Home Staging Do's & Don'ts

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter. From the time the buyers pull up to your drive way, you want to impress them. That is why staging matters. You want your home to feel welcoming, and most importantly, you want the buyers to feel like they're at home. Here are a few stagings do's and don'ts that could help make your Colorado Springs home stand out.

Do: Focus on the Curb Appeal
Many potential home owners judge a home before they even enter it. It's important to make this first impression count. Make sure the lawn is well taken care of by mowing it regularly as well as keeping the weeds under control. Depending on the season, you can also add potted plants or other decorative items on the porch.

Do: Clean, Clean & Clean Some More
While your home doesn't need to be spotless, potential buyers can tell if your home isn't cleaned at all. Ensure beds are made, dust, clean the windows and mop the floors. If there are any odd odors or stains on the carpet or furniture, take care of them before showing the house.

Do: Declutter & Depersonalize
You want to make sure that the potential home buyers can picture your home and their home. It's best to declutter and most importantly depersonalize. Take away any trinkets that are around your home, make sure the mail is tucked away and that the countertops are clutter free. In addition, take away any personal items like family pictures.

Don't: Do Major Renovations
Everyone has different likes and dislikes, what you like might not be what your potential buyers like. You don't want to do a complete bathroom remodel and turn off potential buyers because they don't like the tile you picked or the vanity, yet it's all brand new so they won't want to tear it all apart. It's best to just do simple changes like change out fixtures.

Don't: Pick Colorful Paints 
If you decide to paint, it's best to stick with neutral colors. You want your home to appeal to as many people as possible, which means you need to think gender-neutral with everything including the paint color. Painting your walls is a great way to bring a breath of fresh air into a room. However, neutrals like greys and browns are best when appealing to large groups of people.

Don't: Think Your House Will Sell Itself
The real estate market is tricky sometimes. Make it a little bit easier by making your home the most appealing on the block. Declutter, clean, do small repairs, repaint and do what you can to make your home feel fresh and welcoming.

If you are thinking of selling your home in the Colorado Springs area, contact The Platinum Group, REALTORS. Our team is comprised of some of the best real estate agents in Colorado Springs. Let us help you sell your home and find you a new one! Contact us today to learn more about what you should do to prepare your home to be put up on the market in Colorado Springs.

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com

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Colorado Springs, CO 80906

(719) 536-4444

Featured Listing - 4478 College Park Court

If you're looking for a beautiful home in Colorado Springs, look no further! With 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, this home at the end of a cul-de-sac is the perfect family home.

4478 College Park Court ~ $399,900

Customized ranch home at the end of a cul-de-sac adjacent to open space offers true main level living. Oak hardwood flooring spans throughout the main level living spaces and gas fireplace with decorative niches provide character. Great room & 10' ceilings provide an open feel with an abundance of natural light. The kitchen includes two walk-in pantries, tall 42" cabinetry, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, double oven, & sitting bar. Master Bedroom features huge walk-in closet leading to the laundry for convenience.

Finished basement with separate areas for entertaining, gaming or whatever your needs present, and a bar area pre-plumbed for a sink. Basement has 2 spacious bedrooms & full bath for extra family & guests. Entertaining is easy with the deck off the dining/kitchen area, or relax on the private deck off the master bedroom. Low maintenance yard, central air conditioning, heated driveway, decorative interior doors, Hunter Douglas window blinds and a peaceful front flagstone patio are all bonuses to this meticulously kept home. Shopping, schools and hiking are all close conveniences.

For more pictures and information, visit our website.

Meet The Agent

Nate enjoys the real estate profession because of the challenges in today’s market. With nearly 3,000 real estate agents working in the Colorado Springs area, Nate understands the value of teamwork between him and his clients, as well as the importance of integrity from the beginning of a transaction and beyond closing. Strong negotiating skills, staying up to date on market conditions and an emphasis on thorough communication have helped Nate achieve his clients’ trust.

Building personal relationships with his clients and being part of the home buying/selling process has been very rewarding to Nate. He strives to be your REALTOR® not only during the transaction but after as well. He is excited to work with you on your next home purchase or sale and looks forward to providing you with the value that his past clients have experienced. With a lot of attention focused on working by referral, it’s easy to see why so many great friendships have been established.

Nate enjoys a variety of sports and activities, including soccer, skiing, backpacking and golf. He is a member and a volunteer for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Rising Professionals, which allows networking with like-minded individuals to challenge each other in business and life. His interest and understanding of community engagement show through his involvement with local groups, committees and organizations.

