How Long Will It Take To Sell Your House?

As you’re getting ready to sell your house, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is, “how long is this going to take?” And that makes sense—you want to know what to expect.

While every market is different, understanding what’s happening nationally can give you a good baseline. But for an even more detailed look at real estate conditions in your area, connect with a local real estate agent. They know your local market best and can explain what’s happening near you and how it compares to national trends.

Here’s a look at some of the things a great agent will walk you through during that conversation.

More Homes Are on the Market, and That’s Affecting How Long They Take To Sell

According to Realtor.com, the number of homes for sale has been going up this year. That means there are more options for buyers, which is great news for anyone looking to buy a home. But as a seller, it also means homes are staying on the market a bit longer now that buyers have more options to choose from (see graph below):

One of the big reasons homes sold so fast in recent years is because there were so few of them for sale. And now that there are more houses on the market, it makes sense that they aren’t selling at quite the same pace. Right now, according to Realtor.com, it takes 55 days from the time a house is listed for it to be officially sold and closed on.

But keep this in mind. While homes might not be selling as quickly as they did last year at this time, they’re still selling faster than they did in more normal years in the housing market, before the pandemic.

If you look back at 2017-2019 in the graph above, you’ll see that it was typical for a house to take 60 days or more to sell. So, today’s process is still faster than the norm.

That’s because, even with more homes for sale, there are still more buyers than homes for sale. So, homes that show well and are priced right are selling fast. As NerdWallet explains:

“Overall, though, demand still outpaces supply. This is hardly a mellow market: Good homes sell quickly . . .”

Your Agent Can Help Your Home Stand Out

If you’re looking for ways to make your move happen as quickly as possible, partnering with a great local agent is the key. Your real estate agent will help you with everything from setting the right price to staging your home so it looks its best. They’ll even create a marketing plan that grabs buyers’ attention and will give you key insights about what’s happening in your specific area, so you can plan accordingly and make the process go as smoothly as possible.

So, while homes might be on the market a little longer than before, they’re still selling faster than the norm. If you have the right agent and the right strategy in place, your house may even sell faster than you’d expect.

Bottom Line

If you’re planning to sell your house, knowing how long it might take is a big part of planning your next steps. By working with a local expert, you’ll be able to price, market, and sell your home with confidence.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

• Durable Meets Chic: Designing a Stylish Home That Will Last Forever

• What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

• 10 Things a Stylist Avoids in Her Own Home—And You Should, Too

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Durable Meets Chic: Designing a Stylish Home That Will Last Forever

Having a stylish home is not just about following the latest trends or decorating with expensive pieces.

It's also about creating a space that will stand the test of time and remain beautiful for years to come. In today's world where fast fashion and disposable items are prevalent, we ought to make conscious choices when designing our homes. A durable and chic home not only saves money in the long run, but it also minimizes waste and helps protect the environment. So how can you create a home that combines both durability and style? Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.

Choose Quality Materials
When it comes to durability, the quality of materials used is key. Investing in high-quality furniture and finishes may cost more upfront, but they will last longer and require less maintenance in the future. Look for materials that are known for their durability such as hardwood floors, solid wood furniture and stone or marble countertops. These materials not only add a touch of elegance to your home, but they also have the strength to withstand everyday wear and tear. Try to avoid trendy materials that may look good now but could quickly go out of style or deteriorate over time.

Opt for Timeless Designs
Trends come and go, but classic designs never go out of style. When choosing furniture or décor pieces, opt for timeless designs that will look just as good ten years from now as they do today. This doesn't mean you can't add some trendy elements to your home, but make sure they are easy to replace or update in the future. For example, instead of investing in a bright pink couch, choose a neutral-colored one and add pops of color with throw pillows or blankets that can be switched out easily.

In the bathroom, timeless design can be achieved by sticking to simple and clean lines. Choose classic fixtures such as a freestanding bathtub or a pedestal sink rather than trendy options that may become outdated quickly. Incorporate natural materials like marble or ceramic tiles for flooring and walls, which not only add durability but also give a timeless look. Outside of the house, opt for classic designs in your landscaping choices such as symmetrical plantings and simple yet elegant outdoor furniture. These design elements will create a cohesive and enduring look for your home's exterior.

