Albuquerque Real Estate Podcast with Sean Hellmann: Recent Episodes
Sean Hellmann
If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from The Hellmann Group - your professional Albuquerque Real Estate Agents.
These pear preserves are subtly spiced with nutmeg and allspice. Theyre easy to make so pear lovers can enjoy their delicious flavor year-round. #grandma, #sauces and condiments, #side dish, #canning and preserving, #pears, #pear preserves
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This holiday season, these spicy roasted butternut squash noodles are a nice addition to your table. #red pepper flakes, #butternut squash, #butternut squash noodles, #butternut noodles, #fruits and vegetables, #table, #addition
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This velvety butternut squash is baked with just a hint of cinnamon. #cinnamon, #flour, #butternut squash, #hint, #heat, #kugel i, #non-dairy creamer ground cinnamon
This rendition of the French-inspired croque madame sandwich is served open-faced on brioche bread and includes bechamel sauce, ham, and Gruyere cheese in addition to poached eggs. #chives, #eggs, #cheese, #ham, #cuisine
The matzo brownie I created after years of experimentation is the best! #pesach, #desserts, #passover, #sugar, #brownie, #brownies recipe, #cups
A traditional rice-stuffed green pepper with a Cajun twist that includes andouille sausage, shrimp, and Creole seasoning. #cajun style, #stuffed, #cajun twist, #rice, #style
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The secret to this sweet, straightforward delight is using ripe bananas. Its sweet, barely crunchy crust conceals a soft, chewy banana goodness. #recipe, #bread, #banana bread, #bananas, #party, #friends, #type
My mother got this recipe back in the 1950s from the ministers wife. Its been a family favorite ever since. #lemon sauce recipe, #lemon sauce, #recipe, #wife, #cups
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This delicious baked fruit buckley, a cross between a crisp, cobbler, Betty, and buckle, is sure to be a hit. #buckle, #fruit buckley, #way, #peaches, #fruit, #desserts
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Italian sausage and ground beef join a creamy ricotta mixture in this baked kale lasagna with meat sauce that's easy enough to make for a crowd. #lot, #meat sauce recipe, #things, #kale lasagna, #lasagna
In Chef Johns recipe for mahi mahi ceviche, the fish is cooked in a citrus marinade and combined with orange, radish, cucumber, and cilantro. #stove, #lime juice, #plastic wrap, #advantage, #bit, #snapper, #mahi mahi ceviche
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This healthier version of the traditional vegetarian Indian dish, khichdi, features brown rice, dal, and mung beans. #recipe, #brown basmati rice, #legumes, #tablespoon, #dish, #types
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This delectable, hearty casserole of eggs and Canadian bacon can be prepared the night before and baked on Christmas morning. Allow it to cook while you enjoy your coffee spiked with rum and open presents. Red and green peppers are added for a festive pop of color. #eggs, #cheese, #classic, #canadian, #breakfast dish, #breakfast and brunch, #wife saver
The ideal frozen dessert for warm summer days is Chef Johns simple recipe for coffee granita. #people, #coffee granita recipe, #cold brew, #italian, #technique
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These cute reindeer cupcakes are the perfect dessert for Christmas and kids can help in the decorating by attaching Rudolphs red candy nose. #dessert, #reindeer cupcakes, #family fun, #cupcakes recipe, #cupcakes, #decorating, #anytime
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A flaky crust made with dairy-free margarine is filled with a towering pile of caramel apples in this vegan version of the classic pie. #caramel apples, #margarine, #apple pie, #pie, #family, #flour
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Chicken is marinated in a Japanese-inspired Misoyaki mix of miso, soy sauce, and sake then baked in this flavorful, low-effort dish. #flavor, #japanese, #miso, #misoyaki, #soy sauce, #sake, #effort
Instead of purchasing marzipan, make your own. Christmas cakes, candies, and many other sweets are decorated with marzipan. #sorts, #almonds, #desserts, #goodies, #cakes, #marzipan recipe, #ground almonds
A variety of veggies combined with eggs make a great start to the day. #extreme veggie scrambled eggs, #veggies, #olive oil, #variety, #start, #mushrooms
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Pineapple coconut cake made with coconut milk, coconut extract, and shredded coconut is perfect for the coconut lovers in your life. #coconut, #butter, #coconut cake, #coconut cake recipe, #coconut lovers, #life, #cake
To satisfy your craving for cream of mushroom soup, make this garlicky Instant Pot mushroom soup right away. #cream, #pot, #soup, #substitute, #mushrooms, #garlic, #instant pot
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These quickly put together meatballs are simmered in a condensed tomato and cream of chicken and rice soup sauce. Maybe theyll be a hit with your kids too! #cooks, #vegetable side dish, #meatball, #kid, #onions, #pre-cut peppers, #tomato
