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Congratulations to Janell Gear, our featured agent of the week!  A Realtor in Grand Junction at Gear & Associates Realty / Metro Brokers, Janell specializes in Residential Real Estate because “I enjoy helping families, couples, college students, and people like you find a place to call “home” and create memories to last a lifetime.”  Janell is an active member of the community as the Program Director of Mesa County Women's Network, a Small Group Leader of MOPS, a member of the Young Professional Network.
Janell is always ready to dedicate her time and efforts to help you find the home of your dreams!!  Helping families buy and sell homes is her passion!  Call Janell today at 970-589-0002
 

Congratulations to Justin Roles who was inducted into the Grand Junction Area Realtors Association (GJARA) on Friday, April 20, 2018. Justin is a newly licensed Broker Associate with High Desert Realty/Metro Brokers Grand Junction, Inc. He continues the Roles family legacy in our group as his late father, Greg Roles, was a member and partner/owner of Metro Brokers GJ from 1996 until August 2017.
 

Congratulations to Lindy Franklin, broker at Gear & Associates Realty, our featured Grand Junction realtor of the week! Lindy obtained her bachelor’s degree from Colorado Mesa University and has dreamed of working in real estate since the purchase of her first home. As a Colorado native, Lindy Franklin has lived in both Grand Junction and Palisade and, together with her family, enjoy the many outdoor activities that the Grand Valley has to offer.  

Lindy’s integrity plus her listening and negotiating skills are her strengths as an agent. She is dedicated to helping her clients find and purchase their dream home. Lindy also utilizes the latest marketing tools to expose her seller’s real estate to a broad range of qualified buyers. To have Lindy help you make your next move in real estate, give her a call at 970-210-2429 or e-mail her at lindyfranklingj@gmail.com.

 

Congratulations to Karie O'Connor, Broker and Owner of Karie Hill O’Connor & Associates, our Grand Junction realtor of the week! A Grand Valley native, Karie is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and earned a top designation in the extensive training course to become a Certified Negotiating Expert (CNE). With that background, and access to the latest technology in marketing properties, Karie excels at helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home. But rather than talk about herself, Karie would like to spend time talking about one of her properties:

400 Hawthorne St., Fruita
3BR / 3BA / 3 car / 2,070 sq ft / 0.18 acre
$359,000

New construction in Woodland Creek Estates. The home features vaulted ceilings. Kitchen has granite counters, upgraded cabinets, island with raised bar and dining area. Covered patio for entertaining and relaxing. The floor plan is very functional and has neutral colors and many windows to bring natural beauty and Quick read more or view full article light into all living areas. Master offers 2 large walk-in closets HIS AND HERS and is on the main level with washer and dryer hookups. 2 Bedrooms, a family room and a laundry room upstairs. Family room has majestic views of the Colorado National Monument. Home is 2 x 6 construction making it very well insulated. 

To get in touch with Karie about this home, or any other property, give her a call at 970-216-2233. Read Less

Congratulations to Janell Gear, Broker/Owner of Gear & Associates Realty, our featured Grand Junction realtor of the week!  Janell would like to introduce us to Mel Robbins, speaker, CNN commentator, and author of the book “The 5 Second Rule.” Last month at a real estate conference, Janell attended a presentation led by Mel and found yet another powerful tool to perhaps help her clients, and herself as a Realtor.  Mel created the 5 second rule when she was in a tough time of her life.  Her marriage was struggling,  she had lost her job and she was about to lose everything.  She continued to hit the snooze button on her own life and couldn't move forward.  One day she heard a NASA clip and realized, “It’s so simple –just count down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then physically MOVE to do the thing that you are resisting. Whether it's as simple as getting out of bed or as stressful as making a Quick read more or view full article dreaded phone call.”

Here’s how it works: The moment you feel yourself hesitate (when you know you should do something) start counting backward 5-4-3-2-1, then GO. The Rule is a proven form of metacognition. When you use it, you shift mental gears, interrupt your habit of overthinking and awaken your pre-frontal cortex – making change easy. The rule acts as a “starting ritual” that breaks bad habits and triggers positive new behavior change.  "Feel free to visit Mel Robbins’ website to find out more about the 5 second rule and the science behind it," says Janell. "This could change your life!”   www.melrobbins.com Read Less

