Denver Home Resource Blog: July 2010

Does Perseverance Work? I read a great blog post this morning entitled: "I Don't Believe in Circumstances". This got me thinking about another ingredient in the achievement of success – perseverance. The dictionary defines perseverance as: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

In reality, we can't be beaten – unless we give up. This applies equally to success in building a real estate career, success in helping a homeowner sell their a home, success in helping a homeowner to avoid foreclosure, and success in getting a home buyer into their perfect home.

If your first approach doesn't work, take a look at it. What worked? What didn't work? Then use that information and start another approach. Believe in your ability to uncover the perfect solution. Seeing is believing, but believing is also seeing.

Nature gives us examples. In the photo above, if you only looked at the bottom two-thirds of this tree, you would think that the tree is dead. But when you look at the top third, you clearly see new growth – all due to the trees perseverance.

You may have to adjust your strategy or change the way you do things. You may have to try something new or get out of your comfort zone. But if you persist, if you persevere, you will get there – prove it to yourself.

Every so often when speaking with a buyer or seller the topic arises, “Do I really need a real estate agent?”

Well the short answer is no you don't. Depending on the circumstances, a person's experience, and a person's comfort level, you can absolutely buy or sell a home without a real estate agent. But why take the risk?

The real question should be “Why wouldn't you want help from a real estate agent?” I think the real issue is not having a thorough understanding of everything that's involved in a real estate transaction not to mention the potential pitfalls and financial risks.

My top ten reasons to use a real estate agent are:

1. Market knowledge. A good real estate agent is constantly studying the real estate market. We have to, for ourselves and for our clients. Determining a homes market value is absolutely essential in order to make sure our buyers don't pay too much, and that our sellers meet their goals when selling their home.

2. Serve as a guide through the process. Most people will buy and sell a handful of homes (their personal residences) throughout their lifetime. Most people are not doing that everyday, however. Doesn't it make sense to work with someone that is involved with real estate to guide you around potential pitfalls in some of the largest financial transactions you're likely to perform?

3. Effectively market a property. As real estate agents, we have access to a cooperative database that contains the majority of homes for sale, the Multiple Listing Service (the MLS). Additionally, we know many techniques to ensure that buyers and sellers are able to connect and meet their respective needs.

4. Help you evaluate contracts. When you work with a real estate agent everything is done through contracts. This is a very good thing. For your relationship with the agent it sets expectations and details what will be done. For the relationship between buyers and sellers it ensures that there are no misunderstandings.

5. Explain financing. Good real estate agents can explain financing options and help in identifying qualified lenders.

6. Monitor the market. As conditions in the market change a qualified real estate agent keeps their clients informed to help them in making educated decisions.

7. Network to help clients meet their goals. A successful real estate agent is likely a member to many groups and organizations, both physical and virtual (online). This is how I learn new techniques, exchange ideas, and provide better service to my clients. This is another great tool for finding the right buyer to a property or getting the word out on homes we're selling.

8. Handling offers. What is a fair market price? How do you know if you're paying too much or an offer is too low? Experience is key. As is using all the tools at our disposal to secure an equitable transaction.

9. Negotiate. Negotiating is an art. You get better at it through practice (experience). You can't be afraid to ask for what you want, and then work out the details of how both parties will get there.

10. Being objective. Because real estate transactions typically involve a substantial amount of money, emotions often get in the way. An effective real estate agent is objective and that objectivity helps their clients in making wise and informed decisions.

There are certainly many more reasons why you would want to work with successful, experienced professionals. If my car is making a strange noise, I know that a good mechanic is the best place to go. If I'm not feeling well, a doctor will be able to help me heal or be cured. If I have a legal issue, the first person I'd be talking to is an experienced lawyer.

A real estate transaction is no different. Well maybe slightly different since there are typically several hundred thousand dollars exchanging hands and a long term commitment being defined. An effective real estate agent is indispensable in helping you get to where you want to be.

I woke up early this morning and as I started to greet the day I thought it'd be nice if we had some fresh bagels for breakfast. I got in the car and started driving off to my favorite bagel place and as I reached the intersections of McCaslin Blvd. and Rock Creek Parkway (this is one of the high points in elevation in the town of Superior) I spotted them off on the horizon – hot air balloons!