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My family eats their vegetables thanks to this cheese sauce because it is so simple to make. This recipe will help you if youve ever wondered how to make melted cheese pourable. For a sauce you can serve with just about anything, longhorn cheese is melted and combined with milk, cornstarch, herbs, and spices. #recipe, #cornstarch, #vegetables, #food coloring, #cheese sauce
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A big, cheesy chicken-pot-pie brimming with vegetables. #servings, #chicken, #chicken breast, #cup, #peas, #meat and poultry
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Delicious filet mignon stuffed with succulent crab, wrapped in bacon, and topped with whiskey-peppercorn sauce. Time consuming, but just as good, if not better than any high-end restaurant recipe. #whiskey peppercorn sauce, #peppercorn sauce, #olive oil, #filet mignon, #crab
Your understanding of these three market factors will play a major role in your home sale success. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*You’ve decided to put your home on the market. Congratulations! As you strategize your sale, there are a few factors you’ll want to take into account. First, get to know your competition. You’ll need to understand how comparable properties in your neighborhood, area, or school district stack up against yours. Second, find out what inventory is doing. Are homes selling quickly? What is the average days on market? The answers to these questions are important to your home’s ability to sell quickly and for the highest possible price. Lastly, be sure to price your home according to how soon you need to move. If you need to sell in a hurry, price your home aggressively. If you have a little time to work with, your pricing strategy should be based on your desired timeline.
If you have any questions or you’d like to know what your home is worth in today’s market, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d be more than happy to help. As always, stay classy, Albuquerque!
Homeowners have a fantastic opportunity right now in our real estate market. Here’s what you need to know.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*Why should you consider selling your home in 2019? For starters, we have extremely low inventory right now. We’re also seeing the highest average sale price ($250,000) that we’ve ever had. There are a lot of new employment opportunities here in Albuquerque at growing companies such as Intel, Netflix, and more, which will continue to bring more buyers to the area. Additionally, interest rates are at historic lows below 4%.
If you have any other questions or would like more information about how our team can help you achieve your real estate goals, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
If you don’t want your deal to fall apart following the inspection, then you need to understand how to handle repair requests. Let’s discuss this critical topic today.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*Repair requests are one of the most common reasons a real estate deal can fall apart. So, how should this common sticking point be handled?
First, you need to understand what kind of requests are reasonable. Repair requests should, for the most part, be limited to health and safety hazards. These hazards might manifest in the form of a leaky roof, mold, faulty electrical wiring, or any number of other problems.
Cosmetic issues, on the other hand, should generally be left out of negotiations. Things like paint, flooring, and any other aspect of the home that concerns aesthetics over functionality are best left to be handled after closing.
Repair requests should, for the most part, be limited to health and safety hazards.
Of course, issues related to repair requests can easily be tackled before the home ever hits the market. Our team always recommends that sellers who list with us order a pre-inspection, as this will help them to identify and resolve any problems the home may have before opening it up to buyers. Ordering a pre-inspection not only allows sellers to make repairs on their own terms, but it also gives them greater leverage when negotiating with buyers—who will be happy to see that the home has a clean bill of health.
If you have any other questions or would like more information about how our team can help you achieve your real estate goals, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
The kind of closing costs you can expect to pay depends on whether you’re a buyer or a seller.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
What kind of closings costs should buyers and sellers expect to pay once a home sale nears completion?
If you’re a buyer, there are loan-related costs (i.e., processing fees and underwriting fees), appraisal fees, tax service fees, and flood zone certification fees to consider.* You also have to deal with prepaid expenses in order to establish your escrow account. This includes homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, taxes, etc.
On the title side, you have very few expenses to deal with, but some negotiable items to consider are the title company closing fee, survey fee, and closing fee.
