mass., advocates spending a few bucks on nitty-gritty stuff. “It’s often very worthwhile to hire an electrician and plumber for a couple of hours to look over your electrical services, wrap or fix loose wires, fix any faulty outlets, and check for and fix any water leaks,” Perry says. “Those details tell a buyer that someone has really taken care of the home and can really influence its price.”
7. Look underfoot. Carpeting is another detail that can quickly update a home and make it look cleaner. A professional carpet cleaning is an inexpensive investment, especially if your rugs are in good shape and are neutral colors.
If your carpet is showing serious wear, cover it with inexpensive, strategically placed area rugs. Unless it is truly hideous, most Realtors don’t suggest replacing wall-to-wall carpeting right before you sell your house. The new homeowners may want to choose their own carpeting after they move in. (Read more on flooring trends here.)
8. Let there be light. If you have boring recessed lights in your dining and living rooms, consider replacing one of the room’s lights with an eye-catching chandelier. Home stores offer a wide range of inexpensive, but nice-looking, ceiling fixtures these days. If you have a ceiling fan and light, you can also buy replacement fan blades (leaving the fan body in place) to update the fixture’s look.
9. Reframe your entry. Do you have a flimsy little knob on your main entry door? If so, spring for a substantial-looking handle-and-lock set. “A nice, big piece of hardware on the front door signals to newcomers that this is a solid home,” says Viessi.
Also, if you’re stuck with a basic steel front door, Persley suggests painting or faux-finishing it for more eye appeal. “It’s becoming a trend in Florida to add wood-grain doors to a home’s entry or garage. The good news, though, is that you can easily paint existing metal doors with stain and paint,” she says.
After using a good metal primer, Persley gives the door a base coat of paint (again, be sure to use one approved for use over metal). For a cherry wood look, Persley uses a burgundy base paint. After it dries, she brushes over the base coat with a cherry wood stain. “It really looks amazing, and it only takes a few hours,” she says.
10. Consider curb appeal. Although it sounds obvious, a nicely mowed lawn, a few well-placed shrubs and a swept walkway makes a great first impression. “What buyers see when they first drive by your home is tremendously important,” says Viessi. (For more ambitious ideas for your yard, see “From ho-hum to wow: 4 backyard trends.” To stay on budget, read “17 ways to landscape on the cheap.”)
10 ideas taken from MSN Real estate article.

Grant Ranch in Littleton Colorado is a very family friendly community

I never understood how important it was to live in a community that offered many great family amenities until I had children of my own. When we originally moved to Grant Ranch we did not have children. The amazing thing about this community is whether or not you have children does not matter. This community offers great parks and walking trails. They just upgraded the playground. It now is geared toward many different age types. There is a community basketball court, tennis courts and pool. There is even another playground right off the pool! They feature movie nights in the summer by the lake with free popcorn, fishing derbies and so much more. If you have children and want to move to a community that has it all. Grant Ranch should be at the top of your search.

The importance of curb appeal when selling your home in today's market

Curb appeal could not be more important than in todays tough market. With all the inventory on the market you want to make sure that your home stands out from the minute the buyers pull up to it. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you improve your curb appeal when selling your home. Some things can be as inexpensive and easy as power washing your home to spruce up the look.
Make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle clean up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.
Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
Clean windows and gutters.
Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.
Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.
Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home’s roof.
Don’t Forget the Rear View
Buyers doing a drive by will try their best to see your back yard. If it’s visible from another street or from someone’s driveway, include it in your curb appeal efforts.
Evening Curb Appeal
Do your curb appeal exercise again at dusk, because it isn’t unusual for potential buyers to drive by houses in the evening.
One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting:
String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements.
Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.
Make sure lighting that’s visible through front doors and windows enhances the home’s appearance.
Landscaping Decisions
There are times that adding elements to your landscaping can improve curb appeal, but there are other times when removing something is even more effective.
For example, we had a listing for a large brick house with large white columns. Tall evergreens, planted in front of each column, had grown taller than the roof. They obscured the columns and windows and made it difficult to see the front of the house.
We suggested that the owner remove them. She trimmed them back, but it didn’t do the trick—they were unattractive and still kept potential buyers from seeing the true character of the house.
I sold the house to a couple who could see past the trees. One of their first tasks after closing was to yank them out of the ground, instantly boosting the home’s curb appeal.
Most buyers cannot visualize changes, and often won’t take a second look at a house if the first look doesn’t appeal to them. Home buyers who can visualize changes, and are prepared to make them, expect you to reduce the price of the house to compensate for the work they plan to do.
A Few Curb Appeal Tips
If you can budget it, a fresh paint job does wonders for a dingy house. Drive around your town to find color schemes that are appealing.
Install a more attractive front door, maybe something with leaded glass inserts.
If you can’t justify the cost of a new door, consider replacing plain doorknob hardware with something more attractive.
If new hardware is beyond your budget, repaint or stain the door and polish the hardware?
If you brainstorm, you’ll find that there’s a solution to most problems—one that lets you stay within your budget. The trick is to find the areas where improvements are needed, then work on them as best you can.

For more information on what your home is worth visit www.coloradosuccessteam.com and click on the icon that says "what's your homes value"

Staging your home to sell in Grant Ranch/Littleton Colorado

Why Stage your home?
Research shows that well staged homes sell approximately 32% faster than non-staged homes. They also sell for 3 to 10% more. Do the math and tell me how many thousands of dollars we are talking. Homes which are properly staged; that are warm, cozy, and romantic sell fastest. As a seller, you may hire a professional home stager or stage your home yourself. Naturally, if you do it yourself, you should have a plan, some guidelines and a checklist to follow.
When staging your home you must think of it as selling a lifestyle.
To sell your home faster, you must sell more than just two bedrooms, two baths and so many square feet with a garage. You must sell a lifestyle:
Where buyers’ imagine themselves raising their families or entertaining their friends.
Where they can relax on the patio or listen to their favorite music.
Where they imagine themselves preparing gourmet meals or taking luxurious baths. Where dreams come true..
During a tough market such as the one we are in now, there are many advantages to you staging your home. Here are a few:
First, many of the people selling are mentally depressed or tired of waiting for a good offer. As time wears on, they become even more distressed. When in this mind set most people are not enthused about having their home look really spiffy, matter of fact many don’t even care after a while. This means that if their home doesn’t look great, but just ok, that you now have an advantage if you are well staged.
Second, banks and lenders are not into staging. It is not their business to stage, they handle money, loans, deposits and wire transfers - not staging. They don’t even have a staging department. Just clean the home and sell it “as is.” That’s their attitude. Thus, less great looking homes on the market.
Third, most sellers do not know the real benefit of having a home well staged. They think that if their home is clean, repaired and looks tidy, thats all that needs to be done, for the agent will handle everything else. What a mistake this is, for the agent is out looking for a buyers and new business, not doing staging their home. Matter of fact, a number of agents are not well read or educated on how to stage a home for maximum effect. The result of all of this is that fewer homes are really prepared and staged well.