"Real Estater"

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I was called a “real estater” the other day.

Not Realtor, not real estate agent, a real estater.

And it reminded me that there are still so many people who don’t fully understand what I do. I mean lots of people think all I do is open doors and go out to lunch with my clients!

Whether I am working with a buyer or seller my hope is that I am brining years of experience and connections to the table.

  1. Recommending pre-listing repairs for the biggest bang for your buck.

  2. Connecting you with experts in their fields for pre-purchase inspections.

  3. Coordinating with the title company to resolve unreleased liens.

  4. Brainstorming with the lender when we have an issue on the appraisal.

  5. Inside knowledge on things like well depth/quality or feisty HOA’s.

  6. Negotiating on your behalf when inspections items come up.

  7. Accurate pricing for the maximum return on investment in the shortest amount of time.

  8. Getting you the winning offer when you are competing against many other buyers.

  9. And sometimes being a shoulder to cry on, real estate can put you through the ringer.

With gratitude.

How to become wealthy?

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5 things that will make you wealthy by Dave Ramsey plus one more from me.

  1. Have a written budget. You have to have a written game plan with money or you’re going to lose.

  2. Get out of debt. When you don’t have any payments, do you know what you’ve got? MONEY!

  3. Live on less than you make. In the house of the wise are choice food and oil, but a fool devours all he has. Proverbs 21:20.

  4. Save and invest. 100% of people who don’t save money don’t have any money saved.

  5. Be generous. Follow the 7 Baby Steps and you can be outrageously generous!

And 6 - Buy a home! Long term renting will not create wealth (actually it will but for your landlord). It can be scary but its one of the BEST investments you can make for yourself. And you don’t have to have 20% down - that is an old wives’ tale. And remember the interest rate on rent is 100%.

Licensed to list and bail

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Say what?

There are days in real estate when I truly think—you can’t make this stuff up.

A few years back, I get a late-night call from the sister of one of my clients. Sweet lady, we’d met once. She starts off apologizing for calling so late and says, “You’re the only person I know in Grand County…”

And right there I thought—uh oh. This is not going to be about a listing.

Then she says, “I need a huge favor… would you be able to bail my son out of jail?”

Excuse me… come again?

Apparently, he’d been arrested for driving drunk over Trail Ridge Road (which, if you know—you KNOW ). She didn’t ask me to take him home, but I’m pretty sure if I’d offered, she’d have taken me up on it.

Now listen, I pride myself on being full-service… but I draw the line somewhere before “licensed to list and bail.”

What is a Bounce House?

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BOUNCE HOUSE

: a springy inflatable structure often resembling a four-sided building and used especially by children for jumping for sport.

: a overpriced house that helps sell other homes.

When you overprice your home you are not only hurting yourself but you are driving buyers to your competition.

Over priced homes make correctly priced homes look like a deal. Also you sadly telegraph to buyers that you are not a serious seller and often times you won’t even get showings.

I know I sound like a broken record but pricing is really so important and one of the biggest keys to your success as a seller.

Questions Leave them below or send me a DM.

Let's talk about Earnest Money

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Show me the money!

Let’s talk about earnest money. When a buyer makes an offer on a property, earnest money is tendered shortly there after.

If everything goes as planned, the earnest money is applied towards the purchase price at closing.

However, sometimes the wheels fall off the bus! Sometimes a buyer might decide to cancel their contract, typically this is because of inspection items.

If this happens, and the buyer cancels before their specified deadlines, their earnest money is 100% refundable.

So, when might the earnest money be non-refundableOnly if a buyer passes their loan approval deadline and cannot or will not close.

This is very rare and in 700+ transactions have only had a handful of buyers end up losing their earnest money.

Questions? Please leave them in the comments or DM me.

Do you have a dominate sense?

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Our 5 glorious senses.

How rich and vibrant our lives are with the input from our eyes, ears, nose, taste, and touch.

Combine one or more together and you are served up a feast of color, texture, sounds and smells.

When I look at this image I remember the fragrance of the foods, I can taste the olive that just rolled off the platter.

I can remember the sounds of the birds and the wind and I can remember the way the light was shining through the trees.

But what I remember most is the way the tray felt in my hands, it’s texture and weight. I remember my bare feet on the deck and the way the wind would blow against my skin.

Do you have a dominate sense?

The one that cues you in, the one that you rely on in a split second to gather information?

Mine is touch and feeling. I’m super sensitive to my tactile environment.

What about you?

Homeownership Facts

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Myth vs Fact

  1. I need 20% down to buy a house.
    NOPE! Some loans are NO money down such as USDA and VA.

  2. I don’t have a good enough credit score.

    NEWS FLASH, some loans will accept credit scores under 600.