Seeing hot air balloons when you're out and about in the early morning in the town of Superior is not really that much of an oddity in and of itself. In fact on most early mornings from springtime through fall you can see them, when the weather is cooperating.

Hot air balloons are a curious technology. It has been enabling humans to float in the sky since the late 1700's. If you read about them a little, you learn how buoyancy is created from the heated air in the balloon having a lower density than the relatively cold air surrounding the outside of the balloon. That's all very well and good, but as I watched these magnificent floating spheres this morning I realized that there has to be more to it than that.

Indeed, there is magic involved. The magic raises these giants into the air. It has to, there's just something joyous and happy about inflating a giant, colorful balloon to the point that it levitates people in a gondola high into the air (remember Uncle Albert in the movie Mary Poppins). The magic makes most people that see this beauty floating in the sky smile too.

Since I had some time to myself this morning, and since I noticed that the camera was in the car, I thought I'd get some colorful pictures.

I know that more than once I've caught myself rushing out of the house, hastily running for an early morning appointment, not really “seeing” my surroundings, and then I see the balloons. Instantly it reminds to slow down, be aware, and enjoy the moment. Like I said, magic.

This morning I could hear one of the balloons beckoning me to get closer. Of course, I had to give chase and follow the call.

I was lucky today and was able to meet up with the balloon as it came back to earth. I watched as one of the people in the gondola calmly gave the instructions that enabled all of the crew and passengers to safely disembark and then gently collapse the balloon, making sure not to rip or snag the balloon on anything. There was a zen-like aspect to how well this process was orchestrated.

After the balloon folding was underway, I introduced myself to the gentleman that had been providing guidance to the team. He turned out to be Tommy Cederlund, owner of Sunny Day Fly Away (it's a real interesting web site if you'd like to learn more about Tommy's interesting past and ballooning in general). Tommy took a few minutes and kindly talked to me a bit about ballooning and encouraged me to book a flight. Something that I now feel I will be doing soon.

I went and finally got the bagels and headed home, feeling happy and grateful for what I was able to experience this morning. The bagels were tasty too. I guess that's just a lingering part of the magic.

If your interested in looking for magical places around the Superior Colorado or Louisville Colorado area, I invite you to give me a call. Even if your not in the housing market. This is an amazing area and I love sharing things about it - I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.

Could you use a break from your day to day routine? Why not contact your local Habitat for Humanity and volunteer?

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Denver. The Denver Colorado branch of Habitat for Humanity was founded by volunteers in 1979 and has built 395 homes throughout the Metro Denver area. These homes have housed over 1,700 people!

In my opinion, Habitat is a wonderful program. It's not a handout, but a cooperative effort. In order to get into the program, families go through a rigorous screening process and additionally agree to participate in building their home.

The homes are sold to the familes at no profit, through a no interest loan. Families that receive a home provide a down payment and also contribute 250-500 hours of their own sweat equity toward building their home – as well as building the homes of other families participating in the Habitat program.

Sometimes we need a helping hand to get back on track and I see the Habitat program providing this in a dignified manner. It provides families a springboard toward building better lives.

The strange thing is, as I find anytime I've volunteered, I almost feel guilty because I feel that I got more back from the experience then the day of labor I put. Being involved in real estate I enjoy seeing different architecture and learning about energy saving, especially green technologies. Homes built by the Habitat for Humanity of Denver are not just built with affordability in mind. Their team of experts design and construct high quality, energy efficient homes. The innovations in Habitat homes constructed in Denver typically exceed most building standards and consistently receive five-star energy efficiency ratings from E-Star Colorado.

Through volunteer, I was able to learn more about how to implement some energy efficiency techniques in a practical and physical sense. This is knowledge I can use as I preview homes, not to mention implementing some of the things I learned in my own home. I certainly have no objection to lowering monthly bills! I even got some exercise. Best of all, I also had the privilege working alongside the eventual homeowner in one of the units.

So if you're looking for a break in you day to day routine, why not give your local Habitat for Humanity a call?

If your interested in learning about Superior Colorado or Louisville Colorado feel free to give me a call. Even if your not in the housing market. This is an amazing area and I love sharing things about it - I can give you an insider's look into the area, as only a “local” can.