The process for buying a home in Grand Junction has changed with the NAR settlement requiring buyers to sign documents regarding representation and compensation BEFORE they even view a home. However, the need for working with the right real estate professional hasn’t changed one bit. In fact, it is more important than ever! Let me explain.
If you’re considering buying a home in Grand Junction, Fruita or Palisade it’s time to do some homework. Gone are the days of simply choosing an agent because they seemed nice at the open house or because they have been sending you recipe cards for the last six months. Buying a home in Grand Junction will be one of the biggest financial transactions of your life with more money on the line than ever before. Consumers can no longer afford to partner with part-time agents or those without the skills and expertise to help navigate you through to a successful closing.
First-Time Homebuyer, Second or Third Purchase or Relocating to Grand Junction
My happy buyer clients!
Whether you’re buying a new home in Grand Junction as a current resident or relocating to the Grand Valley, I can help. I’ve spent my 24-year career successfully helping people buy their first home, upsize, downsize, build new construction, purchase vacant land, and secure investment properties.
My years of experience and number of clients might seem like great qualifying factors for working with an agent when buying a home in Grand Junction, but I offer so much more than traditional agents. My goal is not to “sell you a home”, but to find you the RIGHT HOME. While we tour homes, I am constantly pointing out things that will get flagged during an inspection, along with communicating what I see inside and outside, as if I am the buyer purchasing a property.
My job is to provide you with all the information I can so you can make an informed decision before you submit an offer. I understand the buying process, it’s second nature after assisting hundreds and hundreds of buyers over the years.
The importance of hiring the right agent to work with
In assisting buyers interested in buying a home in Grand Junction, Fruita or Palisade, I take a 3-prong approach to your journey.
My Relocation Buyers love their new house in Redlands 360 Easter Hill in Grand Junction
1) First, I make sure you understand the process at each stage of a transaction. From pre-approval with the right lender, utilizing the right loan, to what to expect from inspections, Radon testing, potential appraisal issues and other contingencies.
But where my skills really shine…
2) is in writing a purchase agreement that not only protects you, but is also attractive to the seller. I’ve worked in every type of market imaginable, and one thing I can always pride myself on… I have never been one of those agents who needed to write 10 offers for my buyer clients before we secured a home. I’m sure you’ve heard horror stories from unsuccessful buyers who literally gave up their home search out of frustration. “The market is just too difficult right now” is a common phrase heard. If that’s true, then how come the most successful agents are still finding success for their clients, even in the hottest of market conditions? It comes down to skill and experience. Two things that can only be gained through working with clients. You deserve more than to be an agent’s practice client while they try to figure out what works in this industry. I will clearly communicate what it is going to take to secure that home and only you decide which route to take with your offer.
3) My goal is to make you feel like your experience working with me was worthwhile, fun, educational, and that you understand that I have your best interest first and foremost at all times. I’ve never “sold” anyone a home, but I have successfully guided hundreds of people to make the best decision for them when buying a home.
Allow me to provide you with a home buying service nothing short of what I would do for myself.
Paul and wife, Michelle, at Emerald Lake, north of Crested Butte, CO
https://movetograndjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Red-Rocks-Neighborhood-from-above.jpg4571128Paul Aspelin, REALTORhttps://movetograndjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Move-to-Grand-Junction-logo-wide-Mesa-County-1030x167.pngPaul Aspelin, REALTOR2024-09-17 11:59:462024-09-17 11:59:46Buying a Home in Grand Junction
Are you asking yourself “When should I sell my house”? or “Is THIS a good time to sell a home”? Sellers frequently ask me these questions. What they really want to know is “when is the best time to list my house for sale” because they want a quick sale and the highest price. The spring market usually provides the highest activity but more importantly, is your house ready? I mean really ready? First let’s talk about timing, then preparation.
Historic Real Estate Market
Under historic normal real estate market conditions, there were always very predictable market periods of activity and in-activity. The spring market flurry could start anywhere from the first week of January up to June. I’ve seen active spring markets last for 5 months and I have seen them last two weeks (think 2009).
Most Realtors® will agree that it feels like the spring market instantly turns on and off like a light switch. Many have joked that the spring market starts immediately after Super Bowl Sunday.
Once it starts, an active real estate market will usually cruise along with a slowdown around Memorial Day through the first couple weeks of June as attention shifts to graduations and the start of summer.
The rest of June and July are generally steady except for the week surrounding the 4th of July holiday. Activity will slow down in the last two weeks of August as people prepare for back to school, and many Realtors® take vacations with their own family.
