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As a full-time real estate agent, Lindy Franklin values her client’s trust and strives to surpass their expectations.  She is passionate about helping her clients move forward with their real estate goals, from first time home buyers, to couples upgrading or downsizing, a bachelor purchasing his ultimate bachelor pad or a family purchasing their vacation home.   

Lindy attributes her success as an agent not only to her passion for real estate, but to her listening, analytical and negotiation skills. She earns her client’s respect by working diligently on their behalf, earning their trust, referrals, and repeat business. Contact Lindy at 970-210-2429 or lindyfranklingj@gmail.com 

Congratulations to our Realtor of the Week, Karie O'Connor of Karie Hill-O'Connor & Company.  Karie has over 21 years experience as a Realtor and holds a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the Association of Realtors.  She has also been awarded a top designation for Certified Negotiating Experts (CNE), having completed an extensive training course giving her the skills for confident, successful negotiations that bring her clients win-win outcomes.  Home buyers and sellers can be assured that Karie subscribes to the strict Realtors code of ethics in all her dealings.  She has access to the latest technology in marketing her clients’ properties, and is a specialist in helping them maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home.

Bottom Line? Karie O’Connor has the training, the experience, and the know-how to help YOU with your Real Estate needs, whatever they may be.  She was born and raised in the Grand Valley, and is Quick read more or view full article proud to help all her friends and neighbors here!  Give Karie a call the next time You want a friendly, professional Realtor who gets the job done!” Call Karie today with any of your real estate needs! 970-216-2233!

If you haven't bought a home yet, you're missing out on a wonderful feeling! That moment when you walk through your doors, throw your purse or keys on the floor, plop down on your couch and breathe a sigh of relief while thinking, "Finally, it's ours (or mine)!" And the joy of looking at all of your boxes, getting to roll your eyes about why you buy so much stuff, then giving yourself a moment to take a nap because you worked hard to get here and earned it! Yes that's a real feeling!

by Kyler Frye

Emergency situations such as fire, extreme weather and power outages can happen without warning. By taking the time to prepare for a possible disaster now, you and your family will be equipped to handle a crisis if one ever occurs.

Fire Escape Route and Meeting Spot
It can take a mere five minutes for a fire to engulf your entire home. This is one reason having an escape plan is so important. Include at least two exit routes in your plan in case one is blocked, and designate a safe location for everyone in your household to meet. Identifying a secondary location outside your neighborhood is good to have in the event it's not safe to return or you're asked to evacuate.

List of Emergency Contacts
Make laminated cards with a list of important phone numbers for each family member. This might include contact information for the local authorities and emergency services as well as your nearest relatives.

Home Safety Items
Be prepared in case an emergency does occur by having these Quick read more or view full article target="_blank">home safety items:

• Fire Extinguisher -- Keep one on each floor, and check them annually to make sure they're functioning properly.
• First-Aid Kit -- Store it in a central location, such as the kitchen, and make sure everyone knows where it is.
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors -- Install detectors in each room and test them once a month. Use long-life lithium batteries to cut back on replacements.
• Food and Water -- Put together a three-day supply of nonperishable foods and at least three gallons of water for each member of your household.

According to sellers, silence isn't always "golden"

By Rick Thurtle

When trying to sell a home, silence isn't always golden especially when you're expecting your real estate agent to call. In fact, it's one of the leading complaints among sellers in the real estate market. Often times you find an agent who is more than willing to take on your listing, but once the relationship is made, the seller enjoys getting a call at least once a week. A seller should establish with the agent up front the expectation that regular communication will occur. Even if it's just to check-in, the seller will be more satisfied being kept in the loop.

Keeping the communication lines open between the two parties assures the seller that the agent is keeping them apprised of any and all offers. In addition, agents often provide valuable tips on why prospective buyers weren't interested. Often times, an agent is privy to the buyer's dislikes of the property. For instance "this room's too dark" or "the kitchen has a funny smell." This allows the agent to Quick read more or view full article give the seller constructive feedback and offer important tips on how to make the home more attractive to future buyers.

If you're a seller and are not hearing from your broker, be sure to keep calling them until they get the message that you expect a regular update. Selling a home can be a lot of work and sometimes quite stressful. It is incumbent upon an agent to satisfy the seller's expectations of routine updates, this will ensure the possibility of future business not to mention a successful sale. Furthermore, as a seller you must demand the communication exchange between you and your agent. If both parties work in a cooperative effort, the selling experience will be more successful and enjoyable for both the agent and the seller involved.

During their time in the Grand Valley, Dana and her husband have bought and sold more than 30 fix and flip properties. "It is a passion of mine to take a distressed property and turn it in to someone’s updated new home," said Dana. "I'm excited to pursue a real estate career in the Grand Junction area so I can use what I have learned from our buying & selling experiences to help my clients."

To get in touch with Dana for any of your real estate needs, give her a call at 970-250-8518 or send her an Quick read more or view full article e-mail at dkwbroker@gmail.com

• Home purchase and refinance loans
• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost assistance
• Homebuyer education classes???

• 94,786 ?Colorado homebuyers achieve homeownership;
• 117,528 households attend homebuyer education classes held statewide;
• 62,439 affordable rental housing units be developed or preserved; and
• 4,527 businesses access capital to support 59,793 jobs.???

CHFA loans available.





























