HOW TO KEEP YOUR COOL WHEN SELLING A HOME

In my last post, I wrote about how to maintain your sanity when you’re buying a new home. Just as when you buy a home, the process of selling a home can make you feel like there are many circumstances beyond your control. Inconveniences abound when you are keeping your home “show ready,” and uncertainty about timing can take its toll. This can be particularly true if you need to move quickly.

Fortunately, there are a few strategies that can make your home sale more bearable from the day you make your decision to sell right on through the closing.

Rely on your agent’s advice.

An experienced real estate agent can be your best resource when selling your home. He or she will be able to help you with all the details, from setting a fair asking price to staging tips to proven marketing strategies designed to coax serious homebuyers to walk through the door. Use an agent you’ve trusted in the past or get references from friends and family. Your agent will be the partner you need so that you don’t feel like you’re going the distance alone.

Streamline everything.

Most people realize that a clean house has the best chance of selling quickly. In addition to de-cluttering and selling, donating, tossing, or storing your extra belongings, make sure your house is sparkling clean. Consider hiring a service to do the work for you. Tackle any small repairs or hire a handyman to help you do any minor work that could result in a home that will show better. Follow your agent’s advice for staging.

In order to keep your home ready for last-minute showings, prepare yourself for a move, and keep yourself organized, make checklists. Your home showing checklist might include tasks such as emptying wastebaskets, wiping down surfaces, stowing away dirty laundry or dishes, and even throwing a couple of windows open to infuse your home with fresh air.

To make it easier to keep your home clean, consider eating off of paper plates and plan meals that are easy to cook or don’t involve a lot of kitchen mess, like sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables, or foods that you can pre-cook and freeze during evening hours or other times when a showing is unlikely. Keep toiletries and other items you use every day in attractive containers that you can close and stow when buyers stop by to take a look.

Give yourself a break.

If you have the means to do so, get away from it all, whether that means eating a few meals out every week, spending a weekend away, or simply making the most of your time away from your house. Treat yourself to time at the library, the movies, or a local park to get away from your house while it’s on the market.

Focus on the future.

Instead of getting mired in the moment, keep your attention focused on whatever comes once your home sale is complete, whether it’s moving into a new house or taking your life in a different direction. A bit of anticipation for the future can make the inconvenience and uncertainty a lot more bearable.

While selling a home can be a little unsettling to your lifestyle, the long-term rewards will be well worth the effort. With a savvy agent at your side and some organizational tools in place, you’ll be able to weather the process and be on your way to whatever comes next.

 

 

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John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

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7 BUYER TIPS FOR NEGOTIATING A HOME PURCHASE

7 BUYER TIPS FOR NEGOTIATING A HOME PURCHASE

Finding your dream home is hard enough and once you’ve found it, the process in a lot of ways has just begun. That’s right, you’ve got an offer to make and hours of negotiating before you sign the final paperwork and have the keys to your new home in hand. We’ve already discussed what to expect when negotiating a home purchase, but what happens once you’re in the middle of it all?

John Wenner, co-founder and professional trainer at the Real Estate Negotiation Institute says, “Negotiation is the key skill necessary to help achieve your goals. That’s why buyers should team up with an experienced agent with a negotiation plan in order to get what you want out of a home purchase.”

 

1. KNOW MARKET TRENDS.

Your negotiating power as a buyer varies greatly depending on the market you’re in.  Supply and demand is key as well as comparables in the neighborhood you’re interested in. If there are tons of homes for sale in the neighborhood, then the seller will be more willing to negotiate price with you because you could easily choose to buy another home nearby.

If homes for sale in the neighborhood are scarce however, then the seller has more negotiating power because he knows you’re interested and only have few choices. Comparables are also important because they allow you to set a reasonable range for negotiating. Check out the Market Trends tool on the First Team site to see some specifics and start learning.

2. LISTEN!

According to Wenner listening carefully is critical to the negotiating process.  When you listen to the other side, you are able to truly understand them and their wants. Once you understand your seller, then you can effectively begin negotiations with them with a strategic plan in place to get what you want.

3. IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE OFFERS TAKE A COMPETITION STANDPOINT, NOT A NEGOTIATING STRATEGY.

