Happy ThanksGIVING

Thanksgiving evokes images of being with family, eating lots of good food and the start of the holiday season. Many people are raised to count your blessings, and name what you are thankful for. Well, sure that's one part of Thanksgiving, but were missing out if we stop there.

ThanksGIVING is just that ThanksGIVING not ThanksFULL. If everyone could just look around them and be more giving, I think we could change the world one person at a time. Each day we have countless opportunities on making someone smile. Instead of asking the same old phrase "How are you doing?" to someone and not really being interested in their response, how about asking someone about their family, recreation, job, or dreams? Taking the time to ask, and really connect with someone gives someone something very valuable your time.

The blessings you get by just giving someone your time is huge. Here are some quick ideas: talk with the grocery store clerk, wave at someone while you are driving, chat with people in line while you are waiting or sitting in a waiting room. There are so many people who especially during the holidays, need a reminder that they are not forgotten and they are loved.

I challenge you to try this! My goal is to really listen more, and love people by giving.

5 Things to know when buying a home

1. Get a realtor who can be your trusted adviser. Ask lots of questions~ Do they know your area that you want to live in? Can they be reached after hours and on weekend? Do they have a website? Get a list of their past clients. How many homes have they sold this year? Keep in mind that the seller, not the buyer, pays the commission. Get a realtor who is a buyer's agent who can protect your interests, find a home for you and guide you through the buying process – from negotiating a price to navigating home inspections.
2. Get pre-approved for a loan before you start looking at homes. This will save you lots of time since you will know your price range of homes. Buy the house you know that you can afford. This can be different from the price that your mortgage company believes that you can afford. The less expensive house means that you can make your payments and have a little left in your pocket. 
3. The asking price is just that. The home might be overpriced. Have your realtor do a market analysis on the home. Are there other fees associated with owning the home? HOA? Covenants? Who takes care of the road? Fire mitigation?
4. How are the neighbors? Are they animal and kid friendly? Is there place junky? Find out about other home sales in the area.
5. Once you have the home under contract, get the house inspected and checked for radon. Even if you are a builder, it's best to get it inspected. They check everything from light switches to roof leaks to crawl spaces. They are very thorough. Your realtor can then negotiate and get the items fixed before the sale closing or if the seller doesn't want to fix them they can give you money back at closing for you to fix them.

Buying a home is one big decision and I'd love to help you!

Should I sell my home in the fall?

One question I get asked frequently is "Should I sell my home now in the fall"?

As with every decision in life, there are pros and cons. Many factors need to be taken into consideration before deciding when to sell a home. Many homeowners believe selling a home during the fall or winter months is not a good idea and that they need to wait till spring. This is not true.

Here are several reasons why choosing to sell your home now may be a better decision than waiting until the spring:

~ Less Competition- In the Mancos, Colorado area, there are a shortage of homes for sale now. The fewer number of comparable homes for sale, the greater the probability that a buyer will look at your home and thus your probability of receiving an offer that is higher.

~Homebuyers are out there- Serious buyers look no matter what time of year it is. If you are waiting to list your home, you might be missing out on a buyer. Worried about moving in the winter? Snow doesn't start sticking on the ground here till Christmas time, so with our great fall weather is a great time to pack.

~Kids are back in school- Your house will stay cleaner and you have time to declutter!

~Beautiful Colors- Outside it's bursting with color and just a little staging will make your home look beautiful too.

~Mortgage Rates are low- With a 30 year fixed mortgage hovering around 3.75%, that is great news for buyers.

Fall is a great time to sell a home. If you would like to know what your home is worth, give me a call for a free market analysis 970-759-2540. I'm here to help!

www.MancosHomes.com

Gotta love Southwest Colorado!

How's the real estate market in SW Colorado?

2016 is whipping past.  Compared to 2015 real estate sales in Montezuma County are pretty much the same as last year.  Year to date (end of June) we have had 172 sales and that's just up 3 from last year.  The good news is that average sales price is rising in the county.  Jan-June last year, the average sales price was $174,933 and this year $191,542.  Homes are selling quicker.  Last year the average days on market was 190 and this year 151.  There are 309 homes for sale throughout the county.  

The Mancos market continues to be strong.  There are a shortage of homes for sale.  Currently just 8, of which one is a foreclosure.  Last year Jan-end of June there were 11 home sales intown Mancos and this year 6. Average days on market for a home is currently 126 days.  

Land sales continue to be slow.  Last year we had 39 sales between Jan-June and this year a few more 47.  The shocker is that there are 327 parcels of land for sale in the county.  Very few buyers are wanting to build a home from scratch.  

I appreciate your referrals and if I can ever be of any help, please let me know!!

Info from CREN (Colorado Real Estate Network) MLS

Top 10 Things to do with the Kids this Summer!!

Got kids and need some great ideas to keep them entertained?  Here are my top 10 things to do with kids!

1.  Mesa Verde National Park-  Kids love climbing the ladders, looking at the ruins and maybe learn something too! More info: www.nps.gov/meve

2.  Mancos River-  Head to Cottonwood Park and let the kids go swimming!  Great dug out swimming hole!

3.  Chicken Creek Area-  Take your bike or hiking shoes and enjoy a picnic by the lake in the Pines. 

More info: www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/chicken-creek

4.  Rimrock Outfitters-  Saddle up and enjoy breathtaking views. 

More Info: www.rimrockoutfitters.com

5.  Cortez Outdoor Pool-  Want to just let kids play, while you read a book?  Head to the pool!

More info:  www.cityofcortez.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Cortez-Municipal-Outdoor-Pool-41 in Cortez

6.  Ziplining in Durango with a trip to Fuzziwigs Candy Shop!  Nothing better to get your adrenaline up and then a treat!  More info: www.zipliningdurangoco.com and www.sweetsfromheaven.com

7.  Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad- Check out the museum and take a ride to Silverton! More info: www.durangotrain.com

8.  McPhee Resevoir- Got a boat, paddleboard or just go swimming!  Also great camping spots!

More info:  www.recreation.gov/camping/mcphee-recreation.../r/campgroundDetails.do?

9.  Hiking- Lots of treasures from rocks to horny toads can be found!  

More info: www.mesaverdecountry.com/sites/default/files/MesaVerdeHiking.pdf

10.  Camping- Get away from electronics!  Camp at Transfer, or up by Echo Basin! 

 More info: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recarea/?recid=43262

Summer is in Full Swing!

Summer in Mancos: cool nights 50 degrees and warm days 84 make it an awesome place to live.  We celebrated the wknd of the 4th by going to the mountains, bbq's, and going for a swim at McPhee Reservoir by Dolores.  My family raises horses and I got one last week so evenings are spent riding.  My Dad taught me to ride before I could walk and I have wonderful memories of riding with him.  Horses are in my in blood.  The evening of the 4th was spent watching the fireworks at the park in Mancos.  Fireworks going off right above us!  Hope you made wonderful memories too.  

Buying and selling homes is in full swing! Interest rates are low with a 30 year fixed at 3.625%.  Whether you are looking to buy or sell, I'm here to help!