Please join us in welcoming Dan Zeigler to our Grand Junction real estate team here at High Desert Realty and Metro Brokers Grand Junction! Dan was born and raised in Western Colorado. His father first introduced Dan to real estate while he was still a child. Early on, Dan sold computers and soon realized he had a passion for helping people get exactly what they were looking for. Since then, Dan has been in the real estate business for years, in areas ranging from California to Colorado before coming back to be a Realtor in Grand Junction. He always brings an abundance of enthusiasm, personal knowledge, and a calming nature to his work.  Dan has a large family with 7 children and a loving wife, from whom he has learned patience and caring. He enjoys spending time playing golf, hiking, fishing, and enjoying activities with his family. Dan has plenty of energy and is always ready to help people find their dream homes Quick read more or view full article or assist them in selling an existing home. Contact Dan today, with your real estate questions. He is ready to help you make your move! 970-691-4096  danz@mbgj.com
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Congratulations to our featured agent of the week, Felecia Bishop of Gear & Associates Realty! 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 (now Colorado Mesa University) to study marketing and finance.

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 Quick read more or view full article members currently live!" she explains.

Please feel free to call Felecia anytime, without obligation, at 970-260-8258, to help with any of your real estate needs. Read Less

Home ownership rates are the lowest they have been in the last 50 years. Yet a large portion of Americans are still renting properties, instead of enjoying a home of their own. Consumer reports believe this is an issue because of a buyer's lack of trust in their ability to purchase. It is still a long standing notion that a buyer needs 20% towards the cost of the home in order to move forward, but this isn't true. With countless down payment assistant programs, and closing cost roll-ins, a home owner could move in with as little as a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. Which is a huge difference in the time it takes to save up to make the move.   Read Less

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!

We often hear, and read, about the cost effectiveness of home ownership. The equity build-up, the freedom it can give us from finances in our retirement years, and a plethora of other ways owning a home can be a positive impact on your bottom dollar. But we don't often hear about the emotional impact owning a home can have. Yes there will be days the fridge is Quick read more or view full article acting silly and you need to call your home warranty, or days you have to get outside to mow your own yard, but nothing beats the pride and joy of owning a home. 

There is a sense of security, and a sense of "this is mine and I worked my way up to this moment," that provides moments of bliss. The ability to do with your home as you please, not pay a pretty penny for every member of your fur family, and the privacy it provides can't be beat.

Home ownership also gives you the ability to put down some roots. And we mean that figuratively and literally. You get to build memories through the holidays and go through many milestones with your family, that leave a significant impact into the later years. You also get to build bonds with your neighbors, and grow in a community oriented neighborhood. With rentals, people come and go annually, but there are deeper roots planted with building relationships with those living next to you. Potlucks, 4th of July and New Year's Eve spent lighting fireworks, and just the excitement of getting to know each other and build new relationships. 

Buying a home isn't about the dollars and cents for everyone, sometimes it's just about the joy of owning your own place, and getting to build amazing memories in it. If you've been longing for this, get in touch with a real estate agent, and make it happen. You owe it to yourself to make your dreams come true!

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Congratulations to Debbie Thomas of DKT Realty, Inc., our featured real estate agent of the week! Debbie was raised on an 800 acre farm in Fruita and has been a resident of the Grand Valley her entire life. With more than 30 years of retail and sales experience, Debbie has been licensed in real estate since 1996 and was a $2 Million producer her first year in the business.

“I’d like to say ‘Thank You!’ to all my clients and friends. With your help, I am now in the top 2% in overall real estate sales in the Grand Junction area!" says Debbie. And with that acknowledgement, she's back to work focusing on her properties, offering up another excellent listing for your consideration:

225 Narrow Leaf Drive, Fruita
3BR / 2BA / 2 car / 1,154 sq ft / 0.16 acres
$216,500

Nice rancher in Cottonwoods Subdivision. RV parking, new interior paint, open floor plan and split floor plan. Quick read more or view full article 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 4 fruit trees in back yard, sprinkler system with irrigation through the HOA.

To get in touch with Debbie about this property, or to get started on your real estate journey in selling your home or buying a new one, give her a call at 970-261-3309.
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Congratulations to Hal Heath of Heath & Company Realtors, our featured agent of the week! Since 1983, Hal has been practicing real estate in Grand Junction, earning the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation. Helping two generations of clients, Hal enjoys helping families and investors accomplish their goals. He is well versed in the new home construction industry and specializes in the move-up residential market, with an emphasis on families.

With a background in sales and marketing, years of community involvement, and as an investor himself, Hal has a true understanding of the real estate market and would love to put that expertise to work for you. He truly believes real estate in Western Colorado is enjoyable and fun, appreciating the excellent quality of life in the Grand Junction area while he raised three children here.

