Colorado Resorts Real Estate Podcast with Kevin and Amy Smits

Kevin and Amy Smits

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from Kevin and Amy Smits- your professional Colorado Resorts Real Estate Agents.

  • 2 Household Items Will Keep Your Home Undamaged This Winter
    If you want to keep your home safe and undamaged this winter, consider buying and installing a smart thermostat and an automatic water shut-off valve.
    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
    Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    Now that winter is here, I want to tell you about a couple household items that can help protect your home while you’re away during the colder months ahead.

    The first is a smart thermostat. If the temperature inside your home drops below 50 degrees, this type of thermostat will call, text, or email you a notification so you can reach out to a friend, your property manager, or someone at our office to take care of the problem. These aren’t very expensive, and I installed one in my home this past month. It definitely makes us feel safer when we leave town.
    We hope you have an amazing holiday season! The second item is an automatic water shut-off valve. If your home’s pipes freeze or there’s any kind of unintended water flow, this will shut off the water supply and minimize the damage that can be done.

    If you have any questions about either of these items, want to know how else you can protect your home this winter, or you have any other real estate needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help you. In the meantime, we hope the rest of your holiday season is filled with joy!
    18 December 2018, 6:10 pm
  • Let’s Get Started on Your 2019 Health Resolutions
     
    The new year is here and I’m sure many of you have made resolutions for getting in better shape. Here are some places in the area where you can get started on accomplishing your health goals this year.

    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    First, I want to wish you all a happy new year and thank you for your support in 2018. With more than 50% of people saying they want to get healthier in 2019, I thought we’d start the year off by sharing some of the different rec centers, Pilates studios, CrossFit gyms, and all the different places you can get in shape this year.

    As you can see in the video above, there are no shortage of options in the area. Next time you’re in the mountains, you might want to check one of the fantastic rec centers out in Breckenridge or Silverthorne.
    In the meantime, if you have any questions about real estate, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'd love to help.
    11 December 2018, 6:18 pm
  • Will We See You at Our Upcoming Pie Giveaway?
     
    Our pie giveaway is coming up. Will we see you there?

    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    We wanted to reach out to all of you today and wish you a wonderful holiday season.

    Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and wanted to remind you of our annual pie giveaway. Please, stop by and pick up a free apple or pumpkin pie this year.

    We would love to see you and say hello, and wish you a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

    Click here to let us know which is your preference.

    We are so thankful to everyone who has brought us to where we are today.

    In the meantime, if you have any questions about real estate, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'd love to help.
    12 November 2018, 4:14 pm
  • How Things Have Changed Lately in Our Local Market
     
    Our market has been undergoing a lot of changes lately, and so today we’d like to share a quick update on what this recent activity may mean for you and your goals.

    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    It has been a great time of change here in the mountains as of late, and our real estate market is no exception.

    We are seeing new properties listed every day. If you’re thinking of buying or selling, know that now is a fantastic time to do so. Things are moving fast in our local market, and our team would be happy to help you take advantage of this current activity.

    Whether you’re looking for the perfect home, are ready to sell, or have questions about your current property’s value, we have what it takes to guide you to your goals.

    If you have any questions about buying or selling your home in this market, please feel free to call or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
    22 October 2018, 4:08 pm
  • Have You Visited the Silverthorne Farmers' Market?
     

    Today I want to talk about a great local farmers' market in Silverthorne.

    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    Today I want to encourage you to check out a great local farmers' market that I visit every Tuesday.

    This market is right across the street from the rec center, behind the Silverthorne Community Garden. If you haven't visited those areas, they are a great place to visit.

    The market is held every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, during which time you get to fill a five-pound potato sack with as many fruits and vegetables as you would like for the great value of only $10. They always try to send me home with an extra melon on top.

