Ashley Bevan Real Estate

Nearly one-third of home sellers regret this...

👉 Selling their home all together.

But there's good news: I've seen sellers sidestep that remorse when they keep these things in mind:

Reflect on your 'whys' - What's driving your move? Will the change genuinely improve life for you and your family? Jot down your important reasons.

Do the math - Selling your home isn't just about the now; it’s got long standing financial implications. What are the costs of staying put versus moving? Reach out if you want help calculating the numbers.

Grab a net proceeds sheet - Knowledge is power, especially about your potential earnings from a home sale. (More on this in a minute →)

It's my goal to help clients walk the home selling path with confidence, clarity and strategy.

Send me a DM for a custom net proceeds sheet to see what you can earn from your home sale.

Banana: a commodity
Your house: anything but

Selling isn't one-size-fits-all.

Sure, every transaction follows certain steps, but when I work with clients, the experience is anything but cookie-cutter. Every seller gets:

• A recent comparative market analysis
• Personalized home preparation and staging recommendations
• Tailored advice on pricing based on recent sales and market trends
• Professional listing photos & videos that highlight the unique features of their home
• A listing description that captures their home's story

If you want a little more context on the sales process, send me a DM or grab my selling guide.

Your home looks great in photos, but.... does it smell great too?

Scents are a very powerful trigger and could make or break your first impression with a potential buyer.

Here's what I share with my sellers:

Deep clean or replace carpets–
Ever lost something in a carpet and thought, well - that's gone forever. Compound the crumbs, dirt, pet hair, sweat and skin cells over years of use and... you start to smell things. Investing in a deep clean or exploring replacement options is something I typically recommend.

Scrub the kitchen–
Grease builds up in places you wouldn't think –on top of the fridge, cabinets, microwave– and next thing you know, that quaint kitchen starts to smell like an industrial grease trap. Wipe down all surfaces with hot soapy water a time or two.

(And, it goes without saying - avoid cooking fish or foods that give off strong odors ahead of showings (unless it's banana bread).

Open doors and windows–
This one's obvious but works great for bringing some fresh air into the mix. Make sure to open multiple windows or doors on opposite sides of the house to create a cross-breeze.

Add scents \*sparingly\*–
There's nothing worse than an overly perfumed room. It could signal to buyers you're trying to mask a bigger problem.
Scents that are getting lots of attention these days -
Santal, bergamot, vetiver, black rose.

Pura is a smart fragrance diffuser company I recommend to clients - they offer sample scent bundles so you can pick and choose which scents you're drawn to.

What is your favorite way to relax?

Is it just me or does the cost of furniture shock you?

I occasionally think about how a new accent chair or dining table might look in my space but if I pick the wrong piece, the stakes are... high! (It's bulky, heavy, hard to breakdown, and I just spent an entire weekend fumbling with an Allen wrench to put it all together).

But there's something I've discovered that's removed my hesitations. Where two worlds meet and I'm left reaping all the benefits.

AI 🤝 Interior Design.

Here are my top picks:

Remodel AI - it helps visualize a space by processing photos to test different finishes, materials, and color palettes. It offers 15 free image generations per month.

Room GPT allows users to instantly redesign rooms by simply uploading a photo.

And if you're seeking that human touch (I get it), I recommend checking out the virtual interior designers at Havenly - they will not disappoint.

When it \*actually\* make sense to sell... Check for these conditions

Market Conditions

1) There's low Inventory. Fewer homes on the market means more competition which drives up price.
2) Recent comparable sales near you are high, indicating healthy appreciation.
3) Homes are selling quickly, with short “days on market”

(Your agent can help with this info! ^)

Personal Circumstances

There are _many_ circumstances that warrant a home sale. These are the ones I see most often:
\> job changes
\> growing family
\> desire for more space
\> desire for less upkeep
\> desire for a change of pace

If you're thinking about selling, let’s chat and see if now is the right time for you. Send me a message.

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

This is what I'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 me a message, I'm here to be a resource!

It’s our last month to squeeze every drop out of summer.

Swipe for an update on the local real estate market and, of course, an end-of-summer bucket list!

Think open houses are outdated? Same but then we gave our strategy a little update...

Here’s how we boost foot traffic–

1) Mega Open House: Less open house, more block party. We personally invite the neighbors and encourage them to bring their friends.

2) Digital Marketing FTW: My team and I go all out before the event on social media to capture our local audience’s attention ahead of the event.

3) Exclusive Broker Tours: Prior to the Mega Open House, I invite fellow brokers and agents for a private tour of the home. This really has a compounding effect for reaching potential buyers.