The Heath & Company Team offers unparalleled service to ALL clients. "Your complete satisfaction with our service and representation is our number one priority," says Hal. Quick read more or view full article "We built our business around this priority and we are committed to saving you both time and money, whether you are a home buyer or a home seller."

To get in touch with Hal on upsizing your home, or seeing what's available, give him a call at  970-250-9515. Read Less

Congratulations to Tracy Jackson of Gear & Associates Realty, our featured agent of the week! As a long time resident of Western Colorado, Tracy brings a strong sales and business background to her real estate career. These skills offer her clients the benefits of excellent negotiation skills and good old common sense approaches to the real estate transaction. Tracy is very involved with Mesa County youth, a past 4H leader, and still very involved with the Mesa County Fair. She specializes in horse properties and ranches in Grand Junction and surrounding communities. She also spends family time with her husband and son at team ropings, barrel races and rodeos. Tracy is excited to assist you and your family find the perfect Western Colorado property. To get in touch with Tracy for a down-to-earth approach to finding your next horse property or ranch on the Western Slope, or selling your current one, give her a call at 970-210-7707.
 

Congratulations to Teri Styers of Ford Realty, our featured realtor of the week! 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. Teri and her husband, Doug, raised our four children on farms in East Orchard Mesa and Collbran. 

"My preferred hobby is world travel and I have a well-used passport," says Teri. "Locally, I enjoy interesting restaurants, good books, cooking and small scale gardening. I also have a fascination with Tiny Houses and intend to build one or more someday." 

Teri firmly believes that real estate is the very best investment. "I love to help others find what they are looking for – whether it is a project property, rental property or dream home," she says, adding that she is also "available to help you strategize on how to find the ideal buyer for your existing real estate." 

To Quick read more or view full article get in touch with Teri for your next home, send her an e-mail at teri@mbgj.com or call her at 970-270-0805.
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Congratulations to Larry Craven of Craven Realty, our realtor of the week! Armed with a marketing degree, Larry has been a licensed realtor since 1984 and became licensed in Colorado in 1993. Larry specializes in residential real estate with 10 years of experience in selling new construction. He has experience selling in good markets and in crashes, and always finds a way to get his listings sold.

“I love being a real estate broker," says Larry. "I can't see myself ever doing anything else. Being a member of Metro Brokers gives me the chance to raise my service to the next level,and I can't emphasize enough how important it is to me to be able to provide outstanding customer service to you.”

Larry keeps selling all of his listings and finding the right home for his buyer clients and desperately needs to find more sellers and buyers who are truly interested in results.

If you want your home "SOLD" or Quick read more or view full article if you want to find that "PERFECT HOME" at the best possible price and with excellent customer service, call Larry at 970-260-1024.
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Congratulations to Nicole Rich of Gear & Associates, our realtor of the week! Nicole started in real estate in 2015. Her late grandfather always taught her to never give up and to always do what makes her happy, so she took his advice, got her real estate license and couldn't be happier.

Nicole understands that purchasing or selling a home is a very important decision and a big undertaking in life. With that in mind, she works hard to help you find the ideal home or sell your current home with the least amount of hassle, relying on her expertise and the full complement of resources available at Metro Brokers Grand Junction.

"Whether it is your first home or your tenth home, a retirement home or an investment property, as your Realtor I will work hard to make your experience a positive one," says Nicole. "Most people only choose a few homes in their lifetime. Quick read more or view full article I am going to make sure that you are well equipped with up-to-date information for your big decision."

Nicole has 2 wonderful kids and an amazing husband that inspire her to work harder every day. She loves helping people and finds that getting to know her clients has been one of the most rewarding parts about her career, helping some amazing people along the way that are now lifelong friends.

Nicole is prepared to guide you through every phase of the home buying or selling process. To get in touch with Nicole to buy or sell your property, give her a call at 970-640-9965.  Read Less

I grew up in Grand Junction, CO on a peach farm on East Orchard Mesa.
I have been in real estate for 32 years. You can say real estate is in my blood.

I have been married to my wife Peggie Ford for the past 30 years.
She recently retired from St. Mary’s Hospital Operating Room. I have 3
grown children and 4 grandchildren.








My primary interest is in residential real estate sales and the ever changing challenges that we have today with mortgage and lender requirements. I enjoy the puzzle of finding a way to make all the pieces involved in a real estate transaction, fit, and achieve the end result of helping people realize the “American Dream” of Quick read more or view full article being able to own their own home. 




