3 Tips for Clearing Out Clutter in the Kitchen

If you’re like most people selling a home in Aspen, you know that you need to create as much space inside as possible – your Aspen Realtor® has probably told you as much.

But even if your home doesn’t appear cluttered, should you still clear things out?

Yes!

Here’s how.

3 Tips for Clearing Out Clutter in the Kitchen

The bottom line is that prospective buyers want to buy a home with a lot of space. Every piece of furniture, knickknack and other item you have in the house makes it look a little less spacious, even if you don’t see it. You don’t want the home to be empty when you’re going to sell – that would be bad staging – but you do want it as clutter-free as possible.

Here are three tips you can use to make your home appear less cluttered.

#1. Use a caddy in the kitchen.

Put a caddy on your kitchen counter to keep all your everyday items in. When someone comes to see your home, whisk them away and put the whole caddy in a cupboard, off the counter and out of sight.

#2. Add a kitchen cart.

Put things like pots and pans, as well as things that would take up counter space, on a wheeled kitchen cart. You can move the cart to the garage when people come to view your home, or you can leave it in a spot where it looks great – beside the island, for example – if it’s a nice-looking cart that’s well-organized.

#3. Remove items you haven’t used in 6 months.

If there’s something in your kitchen you haven’t used in 6 months, it’s time to make a decision. Do you want to keep and store it (preferably in a box in a storage unit), or do you want to sell, donate or throw it away? One of these things needs to happen.

Are You Selling or Buying a Home for Sale in Aspen?

Call us at 970-429-8275 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll begin searching Aspen real estate listings right away. If you’re selling, get your free Aspen real estate market update and find out how we can help you sell your home quickly and at the best price.

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5 Tips to Save Water in Your Aspen Home

If you’re like many Aspen homeowners, you’d love some eco-friendly tips on saving water – and we’ve got five of them you can start using today.

5 Tips to Save Water in Your Aspen Home

You don’t have to make huge adjustments to your lifestyle to save a lot of water. These five tips will get you started on the right path:

Install water-saving shower heads
Use only full loads
Make sure your faucets don’t leak
Turn off the water when you brush, shave or do dishes
Don’t run the tap to wait for cold water

Two of these tips can also help you sell your home when it’s time to move on: making sure your faucets don’t leak and installing water-saving shower heads.

Repairing Leaky Faucets

When you’re ready to sell your home, your Aspen Realtor® will talk to you about improvements you can make to help sell your home faster – and that goes for repairs, too. Buyers expect everything to be working well when they purchase, so repairing leaky faucets (which, in many cases, you can do yourself) is par for the course.

Installing Water-Saving Shower Heads

Buyers love knowing that they’re making a solid investment that’s environmentally friendly, so installing attractive, water-saving shower heads can go a long way toward that “wow” factor you want buyers to have.

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Limestone, Travertine, Marble and Slate Flooring

If you’re buying a home for sale in Aspen that has limestone, travertine or marble floors, here’s what you need to know about each.

Limestone, Travertine, Marble and Slate Flooring

No matter which type of flooring your new home has, it’s essential that you know everything you can about it.

Limestone and Travertine

Limestone and travertine are both formed from silt, sand, clay and crushed shells. They create a porous surface, so the floors should be sealed (ask the seller before you buy!), especially if they’re being used in any room where liquids might end up (that’s any room).

These floors can absorb water and stains, but they’re definitely gorgeous.

Marble

Marble is metamorphic rock, which means it’s formed during a time of change. In marble’s case, it’s formed when limestone gets transformed by pressure and heat within the earth. Some marble is millions of years old.

The surface of marble is susceptible to stains, and it can deteriorate when it’s wet – and that means it, like limestone and travertine, needs to be sealed when it’s used as flooring. It’s definitely not the best type of flooring to have in the kitchen or bathroom, but if you care for it properly, it can be a beautiful part of your home.

Slate

Like marble, slate is a metamorphic rock. It’s harder than marble, and it’s formed when clay sediments undergo heat and pressure changes.

Slate is really durable, and it requires less care than other stone flooring options do. Its uneven surfaces lend character (and prevent slipping) in any room.

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Caring for Stone Flooring in Your New Aspen Home

If you’re buying a home for sale in Aspen that has stone flooring, here’s how to care for it.

Caring for Stone Flooring in Your New Aspen Home

Taking good care of your stone flooring ensures that it’ll last as long as possible – and it’s a way to protect your investment.

Remember:

Dirt is abrasive and can damage your floor
Damp mopping is the way to go
Don’t use harsh cleaners

Dirt on Your Floors

Dirt and sand are really abrasive, and they can scratch away your floor’s sealant and polish. If you see dirt or sand, sweep or vacuum it away immediately.

