http://coldwellbankersunvalley.com/blog/archive_201808/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Noticing a decline in home sales?  According to Real Trends, even the hot markets like San Francisco and Denver are showing increased inventory and decreased sales.  The days of multiple offers are starting to come to a halt as buyers in the mid to high-price ranges have more inventory to choose from.  Interest rates are at an almost seven-year high, which could be a deterrent to first time buyers as well as buyers looking to upgrade.  Even though sellers are able to get a better price for their home with the current market values, the price for them to turn around and buy again is also higher - on top of the increased rates - which is a hindrance.   Homes are appreciating, but income growth is still too far behind.  The average house price has outgrown the average household income, making it difficult for buyers to "buy up".  "It's interesting to watch the dynamics of the market.  What we see is prices rise, sales activity slows down, prices weaken and then sales pick back up," said Carrington Mortgage Holdings Executive Vice President Rick Sharga.  "It's the way a housing market is supposed to behave in a normal environment.  But it's been so long since we've seen a normal environment that we forget how it's supposed to work." http://coldwellbankersunvalley.com/blog/6237/decline-in-the-housing-market?/ Wed, 29 Aug 2018 12:19:17 -0700 Prep Your PropertyAre you considering selling your home?  Prepping your property will make a huge impact on potential buyers.  It could be the difference of your property receiving multiple offers or months of sitting on the market.1.  Neutralize Your SpaceMaybe you love adding color and pattern in your home, and that's great, just not when it comes to selling your home.  Some buyers can't see past the paint and decor.  To please a wide range of buyers, paint your walls a light neutral color to open up the space and create a blank canvas.  While you're at it, put away the family photos, eccentric art work, and any clutter.  Touch up baseboard scuffs and wipe them down.  A fresh palette will broaden your buyer pool.2.  Make the Front Door InvitingClean your entry way from top to bottom.  The front door is where the first impression is made.  Get rid of any cobwebs and debris, wipe down any exterior light fixtures, and set the tone for a warm welcome.  Add a nice door mat, a couple of potted plants and a fresh coat of paint or stain to the front door.  Make the first impression count!3.  Create Curb AppealThe way the outside of your home looks is extremely important when selling.  Buyers are looking for a property that is updated and well taken care of.  Keep the grass looking sharp, remove any yard ornaments or exterior accessories, sweep the driveway and entry way, and clean the windows and screens.  Your wind chime collection and garden gnomes may bring a smile to your face, but they may turn potential buyers off.  Simplify your plant beds by removing any old mulch or rock, and don't forget to weed while you're at it.  Buyers don't want to walk into a situation where they will have to put a lot of time and money into cleaning up, so get rid of that lava rock and show that you are serious about selling.4.  If It's Broken, Fix ItTake the extra step and repair the broken doorbell or peeling paint before putting your home on the market.  If a buyer sees that there are issues waiting to be fixed, it can reflect on how well the home was taken care of.  Change out any light bulbs that have burned out and oil up any creaky doors.  The more seamless the house shows, the more interested a potential buyer will be.5.  Eliminate OdorsThis does not mean you need to plug Glade air fresheners into every outlet - it is actually the opposite.  Strong odors, whether they are intentional or not, are concerning to potential buyers.   If you are serious about getting the most out of selling your home, you will need to get rid of pet smells (and litter boxes, too!), strong candles or plug ins, and any heavy cooking smells.  If there are signs of animal urine in your home (most buyers can detect this right off the bat), you have already lost half of the potential buyers.  Invest in a good cleaning company to remove animal stains and smells from carpets and furniture.  Rent an air purifier and detox your house.  As always, go neutral.  Throw out the candy apple scented candles & floral air fresheners.  Instead, think soft, natural scents.  Try simmering a pot of water with orange and lemon slices, a splash of vanilla extract and a few cinnamon sticks.  Another option is to run an essential oil diffuser with a mellow citrus or clean smelling oil.  Open House day?  Bake a batch of cookies 30 minutes before the doors open.  Not only will you be filling the house with the smell of comfort and warmth, but you will have a treat to offer the potential buyers, leaving them with a lasting impression!6.  