Silver Leaf Lending by Karen Dee | Serving Denver Metro area

An end of year wish . . .

For many people in our country, and around the world, this year has been tough. Natural disasters, high unemployment, economic and social insecurity have all been headlines on the nightly news.

That’s why it is so important for me to reach out and recognize the blessings in my life. I have a wonderful family, supportive friends, a lovely home and a 12-year-old business that includes special clients like you.

The mortgage business has been hit especially hard. New regulations, tighter underwriting and investor requirements, and a sluggish re-sale market have all played into a tough year.

But it is because of all of that, that I am still here working for you and your referrals. Having a partner working on your behalf when refinancing a mortgage or buying a new home is critical. Thank you for making me a member of your team!

As we close out 2011 and head into 2012, I want to wish you wonderful blessings and sincere wishes for a joyous and prosperous new year!

Sincerely, Karen

It is because of wonderful customers like that you that I recently received an honor from 5280 Magazine. In the publication’s September issue, I was selected as one of the Metro area’s, “Five Star Professionals” for 2011 in the Mortgage and Home/Auto Insurance Professionals category.

Professionals receiving this designation are singled out for providing exceptional service and customer satisfaction as determined by the Five Star Professional research team. This team contacted clients, peers and industry experts, asking them for recommendations and rankings in this category.

I am honored to be one of those selected and know that it is because of the people that I work with – customers and industry professionals alike – that have gotten me to this esteemed place in my career. If you would like to read more about this designation, please click on this link 5280 Five Star Professional.

Silver Leaf Lending would like to extend a BIG congratulations to the winners of our Newsletter Drawing. Everyone who was subscribed as of December 31, 2010 to receive the Silver Leaf Lending newsletter was entered into a random drawing. Five winners were selected to each receive a $50 gift certificate to Flatiron Crossing Mall.

Pay attention and keep subscribed because we might do it again!

Winners:

• B. S.
• Julie P.
• Nikki P.
• John P.
• Kathy E.

We are excited to share with you our new website: www.silverleaflending.com! The new and improved website is easier to navigate and contains more relevant information including news and specials (like this one!)

We would love for you to discover our new website and and sign up to receive the new monthly newsletter. So, between now and December 31, 2010, everyone that signs up to receive the monthly newsletter will be entered into a drawing to receive one of FIVE $50 gift certificates* to Flatiron Crossing Mall.

Look for the sign up information just to the right of this post and sign up today!

*Prizes will be awarded randomly to five people who signed up to be on the e-mail distribution list by December 31, 2010.

If you’re considering selling your house right now, you may be concerned about setting a correct asking price. Your best resource when determining your asking price is your real estate agent. He or she has the expertise and experience necessary to ensure your asking price is in line with the current market so your home sells quickly and successfully.

While the market has always determined a home’s selling price in the end, it is now more crucial than ever to set your price accordingly. You must also keep in mind that all real estate is local, so figures you may hear on the nightly news likely have nothing to do with the prices in your neighborhood.

Understand that many different aspects of your particular situation all play a key role in setting the asking price. For instance, if you insist that you must find a replacement home before closing on this one, it may put you at a disadvantage compared to the house up the street that is vacant and can close at any time. If you do happen to get a buyer who would like to close quicker than you expected and is offering a good price, consider obtaining temporary housing as an option that will enable you to sell quickly. Again, your real estate agent can be a valuable asset in giving advice in this situation.

Know what else is on the market, under contract or recently sold in your neighborhood (known as “comps”). If yours is the one regular property amongst a number of short sales and foreclosures, and your property is in good shape, you can likely ask a higher price than the others can. If your house is outdated, cluttered, has horrible curb appeal and is amongst a number of other homes that aren’t, you’ll obviously be forced to ask much less than you would otherwise. There is a certain appeal to homes known as “fixer uppers” right now. Again, it must be priced properly if you hope to sell.

You may want to consider ordering a professional appraisal for your house before you list it. Not only will this give you and your agent a more accurate idea of how to price it, it may stave off future problems such as an appraisal that comes in much lower than you had expected when the house is under contract. When this happens, the buyer generally has the right to either back out of the deal or ask you to lower the price to the appraised level to satisfy the lender requirements.

Setting the most accurate price possible on your home to begin with will give you the strategic means of selling your house quickly and for the highest price the market will bear. If you overprice in the beginning, it may only lead to your home being on the market much longer than you had hoped. In addition, you could end up selling for far less than you would have if you had priced it closer to market value from early on.