Tag Archive for: Home Staging for Resale

Best Grand Junction Real Estate Agent Referral: Homes for Sale & Local Expertise

Best Grand Junction Real Estate Agent Referral: Homes for Sale & Local Expertise

One Critical Misstep Sellers Make When Searching Homes for sale in Grand Junction

If you’re searching for “Homes for Sale in Grand Junction” but also need to sell your current home, there’s one critical step many homeowners overlook—one that can make or break your move, whether you’re relocating locally, across the state, or from out of the country. I’m your go-to Grand Junction real estate agent referral connection, here to guide you every step of the way. Ask me about my Best Real Estate Agent Referral Service—designed for those who want real results, not hype!

Relocating to a new city is exciting, but it can also be stressful. You’re juggling timelines, packing, travel arrangements, and, most importantly, the sale of your current home. Many people focus all their energy on finding the perfect new home while underestimating how crucial it is to properly list and sell their existing property. The truth is, how you handle your current home sale can directly affect your entire relocation experience.

There are plenty of websites where you can find homes for sale in Grand Junction, including my Realty One Group Western Slope MLS listing search portal. This portal allows you to see every home currently on the market in Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade. But while browsing homes online is easy, the real question is: do you know where to start when it comes to listing your own home?

Whether you currently live in Grand Junction or reside out of state, having the right local expertise is essential. Listing your home with a local real estate expert can make a dramatic difference in your sale price, time on the market, and overall moving experience. Too many relocating home sellers make the mistake of hiring the first agent they come across or relying on agents who focus only on sales volume and not on strategic selling. That approach can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. Let me be your Grand Junction Real Estate agent and referral agent.

MLS SEARCH

 

A Story That Inspired My Best Real Estate Agent Referral Service

Paul Aspelin your Grand Junction Relocation Guide. Standing in front of his Toyota Tacoma in the Colorado National MonumentI was recently out looking at homes for sale in Grand Junction with an out-of-state relocation client. We walked into an $800,000 listing, and within minutes, the client asked me why I had sighed upon stepping into the home. I told them I would explain once we were back in the car.

Eagerly awaiting an answer, my client asked immediately after we started driving. Over the remainder of our home tour, I explained why I would never list a home on the MLS that was in the condition we had just experienced. I detailed the difference between a traditional agent and a Homes Sold for MORE™ listing agent—how my standards, marketing, and preparation exceed what traditional agents provide.

By the end of our conversation, my clients looked me in the eye and said, “We wish you could list our home.” And that is how my Best Real Estate Agent Referral Service was born! From a desire to provide over the top customer service and the necessity to ensure that my buyer clients’ home sales were never left to chance. It’s all about you and your move!

Why Listing Properly Matters for Relocation

When listing a home while relocating, every decision has a ripple effect. Your timing, your sale price, and your buyer’s confidence all play a role in whether your move goes smoothly. If your current home isn’t listed properly, you may face delayed closings, moving company scheduling issues, low offers, or costly negotiations that could throw off your relocation plans. Properly listing your home with a local real estate expert ensures your home sale is handled strategically, avoiding surprises that can derail even the most carefully planned relocation. Everything starts with properly listing your home.

Best Real Estate Listing Agent Referral Service

For my buyer clients who also need to sell, I personally vet and interview local real estate listing agents in your area to find the perfect match. Using my 25+ years of real estate experience, I evaluate each agent’s online presence, past sales, active listings, photography standards, and staging knowledge. I even review social media profiles, online reviews, and LinkedIn pages to understand who communicates professionally and who prioritizes results over sales volume.

Unlike traditional agents who may only recommend a top producing listing agent referral, I don’t consider sales volume to be the number one attribute of a quality agent. The goal is simple: connect you with a local real estate expert who meets my high standards and closely follows my trademarked Homes Sold for MORE™ protocols.

The Homes Sold for MORE™ Standard

Homes Sold for More sign over generic sold signEvery agent I refer understands the need for a higher standard of service than a traditional listing agent. This includes:

  • Conducting pre-inspections and addressing issues before listing
  • Professional staging and photography to maximize appeal
  • Positioning you to avoid buyer reconsideration hurdles
  • Radon testing and other environmental considerations
  • Strategic pricing based on local market data, not guesswork
  • Full MLS and online marketing with a focus on attracting educated buyers

In short, your home is prepared and presented in the best possible light, so it sells faster and for more money, something especially critical when your relocation timeline is tight.