If you’re currently in the process of closing on a home and you’d like an estimate of what you’ll pay in total closing costs, give me a call and I’d be happy to give you one.
If you’re a seller, things are a lot different. You’ll pay a broker’s commission (usually 6%), title fees, legal document preparation fees, special assessment fees, survey fees, HOA fees, and homeowner transfer document fees.
If you’re currently in the process of closing on a home and you’d like an estimate of what you’ll pay in total closing costs, give me a call and I’d be happy to give you one. Your lender can also provide you with a good-faith estimate of your loan fees. If you’re getting ready to sell, I’d be happy to give you an estimate as well.
If you have any more questions about this topic or you have any other real estate needs I can assist you with, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to speaking with you.
When listing your home, there are 10 mistakes you need to avoid that can prevent your home from getting sold.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Here are the top 10 mistakes you need to avoid when listing your home on the market:
1. Excess damage. Make sure you complete any necessary repairs and take care of any deferred maintenance so your home shows its best.
2. Carpet in the bathrooms. This is a big turnoff for buyers, so if you have one or more bathrooms that have carpet, I’d consider replacing it with a hard surface like tile. This way your home appeals to a broader spectrum of buyers.
3. Stains on the carpet. If you have noticeable stains on your carpet, whether they be from pets or a high level of foot traffic, you should consider laying down new carpet.
4. Pet odors. People who own pets often don’t notice the odor their animals produce after a while. So if you’re a pet owner, give your home a deep clean and deodorize it.
5. Dogs that bark. If you own one or more dogs and you’re planning an open house, it might be a good idea to speak to your neighbors and see if they can dog-sit for you. You don’t want buyers’ first impressions of your property to be a barking dog.
6. A dead lawn. Spruce up your lawn so that it looks its absolute best.
It’s usually a safe bet that smaller upgrades—like neutralizing your home’s interior paint color—will appeal to buyers.
7. A bad agent. Nothing can sour a potential buyer’s attitude faster than a selling broker who’s rude, unreasonable, and/or hard to communicate with. The broker who’s representing you needs to cooperate with any buyer who’s interested in your house.
8. Sloppiness. You need to make sure the beds are made and the dishes are done each and every day. You should also clean and declutter your closets so that your storage spaces show as well as possible. Buyers should be able to visualize themselves living in your property, and an unkempt house is always unattractive.
9. Being unreasonable as a seller. If your property has potential deal-killers (repairs, upgrades, etc.), it’s helpful to try to overcome those obstacles in advance so that when a prospective buyer comes around, you’re not seen as unreasonable.
10. Bad taste. It always helps to follow current homeowner trends when trying to sell your own home. You can watch HGTV for some quick tips on what’s appealing to buyers in today’s market, but it’s usually a safe bet that smaller upgrades—like neutralizing your home’s interior paint color—will appeal to buyers.
If you have any more questions about the mistakes you need to avoid when listing your home or you’re thinking of buying a home in our Albuquerque market, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to help you.
There are five reasons why now may be the time for you to move up.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Are you thinking about moving up into a newer or better home? Here are five reasons that now may be the time to do so:
1. Renovations may not be feasible. If cost is an issue as far as renovations go, you might be better off upgrading to a home that already has a remodeled kitchen or that pool you’ve been wanting.
2. You’re running out of room. Perhaps your family is growing and you need extra living space.
If you’re running out of room, it may be time to move up.
3. Your neighborhood may be changing. For example, there may be a lot of renters moving into your area, and now may be a good time to maximize your home’s value.
4. Your neighborhood’s already changed.
5. You finally have enough equity to buy your dream home. If the home you are living in now was the first one you ever bought, now may be the time to take all the equity you’ve built into it and upgrade to the kind of home you perhaps initially wanted.
If you would like to know what your home’s worth in today’s market or are thinking about buying a home, please feel free to reach out to us. We would love to help you.
As always, stay classy, Albuquerque!
What can set you apart as a buyer in competitive market? Start with this list of four tips.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
Today we’re going to discuss four different ways to beat the competition in today’s market. The home buying market is very competitive these days, so here are a few ways that you can stand out:*
1. Get pre-approved. This is different than a pre-qualification, which is just a basic letter. A pre-approval requires you to sit down with a lender and requires them to verify your financial documentation. Once you’re pre-approved for a loan, all you need to do is find your home. This will help you separate yourself from the competition when making an offer on a home.
