Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Landlord

Are You Ready to Be a Landlord?


Sounds like a game show title, we know, but becoming a landlord is actually serious business. It also has serious upside potential—if you know what you’re doing.
“One of the biggest shifts in the housing market since the financial crisis has been the growth of the single-family rental market,” said Investopedia. “Single-family rentals are developing faster than any other segment of the housing market, outpacing both single-family home purchases and apartment-style living, according to Washington, D.C.-based think tank Urban Institute. While the number of households in the U.S. continually increases, almost all the housing demand in recent years has been filled by rental units.”
Yes, smart investments can pay off in a steady stream of passive income, and provide a nice chunk of change when you go to sell. But that doesn’t mean you should run and buy a property without learning a thing or two first. Buy wrong or go in unprepared, and you could make a financial mess of things. “Becoming a landlord might sound like an easy way to make money: Buy a property, find tenants and watch the rent checks roll in,” said CBS News. “But it can be a costly undertaking that requires a lot of time and shouldn't be taken on without consideration and research, said Lucas Hall, a Washington, D.C.-area landlord and founder of Landlordology.com.”
Ask yourself these questions (and answer honestly!) to determine if you’re ready to be a landlord.

Do you have the time?

Being a landlord is a job. A part-time job, hopefully, but a job nonetheless. If you’re already overscheduled, it can be hard to keep up with all the must-do’s. “People need to understand that this is a business, not a hobby," said East Meadow, New York-based landlord, real estate broker and president of the Landlord Protection Agency, John Nuzzolese, on CBS News. "You need to take it seriously. The people who make it a hobby usually run into problems because it's not their top priority."
Keep in mind, also, that being able to landlord effectively means having some flexibility in your schedule. “Most days are more spontaneous than structured,” said The Balance. “It is not the type of life where you get to work at 9am, go to lunch at noon and leave at 5pm. One day you may have one hour of work to do, while the next, you may have fifteen hours of work.” And you can bet that a fair amount of that work is going to happen at 4am when a tenant emergency interrupts your precious sleep.

Do you have the money?

If you’ve made a good investment in your chosen property, the amount of rent you’re collecting each month will exceed your financial obligation. But what if you have a hard time renting a few of the apartments in the building you bought or one of your tenants skips out? Remember that, no matter what’s happening with the property, you’re still responsible for making your payment to the bank. “You will be responsible for meeting your monthly mortgage payment even if the property is vacant or if your tenant has not paid his or her rent,” said Investopedia. “In addition, you may have unexpected expenses related to your tenants, such as legal expenses incurred as a result of a problem tenant.”
Hiring a property management company to do some some of the ongoing work for you will also cost money—count on about 10 percent of the rent each month, and you’ll also have to pay them a finder's fee for securing new tenants. But many landlords find it’s well worth the money to be able to offset some of the more painful or time-consuming duties involved.

Do you know what the smartest investments are?

Not every property is a winner when it comes to investment potential, and you need to think like an investor to become one. Forbes has some great tips, including:
 Keep your emotions at bay. “Think of it as purely a business investment and logically negotiate to get the best possible price.”
• Research, research, research. “Make sure that the property is situated in a location that will attract the type of clients you hope to sell or rent to, that it will reach to the returns you are expecting and that it will appeal to the market.”
• Get your down payment together. “Unlike the 3% down payment on the house you are currently living in, you are going to require at least 20% down payment for buying your first investment property. This is because mortgage insurance is not applicable for investment properties. Moreover, investment properties require greater down payments than your regular building and have strict approval requirements.”
• Figure out your expenses and profits before you buy. You want to make sure you have a good handle on current funds, cost to purchase and renovate (if needed), operation costs, ongoing expenses, and what you could legitimately list the house for when you decided to sell.
• Don’t overspend on your first investment property. “Even if you are ready to invest up to a million dollars in your first investment property, it is always a good idea to go for properties that lie in the lower- to mid-range price brackets.”
• Go in debt-free. “As a new investor buying their first investment property, you might need to consider the investment loan options — one shouldn't be carrying debts as their investment portfolio. You must clear all of your debts, student loans, medical bills, etc., before starting out in real estate.”
As a current resident in Northern Colorado I am fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on me.
I have a lot of connections within the Northern Colorado area. Please don’t hesitate to call and ask me any questions you might have. This process is all about you and your needs. Real Estate is a big investment and I understand that. One thing you will get with me is a personal relationship, In the end, that goes a long way.
Northern Colorado is a great place to live! For more information, please give me a ring or email me today. I would love the opportunity to earn your business and partner with you in regards to your Real Estate needs.

