Blackmore Group

This is a tale of a home that sat on the market

It happens... Homes that aren’t priced appropriately or have larger structural problems can create hesitation in prospective buyers.

We’ve had the opportunity to work with sellers who were unsuccessful in their first listing attempt.

It’s my job to see what tweaks can be made to get the home seen and into the hands of the right people.

Here’s what we focus on ➡➡➡

Are "smart" home features actually worth the investment?

The conclusion we've drawn over the years: It depends.

Here are a few options we've seen in action that seem to be worth their modest price tags:

Echo Dot - Small but mighty, this smart speaker fills the room with a great depth of sound. But here's what takes it up a notch: It houses a built-in room temperature sensor that can initiate certain Alexa smart home routines. (Ok, impressive!!)

Not an Amazon Alexa user? Your best option is the Google Nest Mini, a wireless bluetooth speaker and microphone let's you launch Google Assistant with a simple "Hey Google"

Moving on to home security cameras, the Tapo C120 gives you 120 degrees of coverage and is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant. With 2k resolution, color night vision and weather resistance under $40, this gadget is a yes.

Next up: Lighting. The biggest gripe with smart bulbs is their price tag. Have you met the Wyze smart bulb that comes in at a modest $8?! Connect the bulb to your phone or smart home device and set schedules for every room in the house – at any color or temperature 2700K to 6500K. Bonus? Use "travel mode" to turn on the lights sporadically while you're away.

What smart home feature is worth it's weight to you? Drop your recs in the comments!

Happy Monday! Recently hit the market and ready for showings is 640 Clear View Rd, Durango CO

This classic cozy log cabin tucked up in the mountains truly feels like a retreat! With fall right around the corner this property will be at its prime surrounded by Ponderosa Pine, Aspen & Blue Spruce. This Super Private location is on 6.24 acres, 4 Beds, 3 Baths and sitting on 4,276 sqft this fully furnished home has a unique travertine tile floor design as you walk through the front door. Be wowed by the amazing Log construction, cathedral ceilings and large windows that bring the outdoors in. The warm and inviting engineered wood floors throughout the entire home are gorgeous with in floor radiant heat installed in every room youll be warm and cozy all winter long!
Click the link in our bio for more information!

Can I get a mid-year pulse check on the housing market??

I thought you would never ask. SWIPE!

What other questions do you have about the real estate market? Send me a message.

1589 Long Hollow Cir, Durango CO
Offered at $675,000 this charming 5 acre horse property is ready for its new owners. Complete with a full size arena, paneled stalls, NO HOA & easy access to downtown Durango this place has everything you need to or just to live in a setting away from the hustle and bustle!
Interested in learning more about this property? Click the link in our bio or reach out to

404 Hillcrest Drive, Durango, CO 81301 Has everything you need and more! Been envisioning the perfect family home nestled against open space for ultimate privacy? This is one you’re going to want to check out! Click the link in our bio for more info on this beauty or head over to to get in contact!

As the back-to-school buzz is upon us, we want to share a lesson we've learned from my investor clients over the years, specifically where they choose to invest.

👉 It's here: near colleges and universities. Here's why–

1) High demand: School and college enrollment rates remain high which is a great sign for landlords nearby.

2) Premium rates: The demand doesn't just fill bedrooms; it gives you higher rental rates.

3) Economic stability: Even when the market attempts to erode value, college town properties remain resilient.

4) Mom and dad: Oftentimes, the parents of students are co-signing on the lease, typically ensuring prompt and full payment.

If you explore this avenue, remember what's appealing to the college crowd. It doesn’t require luxury. Focus instead on proximity to campus, public transit, fast casual eateries & grocery stores.

If you'd like to discuss investing in a property near a school, we'd love to connect. Send us a message!

Happy Wednesday all! Incase you haven’t heard we’re gearing up and getting excited for our upcoming client appreciation event. Want to join in on the fun? RSVP in our bio🫶🏼

Picture this: It's 2021, people are waiving home inspections left and right to \*fingers crossed\* have their ticket called from the pile of offers.

Luckily, we've moved past that period of chaos and we're seeing buyers re-embrace inspections.

To us, it's a no-brainer form of insurance on your largest investment.

Let's look at some real numbers:

Imagine you're a buyer who invests $750 in an inspection that reveals damage to the windows of the home that will cost $15,000 to repair and replace.