The Pitfalls of Traditional Listing Methods

Too often, traditional agents follow what I call the “3 P’s” approach: Put a sign in the yard, Post it on MLS, and Pray it sells. While this may work occasionally, it’s risky for relocating sellers. Offers may be low, negotiations may drag, and your move could be delayed. You’ve done everything you can think of to prepare for this move, but how prepared is the agent you hired to list your home? There is just too much at stake to go blindly into a relationship.

For sellers relocating to Grand Junction, the stakes are even higher. The wrong agent could cost you thousands of dollars and weeks of time—delaying your ability to settle into your new home or coordinate travel, school enrollment, or work commitments. That’s why selecting the right agent from the start is crucial.

How My Best Real Estate Agent Referral Service Works

Here’s how I ensure every client receives the best possible guidance:

  1. Initial Consultation: We will discuss your relocation timeline, goals, and unique situation. I will educate you on what you deserve from the best real estate agent referral.
  2. Agent Vetting: I research and interview multiple local agents, assessing experience, sales strategies, and professionalism. Analyzing everything from the critical eye of “Who would I choose, knowing what I know”?
  3. Homes Sold for MORE™ Agreement: Only agents who agree to follow my high standard listing protocols are eligible for referral.
  4. Personal Match: I connect you with the agent(s) who best fits your needs, market, and goals.
  5. Ongoing Support: I remain available throughout the process to answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and ensure your sale stays on track. Without interfering with your exclusive relationship with your local listing agent.

The Financial Impact of Proper Listing

Properly listing your home isn’t just about speed to market, it’s about maximizing your return. Homes listed with attention to staging, marketing, and strategic pricing consistently sell faster and for higher prices. When moving to another state, this can mean more equity to invest in your new home, reduce stress from dual mortgages, and a smoother transition overall.

Learn More About Our Proven Listing Process

Want to better understand the Homes Sold for MORE™ process to get a clearer vision of what to expect from an expert listing agent? Log onto HomesSoldForMore.com and sign up for one of our HSFM listing seminars. Whether attending in person while visiting Grand Junction or virtually, you’ll be sure to learn something valuable and find our proven listing system a breath of fresh air. Let us take the agent audition process off your plate so you can focus on your move.

On our website, you’ll see exactly how our Homes Sold for MORE™ listing protocols set sellers up for success. Every step—from pre-inspections and professional staging to strategic pricing and targeted marketing—is designed to maximize your sale and make your move seamless.

Best Grand Junction Listing Agents use professional home staging like this uncluttered simple dining room

Dining Room Virtually Staged

By reviewing our website, you’ll gain a clear understanding of:

  • What I look for to properly vet and select only client centric local real estate experts
  • Why traditional agents rarely make the cut
  • How my referral service ensures your home sells faster and for more money
  • The steps that give sellers peace of mind during relocations
  • Be sure to read about the “Just Listed pitfalls” I wrote based on my years of experience

Visiting Homes Sold for More™ is the fastest way to see why my system consistently outperforms traditional listings and why having the right agent can make or break your relocation.

Final Thoughts

Relocating to Grand Junction is exciting, and I’d love to help you find your next home in the Grand Valley! Your move depends on careful planning and the right team. But remember not to overlook the importance of properly listing your current home. By working with an agent I have vetted through my Best Real Estate Agent Referral Service, you’re ensuring your move is strategic, profitable, and as stress-free as possible.

From pre-inspections to professional staging and beyond, my process ensures your home listing is in the right hands, giving you the confidence to focus on your move rather than worrying about the sale.

If you’re randomly searching “Homes for Sale in Grand Junction” and you also need to sell, don’t leave your move to chance. Connect with me today to get started on your relocation journey with the best Grand Junction agent by your side. Whether you’re an agent looking to refer a client or are personally buying or selling a home in Grand Junction, I have the local expertise and years of experience to make your move a success!

You might also enjoy my related posts:

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Grand Junction Listing Agent Who Can Get Your Home SOLD for MORE™

Buying a Home in Grand Junction

Moving Preparation, How We Did It

Pros and Cons of Offers with Contingencies

Best Grand Junction Real Estate Agents

Paul Aspelin REALTORPaul Aspelin Reviews and Recommendations https://movetograndjunction.com/paul-aspelin-reviews-and-recommendations

Connect with me on LinkedIn

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Serving Grand Junction, Palisade, Fruita and all of Mesa County
Grand Junction Real Estate Expert
Text/Call 612-306-9558

Attention Real Estate Agents across the United States

Looking for the Best Grand Junction Real Estate Agent Referral?

