We always get the question wondering if it is smart to try and sell your home over the holidays. The truth is, there are pros and cons to having your house on the market during this time. The biggest drawback is adding the extra stress of having your house show ready when you're trying to host your family for the season. 

While that is a big drawback, there are some good things about selling your home during this season. There are fewer houses on the market, creating less competition. Holiday buyers tend to be more serious about shopping for a home. You might have to move and really need to put your house up for sale. 

With all of that in mind, here are some tips to help sell your house during the holidays. 

1. Decorations - Being festive during the seasons is what it is all about, but don't go overboard when you're trying to sell. Large decorations can crowd a house and make it look smaller than it is. Also, try to use general winter decorations. Some buyers have a hard time seeing themselves in a home if their religion is different than yours. 
2. Curb Appeal - During the holidays, you can really dress up your curb appeal, especially since there are only dead grass and dirty snow showing. Touch up that paint, clean up your shrubbery, and use more general winter decorations to draw those buyers in!
3. Real Estate Agent - Hire a reputable agent to sell your house. They have lists of people who are looking for a specific home, they can do all the legwork to price and show your house, and by them going above and beyond it relieves the stress put on you during an already stressful time and season. 
4. Bring that Cozy Feel - When it's cold outside, you want potential buyers to think of your home as a warm, safe haven from the outside. Turn up the heat a bit when there is an open house or a showing. Play some classical holiday music softly in the background and offer some homemade holiday treats. It just might be the final touches needed to push them into making an offer. 
5. Photos and Videos - With so many people looking for houses on the internet first, you want to make sure your photos shine! Make sure your home's photos are flattering and top-notch. Also, if you can have a video tour of the house, it really helps potential buyers get a sense of your home. It also helps increase the number of people who might not have the time or want to brave the cold to do an in-person showing during the cold season. 

With the right Agent, anything is possible, and our team makes selling your house a more simple and stress-free experience. You don't have to do this alone; contact us today to get your home listed and sold! 

This home is perfectly situated with Adobe Creek National Golf Course and the Colorado National Monument as your backyard landscape. There is not much you won't love about this custom built home. Featuring nearly 3,000 sq ft, 5 bed (3 with private bathroom), 4 baths, 3 living areas (one bed, one bath and one living in separate guest house), 3 car garage & much more! This floor plan lends itself to easy entertaining w/ incredible gourmet kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances, huge center island with bar that opens to the living room. The master bedrooms is a true retreat with direct back yard access, adjacent family room and large walk in closet! The laundry room is situated of the garage entry way and has convenient access to master suite. Lots of upgrades; pool, bocce court, hot tub, built in gas grill, outdoor fireplace, and more. Buyer to verify all information.

View full listing here. 

Mortgage applications can seem like a tedious process, but those lenders need to make an informed decision about what is a reasonable amount of money for you to be able to repay promptly. The process includes proof of how much money you currently earn and your repayment history. You will have to answer some easy and some tough questions about your finances. Here is a list of the most common questions you will get asked by lenders. 

1. Employment and Income - Lenders will want to know where you work and how long you've been at your job. You'll be expected to tell them how much you earn, with documentation to back it up. These documents will include copies of your W2's, pay stubs, and IRS statements. If your income is irregular (contract work or bonuses) you will need to provide more details so they can get a full picture. If you can provide proof of steady employment (two or more years) with the same employer or same line of work, you look like a much more stable bet for the lender. 
2. Debt - It makes sense that if you have to provide all the details about income, a Lender is going to want to know what you are currently paying as expenses. This includes auto loans, alimony, student loans, and credit cards. Lenders will look at you more favorably if your debt is less than 36% or less than your pre-tax income. Also, avoid making large purchases right before you apply for a mortgage. Large items right before a mortgage (like a car or expensive electronics) hurt your credit when lenders look at it. If you need to purchase those things, do it after your mortgage loan is signed and the paperwork is complete. 
3. Savings and Assets - This is how much money you've got in the bank or other places. It includes your 401(k), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment accounts. If you can show that you've got two months worth of loan payments within your assets, it makes the process that much easier! If you have little cash left in the bank after the down payment and closing costs, you're less likely to get as large of a loan as you might hope. 
4. Down Payment - What is the size of the down payment? Where does it come from? Is it a gift from a family member or a grant? The lender will want you to document the funds and where they are coming from. If it comes from savings or equity from a house sell, the loan process will be more straightforward. If you have trouble documenting the funds, it will make it more difficult. 
5. Loan Purpose - they want to know if you're purchasing a house, refinancing a current mortgage, or getting a construction loan. If it is a refinance, the lender will want to know if you plan on taking any money out at closing. If you plan on that, how much will you be taking out? 
6. Property Use and Type - What is the address? Will you live in it year round or will it be a rental? Is it a house, duplex, or multi-tenant? The most simple answers for a lender will be a detached single-family home as a primary residence. 

