7 Things to do to Your Home Before Winter

Winter is just around the corner and homeowners should take a few minutes to go through the following list:

1.Check doors, windows and trim. Replace broken glass or damaged screens. 

2. Clean out gutters and downspouts to prevent water from backing up and damaging your house.

3. Check roof for damaged or loose shingles. Repair damage to metal flashing, gutters and downspouts that can cause leaks in the roof.

4. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

5. Check weather stripping on doors and windows.

6. Remove window air conditioners.

7. Drain outside water lines and hoses so water doesn't freeze.

Are you thinking about selling your existing home or looking to buy your first home - call me.
Thanks,
Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum
Brighton, CO

303-521-7325

5 Reasons to Hire a Realtor

1. Real Estate Education & Experience- Henry Ford once said that when you hire people who are smarter than you are, it proves you are smarter than they are.
2. Agents are Buffers -If you're a seller, your agent will filter all those phone calls that lead to nowhere. They will also eliminate people that just want to look at your home. They want to induce serious buyers to immediately write an offer.
3. Neighborhood Knowledge- Agents either possess intimate knowledge or they know where to find the information about your neighborhood. They can identify comparable sales to help you decide the best price to list your home at.
4. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality-Top producing agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction and because they are skilled. It's part of their job description.
5. Develop Relationships for Future Business-The basis for an agent's success and continued career in real estate is referrals. This means that your agent wants to make sure you are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again.

If you are interested in selling or buying a new home or just want to know what your house is worth - call me.

Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum
303-521-7325
www.freedenversearch.com

Curious About How Much Your Home is Worth?

There is a great website you can visit if you are interested in what the current market value is of your home in Brighton, Thornton, Henderson, Ft. Lupton and the surrounding areas.  You can visit it at www.zillow.com and there is lots of information.  It's a free website and you don't need to sign in or share any information to use it.  You can view a satellite image of your home as well as other homes in your neighborhood. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum
303-521-7325
Free Online Home Search

www.FreeDenverSearch.com

Foreclosure Should be Last Resort!

Consider these important facts about Short Sale before walking away:

• You could qualify for another mortgage within 2 years through FHA - 5 through other sources
• Your credit score will take a 200 point less hit then if you let your house go into foreclosure
• Neighbors, friends, or relatives need only know that you have decided to sell your home (no embarrassment)
• You take back control of an otherwise powerless foreclosure system - you call the shots!
• Living in your home while showings take place allows you to live there longer while the bank negotiates.
• Foreclosure should be a last resort - it costs everyone more to go through a foreclosure and doesn't benefit anyone.
• You may qualify for up to $3000 to relocate through the HAFA program.

Please call me with any questions about short sales and how it can benefit you.
Greg Portlock
CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert)
RE/MAX Momentum
303-521-7325
Brighton, Colorado
www.FreeDenverSearch.com

Stop Foreclosures!

Foreclosure should always be your last option when you are unable to keep up with your mortgage payments.  First you really should try to obtain a loan modification through your bank.  Visit the government website called Making Home Affordable for more information.  If this is not an option you should explore a short sale. What is a short sale you ask? A short sale is when the bank agrees to accept a sale on your home for less then what  you owe.  This is a very good option for homeowners who are upside down on their home and want to do the least amount of damage to their credit rating.  It may be possible to purchase another home within 2 to 3 years after a short sale.  I recently completed a course to become a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) which allows insider access to the short sale process. 
Any questions - please contact me Greg Portlock
gportlock@comcast.net

Mystery Anyone? Help Brighton Colorado Library & Get a Good Book

One of the things that I love about living in a small town is that little things you do can make a big impact on your community.  One such thing that I am talking about is buying a book.  Pretty much everyone buys books at one time or another, but at this book sale the proceeds benefit our local Brighton, Colorado library.  I know in these tough economic times many of us - including me rely on the Anythink Brighton library to provide much needed entertainment for free. I came across this article in the Brighton Blade & wanted to share it with you.
Brighton Anythink Book Sale.

In the search for a new home in Pheasant Ridge, Bromley Creek, Brighton East Farms, Sugar Creek, HKS?
Check out my free online home search at www.freedenversearch.com.

Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum
gportlock@comcast.net

Owe More Then Your Home is Worth? Sell It and Get $3000 in Your Pocket

Check out this video on the government's HAFA Program.  You may be able to salvage your credit, sell your home and get $3000 in your pocket!

