Realtor recommendation in Arvada (Denver, Wheat Ridge: real estate, 2014, insurance)

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good, honest, trustworthy realtor who is familiar with the 80004 zip code in Arvada? We have to sell Mom's house and need someone who can guide us to get a fair price.

Please PM me if you've worked with a good realtor recently. Realtors, please don't contact me directly.

[2bindenver]

The place needs to be decluttered, cleaned, staged and have professional photos taken. Yes, I do all that at my expense. There are 47 homes on the market today, 53 under contract and 52 sold in the last 30 days, in that zip code from $245,000 to $2,000,000.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I've sold houses in the past, but they've been ones that I've been living in. So I definitely understand about decluttering, etc. We can take care of that and are even thinking of painting. In this case, however, the house is in a different market and minimal updating has been done over the years. So I need someone who can advise us on how much money to pour into it to have it sell quickly in that specific area in today's market.

One question, for example, is should we put a dishwasher in the kitchen?

[2bindenver]

When was it last painted? Is there room in the kitchen for a dishwasher? Depending on the price range, a dishwasher may not be the deal breaker it was 3 years ago.

How old is the house? Has the furnace been serviced recently? Any insurance claims in the last 5 years?

[tcbelvis]

I would look at listings for the area and avoid all the incompetent realtors. Most are listing "light rail" in 2016 for the area which is a lie and shows they don't know much.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

From the City of Arvada website (I added emphasis):

The Gold Line is an 11.2-mile electric commuter rail transit line that will connect Denver Union Station to Wheat Ridge, passing through northwest Denver, Adams County and Arvada. There are eight stations: Denver Union Station, 41st/Fox, Pecos, Federal, Sheridan, Olde Town Arvada, Arvada Ridge and Ward Road.

The Gold Line is in full construction. Please be alert for changing conditions, lane restrictions or road closures. For current construction information, please visit RTD-FasTracks.com or call the Gold Line team at 303-576-3352. For after-hour emergencies, please call 1-855-324-5373.

The Gold Line is scheduled to open to the public in mid-2016. The Gold Line is part of a larger project called the Eagle P3 project which includes the East Corridor transit line to Denver International Airport. The Eagle 3 project is an innovative public-private partnership which is fully funded.

[tcbelvis]

Electric commuter rail line is not the same as the light rail line. There are two different drops at union station. If you want to continue on to the airport you stay with the commuter rail. If you want to go to areas of Denver metro you walk across two streets to the light rail tracks. Listing light rail implies they run on the same tracks which they do not. It is actually quite a walk to get to light rail from commuter rail at the train hall. You are not just popping into the station and switching trains like you do at a light rail station. Listing light rail is deceiving and any realtor should know better. It shows they don't know the market or the area and are best to be avoided.

http://denverurbanism.com/wp-content...n-Map-Copy.jpg

It's called commuter rail and the differences between the two are significant.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_398

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

One question, for example, is should we put a dishwasher in the kitchen?

I would say NO. It is a slippery slope.
There is some good advice in the Real Estate forum here at C-D.

[2bindenver]

I think the W line is also commuter - or heavy rail - the general public does not distinguish between the two.

The information on rtd's website is under the "services" >"light rail" tabs. There is no commuter rail tab.

So even though light rail is technically not correct, the general public would be understanding of the term. Whereas if the listing said heavy rail or commuter rail, most people would be scratching their heads.

RTD says "RTD's six light rail lines stop at 46 stations, including major hot spots like the Theatre District, Convention Center, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Pepsi Center, the 16th Street Mall, and Park Meadows Mall. Hop on board and get where you need to go fast - 55 mph, no stop lights, no traffic, fast."

If they are calling it light rail, so can I.

As far as the dishwasher, if there is space and the other houses like your mother's have one, you can get one for $80 at the Habitat store, and $100 to put in. A plumber would have to install a line for water.

If houses like your mother's do not have a dishwasher, then do not give it a second thought.

[tcbelvis]

That verbiage will change once the commuter line is running. Commuter rail is not in service therefore no mention and RTD is definitely not calling it light rail per their website. W is light rail. Listings shouldn't deceive people. Why not just say RTD rail line?