If you're getting ready to put your home on the market, you might be trying to decide if you want to hire a real estate agent, or if you want to go it by yourself.

There are a lot of things that Real Estate Agents help with besides the showings. Here's a quick rundown of what an Agent can do you for!

1. Prepare the Home - Real Estate Agents are like your best friends, only more honest. They know what buyers are looking for, so they know the exact things that you need to focus on, fix, or freshen up before your home gets listed. These might all be small things (taking some of your child's artwork down and packing it away) or they might be major items (remodel your master bathroom). These are suggestions for you to get top dollar on your home sale, but you're not required to do any of the items.
2. Price the Home - Agents who know the market well, know exactly where to price your home to get it sold for the highest profit. While you might want to hear a higher price, Agents will be straightforward and tell you the accurate listing price, not just what you want to hear.
3. Market the Home - Agents have buyers that are looking for specific items in a home, a network of other agents, and can market the heck out of your house! They will take beautiful photos, create the perfect wording to describe your home and they are also able to put your home on the MLS to help it get further out to buyers. Real Estate Agents will be better able to market your home, thus getting it sold faster. 
4. Communication - Not only do Agents let you know when there is an offer, but they also communicate to you during the entire selling process. Even if there isn't much to update, a good agent will keep in touch to answer all the questions you have.
5. Closing - This is the scariest part for most sellers. You might not know all the terminology or items that you should be asking for, and that is where a Real Estate Agent comes in handy. They are well versed in the art of closing a deal. They will make sure you are protected and don't succumb to any requests that you aren't prepared to accept. 

It doesn't matter if you're looking to sell tomorrow or a few years from now. Trust the agents at Robinson and Co. Realty. We are on your side through the entire process to make it easy for you. Call us when you're ready to get started (970) 858-9870.

Fruita Fall Festival is right around the corner and we are SO excited.

This is one of our favorite festivals of the year, and not just because we sponsor and get to taste everything in the Baking and Canning contest, but because it brings everyone together and oozes that "small town" charm. Here are a few of our highlighted events for Fruita Fall Fest.

1. The Food - all the good food vendors come out for Fall Fest weekend. None of it is that healthy for you, but it is the one time of year we indulge in all the things. Navajo tacos and funnel cakes are always on the top of our list, but you can also get the typical carnival food like turkey legs, cotton candy, and caramel popcorn. You never know what food vendor will turn up and become your new favorite
2. The Parade - nothing kicks off a weekend of fun like a parade, and ours is amazing! Pageant winners, marching bands, vintage cars, tractors, horses, and floats made by our very own locals and businesses are the entries that you will see. So, claim your spot early with your camp chairs and settle in for some old-fashioned entertainment.
3. The Outhouse Race - yes, you read that correctly. We've got outhouse races that have been happening for six years. Teams design and build their outhouses and race them up and down Aspen Avenue. These teams push their hand-built outhouse cars to the limits, with some hilarity that usually ensues. 
4. The Music - Fruita Fall Fest wouldn't be the same without tons of live music options. Each day is jam-packed with local artists, up-and-coming stars, and known musicians. Relaxing while listening to music is half of the fun at Fall Fest!
5. The Farmers Market - you can't completely experience Fruita without tasting the local fare, so bring some cash (for the best deals) and explore the Farmer's Market. You can get some Fresh Palisade Peaches, local roasted green chilis, and other fresh home-grown vegetables. 
6. The Baking and Canning Contest - obviously! Who doesn't love to see and taste what people can create in their kitchens? We love sponsoring this event, and we love judging it even more! This event is free to enter, you just have to pre-register. The theme this year is "Fall in Love With Fruita" and we can't wait to see how creative everyone gets! There are multiple categories to enter with a couple of new ones this year. 

With all the events and activities that you can explore at Fruita Fall Fest, can you blame us for loving this one the most? Fruita is home to so many wonderful festivals, events, and places to explore. If you're looking to make Fruita your home, contact us! We'd love to help you find your perfect home.

Here's the latest market report from Fidelity National Title. Their current report indicates that it is still slightly 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 41, so it is a seller's market.

The median list price increased from last month and now sits at $414,525 and the 90-day average days on market is 124.

To view the full market reports click below.

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

We get it. Getting your home "show" ready is a lot of work, but if you want to get the best price out of your investment, it's the way to go! But, what happens if you don't have the time or money to complete all those projects?

If you want to list your home without completing any repairs, you need to be prepared for the reality of what that means to your bottom line. Here are 5 items to think about when you sell a home that still needs work.

