Nov 30, 2016

Stapleton in Denver CO - Small-town Feel With Big City Amenities


Located 15 minutes to the east of downtown Denver, Colorado, you will find the urban redevelopment community of Stapleton.  The development is named after the old Stapleton airport, which used to be on this site. The airport relocated in 1995 and is now known as the Denver International Airport. Stapleton is located near I-70 and Quebec St., making for easy travels to many locations.
Stapleton provides residents a small-town feel, all while being close to the numerous recreational and employment opportunities nearby in metro Denver. Residents here are very active, but still take the time to relax and enjoy the many amenities and scenery in the area.  There is always something to do in this community, such as holiday activities, outdoor concerts, golf, tennis, biking and snow skiing in the nearby mountains of Colorado.
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As you get closer to the village, you will find streets lined with cafes, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. North of Stapleton Village is the Northfield Shopping Center where you can find many major national retail stores.
Denver Public Schools operates seven schools in the Denver Stapleton area, which are known for their excellent ratings by the state of Colorado.
Stapleton offers a wide variety of residential real estate from townhomes and condominiums to large properties with professionally landscaped yards. Stapleton is the perfect place to live, work, or play and feel good about it.
Are you ready to get started finding your Denver dream home? Let our experienced professionals guide you through all your real estate needs that include home buying and home selling in Denver.  Whether you’re searching for lovely homes in Stapleton, or any of the other fine communities surrounding Denver, we are here to help you find your dream home. We will guide you every step of the way!

Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
 Keller Williams Park Meadows
720-466-3790

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Nov 23, 2016

What Are We Thankful For This Thanksgiving?


Thanksgiving is truly a special day and we usually associate Thanksgiving with the early Pilgrims but in fact the origins and meaning of this holiday have broader significance. When we think of Thanksgiving, we think of parades, gatherings, traditional football games on television, turkey dinners and shopping, but Thanksgiving Day is indeed more than a day of fond memories, parades, football, and special dinners. 
 
Keeping in mind the origins and the diversity of the holiday, we should occasionally re-examine why we are celebrating. Sometimes, we are too busy with our lives, too focused on making a living and holidays too often become stressful or commercialized so that we fail to reflect on the real meaning they hold for us. Rather than rushing to the store and loading up on twice what you need or can afford, why not go back to the basics this year?

 
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It’s particularly important to make this holiday reflective. Have teachable moments with your children, asking them what they are thankful for. Maybe write up a list and think together about ways you can celebrate those particular blessings. At the same time, let go of aspects of the holiday that are not meaningful, or maybe even detract from what you are usually celebrating.
 
Maybe it’s time to go over the menu and plan dishes that contribute to good health. Why not consider inviting someone over and offer them a seat at your dinner table this Thanksgiving. You can also consider visiting a retirement community or perhaps a charitable institution and find ways to give back. There are plenty of ways to impact the lives of others this Thanksgiving and the holiday doesn't have to be expensive to be memorable. 
 
We should always remember that not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day should be a time for family, reflection, and gratitude. The true meaning of Thanksgiving, however, should not end after all of these. Thanksgiving is also a call to action. This Thanksgiving Day, take a moment and reflect on what actions you can take in the next year to fully express the meaning of Thanksgiving.
 
Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone from the Bandy Team!
 
 
 
 
 
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Nov 21, 2016

Is It Better To Move or Remodel Your Denver Home?


Is space becoming a hard thing to find in your Denver home? Do you walk into your home and have a hard time maneuvering around all your stuff, or has the home office become a new closet? If this sounds like you, then now is the time to ask yourself: is it time to move or remodel?
The Denver housing market is still a seller’s market in the popular price ranges under $400,000. Denver homeowners are taking advantage by listing their homes for sale as home prices continue to rise.
Things are starting to change when it comes to the remodeling market too. Homeowners are tending to be less extravagant in their remodels than they were during the housing bubble. During the last housing bubble, homeowners were all about bigger and more extravagant home renovations.
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How do you decide if it is time to remodel or move?
  1. How much do you like where you live? Not liking your home and not liking your neighborhood are two different things. If you take the feelings towards your home out of the equation, how do you feel about your neighborhood overall? Is where you live now close to your job, a convenience to the places you visit often? Are you ready for a change? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself before deciding to move or remodel.
  2. What changes need to happen? If you love your location, how big of a remodel do you need to make you happy in your current home? Is it easy to add on to your home to utilize more space, or is finishing the basement an option? If more room in your house is what you are after adding on can be expensive, but worth it in the long run.
  1. How much space do you need? Will you be expanding your family in the future, or do you hope to work from home one day soon? While it is impossible to predict what will happen in the future, if you think there may be a chance you will be need more space in the next two years, now may be the time to consider moving or remodeling.
  2. How is the current real estate market? Real estate is local. There are plenty of market reports across the country that tell how the nation is doing overall when it comes to real estate, but for this decision, real estate is local. The number of houses on the market in Denver is low and home prices are increasing, making now the perfect time to sell your Denver home.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your local Denver area real estate professionals, the Bandy Team! Our team will guide you through all phases of the home buying and home selling process in Denver whether you’re searching for other Denver’ Metro communities such as real estate in Elizabeth, a variety of homes for sale in Larkspur or any of the other fine communities surrounding Denver. We are here to help you find your dream home and will guide you every step of the way!

Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
 Keller Williams Park Meadows
720-466-3790

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Nov 16, 2016

10 Tips for a Better Denver Home Appraisal


When it’s time to refinance or sell your Denver home, you want your house appraised at top dollar.  It’s actually possible to have an effect on the appraiser’s final number by what you do (or don’t do) with your home both day-to-day and year-to-year. Here are some tips to get that appraisal amount as high as possible.
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Keep It Clean Inside… – If everything else is in good condition, this means just vacuuming and picking up clutter.  Appraisers don’t mind some dishes in the sink, and they won’t look under the furniture.  What will negatively affect your condition rating are bigger issues like dirty carpets, marks on walls and obvious decay or damage.
And Outside – Unkempt landscaping will drop your value like a rock.  Keep the lawn mown, the garden weeded, and the hedges trimmed.  This will set your Denver home apart and ensure that the appraiser compares it to other well-kept homes rather than to foreclosures or homes of lesser value.
Record All Improvements – Keep a detailed list of all upgrades done in the last 15 years and give a copy to the appraiser.  You need to be comfortable “tooting your own horn” regarding the home’s unique features and newer fixes. This includes things the appraiser might not notice such as new insulation or a new roof but also takes in even the “mundane” updates like a new sink.
Find Comparisons – Look around for other homes like yours, especially ones sold directly by owners.  You might find something the appraiser doesn’t know about.
Paint Issues – If your house was built before 1978 and you’re going after a government-insured loan through FHA or a veteran’s organization, you must remove peeling paint.
Prioritize Your Fixes – You’ll get the best return on investment from fixing or upgrading paint, carpets, lighting and plumbing.  Try to fix or replace things as they break so the house is always at its best.
Know Your Neighborhood – Let your appraiser know about any positive changes in your Denver neighborhood such as a new playground or designation as a historic district.  Any of these could improve your appraisal.
The $500 Rule – If an appraiser spots any needed repair over $500, your assessment will drop because appraisers value homes in $500 increments.  So look around and fix anything that could reach this threshold.
Understand the Effective Age of Your Home – This is the age an appraiser will assign to your Denver home based on its general condition and any updates made.  If there are lots of visible things to be fixed, even minor things, your home will be given a higher effective age and compared against other homes of this same effective age, resulting in a lower appraised value.
Keep the Appraiser Comfortable – Put on the heat or air conditioner if weather conditions warrant it.  (This also lets the appraiser know that those systems work.) Don’t follow the appraiser around the house and absolutely remove any pets that could harass him/her.  Save questions until after the appraisal. Distractions could make the appraiser miss something important. Let their focus be totally on giving your home the best value for its condition.
There’s no guarantee that your home will appraise for a particular amount, but these tips can help push it in the right direction.
Let the Bandy team show you other ways to prepare your home and sell it quickly! We will guide you through all phases of the home buying and home selling process in Denver. We can also help you with home staging tips to help you get started. Our home purchasing experts can also help with buying a home in the Lowry area of Denver , real estate in Cherry Creek, or any of the other fine communities surrounding Denver.   We are here to help you find your dream home and will guide you every step of the way!

Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
Keller Williams Park Meadows
720-466-3790

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Nov 10, 2016

Heritage Eagle Bend- Retire in this Beautiful Aurora Golf Course Community


Heritage Eagle Bend, located in southeast Aurora, CO, is a gated community for adults over 55. It is the perfect place to spend your retirement years while enjoying amazing views of the Rocky Mountains. Designed in a setting that is pure Colorado, the majestic Rocky Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for the Heritage Eagle Bend community.
The community boasts an 18-hole golf course and awesome clubhouse and recreational center. The golf course was designed by well-known golf course architect - Arthur Hills. The clubhouse includes numerous amenities such as a restaurant, golf shop, library, ballroom, craft and hobby studio, a billiards hall where friendly tournaments occur, and much more.
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This active adult community also has an exercise room with strength training equipment and fitness classes.  Water fitness classes are very popular among residents.  The clubhouse also has a computer lab for residents to use, and if you’re not computer savvy, do not worry. Computer classes are offered for all levels.
Surrounding the clubhouse you will find tennis courts, bocce ball courts, and an outdoor pool. Experience dancing and exercise classes, excursions to the theatre and the symphony, day trips to local sights and dining with friends in the Eagle's Nest Restaurant.
The Eagle’s Nest Restaurant, also located in the clubhouse, offers wonderful cuisine and provides the perfect place to gather and mingle with other residents while overlooking the golf course.
Homes in Heritage Eagle Bend are made up of single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and duplexes, with home prices ranging from $200,000 up to $800,000.
Are you ready to get started finding your dream home? Let our experienced professionals guide you through all your real estate needs that include home buying and home selling in Denver. Whether you’re searching for lovely retirement homes in Heritage Eagle Bend, or any of the other fine communities surrounding Denver, we are here to help you find your dream home. We will guide you every step of the way!

Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
 Keller Williams Park Meadows
720-466-3790

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Nov 7, 2016

Denver Home Upgrades That Won’t Pay You Back


Denver homeowners remodel for many different reasons and may justify the expense as an “investment” that will be returned when the house is sold. This, however, does not always come to pass, especially if you do an “over-the-top” remodel.
If you’re planning a Denver home renovation or addition, here are the six projects that generally have the lowest return on investment when the home is sold.
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Home Office – Studies show that a home office remodel has the lowest resale value of any project. The average cost for this upgrade is $28,888, but only 45.8 percent of that figure will be returned when the house sells.
If you do create office space in your home, make sure it can be easily changed back into a bedroom, den, or whatever else the space was used for. When selling, don’t call it an office; name it a den, study, or hobby room so potential buyers will see more possibilities in the space.
Generators – A high-quality back-up generator system can cost as much as $14,718 but returns only 48.5 percent of that amount at resale. Since not every Denver homebuyer will see the generator as a valuable option, go with a less expensive model that will meet your needs.
Adding a Sunroom – While this can be a way to add space to your home, it will take a huge bite out of your wallet. Sunroom additions on average cost $75,224 and return about 48.6 percent of cost when the home is sold. Do this only if it really improves the overall space and attractiveness of the home.
Adding a Bathroom – Expect to hand over about $21,695 to add a moderately equipped bathroom to your home and $40,710 for something more upscale. When you sell your Denver home, you’ll recover about 53 percent of either project. Most buyers don’t feel another bathroom is worth adding $20,000 to their offer. If you can reconfigure your existing space to add that second bathroom you’ll pay less and possibly recover more.
Garage Rebuild – A new detached two-car garage with lots of special amenities can set you back $90,053 and will return about 53.6 percent at resale. Most buyers will not really care about having a decked-out garage and so will not want to pay extra for it.
If you really feel that your home will benefit from a remodel—or if you just want to enjoy your home more—then go ahead. Just remember that not all renovations are equal in what they will return to you when you sell.
Let the Bandy team show you other ways to prepare your home and sell it quickly! We will guide you through all phases of the home buying and home selling process in Denver.  We can also help you with home staging tips to help you get started. Our home purchasing experts can also help with buying a home in the Lowry area of Denver , real estate in Cherry Creek, or any of the other fine communities surrounding Denver.   We are here to help you find your dream home and will guide you every step of the way!

Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
 Keller Williams Park Meadows
720-466-3790

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Nov 2, 2016

Taking the Fear Out of the Denver Home Loan Process


There’s a lot of questions from people thinking about buying a Denver home – whether for the first time or for the first time in a long time. Here’s a great article from Keeping Current Matters that will demystify the process. You might also want to read our post about the Home Buying Process.
Many people that would like to have their own homes have fears that prevent them from buying. If you're afraid to apply for a new mortgage, you're not alone. A recent survey found that 54 percent of people who plan to buy a home hadn't pursued their goal because they were afraid they wouldn't be able to get a mortgage.
Some people don't apply for a mortgage because they'd rather live in a home-buying fantasy than face the realities of the process. For many, the mortgage process can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you’re ready to apply, here are 5 easy steps that Freddie Mac suggests to follow:
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  1. Find out your current credit history & credit score – according to Ellie Mae, the average FICO Score of all closed loans in September was 731. Even if you don’t have perfect credit, you may already qualify for a loan.
  1. Start getting all documents needed – start to gather your documents such as income verification (W-2 forms or tax returns), credit history, and assets (bank statements to verify your savings).
  1. Contact a professional agent– your real estate agent will be able to recommend a loan officer that can help you determine how much home you can afford.
  1. Consult with your trusted lender – the lender will review your income, expenses, and financial goals in order to determine the type and amount of mortgage you qualify for.
  1. Talk about Pre-approval – a pre-approval letter provides an estimate of what you might be able to borrow (provided your financial status doesn’t change), and demonstrates to home sellers that you are serious and qualified to buy a home.
Most importantly, do your research, reach out to professionals, stick to your budget, and be sure that you are ready to take on the financial responsibilities of becoming a homeowner.
Are you ready to get started finding your dream home? Let our experienced professionals guide you through all your real estate needs that include buying or selling a home in Denver. Whether you’re searching for lovely homes in Castle Rock, such as in The Meadows, or any of the other fine communities surrounding Denver, we are here to help you find your dream home. We will guide you every step of the way!

Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
 Keller Williams Park Meadows
720-466-3790

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