Nate is licensed through the state of Colorado. He is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® and the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS®.

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+  6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300 Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 536-4444

Shelley Pelle - Bringing You Platinum Service

The Platinum Group, REALTORS has brought together the top real estate agents in Colorado Springs to bring you Platinum Service for Platinum Results. Our REALTORS have some of the best qualifications so you can be sure you're taken care of whether you're buying or selling. Shelley Pelle, one of The Platinum Group real estate agents, has gone above and beyond to make sure she is able to give you the best service possible.

Specialty designations & certifications that help you, the client!
There are specific designations and certifications that a Realtor® can obtain while in this career. Designations and certifications acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors are awarded by NAR and each affiliated group upon completion of required courses.

I have gone above and beyond to obtain these:

Accredited Buyer’s Representative®/ABR®

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home-buying process.

There are many qualities and skills that go into being an excellent real estate professional - integrity, in-depth community and market knowledge, marketing savvy, effective negotiation skills and a high-quality professional network, all of which are hallmarks of how I work.

That said, in my experience as a Colorado Springs real estate professional, I've also found that providing the very best service is essentially about focusing on YOUR GOALS. This means keeping myself accessible, being a good listener as well as a good communicator, and responding quickly to your needs. This "client focused" philosophy has always been my approach and it requires me to continually improve my skills and ways of doing business.

Military Relocation Professional / MRP
NAR's Military Relocation Professional certification focuses on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.

As we work, live and play in a military town including Ft. Carson, Air Force Academy, Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain AFB and Schriever AFB, we are constantly working through relocations. The MRP designation assures that YOU get the top-notch service you expect.

Both of these designations and certifications benefit you, the client, whether you are buying or selling. If you are in the market for a new home or are looking to sell in the future, contact me today!

Shelley Pelle
719-536-4412
www.ShelleyPelle.com
shelley@shelleypelle.com

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

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Colorado Springs, CO 80906

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How To Prepare Your Home For An Open House

It's very unlikely that a buyer will purchase a home sight unseen. Holding an open house is a great way to get lots of potential buyers through the door and show off your beautiful home. However, before your Colorado Springs REALTOR puts that open house sign in front of your home, there are a few things you should do to prepare.

1. Clean The Clutter. Although your home may not be messy, buyers will still notice the clutter. Take the time to put away small appliances in the kitchen, the magazines that are on the table and any knick knacks in the living room. In addition, if your rooms are filled with furniture, it may be best to take away some pieces and place them in storage. Clutter makes it hard for visitors to picture their stuff in your space. The best way to fix this issue is to start packing. You're moving anyway, so now's a good time to pack up anything that you don't need right away.

2. Get Your Home Professionally Cleaned. Although buyers may not notice a spotless home, they will notice a dirty home. A cleaning service makes sure to clean those places you may forget like baseboards, tops of picture frames and ceiling fans.

3. Depersonalize Your Home. Although you love that family picture, it's best to put it away while showing your home. Buyers want to be able to picture themselves in your home, and it can be a bit difficult for them to do that when your home is filled with personal items and pictures.

4. Make Necessary Repairs. Buyers are looking for imperfections, so it's best to get the obvious repairs fixed before your home is being shown. Whether it's a leaky faucet or a burnt out light bulbs, buyers will notice. Although these things are not big fixes, it will be an eye sore during an open house.

5. Organize, Organize, Organize. Storage is a vital selling point of any property. More is more when it comes to closet space, cabinets and other nooks and crannies. Cluttered storage spaces can make it appear that your home doesn't have enough storage. Buyers will be looking, so make sure it's nice and organized.

6. Keep Valuables Locked Away. Keep any jewelry, money, car keys, credit cards and house keys tucked away and if possible, locked up or out of the house completely. In addition to hiding away valuables, it's best to also remove any prescription drugs and medication from any medicine cabinets or other places they may be stored, such as kitchen drawers or nightstands. Lots of people (and hopefully potential buyers) will be walking through your home and looking through closets, cabinets and drawers, and while they may not be there to intentionally steal, it's best for these items to not be there to tempt anyone.

7. Don't Be There. Buyers will feel much more comfortable asking questions of your REALTOR if you're not hovering behind them. Your real estate agent can highlight the positive aspects of your home without any bias. If you have any pets, make sure they're also out of the house (and their items tucked away nicely), as buyers might not feel comfortable around your four-legged friend or may have allergies.

