July 22, 2011 12:27:20

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Jul 22, 2011-When making renovations to your home, selecting a reliable contractor is key to getting the results you want without any negative consequences, hidden prices or extra hassle. With so many contracting businesses available, making the right choice can sometimes be difficult. Joe Clement, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Properties, Inc. offers the following tips for getting a contractor you can trust.

Referrals
"Word-of-mouth referrals are one of the best ways to find a contractor," says Clement. "Talking to neighbors, friends and family about who they used, and even stopping by to check out the results, is a great way to find a tried-and-true contractor."

Interview
"Don't be afraid to shop around,"Clement suggests. Pick out a few contractors who seem reliable, meet with them for an interview, and don't forget to ask for references and free estimates. "You want to feel comfortable with your contractor, so find someone you connect with," states Clement. "And don't always go for the lowest price bid-there could be hidden costs, underpaid workers or shoddy building materials." Compare prices-if one company is a great deal lower, it may be best to drop them.

Ask the Right Questions
When talking to a potential contractor, it's important to ask questions that might not come up organically in conversation, says Clement. Some of these include queries about how long they have been in business; who will be working on-site, including any sub-contractors and supervisors; on-site trash removal and cleanup; how many similar projects have been completed and what time of day workers will be on site.

Look for a License
If you find a contractor who looks promising, check out the state licensing board to make sure their business is licensed, and that they have a clean record. If complaints have been filed against them, that doesn't automatically mean they are bad news. Check out how they were resolved. "The Better Business Bureau will most likely have any complaints that have been filed, and will tell you how the contractor responded to them," suggests Clement.

Insurance Information
Often contractors are required to have property damage, personal liability insurance and workers' compensation. "If your contractor doesn't have worker's comp, you could be held responsible for any on-the-job or work-related injury," cautions Clement. Ask for proof of insurance and verify with the company before making a hire.

"If a contractor makes you feel pressured, fails to provide any references, only accepts cash payment, or demands the entire payment upfront, they probably are unreliable and may be roping you into a scam," says Clement. Hiring a contractor for even a minor remodeling project is a big deal-make sure you are 100 percent comfortable with your choice before signing any agreements.

 

For more information about finding a local, reputable contractor, please click here to contact one our exceptional Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak Region broker associates.  Or, email info@wesellmore.net.  You may also call one of our four locations: 

Monument: 719-487-6100
North: 719-598-4700
Downtown: 719-635-7653
South: 719-576-5000

 

 

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June 30, 2011 14:48:44

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Jun 30, 2011 - Many individuals interested in selling their homes are already aware that curb appeal is crucial. Making a good impression on potential buyers before they even step inside will assure that your property is memorable, but more importantly, making a bad impression will hinder your chances of selling your home-regardless of how charming it is inside. The following tips will allow you to amp up your curb appeal without breaking the bank.

"Many homeowners who are trying to sell their Colorado Springs area home think that increasing their curb appeal has to be a pricey affair involving landscapers or a new front porch," says Joe Clement, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Properties, Inc.. "But there are a great deal of small, inexpensive things you can do for the outside of your home that will make the overall appearance much more appealing." Clement suggests these simple do-it-yourself projects, all of which will take less than one afternoon, and cost you 100 dollars-or less!

Flower Boxes. "Putting flower boxes under your windows will give your home a pop of color and increase the overall charm factor of your property," says Clement. All it takes is the boxes themselves-which are usually under $35-some soil, and plants. Not interested in flower boxes? A few potted plants lining your porch, steps or walkway will do the trick as well.

Repaint Your Accents. Repainting the accents of your home-including the front door, trim and shutters-will give your house a fresh, clean look. "Choosing a bold color will make your house stick out, but even playing it safe with a neutral tone will make your property appear clean and well cared for," says Clement.

Replace Your Numbers. "Many houses have old, faded or rusted numbers. Buying new, modern numbers-or even customized numeral plaques-can really help the look of the front of your house," says Clement. "This is a small detail that is often overlooked but can have a really nice effect."

