Real Estate Information

Question:  Allison, we are looking for a foreclosure property to buy in Frisco, CO.  Anything in particular we should watch out for?

Answer:  I’m getting this one a lot lately.  While there are some great deals out there now, as it turns out, sometimes the obstacles you have to overcome for the bargain negate the value of the deal -- and then some.

According to Tara Nicole Nelson, today's low prices and interest rates, combined, seem like the perfect storm for finding a great deal.

But some buyers run into -- or even unwittingly create -- circumstances in an effort to cash in on the bargain that deactivate or diminish the full value they otherwise stand to gain from buying at the bottom of the market, for both home prices and interest rates.

Here are three ways homebuyers are defeating their own deals in today's market:

1. House hunting too long. As many as 60 percent of the homes for sale in some markets are short sales. Many other listings are bank-owned (also known as real estate owned or REO) properties, and those homes tend toward two extremes: terrible condition, or so nice at such a low price they receive multiple offers.

Even the nicer, non-distressed homes on the market can end up in and out of contract over and over again due to appraisal or other lending-related issues.

As a result, it is not at all bizarre to hear homebuyers today say they've been house hunting for a year, 18 months, even two or three years. When you house hunt that long, you become susceptible to house hunt fatigue, which causes irrationally extreme overbidding out of sheer exhaustion.

Alternatively, it can cause you to settle for whatever house you can get, even if it doesn't actually meet your needs -- then spend the next 10 years obsessively spending to upgrade, improve, repair and furnish the place to try to make it more like the home you actually wanted.

Both of these outcomes negate and deactivate the bargain you stood to score.

To avoid house hunting too long, it's uber-important to get and stay clear on the differences between what you want and what you need, and to work with a local real estate professional you trust.

Look to your agent to get and keep your expectations centered in reality, so you can make more strategic decisions throughout your entire house hunt, like house hunting in a price range where you're likely to both find homes that will work for your life and be successful in your efforts to obtain one.

2. Making lowball offers way too low. Overbidding seems like an obvious way to cancel out the bargain potential of your deal. But making excessively low offers -- offers sellers couldn't afford to take if they wanted to -- can have the very same result.

Buyers who think they can operate strictly on the basis of buyer's market dynamics -- without realizing that most sellers will need to make enough to pay off their mortgage or at least receive the fair market value for their home -- are cutting off their own noses to spite their faces, all in the name of trying to score an amazing deal.

Note to "low-ballers": If you don't actually secure the home, the super-low price you offered is no deal at all.

3. Freak-outs, stress, drama and mayhem. Once was, it was mostly the buyers uneducated about the home-buying process who tended to freak out and stress the most, especially at the top of the market. These were the folks who found themselves defeated at every turn by buyers who knew what they were up against and were prepared to make their best offer on their first offer.

Fast forward, and now the norm is for buyers to spend much more time reading up on what to expect, but the inundation of information can create brand new mindset management challenges.

Almost every buyer is stressed about whether they can qualify for a loan, and about buying into a down market. Some buyers try to apply national headlines about home prices being depressed to the super-local dynamics of their neighborhood market.

This is unwise if you happen to be, for example, trying to buy a home in the boomtown real estate markets of Silicon Valley. Others go the opposite direction and deny that the basic truths about, say, buying a short-sale listing will actually apply to them (attention homebuyers: buying a short sale usually takes a long, long time).

The emotional freak-outs that result from having your expectations shattered, sometimes brutally, in the course of buying a home often lead to panic-based and fear-based decisions, which can be costly in the short and long term. Additionally, the stress itself can take a toll on your ability to be productive at work, and can even impair your relationship with your mate, neither of which are worth any deal you think you stand to strike.

Again, managing your expectations by working with a trusted broker or agent you feel comfortable relying on to understand the market in your neck of the woods and the type of transaction you want to pull off is essential to downgrading the role emotion plays in your real estate decision-making.

For answers to your real estate questions, call Allison at 970-468-6800. Email - Info@SummitRealEstate.com. Her philosophy is simple, whether buying or selling, she understands that the most important real estate transaction is yours.  Want to know the value of your Summit County property? Visit www.SummitHomeValue.com  

Sellers typically prefer deals with fewer contingencies

Question:  Allison, we are planning to purchase a new home in Silverthorne, CO this month.  We have seen several we like, and wonder if you have any negotiation suggestions for us.

