Protecting not just your sales transaction, but also your credit rating and financial history are all part of the job for Redhead Properties.  Suppose you find yourself underwater with your mortgage; no problem, just sell as a “short sale” right?  Maybe, but if you aren’t prepared and don’t get all the right documentation, you may find that short sale listed as a foreclosure instead on your credit report and causing you far more headaches than a short sale rating would have!  You need to know what to insist on from the mortgage lender when settling a real estate transaction as a short sale to protect yourself as much as possible.

There are tax consequences to be considered now that the Health Care Bill has gone into effect as well.  Lots of misquotes and misunderstandings of this possible 3% tax on home sales abound on the rumor mill.  You’ll want to get accurate information and make informed decisions when the time comes to sell your existing home or investment properties.  And there are all the usual suspects to work through too, like timing, best price, optimal terms and preparation for selling.  Should you purchase a Home Warranty?  Is there maintenance you should do before it goes on the market?  How quickly should you be prepared to move after an accepted offer?

All these and more concerns you have no need to figure out on your own when you work with Cindy Marlowe of Redhead Properties.  We stay current so you always will be the best informed client getting the best deal available in the current real estate market in your area.  Need more information?  Give us a call today and get answers that make sense!

The post Short Sales, Health Care Tax and what you need to know! appeared first on Redhead Properties.

Every one of us becomes the greatest artist who ever lived when faced with a blank canvas; armed with the knowledge that we have the power to transform it any way we choose.  Heady stuff when you think about it, but remember that feeling of euphoria the first time you bought a home?  How big those rooms appeared – you thought you’d never own enough furniture and accessories to fill them!  The walls could be any color at all; each room framed by window treatments and fleshed out in whatever style furnishings suited you.  The fun and excitement of creating a space, YOUR space designed to suit your personality.

Even if you’ve lived in your home awhile, you can recapture that euphoric sense of headiness.  It doesn’t take a full remodel to repurpose or refresh a room.  The obvious makeover is paint.  And certainly setting up the backdrop for each room should be the first consideration.  If painting or wall covering changes are not options, there are ways to create the “art” of your lifestyle that don’t include those.  The lines of the furnishings, the textures of the materials used in them, the manner in which they are accessorized, all lend a certain look and feel to the finished artwork of your home.

Get outside the idea of framed artwork and see the walls themselves as the frame to be filled and you may be pleasantly surprised at the ways this opens itself to whatever interpretation you choose to bring to it.  For instance, instead of a collage of baby pictures or family photo’s grouped within an 8 x 10 confine, what about a shadow box of memorabilia built from an old drawer?  Add shelving where needed, let your pictures be its background and bring the story of your family to life!  There’s that sweet urchins wide smile minus those front teeth, and there are those teeth displayed next to other sweet memories of childhood.  Or ancestral keepsakes, or the stuff your new life is built on or whatever theme you decide to give your story.  Sluggers homerun bat becomes the anchor for those sports pics everyone is always wondering what to do with anyway!  Let them become an interesting storytelling art piece in the home.  The only boundary is the width and height of the walls and your own imagination!

Thinking outside the box doesn’t mean you don’t take conventional wisdom into consideration, only that you aren’t “boxed” in by it!  Taking the best of what’s available and adding your own touch to make it personal is what Redhead Properties excels at.  Real Estate done with personal style included.  Selling, buying or investing for ROI, Cindy Marlowe knows how to take your personal goals and incorporate them into the end game.

The post Blank Canvas appeared first on Redhead Properties.

BEFORE 
AFTER

May 18^th is FREE LANDFILL DAY.   The Front Range Landfill is located at 1830 Weld County Road 5 in Erie. This only happens twice a year, so let the SPRING CLEANING BEGIN! (Please note that tires and appliances with Freon are not accepted.  You can call 303-450-4004 if you have these items for disposal.)  Need directions?  Take I25 North to exit 229, then west on CO7, north on Sheridan Parkway, left at the stop sign onto County Road 4, then right onto County Road 5.  You’ll need proof you’re a resident, so make sure you have a Drivers License or current utility bill with address!