  3. Getting approved for a loan is HARD!
    Did you know that around 75% of loan applications received are approved?

    Know the facts before you decide home ownership is out of reach. I’m here to help with any questions you might have.

Check These When Buying A Home

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5 things to always check out when buying a home.

  1. The roof. Two things here. What’s the condition of the roof and how many layers of shingles. If there are already two layers of shingles you will have to tear off all layers and re-roof. If there is just one layer you can probably re-roof over it.

  2. The septic system or sewer line. It is possible to have a septic issue and not know it, especially if you are buying a home that has been used as a second home.

  3. Latent moisture. Looks like an old leak, and it might be. But there still could be mold behind the wall.

  4. Water quality and quantity. Will you have enough water and is your water drinkable? Not as much of an issue when you have city water but if you are on a well its important to understand quality and quantity.

  5. Radon levels. Radon is an invisible gas that the EPA reports can cause cancer. Its has been around since the beginning of time. Some homes have very high radon levels and while it might not be a concern to you, you will have to address it when you go to sell your home.

If you have questions, hit me up!

Want to know more about buying or selling?

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Real estate is actually quite simple.

A home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to sell for. Of course there are other factors in play but at the end of that day that is the matrix.

And therefore, the market itself dictates the pace and value of property. As we move into a more balance market this is becoming more and more apparent.

And what history tells us over time is that real estate is one of the safest and most profitable investments.

Do you want to know more about buying or selling? Reach out to me with your questions, I am here to help!

Buyers Notice Everything

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Selling your house? Just remember: buyers notice everything — the good, the bad, and the “what were they thinking?”

They walk in with HGTV dreams and laser-sharp vision. They will sniff, squint, and side-eye their way through your entire home like it’s an open house and an episode of CSI.

Think the judgiest in-laws you've ever met… but with checkbooks.

Here’s what they’re picking up on within seconds:

  1. LIGHT: If it’s too dark, the home can feel closed-in. Too bright, and it’s uncomfortable. Aim for warm, natural lighting that feels welcoming.

  2. SMELL: Odors matter. Think pet smells, strong perfumes, or last night’s dinner — all of it can be off-putting. Avoid heavy air fresheners, too. The goal is clean and neutral — ideally, buyers shouldn’t notice any smell at all.

  3. SPACE: That comfy but bulky furniture you love? It might make a room feel smaller to buyers. Less furniture means more open space — and more appeal.

  4. CLEANLINESS: Messy bathrooms and kitchens are major red flags. Clean thoroughly, especially the areas buyers will pay the most attention to. First impressions stick.

  5. CEILINGS: Yes, people look up. Water stains, cobwebs, or odd marks can raise concerns. It’s worth addressing these before showings.

  6. PERSONAL ITEMS: Personal photos, collections, or themed décor can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there. Keep it simple and neutral.

  7. OUTDATED FIXTURES: Older light fixtures, wallpaper, or dated tile may stand out — and not in a good way. A few modern updates can go a long way.

The takeaway?Your home doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should feel clean, neutral, and well-cared for. When you create a space buyers can see themselves in, you increase the chances of turning interest into an offer.

Importance of Septic Inspection

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LET’S TALK ABOUT POOP!

Did I get your attention?

Many of the homes in our area are on septic systems. This means the waste from the drains and toilets in the home travel to a tank.

The septic system is a crucial element of the home and not one that people like to think about.

Let’s be real, if it's working you kinda forget it's there. When it's not working, you’re faced with a very crappy situation! If you catch my drift.

I could have fun with puns all day with this topic!

In this video I’ll discuss the importance of getting a septic inspection when purchasing a new home.

Homeownership is a process

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Biting off more than you can chew.

Just because you are approved for a loan for $500,000 doesn’t mean that you should spend that much.

Let’s walk through this together.

You’ve finally got the home of your dreams, but you had to max out your budget to get it. What might you have to give up to have that home

  • vacations

  • savings

  • college funds

  • retirement

  • fun family experiences

These all might be on the chopping block... and before you know it you might find yourself in financial bondage.

This house, the one you are in, or the one you are buying is likely NOT your forever home.

Homeownership is a process of stepping stones, each time you get more of what you desire. So hold off on maxing out your home budget and remember all the other financial goals you have.

My Squirrel Moment

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The other day, I found myself yelling at a squirrel.

Not because it did anything wrong—

But because it was standing dead still in the middle of the road while a car was coming.

“MOVE! What are you doing?! GO! YOU’RE GOING TO DIE!”

(Yes, I was full-on shouting at a rodent.)

And then it hit me:

This is probably exactly how God watches me live my life sometimes.