Answer:  Lots of information in the real estate world right now and the state of the market – most of it related to price.  In my experience, price, while certainly a major factor, is not the only thing that matters in real estate sales.

According to Dianne Hymer with Inman News, negotiation strategies differ depending on how well the home is priced and who's on the other side. If you're trying to buy a short-sale listing where the lender has to agree to accept less than the amount owed, the seller doesn't have much say in the negotiations about price unless he can contribute money to pay down the loan amount.

Regardless of who you're dealing with, you're more likely to grab a seller's or lender's attention if you are preapproved for the mortgage you'll need and can provide verification of cash for the down payment and closing costs.

Many buyers feel that cash is king. If buyers are willing and able to pay all cash with no mortgage, no hassling with the lender and no appraisal contingency, they feel they're owed a price concession.

Not all sellers agree. Some, who are confident in the value of their home, would rather work with an offer from a well-qualified buyer who needs to obtain a mortgage but who will pay a higher price.

Before you start negotiating, you should understand as much as you can about the other party. For instance, if the sellers are moving to a retirement home, they might go for the highest-priced offer in a multiple-offer situation, even though it might not be ideal in other regards. If they are liquidating their last asset, every penny will count.

An all-cash or large-cash-down buyer might not be able to negotiate a "deal" based on the fact that no lender will be involved. But if the home is a good value and suits your long-term needs, you might increase your offer price and include a mortgage. This way, you conserve cash for other uses.

Many buyers don't want to negotiate. They want their first offer to be their best offer. Usually, the only time this is effective is if yours is the only offer, the house is priced right for the market, and you offer full price. In this market, you're better off planning for some negotiation, and not putting all your cards on the table at once.

In most areas, the home-sale market still favors buyers. A lot of sellers are selling for less than they paid. Some have to bring money to the closing. Sellers who have owned for years are selling for less than they would have years ago. It's natural that they would want to try for the highest price possible.

Negotiations are about more than price. Generally, the fewer the contingencies or the cleaner the contract, the more attractive it will be to the seller. Closing and possession dates can become issues at the bargaining table. What's included and excluded, time periods to satisfy contingencies, and virtually everything in the contract is negotiable.

Since everything is up for grabs, be clear about what's not negotiable -- for instance, you can't go over a certain price. Show flexibility in areas that will hopefully be valuable to the sellers, such as buying "as is" regarding some needed repairs.

Don't waste your time with sellers who are firm at a price that is considerably over market value. Wait until they become realistic while you continue looking. Some sellers eventually get tired of having their home listed and reduce the price to market value. Others don't.

Sellers need to understand that buyers in today's market will walk away from a negotiation if they feel they're not getting anywhere or are being treated unfairly. Buyers could become suspicious or disappear if they're told by the sellers or their agent that other buyers are lining up to make an offer when they aren't.

Good luck!   A smart strategy is often to defend your position while being honest and fair with the other party.

For answers to your real estate questions, call Allison at 970-468-6800. Email - Info@SummitRealEstate.com. Her philosophy is simple, whether buying or selling, she understands that the most important real estate transaction is yours.  Want to know the value of your Summit County property? Visit www.SummitHomeValue.com  

Decluttering has financial upside
 

Question:  Allison, we are knee-deep in the sales process of our Wildernest duplex.  We live in the property most of the year and we have a lot of stuff.  What tips do you have for us to really make our place shine?

Answer:  Thanks for asking.  I get this type of question a lot and it is so important!  According to Diane Hymer of Inman News, today's buyers are looking for turnkey homes. That is, they want to move right in without having to do a lot of work. Buyers with busy lifestyles pay a premium for listings that are in prime condition. Staging can make the difference between a listing selling or not, the time it takes to sell, and the ultimate sale price.

Sellers who are financially strapped often have a hard time accepting that they'll need to invest in preparing a house for sale even though they may sell for less than they paid. Fix-up costs can mount up; your agent can help you prioritize so that you don't waste money. It's important to keep your goal in mind, which is to sell your house in a difficult market.

Recently, a home in Piedmont, Calif., an affluent city neighboring Oakland, came on the market in "as is" condition. It had been lived in for decades without much upgrading. Although located in a desirable area, the listing was vacant, dark and showed poorly. The sellers refused to do any work to improve its appeal.