    So, next time you are in town, check out the Silverthorne Farmers' Market. Or you can check out another wonderful one that is held in Dillon on Fridays or in Vail on Sundays. To find out even more free events and festivals in the area, you can look at our calendar of events below

              Summit County                                                                                       Eagle County
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    You get to fill a five-pound potato sack with fruits and vegetables for only $10. If you have any additional questions or are interested in speaking with me about buying or selling, please feel free to call or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
    6 August 2018, 7:49 pm
  • Who Is the Best Short-Term Property Manager?
    What property manager or property management company should you task with handling your short-term rental? Allow me to share some insight into this key question.
    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
    Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    Recently someone asked us, “Who is the best short-term property manager?” 

    Well, the truth is that we could not name just one. There are a few different companies we work with that have different rental numbers in different areas. So if you are thinking of hiring someone to manage your short-term rental property, please reach out so we can have a discussion about who would be the best fit for your needs. There are a variety of different property management companies out there that offer a variety of services. With that said, many people choose to manage their short-term rental property on their own using Airbnb or VRBO (vacation rental by owner). There are also companies that will help you with bookings and cleaning, while leaving the rest up to you. If you are going this route, we would love to help you out by having our photographer create a 3D virtual tour of your property.

    The reality is that there are a variety of different property management companies out there that offer a variety of services. It all comes down to your personal preference. 

    If you have any other questions, would like more information, or would like a list of some great local property management companies, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
    16 July 2018, 6:53 pm
  • Wildfire Evacuation Update

    Wildfires have sprung up in the area, and are causing a widespread evacuation. If you are in the area, remember to pack the essentials. If you happen to be nearby and can help somebody else, let me know and I'll keep your information on-hand if anybody reaches out about help. For more information, watch my latest video.
    12 June 2018, 9:17 pm
  • Why Agents Are Important Even if You’re Selling Your Own Home
    As spring turns to summer, the market is starting to heat up. Now is a great time to get a jump on the market if you’ve been thinking of buying a home.
    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
    Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation
     Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

    It is a beautiful spring here in Frisco and we’re enjoying some lovely weather in the mountains. If you are thinking about visiting, this is a great time to come up. Today we are going to talk about why you need a real estate agent even in a hot seller’s market like this and even if you are selling your home on your own.
    Over the last few weeks, I have been hearing from buyers and sellers who want to know about the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) market. Here are a few recent stories I can share. 
    First, we just listed a home for someone who wasn’t having much success selling her home FSBO. We had to adjust the price down a little bit, we got professional photos taken, and got the word out to a lot of people either in the area or looking for a home in the area. The property received a full-priced offer in just two weeks. The seller was very excited and is looking forward to closing in the next few weeks.
    The next story is of a couple who were trying to sell on their own and they put a very small sign attached to their mailbox. I was showing property in the neighborhood and I gave them a call because I thought one of my buyers might be interested in the home. I told them I wasn’t trying to persuade them to list their home with me, but they proceeded to tell me just how horrible their experience was. They were fielding calls at all hours and they needed help. I ended up listing the home, brought the perfect buyer in, and got the title work, surveys, and disclosures covered.  We still have some great inventory available here in Frisco. The main takeaway here is that buyers don’t want to work directly with FSBO sellers. That is why we want to help. If you have seen a FSBO home in the area and you are interested in it, we can provide some insight into the property and maybe even the sellers themselves. We try to find all the FSBO sellers out there and get their information for all of our buyers.
    Location is just part of the equation when it comes to selling a home. It is also very important to market the property correctly and provide the most accurate information to buyers in order to make the process as smooth as can be.

    Check out the links below for specific details on each area:



    We still have some great inventory here in Frisco, so it is a great time to come look at homes if you have been thinking about it. If you have any questions about the market or need any help, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you soon.
    21 May 2018, 7:54 pm
  • Buyers and Sellers: Take Action Now

    If you’re on the fence about buying or selling a home, now is the time to hop off and take action.
    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation  Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation
    If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, now is a great time. For sellers, there is so little inventory that homes which are priced correctly are selling quickly. We’re seeing multiple offers in the first couple weeks for nearly every home that is selling.