With that knowledge, we head back to the seller to negotiate repair costs or walk from the deal.

In most cases, the sellers will work with us to make it right.

We've seen seller credits range between $250 and $25,000
depending on the type of repair.

Your long-term peace of mind is worth the fee. Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments.

POV: You're settled into your new home with time to spare this fall for bonfires, football & hosting for the holidays.

All is right in the world.

So what needs to happen to make this a reality?

Swipe to learn more➡➡

Curious how to make the transition from your current place? We’ve got the playbook for a seamless move, complete with the latest listings, neighborhood profiles, local intel, and service professionals to help you move. Send us a message if making a move by fall is on your mind.

Calling all Blackmore Group Clients 📣 this is an event you won’t want to miss! We are so grateful for all of our amazing clients that support our local brokerage, and what better way to thank you than to throw a party? Click the link in our bio to RSVP

"What makes a winning real estate offer these days?"

This is what we've been seeing lately:

The earnest money deposit is at least 2% of the purchase price. This signals to the seller the buyer is serious and committed.

The inspection contingency is waived - instead of including it in their offer, buyers conduct a pre-inspection before submitting.

The buyer has a fully underwritten pre-approval — a "conditional mortgage approval" is considered the most comprehensive pre-approval a buyer can receive.

If you have questions about buying in today's market, send us a message, we're here to be a resource!

In search of your perfect real estate agent? Pick your player! Our amazing team of agents are here to support you every step of the way.

Today I closed three properties and here is just an example of the drastic different experiences one might have in a transaction.....

- Closing #1 - I knew from working with this seller agent everyone was going to be in great hands from the get go. Sellers moved out and I got lots of invoices and receipts for professional cleaning, even though it wasn't a requirement in the contract. The sellers and agents wanted to make sure that my clients received this property in amazing shape. They delivered more than expected and besides having to pick up a dead chipmunk the house was dialed. We both worked together to have a smooth deal, get through all inspections, negotiations, and to the closing table smoothly. Keys were packaged nicely and delivered at closing.

- Closing #2 - Represented the sellers. My clients had moved out of this property six months prior, and had renters in it. We went to the market and made sure to accomodate the tenants schedules, the tenants were great, they moved out, we rallied the troops to make sure the house was perfect for the new buyers. We made sure the house was clean and ready for the new owners, the buyer agent was happy as could be, keys were in everyones hands, and closing was smooth sailing.

- Closing #3- I hadn't worked with this listing agent before. I had heard stories though. I wrote in the contract as in depth as possible to ensure no items were missed to my ability. I could go into details about what happened DURING the transaction but I just won't.
Well, anyways, we weren't allowed a walk through until yesterday evening, which the home was still being occupied , it was apparent the contractural obligations were not being met, I had to notify title and everyone that there was issues on the condition of the home.
The seller agent assured me the home was going to be re-cleaned and the windows professionally cleaned and provide receipt. We close at 10 am ... this morning... at 9:50 am we receive "proof" the windows had been professionally cleaned for $150 dollars, on a paper invoice (no jokes).
I just knew at the closing table that the windows guaranteed weren't going to be clean. We also never got the keys until 3 pm, in which when I showed up ... it was apparent they needed help so I offered to help the seller load items, no seller agent to be seen.
Seller directly gave me the keys, and I had to remove the one from the listing agent lock box with permission from buyer. and guess what... WINDOWS still filthy!
As a buyer agent I assured my client at the closing table that there was a good chance this home wasn't going to be perfect, the buyer had to sign anyways because a u-haul was already ready to be unloaded, I will be compensating the buyer to have the home professionally cleaned including the windows to make things right as well as putting forth a home warranty to make sure they are covered for a year.

My worse FEAR would have been if the buyer did not have proper representation and have someone advocating for them in the corner, for a multitude of reasons in the contract I will not state on social media. This would have been a nightmare if they would have gone directly to this seller agent.

Also said agent is a real estate "coach" selling ads on how to use AI to generate seller leads. HAHAH!

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS! It matters on sellers and marketing , it also matters for buyers just as much. Please please make sure you are professionally represented out there folks.

Much love ❤️

Summer staycations a quick drive from Durango🧳

Swipe for a tour of my favorite local spots!

