Daphne Queen 8z Real Estate

What really impacts your home's value? 🤔

The buyer's ability to move in and start living from day one.

Knowing that, this is the advice I give my sellers that usually comes as a relief. No need to do any time-consuming updates... instead focus on these quick fixes.

✨ Add a fresh coat of neutral paint.
✨ Spruce curb appeal by weeding, adding fresh mulch trimming bushes and cleaning the entry.
✨ Professional carpet cleaning to remove odors. Replace if needed.

Work with your agent to decipher what will bring the buyers ease, comfort and convenience. In most cases, that’s the key to a quick sale.

Thinking about selling your home? Use these cheat codes 👇

👉 Love letters: Write personal notes to the neighbors and invite them to the open house. They may appreciate the gesture and be happy to support (and invite their friends).

👉 Jot down your favorite thing… Write what you loved most about your home. Your agent can convey this to potential buyers. Hearing your viewpoint is super meaningful for buyers.

👉 Family-friendly open house: Work with your agent to set up a corner for kids to play. Stock it with snacks, books, stickers and crayons. This will help buyers with children browse the house with ease.

👉 Smart house: Share your home’s smart features with your agent. They can help demonstrate your home’s modern amenities.

👉 Proactive pre-inspection fixes: Consider addressing your home's little imperfections preemptively, giving buyers ease that major repairs have already been addressed.

👉 Well-documented: Organize a log of all the upkeep and upgrades you’ve made over time. This will reassure potential buyers of the home's great condition.

If you're ready to sell but need some guidance, I'm here to help.

Check out your monthly market stats from Boulder County 🏔️. If you’d like to learn more about your specific neighborhood, shoot me a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Let’s analyze a hypothetical transaction where you have the option to lower the purchase price, or permanently buy your rate down by 1% - which would save you more in the long run?

Read more at 8z.com/newsletters 🔗

What I'd tell myself if I was on the house hunt right now...

👍 What matters most:
✔️ Structural integrity: I'd look for a home with a sound foundation, roof, and well-sealed exterior
✔️ System ages: I’d find out the age and maintenance needs of systems like HVAC, roofing, and plumbing.
✔️ Neighborhood fit: Finding the right area will shape my daily life. I'd want a good blend of ambiance and practicality.
✔️ Commute times: The toil of long commutes wears on you (financially, physically & mentally). Location and proximity to work would be front and center.
✔️ Functional layout: I’d look for a floor plan that complements my lifestyle, knowing that in some cases we can make modifications.
✔️ Growth Potential: A home that can adapt to life - I'd be looking at extra rooms or flexible spaces for kids or guests.

👎 What matters less:
✔️ Current decor: Wallpaper and paint colors are easily changed. I’d look past what’s superficial.
✔️ Furnished vs. unfurnished: Furniture arrangements and styling are personal choices that I can make later.
✔️ Landscaping: While curb appeal is nice, it’s the lot, not its current state, that matters more.
✔️ Light fixtures & hardware: These are simple, relatively inexpensive changes that won't deter me from the right home.
✔️ Appliances: While shiny and new might be appealing, appliances are replaceable and don't make or break a home’s value for me.

What's on your 'matters most' list? Share your dealbreakers below.

POV: You win the bidding war without offering the highest price.

This is what sellers are also on the hunt for in an offer...

⏰ Time
The ability to close quickly, say within 2 weeks, can give you a leg up against other offers. This involves securing a lender who can underwrite you in advance, showing the sellers you’re committed.

🤝 Terms
From escalation clauses and appraisal gap coverage to proposing an “as-is” purchase, there are a few terms that the seller will find enticing.
This is why your agent should always reach out to the seller’s agent to understand their client's motivations.

💰 Price
Don’t get me wrong, the offer price you submit will need to be in the ballpark of other offers. Your agent should run comps and review market conditions before submitting your offer to ensure you’re as close as possible.

Have questions about writing a strong offer? Send me a DM!

Owning a home is an incredible personal goal to have, but there's no doubt that external factors have created some challenges.

Things like:
👉 The rising cost of childcare: In 2023, the average weekly cost of daycare in the US was $321, up from $284 in 2022.
👉 The escalating cost of food: Food prices surged by 2.2% in February 2024 compared to February 2023, with restaurant prices rising even faster at 5.1%.
👉 Elevated interest rates: Mortgage rates averaged 2.96% in 2021, but by October 2022, the 30-year rate had skyrocketed to 7.08%, marking a nearly 400 basis point increase in just ten months.

Although it's aggravating to know you can't control the price of childcare, gas or groceries, it can also be liberating...

Because we can turn our attention to the things we can control.

Things like discretionary spending and saving where possible.

This might mean temporarily having a roommate to share rent costs, opting for a more affordable car, treating dining out as a treat rather than a routine, or sticking to a grocery list to curb unnecessary spending.

