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

Easter Egg Hunt @ Prairie Center RE/MAX Momentum

Please join us for The 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt @ The Prairie Center.
It is scheduled for Saturday, 4/16/11 @ 1:00 behind the RE/MAX Momentum office.

Here's what is going on:

• Separate egg hunts by age groups
• Free crafts
• Giveaways
• Fire Trucks
• Special Guest Stars
• THE EASTER BUNNY!

We hope to see you there!
Greg Portlock
RE/MAX Momentum
303-521-7325

P.S. - Free online home search !

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

The Top Ten Ways to Make Sure Your House Won't Sell

1. Don't worry about taking care of the lawn - they are looking at the house (it is an extension of the house)


2. Don't worry that the litter box hasn't been cleaned in a month. (Do the sniff test for lingering odors)

3. Paint wild and crazy colors on the walls throughout your house. (Tone it down to neutral paint colors)

4. Don't worry about that naked picture of your wife on the wall or the XXX video on the table. (Put away anything that you wouldn't want your mother to see)

5.  Leave all the pets in the house to welcome the prospective buyers (Put Fido in a crate - barking can be distracting)

6.  Make sure all of your Denver Bronco memorabilia is in full view (let's face it - the Broncos really haven't shown any of us alot to cheer about & they may be Oklahoma Sooner fans)

7.  Don't think that you have to put away the dirty dishes from last nights spaghetti dinner - you were in a hurry to get out the door (people will think that because the kitchen is a mess that you are lazy and what else hasn't been kept up on?)

8.  Who cares if that wall socket doesn't have a cover & there are wires hanging out? (Make sure that all the honey do's on the list are complete - if you didn't want to do it - neither will they)

9.  Let the buyer see your entire family in pictures throughout the house (most people want to imagine themselves living in the house, so put some of the pictures in storage for now)

10. Don't leave a walking path to that french door from the family room - nobody uses that door anyway! (rearrange or store furniture so that the home has a spacious, open feel to it).

If you are in the market for a new home or thinking about selling your home - check out this Free Online Denver Home Search - no strings attached! Or you can email me Greg Portlock @ mailto:www.gportlock@comcast.net

Are You Upside Down on Your Home?

If you owe more then your house is worth in Brighton, Colorado - call us.  We may be able to help you.  We are certified in distressed properties (CDPE) and would like to know more about your dilemma.  We may be able to negotiate with your bank to accept less then you owe on your house.  This is what is referred to as a short sale.  It is possible in a short sale to have your bank forgive the deficiency, so that you can move on debt free. A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure and a much better option for you and the bank. If we can help you email me at www.gportlock@comcast.net

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

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.