                                             

One of the most interesting real estate situations that I’ve been involved with happened when I had only been in the business a short time. I had shown a home to some out-of-town buyers on a Sunday and they decided to purchase it. The purchase price was $150,000 and when I asked the buyers about earnest money and financing they handed me a brown paper bag. They said they had the $150,000 in cash and that they wanted to put the entire amount down as earnest money. Sure enough there was $150,000 in the bag! After some discussion and a trip to the bank on Monday, they purchased the property.
                                            
There are many good real estate values available. If you have the ability to buy a property that needs repairs there
are programs that will help you buy the home and give you money for the repairs if the home will be owner occupied.
What is one tip you have for someone looking to sell a home today? If you are looking to sell your home be realistic about the value you choose and then make the home the best and shiniest home in your price range.

I have many years in the business and have dealt with many unique situations that have given me the type of experience I need to help you buy or sell your property. Please call me at 970-250-1028. Read Less

Property taxes can be a pretty big chunk of change each year, and as of 2013 in Grand Junction, Colorado, the median cost of property taxes for those who have a mortgage is $1,117. If you want to lower your property taxes, you're not only going to have to take precautions, but practice due diligence as well. The following are some of the top tips for lowering property taxes if you own real estate in Grand Junction.
 
Check for discrepancies on the card
 
If you don't already have your property tax card, ask for it, then check to make sure all the information is correct. For example, check that the square footage and number of rooms is correct. You could end up walking away with a lower total for your property taxes if any of the information is exaggerated.
 
Know what credits you're eligible for
 
There are quite a few people who are likely eligible for discounts on their property taxes and don't even realize it. For example, those who are Quick read more or view full article veterans, disabled, and/or considered a senior citizen should look into how to lower their property taxes based on their situation.
 
Don't make any drastic property changes
 
Whether you put in a pool or construct a deck, anything you do to build on your home can increase its value, and therefore, up the amount of your property taxes. Before you do anything, you can actually call the Grand Junction tax office and ask them about how much your property taxes would go up so you know ahead of time if you can afford the change, not only in the short run, but the long term.
 
Point out negatives to the tax assessor
 
While walking around your piece of Grand Junction real estate, your tax assessor is going to keep an eye out for all the nice, fancy things about the property, but what you should be doing is pointing out the good AND the bad. For example, when you're walking through the kitchen, you can say, “Yes, the appliances are new, but the floor is a disaster and the tile is cracked.”
 
Review the assessor's findings
 
Don't just accept the assessor's findings for what they are without going over them. Let's say his comparables were way off, and he looked at much larger and nicer homes a mile away rather than ones that are in your neighborhood and valued them the same. This is where it becomes a problem for you and your property tax value. Give the assessor reasons to think your property is far worse than those other properties are, and make sure he took note of that in his report.
 
Challenge any discrepancies on time
 
If there are any discrepancies regarding the property taxes for your piece of Grand Junction real estate, you don't have an endless amount of time to appeal the decision. Check here for the more on the appeal process in Mesa County.
 
If you own a piece of Grand Junction real estate, know that you have options when it comes to lowering your property taxes, and it doesn't just start before the process begins, but also after if you don't agree with the results. Stay informed of your rights and be vigilant and you could end up with a lower amount than you expected.
 
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We enjoy traveling, scuba diving and spending time at Lake Powell and Grand Mesa. Scuba diving has allowed us to travel to interesting parts of the world that Quick read more or view full article we would never have thought of visiting. Of course now our traveling is to visit Layla and Lucy who live in Lakewood Colorado.


                                     

As a family we strongly believe in being active in our community. We support both the adult and teen homeless shelters in GJ. I have friends with MS and my little sister is a 10 year cancer survivor. So, we support those causes as well. In the past I have served on the board of directors for Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley, a shelter here in Grand Junction and also on the board of Caprock Academy, a charter school in GJ. In addition, to provide support our industry I have served on many Realtor committees and am a past President of the local Board of Realtors.

I enjoy residential and small farm and land property sales. I hold the Accredited Land Consultant designation from the Realtor Land Institute. I grew up here and know the area. I have survived the ups and downs of our local economy and enjoy what I do. 

If you would like to contact Mike McGinnis with Promark Realty Inc. he can be reached at mm@mbgj.com or 970-234-6453.