4) Strategic MLS Timing: Using the MLS, I leverage the 'Coming Soon' feature to time the listing’s market entry, maximizing the home's visibility.

Curious how an innovative approach to open houses can sell your home fast and for top dollar? Let’s connect!

Summer staycations 🧳

Swipe for a tour of my favorite local spots!

Hot Take: Home upgrades before selling can be completely unnecessary.

Here's why: Not all upgrades are created equal.

For example: Sellers refacing their cabinets. While this update will look great, the expense of the project is likely not necessary for the sale.

The truth is some changes won't significantly alter buyer interest or selling price, especially if they don't align with a buyer’s taste or preferences.

So, before you rent the sander or swing the hammer, work with your agent to strategize on the best investments to maximize your home's value.

Do you agree or disagree? Share your perspective below.

Happy Parents Day! I hope you have a day that is as amazing as you are.

Feeling like your starter home has become your forever spot?

Time flies, and sometimes, what was meant to be temporary sticks around longer than expected. But staying put doesn't have to mean settling.

Bring back the love for your home with these tweaks:

- Splurge on a new piece of furniture, area rug, or art.
- Schedule a landscaping consult to bring a fresh take to the front yard or back patio. Yardzen has highly rated virtual consults.
- Build a she-shed or man cave. The world of stylish, prefabricated structures is here.
- Get creative with storage. Think built-in bookshelves, under bed storage, or reworking closet space.
- Update light fixtures and hardware on doors and cabinets throughout the house
- Do an interior design consult for a fraction of the cost on platforms like Havenly.

Here’s one more thing I’d say: Sometimes, “trying on” a move to a new home can help reinforce your decision to stay put.

And if instead you're ready to see what upsizing looks like, send me a message. I'm always here to be a resource.

Open House! 4456 Barrow Lane, Timnath
$515,000 This is a lovely, modern, like new home, with a fenced yard, lovely patio for al fresco dining, Designer colors throughout, Huge gourmet kitchen, Sprawling Primary suite with spa like bathroom and plenty of storage in the walk in closet. The floor plan is an award winning, open and super functional floor plan!
Come check it out!

Open House 7/20/2024 10 am- Noon

This weekend! Saturday, 7/20/24 1 pm - 3 pm

This home is a fantastic new price!! The seller has reduced the price by $50,000 and is offering the buyer $10,000 for closing costs or rate buy down! In addition I have 3 preferred lenders who will give the buyer a 1% buy down on the first year! WOW!!
Tons of beautiful updates, great neighborhood, come see your new home!

POV: You're a home buyer that gets pre-approved for \*the magic number\* from your mortgage lender.

Don't come for me on this one but... Just because the lender gives you the green light on a certain dollar amount \*doesn't mean\* you should stretch your housing budget to the max.

Before you sign, think about your life BEYOND the loan. Things like lifestyle preferences, discretionary habits, vacation expenses, childcare needs, etc.

Let's make sure your next home fits comfortably within your current lifestyle.

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.

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 neighborhood amenities.
• 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 I’ll handle the rest.

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

There's often a sizable delta between the Zestimate and reality

When it comes to pricing your home, nothing beats a personalized touch and an agent’s local knowledge.

A thorough market analysis, understanding local trends, and a strategic marketing plan can make thousands (if not more) of a difference in your home's final sale price.

That's why it's crucial to work with someone who can dig deeper than surface level – because your home is unique and deserves a tailored approach.

Curious about your home's true value? Reach out, I'll send over a complimentary price estimate for your home.

Happy 4th of July!

What are the steps to be in a home by year’s end?

This is a common question I start to hear this time of year.

Here’s a simple roadmap:
If your 2024 to-do list says “buy house” - you’ve got the perfect amount of time to be settled into a new home by the holidays.
July:
✓ Reach out to an agent for a buyer consultation to make a game plan.
August:
✓ Chat with a lender to nail down your home price range and pre-approval letter - typically good for 90 days. (Send me a DM for my lender recs!)
September:
✓ Fun part: Make a Wants vs. Needs list, browse listings, scope out open houses, and begin your home explorations.
October:
✓ Narrow down favorites and submit your offer(s) with the help of your agent.
November:
✓ Seal the deal on your new place and wrap up paperwork by month's end.
December:
✓ Move in, deck the halls, and enjoy the holidays in your new spot!

The TL;DR:
Reach out to your Realtor ASAP! You’ve got the perfect amount of time on your hands to be home for the holidays!

It's the heart of summertime! Happy July!

Here's what's going on in Northern Colorado this month!