The Platinum Group, REALTORS is here to help sell your Colorado Springs home quickly. With the best team of real estate agents in the Colorado Springs area, you can be rest assured that your home is good hands. Every Platinum Group, REALTOR strives to exceed your expectations to get you the results you want. If you're thinking about selling your Colorado Springs home, call us today at 719-536-4444.

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

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Colorado Springs, CO 80906

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5 Benefits To Living In Colorado Springs

There are many different reasons why someone would move to a new city or state. For some people, making the choice to relocate is personal. They either want to move closer to family or they are just needing a fresh start. Other times, people don't really have a choice to move to a new area because they're being relocated for a job or they're in the military and being reassigned. Whether you're moving to Colorado Spring for personal reasons, a job relocation or a military assignment, there are many great benefits to living in the area. Colorado Springs is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States and for good reasons too! Here are 5 of our favorite benefits of living in Colorado Springs.

1. Great Places To Work

According to Forbes.com, Colorado Springs is the 12th best place for careers and businesses. Job growth, education, population and cost of doing business are all taking into account to rank each city. Over 20 Fortune 500 companies have some sort of presence in Colorado Springs. If you're a business owner, you shouldn't have trouble finding great talent either, as Colorado Springs has everything from software engineers to talented artists.

 2. They Take Fitness Seriously

Colorado Springs is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest cities in America. With all the great parks and activities and the mild climate, it makes the citizens want to get outside! In addition, there are many fitness events around the area, such as the Pikes Peak Marathon, American Discovery Trail Marathon and XTERRA Marathon of Trail Races, it's easy for residents to stay fit. The city is also home to the US Olympic Training center, where the best athletes in the country come to train in gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting and more.

3. Man's Best Friend Loves It Too

Colorado Springs LOVES dogs! It's the perfect place for our furry friends to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. There are a variety of dog-friendly parks and locations that Coloradans and their dogs can enjoy together. Locals love to take their pets to The Crags Trail, Seven Falls and Garden of the Gods.

4. There Is No Shortage Of Fun To Be Had

There is ALWAYS something going on, so you'll never be bored if you move to Colorado Springs! There is a long list of festivals and events held throughout the year in the area. Some of the favorites that people look forward to are the Colorado Springs Balloon Festival, Cripple Creek Ice Festival, Canon City Music and Blossom Festival, Territory Days, Manitou Springs Wine Festival, All Colorado Beer Festival just to name a few.

5. Beautiful Views Everywhere

One of the best things about Colorado Springs is the natural beauty! Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peaks, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, the list could go on. Colorado Springs is surrounded by beautiful mountains, ranges and city skylines. Many of the homes in this area has a beautiful backdrop that you can enjoy every day when you choose to live in Colorado Springs.

Whether you're relocating from another city, state or even country, it can be a bit stressful. At The Platinum Group, REALTORS, our goal is to make sure your move to Colorado Springs is as seamless as possible. If you are wanting to relocate to Colorado Springs, contact The Platinum Group, REALTORS at 719-536-4444. We can help you find the best Colorado Springs real estate agent for your needs.

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com

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6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

(719) 536-4444

Reardon Partners, The Platinum Group, REALTORS

The Platinum Group, REALTORS isn't your typical real estate agency. We've brought together the best real estate agents in the Colorado Springs area to bring you Platinum Service for Platinum Results. We settle for nothing less - and you shouldn't either! The Reardon Partners Real Estate Team began in 1994 and while they handle a large number of transactions each year, the team maintains a 100% customer service rating based upon surveys filled out by the clients at each Closing. Listen to what their 2017 clients are saying about their services:

“This is our fourth real estate transaction with The Reardon Partners, Debbie, Kelly and Kim—each and every one was a genuine pleasure. Their professionalism and attention to detail are phenomenal!” – Marc & Marilyn, Peregrine Sellers, June 2017

“Debbie, Kim and Kelly work effectively as a team to support each step of the way. Debbie’s experience and knowledge of the market, combined with Kelly’s day to day support and with Kim’s reminders and tracking of each stage of the transactions made us feel more secure that everything was being addressed and handled as needed to make both the buy and sell successful experiences. And, all this was accomplished with a Can-Do attitude that created a pleasant experience for both transactions! We will definitely recommend Reardon Partners to anyone who may be searching for highly qualified and supportive Real Estate agents.” – Dale & Sharon, Woodstone Sellers, May 2017

“The Reardon Partners are the best to work with to meet every need! They make it so easy and took care of so many things for us. We would highly recommend the Reardon Partners.” – David & Karen, Flying Horse Sellers, May 2017

