WE COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED TO WELCOME NICOLE RUFENER TO THE WEST + MAIN HOMES TEAM!

If you don't already know Nicole, we can't wait for you to meet her. Nicole is not only a true Denver real estate expert, she is also one of the Mile High City's biggest fangirls. Check out her lifestyle blog at DenverVibe.com and let her know if you want a tour of any of Denver's unique + popular neighborhoods...she knows them all inside and out!

Nicole has been selling Real Estate in the Denver Metro area for over thirteen years, and she's also a contract and negotiation specialist. Nicole has trained and managed some of the most successful professionals in Colorado, and we are beyond lucky to have her as part of the West + Main Homes Team!

When Nicole…

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Your home is almost perfect...but it doesn't have that model home, designer feel that will sell for top dollar. Don’t despair—there are dozens of high-impact, super-easy updates that can be pulled off in a single afternoon. From styling tricks to micro cleaning, here are 20 little home updates with major payoff.

 

Stow 

STOW THE KITCHEN TRASH CAN

Fact: Even the fancy ones are still an eyesore. Tuck a small can under the sink or in another cabinet - it's worth the lost storage space to hide the garbage!

 

 

MOVE COATS TO A CLOSET

It's really easy to let a wall of hooks or pegs turn into permanent coat and bag storage...so just get rid of it or carefully style it with just a light scarf and sun hat - because no one needs to know how many…

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As we all know, inventory of existing and new homes in the Denver Metro area has been at historic lows, which has benefitted homeowners as price appreciation has risen steadily over the past six years, especially in the city and nearby suburbs.

However, a rise in interest rates, thanks to the Federal Reserve, combined with a shaky political atmosphere, has homeowners thinking now may be the time to cash out and is almost certain to increase housing inventory for 2017. For prospective sellers that means that if you were planning to sell your home this Spring, it’s time to get a move on!

Here are six reasons why now may be the time to sell in Central Colorado:

1. Low inventory

Inventory of homes in both Denver and its surrounding suburbs…

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The filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns is Tuesday, April 18, 2017, rather than the traditional April 15 date.

In 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday, and this would usually move the filing deadline to the following Monday — April 17. However, Emancipation Day — a legal holiday in the District of Columbia — will be observed on that Monday, which pushes the nation’s filing deadline to Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Under the tax law, legal holidays in the District of Columbia affect the filing deadline across the nation.

Refunds in 2017

Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds remains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund.

After refunds leave the IRS, it takes additional time for them to be…

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Determining the value of a home is often a complicated process, as you weigh comparable homes, renovations, square footage and more. However, when a home is distressed or a “fixer-upper,” the process can be even more convoluted.

To determine whether or not a property that interests you is a wise investment will require a lot of work. You will need to figure out what the average home in the area sells for, as well as the cost of the most desirable ones. 

One of the best ways is to get your hands on a comparable market analysis. The team at West + Main will happily help you with this! You'll see what price similar properties have sold for in the past and find out the listing price of others currently on the market.

It is important to examine the…

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Crazy low inventory.

Active listings in the residential market (single family and condos) were at 3,878 total units in February, representing an all-time low for any month on record.

This is only the third time active listings have dropped below 4,000 units.

Lots of new listings, with even more buyers.

February experienced a surge of new listings with a month-over-month increase of nearly 20 percent, and a year-over-year increase of 6.81 percent. The healthy increase in new listings was squelched by an equally healthy increase of properties placed under contract. Homes under contract increased 17.82 percent from last month, and 4.79 percent from February of last year.

“The spring selling season is off and running as unseasonably warm…

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Walk through the front door of this gorgeous 2 story and you will fall in love! The spacious open floor plan is filled with natural light and features gleaming hardwood floors and huge windows. The stunning kitchen is a cooks delight, with a large island with counter seating, granite counters, Stainless Steel appliances and walk in pantry.

Every upgrade imaginable was chosen with care, from the built in speaker surround system to the covered patio to the oversized garage, this one has it all. The large yard has been professionally landscaped and is gorgeous with blooming plants in front and back.

An Energy Efficient home that is part of the Oakwood Homes Guaranteed Energy Program keeping all of the energy costs incredibly low. Also included is…

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Questions to Ask When Putting on an Addition Whether you’re expecting a baby, renovating your starter home into your forever home, or just looking for extra space, putting on an addition is a big job. When constructing a new space in your home, it’s important to think through each and every aspect of the process. Below are a handful of questions to ask yourself.

Can I finance the home improvement with my own cash or will I need a loan? How much will the project put you back? Can you really afford to do it now, or should you start saving for a year or two? 

How much equity is in the property? A fair amount will make it that much easier to get a loan for home improvements.

Is it feasible to expand the current space for an addition? How will it…

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For some homeowners the decision to sell their home is a no-brainer. Not only are they ready for a change, the real estate market and their finances are also in great shape. The only additional sign they need to make it official is the For Sale sign to stick in their front yard.

Then there are those times when homeowners simply aren’t sure selling is the right move. It’s not surprising that Dave gets a lot of calls from these homeowners who just need some impartial advice to help them see past the little details they’re hung up on. Take a look at these three cases where Dave told the callers it was time to sell, and see if any apply to you.

When we came across this great article from Dave Ramsey, it really resonated with our team, because we see…

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Selling a Vacant Home?

Whether you're listing your second home or moved before you could close on your last space, selling a home that's empty can be a bit more challenging than selling something staged.

Once furniture is removed from the home, you will notice all kinds of imperfections you never paid attention to before – rips in the carpet, holes in the walls, and dinginess. It's true that in an empty house, everything stands out. What you see is what potential buyers will also see. Below are a handful of tips to put your home's best foot forward.

Detail.

You may need to paint, tear up old carpet, and replace the kitchen floor. Whatever it takes to make the space feel fresh and flawless.

Stage if you can.

To get rid of the “empty…

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