da Vinci Realty Blog: December 2009

I recently posted my thoughts about activity, or the perception of lack of activity, during the holidays.  In the past 2 days, I've acquired 3 new clients looking to purchase homes in the near future.  They've come to me through my office in Downtown Evergreen, Co, and through my website.  Consumers do not take a break when it involves searching for their next property.  If they are in the market, they will need help and who will they find....the agent who is actively prospecting everyday.  MORE LEADS was the motto of an instructor I had many years ago.

I see 2010 being a great year for Real Estate.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

Chris M. Vinci, Owner, CRS, CLHMS, CMAS

da Vinci Realty

303-679-0360

www.CoMountainLiving.com

Technology can be a beautiful thing.  I have now launched www.daVinciRealtyMobile.com so that a Buyer can locate their dream home while they are away from their computer.  How many times have you been driving around, stopped at a house, saw no flyers, and wondered what's the price or what does it look like inside.  This innovative technology, I've implemented, now gives a Buyer as much detail as us Realtors see, shows pictures, let's you email the home to a friend, and even allows you to click a button to see comparable homes currently on the market.

It's FREE and available 24hrs a day.  I want my clients to be armed with the best technology so that the home search process is stressfree.

If you try it and your phone's web browser doesn't work, let me know and maybe I can help.

Chris M. Vinci, Owner, CRS, CLHMS, CMAS

da Vinci Realty

303-679-0360

www.CoMountainLiving.com

I recently read an AR post focused on the value of Open Houses in today's market.  What the selling public needs to understand is that most buyers, over 90%, are using the Internet to get information during their home buying process.  In the latest NAR Buyer and Seller Profile report, Open Houses didn't even make the list of places a buyer found their next home.  We are taught early in our real estate career to use the Open House as a way to find new Buyer clients.  I can see the mindset in Sellers beginning to change as they understand the most effective ways to market their home.  Just as this post mentioned, an Open House creates a number of security challenges as well.  The bad element will use these opportunities to steal or scope out the property for future theft.  Agents are then vulnerable to possible harm.  And neighbors take advantage of being extremely nosy. It's inconvenient, for the most part, to the homeowner and agent with only a fraction of a percent chance of a qualified buyer walking through a home, and deciding to buy it at that point.

Working the Denver foothills makes having an Open House even more ineffective.  Where I live and work, communities like Evergreen or Conifer, a buyer could follow a sign to an Open House thinking the home will be consistent to the surrounding area.  BIG MISTAKE.  We have $700,000 homes near $150,000 cabins.  I've done a few and typically hear: "Oh that's the price...I was expecting something different." 

I haven't had any trouble advising my clients that Open Houses benefit the agent, not the Seller.  Couple that advice with data showing where Buyers are finding their next home and how I seek to target those mediums, and it's pretty easy for a Seller to put aside their thoughts of having an Open House.

Now on the positive side of opening up a home.  I use Broker Opens successfully as it's our local agents who most likely will have a qualified Buyer for a home.  I also have "invite only" luncheons or cocktail hours for my high-end properties.  Bringing in my Seller's colleagues, friends, family and a targeted group of buyers will get the word out that this home is available.

Will agents continue to do Open Houses....absolutely.  Buyers do walk into homes without representation and do seem to bond with some agents hosting those Open House.  Those agents are simply prospecting for new business which isn't wrong.  Will it sell a home....it's proven not likely.  

Who says the real estate market is quiet during the Christmas holiday???  I went under contract with a Buyer on a home in Conifer, Colorado last week and submitted another contract for Buyers on a home in Littleton, Colorado this week.  Realtors who believe Sellers don't want to sell and Buyers don't want to buy during a holiday could be missing out on opportunities.  I used to feel that way in my earlier years in the business.  If our income was more predictable and consistent, it would be easy to relax....IT'S NOT...so I say keep your ears and eyes open for those consumers who aren't swayed by a holiday.

Happy Holidays to everyone! 

With my office in Downtown Evergreen, I get a lot of folks visiting from out of town who are curious about the convenience of living in the Foothills of Denver, Colorado.  The biggest concern I hear is "how long will it take to get anywhere from Evergreen/Conifer.  During my discussions, I always find out where their job takes them.  Do they have to commute to DTC (AKA the Denver Tech Center off I25 near Hampden) or Downtown Denver, or do they fly out from the airport on a regular basis.  Some may even work in the Golden area.  Because Evergreen is so expansive, I always try to get a sense for my client's patience level when commuting.  Everyone is different as I found out pretty quick when I moved here from the San Francisco Bay Area 6 years ago.  My first office was at I25 and 470 in Lone Tree.  My commute was between 45min - 55min...and it was NO big deal coming from California.  Others thought I was crazy living in Evergreen and commuting to Lone Tree.  

