Selling Strategies

If this move means selling the house you’re in currently, you could be wondering – How much is it worth? How long will the process take? What updates really pay off? As top Denver area REALTORS® with a proven track record, it is my job to guide you through this complicated process, from beginning to end. Here are some of the things that you should know to market and sell your home:

Buyers want your home for as little as possible! Together we can determine what your home is really worth through a detailed comparison between your home and the recent market. This service is free to you while you are considering putting your home for sale.

Buyers have their own timelines, which might not be yours! We make sure they don’t waste your time by qualifying them as to their real ability to afford your home.


More exposure of your home can lead to more money. If more buyers are looking at your home, it can mean more money in your pocket when it is sold. Our extensive marketing program assures you get the maximum exposure.


I work with buyers every week. They are notified the minute your home is available in the event your home is perfect for them!


I have expert advice to lend - from staging your home, to needed repairs or suggestions for landscaping – all these and more can maximize your sales price. Some improvements are worth it, and some are not! Be careful.


Contracts can be complicated and intimidating. In our world, a client arriving at a closing with doubts or regrets is simply unacceptable. I recommend that you do not sign on any dotted lines without asking me first.


You pay nothing up-front for my services! I will also work within your time frames and your needs. Imagine trying to move out of your current home while someone else wants to move into it! Plus, you’re trying to accomplish the same thing at your new house. I know how to smooth this situation out so everyone’s happy.

Call or email me so we can talk about this important time in your life. Ask for a free and convenient In-Home Presentation. I will come to your home or office, and present you a plan that details exactly how we will market your home.

If you have questions about moving, building, selecting your first home or moving up to your next home, contact Brook Willardsen.

"SHATTERED DREAMS: Buying beats renting in most cities, studies find"

By James Rosen Published April 05, 2012 | FoxNews.com advertisement "I feel like we've been losing money for the last five years," Laura Logerfo said wistfully.

After a long spell as renters, Laura and her husband Vincent Pickett, both government workers, have just clinched a deal to buy a house in North Arlington, Va., right outside the nation's capital. 

The notion that renting is ultimately more costly than buying had lingered on Laura's mind for some time. "That was what your parents always tell you, and I realize now that (my mother) is actually kind of right," she said.

More Americans may soon reach a similar conclusion. A recent study of residential units in America's most populous 100 metropolitan areas by Trulia, a real estate website, found buying to be less expensive than renting in 98 of the areas -- with Honolulu and San Francisco the exceptions.

"That's a big shift since the height of the housing bubble," said Jed Kolko, chief economist for Trulia. "We've seen (home) prices fall so much, and at the same time rents have been rising in many cities."

The trend found by Trulia is confirmed by an array of other studies and reports. The Wall Street Journal recently found that between January 2011 and January of this year, median rents rose 3 percent, while home values fell 4.6 percent. Another survey of metropolitan areas by real estate website Zillow reported that in 2011 nearly 70 percent of cities saw rental prices increase, while home prices increased in only about 7 percent of cities. And Zillow found a 3 percent rise in rental prices nationwide.

"With the mortgage rates as they are now, it seems like it's the best time to kind of grab them before they go back up," Logerfo told Fox News. 

"We spent a lot of time sort of looking at the rates and trying to figure out what was within our budget," Pickett agreed, "and then we dove in."

The aspiration to own a home remains a core tenet of the American Dream. The latest National Housing Survey by Fannie Mae found that most Americans -- across all demographic groups and income levels -- regard home ownership as more sensible than renting. 

Indeed, the study found two-thirds of current renters saying they expect to buy a home in the future.

According to figures kept by the U.S. Census Bureau, the national home ownership rate at the end of 2011 was 66 percent -- down about half a percentage point from the same time in 2010, and down three-and-a-half points from the seasonally adjusted peak reached, at the height of the housing boom, in late 2004.

That many people continue to rent is most likely a reflection of the enduring difficulty of securing a mortgage, experts said.