Reardon Partners

Debbie Reardon

Debbie has been a licensed real estate broker in Colorado Springs since 1993 and ranked in the top three of all El Paso County Realtors for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. She is a member of Peak Producers and Elite 25 and she and her team enjoy serving both Buyers and Sellers with all of their real estate needs. The degree of repeat customers and referrals are a true testament to the way she has served her clients over the years. Debbie and her team believe in serving customers well in all aspects of their real estate needs, and the vendor services she provides her Sellers are second to none! In 2013, Debbie decided to expand the business and was excited when first daughter Kelly and then daughter Kim accepted her invitation to be part of her team. They each come from successful careers, have high levels of education, and bring their own unique perspective to a real estate transaction. Together as a team, Debbie, Kelly and Kim share the same commitment to customer satisfaction and look forward to serving home buyers and sellers in the Colorado Springs real estate market.

Kelly Reardon

Kelly is a 3rd Generation Realtor Who Grew Up In Colorado Springs And Knows The Area And Schools Well. She Graduated From Creighton University And Received Her Master’s Degree From Iowa State University. After Teaching High School Spanish For Several Years, She Decided To Join The Reardon Partners Team At The Platinum Group Realtors. Following In The Footsteps Of Her Grandmother And Mother, Both Running Successful Real Estate Practices, Kelly Shares The Same Dedication To Customer Service That Has Been The Foundation Of The Reardon Partners Team And Debbie Reardon’s Business For The Past 20 Years. Kelly Is Excited To Serve The Pikes Peak Region As A Real Estate Agent.

Kim Kingston

Kim graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO with a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Journalism.  She earned her Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Colorado. She has credit for passing the Colorado CPA exam and worked as a Vice President – Mortgage Divisional Controller for 2 nationally chartered banks prior to joining Reardon Partners. She is excited to leverage her knowledge of mortgage, tax and accounting to aid customers with their most significant financial investment – home ownership.  Kim resides locally with her husband and two young children. Having grown up in Colorado Springs and now enjoying raising her own family here, she is very knowledgeable about the area and all that this wonderful city has to offer.

At The Platinum Group, REALTORS, we have brought together Colorado Springs' best real estate agents to help you with your real estate needs. To get started on your real estate journey, contact us today at 719-536-4444.

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com

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6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

(719) 536-4444

Sizzling Summer Selling Tips (Part 2)

Many people are looking for their new dream home in Colorado Springs this summer, so if you're considering selling your home, now is the time to do it! However, there are a few things you should consider doing before putting your home up on the market. Last week, we discussed tips 1 - 4, so this week, we're finishing off our sizzling summer selling tips with tips number 5 - 7.

5. Address Necessary Repairs

Not addressing necessary repairs could scare away potential home buyers. For example, if your home has an old roof with visible damage, not fixing this before listing could make you lose out on a fair amount of money from the sale. Or it could make you lose out on potential buyers who don't want to deal with fixing them at all. Whether your home is listed during the summer or any other season, make sure you address these repairs prior to your home being put on the market. When getting your home ready, look out for broken windows, peeling or damaged siding and damaged roofs. You want the potential buyers focusing on all the positives your home has and not distracted by all the repairs that have been neglected.

6. Depersonalize & Declutter

When getting your home ready to sell, it's a good idea to depersonalize and declutter your home. You don't want your buyers distracted by the personal items in your home. In addition, it is a great way safety to follow. Make sure to put away any bills, calendars, pictures, medication and lock up any valuable items. For decluttering a home, it's highly recommended to take the time to walk through your home and evaluate what you actually need to live comfortably in your home while selling. If you believe you can live without something, consider moving into a storage unit or into the basement or garage.

7. Hire A Professional REALTOR

There are many reasons why choosing the best real estate agent in Colorado Springs is vital to the success of the sale of the home. There are many different real estate agents in the area, and choosing the wrong one could be devastating to the sale of your home. It's best to meet with at least three agents prior to choosing the one you want selling your home. It's important to ask the right questions to make the right choice. Not all agents are the same. Even real estate agents who work for the same company aren't the same. So choose carefully.

If you're thinking of selling your home, contact the best team of real estate agents in Colorado Springs at 719-536-4444. The Platinum Group, REALTORS can help make sure your home makes the best first impression to potential home buyers. Let us get your home sold!

The Platinum Group, Realtors The First Choice in Real Estate

Visit our website: www.PlatinumHomeSales.com

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6760 Corporate Drive, Ste 300

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

(719) 536-4444