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Make Your House the Top Thing on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season

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With the holidays right around the corner, homeowners planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait?

Some may even consider taking their house off the market until next spring. But is that the best choice? Because at this time of year, your home can really stand out.

Here’s the thing: there are plenty of buyers out there who want to be in a new home by the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. As an article from Redfin says: 

“. . . there is typically less inventory in the housing market this time of year, allowing your home to easily stand out among the available inventory. And though there are technically fewer buyers overall, the homebuyers that are looking are far more serious about finding a home within a specific timeframe. . . selling your home during the holidays might be your best present this year.”

Here are four key reasons you may not want to wait to sell your house.

1. Serious Buyers Are Looking Right Now 

The holiday season doesn’t put a pause on the desire to own a home. Sure, some buyers might delay their search until next year, but others have a reason they need to move now. These buyers are highly motivated and ready to make a serious offer. As Investopedia says:

“Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.”

2. You Have an Inventory Edge

While there are more homes coming to the market right now, overall, the number of houses available to buy is still low. 

So, what does that mean for you? If you work with a trusted agent to price your house right, it could still sell pretty quickly. That’s because today’s buyers are on the hunt for quality options – and your home may be exactly what they’re searching for.

3. You Have Control Over Your Showings 

Selling during the holidays doesn’t mean constantly disrupting your schedule. You have the flexibility to set up showings at times that work best for you. This is especially helpful during a busy season, and many buyers are likely to be more flexible with their schedules since they often have extra time off around the holidays.

Now, it’s always better to offer more flexible access to your house. But the reality is, you don’t have to stop the process entirely – especially when you have a great agent to help you navigate each step along the way.

4. Holiday Décor Can Make Your House Shine

For many buyers, a tastefully decorated home can create a warm, inviting atmosphere. It’s easy for them to imagine holiday gatherings and cozy nights in a space that feels just right. Keep your choices simple to let your home’s charm shine through. An article on holiday home-selling advises:

“If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more.”

Bottom Line

There are plenty of good reasons to put (or keep) your house on the market during the holidays. Reach out to a local real estate agent and see if this is your moving season.

Read more like this at Keeping Current Matters

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Just Listed: This impeccably maintained home offers the perfect blend of community living, breathtaking views, and a prime location!

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This impeccably maintained home offers the perfect blend of community living, breathtaking views, and a prime location!

Located in the highly desirable Panorama Ridge subdivision, this impeccably maintained home offers the perfect blend of community living, breathtaking views, and a prime location. The moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by natural light and an ideal floorpan. Enter into the open kitchen and living area with expansive windows that provide stunning views of Hogback Ridge, other Front Range mountains, and on clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of Pikes Peak in the distance. The living area boasts lofted ceilings and a stunning mantle and gas fireplace while the kitchen offers stainless steel appliances and plenty of storage. The second level offers three bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with vaulted ceilings and an en-suite five-piece bath. With both a formal sitting area and dining room and a private office off the kitchen, there is plenty of space to work or unwind. The unfinished walk-out basement offers endless possibilities for expansion—ideal for creating a home gym, additional bedrooms, or an entertainment space. The large 3-car garage features plenty of parking and a workbench with cabinet storage. This property backs directly to protected open space, providing both privacy and easy access to the paved walking path around the neighborhood. The backyard, bordered by mature trees and established garden beds, offers an ideal spot to relax, entertain, or simply take in the beautiful scenery. This home is in an excellent location with endless amenities nearby, including a great school district within walking distance, the Ridge Recreation Center and the Edge Ice Arena. For those who enjoy the Colorado outdoors, the Meadows Golf Club is easily accessible and Hine Lake is down the road for casual fishing and incredible sunset walks. This home is a rare find—beautifully maintained, offering panoramic views, a fantastic location, and easy access to all of the area’s best activities. Don’t miss out on the chance to make it yours!

Listed by Stu Van Anderson for West + Main Homes. Please contact Stu Van Anderson for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(303) 935-8787
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Stu Van Anderson
970-406-8989
stu@propertyinbreck.com


 
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Just Listed: Spacious Condo Living with Unmatched Amenities!