Take advantage of these FUN EVENTS happening in and around Adams County as well:

Get a spoonful of sweetness as volunteers dole out scoops from Northglenn’s largest ice cream sundae until it’s all gone starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Stonehocker Farmhouse, 10950 Fox Run Parkway. This year the sundae will be so massive, a cast iron claw foot tub will be brought in to contain it. Gallons of chocolate syrup and dozens of dollops of whipped cream will also be on hand.

The Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars will play and an old time car show is scheduled for everyone’s enjoyment.  The Northglenn Historic Preservation Foundation is organizing the event in honor of May being National Preservation Month.  To volunteer or for more information, contact Mayor Joyce Downing at 720-232-4402 or nhpf1999@aol.com or Councilmember Wayne Dodge at 303-507-7202 or wdodge@northglenn.org. Source: Your Hub

Got a green thumb?  I hear the City of Northglenn is looking for volunteers to plant and tend public gardens.  Get involved and assist in making Northglenn beautiful! Call Jenni Murphy 303-450-8904 or email her at jmurphy@northglenn.org.  Source: City of Northglenn

Adams County is the fastest growing County in Colorado and keeping up is yours truly, Cindy Marlowe of Redhead Properties.  Moving in or moving up, I know what it takes to make your ideal property transfer happen and happen SMOOTHLY.  I’m not just a Realtor, I’m your neighbor here in Adams County!

The post ADAMS COUNTY – DID YOU KNOW….? appeared first on Redhead Properties.

I recently had the honor of assisting a very nice couple who originally contacted me about purchasing the perfect home they’d been dreaming of, but they were already homeowners and did not want to sell at this time.  We talked about the option of turning the current home into a rental property instead of putting it on the market.  As I’ve had a great deal of experience in rental homes I was able to walk them through the process, go over pros and cons with them and provide them enough choices for them to make an informed decision about how it would work best for them.  We negotiated a wonderful deal that gave them instant equity in the home they decided to purchase while simultaneously working to make a few needed changes to their existing home so it would be suitable as a rental property.  By following a few guidelines, they’ll be enjoying their new home while reaping the benefits of positive cash flow in what is now their Rental Property.

Considering the option of becoming a Landlord?  There are regulations to be adhered to and state laws governing some aspects of renting property that need to be followed.  You’ll want to consider the tax issues and be prepared to handle things like maintenance and unexpected vacancies.  Will you take care of rent collections yourself or hire a professional Property Management company?  How will you handle credit checks, security deposits and insurance needs?

Renting your current home may be the perfect solution for your situation too!  Cindy at Redhead Properties will be glad to take the time to discuss your options and what may best suit your circumstance to accomplish your goals.  Call right now and get started on your next adventure in Real Estate armed with knowledge and choices!

The post Solutions and Real Estate Choices appeared first on Redhead Properties.

THE winter blahs are finally behind us (we hope, it could still snow?!?) so we rush outdoors to bathe our sun starved faces in its radiant shine and potential buyers prowl the streets checking out “what’s for sale” in the neighborhood they’d love to live in.  While low inventories remain, a good presentation will still fetch a higher price than property that looks like it needs a facelift.

Curb appeal is one of the fastest ways to make a grand first impression and set a positive tone for all showings on a home for sale.  It doesn’t take a lot of time, effort or money to put your best foot forward when putting a house up for sale.  Let your yard and entry flatter the rest of the house and create those positive vibes right from the beginning!

Rake away debris that flew in for the winter and sharpen up any garden edging.  Laying down a new top layer of mulch adds freshness like rouge on a cheek and pruning away dead branches adds a sheen of new life to the whole yard.  Tighten those downspouts or gutters that may have pulled away due to harsh winter weather, clean off the sidewalks and sprinkle grass seed to cover any bald spots that developed.  Uncoil the hose and flush away the scent of disuse while spraying all the windows and front porch to clear away the last of winter’s dullness.

