 Happy September Fall is in the air in the mountains – and it’s about to explode here in the valley! What’s popping in the housing market though? Last month,Denver metro housing market experienced a notable rise in buyer activity, with executed contracts increasing by 10% year-over-year and 6% from July. I personally had two closings and can vouch. I’ve been intentional about ingraining myself into the Fraser community as well, attending the Winter Park Film Festival last weekend, working out at the rec center, heading on a hike with locals. How do you connect with your community? How about some Fun Real Estate Facts? Housing affordability is the #3 issue of voters from 18-29, right behind healthcare and inflationPeople are moving – with Florida taking the lead -surplus of over 205,000 residents after accounting for those who moved out – The Carolinas having 30% of their cities in the top 20 places to move and Tennessee being a close third. The Greatest Transfer of Wealth is coming! $84 trillion is poised to move from older Americans (Boomers) to Gen X and millennials over the next 20 years. Moving & building wealth can go hand in hand! If you’ve been thinking about selling, upgrading or downgrading, purchasing that investment in the mountains, reach out to me today & let’s start looking!  Let’s chat – reach out or reply to this email!! What is top of mind in September? When Will those Leaves Pop? Here in Colorado, we have quite the display of fall foliage, but get it while it’s here!Sept. 15-29: Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs and Flat TopsSept. 22 – Oct. 5: Vail, Summit County, Aspen, Gunnison and Grand MesaSept. 30 – Oct. 18: San Juan Mountains and Sangre de Cristo MountainsOctober: Denver metro area What’s Going on with Inventory!? Last month, our market had 10,000 active listings, the highest in over a decade. Homes are spending more time on the market, with a median of 22 days before selling, reflecting a shift in market dynamics. Despite a drop in closings, pending listings suggest increased activity in the coming months, while the rental market saw higher prices and more listings. Are we Headed toward a Recession!? There are mixed signals about whether the U.S. economy will face a recession in the next six months. While the Federal Reserve has backed off from earlier predictions of a recession, some indicators still suggest economic uncertainty. Key factors to track: Interest Rates & Treasury Yield Curve Remember, real estate is extremely location specific, so if you have questions, reach out to a professional – like me! – to help you ascertain the information you’re looking for. If you are looking for a second home or vacation rental in the mountains, don’t hesitate to reach out!  Maximizing the Rental Potential for Your Mid or Short-Term Rental Running a short term or mid term rental requires lots more hospitality than a long-term rental and part of that includes amenities, upgrades to your unit and state of the art technology, In vacation towns or mountain towns, having hot tubs, equipment to utilize (bikes or snowshoes) and luxurious towels help boost your potential as well. Items to Have in Your Short Term Rental to Maximize your Daily RateHot Tub and Spa – ensure you have a company that helps maintain the hot tub!Smart Technology – keyless entry, high-speed internet and smart tv’s are standard! Outdoor Space with Firepit – gathering outside around a firepit These are just a few items that will not only make your unit stand out from an amenities standpoint, they’ll allow you to get the higher daily rate, meaning your ROI will be higher too! Need assistance with your Mountain Short-Term Rental? Reach out!  Getting Your Home Ready to Rent! Deciding to keep your current home as a rental is a big deal – and think it’s a great wealth builder! I have helped multiple clients through the process of turning their home into a rental, from leases and landlord tips to securing tenants. My philosophy on real estate is to teach the processes, outsource what you don’t have expertise in, and manage things yourself to keep more of that cash-flow! Here are 3 Things to Get Your Place Rent Ready De-Clutter & De-Personalize: Similar to selling a home, making the home as clutter-free as possible will mean possible tenants can envision themselves in the space! Putting your place in the best light when you’re showcasing your home makes a big deal in how quickly you find a tenant. Fix, Repair, Paint, Spruce: Before you hand over those keys- and possibly even before you show your home – you will need to repair anything that’s not working (that leaky toilet!) patch & paint any holes, and clean the home. This way you can input into your lease you expect it to be returned in the same condition at the end of the lease. Curb Appeal & Yard Maintenance: This may seem more important when selling your home, but curb appeals matters for rentals too! If someone is signing a 12-month lease, and you’re charging top market value rents, then the yard should be tidy and the outside of the home should have good curb appeal. Reach out if You want Help Making Your Rental a Success!  Bucket-List Vacations Last month had me road tripping with my mom to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We traveled to the little town of Munising, where the National Lakeshore Pictured Rocks stretch 40 miles along the coast of Lake Superior, then on to Traverse City, along the shores of Lake Michigan. It was one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited! The natural beauty of the forests, crystal clear water of Lake Superior and dramatic coastline took my breath away – we both were in awe of the beauty in this area that is in the US! It made me so grateful to have the ability, means and time to travel – as I know it takes time & effort to plan and money. Here are a few highlights from the trip in case you ever want to visit the UP! Kayaked 5 miles along the Pictured RocksFerry Ride to Grand Island to HikeHiked 11 miles via Mosquito Falls & Chapel Falls While this vacation blew me away, Mike and I and two of our best friends head to Greece mid-September – to explore the history, coast & Island hop on a chartered catamaran. Talk about a bucket list trip! I do keep all my itineraries, so let me know if you’re looking to travel and I may have a cool itinerary for ya! Would love to hear any bucket list trips you took this summer – and places you love – DM me!  Tips & Teachings With fall almost here, I’ve reflected on what a glorious summer I’ve had – filled with trails, paddles, bikes, road trips, lakes & exploring new places. All of this while serving clients, getting to the closing table, and managing my rental portfolio. So balancing the fun & the business. You hear a lot about ‘work-life balance’ which I’m not sure exists, so I’ve focused on asking ‘what season am I in?’ and leaning into that, making room for the other things in my life, in small intentional ways. How do you ensure you’re getting what you need in the season you’re in? Here are quotes, questions, podcasts and books I’ve read over the past month that really spoke to me. Enjoy! Your Environment Always Wins. A simple recipe for finding opportunities: Be Pleasant; Ask Questions; Engage Daily – James Clear Keep your focus on what YOUR goals are instead of becoming distracted with what others are doing! Lifestyle Costing – It’s Less Than You Think (Tim Ferris writes about what your dreams/ideal lifestyle actually costs) Feel it All – Drew Peterson’s Documentary about Mental Health & Running the Leadville 100 How Stoicism can Turn Your Life into Solid Gold – Mr. Money Mustache Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook.Have Questions? Reach out to happyhomescoltd@gmail.com about real estate investing or if you’re looking to buy or sell!  |