LOOKING TO BUY??

If you are looking to purchase, I can save you a lot of money, as much as 10% on the purchase and finance of your home. 
Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time!

Extraordinary Agents. Exceptional Service

We are a group of very experienced agents seeking the best for our clients. Without charging our agents exorbitant fees our agents can pass the savings along to our clients.

Resident Realty was founded in 2000 with the mission of providing real estate agents with technology, support, and systems to operate their private practice without gouging them through fees, splits, and add on expenses

Since 2001 Resident Realty has held many annual events to benefit multiple charity's which include:

 *  Wounded Warrior Project
 *  Guardian For Heroes
 *  Lupus Foundation
 *  Folds of Honor

  Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time! 
SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES 









SOURCE REALTY TIMES / WRITTEN BY JAYMI NACIRI

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Home Office

4 Essentials 

for Building a Home Office



With more jobs moving outside of traditional offices — it’s been said that 50% of the American workforce will work remotely by 2020 — many career-minded individuals are facing the new reality of having to create their own workspaces. For some, this situation is an exciting possibility; cutting out a commute and staying close to home adds a lot of convenience. However, working remotely introduces new challenges too, especially when it comes to staying productive during those long days without an office space.
The key to staying efficient and on-task is to set up your own dedicated workspace. If you’ll be working at home, building a home office helps create an environment of productivity and replicate a traditional office feeling within your own home. Of course, you should consider a few essentials when setting up an office of your own.

Lighting

According to some sources, the fluorescent lights many traditional office buildings use can be damaging to your eyes. When designing your own office space, you have control over the types of lighting you choose, as well as how bright or dim they are while you work. Choosing options that fit the projects you work on will help you create the perfect lighting system. You should also consider factors like what can protect your eyes and adjust to outside conditions if your home office has a window.

Desk and chair

Getting a desk and chair for your office may seem like a no-brainer, but there’s more to it than picking out something to write on and something to sit on. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your office chair, you should make sure it provides adequate support and comfort for the long haul.
You should also make sure your desk is well-suited for long days of work. Set up a system of organization for paperwork and any knickknacks you have lying around. In addition, try to use your desk only for work as much as possible. Training your brain to have a dedicated space during work hours can help you stay on-task when you’re working at home.

Necessary technology

Remote workers often lean on technology to connect to others they work with and complete tasks. It’s important to invest in good equipment, from keyboards to storage. In addition, because you’ll most likely be working online, it’s important to have a strong internet connection. Keeping up-to-date on all the technology you’ll need will help prevent tech-based headaches, especially because you won’t have an in-house IT department to fix any issues.

Decorations

Since you’ll be spending a good chunk of each week in this one room, it needs to be a place you find aesthetically appealing. Adding a few decorations can personalize your office and make it a place where you feel comfortable and happy. A word of caution: it can be easy to go overboard on decorations and end up creating visual distractions for yourself. With this in mind, be thoughtful about the items you choose to put in your space. Plants and simple wall art can help your space feel inviting without catching your eye every time you sit down.

Conclusion

Once you’ve got your home office set up and ready to go, you’ll be able to promote a productive and enjoyable workday in the comfort of your own home. Fostering the perfect space to foster productivity and creativity is key to a successful remote working experience.
As a current resident in Northern Colorado I am fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on me.
I have a lot of connections within the Northern Colorado area. Please don’t hesitate to call and ask me any questions you might have. This process is all about you and your needs. Real Estate is a big investment and I understand that. One thing you will get with me is a personal relationship, In the end, that goes a long way.
Northern Colorado is a great place to live! For more information, please give me a ring or email me today. I would love the opportunity to earn your business and partner with you in regards to your Real Estate needs.

LOOKING TO BUY??

If you are looking to purchase, I can save you a lot of money, as much as 10% on the purchase and finance of your home. 
Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time!

Extraordinary Agents. Exceptional Service

We are a group of very experienced agents seeking the best for our clients. Without charging our agents exorbitant fees our agents can pass the savings along to our clients.

