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!

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 38, so it is a seller's market.

The median list price decreased from last month and now sits at $393,886 and the 90-day average days on market is 105.

To view the full market reports click below.

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

If you're looking to list your home, you'll want to read these tips to staging your home!

1. Plan Ahead - walk through all the rooms in your house like you're seeing them for the first time. Criticize everything as if you're a potential home buyer. If you know you can't see past your own items, ask a friend or your realtor to help you with this step. This is the step you want to take to clean everything out that you don't need during the open house process. It also helps you freshen up your entire house - getting it ready for potential buyers to view.
2. Clean, Declutter, Depersonalize - once you've got a good plan of what needs to be done, do it. Clean out those closets to make them look larger, declutter those areas to create space, and depersonalize areas so future buyers can see themselves in your home. 
3. Curb Appeal - this is the first thing people see when they come to view your home. You want it to look as warm and inviting as possible. Paint the exterior (doors, trim, shutters, etc.), power wash the exterior areas that are dusty, plant colorful flowers, and make sure the grass is mowed and the rocks are free of weeds. 
4. Kitchens and Bathrooms - make sure these areas look shiny and new! Polish the floors, deep clean all the nooks and crannies, replace any caulking that looks like it's seen better days, and hang fresh towels when people come to view your home. These are the items most homebuyers pay attention to, so make sure that yours stand out in a good way.
5. Create an Environment - when you sell your home, you want to appeal to a homebuyer's senses. That means turning all the lights on so it feels bright and cheery. You also might want to hide your pets (and their odors), open the curtains to show off the natural light, and burn candles or bake cookies to make it smell like home.
6. Show off those features - your home's best features, that is. If you've got an amazing backyard, stage it so that people want to take a seat and think about inviting their friends over for a BBQ. Remove rugs to show off those hardwood floors, and pull back the drapes or curtains to show off that view!

Whatever help you need to sell your home, the agents at Robinson and Co. Realty are here for you! We want to make your home selling process as simple and stress-free as possible. Call us today to get started (970) 858-9870!

Buying a home can be a daunting task, especially if this is your first time! Here are a few tips for those of you getting ready to take the homeownership plunge. 

1. Start Saving Now - if you're thinking about buying a home, saving money for a downpayment or household expenses when you move in is really important! If you want to avoid PMI (private mortgage insurance) you need to save up at least 20% of your future home's value to be used as a downpayment. Even if you are a few years off from buying, saving money now can help you secure your future. 
2. Don't Rush It - there are so many factors to consider when purchasing your home, don't rush into it! Take your time and think about what you really want and need in a home. Look at all of your options and don't feel stressed if it isn't currently on the market - it might be soon!
3. Emergency Fund - there are lots of things you'll need when you purchase a home and it can seem exhausting saving for them all, but it is important to have some money socked away in case you need a new roof, water heater, or air conditioning unit. No matter when those big purchases come up, it will be nice to have the funds to pay for it. 
4. Price Shop - this doesn't just include your house, but also your mortgage. Shop around to get the best rates and terms for your needs. You might not think the costs will vary, but between big banks, small private lenders, and credit unions you might get half a percent or more - which makes a huge difference over the years. 
5. Home Inspections - check things out for yourself during the home inspection. It is great to follow the inspector around asking questions and taking notes, but be sure to walk around and look through the property and house yourself. There might be some odd things that don't work for you but pose no problems with code issues. 
6. Reinforcements - when you really like a house you might have blinders on and overlook some issues. Bring a friend or relative along, so they can be your sounding board. Tell them to be honest with you and let them know your wants and needs. They will be able to give you great feedback and insight into the house. 
7. Homeowner's Insurance - just like shopping for mortgages, you should also shop around for homeowner's insurance. You don't want to just look at the cheapest option, but the best one! This is a huge investment, so make sure that your coverage protects you for emergencies that are prevalent in your area. 
8. Don't Spend It All At Once - when you move in, don't go out and buy new furniture. Homeownership is expensive and little things always come up when you move in. Your current furniture will suffice until you know exactly what you want and can afford to furnish every room in your new house. Give yourself time to figure out what your budget will be and grow into your home.

Don't get us wrong; being a first-time homebuyer is an incredible experience! This can be such a fun first step in the future. We want to make sure that you're fully prepared, and won't regret any choices you make. We are here to help you with your home buying experience. Call us to get started (970) 858-9870!

Are you listing your house for sale on the market? There are five things you should avoid in order to get your house sold faster. 