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As you enter the secured building the elevator will be directly to your right.

You will head up to the 4th floor where your new home awaits you. This unit is one of the largest units in the whole community and features over 1500 sqft of finished living space. There are 2 large bedrooms (the primary bedroom has a walk in closet), 2 bathrooms, IN UNIT LAUNDRY with shelves, an office, a large living room with a wood burning fireplace, a dining room and an enclosed lanai with windows. Morningside condos community center is literally just steps away from your building and it offers 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a community room with pool tables, dry sauna, steam shower and 2 separate work out areas. Not only do you have access to the community amenities but the HOA dues include your water and heating bills too. SELLER IS ALSO OFFERING TO PAY 6 MONTHS OF HOA DUES!!! Morningside manages all of the exterior maintenance including your roof and the entire grounds. Leave the shoveling to them. The location cannot be beat. You are less than a mile from I-25 and just a few blocks from a ton of shops and restaurants. If you are tired of scraping your car in the winter or your car getting hit with hail you don't have to worry about that anymore because this unit comes with an underground parking spot #408. Call your agent and book your showing today.

Listed by Krista McKissack for West + Main Homes. Please Contact Krista for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(405) 652-6635
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Krista McKissack
303-875-8639
krista.mckissack@westandmain.com


 

Denver just legalized ADUs citywide. How many could be built?

 
 

The Denver City Council just made it a lot easier to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in neighborhoods across the city.

The biggest change: Homeowners won’t have to get a rezoning before building a cottage or other accessory dwelling. The change could result in a few hundred more ADUs being built each year, one study found.

"We are in a housing crisis and this is a good step towards combating the issue,” said Councilmember Darrell Watson in an interview with Denverite. 

It’s the city’s biggest step yet in a mission to encourage ADUs. Over the years, the city passed laws to encourage ADU construction in individual neighborhoods. But this new law applies to every single-family neighborhood in Denver.

“The new zoning will allow for 70 percent more of the city to build accessory dwelling units so that anyone who wants to have their parents, grandparents, or children to live with them,” Watson said.

It’s part of a statewide effort to get housing built. A recent state law requires Denver and dozens of other cities to loosen the restrictions on ADUs. The council vote was unanimous. Public comment was overwhelmingly positive, with all speakers supporting passage of the bill. Some, like Andy Cushen, said living in ADUs makes Denver more affordable for both homeowners and renters.

“It made an opportunity for me and my husband to buy a home in the city we love,” Cushen said. 

The new law takes effect Dec. 16, 2024. People who want to build ADUs will still have to get construction permits and obey design rules. But as long as property owners meet those standards, it doesn't matter what the neighbors think. Other changes include removing requirements that owners live on the same property as their ADU.

How many Denver ADUs will be built?

Denver might see 200 to 300 new ADUs per year. That’s according to former city councilmember Robin Kniech, a housing expert who recently studied ADU reforms nationwide.

“This is good news for neighbors who are worried about if they're going to see a flood of these everywhere all at once. That's not what we're seeing in other cities and states. They're too expensive, too challenging to build,” she said. “It's a slow but steady supply. And once that home is built, it's there for a hundred years or more.”

However, Kniech warned it’s hard to predict how many ADUs really might get built. She based her estimate on outcomes in other places like California and Washington. If Colorado can match the same results as California’s long reform efforts, it might see 3,500 new units statewide per year. Overall, she said, it will be only a subtle difference for Denver and other cities. Denver has permitted roughly 500 new ADUs over the last decade.

Other cities and states have seen notable increases after passing similar laws. Seattle saw its rate quadruple, to more than 500 each year, after passing reforms.

What will ADUs cost in Denver?

One of the biggest obstacles is cost. 

A new ADU can cost more than $300,000 to build. While the Denver law change will reduce some of the headache and bureaucratic costs, it won’t do anything about those construction costs. However, there are some options to reduce those costs. The state’s new ADU law made about $13 million available through grants to cities and housing authorities to help with ADUs.