Resident Realty was founded in 2000 with the mission of providing real estate agents with technology, support, and systems to operate their private practice without gouging them through fees, splits, and add on expenses

Since 2001 Resident Realty has held many annual events to benefit multiple charity's which include:

 *  Wounded Warrior Project
 *  Guardian For Heroes
 *  Lupus Foundation
 *  Folds of Honor

  Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time! 
SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES 




SOURCE: REALTY TIMES / WRITTEN BY ALEX HASLAM

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Staging Your Home

The Power of Staging Your Home to Sell




Often times the smallest changes can enhance a home's "showability" when it is offered to the public for inspection. Sellers don't seem to realize when "too much of their home" is showing. Staging your home for its finest presentation requires a room by room critique to offer the best first impressions.

Accentuate the Positive

When studying a room, the first point your eye catches should be a positive one. For example, a home with a massive fireplace commands the first attention spot. However, poor placement of furniture, too many "comfy" afghans and plenty of books and magazines will distort the simplicity of the rooms greatest asset. Add last night's empty pizza box and full ashtrays and any prospective buyer will less appreciate the fine points the home would have offered.

Here is a list of ten points to keep in mind when staging your home for buyer inspections:

1. Start packing the belongings you absolutely do not need to "live." Extra books, magazines, kids artwork, afghans that don't match the decor should be boxed and labeled for your next home. Extra knick-knacks from Christmas, cluttered bulletin boards and several months bank statements can easily be stored away. Kitchens are the biggest culprits as they are such a busy meeting place in the home. Discount coupons, excessive decorative magnets, photos, etc. really catch the eye of the overwhelmed buyer. The top of the refrigerator is the largest collector of sometimes used gadgets. Unless you use your "wok" daily, it is better to clear the top and the front of your refrigerator to make the kitchen a little simpler. Convenient appliances also do better when tucked away so counters look cleaner and sharper. Please check switchplates for fingerprints and smudges, as those are the first places to get noticed. Doorbells are another place that fingerprints are evident. Be sure you are making the right first impression.
2. Family rooms are for relaxing, and need to be staged for crisp impressions and not your lazy evenings! Fold up grandma's afghans, get rid of tired pillows, and pack up slippers, and cribbage sets for neat and clean appearances. Leftover smolderings in the fireplace can add a stale scent to the room. Give extra attention to removing ashes to avoid the less appreciated smokey smells from last nights fire.
3. Bedrooms are other places we enjoy our conveniences the most. Having our robes and slippers waiting for us does not offer top exposure to a viewing family. Get closets slimmed down for a generous look. Freshen with a soft potpourri to diminish the stale odors that come with humidity and small confined places. Although we like our shades and blinds pulled for sleeping hours generally all buyers are drawn to a light, airy and bright room, so open up all window treatments to maximize brightness. With windows being exposed, be sure they are really clean and sparkling. A house really shows its best when it looks like it has been cared for. Remove jewelry and other small personal items from dresser tops. Clean and simple sells the best.
4. The most inexpensive way to brighten a home besides a fresh coat of paint is to increase the wattage in light bulbs. That small guest room may be seldom used, but needs to look bigger and brighter to an interested buyer. Be sure the lamp can handle a stronger bulb and invest in a 3-way if possible. When you know that a showing is scheduled be sure to turn on every light bulb in the house for the best showing potential. Look around model homes, you will notice all the lights are always on, even on sunny days! This is not the time to conserve electricity - it's part of your marketing plan. If you have a room that shows particularly dark, put in an interesting lamp and leave it on most of the time. It will help the buyer leave with a brighter impression of the rest of the home.
5. Everybody has a "junk" room or closet. It's acceptable not to be perfect throughout, but minimize the clutter to one room, desk, or area and you are ensured of a better showing. If it is impossible to move around you could be adversely affecting that buyer's perception of the size of the home, so give careful consideration to overstuffed rooms.
6. Everyone's basement and garages are relatively the same, full of seasonal equipment, holiday decorations and tools. Garage sales are the best remedy for liquidating extras that you have accumulated over the years. Better to sell than to pay to have incidentals moved you really don't need anymore. The biggest offender in basement commentary is the strong mold odors from high humidity. A dehumidifier can assist greatly in relieving that damp "basement" feeling and can alleviate concerns of water problem that don't exist. It's worth the effort to alleviate this common problem.
7. The worst offenders for dust and dirt are the cold air returns and heating vents. If they won't clean up with soap and water and painting doesn't improve them either, purchasing new ones is not that expensive and a great alternative. A house with cobwebs and loaded vents really gives the wrong impression about the cleaning standards of the present owner.
8. Pet dishes of water and food should be relocated to a spot where they will not get kicked accidentally. Water provides the perfect setting for falls or slips that can cause an accident. Cat boxes and pet beds should be clean and fresh and out of sight if possible. Those that don't appreciate pets as much as you, will be turned off to pet "evidence."
9. Junior's bedroom posters of rock groups to minimize the true picture of the room. Limit the "artwork" to 1 or 2 posters and promise him that he can resurrect the rest at his next destination.
10. Bathroom grouts must look like new. Bleaching can take care of some of the problems, but it's worth the money to have a professional tile person patch and regrout problem areas. This is not a good time to try extensive grouting yourself. Often times amateur attempts convey the problem more than it is. Shower tracks from doors should glisten, along with the mirrors. Remove prescription bottles, pills, old toothbrushes, and worn towels. This room should get the most attention and look its best at all times. Dated colors in sinks can be replaced for generally a low investment and can render a much-updated feeling when a yesteryear color is no longer an objection. Remove old moldy shower curtains and limit shampoos to a few.