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If you'd like to see if CHFA can help you, contact their office on the Western Slope:
348 Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501??
970.241.2341
800.877.8450
970.241.9422 (fax)


Source for all info: CHFA website Read Less

Congratulations to Mike McGinnis of Promark Realty, Inc, our realtor of the week! Mike has been a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker since 1983 and opened Promark Realty, Inc. in 1991. He's proud to be one of the original owners of Metro Brokers Grand Junction, Inc.

Mike grew up right here in Mesa County and along with his wife, Kim, feel fortunate to have lived and raised their two sons in such a vibrant place. 

"Real estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience," says Mike. "If you're buying, I can help you select the home of your dreams by taking time to listen to your needs and desires. If you're selling, my real estate expertise and many effective marketing programs will give you the exposure and edge you need to sell your home quickly for top dollar."

So whether you are looking for property uptown, or land Quick read more or view full article downstream, Mike's local expertise and extensive experience with Grand Junction homes for sale will benefit you.

Mike considers this community an excellent place to reside and would love to share with you his enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods that encompass it. If you are looking for your next piece of Grand Junction real estate, you can get in touch with Mike at 970.234.6453

It is Kyler’s commitment to helping customers find just the right home that motivated him to pursue a real estate career. He offers cutting edge customer service and a strong love for our community and the people who live here. Meeting new people and helping customers find the right place to call "home” is Kyler’s passion. With his extensive knowledge of the Grand Valley he can help you find the right place. 

Kyler would love to show you around so you, too, Quick read more or view full article can plant your roots in our Valley. Call Kyler today at 970-773-3028 or email him at kylerfrye@gmail.com.

Born and raised in Western Colorado, Felecia has a strong appreciation for the variety and beauty that Colorado has to offer and can't imagine life anywhere else. She started out in Gunnison, Colorado before moving to the Grand Valley to attend Mesa State College to study marketing and financing. 

The values embodied by Metro Brokers parallel her own high ethical standards. Felecia believes that teamed with Metro Brokers Grand Junction's uncompromising integrity, and her honest, hardworking nature, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished!

Felecia and her husband Ray have three beautiful daughters. "My family is my life! They are what make my world complete!" said Felecia. Together, they enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, sports, and boating in Lake Powell. "We also travel as often as we can, including to Hong Kong where my mother is from and where many family members currently live!" she explains. 

Please feel free to call Felecia anytime, Quick read more or view full article without obligation, at 970-260-8258, to help with any of your real estate needs.

In her free time, Beth is a volunteer with Hilltop’s “Extraordinary Women” program, which raises funds to benefit Latimer House in Grand Junction, safe houses, and other services for domestic violence victims in several counties. The need, according to Hilltop, is clear: “One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime …Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the Quick read more or view full article police.” Hilltop has an upcoming fundraiser specifically for the "Extraordinary Women" program featuring artwork for sale. Anyone who wants to donate to this great cause can donate money or original art pieces to be sold online. For more information on how to support this organization, please visit their website. For donations, make checks payable to Latimer House. Contact Beth, she is happy to help get your donations to them.

Congratulations to Dana Weiszbrod, our featured Agent of the Week! Dana is truly a Colorado Girl through and through, moving to Grand Junction 20+ years ago. She knew then that she had found her "forever" home. Since moving to Grand Junction, Dana and her husband have bought and sold more than 30 fix and flip properties. Their passion is to take a distressed property and turn it in to someone’s updated new home. With that experience, Dana jumped into her real estate career so she can apply what's she's learned from her own buying & selling experiences to help her clients.  

Dana and her husband Trent (owner & operator of Trent Plumbing and Heating) have four active and beautiful teenagers. They love living and raising their kids in the Grand Valley and enjoy being part of this amazing community. 

She looks forward to welcoming you as a client with Hansen & Associates Realty and Metro Brokers Grand Junction, Inc.!  Contact her for any of your real estate needs Quick read more or view full article at 970-250-8518 or dkwbroker@gmail.com.

Our featured agent this week is Teri Styers of Ford Realty! Teri is an experienced house “flipper” with a strong background in property management, HOA management and business management. She adopted the Grand Valley as her home 35 years ago, raising her four children with her husband on farms in East Orchard Mesa and Collbran.

Teri enjoys world travel, with a well-used passport as proof. Locally, she enjoys interesting restaurants, good books, cooking and small scale gardening. She also has a fascination with Tiny Houses and intends to build one someday.

Teri believes that real estate is the very best investment and wants to help others find what they are looking for. She's also available to help you strategize on how to find the ideal buyer for your existing real estate.

To get in touch with Teri to start your home search or list your home,contact her at: teri@mbgj.com or 970-270-0805.

Introducing Rick Thurtle, the newest addition to our real estate team!

Rick is a realtor because he loves to use his knowledge, experience and attention to detail to make real estate transactions as smooth and profitable as possible. He is a Certified Real Estate Negotiations Expert to ensure you get the most out of your transaction.

Rick is a longtime Grand Valley resident, developing relationships over the years both in the real estate and non-profit worlds, to help you achieve your real estate goals, whether it is residential, commercial or investment opportunities.

Additionally, he has served on the board of directors of several non-profit entities including the United Way of Mesa County, the Salvation Army, the Center for Independence, the Roice Hurst Humane Society, Mesa County RSVP, the American Red Cross and many others. He also spent more than two decades as a news anchor, including eight years at our local NBC affiliate, KKCO-TV.

Rick and his wife Vicki feel fortunate that their Golden Retriever, Fletcher, allows them to share a home with him. Fletch was a rescue dog at the Roice Hurst Humane Quick read more or view full article Society.