Cut flowers in strategically placed vases, especially the front foyer where guests enter bring that fresh outdoor life right inside to entice buyers to make this house, their house!  Three things attract a buyer to your property over another, outside of actual location.  That will be the PRICE, the TERMS and the CONDITION of the home.  Get those three things right and most everything else will move along as smooth as those whipped summer drinks everyone is so fond of.

Cindy Marlowe knows just how to whip those three ingredients into a successful sale for you!  Contact her now with your questions and before you know it you’ll be on your way to where you REALLY WANT TO BE!

The post New House Fever! appeared first on Redhead Properties.

With the inventory of homes for sale at the lowest seen in some time (especially in Adams County!) and prices putting home buying dreams in range of more dreamers we skip merrily into the “hot” spring buying season without a care in the world…or do we?  Hold fast to your dreams, home buyers and sellers, but be aware of some realities to be conquered in making your buying or selling dream a happy one.  There are some market conditions existing which won’t hold you back if you are properly prepared for them!  One of these is Homeowners Insurance.

Beginning with the major hailstorm in May 2008 and continuing through 2012 Denver has seen catastrophe after catastrophe ratcheting up insurance claims costing in the hundreds of thousands.  The unhappy result is increased insurance costs for most homeowners.  Many are seeing greater deductible amounts and limited coverage with increased premiums on current policies jumping by 50% and more.

How does this affect the new homeowner?  Choosing the right coverage for your new home means more than just finding the least expensive premium.  Companies are instituting tougher underwriting requirements and some are insisting on bundled coverage’s to include home and auto insurance.  When you’re painting the financial picture for your new home purchase, be sure to take into consideration the cost to insure your investment. For specific help with questions you can contact the Colorado division of insurance at 303-894-7490.

These costs should be part of your overall purchase planning so there will be no surprises when you locate your dream house.  Preparation now means you’ll be in the best situation for moving forward quickly when that happens.  Part of that preparation should include a knowledgeable and capable negotiator to win you the best terms and price.  You’ll find the help you need in Cindy Marlowe of Redhead Properties, putting people and homes together for almost 10 years now.

Meet Cindy and discover the best way to negotiate the best price and terms for your Real Estate Transaction!

The post Insuring the Successful Sale appeared first on Redhead Properties.

Check those gutters and downspouts.  Spring rains will be coaxing the bulbs we planted in the fall to spring from the ground but we don’t want it puddling on our rooftops!  Make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and that winter storms haven’t pulled anything loose from its mooring.

Winters grime makes its way into the cracks and crevices even in the most scrupulously kept homes.  Spring is the perfect season to wash all that away!  Drapes and upholstery look and feel great and give the whole house a breath of fresh air after a good washing.  Whether dry cleaned, steam cleaned or professionally done, this little chore soon has the entire interior sparkling happily.

There’s just something about a new season that inspires us to declutter those closets and drawers; schedule a weekend “spring cleaning” to get yours in order.  You’ll be glad to get it out of the way since once the sun starts bringing the buds into bloom you’re certain to want to spend more of your time outdoors than in.  And speaking of outdoors, even though it isn’t barbeque time quite yet, this is a good time to check your patio furniture and give it a good cleaning too.  Don’t forget the yard!

Spring is a time when many hearts turn to thoughts of homeownership.  If you’ve been waiting for “house hunting season” to begin IT’S HERE!  Cindy Marlowe is ready to help you get your house in order!  Her attention to detail assures you the smoothest transaction when you buy or sell with Redhead Properties.

The post SPRINGING TO ATTENTION appeared first on Redhead Properties.

I’ve been a landlord for about as long as I’ve been a Real estate broker and I understand firsthand the ups and downs and ins and outs of taking this giant step into unknown territory.  Rather than make do where you are, if you have your heart set on a different lifestyle, different area or whatever your reasoning, you can make it happen on your timetable and I can help you by providing:

• Know how for preparing the home to be a rental
• Colorado requirements you need to be aware of
• Rental pricing for your neighborhood
• Referral for Property Management if you don’t want to go it alone
• Concierge list of who does what work, not only to prepare the home for rent but maintain it

One of the toughest circumstances facing a home seller right now is being prepared to move out of their existing home fast enough to suit a buyer.  With a renter there may be a little more flexibility but there is still a need to prepare for every eventuality.  I have experience in coordinating transactions of this type and excel at negotiating in your best interest in this area of concern.