As a current resident in Northern Colorado I am fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on me.
I have a lot of connections within the Northern Colorado area. Please don’t hesitate to call and ask me any questions you might have. This process is all about you and your needs. Real Estate is a big investment and I understand that. One thing you will get with me is a personal relationship, In the end, that goes a long way.
 
Northern Colorado is a great place to live! For more information, please give me a ring or email me today. I would love the opportunity to earn your business and partner with you in regards to your Real Estate needs.



LOOKING TO BUY??
If you are looking to purchase, I can save you a lot of money, as much as 10% on the purchase and finance of your home. 

Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time! 




SAVE UP TO 10% ON YOUR PURCHASE AND FINANCE


https://ross-homes-noco.com/













SOURCE: REALTY TIMES / WRITTEN BY SAUL KLEIN

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Don’t Let Winter Freeze Your Assets

Is winter the “off season” for your real estate plans? 


PJ Wade explains why waiting for the spring market may be the more expensive thing to do.
Real estate may be the furthest thing from your mind at this time of year, but keep three key real estate realities uppermost in your thinking, or 2019 could be an expensive year - in more ways than one.

#1. “It’s always the right time to buy or sell real estate- when the right property or opportunity appears.”

There’s still a tendency to think about real estate according to seasons. This 20th-Century leftover didn’t help much then and it doesn’t now in our full-on lifestyles. When buyers wait to join competitors in the highly-competitive spring market, they often pay more than necessary. Savvy buyers know stepping “outside the box - the spring market - may give them an edge and make their offer appear to have more value to sellers. While everyone else is freezing their assets til spring, consider breaking away from the pack and searching out sellers who are determined, perhaps out of necessity, to sell at this time of year. With less buyer competition and committed sellers, your real estate professional may be able to negotiate a deal that carries extra financial benefit for you.

#2. “Credit card debt delivers two solid financial hits that are hard to recover from.”

• Carry a credit card balance and any ‘great deal’ benefits you achieved may disappear into heavy interest penalties
• Credit card debt limits mortgage size and. therefore. the value of home that is considered affordable.
Billions will be spent online and in stores before the end of 2018 and billions in credit card debt will drag consumers down as 2019 unfolds.
Will those purchases be worth limiting the location and size of real estate you can afford to make yours in 2019? Times have changed, but has your spending pattern changed? Does out-of-date spending have you buying things that are non-essential to demonstrating your love or affection for another or to maintain an expensive lifestyle? The new reality is people don’t wait for someone to buy them gifts anymore. When something online or in stores catches their eye, they buy it. Instant gratification is now a way of life. But impulse buying for yourself or others, can limit your future. Think before you click or swipe. Ask yourself, “Is this really the best way to send the message I’d like to communicate?” and “Is this purchase really more important than realizing dreams?”

#3. “Professional insight is essential.”

Since it is “out of season” with little or no buyer competition, you may feel that you can handle the search on your own. Don’t kid yourself.
Doing this without significant professional insight and experience may lead to your undoing. The good news is that this advice is all around you and most of it available at no charge. Real estate professionals are in the business of matching buyers and sellers at any time of the year.



As a current resident in Northern Colorado I am fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on me.
I have a lot of connections within the Northern Colorado area. Please don’t hesitate to call and ask me any questions you might have. This process is all about you and your needs. Real Estate is a big investment and I understand that. One thing you will get with me is a personal relationship, In the end, that goes a long way.
 