Mopping

Look for a pH-neutral soap that’s safe for use on stone flooring. Detergents made for porcelain or ceramic can be abrasive.

Cleaners

Harsh cleaners, when it comes to stone flooring, include anything with acids in it – and anything with abrasives.

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5 Best Breakfast Spots in Aspen

If you’re buying a home for sale in Aspen, you’ll love knowing that we have a number of amazing restaurants – and some of the best breakfast spots in Colorado are located here. Check out this list of 5 breakfast hotspots in Aspen and the surrounding communities.

5 Best Breakfast Spots in Aspen

#1. Paradise Bakery and Café

Paradise Bakery & Café is definitely a go-to when you’re in a rush and need to swing by for a quick breakfast. Try their muffins, croissants and bagels to get a well-rounded glimpse at what’s great.

Website: http://paradisebakeryaspen.com/

#2. Poppycock’s Café

Poppycock’s Café is the spot to be when you want a stack of pancakes, delicious eggs and fabulous French toast.

Website: http://www.poppycocksaspen.com/

#3. Prospect

Tucked in Hotel Jerome, Prospect is a modern American bistro that specializes in gourmet breakfast (try the breakfast tacos – you’ll be glad you did).

Website: https://hoteljerome.aubergeresorts.com/dining

#4. Jour de Fete

Jour de Fete – French for holiday – specializes in a blend of delectable dishes with El Salvadorian and French fusion.

Website: http://jourdefeteaspen.com/

#5. Mawa’s Kitchen Aspen

Mawa’s Kitchen Aspen is the perfect breakfast and brunch spot. With fresh fruit, delicious croissants, parfait and so much more, it’s definitely worth a try.

Website: https://www.mawaskitchen.com/

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3 Things You MUST Ask When You Hire a Realtor

If you’re buying or selling a home in Aspen or any of the surrounding communities, you’re going to need to interview some Realtors®.

But asking, “Have you ever done this before?” isn’t going to be quite enough.

3 Things You MUST Ask When You Hire a Realtor

If you know what to ask, you can find the right Realtor for your needs.

How Long Have You Been a Realtor?

New agents can start with tremendous enthusiasm and skill. In fact, some relatively new Realtors are among the best in their fields.

However, when you’re purchasing a home, it’s about more than that. It’s about hiring a Realtor who can anticipate your needs, make sure she’s looking out for your best interests every step of the way, and who has extensive experience in your market. This can be particularly true in luxury real estate.

Experienced agents understand the city’s highs and lows, how much properties are really worth, and how to find out what’s most important to you as a buyer or seller.

Can You Provide References?

A great agent will have testimonials… and she won’t be afraid to share them.

A background littered with happy clients who’ve turned into friends is the hallmark of a Realtor you want by your side when you purchase or sell a home in Aspen.

What Makes You Different From Your Competitors?

No two Realtors are alike. In fact, there should be a solid number of characteristics that your Realtor is willing to share to differentiate herself from the competition.

This answer can tell you just about everything you need to know about an agent… and it can help you make the right choice.

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Aspen?

If you’re thinking of moving to Aspen or any of the surrounding communities, we’d love to help you find your dream home. Give us a call at 970-429-8275 or get in touch with us online.

If you’re selling, get your free Aspen real estate market update and find out how we can sell your home quickly and at the best price. Call us at 970-429-8275 today!

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Roofing Materials 101

Thinking about replacing your roof before you sell your home in Aspen? Here’s what you need to know about roofing materials.

Roofing Materials 101

When you’re selling your home, your Aspen Realtor® will walk through and make improvement suggestions to help you sell quickly (and at the right price). That might include repairing or replacing your roof.

And that means you need to know what you’re in for.

The most common types of roofing materials are:

Asphalt shingles
Wood shingles
Metal
Fiber cement
Clay or concrete tiles
Slate shingles

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles cover more than 75% of American roofs. They’re the least expensive materials to use, and they last between 15 and 20 years.

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are natural, and they’re available in cedar, Southern pine and a wide array of other types. They can last between 30 and 50 years.

Metal

Metal roofs come in copper, stainless steel and aluminum. They’re often made of recycled materials, and they’re lightweight and resistant to bad weather. Metal roofs can last up to 50 years.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement roofs are typically made of a blend of concrete, clay and wood fiber, and they’re lighter than traditional concrete is. These roofs usually last between 20 and 30 years.

Clay or Concrete Tiles

While clay and concrete tiles are durable, they’re a bit expensive. However, they can last more than 50 years.