2. Go after properties that need a bit of work. If you’re looking for a house that’s move-in ready and all teed up, you’ll pay for it. If you find a property that has been on the market a little bit longer or needs a bit of TLC, you can get it for a great price and the market won’t be as competitive.
A pre-approval will help you separate yourself from other buyers.
3. Prepare a personal letter. Including a family photo or video with your offer can help you establish a personal connection with the seller, and will also make you stand out against other buyers.
4. Choose an experienced agent or team. We have a great, unique home selling system to help you beat out the competition and get the best deal.
If you have any questions for us in the meantime or want our help with buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Whenever you leave your home for an extended period of time, there are 13 tips you should keep in mind to make sure your property stays secure.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Keeping your home secure while away on vacation is something every homeowner should know how to do.
So as we enter the summer months, I thought it was important to give you all a refresher on this topic. Let’s take a look at some key tips for keeping your home safe and sound.
1. Have someone check on your home. Having a friend, family member, or neighbor periodically visit your property during your absence can give you a lot of peace of mind.
2. Install timers on your electronics. This will make it appear as though someone is present in the home, thereby reducing the chance that your property will become a target for theft.
3. Have someone take care of your landscaping. Doing this will help prevent regular maintenance items from piling up while you’re away.
4. Put a hold on your mail. An overloaded mailbox will alert people to your absence, making your home more likely to be robbed.
5. Leave your blinds open. Statistically speaking, homes are more likely to be broken into if the blinds are closed.
Having a friend, family member, or neighbor periodically visit your property during your absence can give you a lot of peace of mind.
6. Be careful posting on social media. When you put vacation photos online, this lets people know that you are away from your home for an extended period of time. So, think twice before overloading your social media with live updates. Consider posting all your pictures when you get back, instead of while you’re away.
7. Make sure your home is locked up and secure before leaving.
8. Don’t leave a spare key out. Make sure the only keys that exist are in the hands of someone you trust.
9. Lock your garage door. People can force a garage door open, so make sure yours is securely locked before going out of town.
10. Don’t save your home on your GPS. If you leave your car at the airport during your vacation, someone could steal it and use the GPS to go directly to your home.
11. Stash all valuables in a safe. This way if someone does happen to break in, your most precious items are protected.
12. Have someone take the trash out.
13. Get a home sitter. Having someone present in your home is one of the best ways to secure your property while you are gone.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
The latest May 2018 numbers indicate that Albuquerque is in a seller’s market. Despite this, it is still a great time to buy too.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
We are into June, and our Albuquerque market is starting to heat up. When we look at the numbers from last May, we see many of the great trends we saw in May 2017 happen now at an accelerated pace.
For one thing, inventory continues to shrink. There were 4,800 closed sales, which is up 4% from May 2017. At the same time, there were 7,300 new listings that hit the market, which was just a 1% growth compared to May 2017. Our total number of homes on the market at the end of the month was just over 3,000, which is a 17% drop compared to May 2017 when there were about 3,700 homes available.
Our average days on market was 50 days, which was another 17% drop compared to May 2017. The average sale price reached $235,000, which was a 4% increase over May 2017. Finally, our median sale price rose 5% to $200,000.
We are seeing many of the great trends we saw in May 2017 happen now at an accelerated pace.
If you are a buyer, these numbers mean it is very important that you work with an experienced agent who can help you find the right home at the right price. Interest rates are still below 5%, so it is still a great time to buy.
If you are a seller, these numbers bring great news. Homes are selling quickly, and in the last 10 years, there has never been a better time to get the most money possible from your home sale.
If you have any more questions about our market or you are thinking of buying or selling a home, please feel free to reach out to me. My team and I would love to help you.
As always, stay classy Albuquerque!
Low inventory can greatly impact your buying and selling decisions.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
What does low inventory mean to you? Whether buying or selling, low inventory can greatly influence you.
Right now, there is a 2.3 months’ supply of homes in our local market, which is considered a strong seller’s market. Anything below a four months’ supply of homes is a seller’s market, and the closer you get to 0, the stronger the seller’s market that it is. A four to five months’ supply is a neutral, balanced market, while anything above a five months’ supply is considered a buyer’s market.