"Credit's harder to get than it was, certainly, during the bubble," economist Kolko told Fox News. "Because we're just coming out of this recession, lots of people are either still unemployed, or they're not secure enough about where they are in their job to be ready to buy. And many people -- especially those who've lost their homes or fall behind on payments -- now can't qualify for a mortgage."

The Fannie Mae survey found that certain groups -- among them those with lower education levels and lower incomes, African-Americans and Hispanics -- were most likely to cite poor credit or the difficulty of navigating the mortgage process as their reasons for not purchasing their own homes.

Fox News’ Paige Kollock contributed to this report.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/05/shattered-dreams-buying-beats-renting-in-most-cities-studies-find/print#ixzz1rIAWZYF1

"Douglas kids living the sweet life"

Jane Reuter jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com | Posted: Wednesday, April 4, 2012 4:17 pm

Douglas County’s children are thriving, awash in more advantages than other places in Colorado, according to the results of a state survey released March 27.

The 2012 Kids Count in Colorado report ranks Douglas tops for childhood well-being among the state’s 25 largest counties. Those counties, survey representatives say, include 95 percent of the state’s children.

The annual study, a publication of Colorado Children’s Campaign, is based on rates that include poverty, literacy, teenage pregnancy and infant mortality. Broomfield and Larimer counties ranked second and third best, with Denver County at the bottom.

It’s good news for Douglas County, said Colorado Children’s Campaign president and CEO Chris Watney, but not surprising.

“The overall child well-being rate correlates so closely with child poverty rates that I did expect to see Douglas County do very well, if not top the list,” she said. “When compared to some other places in the state, it is a very prosperous place and a good place for kids to live.”

Douglas County ranked sixth on MSN Money’s most recent list of the nation’s wealthiest counties. Its median household income is nearly double the national average.

The Kids Count survey is in its 19th year, but 2012 is the first time the Colorado Children’s Campaign has ranked the counties’ results.

Among 12 categories the report uses to assess children’s quality of life, Douglas County ranked first in six, including the lowest percentage of children living in poverty and uninsured, the smallest percentage of families relying on low-cost food, lowest teen birth and infant mortality rates, and smallest rate of births to women with less than a high school education.

The school district plays heavily into quality of life, and is among the reasons many families choose to live in Douglas County.

“As superintendent of a great school district and parent of two young children, I’d be the first to tell anyone Douglas County is a great place for children,” school superintendent Liz Fagan said. “I was very proud to see it in print, to see the data correspond to my personal experience of living and working in Douglas County.”

The Kids Count survey provides an indication of a child’s life path. In Denver County, for instance, more than half of the fourth-grade students are not reading at their grade level.

“When you look at those numbers, you start to see a picture of kids who are not going to succeed in school or life,” Watney said. “Colorado is really a story of disparity when it comes to a child’s well-being. There are pockets of place where we know kids are doing really well, and Douglas County seems to be a place where more kids are doing well than not.”

But statewide, a high percentage of children fall both well above and well below the averages, with fewer clustered around the middle. Watney believes there’s a disconnect in some areas between quality jobs and quality education.

“Colorado is a great place to live and a lot of very well-educated people will move here and take some of the very well-paying jobs,” Watney said. “But we aren’t necessarily educating our children well enough that they are able to take jobs and life themselves and their families out of poverty. The state’s economy, in the future, really relies on our ability to prepare the kids who live here to succeed.”

Further darkening the picture, 2010 U.S. Census Bureau statistics show the numbers of Colorado children living in high-poverty areas rose sharply over the last decade, from 2 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2010.

In wealthy areas, those statistics often are overlooked, and the issues they point to insufficiently addressed.

“For a county like Douglas to have historically been very prosperous, sometimes it’s even harder to address some of the needs of families and kids who are struggling because there aren’t necessarily systems in place to do so,” Watney said. “While it’s great you have a history of being an economically strong county, it does mean you may not have enough experience in how to support families that are struggling.” 

Posted from: Highlands Ranch Herald 

Ask the Hard Questions

If you are considering buying or selling a home, selecting your agent is the first important decision you will have to make. There are many qualified REALTORS out there, so it’s important to decide on a professional who will understand your needs and preferences – someone whom you can respect and trust. Nearly four out of five home buyers and sellers enlist the help of a real estate professional or broker. Here are some questions to consider when choosing an agent. (The responses in blue are how I would answer.)