Consider Functionality
A durable and stylish home is not just about aesthetics, it's also about functionality. Before making any design decisions, think about how you will use the space and choose pieces that will fit your lifestyle. For example, if you have children or pets, consider durable materials that can withstand their activities.

If you love to entertain, opt for furniture that is both stylish and comfortable for your guests. Functionality also means investing in storage that will keep your home organized and clutter-free. This will not only make your space more livable, but it will also help preserve the longevity of your belongings.

Work Closely With Contractors and Designers
Whether you're building a new home or renovating an existing one, you'll want to work closely with contractors and designers to ensure your vision for a durable and chic home is achieved. Communicate your desires for long-lasting materials and timeless design, and listen to their recommendations based on their expertise. Together, you can create a beautiful space that will stand the test of time.

Some recommendations that might come from a professional when creating a home include investing in energy-efficient fixtures and incorporating smart home technology. They may also suggest incorporating storage solutions to keep your home organized and clutter-free, as well as implementing proper ventilation to prevent moisture build-up and potential damage to your drywall, roof and attic or siding. No matter who you work with, be sure to find someone reputable to get the best advice you can.

Incorporate Sustainable Elements
Creating a sustainable home not only benefits the environment but also adds a unique touch to your interior design. Look for eco-friendly materials such as bamboo flooring or recycled glass countertops. You can also incorporate items made from natural materials like jute rugs or wooden décor pieces. Not only are these options more environmentally friendly, but they also add a touch of warmth and texture to your home. Additionally, consider incorporating energy-efficient appliances and lighting to reduce your home's environmental footprint while also saving on utility bills.

Don't Forget About Maintenance
Even with the best quality materials, regular maintenance is essential for keeping your home looking its best. Make sure to follow the care instructions for all furniture and finishes, such as using specific cleaning products or scheduling routine maintenance checks. Regular upkeep will prolong the lifespan of your items and ensure that they continue to look stylish for years to come.

A durable and chic home is achievable with careful consideration of materials, design choices, functionality, sustainability and maintenance. By following these tips and incorporating them into your interior design plans, you can create a space that not only looks good but also lasts a lifetime. Let's shift our focus from fast trends to timeless style and sustainability, and design homes that will truly stand the test of time.

Read more at Rismedia.com

Related Links

• The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment

• What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

• 10 Things a Stylist Avoids in Her Own Home—And You Should, Too

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025?

The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices.

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, here’s a look at what the experts are saying and how it might impact your move.

Mortgage Rates Are Forecast To Come Down

One of the biggest factors likely affecting your plans is mortgage rates, and the forecast looks positive. After rising dramatically in recent years, experts project rates will ease slightly throughout the course of 2025 (see graph below):

While that decline won’t be a straight line down, the overall trend should continue over the next year. Expect a few bumps along the way, because the trajectory of rates will depend on new economic data and inflation numbers as they’re released. But don’t get too hung up on those blips and reactions from the market as they happen. Focus on the bigger picture.

Lower mortgage rates mean improving affordability. As rates come down, your monthly mortgage payment decreases, giving you more flexibility in what you can afford if you buy a home.

This shift will likely bring more buyers and sellers back into the market, though. As Charlie Dougherty, Director and Senior Economist at Wells Fargo, explains:

“Lower financing costs will likely boost demand by pulling affordability-crunched buyers off of the sidelines.”

As that happens, both inventory and competition among buyers will ramp back up. The takeaway? You can get ahead of that competition now. Lean on your agent to make sure you understand how the shifts in rates are impacting demand in your area.

Home Price Projections Show Modest Growth

While mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly, home prices are forecast to rise—but at a much more moderate pace than the market has seen in recent years.

Experts are saying home prices will grow by an average of about 2.5% nationally in 2025 (see graph below):

This is far more manageable than the rapid price increases of previous years, which saw double-digit percentage growth in some markets.

What’s behind this ongoing increase in prices? Again, it has to do with demand. As more buyers return to the market, demand will rise – but so will supply as sellers feel less rate-locked.

More buyers in markets with inventory that’s still below the norm will put upward pressure on prices. But with more homes likely to be listed, supply will help keep price growth in check. This means that while prices will rise, they’ll do so at a healthier, more sustainable pace.