There is no doubt the path to ownership can be challenging, but with the right gameplan and some discipline, it's absolutely achievable!

Is it worth it to work with a buyer's agent?? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

❗ Buying real estate is usually the *largest single investment* a person makes in their lifetime.❗

This is how buyers can benefit with a great agent on their side...

✅ Negotiating power: A buyer's agent has your best interest in mind and knows the art of negotiation. More terms in your favor and more dollars in your pocket? That's our goal.

✅ Robust network: Having a squad of industry pros (lenders, inspectors and contractors) that we can call on during the buying process is worth its weight in gold.

✅ Expert juggler: Coordinating showings, inspections, appraisals, and closings is our bread and butter. It should be our full time job, not our client's.

✅ Creative problem solver: Fussy sellers, inspection hurdles, appraisal headaches - been there. An experienced agent has seen their fair share of hurdles and knows how to find creative solutions.

✅ Last and most importantly, a buyer's agent is your advocate: Someone dedicated to answering your questions, decoding contracts and providing a second opinion throughout the buying process.

Warren Buffett’s successor Greg Abel recently said it best: “Buying real estate is the one time in our lives where we make a massive investment. Having that council and guidance is absolutely critical.”

I think I can speak for anyone who has ever moved...

Saying goodbye to your longtime home is incredibly bittersweet and emotional.

From the quiet everyday moments to our biggest milestones, the walls of our homes have seen it all.

An agent’s role in the sale of your home entails many things:

👉 They should provide expert counsel, price the property appropriately, market it thoroughly, and negotiate favorable terms.

But most of all, a seller’s agent should be:

👍 Active listener: They pay close attention to your wishes, concerns and hesitations.
👍 Strong communicator: They keep you informed at each stage of the process and provide resources for questions that arise.
👍 Emotional intelligence: They recognize this is a significant life event. They don’t push or pressure you to make decisions and provide additional support where needed.
👍 Solutions-oriented: Hiccups are inevitable in real estate. They seek solutions and embrace a can-do attitude.

Home builders are going smaller. 🏡

In 2022, the average size of a new home was 2,560 square feet. Fast forward to the end of 2023, and that figure shrunk to 2,375 square feet.

Now, with the median price per square foot in the U.S. holding steady at around $192, that 185-square-foot decrease translates to $35,520 in savings!

The takeaway? If finding the “one” within your budget has been challenging, consider exploring slightly smaller, new builds.

Not only could they fit snugly within your budget, but they might also come bundled with great perks like price reductions or mortgage rate buy-downs.

Interested in a list of newly built homes in our area? Send me a DM!

Listings are sitting on the market longer on average, and de-listings as well as price reductions are more common. One could even make the argument that we’re finally seeing a real shift toward a buyer’s market.

Read more about the current housing market trends at linktr.ee/queendaphne 🔗

This stat blew me away...

👉 80% of sellers only speak with ONE agent before choosing who will represent them in the sale of their home...

Knowing that, I want to share a few questions you should absolutely ask when interviewing a listing agent:

✔️ What is your experience selling homes similar to mine?
✔️ How will we communicate throughout the sale process?
✔️ What % of your listings sell for higher than the asking price?
✔️ What unique qualities separate you from other agents?

Want to talk more about selling or how I would answer these questions? Reach out, I'd love to chat!

Ever wonder what furniture should stay and what should go before your house hits the market? 🤔

This is one topic I cover with my seller clients as they think about putting their homes up for sale.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach but here's how I tackle it:

We'll do a home walkthrough. I'll swing by and together, we'll make our way through your home reviewing details, decor and repairs to make ahead of listing.

With your permission, I'll snap a few pictures of your current furniture, decor and layout to capture the essence of your home.

Together with a professional staging company, I'll make recommendations for what pieces I'd like to see remain in your space for showings and what items we'll bring in for staging. (This gives my clients clarity on what items to pack up and what to leave out!)

Rest assured, we'll make this process as smooth and streamlined as possible.

Thinking about selling but feeling a bit overwhelmed? Shoot me a DM, and let's start the conversation!

Your home is amazing - so why isn't it selling?

It may be time to re-evaluate the price.

Here’s the thing: Overpricing your home can lead to a longer time on the market, and that's not what you want.

Pricing your home just right can actually benefit you in the long run by:
✅ Attracting serious buyers
✅ Leading to faster offers
✅ Saving you from the headache of having your home sit on the market for months.

Curious how much your home is worth? Shoot me a message!

When the perfect home is full of hidden problems 🫠

It happens all the time: We find the most perfect home but it has its fair share of issues. In fact, in 86% of cases, home inspectors find issues that need attention.

It's all part of the buying process — After all, it's better to find issues now (and know if they're anything major) than after you've signed on the dotted line.