The city also has similar local efforts. The WDSF+ ADU Pilot Program offers pre-designed floorplans and financial assistance for some homeowners. 

Denver still may be missing one state requirement

The city law allows some neighborhoods to have larger setbacks, which is the required distance between an ADU and property lines. State law says that cities shouldn’t require setbacks of more than five feet between ADUs and the property line. But Denver says it needs bigger buffers, especially in areas without alleys. Councilmember Paul Kashmann worried that the state would try to force the city to accept smaller setbacks. 

“What I'm wondering is if the state says too bad, so sad … what's our penalty?” Kashmann asked. 

He asked city legal staff if they could preemptively take action against the state to argue that the legislature overstepped its boundaries in mandating a five-foot setback maximum.

“The city could keep the zoning regulation that doesn't comply with the state,” assistant city attorney Adam Hernandez said. “Ultimately there could be some sort of action brought and that's just how it would play out. The courts would ultimately decide.”

What cities in Colorado have to allow ADUs now?

The new state law applies to all cities with a population of more than 1,000 that are also part of a metropolitan planning organization, or MPO. Almost 70 towns and cities are subject to the law, including dozens along the Front Range, as well as Grand Junction and some nearby municipalities.

Read more at Denverite

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These 3 Old-School Home Features Are Making a Comeback, According to Pros

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Some home designs are cool forever, like basically anything touched by Frank Lloyd Wright.

But even so, trends are cyclical — it’s not uncommon to see what’s old become new again. Home features also go through their fair share of deaths and revivals. Jessica Feuerstein and Elina Edelman, two real estate agents based out of Armonk, New York, tell me the old trends that they’re seeing buyers ask for right now as they search for houses.

Butler’s Pantries

 
 

Named for the area where a home’s staff (ha!) might store fine china and polish silverware, the butler’s pantry was a popular feature in high-end homes during the 19th century. They also acted as a transitional space between the kitchen and the formal dining room. While a regular pantry serves more as a dry food storage area, the butler’s pantry features cabinetry and countertop space, making it more suited for food prep. Eventually they fell out of fashion due to space restrictions and societal changes — but they’re making a comeback.

“Butler’s pantries are returning as functional spaces hidden away from the main kitchen,” Feuerstein explains. “The return of the butler’s pantry reflects a desire for organization and functionality, especially in open-concept homes where clutter can be more noticeable.” 

While the butler’s pantry originated in historic homes as a space for storage and food prep — and they’re often used for the same purposes today — many modern homeowners convert their butler’s pantry to suit their needs, such as a coffee station or even wine storage. 

Freestanding Bathtubs 

 
 

“Freestanding bathtubs are making a comeback because of their luxurious and calming appeal, catering to people’s desire for relaxation and wellness at home,” Edelman says. “They add a spa-like element to the bathroom that feels indulgent yet functional.” 

Most homes today have showers as standard features, and some may not even have tubs at all. But freestanding tubs were commonplace until well after the advent of modern plumbing, due to their ability to hold water in a home that may not have had running water. It wasn’t until the 1960s that running water became completely ubiquitous across the United States, even in rural areas, thus the popularity of the shower or shower bathtub combination grew. 

Today, people want the bathtub to be a place to relax and unwind, rather than simply wash the day off. 

“Freestanding bathtubs are being reimagined as luxurious spa-like centerpieces in modern bathrooms,” Edelman says.

Wallpaper

 
 

For a long time, wallpaper had kind of a bad rap in interior design. Just uttering the word reminded people of a stuffy, outdated home. But with its intricate designs and statement-making appeal, wallpaper has been making a comeback. 

“Today’s homeowners are looking to inject personality and creativity into their spaces,” Feuerstein says. “And wallpaper offers an easy way to make a bold statement.”

Wallpaper can easily be added to any room, whether a homeowner is trying to evoke an updated callback to the history of their home or to create a modern statement wall in their bedroom. 

Read more like this at Apartment Therapy.

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