After months on the market with no significant interest, the sellers pulled the house off the market and made improvements. The wall-to-wall carpet was pulled up to reveal hardwood floors that were then refinished. Painters lightened the interior and a professional stager was hired to bring in furniture, artwork, house plants and accessories. The listing was put back on the market with a fresh look and sold right away.

Although listings staged by a good decorator show well and often sell quickly, you don't need to spend a lot to put your home into shape for marketing. Most homeowners have too many personal possessions in their home from a sale standpoint. Decluttering is something most sellers need to do.

This can generate uncomfortable emotional responses. One seller, who was cleaning out the family home of 50 years, found a packet of love letters his father sent to his mother. Of course, he had to read all of them, which delayed his fix-up schedule.

Consider hiring someone to help you sort, pack, donate and recycle items that you no longer want. You may be able to take a tax deduction for things you donate. Make sure to get a receipt. Your real estate agent should be able to recommend someone who can help you clear your house of clutter if you are overwhelmed by the project.

Your Broker, or stager, may ask you to put away collections of art, personal photos, etc. This can be difficult for most sellers because, for them, it's part of the emotional appeal of their home. Your house won't look like your home after you've removed personal possessions and moved what's left around to display the house to its best advantage.

That's the point of the preparation process. You don't want prospective buyers focusing in on your personal property; you want them to focus on the house. Keep in mind that how you live in your home and how it should look when it goes on the market are not the same.

Some sellers complain that their house looks too stark without all their possessions. Even so, it helps you to detach yourself emotionally from the property. Also, less personal property usually gives homes a more spacious feel. When buyers are looking for the most for their money, bigger is usually better.

To close the deal, a listing should be spotless and inviting. Bring in new house plants to put in strategic locations, like orchids in the bathrooms. In dark spots that need a dash of warmth and color, use bromeliads.

If you can't pull this together yourself, or with the help or your Broker, hire a good stager for a consultation or a proposal for full or partial staging.  We have a few great names of excellent staging folks who can help you.  Just give us a call!

Happy Holidays!  For answers to your real estate questions, call Allison at 970-468-6800. Email - Info@SummitRealEstate.com. Her philosophy is simple, whether buying or selling, she understands that the most important real estate transaction is yours.  Want to know the value of your Summit County property? Visit www.SummitHomeValue.com  

Don't underestimate the power of online marketing,private showings.

Question:  Allison, our condo in Keystone, CO is currently listed for sale.  We’d like to increase our showings – what suggestions do you have?

Answer:  I’m glad you asked!  It’s not unusual that your showings have slowed down during the late fall.  Just remember that the ski season is heating up and the week after Christmas brings record numbers of people to Summit County and showings will go up.  You can be ready for them!  According to Dianne Hymer with Inman News, some buyers are looking for a home that's located in a specific neighborhood. Others have more flexibility regarding where they live. But most buyers share one thing in common: They want a home that's in move-in condition.

Start working on attracting buyers to your home by putting the property in good condition before it goes on the market. In most cases, it's not a good idea to show your home to a prospective buyer before it's ready to be shown. Photos should also wait until your home presents itself well.

Pay attention to "curb appeal"; first impressions are lasting. Some buyers drive by without taking a look inside if they don't like the way a house looks from the street. The yard should be clean and tidy. Replace the front lawn if it's dead; the same goes for plants that have seen better days. Flowering plants make your home look festive and inviting.

Peeling paint should be touched up, if possible. If an entire exterior paint job is called for, consider changing the color scheme to enhance the appeal. One seller repainted the exterior of his home before selling without consulting his agent or a colorist. He repainted using the existing color scheme, which was out of date. The house didn't sell quickly. When it did, the first thing the buyers wanted to do was change the color of the exterior.

Repair deferred maintenance, particularly if it's visible from the street. You want to convey the impression that your home has been well maintained. If you can't afford to repair and paint the white picket fence in front of your house, it would be better to remove it than leave it.

Houses that don't have much architectural appeal can often be improved by the addition of shutters. Houses that don't show much from the street can be enhanced with an architecturally intriguing gate or entryway. You want to peak buyers' interest in seeing what they can't see from the street.

The Summit Real Estate - Simson/Nenninger Team - News & Views newspaper - your source for Real Estate news and properties in Summit County, Colorado - is now available in GREEN!