So as a buyer, what does a 2.3 months’ supply mean to you? It means a lack of inventory. Depending on the location, price range, amenities, etc, there may be very limited options for you.
Depending on the location, price range, amenities, etc, there may be very limited options for you as a buyer.
Having a strong buyer’s agent that can help you identify a home that may not even be on the market yet may be necessary. My team is very active in finding new homes by speaking with brokers and prospecting if I cannot find it in our current inventory.
If you are a seller, what is important to learn about today’s market is that with a seller’s market there is less competition. With more buyers out there looking for homes, they are making sacrifices to get in homes. So, you may be able to get multiple offers as well as more money all in less time if you sell your home now.
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, please reach out to us. We would love to talk to you about a home buying strategy if you are looking to buy. And, if you are looking to sell, we can do a free home evaluation to find out how much your home is worth. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, it’s important to understand how the prevalence of multiple offer situations in today’s market could impact your real estate goals.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Spring is here and the home selling season has just begun. As a result, multiple offer situations have become a common theme in today’s real estate market.
Buyers should be aware of the likelihood that they’ll face competition when submitting an offer on a home. Having a buyer’s agent on your side can help you strengthen your chances in this tough market. Being well-represented can also prevent you from overpaying on a home.
For sellers, on the other hand, a multiple offer situation means you must be able to assess all offers and choose the one which will most benefit you. Working closely with a seller’s agent will help you not only receive multiple offers, but will also help you to select the best deal from among them.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Are you thinking about buying a new construction home? Here are five things you should know.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
If you’re a homebuyer that’s looking to build and/or buy a newly built home, I have a few great tips to share that will make sure you get a great deal. Here are my top five:*
1. New homes are not always listed on the MLS. Especially with newer subdivisions, builders function a little differently. Instead of listing the home online, they have a sales team and an on-site sales office. Our team can help get you access to all of these communities if that’s what you’re looking for.
2. New homes are often sold before they are built. As a new subdivision is being developed in town, there are going to be some great opportunities for you to start building. We can help you find these new sites as well.
Builders are all about numbers and making sales.
3. The first buyers in a subdivision usually get the best discounts. Once ground is broken, builders are going to want to entice buyers. They will offer entry-level prices that you can negotiate. There’s some risk involved, but the savings are undeniable.
4. Builders have no personal attachment to a home. They’re all about making sales and making numbers. They’ll even offer incentives to get you into the home. They want to cater to you. A regular homeowner may be a little bit more difficult to deal with.
5. Discounts may only be in the form of an upgrade. Sometimes builders do pay for your closing costs, but often they can pass those upgrade savings on to you.
We’re very familiar with new construction on our team and have great relationships with some of the best local and national builders. If you have any questions for us in the meantime or need help finding your dream home, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
The first quarter of 2018 has just drawn to a close, so it’s time for the latest market update. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
The first quarter of the year has just drawn to a close. Sales are strong and our inventory is continuing to shrink. With just 2.3 months’ worth of inventory, today’s level of supply is among the lowest we’ve seen in a decade.
Partially due to this low inventory, we’re currently in a strong seller’s market. Another important factor is that home values are continuing to rise. The average sales price in our market today is $242,000, which is up 9% year over year. Also, homes are now spending an average of just 53 days on the market.
Now is a great time to put your home on the market.
Ultimately, it’s a great time to put your home on the market. Buyers realize that interest rates are on the rise and our current market conditions definitely favor sellers. Homes on our market today are selling quickly and are often seeing multiple offers.
If you have any other questions, would like more information, or want to know how we can help you list, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Here are a few things you can do to increase your odds of winning the home of your dream in this competitive market.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Today we’re going to be talking about six ways to up the chances of buying your first home:
1. Hire a seasoned agent. You need someone who truly understands the market and has the experience necessary to help you save money on your home purchase. Make sure they are a full-time agent.
2. Get pre-approved by a lender. We have a great preferred lender you can meet with. It’s important to understand the different loan programs available to you and to have a budget and know what your buying power is in today’s market.
3. Consider a home that may need work. There are some great loan programs out there to take advantage of here, such as the 203(k) renovation loan. It allows you to buy a home for a great price and roll the costs of the necessary improvements into the loan.
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There are some great loan programs out there.