Of course, these national trends may not reflect exactly what’s happening in your local market. Some areas might see faster price growth, while others could see slower gains. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, says:

“Even if the average national home price forecast for 2025 is correct, it’s possible that some regional housing markets could see mild home price declines, while some markets could still see elevated appreciation. That has been, after all, the case this year.”

Even the few markets that may see flat or slightly lower prices in 2025 have had so much appreciation in recent years – it may not have a big impact. That’s why it’s important to work with a local real estate expert who can give you a clear picture of what’s happening where you’re looking to buy or sell.

Bottom Line

With mortgage rates expected to ease and home prices projected to rise at a more moderate pace, 2025 is shaping up to be a more promising year for both buyers and sellers.

If you have any questions about how these trends might impact your plans, connect with a local agent. That way you’ve got someone to help you navigate the market and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

• The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment

• 6 Essential Home Selling Tips for First-Timers

• 10 Things a Stylist Avoids in Her Own Home—And You Should, Too

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Where to go trick-or-treating across the Denver metro in 2024

There are only a few days until Halloween, and schedules and plans for trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating have been announced across Colorado, including throughout the Denver metro and Interstate 25 corridor.

At one point, scheduling trick-or-treating was not a consideration for parents across the U.S., but it’s no longer advised to send your little ones off into the dark to knock on stranger’s doors. Nor is it wise to seek treats from homeowners who might not be expecting people at their door — let alone ghouls and goblins.

Experts with Children’s Hospital Colorado advise that children under 12 should trick-or-treat with an adult, and advise that mature children should be told to stick to familiar, well-lit areas and to stay with a group.

In fact, with Halloween events largely scheduled these days, several events have already passed, such as trick-or-treating at Broomfield Plaza, which was held on Oct. 12. In light of that, here are a few events that offer a family-friendly environment for trick-or-treating.

Colorado trick-or-treat events 2024 schedule

Arvada: Prepare for a spooktacular night in Olde Town Arvada with Trick or Treat Street 2024. The event is planned for Friday, Oct. 25 from 5-7 p.m. Alongside trick-or-treating, the event will feature a “Thriller” dance mob performance at 5:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. in Olde Town Square.

Aurora: It will be a fang-tastic day of trick-or-treating with On Havana Street, which is sponsoring and supporting Rock Fizz Aurora’s Halloween Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at The Gardens on Havana, 10441 E. Garden Dr., and the costume contest will have categories for children, adults, groups and pets.

Boulder: The Munchkin Masquerade in downtown Boulder will welcome hordes of costumed children to trick-or-treat along Pearl Street. Scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31, the event will last from 3-6 p.m. and is best suited for children 12 and under. You can check out the downtown Boulder website to see what businesses are participating.

Broomfield (Butterfly Pavilion)

Is your child a fiend for the natural world? Then perhaps Bug-A-Boo at the Butterfly Pavilion is the place to go. The annual event allows kids to roam the facility freely, going from station to station where toys and candy will be offered, while parents enjoy some peace of mind. The event is free with the price of admission.

The event is scheduled for several times throughout the month: Friday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Castle Rock

Join the Downtown Merchants Association for booth-to-booth trick-or-treating at Festival Park on Friday, Oct. 25 from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature Halloween music, vendor booths and, of course, plenty of candy.

However, if you’re looking for something more low-key, perhaps Spooktacular at Philip S. Miller Park on Saturday, Oct. 26 is more your speed. The event is designed to provide family fun for the whole family, with sensory-friendly activities planned from 1-2 p.m., and Castle Rock kiddos will be able to access the rest of the event based on the first letter of their last name. Last names starting with A through L are scheduled to play games, win prizes and get candy from 2-3 p.m. Kids with last names starting with M through Z will be scheduled from 3-4 p.m.

Denver

As to be expected with a city as large as Denver, several events are going on throughout the county that offer candy to youngsters (and adults). Some require an entry or participation fee, so here are a few that are free to attend.

The Mile High Trunk or Treat, presented by the Far East Center, will be held at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 25 from 5-9 p.m. in Parking Lot C. The family-friendly event will have a variety of live entertainment, including a haunted house, fire eaters and over 150 organizations that plan to hand out treats.

