5 Home Staging Miracles You Have to Pull Off This Winter

When you’re selling your home in Aspen or any of the surrounding communities, staging is essential – your real estate agent has probably already discussed it with you.

But these are five absolute “must-do” staging tricks that you can’t leave out if you’re selling your home this winter:

Snowy curb appeal
Heat things up
Build a fire
Sprinkle in seasonal scents
Be careful with holiday decorations

Snowy Curb Appeal

There isn’t a whole lot you can do to make your front yard look spectacular in the snow, but you can create an easy path for potential buyers to use (and make it look like your home is easy to maintain in the winter). You can also add a few potted evergreens near the porch and put a wreath on your door.

Heat Things Up

Even if you’re a stickler about keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees, turn up the heat when buyers are coming over. You want them to feel warm and welcome.

Build a Fire

If you have a fireplace, leave a small fire crackling in it to keep things cozy. Your prospective buyers will appreciate how it looks – and it’ll be easier for them to envision themselves living there, too.

Sprinkle in Seasonal Accents

Be Careful With Holiday Decorations

What Are CFL Lightbulbs (and Why Does it Matter)?

Compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs are miniature versions of the standard fluorescent lightbulb. In spite of their size, CFLs fit into all standard sockets. At first glance, they are reminiscent of the incandescent bulbs we’re all familiar with. However, they have a far more pleasant and diffused lighting characteristic than the harsh illumination we tend to associate with school or office interiors. The downside to CFLs is that they contain mercury, which is not much of an issue unless they break, in which case the cleanup can be a bit problematic. Mercury is a dangerous heavy metal, making proper cleanup and disposal of CFL bulbs critical. You should never place a used CFL bulb with the rest of your trash. Review information provided by your local waste management company or public works department to ensure proper disposal.

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What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?

Navigating the world of lending—particularly home lending—is tough (and it’s often confusing, too).

Nonetheless, if you’re like most people, you’ll have to take out a mortgage loan to pay for your new home in Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale or the surrounding communities.

And that means you’ll hear all kinds of financing lingo; you may even be offered an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, when you apply for a loan.

So what is an adjustable-rate mortgage, and how can you tell if it’s right for you?

What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage, or ARM?

An adjustable-rate mortgage is a loan featuring monthly payments that can fluctuate as interest rates change.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it?

There’s more to it than that.

Most ARMs have an initial fixed-rate period. During that time, your interest rate won’t change. Typically, after that fixed-rate period, you’ll have a longer period during which the rate changes at certain intervals.

Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

Everyone has his or her own reasons for choosing the type of loan they end up using—and it’s extremely important that you go to your financial adviser if you’re not sure what’s right for you.

You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of adjustable-rate mortgages on your own, or with the help of a professional who works for you (rather than for your lender) to determine what’s best. We can provide you with information so you can make the best possible decision, so here’s what you need to know:

The initial interest rate is often lower with an adjustable-rate mortgage than it is with a comparable fixed-rate mortgage.
After your fixed-rate period ends, your monthly payments can go up if interest rates rise.
After your fixed-rate period ends, your monthly payments can go down if interest rates go down.
Interest rates are unpredictable; that means you don’t know what your mortgage payment will be in a year, in 10 years, or in 29-and-a-half years, when the house is nearly paid off.

There are several types of ARMs, including 3/1, 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1. In each of those, the first number refers to the duration of the introductory rate (so in a 3/1 ARM, your introductory rate would last for one year). The second number refers to how often the interest rates can change, in years (so in a 3/1 ARM, your interest rate could change every one year).

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Home Upgrades: Interior Doors

Doors between rooms are an often-overlooked feature in many homes. Look around your home and you may be surprised just how many interior doors you have. From the standard sized, hinged door to the more unusual types, you have many options for selecting an interior door.

One Option: Hinged Interior Doors

The type you’ll see most often, basic hinged interior doors usually come in a standard size. This makes replacing them a snap. It’s often best to choose a pre-hung door for a speedy, easy upgrade. Then, it’s a simple matter of preference in type and style of door.

Choose a solid wood or solid core interior door for sound-resistant privacy. If soundproofing isn’t an issue—such as for a closet or basement door—hollow core doors are lightweight and lower-cost options. Panel doors offer a range of detail, or you can choose a flush, smooth door with no detailing.