”4. Consider buying in a transitioning neighborhood. This allows you to get a good value now and have some great appreciation down the road as the neighborhood improves. There are a few areas in Albuquerque just like this that we can show you.
5. Think about raising your budget. If you raise it by just $50 or $100 per month, you will have much more homes to look at and it might lead you to the prefect one.
6. Go back to your lender.
Thanks for joining us once again. If you have any questions or know somebody who is thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Stay classy, Albuquerque!
Should you wait until spring to sell your home? Actually, there are five reasons not to wait for the spring market that I want to share with you today.
Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
If you are thinking about selling your home, there are five reasons why you shouldn’t wait for the spring market:
1. Our inventory is at its lowest point right now, so your home is going to get more attention. Typically, people wait until spring to put their homes on the market. The reality is that in February, people start filing taxes. They have extra money available and start taking out loans, so now is a great time to get your home ready for the market.
2. Job relocation is happening now. The first quarter has just begun, so now is a great time to get on the market and find some of those relocation buyers moving into Albuquerque.
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Homes sell faster this time of year.
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3. If you don’t have any landscaping, don’t worry about it. You’re not going to stick out too much in a dormant season like winter. Now is a great time to be on the market because people are more focused on your home and the neighborhood than they are on the type of landscaping you have.
4. Homes sell faster this time of year. Inventory is low, and buyers are starting to hit the market in droves. Get on the market now and sell quickly.
5. You can sell your home for more money. When demand starts to improve and inventory remains low, that will start driving prices up, making now your best opportunity to sell your home for the most amount of money possible.
If you have any other questions about buying or selling a home in the Albuquerque market, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!
There are eight costly mistakes many homeowners make in their first year of ownership. Today, I’ll discuss them and why you should avoid making them.
Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
Today we’ll be discussing eight mishaps that homeowners make within their first year of owning a home.1. Going with the cheapest bid. Whenever you decide to do some remodeling projects, hiring the contractor with the cheapest bid isn’t always going to be the best course for you. You’ll definitely get what you pay for. Do your due diligence on price and be sure that whomever you select is reputable and skilled.2. Submitting small insurance claims. I discourage people from filing claims on issues that amount to less than their deductible. For major damages, however, filing a claim is definitely worth it.3. Making home improvements without understanding ROI. A lot of people spend a lot of money making improvements to their home without considering how much it adds to or detracts from the value of the home should they want to sell it later on. Give me a call; I can give you a list of home improvement projects that will bring you the most value.4. Going on a furniture shopping spree. Avoid those no-interest financing credit card opportunities when you go to look for furniture for your home. Set a budget for yourself and don’t overspend because if it comes to you having to sell, you’ll have racked up a bunch of expenses on items you can’t afford.
Avoid those no-interest financing credit card opportunities when you go to look for furniture for your home.
5. Don’t throw away paperwork or receipts. This is definitely important if you decide to sell your house in the future. Keep receipts from contractors for any repairs or upgrades that you make so that you can thoroughly convey that information to the next homeowner.6. Ignoring small items on the inspection report. You need to do certain maintenance items every year, so by fixing or improving those small items on the report, you can prevent them from becoming larger problems down the road.7. Don’t do home improvements without doing research. This is related to No. 3 on this list. You need to understand what’s the best type of improvement for your home and what will give you the biggest bang for your buck.8. Don’t buy cheap tools.* Be sure to invest in a good set of tools since you’ll be using them a lot. You don’t want to have to replace them after a single use.
If you have any questions about this or other topics relating to real estate, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to help you out.
The market is doing great right now. Here’s why so many people are considering making a move in 2018.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
There are a lot of great things going to be happening in Albuquerque in 2018. Here are five good reasons to consider buying or selling in today’s market:1. Inventory is at an all-time low. This is the lowest level of inventory that we’ve had in the last decade. Almost every neighborhood is in a seller’s market and some neighborhoods barely have any inventory at all. If you want to know what inventory levels are like in your specific area, don’t hesitate to reach out.2. Most sales since 2006. The 13,000 real estate transactions that we saw in the market last year are the most we’ve seen since 2006 and the second-most home sales in the history of Albuquerque.3. Highest average sale price since 2006. Not only is there a higher probability that your home will sell, but there is also a high probability that it will sell for the most amount of money possible.
Rates are still extremely low when compared to the past.