Young and old alike are invited to the 10th Annual BOOnion Station Trick-or-Treat Parade on Thursday, Oct. 24 beginning at 5 p.m. The event will be held at Denver’s Union Station and will feature a costume contest, mini-train rides, balloon artists and more.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, businesses at 37th and Navajo Street in Denver are planning their Fifth Annual Trick or Treat on Navajo Street, organized by students at Embark Education. The event is planned from 5-7 p.m. at businesses on Navajo Street between 36th and 37th. Candy, treats and other surprises are promised to attendees.

Fort Collins: Prepare to be frightened — by how cute Tiny Tot Halloween 2024 in downtown Fort Collins will be. This event provides a morning of trick-or-treating with photo opportunities and lots of candy provided by nearly 90 businesses. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a full list of participating businesses, visit the event page here.

Golden: Young candy-seekers can trick-or-treat along Washington Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 31. Businesses will be providing candy from 11th Street to 14th Street from 3-5 p.m.

Greeley: Visit Trick-or-Treat Street in downtown Greeley on Friday, Oct. 25 from 4-6 p.m. The event welcomes thousands of families to collect treats from various downtown businesses. The city promises that there will be props set up for Halloween photo opportunities, and free Halloween-themed kids’ crafts.

Read more at KDVR.com

Related Links

• The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment

• 6 Essential Home Selling Tips for First-Timers

• 10 Things a Stylist Avoids in Her Own Home—And You Should, Too

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Featured at West + Main Littleton: Traci Zajaczkowski

Join us for First Friday in Littleton, featuring Traci Zajaczkowski

Life in Color

2590 W Main St
011.01.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Traci

Traci’s art focuses on colorful and detailed animal portraits. She loves the animals that roam in the beautiful state of Colorado and strives to bring their personalities out with vibrant colors and stylized details. Animals are magical. Traci wants to bring a little bit of that magic and joy back to the viewer. Her most recent works focus on fusing the beauty of nature within the beauty of the animals themselves, emphasizing the importance of our natural surroundings. Traci works in mixed media, with a combination of colored pencils, markers, watercolor, and acrylic paints. She has an MA in illustration from Syracuse University.

Traci believes that whatever you do in the world, you should find a way to make the world a better place, and you should do it with passion. Traci is passionate about kids, art, animals, and the mountains. She strives to use her art and skills to partner with like minded organizations, to provide leadership and growth opportunities for kids, and to help keep the animals that she loves safe for generations.

Learn more about Traci Zajaczkowski in our Q & A!

How did your business come to exist?

When I was in 9th grade, I made the decision to drop band and take an art class. Within a week of being in that class, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I decided to go to school to be an art teacher and create art on the side, which was a great path for me, as I loved teaching art, and did so for 19 years. While I never stopped creating and growing as an artist all those years, I didn't have the confidence to put myself out in the world as an artist, but I always knew that I would at some point. In 2021, I took the plunge and resigned from teaching, and diving into not only making my art, but making a point to get it out there.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently finishing a piece I started quite a while ago and got stuck on. It is a porcupine whose quills turn into flowers. I am currently working my way through problem solving the background, which stumped me.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received?

A piece of advice that I have found to be my mantra lately is "be brave, Flora" and it comes from the book "The One memory of Flora Banks", by Emily Barr. It is about a 17 year old who suffers from short term memory loss and goes on an adventure. She "wakes up" every few minutes to find that she has no memory of where she is or how she got there except a tattoo on her hand that says "be brave". Since reading this book, it has become my mantra, reminding me to take risks and intentionally do things that scare me or take me out of my comfort zone. It is part of the reason why I am on this adventure of being solely an artist today.

What is your dream project?

I recently did an artists residency at the children's museum in Denver where I created a small scavenger hunt of my artwork through a section of the museum. I loved not only working with the kids there, but the process of making art for a public space. I want to do more of this! This experience really made me realize that I want to move into doing public art - especially in kid friendly spaces.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in nature. I love to be outdoors, and I love experiences with animals, especially in the wild. I want to translate that experience through my work.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose??

Defginitely flying. First, the whole point of getting my work out there is NOT to be invisible anymore. Secondly, I used to be a skydiver.I have made 550 jumps. I love the feeling of being in the sky and have always wished that I could fly.

• Get in touch with Traci Zajaczkowski

Website: https://tracizart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracizart/#

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!