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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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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5 Things to Know About Having a New Roof Installed

If you’re selling your home in Aspen and you’re having a new roof installed, here’s what you need to know.

5 Things to Know About Having a New Roof Installed

While every project is different, these are a few tips you should keep in mind when you’re having a new roof installed so you can sell your home.

Permits are usually the contractor’s responsibility.

Usually, the contractor is the one who applies for and gets permits to work on your roof.

Get everything in writing.

It’s important that everything from financing to waste removal is included in your contract.

Schedule your job wisely.

Winter and spring aren’t the best times to schedule a roof replacement, but you can if it’s necessary. Just remember that the weather can delay progress.

Get referrals first.

Don’t hire anyone until you’ve talked to people who have had good experiences with the contractor you’re considering.

Make sure the roofers pick up nails.

Demolishing your old roof and installing a new one means lots – and lots – and lots of nails in your yard. Make sure the roofing contractor runs over the ground with a huge magnet to pick up all the strays.

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3 Design Tips for Small Condos in Aspen

When you buy a condo in Aspen, you’re often looking at limited space to decorate and make it your own – but with these three condo design tips, you’ll be able to create a spectacular space you can’t wait to get back to.

3 Design Tips for Small Condos in Aspen

The best way to approach décor in your condo is to follow these guidelines:

Be realistic about your daily life
Give every room its own personality
Get the right-sized furniture

Be Realistic About Your Daily Life

When you’re decorating a small condo, it’s important to be realistic about the way you’ll use your home, whether it’s a vacation property or your year-round home. Start with your priorities – if you need a home office, you need to focus on carving out that space before you start decorating. Likewise, make sure you’re defining every part of your living space before you even bring in furniture.

Give Every Room Its Own Personality

There are two ways to look at this. If you want your space to appear larger, paint everything the same color and use continuous flooring throughout. If you’re not concerned about it looking larger, change things up by painting in various colors and patterns, and adding different flooring (even rugs). Even if you paint the entire condo the same color to create continuity, you can still define each room with its own décor, which is important so you don’t feel as if you’re living in a one-room studio.

Get the Right Sized Furniture

Large furniture doesn’t belong in your small condo. If your sofa, dining table or desk is too big, it’s going to impede traffic flow and overpower the space – and it’ll feel like you’re a full-sized adult living in a hobbit house. Make sure your furniture really fits in each room.

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What Determines Interest Rates?

When you’re shopping for a mortgage, you want to get the best possible interest rate – but how do you do that?

What Determines Interest Rates?

Your credit score and the market typically determine what interest rates you’re eligible for when you apply for a mortgage loan. However, there are a few things you can do to change your rate.

Here’s why interest matters so much. A $100,0000 loan with a 5 percent interest rate will cost you $93,256 in interest payments – but if you had a 4.5 percent interest rate, you’d pay $82,407 in interest over the life of your loan. That’s a savings of $10,849.

How to Lower How Much You Pay in Interest

Improve your credit score. The higher your credit score is, the lower your interest rate will be.
Pay points. Discount points are equal to 1 percent of the loan amount, and in many cases you can use them to buy down your interest rate.
Put down more money. The higher your down payment is, the less you have to borrow – and your down payment is tied to the interest rate you’ll get.
Shorten the term of your loan. Your loan is shorter, so you’ll end up paying less money in interest.

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4 Great Indoor Houseplants for Your Aspen Home

If you’ve just bought a home for sale in Aspen, you’ll probably want to bring it to life with amazing houseplants – but what kind should you get?

4 Great Indoor Houseplants for Your Aspen Home

The best houseplants take chemicals out of the air and provide you with extra oxygen. Some of the most popular include:

African violet
Peperomia
Spider plant
Peace lily

African Violet

The stunning purple flowers African violet produces are a great addition to any home. It blooms several times each year, and you can take great care of it by keeping it in bright but indirect light. Keep the soil moist and offer good drainage.

Peperomia

Waxy-leaved peperomia does great in humid environments, which means it’s a great addition to the bathroom or kitchen. It does well under fluorescent light, too.

Spider Plant

Spider plants grow quickly, and their shoots produce tiny plants you can repot elsewhere. Keep spider plants in well-lit areas and water them weekly and you’ll have plenty of greenery in your home.

Peace Lily

Peace lily plants can grow up to 6 feet tall, and their beautiful, waxy leaves pull toxins from the air. They’ll grow in moderate light and they’re tough to kill.

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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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