4. Interest rates are still historically low. We’re seeing some slight movement upwards, but rates are still extremely low when compared to 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. If you are curious about what kind of rate you could see, let us know and we’ll get you in touch with our preferred lender.
5. Average days on market. Homes are now selling in less than 50 days on average. Transactions happen a lot faster in today’s market than they ever have before.
We are very optimistic about the Albuquerque real estate market in 2018. If you have any questions for us in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
When it comes to real estate, experience matters. That why I recommend working with a team of agents instead of just one. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
What’s the difference between hiring an experienced agent and hiring an inexperienced one?
Right now, 30% of agents in our market have been in the business for less than two years. Within five years, 80% of active agents will have quit working in real estate.
Becoming a Realtor is easy in today’s marketplace, but real estate itself is actually very complex. So when choosing an agent, it’s best to work with professionals who truly understand what they’re doing.
Because real estate is so complex, I actually recommend working with a team. A team structure allows for agents to focus in on the areas they know best while collaborating with other agents who have different skills. Groups of agents make it easier to cover all the variables that may arise in any transaction.
For any of your real estate needs, I highly recommend working with an experienced team.
Teams have bigger marketing budgets as well. They also have greater purchasing power than individual agents. This benefits you because you get maximum exposure to the market. Whether you are a buyer or seller, this will help obtain great results.
Teams also tend to communicate more thoroughly with their clients. Even if one agent happens to be busy, you can be sure another will always be there to answer your phone call. Teams also have a wider base of knowledge and experience to draw from when they advise you. For any of your real estate needs, I highly recommend working with an experienced team.
If you have any other questions or would like more information about my team, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I wanted to take some time today to let you know how much we appreciate the support you’ve shown us this past year.
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Selling a home? **Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationHappy Thanksgiving to everyone out there. My team and I greatly appreciate our friends, family, and also all of you. We couldn’t have had the successful year we did without your business, support, and referrals. Even those of you who may not have worked with us but have enjoyed the content from our video blog are an important part of what we do.
Thank you for all the ways you support my team and me.
Thank you for all the ways you support my team and me. We hope you have a great time with your friends and family this Thanksgiving.If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
A real estate transaction isn’t all smooth sailing. Here are a couple of areas where you may run into trouble.
Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, there are plenty of traps you can fall into during a real estate transaction. Today I’d like to talk about two of the biggest potential pitfalls that affect buyers and sellers alike.The first is financing. If you’re a buyer, it’s really important that you have a pre-approval with a local lender who has in-house processing and underwriting. Not doing this could be detrimental to your transaction. If you’re a seller, you want to make sure that the buyer who makes an offer on your home is pre-approved with a lender like this.
Inspections are essential as a buyer.The second potential pitfall has to do with inspections. When you’re a buyer, inspections are essential. They alert you to any major issues with a home. You need to understand that no matter what home you look at, any resale home is going to have its imperfections. The important thing is identifying any major flaws that could be costly down the road. Both of these obstacles can be overcome from the get-go by hiring a strong agent. If you have any questions for us or want any recommendations for a local lender or inspector, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.
Today, I’d like to take a look back at some statistics from the month of September. Some great things have been happening in our market. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
A lot of great things are continuing to go on in our market. Right now, I’d like to take a look back at some statistics from the month of September. Our Albuquerque real estate market has been very strong. New listing inventory is down 6% from last year, but the number of pending sales is up 15%.
Our Albuquerque real estate market has been very strong. There are a lot of buyers in the market right now, even though inventory is continuing to shrink. Year to date, closed sales are up by about 7%. More homes are selling right now than there were a year ago. Values have also been very positive this year. Our median sales price has increased about 4%, and our average sales price has increased about 5% to $233,000. This is great news for sellers.Overall, our total inventory has decreased by 18% year to date. We’re down to 3,521 active listings on the market. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Stay classy, Albuquerque.
We have a gift for our friends, family, clients, and those who have referred clients to us.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
As a thank you to all of our friends, family, past clients, and those who have referred clients to us, we have a gift.We have two 2017 and 2018 calendar year tram passes that we can give to you any day of the year, just as a token of our appreciation for you.If you would like to claim those passes, feel free to reach out to me by phone call or email, and we can get you set up for those free tram passes.Thanks for all your support over the years. Your video comments and referrals are greatly appreciated. As always, stay classy, Albuquerque.*
Are home warranties really worth it? I believe they are, and I’ll explain why today.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Are home warranties worth it? Have you ever played The Game of Life? Maybe you had the option of taking life insurance but decided not to. Of course, you eventually needed it and wished you would have taken the opportunity to purchase life insurance. A home warranty is no different.A home warranty gives you one year of coverage for the major items in your home. It’s good to have a guarantee just in case something happens within the first year of living in the home.