French Doors Inside Your Aspen Home

French doors offer unparalleled flair and will really set off your décor. The detailing of the glass panes, and the light they allow through, can really make a statement. French doors are fabulous for a master suite. They can also open up your interior space while still providing a boundary when desired.

Aspen is Perfect for Pocket Doors and Barn Doors

Pocket doors are an ideal solution to tight or otherwise problematic spaces. Historic homes and repurposed spaces often may not have adequate room for a door to swing open. An attractive, dramatic alternative to the pocket door is a barn door. Barn doors hang from a decorative track, like a curtain, and slide to open or close. Either can help you streamline your floor plan in style.

Are You Buying a Home in Aspen?

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Woody Creek real estate listings
$29,000,000 Active
979 Red Mountain Road Aspen, Colorado

6 Beds 10 Baths 9,737 SqFt 0.970 Acres

$2,399,000 Active
747 Galena Street S 280 Aspen, Colorado

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,082 SqFt

$1,395,000 Active
700 Monarch Street 104 Aspen, Colorado

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,014 SqFt

$1,100,000 Pending
212 Juniper Court Basalt, Colorado

5 Beds 5 Baths 3,296 SqFt 0.160 Acres

Where to Buy Home Furnishings in Aspen

There is no question that Aspen is one of the most breathtaking cities in the entire world. From Aspen trees to snow-covered mountains, Aspen is alive and vibrant throughout each season.

Whether you’re a current resident or you’re thinking of buying a home in Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale or any of the surrounding communities, we know exactly where you can go to get the right furniture for your new place.

Home Furnishings in Aspen

Aspen Design Room

625 East Main Street, #101

Aspen, CO 81611

970-544-2055

This luxury showroom features top-of-the-line brands of indoor and outdoor furniture, mirrors, lighting and Baccarat Crystal. They also offer custom design from start to finish.

Cathers Home

530 Basalt Avenue

Basalt, CO 81621

970-927-6556

Just a few miles outside of Aspen, you will find Cathers Home, a 7,000-square-foot combined showroom, design center and rug gallery. Their retail showroom displays home furnishings, luxurious bedding and Tufenkian Rugs.

Chequers of Aspen

520 E. Cooper

Aspen, CO 81611

960-925-7572

With buyers traveling around the world, Chequers is sure to have something unique and stylish for your home. This high-end home furnishing store offers exquisite antiques, custom furniture, home accessories and lighting.

Frette Aspen

220 South Mill Street

Aspen, CO 81611

970-544-9501

Frette specializes in linens for the bed and bath, as well as home décor. Bringing their styles from Milan and Monza, their décor can be found in the most extravagant hotels, homes and yachts.

Are you moving to the Aspen area?

We would be happy to help you find your next home. Call us at 970-429-8275 or contact us online. We can start looking right away.

$29,000,000

6 Bedrooms
10 Bathrooms
9,737 Sq Ft
0.970 Acres

979 Red Mountain Road Aspen, Colorado

View Property

$2,399,000

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
1,082 Sq Ft
0 Acres

747 S Galena Street 280 Aspen, Colorado

View Property

$1,395,000

2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,014 Sq Ft
0 Acres

700 Monarch Street 104 Aspen, Colorado

View Property

$1,100,000

5 Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms
3,296 Sq Ft
0.160 Acres

212 Juniper Court Basalt, Colorado

View Property

$975,000

5 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,936 Sq Ft
0.140 Acres

519 Lake Court Basalt, Colorado

View Property

$759,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2,592 Sq Ft
0.410 Acres

160 Crossland Drive Basalt, Colorado

View Property

$715,000

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3,085 Sq Ft
1 Acres

1007 Fender Lane Carbondale, Colorado

View Property

$675,000

3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3,169 Sq Ft
1 Acres

4110 Sky Ranch Drive Glenwood Springs, Colorado

View Property

$524,000

2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
927 Sq Ft
0 Acres

855 Gold Rivers Court 21D Basalt, Colorado

View Property

$10,000

2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1,019 Sq Ft
0 Acres

110 Carriage Way 3408 Snowmass Village, Colorado

View Property

$2,000

3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
4,020 Sq Ft
0.140 Acres

307 W Francis Street Aspen, Colorado

View Property

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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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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“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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