Plant a Garden. Planting a small flower garden in the front of your house will give your home a warm, inviting look. "Foliage adds instant curb appeal," states Clement. "If you don't want to tend to flowers, consider planting a tree."

Detailing. Adding interesting details, such as a bird feeder or birdbath, will improve the appeal of your front yard. "Inexpensive stepping stones trailed throughout a garden or up to the front door are also attractive touches," suggests Clement.

Mailbox Makeover. "Getting an upgraded or customized mailbox adds great detailing to the front of your house," says Clement. "Whether you opt for a mounted box on the side of your home or a curbside container, having a mailbox that stands out is a nice touch."

"There are many different low-budget options for bolstering your curb appeal," says Clement. "Doing so will immediately make your home more inviting, assure a great first impression and enable a faster selling time."

 

For more information on the importance of curb appeal when selling your home, please click here to contact one our exceptional Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak Region broker associates.  Or, email info@wesellmore.net.  You may also call one of our four locations: 

Monument: 719-487-6100
North: 719-598-4700
Downtown: 719-635-7653
South: 719-576-5000

 

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August 31, 2010 18:57:15

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Aug 31, 2010 - Naturally, like most homeowners, you have a strong emotional connection to your home and, understandably, feel it deserves top dollar when placed on the Colorado Springs real estate market. After all, no one knows your home better than you, including all the investments you've made in it over the years. But even though all sellers want to get the most money for their homes, especially in today's challenging economic times, decisions made regarding the listing price cannot be made in haste advises Joe Clement, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Properties, Inc., serving Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.

"Listing your home at a price that is too high can cause it to languish on the market," explains Clement. "This can result in the home selling at an even lower price than would have been realized had it been priced properly from the beginning."

To avoid this scenario and generate optimal profits from the sale of your home, Clement suggests taking into consideration all of the following factors in order to establish a fair, competitive and marketable sale price:

• Square footage - Total square footage is an important consideration when establishing a home's listing price, but this is usually just a starting point for buyers. Buyers will look at square footage to narrow their selections, but will make an actual purchase decision based on many other factors.

• Location within the community - Quiet cul-de sacs, golf or water frontage, lots that offer privacy, etc. are value-adds that can justify a higher sale price over other homes in a community ... or be leveraged as an advantage against competing listings.

• Views ... or lack thereof - Whether it is a downtown skyline, the mountains, golf course or some other desirable landscape, buyers are willing to pay a premium for views and a home should be priced accordingly.

• Upgrades and features - For a home to sell quickly at the desired price in the Pikes Peak region, it must be "finished" with as many structural and interior design upgrades as possible. "Any functional or beautification enhancements to a home are key considerations in establishing a home's true value and strategic sale price," says Clement.

• Community amenities - Guard-gated communities or those with amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool or fitness center are elements that raise a home's price per square foot. When pricing a home without these benefits, know whether you are competing against other homes that do offer such value-adds so that you can price your home as aggressively and competitively as possible.

• Comparable sales - Don't price your home based on price per square footage of other home sales in your community six or more months ago, as these don't offer a realistic portrayal of current market conditions. Clement advises sellers to focus on prices of active listings to hone a competitive pricing strategy.

• Professional appraisal - If you need to sell your home quickly, Clement suggests listing it at or below the appraised value as buyers are educated, are shopping deals, and will recognize your fair price and be more apt to pay it with less haggling.

• Current mortgage conditions - Lenders now require higher down payments and higher credit scores, which can cash-strap buyers holding out for the best deal possible. Savvy sellers will understand the mortgage industry's impact on the buyer and will price accordingly.

"Anyone considering selling their home should work with a local (Colorado Springs, Monument, Woodland Park, etc.) professional real estate agent who can guide them through all of the above steps," says Clement. "A seasoned agent will be armed with current, local statistics and know how to sell your home at the best possible price."

On our website, www.HomesColorado.com, you will find a wide variety of highly-skilled, well-educated, professional RE/MAX broker associates.  Each broker associate brings a finely-tuned skill set to the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region real estate market.  Check them out, and you may just find the PERFECT listing agent for your home. 

Click Here to find an amazing RE/MAX Properties, Inc. Broker Associate near you!