A home warranty gives you one year of coverage for the major items in your home. Home warranties cover plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, and garage openers. You can even opt for the first-class upgrade to cover appliances and more. If you would like more details, we can send you a Home Warranty Guide from our preferred company, First American Home Warranty. As your real estate agent, we will negotiate a warranty for you. The warranty is about $400. If you go for the upgrade, then it’s $495. If something does break during your first year in the home, you just pay a $60 fee to repair or replace that item.If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!If you would like more details, just give us a call.
Which renovation projects will get you the best return on investment? I’ll go over the top four today.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Whether you’re thinking of selling your home or you just bought your first home and want to make some improvements, there are some renovations you can do that will get you a great return on investment. These are the top four renovation projects that will get you the best possible return on investment: 1. Upgrade your landscaping. Boost your curb appeal by adding flowers, shrubs, and trees. Spruce up the grass. Make sure that great landscaping carries through to your backyard. Buyers want a really neat backyard, and a good backyard shows very well. Landscaping projects typically cost around $4,700 and you can get a 105% return on investment. 2. Get a new roof. If your roof is getting up there in age and you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, a new roof will get you the best return on investment. Pitched roofs are especially popular in Albuquerque. If you just bought a home and you’re looking to save energy, it can also be very beneficial in the long run to invest in a new roof. A new roof costs about $7,600 on average and you can get a 105% return on investment.
A new roof will save energy and add value to your home. 3. Refurbishing or installing hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are a classic, popular finish for flooring. If you have hardwood floors already, resurfacing them is a great way to make them look good as new. If you’re thinking of installing hardwood floors in your new home, you will enjoy them and they will be a great selling point when the time comes. Resurfacing costs about $2,500 for a 102% return, while installing hardwood floors costs about $5,500 (depending on the size of the home) for a 95% return. 4. Adding a patio or deck in your backyard. This goes along with the landscaping. Here in New Mexico, patios are very popular. You get a lot of use out of them and they will increase your home’s value. Patios cost about $6,400 for a 100% return while adding a deck costs about $5,000 with a 91%. If you have any other questions about improvements for your home or you’re curious about what’s happening in the market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!
Which renovation projects will get you the best return on investment? I’ll go over the top four today.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home searchSelling a home? *Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation*
Whether you’re thinking of selling your home or you just bought your first home and want to make some improvements, there are some renovations you can do that will get you a great return on investment. These are the top four renovation projects that will get you the best possible return on investment: 1. Upgrade your landscaping. Boost your curb appeal by adding flowers, shrubs, and trees. Spruce up the grass. Make sure that great landscaping carries through to your backyard. Buyers want a really neat backyard, and a good backyard shows very well. Landscaping projects typically cost around $4,700 and you can get a 105% return on investment.
A new roof will save energy and add value to your home. 2. Get a new roof. If your roof is getting up there in age and you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, a new roof will get you the best return on investment. Pitched roofs are especially popular in Albuquerque. If you just bought a home and you’re looking to save energy, it can also be very beneficial in the long run to invest in a new roof. A new roof costs about $7,600 on average and you can get a 105% return on investment. 3. Refurbishing or installing hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are a classic, popular finish for flooring. If you have hardwood floors already, resurfacing them is a great way to make them look good as new. If you’re thinking of installing hardwood floors in your new home, you will enjoy them and they will be a great selling point when the time comes. Resurfacing costs about $2,500 for a 102% return, while installing hardwood floors costs about $5,500 (depending on the size of the home) for a 95% return. 4. Adding a patio or deck in your backyard. This goes along with the landscaping. Here in New Mexico, patios are very popular. You get a lot of use out of them and they will increase your home’s value. Patios cost about $6,400 for a 100% return while adding a deck costs about $5,000 with a 91%. If you have any other questions about improvements for your home or you’re curious about what’s happening in the market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!