Aspen Snowmass Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - Roaring Fork Valley Real Estatehttps://www.aspenvalleyproperty.com/blog/Copyright AspenValleyProperty.com2021-05-06T15:21:04-07:00tag:aspenvalleyproperty.com,2012-09-20:11444Spring Cleaning.. Let's Put a Method to this Madness!Spring Cleaning- Let’s put a method to this madness...
Getting your home ready to be put on the market is similar to preparing it for the next season. When putting your home on the market, you want to ensure that it is organized, clean, and presentable. Because potential homebuyers are trying to envision themselves in your house, they do not want to see an abundance of your personal items or decorations. For this reason, seasonal cleaning is very important because it prevents build-up and ensures that your house can be ready to go on the market at any time. So, if you haven’t started already, it’s time for some spring cleaning!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/153-Meadow-Ranch-Rd-1238-ft2-2-Bed-15-Bath-kitchenliving.jpg" width="6068" height="3413" alt="153 Meadow Ranch Road" title="Organized Kitchen and Living Space" />
Don't you want your living area to look this organized? Spring cleaning is a scary task to tackle but it is totally worth your time. Getting your house organized and getting rid of clutter is the best way to prepare yourself for the next season. But, if you don’t do this in an orderly manner, you can waste tons of time and get very frustrated with the task at hand. We’ve got many tips and tricks for the method to this madness, and have great suggestions for places to recycle your clothing in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Don’t stress, we’ll help you handle the mess!!
Step 1.
Drop the attitude, and let go! Many of us dread deep cleaning our home, but with a good attitude and an open mind, this task will feel rewarding, and maybe even fun! Additionally, we MUST be open to getting rid of the things that we don’t need.
Step 2.
Before you begin, decide the order in which you will clean each room. We recommend that you start with the smaller rooms, and then make your way to the main living space. Here, at the Engel and Volkers Aspen Shop, we started in the individual conference rooms and office spaces and then moved on to the lobby and communal spaces. This allows you to get the clutter out of the small corners, and to then work on deciding where you want your belongings to go. At home, it may be smart to start in the bathroom or coat closet, and then to move onto the bedrooms and the kitchen. Working on one area at a time will keep you focused and will prevent you from feeling too overwhelmed.
Step 3.
Sort things based on the season that you use them. Here in Colorado, we have different wardrobes for the summer and winter months. When we try and fit all of these into our closet, it can get very cluttered and unorganized. But, if you are able to store the off-season clothing, your closet will be arranged in a way that allows for you to see and access all of your clothes. And, not only does this apply to your wardrobe, but it also applies to your miscellaneous cabinets and your garage. There is no reason for having easy access to your skis in the summer. Instead, put those away and put your mountain bikes and your water toys out on display. Who doesn’t love paddleboarding down the Roaring Fork River in the summertime?
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/125-E-Homestead-Drive-master-closet1.jpg" width="6068" height="3413" alt="125-E-Homestead-Drive-master-closet" title="Cluttered Closet" />
As we can see, this closet has too much going on. When there are too many clothes in one area, it looks very crowded and prevents you from seeing all of your options. And, who wants to see all of this when they are looking to buy a home?
Step 4.
Once you have your clothing and other household items sorted, go through the belongings that you plan to keep and check to see if any need to be replaced. When reorganizing your home or getting your house ready to go on the market, it is important to make sure that things are up to date. Are any of your lightbulbs out? Do your walls need a paint touch-up? These small details truly do create an entirely different look and when put together, can increase the value of your home.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/2567_Snowmass_Creek_Rd_HighRes_17.jpg" width="4928" height="3280" alt="Organized closet after spring cleaning" title="The Results of Spring Cleaning" />
Here, the space is much more useable and the clothing is much more accessible. It is much more effective to have a seasonal closet, rather than shoving all of your clothing into one area year-round.
Now that you have planned out this process and gotten all of your belongings in order, you can choose what to do with your “hand me downs”. Here, you will see that some things simply need to retire. After holding onto clothing for so many years, you may realize that they no longer fit or that they are outdated. There are many great non-profit organizations that will take these clothes from you and distribute them to those in need. These places, such as <a href="https://www.steppingstonesrfv.org/services">Stepping Stone of Roaring</a>, <a href="https://habitatroaringfork.org/pages/donate-goods">Habitat for Humanity</a>, and <a href="https://unitedwaybb.org/">The United Way of Garfield County</a>, will ensure that your donations go to those who need them.
On the other hand, if you have nicer and valuable items that you would like to sell, there are many thrift stores around the Roaring Fork Valley. These stores, like <a href="https://www.heirloomsresale.com/">Heirloom Resale</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lulusthriftshoppe/">Lulu’s Thrift Shoppe</a>, will buy your clothing from you and sell it in their store.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/untitled-6.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Consignment Store for used Clothing" title="Heirlooms Resale, Carbondale, CO" />
Overall, taking care of your home regularly will only make your life easier in the future. Waiting to clean and organize will cause buildup, and will make your home seem cluttered and dated. Spring cleaning, along with seasonal check-ins, will create ease when putting your home on the market and will make your life much more simplistic.