Each lender and loan will have its own set of questions, but hopefully, this list will get you started in the process. Our local, knowledgeable agents can help you through the process of purchasing a home. Contact us today to get started finding your dream home!

Light and bright 2 bedroom, 2 bath Condo in the North Grand Junction area. Well maintained, spotless clean home with a one car detached garage. HOA is $158 per month and $10 per month for the garage. HOA includes Building Insurance, Maintenance of grounds keeping, Gas, Water, Sewer, Trash and Pool Expense and Maintenance. Great lock and leave close to shopping, hospitals and schools. Buyer to verify all information.

View full listing here.

3 bed, 2 full bath plus a 2 car garage with a brand new overhead door only blocks from downtown Fruita. This home features a Quadrafire wood burning stove purchased in 2014 and an updated evaporative cooler purchased in 2016. The Sellers are offering a $5,000 carpet/paint allowance with an acceptable offer. Large lot, beautiful front yard with in-ground sprinkler system, 2 large sheds and tons of RV parking. Buyer to verify all information.

Click here to view full listing.

We've recently had an influx of land for sale. This can be an excellent opportunity for you to get some space to build your dream home! We know there can be a lot of questions about what it all takes to build on a piece of property, so here are some tips to consider to make the process more stress-free.

1. Planning - just like other aspects of life, planning is the most critical process to new construction. This will set the tone for the build, and you want to make sure it is done correctly. What direction should your home face on the lot? How do you want the layout and flow of rooms? What lighting should you use? How many and what location do you need outlets in? If cooking is important to you, make sure you take the time to think through the layout of appliances and get all the goodies installed that you want. Do you tinker in the garage? Get the voltage correct, and enough space to keep all of your tools. Visit open houses, go to the parade of homes tours and get a feel for what you like and what you don't before you start working with your architect to ensure you get the layout that works for your family. 
2. Budget - we've all heard the horror stories of construction projects going over time and budget. Make sure that you give yourself a little cushion to cover those items that are forgotten, like internet hookup, window coverings, landscaping, electric and gas meters, decks and fences. These are finishing details and can run anywhere from 15-25% of your total budget. Surprises are unavoidable when dealing with new construction, but make sure you have the funds for when they pop up. 
3. Choose the Right Builder for You - There are lots of builders out there that do beautiful work, but their style might not mesh with what you're thinking. Ask for their credentials, references, past employment, style, price and pay attention to their personality. If they are laid back at the initial meeting, they will probably continue that trend. If that doesn't work with your Type A personality, you should think about going in a different direction. 
4. Agreement - this advice goes with all contracts, read them! Don't just sign your name to get things over with. Take the time to read through your agreement with your builder. You want to know what they consider construction costs to include and not. You want the agreement to include detailed plans, a warranty, insurance information, and a payment schedule. It doesn't hurt to have a lawyer look it over to make sure that you're covered and the terms you think you're agreeing to are the ones written in the contract. 
5. Free Money - depending if you're building your first home or if your goal is energy efficiency, there could be grants available to you. Speak with your lender to see what credits or rebates might be available to you. 
6. Financing - If you're building, you will most likely get a construction loan. This type of loan is a little different than a traditional loan because the lender won't release all the funds at one time. They will determine how much you need and at what increments and periodically release those funds to your builder. Construction loans might also require a higher deposit since they are seen as a riskier loan. Before any of this, you need to have a detailed plan to bring to them. The loan amount will depend on your construction plan. 
7. Communication - there will be lots of questions and tidbits that will need your approval or input. You will need to be available for fairly constant contact. Don't be afraid to take pictures of the progress made, just in case there is a problem area that you want to document. If some aspect of the build means a lot to you, stick to your guns! Usually, problems can be fixed with some money, which is why you've built a cushion into your budget. Don't skip features you love just because your builder says it can't be done. Most of the time a solution can be accomplished by communicating with them. 
8. Savings - when you're planning, you've got some time to shop around for the best options for fixtures, fittings, and materials. By doing a little extra work of getting a few quotes, you could save a lot of money on your new home build. 
9. Inspection - you want to make sure you have an independent inspector during the stages of construction. This person will be making sure that all the building materials and practices meet codes and regulations. These stages are foundations and footings, frame, lockup, and pre-handover. 
10. Your Rights - we always hope that this never happens, but very rarely, you might need to know your rights if you need to make a complaint against your builder. Each state has their own process for handling these things, Colorado has the Department of Regulatory Agencies. You can also go to USA.gov consumer complaints, the FTC, and the Better Business Bureau. If you did your homework at the beginning of the process, this will, hopefully, never be an issue. 