If you’re a licensed real estate agent searching for the best Grand Junction real estate agent referral, your client deserves more than a random name pulled from a directory. Partnering your referral with a local Grand Junction real estate expert who consistently delivers exceptional results, protects your reputation, and ensures your client experiences a seamless transition.

Through my Homes Sold for MORE™ listing protocols, I handle every Grand Junction real estate agent referral listing with the same high standards I apply to my own business. With over 25 years of experience assisting relocation clients, your referral will be treated with professionalism, guided through every step, and represented by a trusted expert in the Grand Junction market.

Whether you’re referring a buyer or seller, I’ll personally ensure they receive the level of service that turns your referral into a lasting relationship, and a win for everyone involved.

Call me with confidence to discuss your next Grand Junction real estate agent listing or buyer referral opportunity today.

© 2025 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR®. MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

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Homes Sold for More™

Selling a Home in Grand Junction with the Homes Sold for More™ Team!

If you’ve been reading my Move to Grand Junction blog posts, you know that they are mostly about moving here and living in Grand Junction. But did you know I also list homes for sale in Grand Junction? In fact, I have a dedicated website for Grand Junction Home Sellers called Homes Sold for More™. HomesSoldforMore.com.

What is Homes Sold for More™?

Homes Sold for More™ is a listing process I created over the last 25 years that positions the sellers I work with to get MORE! More communication, more convenience, more pre-planning, more home staging, more services, and more expertise.

Traditional “Just Listed” tactics are outdated and ineffective. In fact, after moving to Grand Junction, I quickly realized that the listing preparation and marketing tactics used by even the top agents in the Grand Valley are 15+ years behind what agents are doing in the major metropolitan areas. I show my clients how their home can stand out from the competition!

For a comprehensive list of “Just Listed” pitfalls to avoid visit HomesSoldForMore.com. Find out more about my process and how the Sold for More™ team stands by the fact that “We Do Real Estate Right!” Some of the pitfalls to avoid are quite entertaining! Learn about showing feedback, radon testing, price reductions, photography, what color to paint your home, secure lockboxes vs combo lockboxes, professional brochures, and no open houses!

In this real estate market, a vast majority of people will be selling a home before buying their next one. Unfortunately, contingent offers are not the answer to avoiding a double move (see my article on contingent offers).  Whether you are selling a home in Grand Junction or relocating here with a home to sell out of state, here are five quick tips for seller success.

Five Tips for Seller Success

  1. Hire an experienced agent that understands how to help guide you in preparing a home to be listed. This includes professional staging, color consultation, decluttering, and pre-packing. Best to follow the phrase “The way you live in a home is different than the way you sell a home.”
  2. It’s better to go on the market when you’re ready than just fast. If your agent is pushing to get your home listed ASAP, they view your home as another “Just Listed” commodity and don’t fully understand how to take advantage of the first impression period.
  3. Photographs need to speak to buyers! Even though the latest smartphone has great clarity, the quality of a photo comes from the talent of the photographer. Great pictures speak a thousand words, don’t settle for less than the best. Always hire a professional.
  4. Don’t allow your agent to ignore virtual staging if you plan to sell your home vacant. The average person has a challenging time visualizing the layout of furniture in rooms. Virtual staging is your friend when selling a vacant home.
  5. Collaborate with your agent on pricing! Work together to come up with the best price based on the facts of what is selling in your area, not emotion or what you think it could sell for.

Trust me, I won’t be like this guy pressuring you to sign the contract the first time we meet.

Finding an Agent to Sell Your Home

If you’re interested in having me interview and recommend agents to sell your home in another location, just ask! I’d be happy to do the legwork for you to find the best agent for listing success! I understand what it takes to effectively prepare, list, and market homes.

Other articles you might enjoy:

Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients!

Homes Sold for More sign over generic sold sign

Selling a Home in Grand Junction? Call me!

Paul Aspelin REALTORText/Call 612-306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

Grand Junction Real Estate Expert
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.