1. Don't Disregard Curb Appeal - the inside of your home might be pristine, but buyers make a decision about a home the moment they drive up to it. You want your curb appeal to be just as inviting as the inside of your home. Clean out the gutters, trim trees and bushes, and spruce up the front with some colorful flowers and plants. These small and inexpensive items can really set you apart from the competition.
2. Home Improvements vs. Price - while putting money into your home to update it will show better to buyers, you might not get the money back from those investments. Talk with your realtor about spending the money on home improvements vs. lowering the price. If your house needs expensive updates and you don't really want to do it, it might be more beneficial to lower the asking price by $10,000 or more to reflect the dated look and get the home sold quickly. This is a decision that is purely yours, so think it through and ask lots of questions to feel comfortable with your decision.
3. Price it Right - you might want a certain amount of money for your home, but if the market doesn't support that price, your house won't sell. Work with your realtor to make sure your home is priced correctly to sell in the timeframe you're expecting. A home priced correctly will receive offers in a normal amount of time and will attract multiple buyers. 
4. Clean that Clutter - especially in your closets. Large closets and storage are always on the want lists of home buyers, so make your home space looks especially large by cleaning out the clutter in your closets. This leaves a homebuyer with the idea that there is loads of room for their stuff when they move in.
5. Kill those Odors - you might not smell those odors, but a potential homebuyer will. Ask some impartial friends if there are any odors that linger in your home, and decide what to do about it. Your house might just need a thorough cleaning, or it could need a carpet replacement. Either way, you want a fresh, clean home on the market so you don't scare away any homebuyers. 

Trust the expert Realtors at Robinson and Co. Realty to help you get your home sold quickly and easily. We've worked in this market for a long time and have the experience to know what homebuyers are looking for. Call us today to help you sell your home (970) 858-9870!

This property is located on a quiet street backed up to open space with amazing unobstructed views in Fruita, Colorado. This home only shares one fence line. This 2,187 sq. foot home features 4 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, office/5th bedroom, separate dining room, and a spacious eat-in kitchen. Fresh interior paint, new carpeting, new South facing windows and new hot water heater. Outside there is a large reinforced concrete pad for service truck or RV parking area, detached is a 28 x 30 shop plus the home has a 3 car attached garage. This home shows well and is ready for you!

Click here to view full listing.

This beautiful new construction two story home is located in desirable Aspen Village. It boasts 2555 sq. ft. with 5 bedrooms (master & 1 bdrm downstairs) plus a bonus room upstairs, 1 and 3/4 baths main level and full bath upstairs. This home has a fantastic floor plan, with very open living, dining and kitchen on the main level, and roomy upstairs. The large kitchen has gorgeous, modern, soft close cabinetry, stunning quartz counter tops, huge island, farm sink, and a pantry. The attention to detail in this home is obvious, especially with the crown molding, the beadboard ceiling in the dining room, and the wainscoting in the living and dining rooms, modern fireplace with entertainment area built in. The master bedroom has tray ceilings. Huge is the only way to describe the beautiful master shower. The roomy upstairs even has a second laundry! You won't want to miss this masterpiece!

Click here to view the full listing.

Hunter's retreat, VRBO or an amazing home to live in year-round on Glade Park. This property is bordered by BLM and a Conservation Easement across the road so you are guaranteed that there will be NO neighbors. Located in Colorado Hunting Unit #40, this 4.94-acre parcel has an abundance of wildlife in your back yard and fabulous views. The home features 3846 sq feet with 7 bedrooms, 4 full baths built in 2005 with stucco siding and a metal roof. Large open kitchen to the living area and a spacious family room which could also serve as an 8th bedroom. The home has an excellent well pumping 15 gallons per minute, multiple sources of heating including propane, coal or wood and evaporate cooling. This home is showed by appointment only and it is worth the beautiful drive to see it.

Click here to view the full listing.

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 39, so it is a seller's market.

The median list price decreased from last month and now sits at $381,250 and the 90-day average days on market is 108.

To view the full market reports click below.

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

If you're thinking of listing your home and want to get the most value from the sale, try one of these tips for home improvement for under $100!

1. Spend an Hour With a Pro - hire an interior decorator for an hour and pick their brain. They can give you lots of ideas to spruce up your home and let you know what the market wants. These improvements can include paint colors and furniture placement all the way up to the suggestion of an update for your kitchen or bathroom. If you're not comfortable hiring an interior designer, or there aren't any in your area, ask your realtor. Realtors have seen enough homes to be able to give similar suggestions on how to best stage your home.
2. Inspection - spend the money on an inspection before you list it. This will give you time to repair all the small things that are below the surface, so you don't potentially lose a sale. Inspectors look at electrical, plumbing, structural and more. Also, you won't have to be surprised later in the process.
3. Paint - a fresh coat of neutral paint will make a big difference to potential homebuyers. Neutral paint colors allow a homebuyer to picture themselves (and their stuff) in your home's space. Fresh paint also helps neutralize any odors that might be hanging around that you might not notice. 
4. Energy Efficiency - local energy companies have programs to maximize energy efficiency and will give you tips of things to do to lower your bills. Having that information at hand is a huge benefit in the eyes of a homebuyer. They don't want to purchase a home that is going to cost them a fortune to upkeep. So, do what you can to improve the energy efficiency in your home before you list it.
5. Landscape - we don't mean completely re-do your home's landscaping, but freshening it up can go a long way towards curb appeal. Pick those weeds, throw away those dead plants, clear out old leaves, and keep the lawn watered and mowed. You want to make potential homebuyers feel at home the minute they pull up to your house. 

Whatever project you decide to tackle will help you sell your home. If you're ready to take that step, give us a call. Our realtors are experts at working with our clients to get their homes sold quickly and as stress-free as possible. Call us today to get started (970) 858-9870!