1. How long have you been a real estate professional? 10 years, since 2002.
2. Do you work full or part time?  I am a full time Realtor focused on serving you.  This is my chosen career.  I am a member of the National Association of Realtors and the South Metro Denver Realtors Association.  I am currently ranked among the top 5% of Realtors in Denver. 
3. Since selling a home involves real estate and marketing expertise, what is your experience in real estate and marketing?10 years in real estate and 20 years in marketing.  I have the experience to effectively market your home and handle everything from the first offer through closing. In addition to Realtor.com, etc my sellers receive a dedicated website just for their home.  
4. What type of interent marketing will you do for my home? Their home's website address is easily searchable through various websites.  It is also posted on the For Sale sign and in all marketing materials.
5. How well do you know the market and have you been working in this area?  In addition to being a full-time Realtor, I have lived in Littleton since 1966 and in Highlands Ranch since 1986.  No one knows and understands this market like I do.  
6. What type of homes do you usually handle? Residential, condo, new construction, & existing homes.  
7. How do you determine my home's value? Research, research, research!  This includes not just the sale of homes in the area but knowledge of market trends and years of experience in order to get the maximum amount possible. 
8. How much business comes from repeat customers or referrals? over 80%. 
9. How often do you update your clients, regardless of any progress? Once a week.  
10.  Where does the closing take place? Usually it is in your home, not at the title company.  This is different from what most sellers are used to doing.  I conduct all my own closings, not the title company.  
11. Do you have a performance guarantee?  Yes.  If you aren't satisfied - fire me!  It's that simple.

Above all, you should choose an agent with whom you feel comfortable and are well suited to your demands. Your real estate professional will be your guide through the entire process of buying or selling a home, and can be a valuable resource.


I would love to hear from you and have the opportunity to discuss if we may be right for you. You may also find it worthwhile to explore my website — it allows you to perform very detailed searches using search fields. I think you will also find that it has plenty of information to cover many of your real estate questions.


If you have questions about moving, building, selecting your first home or moving up to your next home, contact me, Brook Willardsen.

Are You Pre-Qualified or Pre-Approved?

If you’re considering the purchase of a home, you may be concerned with the issue of finance. Attaining the right mortgage is key in the home buying process, but it doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing one. Most lenders offer pre-qualification, pre-approval or both to help you know where you stand.
If you have a home on the market, you will want to know that your seller is pre-approved or pre-qualified. Let me explain the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval:

Pre-qualification: is a preliminary estimate of how much you can afford to pay for a home based on information you provide. Because credit and employment information aren’t validated for pre-qualification, it can only be considered a rough idea of a monthly mortgage payment and loan size. This can be a useful guide as you begin the home buying process, however.

Pre-approval: Pre-approval is a written commitment from a lender to finance your home purchase up to a set amount. This indicates that the lender has taken a close look into your financial history and has agreed to lend you a specific amount of money, reliant on certain details like a finalized sales contract and professional inspection. Pre-approval indicates to sellers that you are a serious homebuyer.
Regardless of which option you utilize, or even if you take both steps, you’ll be able to shop with much more confidence. Why wait until you find the perfect home to discover problems with obtaining a mortgage? Or, if the determining factor between two homes is the amount of property tax, are both in your budget?

I have great relationships with different lenders that are trust-worthy and hard working to get you the right kind of loan for your budget, at my disposal.  If you have questions about pre-qualifying, getting pre-approved, moving, building, selecting your first home or moving up to your next home, contact me, Brook Willardsen.

Time Saving Tips for Moving Day

Dreading Moving Day? Most people do, but we’ve found that planning your move well in advance can make things go much smoother. It’s also important to know what to expect on moving day itself. Feel free to print this list of helpful hints to guide you thru moving day.

