We've moved!

Hey everyone! I wanted you to know that this will be my last post at blogger.com, but never fear, we've integrated this great blog with my website, where I will happily continue to blog away about Durango Real Estate and other interesting & valuable topics!

Please come visit me soon at www.blueribbondurango.com/blog. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

P.S. Search the MLS at http://www.blueribbondurango.com/mls.php or email us to receive listings as they hit the market

P.P.S. Determine the value of your home, call me today

Should I buy a house in Durango this year?

That is the million dollar question, isn't it? It is a buyer's market so there are lots of choices out there. Luke Miller, assistant business professor at Durango's Fort Lewis College, wrote about just this in his column in the Durango Herald today. He thinks the prices will continue to go down this year, I agree that's probably true. But when will they turn around and start going up? As a buyer, you want to be negotiating with sellers when the prices are still going down. Once they start going up it's too late, all the good deals will be getting multiple offers....

All that being said, it's imperative before buying to be sure you can afford the house and have plans to stay there for a number of years. Call me to discuss further.

Here is the link to Luke Miller's Durango Herald Article.

Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

P.S. Search the MLS at http://www.blueribbondurango.com/mls.php or email us to receive listings as they hit the market

P.P.S. Determine the value of your home, call me today

P.P.P.S. Did you know that I just signed up for voicemail to text conversion on my cell phone? I must say they do a really good job converting most of the messages correctly, every once in the while this service provides me with some good laughs! Stay tuned for more on this and Durango Real Estate tomorrow.

Market Pulse - quick update from Shaheen and Claudia

We are still working on figuring out the best way to keep you abreast of the market situation. We are not supposed to post links to the MLS, but Shaheen put together a nice presentation for my blog so I'll make an exception and put this up for a bit and then take it down again in a few days.

One thing I know, Spring is here and there are more and more listings again, I have 23 new ones today on my MLS home screen, and 3 solds. Keep checking back for more.

Here is Shaheen's Market Pulse of the day:

"Has ANYTHING on the market been selling?"

This is a question I am often asked by clients, friends and family. Everyone says nothing is moving in this market. So what do you think? Has anything been selling? If properties are selling, what kind of property is moving?

Looking over MLS records:

*** 57 Residential homes 9 vacant land listings have sold in LaPlata County since January 1st. (Up today; 3/16) Average home price that has sold in LaPlata County since January 1st 2009: $347,000.Average days on market: 211Sold home prices ranged from $29,500-$1,275,000

Click here for these properties:

*** What about in the last 2 weeks? Here are the homes that have sold in March so far:
12 residential homes 2 vacant land listings

Click Here to View Sold in March Listings

Yes, properties are still selling but not as many and the properties in lower price ranges appear to be more popular. From the clients I have had in the last few most the majority were locals. All in all, the Durango market is not as bad as some may think.

That's that from Shaheen, thank you! I agree, there are a few more closings and more and more showing going on and pending sales. If you'd like to see any listing/comps in particular just email or call, or you can even leave a comment here on our blog without signing in.


Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

P.S. Did you know that 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 ?

What is a blog anyway?

Until I started writing my own blog recently I had no or little insight about what all this blogging is about either. So here it is, my rookie definition of a blog:

It's a way to easily publish articles onto your website for the public to see. Writing blog articles, however, is a lot less formal than other articles and what makes it fun is the personal and opinion aspect of blogging. Bear with me while I figure this out and I'll try and make it both informative, with real estate news and Durango info and fun...

I found that with the recent real estate market and economic challenges everyone is hungly for lots of information as possible before making selling or buying decisions. I'm hoping to help out by posting what I know or find out about.

What is the propper definition of a Blog (Web Log)?

To let the Wikipedia tell you - Click here.

And, if you like, watch this short video for more insight:

What is a blog in plain English

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

P.S. Did you know that the only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable.

Durango Real Estate News - Forecast looking brighter...

Yesterday's annual real estate forecast event at Fort Lewis College showed some positive aspects, but also the usual doom and gloom. Real estate sales (in terms of volume) are forecasted to pick up, prices to slide after holding steady in 2008. This is all no surprise, after the very few sales last year the volume is bound to go up, and the increase in foreclosures, short sales and better deals should bring the price down and make it an excellent time to invest in real estate.

Click here for today's Durango Herald Article:

Check back often or follow this blog for updates on deals as they arise.

Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

Did you know that Pinocchio is Italian for "pine head"?

Life's for Sharing

In case you missed it hidden at the bottom of yesterday's post, here it is again. The T-mobile life's for sharing ad, filmed in England, Liverpool station last month. Over 7 million people have watched this. It will make you smile:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3d3KigPQM


Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

P.S. Search the MLS at http://www.blueribbondurango.com/mls.php or email us to receive listings as they hit the market

P.P.S. Determine the value of your home, call me today

Tips for Spring Sellers

A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor...

...even though both are structurally well-maintained.

From experience, REALTORS® also know that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. In readying your house for sale, consider:

• How much should you spend

• Exterior and curb appeal

• Preparing the interior

• How much should you spend! (Not a typo!)
  

In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your REALTOR®, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.

Maximizing exterior and curb appeal

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal. Tips to enhance your home’s exterior and curb appeal:

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.
• Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
• Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
• Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint.
• Clean and align gutters.
• Inspect and clean the chimney.
• Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
• Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
• In Northern winters, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.
• During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance.
• Re-seal an asphalt driveway.
• Keep your garage door closed.
• Store RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

Maximizing interior appeal

Enhance your home’s interior by:

• Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.

• Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.

• Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.

• If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.

• Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.

• Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.

• Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.

• Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.

• Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.

We'd be happy to come by and offer our modest opinion on how make your house appeal to the highest number of people, thus increasing your chance of selling at full price in the shortest amount of time.

Even better...

Get a free - no commitment - market valuation and price analysis for your home. That means based on other sale in the area and what is currently for sale in your neighborhood we will help you determine a realistic market value that will ensure a sale of your house at top dollar.


Check out this video: Maybe it will remind you to enjoy your day-to-day!


Claudia Williams
970 247 8388

P.S. Search the MLS at http://www.blueribbondurango.com/mls.php or email us to receive listings as they hit the market

P.P.S. Determine the value of your home, call me today