1. Sale Cost - this is the biggest thing about selling your home before it's perfect. The sale price will probably be a little lower than you expect, depending on how many projects you leave unfinished. For example, a few scuffs on the walls probably won't be a huge deal, but if you decide to not update a kitchen or bathroom to reflect new styles, you're going to see a lot lower offers coming in the door. 
2. The Pool of Homebuyers - lots of homebuyers, new or otherwise, don't want a house that has projects to complete. This means you're initially limiting the number of prospective buyers interested in your home. This is before that pool of people gets paired down, even more, depending on the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the neighborhood. 
3. The Waiting Game - be prepared to wait for offers. If your home isn't the most pristine on the market, you might have to wait a while before someone puts an offer in. If you do get an offer, you need to seriously consider it based on what you're selling. Sometimes people will put in a really low offer, so if that isn't what you want to accept, don't, but be prepared to wait for the right one.
4. Offer an Allowance - if you don't want to or are unable to make updates to your home before the sale, think about offering an allowance to make it more attractive to potential buyers. This might mean money for a new roof or water heater. This is in line with the thinking of lowering the home price but gives specific amounts for the items that need to be updated, rather than just putting a lower price tag on your home.
5. Get some Bids - if you have a larger item that needs updating (hello, 70s kitchen), get a couple of estimates for what it would cost to update it. Have that information ready for potential buyers, so they have a realistic idea of how much it will cost them to update to their specifications. Homebuyers might be more willing to go through a renovation if they have an exact number in front of them, rather than a guestimate. 

It doesn't matter if your home is pristine or could use a little work. Our agents are used to every situation and will work with each seller to make sure they get what they need out of the sale as quickly as possible. Contact us today to get started!

In last week's blog, we talked about the two main types of real estate investments. This week, we're going to talk about the five steps to take to become the best real estate investor! 

1. Pay in Cash - if possible, this is the best way to pay for an investment property. You will save thousands of dollars in interest, you won't have to worry about paying the mortgage each month, and you won't create unnecessary risk by financing your new investment. However, this isn't usually a realistic scenario for most people, so make sure that the loan you secure for your new investment has a great interest rate and the monthly payment is manageable, even if you don't have a renter every month.
2. Stay Local - being a property manager is hard enough, so don't add location into the mix. Make sure that the property you invest in is close to you. You'll want to do some spot checks on your investment to make sure your renters are holding up their end of the bargain. Even if you hire a property manager to do the day-to-day work, it is nice to be close in case anything goes wrong.
3. Be Prepared for Risks - investment properties rarely go as planned. If you have renters, sometimes they turn out to be bad. If you are flipping the house, some things might come up that are unexpected. Always be financially prepared for the what-ifs in investment situations.
4. Start Small - don't make your first investment property a huge one! Do your research. Talk to other real estate investors to learn about their experiences. Start by renting out a bedroom or space above (or in) your garage. Whatever first step you chose to take, make sure it is manageable. 
5. Hire a Real Estate Agent - don't start this journey on your own. Talk to a realtor in the local market that you're looking to invest in. They will have insight into the homes on the market and which ones might be the best for your needs. Having an agent by your side will also give you the advantage and expertise to get the best deal on the property.

Real estate investing isn't for everyone. Think about the pros and cons of your situation and determine it is right for you. If you're ready to take this step, give us a call! Our agents will be happy to help you find your perfect investment property.

The real estate market is HOT right now in the Grand Valley. Are you thinking of dipping your toe in real estate investments?

First of all, you need to decide if you want to purchase a home as a rental property, or if you want to try and flip a home. Let's dive into both of these options a little bit more.

Rental Property - these can be great to earn some additional cash each month. You can use that money to add into your retirement savings, an upcoming vacation, or saving for your kid's college tuition. Whatever you've got coming up, rental income can be pretty cool. There is always a downside though. Having a rental property isn't all fun and games. It is work. Things break in houses and you need to fix them or have the funds to get them repaired. Also, it can be hard finding good renters. People don't always care for a rental home like you care for the home you own.

If you're searching for a rental property, do some research first. See what rentals are currently on the market, which ones go fast, and what people are looking for. Once you've got a good idea of what is needed, give that list of wants to your Realtor. They will be able to narrow down your list and help you determine which ones will be the best for your needs. 

House Flipping - this has become a big trend as the popularity of these TV shows have increased. TVs make house flipping look simple and the people that do them make so much money! Most of these shows are set in large markets, with many options to choose from, and they are also spaced out over months, not just a couple of weeks. When you look for a house with flipping potential, you need to be realistic on the timeline. Also, figure out how much of the work you can do, and what you will need to hire out. Are contractors busy right now? It might be really difficult to find someone to take on your smaller projects in a timely manner. 

However, if you find the perfect house with good bones and layout that only needs minor updates, flipping could earn you some (relatively) quick cash! 