“Last Load” box – Save back a large box for daily-used items that will need to come out first at the new home. Use this box for stripping your bedding the morning of your move. Also use this box for the alarm clocks, daily medications, 2 or 3 towels and wash cloths, paper towels and window cleaner.
Prepare the necessary rooms – If possible, clean and set-up the basics in the kitchen and bath areas before the big day. Place necessities in an obvious location – plastic cutlery, cups and plates and paper towels on the kitchen counter. Your bath should have soap, paper towels, toilet paper and a first aid kit available.
 Clear a path - Keep packed boxes in a room close to the door but out of the way. Keep an eye out for any obstacles that could block carried furniture such as railings or fence gates and temporarily remove them if necessary. Place non-slip rugs in any high traffic areas that could be potentially dangerous.
Call the sitter – It is best to leave small children and pets with a friend or sitter during the confusion and bustle of the move itself. At a minimum, your family pet should be confined, as even the nicest of animals can find a way to be dangerous underfoot.
Keep everyone refreshed – Whether you’re using professional movers or family and friends, make sure that everyone is comfortable and hydrated. If it is a hot day, provide lots of cold beverages and snacks. On cold days, offer hot chocolate or coffee. Ordering pizza for lunch is a nice way to show everyone you appreciate all the hard work.
Keep neighbors (old and new) happy – Keep the moving truck from blocking other driveways or mail box delivery, and make sure no one walks through your neighbor’s lawn or flowerbeds. Move during the day to avoid disturbing the neighborhood.
Last walk-through – Be sure to leave your old house as clean as you’d hope to find your new one. Check one last time for any forgotten items, and then lock all doors and windows.
Coordinate your move – If using professional movers, ask any remaining questions, finalize all contact information, and sign both the bill of loading and inventory sheet after careful review. Go over the destination address and projected route, as well as expected travel time.

If you have questions about moving, building, selecting your first home or moving up to your next home, contact me, Brook Willardsen.

Five Great Things about Homeownership

If you've been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys.

Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great!

1. Equity. When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord's pocket. Yes, buying a home may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. Some areas are still experiencing normal appreciation rates. For the areas that have seen harder times since the recession, experts feel that the housing market will recover. Homeownership is about building long-term wealth. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today's market.

2. Relationships: Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Some people sign year leases while others are in the community for much shorter terms. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common shared space for people to meet, greet, and socialize. Homeowners, however, have yards, walking trails, or community pools and clubhouses where they can get to know each other. Neighbors stay put much longer (at least three to five years if they hope to recoup their closing costs). This means more time to develop relationships. Research has shown that people with healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.

3. Predictability: Well, as long as you have a fixed-rate term on your mortgage it's predictable. Most people buying homes today know that a fixed-rate is the way to go. This means your payment amount is fixed for the life of the term. If your mortgage payment is $500 today, then it will still be $500 a month in 10 years. This allows for people to budget and make solid financial plans. The sub-prime crisis meant many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages saw their monthly payments rise and then rise some more. Homeownership, though, generally comes with a predictable table of expenditures. Even the big purchases are predictable. You know most roofs last just 15 years (or so). You know that each year you'll need to pay for the gutters to be cleaned, and so on.

4. Ownership: Okay, this is a given. Homeownership means you "own" your home. That comes with some incredible perks, though! You can renovate, update, paint, and decorate to your heart's desire. You can plant trees, install a pool, expand the patio, or do holiday decorating that would rival the Kranks (if the HOA allows!). The bottom line is this is your home and you can personalize it to your taste. Most renters are stuck with the same beige walls and beige carpet that has been standard apartment decor for 20 years. Now is your chance to let your home speak!

5. Great Deals: It's a great time to buy. Interest rates are at historic lows. We're talking 4.0 percent instead of 6.0 or higher. This means big savings for today's buyers. Home prices have also taken a dip since the recession, which means homes are more affordable than ever. If you have steady income and cash for a downpayment, then be sure to talk to your local real estate agent about what homes in your area could be a fit for you.

Homeownership can be a real joy. It's time to get off the fence and into a home that is right for you!  

by Carla Hill (http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20111102_great.htm)

If you have any questions about moving, building, selecting your first home or moving up to your next home, contact me, Brook Willardsen.