<br /><br />2021-05-06T10:17:00-07:002021-05-06T15:21:04-07:00Summer Bergtag:aspenvalleyproperty.com,2012-09-20:11110The Do's and Don't's When Applying for a MortgageThe “Do’s and Don’t’s” When Applying For a Mortgage
Are you a first-time homebuyer? We've got your back!⁠ Buying your first home can be very intimidating. From finding the right advisor to learning about loans and mortgages, there are so many details involved in this process. ⁠
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/NotesFromAWanderlust2G0A6893.jpg" width="5760" height="3840" />
⁠Engel and Völkers offers support and guidance throughout the entire journey. With our enthusiastic and experienced agents, you can trust that this process will be seamless and educational. ⁠No one wants to feel left in the dark when they begin the home buying process!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/Basalt_Agent_Lifestyle-6.jpg" width="5184" height="3456" alt="Basalt Agents Teaching" title="Basalt Agents Teaching" />
For many, the first step is learning about how to successfully apply for a mortgage. There are many pieces of this puzzle that must come together in order to be approved. From what to do to prepare for the application, to what you must avoid afterward, the process can seem very tricky.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Before you apply for a mortgage, you must get all your ducks in a row. There are many requirements needed to qualify for a loan. These include your income stability, your credit score, and your debt to income ratio.
Income Stability
When lenders review your case, they immediately look at your income levels and check that you have a steady income. Because they are lending you large sums of money, there can be no question about whether or not you have the income level to pay them back. This involves both the monthly payments and the initial downpayment. Individuals who seem to be constantly changing their careers and leaving jobs raise a red flag in the eyes of the lender. Before applying for a loan, you should make sure that you have a solid career history and that you have good explanations for why you have switched professions in the past.
Credit Score
Your credit score, which typically ranges from 300 to 850 (over 720 preferred), represents the creditworthiness of yourself as an individual. This allows banks and investors to decide whether or not you are reliable to pay back the loan. For most loans, you will want to check your credit score a few months in advance to prepare for your application. In doing this, you want to ensure that there is nothing questionable on your statement. There are many different types of loans, all of which have different credit requirements.
When applying for a conventional loan, which has a limit of about $765,000, you want your credit score to be a minimum of 650. Although there is still a possibility of approval with a lower score, your rates will likely be higher and the terms of your loan will not be as favorable.
However, when purchasing a more expensive home, you will likely need to apply for a jumbo loan. These loans, which are often granted by major banks like Wells Fargo or Chase, are for mortgages that exceed the limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Because of the high housing market we see in Pitkin County and the surrounding Roaring Fork Valley, these loans are often seen with our clients. To receive a jumbo loan, you likely need a credit score north of 720 to get the best rates and terms. This will ensure that investors feel that you are reliable and trustworthy in paying back your loan.
Debt to Income Ratio
Your debt to income ratio represents your monthly debt payments in comparison to your monthly gross income. This number helps lenders gauge your reliability in paying your monthly mortgage. In most cases, lenders will require that you have a ratio below 43%. Having low debts makes you seem like a low-risk candidate for a loan. To lower this number, you need to decrease your spending months before applying for a mortgage. With a lower DIR, you will likely qualify for a lower interest rate.
AFTER YOU APPLY
Wait! Successfully receiving your mortgage loan does not mean your work is over. There are many things you need to avoid after being granted a loan. Lenders still pay very close attention to your spending and your reliability. Although they are many important factors in successfully paying off your mortgage, there are a few that really stand out. Once being approved, make sure to avoid making any large purchases, missing any credit card payments, and applying for a new loan.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1883/image/NotesFromAWanderlust2G0A6978.jpg" width="3840" height="5760" alt="Explaining Mortgages" title="Explaining Mortgages" />
Making Large Purchases
Your loan gets approved because the lender believes that you are in need of the money and that you are credit-worthy. If you immediately make large purchases, the lender will question your reliability. It can be very tempting to splurge on home improvements and new furniture when you finally move into your dream home. However, it is very important to be financially responsible and to stay committed to the terms of your loan. Big purchases should be avoided during the early stages of your mortgage payments in order to prove your creditworthiness.
Missing Credit Card Payments or Loan Payments
Missing a credit card payment is a huge red flag. If you fail to pay a credit card bill within 30 days of its due date, your credit score will drop and your lender will be notified. This can cause the bank to question your credibility and will affect your chances of receiving a new loan in the future.
If you are missing credit card payments, it is likely that you are failing to pay your monthly mortgage. This is a very serious problem and often can result in the foreclosure of your new home. Here, the bank will attempt to recover the remainder of the loan by forcing you to sell the house, resulting in the termination of your contract.
Applying for a New Loan
When making your first few mortgage payments, it is important to not apply for any new loans. This is because you do not want to increase your debt to income ratio. After being granted a mortgage loan, it is important to ensure that you will be able to pay off the debt on time. When a lender sees your credit score drop or your DIR rise, they will likely become concerned.
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Buying your first home is a huge milestone in life, and Engel and Völkers is here to make the process as seamless as possible. With a very diverse group of advisors, we are able to form amazing relationships with our clients by teaching them about the real estate market in the Roaring Fork Valley. Explore your options and educate yourself through all the resources Engel and Völkers has to offer!
2021-04-08T09:57:00-07:002021-04-08T10:33:01-07:00Summer Berg