West + Main Homes Announces Minnesota Expansion

Twin Cities Metro, Minnesota

For immediate release:

West + Main Homes, Inc. is happy to announce its expansion into Minnesota. We will now be serving the Twin Cities Metros + surrounding areas. West + Main Agent and Minnesota native Allie Carlson will serve as the branch’s owner + employing broker. Carlson is a member of West + Main Homes Managing Broker program, and leads the New Agent Mentorship Program.

“I’m thrilled to bring the culture and ingenuity of West and Main Homes to the Minnesota real estate market,” said Carlson. “As a Minnesota native, my roots run deep and I can’t wait to share this real estate experience here.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have one of our first + most established agents, Allie Carlson, starting the Minnesota branch of West + Main Homes,” said Stacie Staub, CEO of West + Main Homes. “Allie embodies everything that we love about the West + Main Homes brand. She cares about her clients, is passionate about serving her community, and loves educating other agents so they can be the best version of themselves.”

West + Main Homes is excited to bring a fresh update on the traditional real estate brokerage, with a culture that celebrates collaboration, education, thoughtful + intentional marketing and excellent service to the Minnesota market.

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About Allie Carlson: As a long time fan of people and exceptional experiences, I have found the harmony of both of those things in real estate. For me, being a part of a real estate experience with my clients is more than simply closing on a home – it is a life experience that deserves the utmost care and attention. With savvy market knowledge, and clear + consistent communication, my clients find comfort in knowing that I’ve likely seen it all – and if I haven’t, I know where to find the answers.

Having grown up in Minneapolis, and the southern suburbs, my passion for the Twin Cities area runs deep. I am thrilled to bring my real estate experience from the Denver Front Range to the cities I love so much. Clear client understanding, cunning negotiation skills, strong anticipatory strategies and continual market education are just a few of my favorite things.

My biggest passion of all is laughing and adventuring with my husband, our 2 sons, and bulldog. We love cozy fires during a snow storm, and backyard barbeques on those perfect Minnesota summer nights. We’re always ready to try a new restaurant, or enjoy a fun nature walk. Looking for playground recommendations in your neighborhood, or need help picking finishes for your investment property? I'd love to assist!

About West + Main Homes: Founded in 2017, West + Main is an independently owned and operated boutique Real Estate brokerage specializing in residential and commercial properties in Downtown Denver and across Colorado’s Front Range, as well as greater Oklahoma City, and Oregon.

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Buying Your Forever Home vs. Buying a Home That Fits You Now

You might think buying you forever home and buying a home that fits you now are two ways of saying the same thing.

After all, doesn’t everyone want to buy a home that will be their perfect long-term abode? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Thinking about buying your forever home means considering your future needs as well as your present circumstances. It’s an important distinction because not everyone is in a position to buy a house that they can stay in for decades to come. 

When you consider buying a home that fits you now, on the other hand, it means identifying what you need right now and how much you can afford to spend on rent or a mortgage in the short term while you continue saving for a down payment on your forever home.

What’s the Difference?
The key difference between buying your forever home and buying a home that fits you now is the timeline. You’re thinking about your future self and your future needs when you’re buying your forever home. When buying a home that fits you now, you’re thinking about your present circumstances. Forever home buyers often have a mortgage broker or real estate agent help them identify how much home they can afford to buy based on their current situation while keeping their future needs in mind. This might include looking at their income, expenses, debt and savings to see how much they can put towards a down payment and how much they can comfortably afford each month. If you’re buying a home that fits you now, you’re still thinking about your finances, but you’re also thinking about how long you’re likely to be in this home and how much mortgage you can afford while you save enough for a down payment on a home you can comfortably afford in the long term.

When Buying Your Forever Home Makes Sense
A few conditions must be met before buying a house that you plan to live in forever makes sense. Mostly, you need to be sure that buying a home is affordable in terms of the down payment and the monthly mortgage payments. You also need to be sure that the neighborhood you’re planning to buy in is safe and stable. Beyond that, you need to be sure that you’re ready to settle down and commit to one place for the long term. If you’re not sure you’re ready for that kind of commitment, buying a home that fits you now is better than buying you forever home.

When Buying a Home That Fits You Now Makes More Sense
There are several scenarios when buying a home that fits you now makes more sense than buying you forever home. First, if you’re not yet ready to settle down in one place, a home that fits you right now gives you flexibility. If you’re hoping to move around in your profession or change cities or even countries, you might be better off in a home that fits you now that you can sell easily when you’re ready to move on. If you don’t yet have enough saved for a down payment on a forever home, you may be better off buying a smaller home that fits you now and allows you to wait until you’re ready to buy yours forever home with a small down payment.

How to Decide if You Should Buy Your Forever Home or a Home That Fits You Now
The good news is that there are no wrong answers here. It all comes down to what you’re most comfortable with and what makes the most financial sense for you now. Start by asking yourself what you can afford and looking at homes for sale to see what your budget allows you to buy. If your forever home is still out of financial reach, buying a home that fits you now is better. You should also consider how firm your plans are. What if you have more or fewer kids than you’re planning? What if you change careers or your employer moves their offices to another city? What other things might impact your future and how would those things impact your ability to continue to live in your forever home?