This goes along with knowing the market. Many transactions today are multiple offers because of the seller’s market we have been experiencing for the past few years. If you’re in competition with other buyers, it’s important to put an offer on a house that is competitive with other buyers. Once the seller chooses your offer, THEN you can start negotiating things like closing costs, repairs and buyer credits.

4. WHEN YOU OFFER SOMETHING, ALWAYS ASK FOR SOMETHING IN RETURN.

Negotiations require give and take so you need to “give when getting”. For example when you give on price, secure yourself credits for repairs or negotiate for the washer and dryer.  Wenner says, “To influence others, you should always be in a face to face setting and consider giving first so you can position the other side”. By coming to the table first with something to give, you’re more likely to get in turn what you want because you’re setting the terms.

5. AVOID EXTREMELY LOW OFFERS.

While there is obviously room to negotiate price, it is important that you understand your ZOPA and be realistic. Let me explain – your ZOPA in a negotiation is the zone of possible agreement. This zone is the intellectual space where two party’s expectations meet and overlap in which an agreement can be made.

As a buyer, you may think giving a lowball price is a great strategy to getting the price you want eventually. However, if your lowball price is outside of the seller’s zone of possible agreement, you could offend them and they’ll never even enter into negotiations with you. Anticipating a seller’s ZOPA is crucial to deciding on the right price for your offer. Knowing what’s too low and too high comes from knowing market trends (see #1).

6. KEEP EMOTIONS AT BAY.

No doubt about it, buying a home is an emotional process. However, an emotional negotiator is not effective. That’s why it’s best to let your agent do the negotiating for you; in fact it’s why you hired them. Letting your emotions drive negotiating and showing all of your cards makes you vulnerable and could lead to sellers taking advantage.

7. UNDERSTAND THE SELLER’S MOTIVATION.

Not only do you need to understand the seller’s ZOPA, you also want to understand their needs, wants and situation. The initial sale price on the home is just the tip of the iceberg in understanding them; you need to understand what is motivating them to sell. Are they looking to sell because they are going through a divorce? Are they retiring to a smaller home? Are they in a rush to move out because they’re relocating for work?

Knowing the seller’s motivation is the key to engaging them in negotiations and getting what you want. According to Wenner, “The only way to negotiate a win-win sale with a seller is to understand the goals of the other side and match them with your own.”

 

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

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5 FINANCIAL REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A HOME IN 2014

5 FINANCIAL REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A HOME IN 2014

High demand and short supply in the rental market have driven rates up nationwide. Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, says “We are in the midst of the worst rental affordability crisis that this country has known.”

The projected surge in rental housing construction and available units probably won’t be enough to drive the rental market in 2014. Rental affordability has been hit by lagging income growth and a lean job market.

Slow income and job growth have also affected the housing recovery. Homeownership rates will slow and normalize asmortgage rates are predicted to reach 5% by the year’s end and home prices are expected to increase by 3%.

The question of whether to buy or rent this year is not an easy one to answer. However, keep in mind that homeownership comes with major financial rewards you’ll miss if you rent.

Factor in these 5 financial reasons for taking the leap into homeownership:

  1. Increased Net Worth: Homeowners are worth 30x’s more than renters.
  2. Investment Benefits: You are paying for housing whether you buy or rent. Invest your dollars in something you own rather than paying a landlord.
  3. Home Equity: Equity in your home can help pay for college, retirement, and major life events.
  4. Tax Benefits: Homeowners can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from their income.
  5. Savvy Financial Habits: Owning a home means more financial responsibility and encourages better saving and spending habits.

Local real estate markets, your financial status, and personal needs and goals will all affect your housing decision. Consult a financial advisor and your local real estate professionals to help guide you to happy and healthy living in 2014. You can also look into properties for sale in SC for more options.

Are you currently renting?

What’s holding you back from homeownership?

 

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

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WHAT IS A ZOMBIE TITLE

WHAT IS A ZOMBIE TITLE

Written by 

With the economic downturn, anyone dealing in real estate quickly became familiar with previously little-known terms such as foreclosure and short sale. Now that the housing market is picking back up and people are moving on, a new term is coming to light — zombie titles.

The Zombie Title

This is when a home has been vacated because the owners defaulted on their loan and their bank started theforeclosure process. However, for some reason or another the bank never completed the foreclosure and sold the home. So, when the city starts fining someone for the overgrown grass and dilapidated structure, the homeowner who thought they were finished with the property gets the bill.