We're believers in being upfront — even when the conversation is tough.

So, here's the candid truth: For many, this might not be the ideal time to buy a home.

We're facing a market where prices are high, interest rates are holding higher than they've been, and housing inventory, while increasing, is playing catch up.

If this message resonates with you, please read on...

You might be feeling the pressure to dive into homeownership, but maybe you can consider a pause.

We're here to say it's okay to stay put a little longer, to embrace the quirks of your current space and focus on this instead...

Create a thoughtful plan (with the help of a professional)

If you're curious about where you stand financially or what your options might look like, we collaborate with a network of understanding, pressure-free lenders. They're here to help you explore your possibilities and make a plan.

What questions can we answer? Send me a message.

If anyone is looking to get into home ownership right now at an affordable price for not a complete tear down home, then 305 pine valley is the place to be checking out.
We just did a price drop to $375K and also offering a $5K seller concession to use as pleased. The sellers current mortgage is assumable at a low 5% if someone is interested, but they must qualify.
Check it out -great opportunity for someone

This week in Durango promises plenty of opportunities to explore, connect, and enjoy the best our city has to offer. Swipe to know more and Join the fun! 📅

This one's for you IF your summer plans include a "For Sale" sign in your front yard.

The summer brings buyers to the market which means homes sell QUICKLY this time of year. This is why:

• School-year countdown: As the countdown to the new school year begins, parents are on a mission to get settled in their new place. This urgency means your pool, backyard, or quiet study space could be exactly what tips the scales in your favor.

• Cool amenities: Homes with amenities made for cooling down are in high demand. A pool, a shady patio, or a new AC unit? Now’s the time to show them off. Plus, we’ll let buyers know how close you are to local attractions like Animas River, Lake Nighthorse or Chapman Hill Ice Rink.

• Hassle-free showings: We'll do our best to align your summer travel plans with buyer showings. Just let me know the dates you’re out of town, and we’ll handle the rest.

Ready to make moves this summer? DM us for a customized selling plan!

Happy New Month everyone!!

This new month comes with plenty of fun activities and opportunities to explore, connect, and enjoy the best of Durango!!

Swipe to know the events happening this week👉👉

In a world where you can be anything, being part of something bigger than yourself is an incredible privilege.

As a real estate professional, my connection to Durango extends beyond property lines and market trends. It's woven into the very fabric of our community and the people and organizations working to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who calls our city home.

With that in mind, I want to shine a light on a few local nonprofits that hold a special place in my heart➡➡

What other organizations are making Durango a better place? Share below in the comments!

June is National Homeownership Month.

If that doesn't exactly fill you with excitement, we get it.

Owning a home is an incredible personal goal to have, but there's no doubt that external factors have made it more challenging than ever before.

Swipe to know more👉👉

There is no doubt the path to ownership is a steeper climb these days. To help my first time buyer clients make meaningful strides towards their goals, we created a complimentary resource for gaining clarity on income and expenses.

Comment "budget" to grab our tracker!

Move over, 401(k)s. There's a new kind of investment in town.
Sure, long-term investing conjures up images of 401(k)s and target-date funds. But what if you were to apply that same foresight to your next home?
Meet one client who decided to take a chance on a new construction home as a long-term investment - here's a sneak peek into his thinking👉👉

A new construction home can be a savvy move for future you — want to learn more about new construction in Durango? Comment "NEW," and let us send you our favorite new homes in the area.

Totally unfamiliar...
That's sometimes the reality people face when moving to a new city.
So how exactly do we get them acclimated and confident in their buying decision on a very short timeline?
Swipe to find out how I approach it👉👉

If you're feeling the call to embark on your own Durango adventure, get in touch to receive a complimentary copy of our Living Like a Local guide.

Thank you Blackmore Group for sponsoring Father's Day Brunch! We appreciate you!

https://www.facebook.com/share/RP5WU8qoA3qhXYX6/?mibextid=xfxF2i

I think we 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 an empathetic advisor as their clients go through the highs and lows of this huge life event.

Look out for these key qualities in a seller’s agent:👉

School's out, summer's in!
From rooftop dining to outdoor concerts, raise your hand if you're ready to embrace the season of sun 🙋‍♀️
Swipe right to find out what's going on around town and in real estate this month!