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Before I bought my first electric vehicle in 2012, I told myself, “I don’t want to switch from burning gas to burning coal,” since coal at the time was the biggest portion of my electric utility’s fuel mix. I went ahead and bought my 2012 Chevy Volt, because I installed enough solar panels on my home to get all my electricity from the sun. Since then, I have bought three Teslas and sold one (my RWD 2014 Model S to friends in Arizona).

Then I learned why EVs have lower emissions than gas-powered cars, even if the fossil fuels represent 100% of the utility’s fuel mix. The reasoning is reflected in this graphic from http://www.FuelEconomy.gov:

The gist of the graphic is that only 16 to 25% of the energy in gasoline goes to propelling the vehicle. The rest is basically waste energy, 68% to 72% of it engine losses such as heat. By contrast, roughly 90% of the energy in electricity goes to move an EV.

That differential in fuel efficiency is at the heart of why EVs are more climate- and pollution-friendly than gas-powered vehicles can ever be.

Choosing the best agent and/or brokerage for listing your home is no small matter. For most people, their home sale or purchase is the biggest transaction of their life, one they would want handled by an experienced and resourceful agent and brokerage.

For many sellers, perhaps even most, the decision seems all too simple. We all have a relative, classmate or friend who holds a real estate license, and there’s a compulsion to use that person, or, to put it differently, a fear of upsetting or insulting that person by using someone who might, in fact, do a better job.

At the end of this article I will suggest how to navigate those waters, but first let me lay out the argument for using one of our great agents at Golden Real Estate.

Let’s accept as a premise that any listing agent’s job is to maximize exposure of your home and thereby get the highest possible price for it, perhaps with competing bidders driving the final price above the price at which it was listed.

Golden Real Estate’s “value proposition” is all about maximizing exposure of your home, beginning, of course, with featuring it in this column. We don’t have a featured listing in this edition, but regular readers know that one or more new listings appears here nearly every week. This column/ad appears in more than just this newspaper. It’s in three Jefferson County weekly newspapers — the Golden Transcript, Jeffco Transcript, Arvada Press  — as well as in every metro area edition the YourHub section of every Denver Post. Altogether, this ad exposes your home to nearly 200,000 newspaper readers — a great demographic!

The Denver Post version of this ad is then emailed to more than 800 subscribers, about half of whom are fellow agents. The articles and featured listings are also posted on our blog at www.GoldenReblog.com and are archived at www.JimSmithColumns.com

In addition, we create a custom website for every listing, the URL for which is included in the “featured listing” article. On that website, as on the MLS, we post our magazine-quality photos plus a narrated video tour, as well as the open house information. The video tour is hosted on YouTube, which provides additional exposure, and we promote the listing and every open house on our Facebook page, which is www.Facebook.com/GoldenRealEstate1.

Just as important as maximizing the number of people who learn about your home is making sure that the information is as complete as possible. We enter every possible bit of information on the MLS, instead of completing only the required fields. That means that instead of just entering “public remarks,” we enter a description of every room in the house, including dimensions, flooring, closet information, view out the windows, ceiling fan and other features that add to the sales pitch for your home. This is not common practice among the majority of agents.

As you may know, listing agents can double their commission by not having to share it with a buyer’s agent. To that end, your agent might hold your home off the MLS for some period a week or two (and sometimes even longer!) in an attempt to find a buyer on their own. This is commonly done by putting a “coming soon” sign in your yard and advertising it as “coming soon” on websites such as NextDoor.com or craigslist.org. The listing agent might then convince a seller to go under contract with that first buyer and put the home on the MLS as “Under Contract” without it ever being listed as “Active.”

In 2017, there were 2,781 homes listed as “Sold” on REcolorado.com, the Denver MLS, with zero days on market. That means they were never “Active,” and therefore never exposed to the widest possible number of buyers. Not surprisingly, 19% of them sold for less than the listing price, and only 19.7% of them sold for more than the listing price.

By comparison, 4,007 homes were on the MLS for 2 days before going under contract. Among those sales, only 12.2% sold for less than full price, and 59.1% of them sold for more than full price. At Golden Real Estate, we have found that 4 days on market is the “sweet spot,” for the length of time it takes to attract the number of buyers that allows us to obtain the highest purchase price for our sellers.  Just last week, I had a listing which could have sold for $15,000 less than listing price on the second day, but we waited until day 5 and got it under contract for $11,500 over the listing price. Half of Golden Real Estate’s listings in 2017 sold at or above listing price, and 3 of them sold for more than 10% above listing price.