 

A Home that Keeps Haunting

Homeowners think they don’t own the property any longer and therefore try to move on by rebuilding their credit score and finding a new place to live. It can be a rude awakening to find out that not only do they still own a home they could have been living in, but also its long vacancy has caused it to fall into disrepair.

 

It’s Spooking the Neighborhood

These vacant homes can decrease the value of a neighborhood. If the bank or the un-suspecting homeowner are neither one taking care of the property, then it can become overgrown and an eyesore on the block. It becomes a problem with no solution because the owner won’t want to invest any money in fixing up the property when the bank could come back with the foreclosure at any time.

 

Nail Shut the Foreclosure Coffin

Homeowners who have foreclosed on a home should double check that their bank actually followed through to closing on a sale. They could contact their lender or check public property records just to make sure. Otherwise, they could be haunted by their housing nightmare all over again. 

 

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

Boulder’s Best Burgers

Boulder’s Best Burgers

Mountain Sun Date Night Burger

We cover a lot of vegetarian and vegan options here on Your Boulder, but what about those of us who just want a nice, delicious, juicy burger? You know … cooked to perfection (rare or well-done, whatever your perfect looks like, I won’t judge) with toppings that make you drool just thinking about it?

Boulder’s has many burger joints that will fill your craving for meat on a bun. Here are just a few of the favorites from around town:

Reuben’s Burger Bistro

We’ve extolled the virtues of this burger joint before, but it’s worth it to point them out again. The burgers here are roll your eyes into the back of your head good and the cycling-themed names are always fun to throw around the table when deciding what to order. They burgers are forget-your-table-manners good. Plus, having them served on a pretzel bun makes them even more delicious. On top of that,Reuben’s serves up a fantastic selection of Belgian beer, so you can get the fanciest possible combination of a burger and a beer.

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery

Once again, another fantastic place in Boulder to snag a burger and a craft beer. These beers are even made onsite! Fans of the Mountain Sun burgers say that Date Night Burger or the Junk Burger are the way to go (though, if you’re feel like a fiesta, the pollo asado burrito is equally amazing). If you’ve got friends that are meat averse, the Mountain Sun offers plenty of vegetarian options to keep them happy while you scarf down your burger.

The Sink

This place has been a staple on The Hill since before most of the residents of Boulder were even born. Of course, it’s had its share of different owners, but right now, it one of the great places to get a burger just off campus. If you want a classic burger that dates back to when Robert Redford worked at The Sink (true story), get the Sink Burger. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Drakes Haus

Two words: Merlot Burger. These aren’t your average, run of the mill burgers. They aren’t even they average size! Drakes Haus burgers are slightly smaller than an average sized burger, but slightly bigger than a slider. They have an offer for two burgers for $8 and when you see the offerings that they have, you’ll be ever so thankful for the ability to eat two burger choices.

West End Tavern

This place has been around for about 25 years and it’s had its ups and downs. Right now, however, is a definite up. This place not only has delicious, mouthwatering burgers, but a rooftop patio that’s just wonderful on a sunny spring, summer or fall (or winter, knowing Colorado weather) day. The West End is a good place to grab a bite before a night out on the town, or just sit and hang out with friends all night long.

 

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

AG’s office sues air-duct cleaning operation

 

AG’s office sues air-duct cleaning operation

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers

Colorado AttorneyGeneral John Suthers

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that a civil lawsuit was filed and obtained a temporary restraining order against the owners of  duct-cleaning companies and the companies themselves, which operated under several different name.

Suthers took the actions again Andre Shatyko, 27, Alexander Kurdyukov 26 and their air duct cleaning companies: Seabreeze Air, LLC;  Seabreeze Air; Quality Air; Quality Air “LLC”; and Fresh Air, LLC.

They are accused of advertising their cleaning services for very low prices, only to significantly increase their prices once inside a customer’s homes. This business model violates the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

“Along with misrepresenting their prices, the defendants also perform shoddy, incomplete work using inadequate tools that leaves dust and debris in consumers’ ductwork and sometimes causes damage to homes,” Suthers said.

“Based on consumer complaints, defendants sometimes leave homes in worse shape than before service was performed,” Suthers continued.