The fall market takes off after Labor Day weekend in September and starts to slow at the beginning of November. Not surprising, the last two weeks of December have always been slow with people enjoying family and the holidays.
Of course, there are exceptions to the norm, and economic circumstances have a significant effect on the listing and sale of homes. Election years have shown lower activity but then accelerate afterwards, no matter who is currently in office and who won the election!
Here’s a chart from the Colorado Association of REALTORS from March 2024 showing a statewide Single Family Market Overview. Over a year, you can see the increases and decreases in the number of units on the market, pending, sold, etc. You can click on their website to get Mesa County specific reports or other Colorado counties.
Today’s Real Estate Market
This year is no exception with market activity coming to life in March and April, more people began to list homes for sale. I feel the rate of home showings for the rest of the year will follow normal ebbs and flows.
Any time there is limited inventory is a GREAT time to list your home. Buyers are out there waiting for homes to come on the market. Years ago, I would have estimated that four out of ten showings on a home would be from serious “I need to buy right now” buyers. The remaining six showings were people just starting to look or only “shopping” not ready to buy. Today, that ratio is more like 8 serious ready-to-move buyers out of every 10 home showings. This bodes well for sellers. It doesn’t take 50 showings to fetch a great offer on your home!
Preparing Your Property for the Market
Home prepared for the market.
I could write a whole post explaining the detailed advice I provide as a licensed real estate professional when it comes to preparing a home for the market. I want the absolute best for every client, every time. Each client deserves my full attention and my full list of enhanced services. No matter what price point their home will be listed for on the MLS.
There are several “must do” items, however sometimes I say, “Skip it, save your money”. During a consultation, I address home inspections, appraisals, home staging, cleaning and repairs, updates, etc. The thing is, each property truly IS unique. I prefer to meet with my clients in person and explain my services and advice specific to THEIR property. In fact, that initial meeting with homeowners’ lights me up. I get energized by helping create a detailed plan for success. I enjoy hearing a seller’s story. I ask a lot of questions so I can fully understand their objectives and their timeline. So, when I started this post about when should I sell my house, what I want you to think about first is if your home is truly READY for the market. Then we can talk about when to list it for sale.
If you are considering selling your property, call me for honest advice and guidance you can count on. I have been listing and selling homes since 2001. Let me put my real estate experience to work for you!
You can read the many reviews and recommendations I have received over the years here on my website. I pulled together client notes and paper surveys I have collected from past clients as well as online reviews. Let them explain how I do business and my character. 😊
https://movetograndjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Living-Room-and-Fireplace.jpg12001800Paul Aspelin, REALTORhttps://movetograndjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Move-to-Grand-Junction-logo-wide-Mesa-County-1030x167.pngPaul Aspelin, REALTOR2024-04-12 11:14:412024-09-03 09:48:14When Should I Sell My House?
Choosing the Best Grand Junction Real Estate Agents
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned home seller, choosing the best Grand Junction real estate agents is crucial for a successful real estate experience. Buying or selling a home is not something most people do very often in their lifetime, so you shouldn’t be expected to know how to choose the best Grand Junction real estate agent without some guidance.
Here are nine important factors for finding the best Grand Junction real estate agent and how to make the most out of your property search or home sale.
1. Experience Matters
One of the most important qualities of the best Grand Junction real estate agents is their profound knowledge of the current real estate market. Only consider an agent that works full-time, that is on top of this ever-changing market. What worked to buy or sell a home a year ago may not work today. The best Grand Junction real estate agents will have years of experience and hundreds of transactions under their belt. Understanding how to make your offer stand out in a competitive market, or creatively market your home to get top dollar are skills gained through experience. They are skills that are honed over hundreds of transactions. Use my 23+ years of experience assisting hundreds of home buyers and sellers to your advantage!
2. Your Best Interests at Heart
The best Grand Junction real estate agents understand that having your best interest at heart is the most important thing when hiring an agent. But how do you know who that will be? Is it the agent with the funniest videos? How about the agent with the most online reviews? The most years of experience? Or how about the #1 home seller in the valley based on production? All these things can give you a preview into an agent’s true self when it comes down to putting your interest before theirs, but actions speak volumes. Watch this video about what I did for a client, without hesitation. Will the agent you hire do the same?
3. Professionalism and Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful real estate transaction and real estate relationship. The best agent will keep you informed at every step of the process, ensuring that you are never left in the dark. Look for an agent who responds promptly to your inquiries, provides clear and concise information, has creative ideas, and has excellent negotiation skills. The professionalism you experience from hiring the best Grand Junction agent is not only important to your relationship, but your agent’s reputation amongst other Grand Junction agents can also greatly impact the outcome of your home sale or purchase. With my experience and knowledge of the industry I consistently excel at keeping my clients informed and other agents prefer to work with those who understand the process and know how to communicate. I wouldn’t have succeeded for over two decades without superior communication skills.