Me: “This seems like a great idea.”

God: “Nope nope nope NOPE—don’t go that way.”

Me: stands frozen in self-doubt and poor decision-making

God: “WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE? MOVE. DO ANYTHING.”

Me: runs in circles, doubles back, ends up in the same spot

Honestly, I’m just a squirrel with a planner.

Running toward traffic, unsure of which direction to go, but deeply confident I know what I’m doing.

And yet, just like I care about that ridiculous squirrel—God’s out here looking out for me.

Trying to steer me out of the road, even if I don’t understand the danger yet.

Patient. Watching. Probably shaking His head.

But still—loving me enough to shout from the sidelines.

What’s your “squirrel moment” in life where you look back and think, “Yep, God was definitely trying to help me dodge that one”?

Negotiating Inspection Items

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I’m going to tell you a little secret: Negotiating inspection items can be a bit tricky.

Shows like Million Dollar Listing have not helped either. I cannot tell you how many times the agent on TV says, “We will just get the seller at inspection”. Yeah, it doesn’t work that way.

The purpose of the inspection is to reveal items that cannot be seen with the naked eye or issues that only a thorough home inspection would find.

In other words, the giant carpet stain you saw during the showing is not something that should end up on your list of inspection requests.

For the best results stick to health and safety issues.

And remember, it doesn’t hurt to ask for the things that are important to you. The seller cannot “ditch” you because you sent over a list of inspection requests. All they can do is say no.

If you have kept your list to major items that “any reasonable buyer” would find objectionable the seller is probably going to agree with you.

One of my biggest roles in a real estate transaction is helping you through this process whether you are the buyer or the seller.

When Pricing Your Home

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You have 3 choices when pricing your home:

  1. Test the market. This strategy works in a rapidly rising market because you are pricing ahead of the market with the hopes that the market will meet or surpass your list price.

  2. Price it right. This falls right into the range of what market comparables tell us the home is worth. Not too high, not too low.

Is this sounding a little like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

3. Strategically aggressive price. This is the price range that attracts multiple offers and offers over asking price.

There is no right or wrong answer. But your pricing should reflect your timing goals. Please leave any questions below.

I can guide you!

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Are you a first time buyer, first time seller, downsizing or upsizing?

I’ve got a guide for that. With step by step and in-depth explanations.

After over 2 decades in real estate I have discovered that people who fall into these categories have many of the same pain points.

First time home buyers experience fear of the unknown.

First time sellers are unfamiliar with the process.

Both up-sizers and down-sizers have concerns about logistics.

Do you fall into any of these categories?

I would love to share my knowledge with you. Please comment below or send me a private message.

Sell your home, not just list it.

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How do you know if you priced your home correctly?

Well in this market its pretty easy to know.

As a general rule of thumb, if your home is not under contract in 3 weeks you have likely overshot the market.

You might think, no big deal.

Here’s the thing - the longer your home sits on the market the more buyers begin to believe there is something wrong with your home OR they can low ball you.

The goal should be to sell your home not just list it.

Increase your chances in selling your house

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Selling your house? Just remember: buyers notice everything — the good, the bad, and the “what were they thinking?”

They walk in with HGTV dreams and laser-sharp vision. They will sniff, squint, and side-eye their way through your entire home like it’s an open house and an episode of CSI.

Think the judgiest in-laws you've ever met… but with checkbooks.

Here’s what they’re picking up on within seconds:

  • LIGHT: If it’s too dark, the home can feel closed-in. Too bright, and it’s uncomfortable. Aim for warm, natural lighting that feels welcoming.

  • SMELL: Odors matter. Think pet smells, strong perfumes, or last night’s dinner — all of it can be off-putting. Avoid heavy air fresheners, too. The goal is clean and neutral — ideally, buyers shouldn’t notice any smell at all.

  • SPACE: That comfy but bulky furniture you love? It might make a room feel smaller to buyers. Less furniture means more open space — and more appeal.

  • CLEANLINESS: Messy bathrooms and kitchens are major red flags. Clean thoroughly, especially the areas buyers will pay the most attention to. First impressions stick.

  • CEILINGS: Yes, people look up. Water stains, cobwebs, or odd marks can raise concerns. It’s worth addressing these before showings.

  • PERSONAL ITEMS: Personal photos, collections, or themed décor can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there. Keep it simple and neutral.

  • OUTDATED FIXTURES: Older light fixtures, wallpaper, or dated tile may stand out — and not in a good way. A few modern updates can go a long way.

The takeaway?Your home doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should feel clean, neutral, and well-cared for. When you create a space buyers can see themselves in, you increase the chances of turning interest into an offer.