According to the complaint, Shatyko and Kurdyukov advertised their companies’ services for as little as $34.95 in coupon books such as ValPak and online sites such as Groupon and Living Social.

By marketing their services through Groupon and Living Social, consumers paid for vouchers upfront.

This matter will be heard in Denver District Court.

Consumers should be wary of companies whose promises seem too good to be true and are encouraged to file complaints if they feel they’ve been victimized with the Office’s Consumer Protection Section.

Consumers may report issues by calling 800-222-4444 or by clicking:www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/complaints.

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Your will is a living document A work in progress

Your will is a living document

A work in progress

Life is never at a standstill — it’s ever-changing and so are your circumstances. As they change, your planning needs may as well. Don’t make the mistake of putting your will away and forgetting about it. Take a look at some major life events that should trigger a review of your will:

  • You get married or divorced  If recently married, you probably want to include your new spouse in your estate plan. Similarly, if you’ve been recently divorced, you may want to revise what you planned on leaving to your now ex-spouse. You should also change the beneficiary designation on insurance policies, IRAs, pensions and such since those probably specify your now ex-spouse.
  • You become a parent — How will your child(ren) be cared for if both you and your spouse die? Who will be the guardian of your minor child(ren)? These issues need to be addressed in your will.
  • You retire — If you retire to another state (or move to a new state, for that matter), review your will and other estate planning documents to be sure they reflect the new state’s relevant laws. You may want to seek legal advice.
  • Your spouse or other beneficiary dies — If one of your heirs dies before you do, you need to update your will to reflect a new recipient.

How do you change a will? 
You can change your will in one of two ways:

  • By codicil — For small changes, you can utilize a codicil. A codicil is a separate document that’s valid under applicable state law. It adds to or amends your original will. A codicil needs to clearly reference the specific portion of your will that it’s amending so you may want to consider legal counsel.1
  • A new will — For bigger changes or a series of small changes, you can sign a completely new will that’s valid under applicable state law. Your new will supersedes your old will in its entirety. Again, you may want to seek legal counsel. If people wish to k now why start a will early, they can get information about it from experts here!

Believe in smart
Make sure your will reflects your current situation. If you need to change your will because of a life event, you probably should review your estate and financial plans, as well as your insurance. If you don’t have a will consider getting one to make sure your wishes are carried out as you intended. 

Source

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Boulder County Museums

 

Boulder County Museums

Many parks, trails, museums and open space areas are closed. Please check individual property pages for more information.
Agricultural Heritage Center

Agricultural Heritage Center

Get a glimpse into the history of agriculture in Boulder County and enjoy the rural surroundings. This site focuses on the years 1900 to 1925 when local families prospered as farmers and witnessed the coming of the Modern Age.

Dougherty Museum

Dougherty Museum

The Dougherty Museum houses a collection of beautifully restored antique automobiles, including models powered by steam, electricity and early internal combustion types. Many of the cars date back 100 years and are in running order.

Assay Office Museum

Assay Office Museum

The Assay Office Museum contains many tools and implements used in the assaying process, as well as furniture and artwork owned by the Bailey family. The assay office was the place prospectors would take their ore samples to find out whether or not they had “struck it rich.”

Nederland Mining Museum

Nederland Mining Museum

Visit the Nederland Mining Museum and get a glimpse into the world of hard rock mining days in Boulder County during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Learn about the lives of the miners of yesteryear.

Bouldercounty.gov

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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U.S. judge rejects BofA mortgage modification class action

U.S. judge rejects BofA mortgage modification class action

 
A sign for a Bank of America office is pictured in Burbank, California August 19, 2011. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) – A lawsuit accusing Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) of reneging on promises to help distressed homeowners modify their mortgage loans, and instead driving them into foreclosure, cannot proceed as a class action, a federal judge has ruled.

While expressing sympathy for borrowers facing a “Kafkaesque bureaucracy” and saying their claims “may well be meritorious,” U.S. District Judge Rya Zobel in Boston said the claims were too different to justify allowing a single, nationwide lawsuit.

Wednesday’s decision is a blow for homeowners accusing the second-largest U.S. bank of failing to comply with the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), a 2009 federal program that gives incentives to mortgage servicers to encourage loan modifications and help people keep their homes.