Above, I mentioned that a listing agent can double his or her commission by not having to share that commission with a buyer’s agent. At Golden Real Estate, it is our policy to have what’s called a “variable commission,” meaning that we reduce our commission when we sell a home ourselves.  Based on my own sampling, roughly 5% of the listings on the MLS are double-ended, but of those homes that sold last year with zero days on market, over 50% of them were double-ended, and less than half of those reduced their commission for doing so. When you interview a listing agent, ask if he or she will reduce their commission if they don’t have to share it with a buyer’s agent. If you ask, the agent will typically agree to do so, but I think you’ll find that most agents hope you won’t ask. At Golden Real Estate, we offer that discount without you having to ask for it. It’s on our printed list of services.

Now, most people who sell their home are also going to buy a home, and you should consider using the same agent who lists your home to help you buy your replacement home. Why? Because you should get a discount on your listing commission in return for allowing that agent to make a commission (paid by the seller) on your purchase. You sacrifice that opportunity when you don’t have a buyer’s agent and deal only with the listing agent on your purchase.

Too many buyers think they will get a better deal if they purchase a home without a buyer’s agent — that the seller saves that 2.8% co-op commission. But that’s not the case. Unless there’s a variable commission (and I already explained that only 15% of listings have a variable commission), the only person who profits from you not having a buyer’s agent is the listing agent, not the seller. In most cases, you’ll do a whole lot better by having your own listing agent earn that 2.8% commission on your purchase and discounting his listing commission by, say, 1%.

So, what about that friend or relative who expects you to hire him? Tell him/her that you want to use Golden Real Estate, which has agreed to pay him/her a 25% referral fee.

Buyers Should Use Us, Too!

I already mentioned that your listing agent should be your buyer’s agent, too, but if you are buying without selling, or have already sold your home, say, in another state, here are some reasons you should hire an agent from Golden Real Estate to represent you in the purchase of a home, whether a resale or a new home.

You need our advice on what to offer and you especially need our help if you find yourself competing with other buyers. We have a moving truck, which is free to you, but we also can offer it free to the seller as an incentive for them to accept your offer over that of another buyer. We have excellent home inspectors and loan officers, and you’ll appreciate our closing gift, which is a free energy audit of your new home.

Negotiation skills are needed not just to get under contract, but when it comes to negotiating inspection, appraisal or other less common issues. This is a particular strength here at Golden Real Estate.

Buying a home can be a tricky proposition, so don’t go it alone, and don’t put your trust in the listing agent, who isn’t looking out for your interests.

When purchasing a home with a mortgage, one of the major hurdles for buyers in getting to the closing table concerns the home appraisal. The lender hires the appraiser – at the buyer’s expense – to make sure that the home is worth what the buyer has agreed to pay for it.

More often than not, the appraisal comes in at exactly the contract price, which understandably seems a little fishy.  Typically, when the buyer asks me why, I explain that the appraiser always gets a copy of the purchase contract and therefore knows his or her target valuation. Once an appraiser can justify that target, there’s no need to identify additional value. That’s been my hypothesis anyway, but since it’s only a hypothesis, I posed the question last week to several experienced lenders with whom I have long-standing relationships.

Bernie Bernfeld of Wells Fargo (303-273-6373) responded as follows: “My short answer is that with so much scrutiny on appraisers and their valuations due to past abuses in some areas of the country, the appraiser will generally not assign more value than is necessary to support the sales value even if he knows the property may be worth more. This conservative approach satisfies the loan underwriters and those reviewing the appraisal while still supporting the buyer’s accepted offer.”

Jim Spray, a mortgage broker specializing in reverse mortgages (303-403-8168) said the following: “One should keep in mind that an appraisal is simply a valuation tool for lending purposes; it is nothing else. It may or may not reflect the actual market value,  which is what an independent party (the buyer, in this case) is willing to pay.  This may not reflect the value of an appraisal that is not associated with a purchase. In large part, an appraisal is just a tool for lenders to use to help prevent fraud and prove they are making sound lending decisions.”

Scott Lagge of Eagle Home Loans (303-944-8552) gave the longest response, making several interesting points.  He wrote: “Appraisals come in at value because appraisers don’t want to deal with appraisal objections from the real estate agents, their buyers and sellers, or the buyers’ lenders.

“When an appraisal comes in below the contract price, the first ones to cry foul are the real estate agents. They immediately question the appraiser’s ability, and put pressure on us lenders to fix it.  The agent send comps to the appraiser or lender, arguing their position, and wanting the lender to challenge the appraisal.

“So the extra work for the appraiser begins. They have to fix or defend their appraisal.

“Conversely, if the appraisal comes in high, especially if it comes in way higher than the contract price, there’s a concern on the part of the seller that they are leaving money on the table. This was more common in years past when sellers had access to the appraisal.  You can imagine being a listing agent in this situation. You’re selling a home for $400,000 and the appraisal comes in at $450,000. Bad deal for that seller — and for their listing agent!

“In either of these situations, the pressure is being put back on the appraiser to fix it.

