Beautiful fall drives near Steamboat Springs

There's something so relaxing about a mountain drive, and the colors of autumn only enhance that feeling. This weekend and next will be prime viewing time for fall foliage, so add these drives near Steamboat Springs to your list.

Beyond the basics of home-buying

If you are in the market for a home for the first time or the tenth time, you likely already have a handle on some home-buying basics: prequalify for a loan, check your credit, save for a downpayment, and more. Beyond those key points, however, there are a few things that even seasoned home buyers might not consider.

Use these lesser-known tips for home buyers as you begin your search:

Own a piece of paradise

For some, the word "paradise" conjures up images of sandy beaches, clear water and lots of sunshine. For people who return to Steamboat Springs year after year, it means champagne powder, stunning mountain views, endless outdoor recreation opportunities in all seasons and, of course, soothing hot springs.

If the latter description is your idea of an ideal getaway, we invite you to consider making Steamboat your permanent home like we did!

Show off your home's potential this season

Strategic home staging can give your home an edge over the competition when you are trying to sell, and great home staging makes the most of each season.

Take a look at these fall home staging tips if you are trying to sell this September: 

Start with the basics of home staging

Regardless of season, there are a few basic home-staging steps that you should always take. Those include: 

• Decluttering outside and inside
• Adding a fresh coat of neutral paint where needed
• Removing personal items like family photos and anything the detracts from a room's potential
• Using the "less is more" rule for furniture and accessories; leave only the items that help a buyer see a room's possible uses
• Position furniture in comfortable seating groups, away from walls
• Repurpose any storage or junk rooms to show how they could be used; buyers love offices and useful bonus rooms

Add in seasonal flair

For fall, try these simple tips to give your staging an extra boost: 

• Rake leaves in the front lawn and clean up any unsightly plants to boost curb appeal
• Add fall touches to the porch and front door, including corn stalks, pumpkins, hay bales and other fall decor; keep it simple and sophisticated, and remember the "less is more" rule
• Light a fire in your fireplace for physical and visual warmth
• Turn on the lights; on a cloudy or cool day, your home should feel extra inviting, and light helps
• Bring the outdoors in; use trimmings from autumn trees to make beautiful indoor arrangements
• Light some scented candles with autumn tones; pumpkin spice and woodsy scents are nice touches
• Use accessories, such as throw pillows or blankets, in warm autumn tones like burnt orange or mustard yellow

The goal with home staging is helping your potential buyers envision a comfortable life in your home. Your staging should show, clearly and immediately, how each room can be used. In addition, seasonal staging can help a home feel more warm and cozy, which is especially important during cooler months. 

If you are buying or selling a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience, and local expertise, to work for you. 

Time is of the essence for most sellers 

When you make the decision to list your house for sale, you often have a compelling reason for it to sell quickly: buying a new home, changing jobs, relocating to be closer to family, etc. It's a rare seller who wants his home to be on the market for months on end.

So, if you want to sell your home faster, consider these 10 tips: 

1. Boost curb appeal. The exterior of your home is a buyer's first impression, and some buyers might even pass on a showing if they don't like what they see outside. Fresh paint, healthy plants, clean windows and more can help. 
2. Fix obvious problems. Take time to make repairs. Buyers notice things like loose railings and dripping faucets, and these issues can make them think twice about the overall condition of your home.
3. Price it well. Of course you want to make money on your home sale, but the price should reflect the current market, comparable nearby properties and the condition of your home. 
4. Declutter. Simplify the interior as much as possible. Leave key pieces of furniture and accessories to show off a room's living potential, but pack up clutter and personal items. 
5. Think like a buyer. That spare room you use for storage? Restage it as an office or a guest room. Show off each room's full potential so buyers can imagine life there. 
6. Add warmth. Fresh flowers, a fire in the fireplace, the smell of baked goods, comfortable throw blankets: All of these small touches can help a home feel more homey for buyers during a showing. 
7. Take great photos. The first step to booking showings is a great online listing. The more quality photos your listing has, the better. 
8. Play up the location. The listing and marketing materials should emphasize your neighborhood's positives: great schools, beautiful parks, nearby dining and entertainment, etc. 
9. Be flexible. Showings can be inconvenient, yes, but more showings translate to more offers and faster sales. Be willing to vacate at 8 p.m. on a Sunday, if needed. 
10. Work with a pro. An experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the whole process, from pricing to marketing. Their experience can make the difference between a fast sale and a slow one. 

As we move into fall, keep in mind that there will be less competition in the market. Fewer listings mean your house has a greater chance of selling. 

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience, and our expertise about Steamboat, to work for you. 

Back-to-school means fall is on its way

Many schools are already back in session, and you can feel an ever-so-slight chill in the air. Fall is coming, and it is an especially beautiful time in Steamboat Springs. (Oh, who are we kidding? We can say that in any season here. Not that we're rubbing it in.) 

Back-to-school time offers a bit of a lull in the tourist season here (before the slopes open and welcome people for glorious winter vacations), but there is still so much to do. So, take advantage of smaller crowds during the fall and enjoy some of these activities: 

All Arts Festival
Aug. 18-21, 2016
Sneak in one last incredible summer festival this weekend as you enjoy music and dance performances alongside incredible visual art displays. 

Wild West Air Fest
Sept. 3-4, 2016
The best pilots in the west come together for incredible exhibitions of formation flying and air acrobatics. Visitors can even sign up for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to fly above the Yampa Valley in one of the planes. 

OktoberWest
Sept. 16-17, 2016
You don't need to fly to Germany to enjoy beer and gorgeous mountains. Celebrate Oktoberfest Colorado-style with local beer and food, a cook-off and great activities. 