© 2025 Paul Aspelin, REALTOR® MovetoGrandJunction.com Copyright protected. All rights reserved.

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What are Some Cons of Living in Grand Junction CO?

Grand Junction Seems Perfect, What Am I Missing?

Are there cons of living in Grand Junction CO? Most of the posts on this website outline why we think moving to the Grand Junction area is a good idea. I have attracted home buyers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Oklahoma, and other states, plus, from within Colorado. Most of my buyer clients are moving to Colorado from another state. They ask a lot of questions about the area, and I try to share my personal perspective, experiences, and resources. My wife and I really enjoy living here, but there are a few cons of living in Grand Junction, and, in all fairness, we wanted to let you know about those too.

Grand Junction Airport Welcome Sign

When clients search for a new home, they typically make a list of the pros and cons of the property before they write an offer. It is rare for one property to “check all of the boxes”. That holds true for finding a new community to live in. While Grand Junction, Palisade and Fruita (collectively known as the Grand Valley) have a lot of great attributes, here are a few not so great facts. Here we go!

General Observations

It’s dusty here. You may want an unlimited car wash pass. You are in the high plains desert after all, but I have not seen dust storms like you would see in Arizona. However, dusty homes and dusty cars seem more common. Why wash it if it’s just going to get dusty again the next day? Plus, less washing conserves water. You may just have to get used to driving around in a dusty vehicle and dusting your home more often. We have a portable air purifier we like to use that we bought which really seems to help.

The nearest Costco is 2 hours away in Eagle/Gypsum on I-70. If you are a Costco fan, that is a bummer. We try and time our trips to Costco with other adventures. We do have a Sam’s club to tide over the bulk shopper cravings. Sorry Costco lovers, I understand your struggle. We almost got one in 2024 so ya never know.

There are jacked up trucks everywhere. There must be a bunch of rednecks in GJ! No, it’s because we are one of the greatest off-roading destination basecamps in the world. If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it. I’ve been to Moab, Utah and it is a bucket list item whether you are into that sort of thing or not. The greatest sites around are many times down a 4×4 trail in the desert or the mountains. Back in MN, we called these Stump Jumper trucks. Around here it would be more like rock crawler trucks. Warning – don’t take your “stock Jeep” out on the trails in Moab. Those Jeeps have special equipment to handle crawling the beautiful rocky trails. Rent an ATV, those are so fun! Ask me about the times I have rented ATVs in Moab! There are a few photos on my post called Day Trips from Grand Junction.

If you like to travel by air, you can add about $250 to each trip for the puddle jumper that gets you to a larger city for connecting flights. You can also drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and fly from there. Montrose Regional Airport is another consideration for your departure airport and can be less expensive. We like to fly out of GJT even though it’s more expensive because it’s so darn convenient. Just 15 minutes away, no long lines, no traffic to worry about. Ready my post about our Grand Junction Airport Experience to learn more.

Although we are a medical hub, there is a shortage of medical professionals. For routine visits like a physical you may have to wait 30 days for an appointment. So, plan ahead. Maybe get all of your medical visits done in your current state before you move here.

Those darn goat heads! My relative came to stay at Camp Eddy for three weeks and was excited to ride his bike on the paved Colorado Riverfront Trail each morning. It didn’t take long before he got a flat tire from a goat’s head. Luckily, he got his tire repaired nearby. He was told you need inserts in your bike tires, even on pavement, especially if you ride along the river where these plants are. Do this up front so you don’t get stranded. What’s a goat’s head? It’s a weed who’s spiky, sharp thorn resembles the head of a goat. On a positive note, while his wife was stranded on the trail with his bike, waiting for him to go back and get the car, several people stopped and asked, “Do you have a rescue squad on the way?”. That was nice. Goat’s Head on Wikipedia

Housing Related Observations

Professional Resale Home Staging – Nonexistent. This was the first thing I noticed when starting my real estate practice in the Grand Valley. I walk into homes all the time that I wouldn’t deem ready for market. Some things in the real estate industry here are decades behind major metropolitan areas. This can lead to increased market times. I don’t feel the market times here match those of a major metro area. Besides, market times are calculated on the days from hitting the market to the closing versus the days it took to secure an offer. Most people request 30-60 days from the offer to close so an 88-day average market time as advertised here is actually much less. It’s just calculated differently. Don’t let the pictures sway you, I am able to help look through the clutter and help paint a picture of a great house.