Situations like this highlight the importance of having a trusted and experienced agent by your side.

What questions do you have about inspections? Comment below or shoot me a message!

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I’m excited to represent this one-of-a-kind, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com .

The Residences at Saddle Creek Boulder are filled with warmth and natural light and are surrounded by one-of-a-kind, breathtaking canyon views. The carefully curated interior finishes and spacious floor plans provide the perfect luxurious mountain retreat right in the heart of Boulder, CO. Homes available now.

I’m thrilled to represent this iconic, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com .

Let's face it: not every home that's 'under contract' actually makes it to closing.

These common pitfalls can derail your selling plans in a hurry. 👇

🔴 Inspection Issues
Did you know that a failed inspection accounts for 15% of unsuccessful home sales? It's true.

🔴 Appraisal Challenges
Appraisals can be a tricky business. If the appraisal doesn't come back at the right value, it can derail your entire home-buying process.

🔴 Change of Heart
Sometimes, sellers have a change of heart or a personal situation that prevents them from going through with the sale. That's life and 100% okay.

But fear not - you can navigate the selling process with confidence and avoid these costly mistakes. As an agent, I'm happy to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to get started? Send me a DM to learn more about how I can help you sell your home successfully.

ELEVATED LIVING IN BOULDER. Tucked into the mouth of the Canyon, Saddle Creek Residences puts you moments away from the breathtaking immersion of the foothills, with easy access to hiking, skiing, fly fishing and all the adventure for which Boulder is famous. Your mountain retreat, right in the heart of Boulder.

I’m excited to represent this thoroughly modern, historically rich luxury community with . Homes available now. DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com .

Sellers: If the shoe was on the other foot and you were the potential buyer, would you want the homeowner to be present during showings?

Buyers are most relaxed without the sellers present — which is exactly how you want them to feel as they tour your home and envision themselves living there. They're freer to chat, ask questions, open cabinets and linger.

So long as sellers have done their part to clean, declutter, and get outta dodge, they can leave the rest to me. I’ll make sure buyers know their home's special features, upgrades, and quirks.

Have questions about selling? Send me a message, let's chat!

Multiple award-winning architects have come together to create this collection of iconic luxury homes that are nestled into the hillside at the mouth of Boulder Canyon, mere steps from the Boulder Creek path to downtown. Explore one-of-a-kind, luxury mountain homes and discover Boulder's most exclusive new address: Saddle Creek Residences.

I’m excited to represent this one-of-a-kind, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com .

With summer arriving soon, The Residences at Saddle Creek provide owners easy access to the Farmer's Market, CU, and downtown Boulder. Each residence includes personal electric bikes, so it's a quick jaunt to your next destination from home.

I’m thrilled to represent this iconic, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com .

Discover Boulder's most exclusive new address: the Residences at Saddle Creek. Featuring private elevators, spacious decks and patios, and seamless indoor/outdoor living, Saddle Creek homes are nestled into the hillside at the mouth of Boulder Canyon, mere steps from the Boulder Creek path to downtown. Your mountain retreat, right in the heart of Boulder.

I’m excited to represent this one-of-a-kind, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com .

Back in December, we were given some temporary hope as mortgage rates quickly fell to the 6.5% range, and the Fed suggested that there would be three to four rate cuts this year. But so far, no cuts.

Will we see mortgage rates drop in 2024? Read more at my link in bio 🔗

The Residences at Saddle Creek Boulder are filled with warmth and natural light and are surrounded by one-of-a-kind, breathtaking canyon views. The carefully curated interior finishes and spacious floor plans provide the perfect luxurious mountain retreat right in the heart of Boulder, CO. Homes available now.

I’m thrilled to represent this elegant, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:
Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com

Is the news keeping you from making a smart move in real estate?

Here's the truth - headlines shouldn't be the only factor in your decision.

The real estate market is always changing, and what might be a good time to buy for someone else might not be the best time for you.

So, how do you know when it's the best time for YOU to buy?

It's all about understanding your personal circumstances and goals. Are you ready to settle down in a specific area? Do you have a stable income and savings for a down payment?

These are the questions you should be asking yourself. By focusing on your own needs and priorities, you'll be able to make the best decision for your future.

Agree or disagree? Comment your thoughts below!

Location. Location. LOCATION.

The Residences at Saddle Creek are ideally located along Boulder Creek, nestled against the foothills in the heart of town and close to everything that makes Boulder a special place to call home. With framing on site evolving quickly this Spring, the juxtaposition of luxury homes tucked into the breathtaking immersion of the foothills is rapidly becoming a vividly, beautiful reality. Homes available now.

I’m excited to represent this elegant, luxury community with . DM me for more details and a private showing:

Daphne Queen | 8z | 303.589.4308 | [email protected]
Learn more at saddlecreekboulder.com