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Looking for homes for sale in Grand Junction means you also have to decide on what mortgage would work for you and your particular situation. There are several different kinds of mortgages out there, so always talk to a lender. If you don't have one, your broker may have references available to help you.
 
Fixed rate mortgage
 
Having a fixed rate mortgage means you'll know what you're paying every month as the interest rate won't change. You can get either a 15-year or a 30-year, and while the former allows for a lower interest rate, the latter allows for lower monthly payments. It's harder to get a fixed rate mortgage than it is for one that's adjustable, and in many cases, a high down payment is necessary.
 

Adjustable rate mortgage 
 
An adjustable rate mortgage, also known as an ARM, is another mortgage option for those looking for homes for sale in Grand Junction. An ARM is Quick read more or view full article not as stable as a fixed-rate mortgage considering the monthly payment can drastically change over time, so it could be a problem for those who will be paying it into their retirement years or who don't have a paycheck with a given amount every time.
 
Combo fixed-rate and ARM
 
Those searching for homes in Grand Junction, Colorado may be interested to learn that there are mortgages that are a combo between a fixed-rate mortgage and an ARM. For a certain amount of years, the monthly payment and interest rate don't change, but then they switch over to fluctuating monthly payments. For example, there is the 10/1 ARM, the 3/1 ARM, and the 5/1 ARM where for the first 10, 3, and 5 years (respectively) the payments will stay the same, after which, every year thereafter, the interest rate will change.
 
Reverse mortgage
 
When you're buying a home in Grand Junction, another type of mortgage to consider is a reverse mortgage. It's where a person borrows against their home and will not be expected to pay back the mortgage until they sell the house or die, however, depending on the terms, the heir(s) may be able to pay back the reverse mortgage if they want to keep the home. The borrower's credit is typically not relevant because the home is essentially collateral.
 
Before you make a decision about which mortgage to get, it's vital to thoroughly weigh all your options before you even start searching for homes in Grand Junction. The more informed you are, the easier and better it will be to choose a mortgage that's right for you.  Read Less

There are many who underestimate just how important it is to properly stage a home. It can make a huge difference between a buyer envisioning themselves in the home and putting in an offer, and the buyer walking away. Unless your home is in absolute pristine and perfect condition, you're going to have to take at least a few days to do proper staging. While you're at it, consider asking your Realtor for their own personal tips and tricks. Before you put your home on the market, here's several staging mistakes that can turn off potential buyers.
 
Not removing the clutter
 
There's no excuse for a buyer to walk into your home and see clutter everywhere. If you don't have time to do everything at once, you can do one room per day. Another option is to walk through your home two or three times per day with a box, put random pieces of clutter in it, and either throw it out, donate it, put it in storage, or sell it. Also, make Quick read more or view full article sure you don't leave moving boxes around your home. Consider renting a storage unit for items you know you want to keep.

 

Not removing personalized items
 
A buyer wants to be able to walk into the house and picture themselves in it, and it's going to be hard for them to do that if they see your personalized items staring back at them. For example, remove all of your family photographs, take out mementos, and dispose of magazines you have yet to read.
 
Not neutralizing the home
 
Dark red walls in the living room and pink tile in the bathroom might be your preferred style, but it's not for everyone. The best thing you can do when staging your home is to completely neutralize it. Paint the walls taupe and, if possible, put in neutral-colored carpeting or hardwood flooring. It creates the perfect blank canvas for a buyer to envision what they can do with the house should they decide to make it theirs.
 
Not sprucing up the front
 
The front of the home is the first thing potential buyers see when they arrive or drive past, which means the more inviting it looks and the more you amp up the curb appeal, the higher the chances are you'll get interest. Trim the hedges, cut the grass, paint the front door, paint shutters around the windows, fix loose gutters, sweep away any debris like leaves, and shovel any snow.



Not taking care of repairs 
 
Buyers are going to use any improvements that have to be made to the home as a way to negotiate on the price, and in some cases, the discount they would get would be more than what you would pay to make the repairs in the first place. Major repairs, such as fixing the roof, should always be done first if you can afford it and have the time to get it done. However, some minor repairs you can make, especially if you can't afford the expensive ones, include changing the carpeting, painting the porch, removing and replacing tile grout, and replacing any cracked bathroom or kitchen tiles. Not only could the changes help you get more money, but it will make your home look even more attractive to buyers.
 
Staging is one of the most important aspects of the home buying process, so it's essential to do everything you can to make your home look its best.  Read Less