Please enjoy our Winter edition of Summit Real Estate News & Views....

We value your opinions and comments.  Let us know what you think!  Have a safe and happy Winter!

Make your expectations known and stay involved in the process.

Question:  Allison, We are in the process of listing our ski-in ski-out condo at Keystone, CO.  We live in Minnesota and are hoping we can get one of our friends who lives in Summit Cove to help us with the sales process.  What should we look out for?

Answer: The chores of listing and selling a home should not be taken lightly, nor handed off -- especially in this market.

Typically, when you contract a real estate broker to help sell your home, you are promising to pay for services rendered if the broker finds a person ready, willing and able to buy your home.

According to Tom Kelly, Inman News, the first thing to remember is that nobody can read your mind. Make sure your agent knows your concerns and keep all communication lines open.

In two recent cases he spoke about, expectations were not expressed, mainly because the sellers -- an executive at a financial services company and a retired couple -- were constantly on the road.

The couple chose to continue touring the country in their RV and asked one of their children to be the point person with the real estate agent for their waterfront getaway. The executive, in a similar fashion, turned over tasks related to selling her downtown condo to her office secretary.

Both sellers returned home and were unhappy with the way their homes were being marketed. The couple felt that ads describing their home were poorly written, for-sale signs were not properly placed and that the agent was not doing enough to get other agents to preview the home.

The executive expected her downtown condo to be better exposed to the in-city business community. She said she felt there were more aggressive, creative agents in the industry than the one she hired.

What both parties did not do was work directly with the agent, leaving assumed requirements and expectations to fall between the cracks. Frustrated and upset, each seller wanted out.

Could they rescind the listing agreement without the broker's consent? When a seller elects to cancel, is the broker entitled to a commission?

• The seller can usually cancel the listing agreement at any time, whether or not the seller has legal grounds to do so. A listing agreement typically creates what is known as an "agency agreement" with the broker, and it can be canceled by the principal (seller). It's always best to cancel in writing.
• If the seller cancels the agreement without having legal grounds, the broker could be entitled to payment. Legal grounds for cancellation include broker malpractice, violation of the broker/agent fiduciary duty, or breach of contract by the broker. If the broker is not at fault, the broker could be entitled to "damages" even if the house does not sell during the unexpired term of the listing.

Damages could mean advertising costs and other out-of-pocket expenses in servicing the listing. If the house sells during the unexpired term of the cancelled listing, the law presumes that the terminated broker would have made the sale, thus entitling the broker to a commission. However, if the seller can prove the broker would not have made the sale, the seller can avoid payment of the commission.

Most of the time, a seller can cancel a listing with one agency and move it to another broker in the same multiple listing service (MLS) and be liable for only one commission.

For example, if you cancel your listing with Billy's Real Estate and move it to Nancy's Real Estate, and both are members of the same MLS, you usually are relieved of your obligations to Billy by paying Nancy a commission when the house is sold.

When you sign a listing agreement, you are actually agreeing to work with the agency and its boss, or broker. Many agents also hold the "broker" designation, which means they have undertaken additional classroom instruction and testing.

Be realistic when you sign a listing. Discuss all services, explain your expectations and don't expect miracles. Interview a few agents even though you might already be dead-set on one to represent you. Check references and then choose the one you think will do the best job.

And plan on staying involved after the initial agent interview. Your secretary may be worth a million bucks inside the office, but you should be the point person on all sales matters regarding your home. Inman News.

For answers to your real estate questions, call Allison at 970-468-6800. Email - Info@SummitRealEstate.com. Her philosophy is simple, whether buying or selling, she understands that the most important real estate transaction is yours.  Want to know the value of your Summit County property? Visit www.SummitHomeValue.com  

With any luck at all, you are still recovering from the feeding/family frenzy of Thanksgiving and enjoying some good leftovers!  Hope your holiday was joyful!

As we near the end of the year, it is good to look back at the months behind us and evaluate what they have brought us so that we can gather the assets we have gained and move into the new year!

For those of you who LOVE the numbers, here's a link to the overall stats of Summit County real estate.  As usual, at Summit Real Estate, we look to the actual numbers to evaluate what's happening in the market, not just the gossip and cocktail conversation! 

Summit County by the numbers 2011!

Enjoy your week! 