The bottom line is that there’s no wrong answer when deciding between buying you a forever home and buying a home that fits you now. You just need to understand the differences between the two and which one is right for you. These are both great ways of approaching the home-buying process and ensuring that you’re prepared to commit to one place for the long term while still being financially responsible enough to make the most of your money.

Get more like this on RISMedia.

Related Links

• Cozy Corners: How To Add Warmth to Your Home in Tiny Ways

• These Interior Design Trends Will Take Off in 2023

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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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Cozy Corners: How To Add Warmth to Your Home in Tiny Ways

Hygge may be so 2017, but it’s the vibe you want when the temperatures start to dip. Even hygge haters have to admit there’s nothing better than a warm and cozy look at home to fight the bitter wind outside.

But not every person loves this curated Danish look—and it’s a ton of work to create a new design when the seasons change. Instead, we’re here to suggest small ways to infuse your rooms with the best parts of hygge, the little details that really matter when you’re feeling a bit chilled.

To guide you to your best and coziest life this fall and winter, check out these genius ways to add warmth and softness just where you need it most.

Layer your blankets

Summer bedding is lightweight and cool. But when frigid temps roll around, get out those layers. An extra throw at the end of the bed is one way to add warmth.

Want to really amp up the coziness in your bedroom? Then pick up a faux fur blanket or chunky knit. The layering technique also works on the back of your couch, your favorite reading chair, and even on the floor with a second soft rug topping your main one.

“My favorite spot for coziness is a bedroom corner near a window that lets in the afternoon sun,” says Lindsay Roselle, a lifestyle and design coach.

Like many of us, Roselle works from home and has created a cozy area in her home office so she can step away from her computer to take a break to read or write in her journal.

Noelle Isbell, principal and founder of Noelle Interiors, recommends “lush fabrics such as linens and chenilles over a chair for extra softness as well as visual interest.”

Swap out your lighting

Roselle prioritizes lighting when it comes to creating pockets of coziness in the home. Adding more task lighting in the form of table lamps, rather than relying on harsh overhead fixtures, is a good start. And don’t forget about window treatments.

“Soft window coverings to filter sunlight in my bedroom and office feels warm and inviting,” says Roselle.

Lisa Davis, content creator at RetailMeNot, also suggests an inexpensive color-changing smart bulb.___

“They come in every size for any lamp, and they allow you to change the scene right from your phone so can instantly bring warmth to your rooms,” she says.

Finally, hanging curtains on windows will filter and warm the light streaming through.

Amp up the pillows

Swapping out bright summer florals and stripes for more muted tones and textures (think velvet, corduroy, and tweed) is already top of mind when fall rolls around.

Pamela O’Brien, the principal designer of Pamela Hope Designs, loves a window seat.

“When it’s filled with comfy throw pillows and a pretty window treatment, it looks beautiful and welcoming,” she says. “And even if you don’t have time to hang out there, it still makes you happy as you pass by.”

But as you change your accessories, design experts urge homeowners to increase the number of pillows and cushions, even to the brink of overload.

The reason? More is more when it comes to softness here, whether your pillow pile is on the bed, a book nook, or a sweet window seat where you take your tea.

Make a warm beverage station

See ya, iced latte! Speaking of your morning cuppa or java, coziness this fall and winter relies heavily on having a warm mug in your hand whenever you feel the need. To make this easier, set up a little cubby for cups, tea, a sugar bowl, and small spoons.

No designated nook? Clear a shelf in the kitchen or place a tray on your counter or kitchen island, and arrange your beverage station.

Hang up fiber arts

Your walls need warmth, too. And artful hangings made from yarn, fabric, raffia, or other natural materials is a fun way to create the perfect fall vignette. You can even help bring back a fad by mounting woven designs like macrame.

Hanging tapestries on walls not only adds visual interest, it also eliminates any chilly drafts and lonely echoes in your rooms, notes Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer with Trendey.

Use natural materials

Wooden bowls for fruit, cutting boards arrayed on your backsplash, and pretty green plants lining the window still are just a few ways to bring warm, natural elements to the kitchen.

When you’re ready to shift into hygge gear, use these materials instead of brightly colored melamine and plastic. You can even take this step into the dining room or bar area if you have one by bringing out dishes in autumnal shades and colored glassware for cocktails.

Scent your rooms

Davis craves a warm fragrance around the house and leans on extracts like vanilla, peppermint, or cinnamon simmering in a small pot on the stove.

“Or turn your room into a cozy, intimate sanctuary by lighting candles or even using candles on timers at the same hour every day,” she says.

Get more tips like this.

Related Links

• Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying Journey

• These Interior Design Trends Will Take Off in 2023

• Expensive regions see the biggest dip in home sales

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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Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying Journey

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, one of the first steps on your journey is getting pre-approved.

Especially in today’s market when mortgage rates are higher than they were just a few months ago, getting a mortgage pre-approval can be a game changer. Here’s why.