Slate Shingles

Slate shingles are beautiful, and they’re typically easy to repair when something goes wrong. However, they’re very heavy. They can last upwards of 50 years.

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What is Right to Rescission?

If you’re like many people buying a home for sale in Aspen, you know that you can rely on your Realtor® for guidance and advice throughout the entire process.

But there’s a term you may not know – and it’s an important one that relates to home financing: right to rescission.

What is Right to Rescission?

The right to rescission is very important when it comes to mortgages – but not a regular home purchase; it applies only to refinancing and home equity loans or lines of credit. It allows you to change your mind about taking out a loan. It falls under the Truth in Lending Act, which lets you have a “cooling-off” period after you sign your mortgage paperwork – and if you change your mind within three days from the date you closed on the home, you’re allowed to walk away from the deal.

That doesn’t mean you won’t lose your earnest money deposit or anything else – but it does mean that if you wake up the day after closing and realize you’ve made a terrible mistake, you’re not going to have to pay for that mistake for the next 30 years of your life.

You only have 72 hours – that’s three days. You can only use it for your primary residence, too.

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Why You Need to Price Your Home Right the First Time

If you’re like many people who want to sell a home in Aspen, you know it’s important to price your home right the first time – but why, and how can you avoid making major pricing mistakes?

Why You Need to Price Your Home Right the First Time

Pricing your home is part science, part art. Your Aspen Realtor® knows that your home is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it, and to arrive at an accurate price, she’ll carefully evaluate other homes in the area and compare yours to those that are currently on the market, those that have sold recently, and those that were on the market and didn’t sell.

Here’s the bottom line.

If your home is overpriced, buyers are going to look at it and wonder why your home is more special than the other homes they’ve seen in the same price range – particularly because the other homes offer more space, better amenities or a better location. They’ll keep looking and won’t want to be “overcharged” by buying your home. Your home will sit on the market for too long, and eventually, you’ll lower the price – but by then, the listing will have become “stale” and buyers will wonder what’s wrong with it. The final problem is that you’re cutting out buyers who could afford your home if it was priced properly; they won’t even see it if they limit their search parameters to what they can afford.

If your home is underpriced, you’ll be leaving money on the table.

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Common Roofing Terms Homeowners Should Know

If you’re buying a home for sale in Aspen, you need to know common roofing terms – especially if it’s your first home. After all, you’ll be living in the home for the next several years, and the time may come when it’s time to repair or replace the roof.

Common Roofing Terms Homeowners Should Know

Check out this list of common roofing terms.

Coverage

Coverage refers to the degree of protection the roof provides.

Cricket

A cricket is a barrier that diverts runoff near a chimney or other transitional area.

Decking

Decking is the wood (usually plywood) that roofers nail shingles to.

Drip Edge

A drip edge is an L-shaped piece of metal that helps stop water from dripping behind fascia boards.

Eaves

Eaves are the parts of a roof that hang over the face of the wall.

Fasteners

Fasteners are what hold roofing on a house – they’re nails and screws.

Flashing

Flashing is typically metal, and it’s installed to prevent water from getting into the area around a chimney.

Peak

The peak is the highest part of the roof, and it’s usually covered by ridge caps.

Penetrations

Penetrations are objects that poke through the roof.

Rake

The rake of a roof is the inclined edge of a pitched roof.

Ridge Vent

A ridge vent is a vent that runs over the length of the roof and lets out air.

Soffits

A soffit is the finished underside of a sloped roof.

Transition

A transition is the part of a roof where the pitch, slope or angle changes.

Valley

The valley of a roof is an internal angle that’s formed when two slopes meet.

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“Brenda went above and beyond as our realtor”

My fiance and I moved to the Valley from Minnesota this past January. We were lucky enough to be set up with Brenda from our realtor in MN. The day we arrived for our house hunting trip, Brenda met us for lunch and went over our plan of attack for the week, as she knew Continue Reading

Maria Golbirsch (and Greg Gazillo) February 28, 2017

“Brenda Wild is our exclusive Realtor”

A consummate professional who always looks out for your best interests…and yet takes the time for hand-holding too…this is why Brenda Wild is our exclusive Realtor.

Roger & Kelly Guth February 28, 2017

“You can expect the royal treatment”

Brenda and her staff get to the heart of your desire, needs and dreams. You can expect the royal treatment and awesome results with Brenda and her team.

Jenn Carlson February 28, 2017

“She gets anything you need”

Brenda is great, very efficient and hard working. She gets anything you need from home and land info to anything about Aspen you could need quickly and accurately.

Bruce Lange February 28, 2017

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