Clear Out Clutter and DepersonalizeKnickknacks and trinkets may hold a special place in your heart, but when selling your home it's best that they be packed away.  Clear out any clutter, and organize the items you do need to keep while trying to sell.  If your linen closets are bursting at the seams, take some time to pack away items you can live without and nicely organize the items you want to keep.  The less items you have crammed in closets and cabinets, the bigger your space looks to potential buyers.  Many buyers have a hard time seeing past clutter, personalized decor, photos, and overstuffed rooms!  Pack up as many items as you can before listing.  Rent a storage unit or find a spot in the shed or garage to store your items until you make the sale.  Clean, organize, declutter, repeat.Conclusion?The market is extremely competitive and buyers are looking to get the most bang for their buck.  Stay ahead of the competition by implementing a serious selling strategy and taking the initiative to create a desirable space.  Try these 6 simple steps and find yourself closing the deal in no time! http://coldwellbankersunvalley.com/blog/6208/6-easy-ways-to-prep-your-house-to-sell/ Wed, 22 Aug 2018 03:40:52 -0700 Ten of the 43 residential sales in Sun Valley this month have been listed at $950,000 or above. This is great news for sellers of luxury homes, and if you're a higher-end buyer, the inventory is still strong, up and down the Wood River Valley. Our office has been involved in for of those 10 sales--if you're a luxury buyer or seller in Sun Valley, our agents will help you get the job done! http://coldwellbankersunvalley.com/blog/6190/mid-august-luxury-sales-in-high-gear-in-sun-valley/ Fri, 17 Aug 2018 05:04:03 -0700   Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties has been named to the prestigious Coldwell Banker® Chairman’s Circle. This designation is awarded to companies who attained closed adjusted gross commission income of $9,500,000 or more during the 2017 calendar year. Only the top 7% of all Coldwell Banker companies in North America qualified and Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties is one of only 56 Coldwell Banker companies throughout the world to receive this distinguished award. “As part of an elite standing, the Chairman’s Circle underscores the meaning of teamwork,” said Charlie Young, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “With some of the highest benchmarks, this prestigious recognition weighs on the strong work ethic and perseverance of our collective network of worldwide agents, honoring the success of those affiliate companies that have made exemplary strides in sales within their respective markets. Our gratitude goes out to Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, who has maintained a diligent focus and unwavering effort to continually deliver on this hallmark achievement of the Coldwell Banker brand.”   “We are incredibly honored to be included among the top companies in the world.  But honestly, it is a bit surreal for us. We set out every day to help our agents and brokers to achieve a better life through creating a better business.  We do this one agent/broker at a time, one day at a time. It was never our goal to be recognized as one of the best. We have just followed our passion for giving first, and our amazing growth followed.” Todd Conklin, President and CEO of CBDP.  Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties & Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties are leading real estate companies in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Idaho and Montana, specializing in residential and commercial sales, property management, vacation rentals, and leasing and operating 10 offices with more than 280 sales associates and staff in Sun Valley, Idaho, Bozeman, Montana, Vail, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Craig, Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado.  For more information, please visit: www.cbdistinctive.com | www.cbcprimeproperties.com or call (877) 978-2978. The Company has achieved President’s Elite and Premier Honors for 6 consecutive years, awarded the Coldwell Banker Chairman's Circle in 2016 and 2017, recognized as the 30th Fastest Growing Real Estate Firm in the Nation by Inc. Magazine 2013, mentioned 7 times by Real Trends 500, and recognized by the prestigious Swanepoel Mega 1000. CB Commercial Prime Properties has been named the #1 CBC Office in the state of Colorado each year since 2007.   http://coldwellbankersunvalley.com/blog/6184/chairman's-circle-award/ Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:10:33 -0700 Click the photo to view some highlights from the Tom Ferry Success Summit 2018 in Anaheim. http://coldwellbankersunvalley.com/blog/6153/sun-valley-agents-at-tom-ferry-conference/ Fri, 10 Aug 2018 01:39:36 -0700