    Once the slopes close, however, we are going to see an increase in inventory. One of our listing clients was bringing their townhome onto the market. The last sale was at $650,000 and we were going to price theirs below that because the location was not quite as desirable. But someone in the building decided they needed to sell fast, so they came on at $500,000, which affected everyone in the building. A home that we would have brought on over $600,000 now needs to wait until the prices recover. Granted, they did have multiple offers, and we don’t know how much it sold for, but once it closes, it will definitely have an effect on everyone.

    If you’re thinking about selling, let’s price it right to sell quickly.

    As interest rates increase, buying power for some buyers decreases. Buyers are going to see an uptick in inventory, but there are still a lot of buyers out there and the competition is fierce. When a property that is a perfect fit for you comes on the market, we need to be ready. If you’re getting a loan, get pre-qualified as soon as possible. We also need to know how to write the contract so that you’re going to win.

    As interest rates increase, buying power for some buyers decreases.
    If you’re thinking about buying, remember that interest rates are on the rise.

    For every $100,000 of purchasing power, when the interest rates go up by 1%, the cost of that is approximately $60 per $100,000. I’m not a lender, so I can’t give you an exact figure, but you can check out a mortgage calculator online to see how rising rates will affect you personally.

    There are going to be some great properties coming onto the market, so let’s be ready.

    If you have any questions or need any help, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.

    4 April 2018, 6:47 pm
  • What to Expect From the 2018 Summit County Market

    What can you expect from the Summit Country real estate market in 2018? I’ll share a few of my predictions, as well as an announcement about my new video series.
    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation  Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation
    What will the 2018 real estate market look like? We’ll share a few predictions. I’m also excited to announce a new video series. 

    As many of you know, homes were selling extremely fast in 2017. Inventory continued to be low, and 25% of homes were selling in less than two weeks. 

    In 2018, we don’t expect that to change. We think that 30% of homes will sell in less than two weeks, and we will continue to have a shortage of inventory. 

    The market continues to improve, and homes are selling quickly.
    If you are looking to buy a home this year, you need to be in touch with us. Our buyer agents will look for a home that suits your specific needs. 

    If you are thinking of selling, there couldn’t be a better time. The market continues to improve, and homes are selling quickly. 

    I also want to let you know that this year, we will introduce you to a new company in Summit County each week. We will interview them to find out what they do and see what specials they offer you. We’ll also introduce you to businesses in Vail and Beaver Creek. 

    If you have any questions in the meantime, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

    18 January 2018, 4:16 pm
  • Tax Reform and Real Estate: What’s Changing?

    How will tax changes impact the real estate market? Here are a few things we’re keeping an eye on.
    Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation  Call me at (970) 418-0183 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation
    A lot of you have been asking me lately about the tax reform bill and how it will affect the real estate market. Since the majority of homeowners around here are secondary homeowners, it won’t have the same effect on their vacation homes as it will on their primary residences. However, there are a few changes that may affect you that I wanted to touch on today.

    First things first—the mortgage interest deduction cap has been decreased from $1 million to $750,000. Since 60% of homeowners around here finance their homes, it will have an impact.

    Another part of this tax bill is the limiting of state and local tax deductions. Here in Colorado, our taxes are already so low that it won’t have a big impact. However, for those of you in states where the taxes are much higher, you’ll definitely want to do some homework to see how it will affect your primary and secondary residences.

    Capital gains weren’t touched in the new plan.
    Finally, the capital gains tax is another piece that a lot of people are worried about. Basically, if you’ve lived in a home for two out of the last five years as a primary residence, you can deduct any capital gains up to $250,000 as a single person and up to $500,000 as a married couple. This piece wasn’t touched in the tax plan, which is good news for homeowners.

    Click here for a deeper look at the tax reform bill.

    If you have any more questions about exactly how these changes are going to affect you personally, don’t hesitate to reach out and give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

    10 January 2018, 6:35 pm
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