Before you start this process, make sure you talk to your tax expert. Lots of people start down this path before they know the full picture. When you get extra income, you might have to deal with Capital Gains or taxation on rental income. You want to be fully prepared when tax season comes around - no one likes surprises from the IRS.  

It doesn't matter if you're looking for your starter home, an investment home, or your forever home. The agents at Robinson and Co. Realty can guide you through the process - making it easy! Call us today to start looking for your next home (970) 858-9870. 

The start of school is just around the corner - back to school events are locally happening today!

Summer showings can be trying if you've got kids underfoot at home, but will things only get crazier once school starts? Here are some tips to keep your sanity while you sell your home at the start of the school year.

1. Prepare for the Emotions - selling your home is an emotional process. Especially when all the memories of school years past start to bubble up. Try to stay focused on the new chapters selling this home will lead to. Try to not linger on all the past first-day-of-school photos you remember and think of the great new photos you will get in your new home.
2. Prep the Paperwork - when school starts, things are going to get chaotic. You'll be working through new schedules and routines with kids going to this event and that practice. Prep your home paperwork ahead of time so it is one less thing to worry about. This can include old tax records, appliance manuals, warranty information, and HOA details. It's a good idea to bundle anything that has to do with your house. It will save you time in the long run.
3. Create a Showing Checklist - when your realtor calls with a showing request, your brain might already be fried. A checklist that tells you everything you need to complete before you're "show-ready" will save you! It can list things like making sure all the dirty clothes are put in the hamper or double-check the kitchen cleanliness. It can even remind you to bring your pet to the neighbor's house. They might seem like tasks that you won't forget, but you never know what your day will look like when it's showtime!
4. Your Limits - be sure to tell your realtor if you have certain limitations for showings. If you're running kids around after school and you NEED the house from 5-6 pm, tell your realtor that showings are off-limits during that time. Everyone should have this information up-front rather than being irritated when the showing ask comes in. Your realtor is there to help you, so make sure they've got all the details to make your life easier. 

Back to school can be chaotic even without trying to sell your home, so get ready for the ride and remember why you're doing all of this. When you're ready, call us. Our agents can help make this process easier for you. You've already got enough to worry about - don't worry about selling your home too. 

The second quarter of 2019 showed a decrease in the number of real estate transactions in Mesa County. There were 1,532 sales compared to 1,676 in the same period of 2018. The dollar value of the 2nd quarter sales totaled $440 million, a 1% decrease over the $444 million in the same quarter of 2018.

To read this report in full, click on the images below. 

Summer is definitely here. The housing market might feel like it has slowed down while people leave for summer vacations, but it is actually the perfect time to list your house! Here's why.

1. Demand is Strong - you might feel like all your friends and family are out of town, but the housing market is just as hot as the temperatures outside! People want to get their lives situated before school begins again. Buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase immediately. Don't wait until the weather cools down, list your home and market it to buyers right now.
2. Less Competition - demand is strong and the inventory is low during the summer. Take advantage of the seller's market it creates and lists your home with less competition than during the spring or fall seasons. 
3. Fast Closings - with fewer people putting their homes on the market it also means there are fewer closings. This is great news for you! Loan officers will be able to focus on your deal and gather information faster than if they had many closings at the same time. 
4. Move on Up - if you're ready to move out of your starter home, it is the perfect time to upgrade. There are fewer homes on the market in the summer, but there is also a limited number of starter homes available in the market. People are ready to take that first step in the real estate market, so why not let your home be their first step?

If you're ready to sell your home, we're ready to help you get the best price for it. Our realtors are professional and have the experience to make your selling process simple and fast! Contact us today to learn more and get started. 

Every industry has its specialized terms and the real estate industry is no different.

It's hard to feel comfortable in a world where you're not sure what people are saying. So, we're here to define eight of the common real estate terms you'll hear to get you started on your home buying journey. 

1. Appraisal  - before getting a loan, you need to get the home valued, so the bank can be sure they are lending the correct amount of money
2. Buyer’s agent  - the agent representing the buyer in the home-buying process
3. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) - a report on comparable homes in the area that is used to derive an accurate value for the home in question
4. Contingencies - conditions that have to be met for the purchase of a home to be finalized
5. Listing agent  - the agent who represents the seller in the home-buying process
6. Mortgage broker - an individual or company that is responsible for taking care of all aspects of the deal between borrowers and lenders
7. Offer - the initial price offered by a prospective buyer to the seller; it can be accepted, rejected, or countered with another offer
8. Title insurance - often required as part of the closing costs, as it covers research into public records to ensure that the title is free and clear, and ready for sale

While there are many more terms that you'll hear as you continue through the home buying process, don't worry. Our agents are here to help you make sense of these terms and everything that has to do with buying or selling a home. Call us today to get started (970) 858-9870!