Aside from less competition, low borrowing costs give buyers incentive

Question: Allison, We’re contemplating putting our Frisco home on the market and we’re wondering if there is anyone out there buying property right now?

Answer: Good question.  I hear this question a lot and can provide your with some specific information about your particular segment of the market, but in general, according to Dianne Hymer, Inman news, we are getting close to the end of the year, which begs the question of whether it's worthwhile trying to sell your home now. Is it a waste of time? Will it sit on the market and become shopworn? Should I take my house off the market for the holidays? Will the home-sale market be better for sellers in 2012?

The first question you need to ask yourself is: Are you emotionally prepared to sell? Selling is a challenge for most sellers, although some markets are better than others. Unless you bought more than eight to 10 years ago and preserved your equity, you may not be able to sell for enough to pay off the mortgages secured against the property and the other costs of selling.

Sellers who have the resources to make up the difference between the sale price and the amount they owe need to ask themselves if they are willing to pay the additional cash in order to sell and move on.

There are two reasons why you might prefer bringing cash to closing. One is that your credit will not be negatively impacted, as would be the case with a short sale or foreclosure. The second is that many buyers shy away from short sales because of the lengthy and uncertain process involved.

The next thing to consider is the condition of your home. Is it ready for the market? The most salable homes are those that are in move-in condition.

Before racing to the hardware store, ask your Realtor about how much competition there would be for your home if you put it on the market before the holidays. Some areas are shy on inventory of good homes on the market. If so, now could be a good time to sell.

The supply/demand ratio plays a significant role in the health of a local real estate market. No matter what is said about the housing market nationally, it's the local picture that tells the tale in terms of the possibility of selling your home at any given time.

Most sellers don't put their homes on the market during the last or first couple of months of the year. The inventory of homes for sale tends to dwindle during the winter months. Interest rates are low. So, if there are buyers in your local market, you may be at an advantage selling when most sellers are waiting.

Some sellers feel that if they've waited this long to sell, they should put the process on hold until spring and get the house ready in the meantime. Certainly, it's not a good idea to put your house on the market until it looks great. But if you and your house are ready to sell, move ahead.

The market in general tends to slow down over the holidays. But rather than pull your house off the market and miss a likely prospect, change the showing procedure to require advance notice. And enjoy your holidays. A sale before year end could be a great holiday gift.

There is a lot of pent-up demand, on both the buyer and seller sides. Sellers have been waiting for a better time to sell. Buyers have been waiting for more quality inventory and a sense that prices have bottomed or are close to it.

In closing, recent projections call for another five or so years of bouncing along close to the bottom of this market cycle. Many experts believe that the big price declines are behind us.  I sure hope they are right!  Remember that Summit County tends to lag behind the national economy by anywhere from 18-24 months.  Inman News. 

For answers to your real estate questions, call Allison at 970-468-6800. Email - Info@SummitRealEstate.com. Her philosophy is simple, whether buying or selling, she understands that the most important real estate transaction is yours.  Want to know the value of your Summit County property? Visit www.SummitHomeValue.com  

6901 Villamont is a townhome style end unit located in Wildernest that will knock your socks off!  It is certainly one of the most appealing units in the complex for multiple reasons.  It’s an end unit, so it has tons of windows to let the natural sunlight flood in.  The abundant windows also let you take in the awesome mountain and lake views from both levels of the property.  It also boasts one of the largest decks, and because it wraps around it is a great addition to your indoor and outdoor living space.  You would never know it was built in 1976 because this unit has updates galore!  Wood floors, doors and trim, paint, carpet and counters are just a few of the nice touches.  A brand new built in entertainment and storage center in the family room keeps your electronics up and out of the way and provides great additional storage. 

Adding to the ease of livability, whether Summit County and it’s mountains are your primary residence or you’re looking for a vacation home, is all of the additional space to store your “toys”.  Ingenious bike storage in the unit is easy to use and out of the way!  An exterior storage closet nearby has tons of room for all of your summer and winter gear and whatever else you need to pack away from time to time.  A washer and dryer in the unit is so convenient and what a time saver! 

This property has 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 877 square feet and is listed for sale at $230,000.00.  Low HOA dues of $218/month include common area maintenance, common building taxes, building insurance, management, security, trash pickup and snow removal.  2011 property taxes were just over $900 for the year.  Don’t wait, give your broker or Summit Real Estate a call to see this bright and updated end unit today! 