Sewer line issues in older homes can be an issue because years ago they were made of clay. You’ll want to have the sewer line from the property to the street scoped during your inspection period. It’s cheap insurance. The cost can be around $150.

Homeowner’s Insurance in more remote areas, like up on the Grand Mesa or in Glade Park, can be expensive depending on how close you are to a fire station or fire hydrant. Are you looking for more elbow room? That could come at a cost when it comes to insuring your remote property.

Certain neighborhoods with existing homes and even new construction developments have a history of foundation concerns. The water table is so close to the surface in some areas that piers or pilings need to be installed because soil is moving. About 25-30 years ago when Grand Junction started to take off, the builders were not aware of these soil conditions in certain areas. Some existing homes have had foundation repairs or are still dealing with issues. Soil testing is an absolute necessity in building new construction. This could cost you $1500 up-front depending on the lot size and number of soil borings needed.

The lot price may not be the lot price. Because of the soil conditions in some areas, your new home may require a pier system under your concrete foundation. Pilings are expensive and could add $20- $100k to your costs just to make the lot you buy buildable.

I represented new construction buyers in the Redlands 360 Easter Hill neighborhood.

There are no national builders in the Grand Valley. Now that could be considered a pro and a con. No Lennar or DR Horton here. Most are custom home builders run by small businesses.

New construction builders do not have the same level of cooperation with REALTORS® that I was used to back in a major metro area. If you are going to build new, make sure to talk to your agent about builder/Realtor® cooperation hurdles. Even more of a reason to hire an agent who represents YOUR best interests!

There are some areas to be more cautious about. We’ve got some neighborhoods that were built 40-50 years ago to create affordable workforce housing for the oil and mining industry employees. Sometimes low-cost housing is in areas with higher crime, but not always.

Are the unhoused an issue? I’ve witnessed homelessness but never had any issues or concerns. There are certain parts of town where they gather more often, but it’s nothing like the major metropolitan areas.

Land use and Zoning seem odd compared to where we lived in a western suburb of Minneapolis. This town was not planned out like the suburbs of a major city when it comes to zoning and land use. You may drive through an industrial park of commercial buildings to get to your neighborhood. Some people get turned off by that, but it’s just the way GJ is. We also have many small farms or ranches that have accumulated unwanted items over the years in their yards. You can literally have a gorgeous neighborhood next to a yard that looks unkept. They did do a good job laying out the streets in grid format. That makes it easy to get around town.

The month of October can be tricky for scheduling contractors and even professionals. Hunting is a major part of life in and around the Grand Valley and October is elk hunting season. People literally take weeks off at a time to attend elk camp with their family and friends. Traditions are an important part of living out west.

Many stucco homes. Coming from MN, buying a stucco home was a huge NO NO! In Minnesota I saw so many stucco issues with mold and even mushrooms growing on the interior walls. It wasn’t worth the risk. In this dry climate, however, it doesn’t seem to be an issue. I remain cautiously optimistic about stucco homes in the Grand Valley.

Home prices seem to be high. I hear clients say this all the time, “I don’t want to buy at the top of the market.” With any home purchase decision, I recommend this be a 10-year purchase, if possible. Our prices are going up because the demand is going up. Like most other communities, we also have a shortage of homes. The driver behind that is the high number of people moving to the Grand Valley from other states. The inventory is low, but the demand is growing stronger than most cities.

Connect with me for more truths about living in Grand Junction, Palisade or Fruita.

About ten years ago while on vacation in Whitefish, Montana (Glacier National Park area), we went into a local shop to buy some souvenirs. The clerk behind the counter was wearing a T-shirt that said, “My life is your vacation.” We laughed but now live that statement. I feel like I want to get a T-shirt like that now, for myself.

Although this post was about some of the negatives of living in Grand Junction, we feel the positives far outweigh those. Some of the best things about living here are the geographic proximity to so many wonderful areas and a great sense of community. To end on a high note, consider reading some of these popular (and funny) posts.

Retire in Grand Junction: Your grandkids and kids will thank you

What it’s Really Like to Drive I-70 from Denver to Grand Junction

Accolades for the Grand Valley

Move to Grand Junction. We’ve been waiting for you!

Paul on 4 Wheeler in Moab Utah

Moab Trip

Text/Call 612-306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Serving Mesa County
Licensed in Colorado

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients 

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