“Let’s be clear, all lenders have a legitimate process for challenging an appraisal, and we have to prove that there is a material defect in the appraisal in order to rebut it.  We all have an internal or external appraisal management company that assures everyone is coloring inside the lines.  In other words, only valid challenges are accepted these days, but that doesn’t eliminate the pressure on us as professionals to explain why the value came in low or high to the consumer.

“So, coming in at value is the appraiser’s only sure-fire way to avoid scrutiny from clients, lenders and agents, thereby avoiding the extra work of defending and/or redoing the appraisal.

“The easier answer is that a home is worth what someone is willing to pay for it in an arm’s length transaction.  If you have a contract price of $300,000 and a buyer and seller have agreed on that price, once that transaction closes and records, it is officially worth exactly $300,000 and becomes a valid comp for future transactions.

“So why would an appraiser state anything different than the contract price, assuming he can justify it?”

[End of lenders’ responses]

I found it necessary once to challenge a low appraisal, and I was successful.  It was for a Golden area purchase, and the appraiser was from Castle Rock and clearly didn’t have geographical competence, because he checked the box indicating that the housing market was “stable” instead of “rising,” which was obvious to anyone.  I was able to point out other factual errors, and the appraisal was recast at the contract price.

Any of the above mortgage lenders would be happy to answer your questions on this topic. Call them!

Submitted by Suzie Wilson of HappierHome.net

Whether you’re moving because of a job, family expansion or retirement, you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and get to work if you want your property to appeal to the most buyers. Before you start packing, however, there are a few minor home improvements you should tackle, which will speed up the process and get you on the road.

Start with aesthetics

No matter how short a time you’ve lived in your home, there are likely lots of little things that you’ve learned to overlook. The vast majority of these will be minor aesthetic imperfections that are cheap and easy to rectify. ProfessionalStaging.com notes that buyers are on the lookout for issues and will notice every little crack, stain, or chipped tile. Here are a few DIY projects that will reduce the lived-in look of your home:

• Replace moldy or damaged caulk in the bathtub and shower
• Clean or stain grout in the kitchen and bathroom
• Fill nail holes in the wall and gaps around the trim
• Plant colorful flowers by the mailbox and entryway
• Organize storage spaces (buyers love to look in closets, under the stairs, and in the garage and attic)
• Paint rooms that don’t already have a neutral color scheme
• Install functional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Pull weeds and add a layer of fresh mulch to flower beds
• Repair brown spots on the lawn
• Replace outdated bronze and brass doorknobs, handles, and drawer pulls

Manage major malfunctions

There are plenty of small things you can tackle on your own, but you’ll also need to invest time and money making sure there are no major defects that may derail your home sale at inspection time. These include:

• Foundation problems (Homes.com estimates this can devalue your property by up to $100,000)
• HVAC issues
• Mold
• Leaks in the roof/missing shingles
• Major plumbing problems, such as a clogged mainline
• Outdated electrical panel
• Windows that won’t open up or lock
• Musty/animal smell
• Rotted wood behind walls – most likely in the kitchen or bath
• Damp basement

Small issues won’t necessarily be deal-breaker for most of your buyers but the less work they have to do the more likely they will be to give your home a second look. Large issues such as a crumbling foundation may designate your home as a fixer-upper, which won’t attract “everyday” buyers who want to move in immediately.

What do buyers want?

Buyers in different demographics will seek out home features that appeal to their lifestyles. There are, however, a few universal want-list items you can play up in your listing to cast as wide a net as possible. According to American Home Shield, the features homebuyers want are:

• Separate laundry room
• Energy-efficient appliances and windows
• Exterior lighting
• Outdoor entertainment space
• Ceiling fan
• Full bathroom on the main level
• Hardwood flooring
• Proper insulation
• Garage storage
• Eat-in kitchen

When it’s time

Once you’ve completed these repairs and renovations, there are a few finishing touches that will put the icing on the cake and sweeten the deal for your buyers. First, you should declutter, so that buyers can see more of the house and less of what you own. Before you declutter, though, it’s a good idea to buy an air filter. Since digging through those items is going to stir up a lot of dust, it’s important to keep the air clean for you and home buyers.

After you declutter, deep clean the entire home and weed out any belongings or furniture that don’t look quite right. To get your home sparkling clean, spend a little money on a housekeeping service. For an average of $166 a visit in Golden, housekeepers can help you keep up with laundry, mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, and straightening. Just keep in mind that the more you request from the housekeeping service, the more you’ll ultimately pay for the privilege. 

Also, staging and investing in high-quality professional listing photos (a real estate photographer usually charges between $110 and $300 for a shoot, depending on your location) will give online searchers a reason to pay your house a visit. 

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll need to choose the best listing agent. Interview multiple individuals and ask about their recent local sales history and how many current listings they manage. A good agent will encourage you to price your home competitively and will go above and beyond simply listing on the MLS to promote the property.