$3000 Video

Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum

303-521-7325

Free Denver Home Search

I have a great tool for searching homes in the Denver area online.  It's called http://www.freedenversearch.com/. The really nice thing about it is that you can get e-mails when any new properties become available immediately.  You decide what the search criteria is - you can even sort it out by school district or price range.  You are in complete control of the home search.  Maybe you are in going to be in the market for a new home in the near future or later- you decide! Check out http://www.freedenversearch.com/.

Thanks,
Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum
303-521-7325

Bank Foreclosure or Short Sale?

Bank Foreclosure or Short Sale? The Differences You Should Know

I have been involved in short sales for about six years.   Back then, short sales were extremely difficult to do. Today, not only do the banks have a short sale department, they also recognize the value.  In fact, they have strong government influences guiding them to do them at all costs.    Did you know that you could buy a home in two years with a short sale instead of seven with a foreclosure?   Did you also know that people who own their home have ten times more wealth than people who rent? 

Homes that could be occupied, after missing a few payments, end up being vacant all the time.  The truth is…banks do not start the foreclosure process until the homeowner is 4-6 months behind.   This process adds another 120 days, minimum, before they can sell at an auction.  Also, the banks will almost always postpone the sale to accommodate the short sale process for sometimes up to a year. 

One scenario is... the homeowner moving out after they miss a few payments and moving into a rental:  Six months of rent at $1,200 = $7,200 they could have saved.  The short sale process adds another 90 days, which brings it to $10,800 total.  On top of that, with the government’s HAFA program, that same homeowner will also receive $3,000 for doing a short sale for a grand total of $13,800 in savings.  That is $13,800 basically for not walking away.  This is a very real scenario that I work with everyday.  On top of that, your bank will pay all closing costs, including commissions!

Call me to see if this is an option for you. The government has created the HAMP program to encourage your bank to work with you to save your home.  They may be able to lower interest rates, tack back payments onto your balance, and many other programs.  If you cannot qualify for this program, I am 100% percent certain that a short sale is better than a foreclosure on your home.  Check out your options on the government web site at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov     

 I can help you, but you have to take action now. You can contact me, Greg Portlock, at (303) 521-7325.  I live and work in Brighton, and have been a top RE/MAX agent in this area for 13 years.   Or you can contact me at freedenversearch.com

 

         Greg Portlock  303-521-7325

Interesting Facts About Brighton CO

Introduction to Brighton, Colorado Brighton, Colorado, in Adams county, is 11 miles NE of Thornton, CO and 19 miles NE of Denver, CO The city is conveniently located inside the Denver metropolitan area. There are an estimated 20,905 people in Brighton.
Brighton History
Brighton is the county seat of Adams county. According to some sources, the community was named after Brighton, England, while other sources say it was named after Brighton Beach, New York. Brighton was officially incorporated on September 1, 1887.
Brighton and nearby Attractions

• Fort Vasquez
• Adams County Historical Society
• Forney Museum of Transportation
• Magers Reservoir
• Benedict Park
• Barr Lake State Park

Things To Do In Brighton
From Brighton, one can visit Fort Vasquez, which was once an important Native American trading center. The Forney Museum of Transportation, Fort Vasquez Museum, Longmont Museum, and the Miners Museum are also close by. The Magers Reservoir and Higgins Lake are also popular spots. The Benedict Park and the Barr Lake State Park are ideal destinations for a day trip with family and friends.
Brighton Transportation
Denver International Airport provides air transportation facilities.
Brighton Higher Education
Higher educational opportunities are provided by the Community College of Aurora, the Front Range

Community College and Regis University.
Subdivisions in Brighton, CO
Bromley Creek
Bromley Park
Pheasant Ridge
Sugar Creek
Brighton East Farms

In the market for a new home - call me @303-521-7325
Greg Portlock

Free Home Search in Brighton, CO

Are you looking for a new home in Brighton, Colorado? Brighton, Colorado is a great place to live!   I have been working and living in Brighton, Colorado  for the past 15 years and love it.  If you are searching for homes in Brighton, Colorado try my new free home search http://www.freedenversearch.com/. Brighton, Colorado is within 20 minutes to downtown Denver and is bordered on 3 sides by C-470, I-76 and Hwy 85.