Once I understand a Buyer's pain level, I can advise them on how long their drive could be.  For example: the drive from the Clear Creek County section of Evergreen in the Brook Forest Estates community could take about 25 min just to get to the intersection in Downtown Evergreen.  Likewise, if you're looking at a home in the Cragmont neighborhood in South Evergreen, expect about a 10 min ride just to get to Hwy 73 and then from there you have to choose to go south to Hwy 285 in Conifer(about another 10min), head east on North Turkey Creek to Hwy 285(about 20min unless there is snow and add 10min), or head north through town to I70(about 20min).  Those folks who are not open to a long peaceful ride out of Evergreen, seek to plant roots in the North Evergreen area.  Hiwan, Soda Creek, & Saddleback are neighborhoods that get you to I70 in about 10min or less.

Conifer offers one way in..for the most part.  Hwy 285 is the primary access to the Metro area.  Most areas in Conifer will require a short drive to Hwy 285.  There are areas like Conifer Mountain and deep into Richmond Hill or Foxton that will add more than 10min to your commute.

The fun part of assisting out of town folks is describing to them the feeling they will have the moment they start the climb up the foothills after a long day's work.  The vision of a snow capped Continental Divide on I70 seems to relieve all stress.  The idea of a long commute doesn't even enter their mind.

Take it from a California boy, commutes in Colorado no matter where you're at are so much more relaxing given our beautiful landscape.

I wanted to share with you my thoughts on choosing the RIGHT Realtor to help you sell or buy your next property in the mountains.  Unlike the Denver Metro area where square footage, floorplan, and proximity to schools/highways/shopping are main criteria when understanding value in a home, mountain properties involve a variety of unique attributes that can be critical in your decision making process.

Access, fire mitigation, radon, uranium, mountain wild life, tree infestation, water/wells/septic, topography, easements, zoning, gardening, propane, horse property, open space, road maintenance, & sun exposure....these are elements an experienced mountain Realtor can help you with.

When deciding to move to the Evergreen/Conifer/Genesee/Pine/Morrison/Bailey foothill communities, PLEASE rely on someone that is a member of the Mountain Metro Association of REALTORS, and especially one that has the experience and training to have earned the CERTIFIED MOUNTAIN AREA SPECIALIST designation.

Here are the two logos you should look for to make sure the person that is representing your interests is an expert in mountain properties.

Below are the year to date market statistics for the Colorado Foothills, namely Evergreen, Conifer, Morrison, Pine, Golden/Genesee, & down the Hwy 74 corridor through Indian Hills.  I place these stats on my office window in Downtown Evergreen so visitors and residents begin to understand our wonderful mountain community.  I also place these stats on my website at http://www.CoMountainLiving.com 

If you have questions about these stats or would like to understand what your home is valued at, please don't hesitate to contact me or stop by my office. 

This year's Holiday Walk in Downtown Evergreen went great.  It warmed up to a balmy 30 degrees and everyone enjoyed themselves.  I love having friends and clients come by my office during this event.  We gave out homemade peppermint bark and valuable information about the real estate market.

After 5 years of helping Buyers and Sellers in the Foothills of Denver Colorado, I have a pretty good idea of what the challenges are.  For this post, I will focus on selling a home here in the Evergreen, Conifer, Pine, Bailey, Genesee, Morrison mountain communities.

Everyone knows "Location, Location, Location".  That's very true and in the mountains it takes on a number of other variables.  Access, Topography, Elevation, Sun Exposure, Road Maintenance, Non Public Utilities.....these factors, in many cases, carry more weight than the Floor Plan, having Granite, or Views.  Because I have helped so many buyers in the mountains, I feel very comfortable advising my selling clients how these nuances will impact the value of their home.

Sometimes it's difficult for a homeowner to understand these because they have accepted certain challenges when they bought their home.  It's not a big deal to them.  However, they place more value on their home then may be realistic.  It only becomes apparent when we get lots of showings, no offers and consistent feedback noting those items I mention above.  We then have to adjust the price downward and that never looks good.

As a Certified Mountain Area Specialist, I can effectively guide a homeowner through the mind of buyer so when it comes time to position their home, they clearly understand what to expect. 

I moved to Evergreen, CO in 2003 leaving the hustle and bustle of the California Bay Area.  I now live in the foothills of Denver where there are probably only 35,000 people.  I moved here thinking I'd get to know everyone pretty quick.  I'm very close to accomplishing that.  Recently the organization I'm President of (Evergreen Downtown Business Association) hosted "Breakfast with Santa" at the Lakehouse.  We were told by the 200 attendees that it was the best Breakfast with Santa they've been to and that the services the EDBA provides to the community are very appreciated.  This is great to hear.  Typically the Chamber of Commerce is the face of the community and gets all the credit.  We are a small group of 35 business owners situated in Downtown Evergreen.  We are now getting noticed and I love it!!!

This Friday is the 18th Annual EDBA Holiday Walk.  We light up downtown, provide live entertainment, food, activities, Santa & Mrs Claus show up and park their reindeer on one end for pictures.  I'll have homemade peppermint bark and beverages at my office.  We stay open until 9:00pm and I meet a bunch of people.  I also look forward to seeing friends and past clients who come by.

www.HeartofEvergreen.com has all the details of our events.

www.TourEvergreen.com is an online tour I created of this wonderful place I call home.