Looking to Buy? Not ready to speak to a broker? Visit www.SummitHomeBuyer.com                

Meet Lynn Sustad, Kelie Gray and Anna Willis, the Buyer Specialist Team at Summit Real Estate-The Simson / Nenninger Team.  Devoted to working only with Buyers, these Specialists tour hundreds of homes and commit to having the most comprehensive knowledge in the market. A member of the Buyer Specialist Team can be reached at (800) 262.8442 or (970) 468.6800, www.SummitRealEstate.com or email us at Team@SummitRealEstate.com                                                                                                                      

Even trade-up buyers, owners of multiple properties hit roadblocks

Question:  Allison, we’re looking at trading up from our condo in Wildernest to a single family home in Silverthorne, CO, but we’ve heard that it’s impossible to get a loan.  Any suggestions?

Answer: Despite what you may have heard, the lending business  in Summit County is alive and well!  Is it as easy to get any type of loan under the sun like it was during the boom days? No.  Are there some great options out there?  Absolutely!  According to Diane Hymer at Inman News, interest rates fell to new lows in October. Low interest rates increase affordability and should make it easier for buyers to qualify. Yet stories of buyers waiting months to gain loan approval and home purchase transactions not closing on time due to lender's strict underwriting are all too common.

Some buyers are turned down for illogical reasons. For instance, if you have investments -- even if they're performing well -- an underwriter might deny the mortgage because your portfolio doesn't fall into the underwriter's risk assessment model.

One couple was turned down because the husband had worked at his current job for less than a year -- even though he was making more money at the new job than he was before.

These buyers were well-qualified. The wife had worked several years for one employer and was able to qualify for the loan on her own. So, the transaction closed, although two months late.

Generally, it's more difficult to qualify now than it was a year ago- but don’t be discouraged! Most conventional lenders require a 20-25 percent down payment. For the lowest interest rates, your credit scores need to be in the 700 range. You need to have verifiable income and cash reserves in addition to your down payment and closing costs.

You could run into underwriting problems if you're self-employed, as W-2 income is much easier to verify. Other hurdles are lapses in employment and owning a lot of property. Some lenders won't lend to buyers who have more than three or four residential properties.

If you're buying a new home before selling your current home, you'll need to have 30 percent equity in your current home. This needs to be verified by the lender's appraiser. Also, the lender will want to see a copy of the cashed check from the tenant for the first month's rent to verify rental income if needed to qualify.

HOUSE HUNTING TIP: As soon as you're serious about buying a home, find the best mortgage broker or loan agent you can to assist you. Don't make your selection based on interest rates alone. A good track record counts for a lot.  A local lender familiar with doing loans in Summit County is your best bet.

Closing the deal should be your primary goal. If you have to pay 0.25 percent more to assure your transaction closes on time and that you're not turned down at the last minute, it's worth it.

Be candid with your loan professional about anything in your financial picture that might impact loan qualification. A good loan agent or broker will be able to assess your financial situation and anticipate what you'll need to do to satisfy the underwriter.

Be aware that appraisal issues can impact your loan approval. For example, if a previous owner added square footage without a building permit, the additional square footage probably won't be included as livable square feet.

If the appraisal comes in for less than the purchase price, the lender might not lend you enough to close the deal. Include an appraisal contingency in your contract.

As of Oct. 1, the conforming jumbo mortgage limit for expensive housing markets like New York City and San Francisco dropped from $729,750 to $625,500. In some cases, conforming jumbo lenders have moved into the market to pick up some slack. You can expect to pay about 0.25 percent more for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional jumbo loan, in some cases. However, today's lower interest rates will help boost affordability.

There are more jumbo financing options available now. Adjustable-rate mortgages that are fixed for 10 years and then revert to an adjustable have a starting rate about 0.25 percent less than a 30-year fixed jumbo. A five-year fixed starts about 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent lower, but is riskier.

We have some of the finest mortgage brokers and lenders around right here in Summit County.  If you’d like a list of our preferred lenders,  just ask.

For answers to your real estate questions, call Allison at 970-468-6800. Email - Info@SummitRealEstate.com. Her philosophy is simple, whether buying or selling, she understands that the most important real estate transaction is yours.  Want to know the value of your Summit County property? Visit www.SummitHomeValue.com