This option may not be just right for everyone, but I’m happy to discuss with you how this might be the solution you’ve been looking for and how to bring it all together in a way that can work for your situation.  Even if you have little to no equity and are carrying a mortgage, this may be the solution you hadn’t thought of.  Give me a call and let’s work together finding solutions that will put you where you want to be.

The post Don’t wait on the Real Estate Market – Create your own! appeared first on Redhead Properties.

New regulations are being put into place which allows those who have suffered financial issues due to economic circumstances to wade back into the real estate buying pool.   If you were foreclosed on or were forced to sell at short sale due to job loss or other financial hardships, the good news for you is that within five years (in some cases just 3!) and sporting a minimum credit score of 680 a 10% down payment will put you back into a home of your own.  Prices have settled into reasonable ranges and though there’s been plenty of talk about bidding wars, partnering with a tough negotiator will soon see you moving into your new digs.

Those pricing corrections can certainly work in the favor of a home buyer with greater buying power being the reward for prudent financial behavior in the past.  The Real Estate market has an uncanny way of correcting itself whatever curve balls are thrown, I think because its not a commodity industry but a people industry.  And yes, you can tell we have Spring Fever here at Redhead Properties, can’t you?  We’re thinking green grass (BASEBALL SEASON!) blue water (SUMMER FUN COMING!) and we want you constantly thinking RED as in Redhead Properties for all your Real Estate concerns!

In Adams County, there will be a public Easter Egg Scramble this Saturday March 30^th promptly at 10am in the Community Park located at Thornton Parkway and York Streets.  Mr. & Mrs. Bunny will be there at 9:30am for photo opportunities so bring your cameras!  They’ll be a candy giveaway at the Community Building located at 2141 E. 95^th Ave Thornton if this event is cancelled due to rain.  If you have questions call 720-977-5916 for more information.  Bring your own baskets!

JOYFUL EASTER HAPPINESS TO ALL

From the entire Redhead Properties Team

The post Spring House Fever! appeared first on Redhead Properties.

Considering that the purchase of a home is usually the single largest financial investment anyone makes, and is unlike any other purchase process most of us go through it is our hope that this simple walk through the basics of the real estate transaction will escort you into wise and well thought out decisions concerning your Real Estate Adventure.   Individual questions are welcomed and may be submitted via the comments section or by personal email as you choose.

The hunt itself is an exciting time when dreams and imagination begin to collide with reality and finally settle into decisions.  How well those decisions get made is dependent upon how well the process has been explained and understood.  Before the hunt even begins in earnest and in order to avoid some of the greater emotional highs and lows a few ducks need to be lined up in as orderly a row as we can get them.

The players who will participate need to be chosen.  These include the Real Estate Agent that will assist you through the process, advise you about the legalities and intricacies of contracts and most importantly, handle the negotiation on the property of your dreams.  For insights on Agent choices, click here.

The Loan Officer you choose to work with who will coordinate the Mortgage Loan, unless you are in the happy position of paying cash for your purchase, must be made carefully after many questions are asked and answered to your satisfaction.  There are many varieties of loan packages and finding the one that best fits your financial need may take a little time and research.  Don’t be hasty in this decision as it impacts the next 30 years of your financial life.  Once a home is chosen and an offer has been accepted, Home Owners Insurance will need to be secured.

Cindy of Redhead Properties has helped many first time home buyers successfully complete transactions resulting in happy clients (link to Thank you note) living in homes they love with terms they are pleased with.  Ready to purchase?  Cindy can help!  Have more questions?  Cindy can help!    Start your Real Estate Adventure with the Realtor who cares how the journey ends for you!

The post I Want to Buy a House – Now What?!?! appeared first on Redhead Properties.