View the fall colors by helicopter
Ongoing
Zephyr Helicopter Company offers one-hour tours of the Yampa Valley, and fall is a great time to take in the scenery as it transforms with fall foliage. 

We invite you to visit Steamboat Springs to discover why so many people return here year after year, and why many decide to stay for good. If you would like to make Steamboat your home, or vacation home, contact us using the form below. We will help you learn more about the area and find the perfect option for you. 

Steamboat celebrates the 11th Steamboat Wine Festival 

Planning to be in or around Steamboat Springs this weekend? If you're not here already, you should come on over! August 10-14 is the 11th Annual Steamboat Wine Festival, sponsored by Sotheby's Wines. This is your opportunity to enjoy some great wine, great food, great seminars and events, and an amazing environment to enjoy it all. 

For more details, visit: steamboatwinefestival.com. For an insider's guide to the festival, check out this article from our friends at Sotheby's: Steamboat Wine Festival 2016 Insider's Guide.

Downsizing benefits and tips 

We have seen many people move to Steamboat Springs from all over the country, and the world, in search of the unique lifestyle a Colorado mountain town offers. For these people, access to ski slopes, bike and hiking trails, great fishing spots, a lively western town and fresh mountain air takes top priority when choosing a new home. For many, that also means choosing a new home that is significantly smaller than their previous one. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Benefits of downsizing

As mentioned above, one of the key benefits of downsizing is lifestyle. A condo near the base of a ski lift, for example, puts you right in the middle of your favorite recreational activity. While you might have a smaller indoor space, that mountain slope outside your balcony more than makes up for it. That also hold true for people who want to live in town within walking distance of great restaurants, galleries and shopping. 

Another significant benefit of downsizing is less maintenance. With fewer rooms to heat, clean and maintain, you have more free time to enjoy your hobbies, family and friends. 

Tips for downsizing

Moving from a large home to smaller one, or even a condo or apartment, takes a little planning and creativity, but you can do it. Here are a few tips: 

• Prioritize. You know you need to offload some furniture and possessions. Items that make the cut should fit your new lifestyle and the dimensions of your new home.
• Sell. If you need to part with a lot of furniture and collectible items, consider using an auction or estate sale company to help. They will handle the marketing and sale for you, while also attracting serious buyers. 
• Recruit. Ask family members, especially unbiased ones, to help you sort through things and decide what stays and what goes. 
• Keep. Be sure to keep important papers, family heirlooms, photographs and other items with a high sentimental value. It can be tempting to toss too much when downsizing. 

Most importantly, remember how much lighter and freer you will feel once you have sorted through your belongings. Downsizing is a step toward your new lifestyle, so try to look at it as a beginning rather than an ending. 

If you would like to learn more about living in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of real estate experience to work for you. 

Winter or summer, the Olympic Games unite

Steamboat Springs is home to more Winter Olympic athletes than any other town in the country (more than 80 since 1932). So, when the winter Olympic Games roll around, we are often rooting for some hometown guys and gals who grew up skiing, boarding and skating in our beautiful Colorado mountain town. 

While we might not have many homegrown athletes in the summer games, we feel a strong affinity for all Olympians because of our local Olympic heritage. We have watched athletes train tirelessly in pursuit of their dreams, and we have a unique appreciation for what goes into the making of a world-class athlete. 

Of the 554 athletes on Team USA's roster for the games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19 hail from Colorado. We will be cheering them on with extra gusto in events from women's soccer to swimming to track and field. Colorado Olympians, Steamboat Springs is behind you.

As we take pride in watching competitors from our beloved home state, and from all of Team USA, we are also reminded of the Olympics' power to unite people from around the globe. Athletes from all backgrounds and cultures come together for a common purpose every two years with a common goal in mind: excellence. 

Both the summer and winter Olympics highlight years of dedication, hard work, teamwork, collaboration and respect. Our hats are off to each competitor who has worked so hard to earn his or her place in the Summer Olympic Games. 

Locally, the games are a great excuse to spend more time with your neighbors and to build community. Whether you meet at a local watering hole or a friend's basement to watch, we hope the Olympics help you find a little common ground over the next few weeks. 

If you would like to know more about living in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We would be happy to answer your questions. 

First-time buyers should be aware of these expenses

As you get ready to start your search for your first home, you know you need to keep budget in mind. A common rule of thumb is that your income should be about two or three times larger than your expected mortgage payment. However, there is more to the home-buying bottom line than just the mortgage. 

Consider these additional home ownership expenses when buying a home: 

Property taxes

Taxes on your new home will vary depending on the size of the home, assessed value, location and more. This chart gives you an idea of how much these taxes can vary from state to state, and your real estate agent can help you locate specifics for the neighborhoods or properties in your target area.  

Private mortgage insurance

PMI for short, this insurance is applied to your mortgage by your lender if you have a low down payment or don't meet other requirements. It helps offset the lender's risk. You can generally ask your lender to drop PMI once you reach 20 percent equity in your home, but be sure to review the details before signing. 

Home insurance

Most mortgage lenders will require you to carry home insurance, which will add to your overall mortgage payment each month. Get quotes from several insurance providers and ask for discounts that might apply to you. 

Closing costs

From title fees to inspections, a number of fees go into closing costs. Your real estate agent will outline these expected costs for you before your deal is final. 

Maintenance

The cost of maintaining a home sometimes comes as a shock, especially to former renters. When you own a home, there is no landlord to replace a furnace or water heater. If you are moving to a home from an apartment, or upsizing, factor in added utility costs to heat and cool the home, as well as water the lawn. 

These expenses can vary by county or neighborhood. Different mortgage options can also impact the bottom line. Work with your real estate agent to assess the affordability of any home you plan to buy. He or she can help direct you to the options that will work best for you without breaking your budget. 

If you are buying or selling a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you.