It also marks the latest fallout from a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) that has made it harder to sue companies as a group. Class actions can lead to larger recoveries and more far-reaching remedies at lower cost.

“It’s a sad outcome for many thousands of homeowners trying to obtain loan modifications,” said Gary Klein, a partner at Klein Kavanagh Costello, representing the plaintiffs. “Very, very few of them will be able to pursue these issues on their own. Their one hope for justice was through the class mechanism.”

Forty-three individuals and couples from 26 U.S. states accused Bank of America in the three-year-old lawsuit of failing to help them obtain loan modifications to which they were entitled. They had sought to certify 26 classes, one per state.

‘VAST FRUSTRATION’ OF HOMEOWNERS

The case gained notoriety in June when several former employees, in sworn statements the bank called “demonstrably false,” accused the bank of offering $500 bonuses and gift cards to TargetCorp (TGT.N) and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY.O) to lie and to stall HAMP applications, because foreclosures or in-house loan modifications were more profitable.

One former employee also said the bank would twice a month conduct a “blitz” to clear out hundreds of files from its HAMP backlog solely because the documents were more than 60 days old, even if all required documents were submitted. Bank of America said “blitzes” were used to find documentation for applications.

“This case demonstrates the vast frustration that many Americans have felt over the mismanagement of the HAMP modification process,” Zobel wrote. “Plaintiffs have plausibly alleged that Bank of America utterly failed to administer its HAMP modifications in a timely and efficient way; that in many cases it lost documents, or pretended it had not received them, or arbitrarily denied permanent modifications.”

Bank of America spokesman Rick Simon said: “We respect the court’s decision. We have successfully completed more HAMP modifications than any other servicer and will continue to improve delivery of this and other programs to support our customers in need of assistance.”

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Dena Aubin and Peter Rudegeair; editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Matthew Lewis)

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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Reading for Inspiration

Reading for Inspiration
Top 5 Motivational Best Sellers

Reading for Inspiration - Top 5 Motivational Best Sellers

All of the books below–in no particular order–are best sellers for good reason. Frequently featured in “Top 10” lists and having influenced some of the most successful people in the world, you’re sure to find your life improved by reading (or re-reading) one of these classics.

The Power of Positive Thinking
Science has since verified his premise, but when it was first published Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was attacked from pulpits and therapy sessions alike. Now translated into fifteen languages, The Power of Positive Thinking is still one of the most popular motivational books ever written. Dr. Peale offers advice on mastering the problems of everyday living and eliminating self-doubt from toxic, negative thought habits.

Quote: “Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.”

Drive
Daniel Pink leaves old “carrot and stick” motivation theories in the dust. Drive shows how rewards and punishments neither give the best motivation, nor are they sufficient to maintain it over long periods of time. At the highest levels of performance, motivation comes from both a deep self-knowledge and an awareness of who you truly want to become as a person and remaining true to these tenets in your life.

Quote: “For artists, scientists, inventors, schoolchildren, and the rest of us, intrinsic motivation–the drive to do something because it is interesting, challenging, and absorbing–is essential for high levels of creativity.”

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Eliminating mental clutter and stress is key to staying motivated. Distractions and time-wasters can easily cause you to set goals aside. In fact, get distracted enough and you won’t reach your goals. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff teaches skills for distinguishing between what serves your success and what deserves to be ignored.

Quote: “Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.”

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Still a bestseller 24 years after its first edition, The 7 Habits is more than just a manifesto on motivation. Steven Covey presents a roadmap for solving problems, getting along with people, and being a better person. President Bill Clinton invited Covey to Camp David to help him install the habits in his Presidency; many others credit him with teaching them potentially world-changing habits. Covey coined the idea of abundance mentality–as contrasted with scarcity mentality–meaning the ability to celebrate the success of others, rather than feel threatened by them, and learning to embrace a win-win perspective in all interactions with others.

Quote: “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

Think And Grow Rich
Perhaps the most well-known and often cited motivational book is Napoleon Hill’s commission from Andrew Carnegie. In the early 1930s, Hill interviewed forty millionaires to discover their “best practices” in an age where it was usually assumed success and wealth was some combination of greed, luck and high birth. Think And Grow Rich provides the roadmap that anyone can follow to achieve success–rich uncle not required! YouMagazine.com

 

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

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