Getting to build your house means that it is completely custom to your needs and likes. It is such an incredible feeling to be able to honestly feel comfortable and confident in your house and know that it is just the way you like it! So, think about the possibilities of building your dream home, and contact any of our agents to learn more about the land properties that are currently available. 

This beautiful property is near Famous Mountain Biking Trails on 18 Road. It has 30.36 acres w/GVWU for Irrigation. Prime Farm Ground Currently in Alfalfa and is eligible for Land Division. Buyer to verify all information.

To view full listing, click here. 

Fidelity National Title puts together local market reports and the market is currently implies that it is a seller's market!

They use an index that measures the current rate of sale vs. the amount of inventory available. Anything over 30 is a seller's marketing. Anything under 30 means it is a buyers market. As of today, the index lists Fruita at a 39. 

The median list prices have steadily increased since last year, with the current median list price at $413,950. 

To view the full market reports click below.

• Fruita
• Clifton
• Glade Park
• Grand Junction
• Palisade

From the real estate statistics, we can see that the Grand Valley is getting an influx of people from larger metropolitan areas. For all of us who already live here, we know you're going to LOVE it and all the wonderful things that come with living in a small town. Here are five small adjustments you'll make when moving to a small town.

1. Less Traffic - this is probably one of the things that drew you to our corner of the world. 20 minutes will get you almost everywhere you need to be for meetings, events, and kid's activities. You will no longer have to plan for an extra hour when you're planning on attending something. While there is less traffic, people often move a little slower here too. People are rarely in a rush and honking and swerving in, and out of traffic just isn't done. We also have farm equipment that needs to use the road too, and they can only go so fast. So, sit back and relax and put on your favorite music or podcast and go with the flow. 
2. Cooking - there are many great places to eat out in the Grand Valley, but you will find yourself cooking at home more and more. The availability and late-night options aren't the same here as in a large metro area. Also, with the variety of fresh produce at farmer's markets and the space to grow your garden, you'll want to start experimenting with your flavors. 
3. Quiet - good or bad, there will be moments of silence, and it is best to embrace the calm. When living in a large city, there always seems to be some noise (traffic, people, alarms, etc.). Depending on where you live in the Grand Valley, you could find yourself sitting outside some evening listening to the crackle of your fire and little else. It's a fantastic feeling! Enjoy it. 
4. Animals - you will see a LOT more wildlife and animals. We've even seen horses hitched up to the bike rack outside the Hot Tomato. Our community blends urban and rural pretty well, but that means you will be exposed to more animals in and out of town than usual. Enjoy the humor in seeing goats in someone's yard, and hearing chickens behind your fence. 
5. Community - this is a big one. If you're open to it, you can make long-lasting friends and feel a sense of community that is rarely seen in larger metro areas. Our towns come together to help each other out, and your grocery store visits will be a LOT longer due to running into friends in aisle 3. We're proud of where we live and welcoming. So, smile and wave and get involved when you move here. We can't wait to meet you!

The transition will be strange at first, but eventually, you'll get in the slower flow of things and come to realize that the small town life is the BEST way to live. If you're looking to make a move, contact any of the friendly and knowledgeable realtors at Robinson and CO Realty. We can help you find your new home. 

Beautiful building site on nearly 4.83 acres with stunning views of the Bookcliffs and farmland. This incredible lot is ready to go! Water tap installed (no new tap fee required) and electrical transformer at building site. Gas line is available on 16 Road. Septic required. Hay field is partially fenced and irrigated with gated pipe and personal head gate. 4 shares of water through GVIC included. Pending final approval by Mesa County for simple land division. Minimally restrictive covenants TBD to protect property values. Buyer to verify all information.

View the full listing here.