What Is Pre-Approval?

To better understand why pre-approval is key, it’s important to know what pre-approval is. The Mortgage Reports explains it like this:

“When you’re ready to take the leap into homeownership, your first step is mortgage preapproval. . . . A mortgage preapproval is when a lender determines you’re qualified for a home loan. Your preapproval letter shows the maximum loan amount you’re approved for (your home buying budget), as well as the specific interest rate and loan term you can expect.”

As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will look at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand your true price range and how much money you can borrow. That can make it easier when you set out to search for homes because you’ll know your overall numbers. And with mortgage rates rising and impacting affordability, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more important.

Pre-Approval Can Signal You’re a Serious Buyer

Another added benefit is that pre-approval lets the seller know you’re qualified to buy their house. A recent article from realtor.com notes:

“. . . getting pre-approved can actually improve your chances of falling into the sellers’ good graces, and you’ll want to get it done as early as you possibly can in the home-buying process.”

Even though bidding wars are easing this year as the market shifts, preapproval is still an important part of making a strong offer. It can help a seller feel more confident because it shows you’re serious about their home and that you’re a qualified buyer.

Bottom Line

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is critical. It helps you better understand what you can borrow and shows sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home. Connect with a local real estate professional and a trusted lender so you have the tools you need to succeed as a homebuyer in today’s market.

Learn more on Keeping Current Matters.

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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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Greater Denver Area Real Estate Market Report from October 2022

October 2022 exhibits a grateful market for buyers who now have more opportunities to buy a home in the Denver Metro area.

As the Denver market normalizes, active inventory declined slightly to 7,290 homes on the market at month’s end. However, this is an increase of 115.94 percent year-over-year. While this number reads as a jump, the current inventory is still less than the pre-pandemic inventory numbers of 8,557 active listings in October 2019.

Rising inflation and interest rates are undoubtedly changing the landscape of the market, showcased in new listings, which declined 26.73 percent from last month and 27.92 year-over-year. As a result, Denver Metro saw its first small decline in average and median sales prices this month. However, sale prices skyrocketed over the last two years so as a result, the market is well ahead of historical appreciation metrics of where the Denver market should be had it not experienced a pandemic-fueled buying frenzy. Overall, while prices flatten out, the historical appreciation that sellers have seen cannot be ignored. 

“There are opportunities to look at the silver lining of every scenario,” commented Libby Levinson-Katz, Chair of the DMAR Market Trends Committee and Metro Denver Realtor®. “This evolving marketplace allows buyers more options and the gift of time to decide on a home while negotiating terms that suit their needs. Meanwhile, sellers can analyze the marketplace to position their homes correctly while being able to experience a great return on investment due to rising prices over the last years. While the market changes, the past two years continue to represent the exception and not the rule. If one was to remove 2020 and 2021, the Denver Metro market trajectory is on pace with where it was predicted to be, had COVID-19 not happened.” 

As prices adjust, the median days in the MLS continues to increase, up 240 percent from five days last year to 17 days this year. While this number continues to grow, many homes on the market are priced based on peak market activity, and are thus incorrectly priced for the current market. These homes have inflated prices which the market has rejected, and are thus increasing days in MLS. These properties were either finally withdrawn from the market or the prices were adjusted before ultimately selling. 

Our monthly report also includes statistics and analyses in its supplemental “Luxury Market Report” (properties sold for $1 million or greater), “Signature Market Report” (properties sold between $750,000 and $999,999), “Premier Market Report” (properties sold between $500,000 and $749,999), and “Classic Market” (properties sold between $300,000 and $499,999). 

In October, the Luxury Market saw the number of new listings and closings decrease dramatically, and the close-price-to-list-price ratio increase from the previous month.Throughout the month, listings decreased by 28.69 percent compared to the previous month. 

There has always been seasonality in the market and a decrease in active listings is consistent with the past. The value of houses is about the relationship between supply and demand. While supply did drop dramatically, the amount of closed properties decreased by 31.52 percent compared to September. 

The market shift changed the dynamic between sellers and buyers. Months of inventory for single-family detached properties is 3.43 and for attached properties is 3.08. The Luxury Market has the highest months of inventory out of any price point. This change shows that the demand for this type of property has proportionally decreased more than the supply. The increased months of inventory translated to buyers having more negotiation power with appraisal and inspection disagreements. 

“While bidding wars are not as common, I had a client that had to compete on a million-dollar house that went above the asking price. Each listing will always dictate its own story,” said Andrew Abrams, DMAR Market Trends Committee member and Metro Denver Realtor®. “While buyers may think they have negotiation power in this market, many sellers are hesitant to drop their price too much, which is why the close-price-to-list-price ratio in October was 98.72 percent. November should represent a similar flow as October. Inventory decreasing, buyers being patient to find the right house and negotiations tough for both sides.”

Download the report

West + Main agent Nick DiPasquale dug further into the Premier Market (properties sold between $500,000 and $749,999).

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Thank you to our partners at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors for compiling this information.

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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