4. Client Testimonials or Reviews?
Part of understanding an agent’s reputation is hearing about the experience of working with them directly from past clients. Reviews are a powerful thing, and many agents go to great lengths to get hundreds of online reviews. I’ve always preferred testimonials from my past clients. For the last two decades I have mailed every single client a survey about their experience working with me and asked for a testimonial. I’ve received hundreds of letters back in the mail. This is much different than sending an email asking a client to complete an online review as part of their to-do list at work that day. Reviews feel coerced, testimonials are given.
“Paul Aspelin has helped me with several real estate transactions. He is ethical, knowledgeable and intelligent. He is an outstanding negotiator and always works very hard for his clients. I could not be more satisfied with the service he has provided me.” -Scott Gordon
“What an amazing experience! This is the second house we’ve bought/sold through Paul and the level of expertise, market knowledge, guidance and professionalism is unmatched!”
-Emrah Oruc
“Paul and the team exceeded all of our expectations during our home sale! After a difficult selling experience with a previous home, we were nervous to sell again. However, Paul was incredibly helpful through every step of the process. His communication with us was excellent, and we always knew he was looking out for our best interests. I would highly recommend Paul Aspelin for any real estate transaction!”
-Haley Bennett Horal
If you are interviewing agents, ask them what their referral rate over their career has been. Mine is 90% +. The answer you get from agents should tell you everything you need to know before you hire them.
5. Innovative Marketing Strategies
Check out my custom license plate!
Effective marketing is especially crucial in a competitive market like Grand Junction, where highlighting your property effectively can make all the difference. If you’re interviewing agents, there is one question that will separate the best agents from the rest of the pack. “Give me an example of a creative marketing strategy you’ve used to sell a home in the past.” Go ahead…. I’ll wait. You will never see a real estate agent dance around answering a question more than this one. I welcome this question to show you numerous creative ideas I have employed for my clients to create successful outcomes others failed to achieve. Ask me about my scenic overlook sign campaign or my immersive property map.
6. Understanding Your Needs
Every homebuyer has unique preferences, requirements, and constraints. The best Grand Junction real estate agents take the time to understand your needs, whether it’s related to the size/style of the home, specific amenities, or location. The best agents listen first, then tailor their approach to match your individual preferences, ensuring that the properties they present align with your vision for your dream home.
7. Negotiation Skills
Real estate transactions often involve negotiations, and having a skilled negotiator on your side can make a significant impact. Top Grand Junction real estate agents possess strong negotiation skills, advocating for your interests and securing the best possible deal. Whether you’re buying or selling, an agent who can navigate negotiations effectively is an invaluable asset. Who has better negotiating skills? An agent with hundreds of successful transactions over two plus decades or a part-time agent doing a handful of deals each year.
8. Accessibility and Availability
I have new construction experience and can walk you through the entire process of building a new home!
The real estate market doesn’t operate on a strict 9-to-5 schedule. Look for a Mesa County real estate agent who is accessible and available, understanding that your property search might require flexibility in terms of viewing schedules and communication. An agent who is committed to being available when you need them demonstrates a genuine dedication to your real estate goals. Being the top real estate agent is the most inconvenient job on the planet. I am on call every day of the year at all hours of the day and night. But do you know what? It’s how I make my clients successful. I am always there when it matters most.
9. Educational Guidance
It doesn’t matter if this is your first time buying or selling a home. I am here to educate you on today’s real estate market. If you’ve got previous experience with buying or selling that will help you to understand the nuances of the process. However, nothing can replace the guidance and education you receive from hiring the best Grand Junction real estate agent in the Grand Valley. You’ve got a handful of choices, and I’d like to show you why I should be one of your top agent picks to interview. Your move is too important to leave in the hands of just anybody.
Let’s Get Started
As you start your search for the best Grand Junction real estate, follow these nine tips and I assure you that your next choice will be the right choice. With the right agent by your side, you’ll have an enjoyable and rewarding real estate experience in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade or in all of Mesa County. There are some great agents in the Grand Valley, I just need to make sure that you know at least one. Call me with confidence to assist with your relocation, your home purchase or sale. What I learned by living in Grand Junction Colorado. Search this blog for other posts about Mesa County, Fruita, Palisade and Grand Junction, Colorado.