Northern Colorado is a great place to live! For more information, please give me a ring or email me today. I would love the opportunity to earn your business and partner with you in regards to your Real Estate needs.



LOOKING TO BUY??
If you are looking to purchase, I can save you a lot of money, as much as 10% on the purchase and finance of your home. 

Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time! 




SAVE UP TO 10% ON YOUR PURCHASE AND FINANCE


https://ross-homes-noco.com/










SOURCE: REALTY TIMES / WRITTEN BY

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

House Hunting?

Lawn maintenance might not be top-of-mind while you're house hunting, but maybe it should be!



Buying your first house? You’re likely driven mainly by budget, but there are some other important considerations you may not have thought of that can help you find the perfect place. Not only can these tips help you find a home that really suits your lifestyle, but also helps you afford to live there comfortably.

Can you afford to heat and cool it?

You may only be thinking of home size in terms of the number of rooms or square footage you want. But, in many cases, a larger home costs more to maintain. More space means more space to heat and cool. Although, a home that’s newer or that has updated systems can help defray costs because it’s more efficient. Your real estate agent may be able to get an idea of the monthly utility costs so you can have this information up front.

Who's going to mow the lawn?

If you’ve never had your own lawn or garden, you may not know if you have a green thumb or if you’ll regard the time it takes to care for it as a pleasure or a bummer. Then again, if you’re already dreading the idea of having to spend a couple hours out there each week, perhaps a single-family home isn’t for you. Yeah, you could pay someone else to do it, but you’re already stretching to buy your own place, right? Perhaps the lower-maintenance lifestyle offered by a condo or townhome is the best option for you.

What’s good for resale?

Are you thinking about how easy it will be to sell your home when you’re just about to buy it? Maybe not, but, the truth it it’s always a good idea to think like a seller when buying. Chances are, this starter home won’t be your forever home, and the same questions you have about the floorplan or location are likely the questions would-be buyers will be asking when you go to sell.
As it relates to the floorplan, it’s a good idea to think beyond what you think you might want and consider what’s popular in the area. If homes with downstairs master suites sell especially well and you haven’t considered that plan, this info may make you rethink your strategy.

How close are the schools?

Dying to walk your kids to and from school every day? That’s the dream for many a parent. But what you might not be envisioning is being able to watch—and hear—every kid in the school walk by twice a day, every day. What seems like a super-convenient location right on the walking path to the elementary school may just turn out to be too much of a good thing if it impacts your privacy and peace of mind.

Did anything weird happen there?

Yes, the seller will be required to disclose physical defects and also defects that create the potential for stigmatization. “What you’re talking about is the issue of ‘psychological damage’ to a property, to be distinguished from ‘physical damage,’” said NOLO. “In some cases, the psychological damage is so great—such as after a violent or highly publicized murder or suicide, or widespread reports of haunting—that the house is considered ‘stigmatized’ and therefore less valuable. In most states, the owner would indeed be expected to disclose a defect causing the house to be stigmatized, so that buyers could adjust their expectations and purchase price accordingly.”
A natural death in the home, however, is not generally something that needs to be disclosed. If that’s the type of thing that could keep you from wanting to live there you, just ask. “If a prospective home buyer asks you outright about whether anyone has died in the home, you cannot lie (unless you want to risk being later sued for fraud),” they said. “Also, be prepared for any buyer who is interested in this issue (or shall we say obsessed by it?) to find out the information online, at a site like DiedinHouse.com.”
As a current resident in Northern Colorado I am fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on me.
I have a lot of connections within the Northern Colorado area. Please don’t hesitate to call and ask me any questions you might have. This process is all about you and your needs. Real Estate is a big investment and I understand that. One thing you will get with me is a personal relationship, In the end, that goes a long way.
Northern Colorado is a great place to live! For more information, please give me a ring or email me today. I would love the opportunity to earn your business and partner with you in regards to your Real Estate needs.

LOOKING TO BUY??
If you are looking to purchase, I can save you a lot of money, as much as 10% on the purchase and finance of your home. 
Contact me today to learn about ALL of my strategies to get you the BEST price for your home in the shortest possible time WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF BRAIN DAMAGE! 












SOURCE: REALTY TIMES / WRITTEN BY JAYMI NACIRI