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TRAVIS HIGHTOWER

Denver real estate, rooted in Lakewood and Green Mountain.

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How to Survive Your Denver Home Buying Experience

April 8, 2019 by Travis Hightower

How to survive your Denver Home Buying Experience

How will you know if it’s the house you want to make an offer on? When you walk into “The One” I want you to have clarity in knowing that it’s the property that truly aligns with your vision. Here’s how to win with your Denver home buying experience:

Create Your Top 3 Must Have List

Through the Divergent Thinking Process, create a powerful Top 3 Must Have List. Your #1 is your non-negotiable, and #2 & #3 can be interchanged and something you can discover and confirm while touring homes. This clarity will create a purposeful plan that will drive you toward the results you want vs seeing things that might work.

https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/236869440588511/

Have Meaningful Conversation

Looking at your past Real Estate Experiences allows us to have an open discussion about why this is your Perfect Home and how it fits your vision. You can share what excites you to live in this home we can confirm that it meets your Top 3 Must Have List.

Reflect and Choose

Your Perfect Home should be a reflection of you. By connecting to what you love the most from your past real estate experiences it allows you to know exactly what you are looking for. Then you can make an informed choice.

And once you find that property, reflect and confirm that this is the home you want to move forward on. You should be able to clearly say that “This… Is… The… One!” ✊

Funny Real Estate Joke Cool Pikachu Meme by Travis Hightower

You Love It Right? Go For It!

So now you found “The One”, it’s time to go for it! Dial in that winning offer. Here’s how:

  • Determine the Seller’s Hot Buttons – These are the seller’s motivation. Things like price, time frame, or even their personality. We even ask the listing agent and neighbors some subtle questions. Or simply observe the house, is it neat and organized? Knowing these will helps us write a strategic offer.
  • Create a Winning Offer – It doesn’t have to be the highest price. It’s also putting together terms and conditions that speak to the seller. Make it a win-win for both! Check out these real life negotiations where we won the deal using this strategy.
https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/2299929750328899/

Top 3 Contingencies For Buyers Under Contract

Now that you’ve won the deal and are under contract, what’s next? Here are the Top 3 Buyer Contingencies for your protection:

  1. Inspection Contingency – We check the condition of the house and negotiate any items that we want to resolve. In most cases, the resolution can be the seller making house repairs or reducing the purchase price. In some instances, the deal will terminate if there’s no fair resolution.
  2. Appraisal Contingency – The appraised value must be equal or more than the purchase price. If the value is lower than the price we have the right to negotiate a price reduction with the seller.
  3. Loan Termination – To make sure that we have the final loan approval and are closing with the rate, terms and cost that you expected when we first started the process.

Time Savers and Hacks When Moving In

Congrats on finding your Perfect Home! Now that you’re moving in, save time and avoid the unnecessary stress. These tips will help:

https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/994074944114595/
  • Prioritize – Start with the areas where you can sleep and clean up such as the master bedroom and bathroom. Next, it’s the space where you can comfortably eat and take a breaks like the kitchen.
  • Batching Activities – It’s where you’re effectively doing all the tasks in one go. Like running to the hardware store or shopping.
  • Hire Service Providers – Grocery delivery, cleaning and laundry service to name a few. These providers can save you a ton of time and energy.
Home buying and moving in tips in Real Estate Denver Colorado Travis Hightower

A Real Denver Home Buying Experience

As I was walking the neighborhood in Highland, I remember having an amazing experience with a client here. We were able to connect on a personal level and determine the things most valuable to them. Ultimately creating clarity on what their Perfect Home looks like.

And as I’ve been talking about this month, we have been rolling out a referral contest and these clients came as a referral from another real estate agent.

I want to share this story because I think it’s important when you connect with someone and talk about personal things going on in your life. It’s where you can talk through different perspectives and find out what resonates with you.

Creating a Clear Vision

When I met with these clients, we started off all over the place. They are looking at different options in terms of square footage, beds, baths, and location. They wanted a new construction but they really unsure of what to do.

But what I was able to do when we talked through things and walked in my neighborhood, we were able to determine:

  • Their core values like the location in the middle of the action.
  • A second bedroom space to be able to have guests come visit and enjoy their space with them.
  • The quality of construction was important – a place that was built well like an all concrete building. The level of finish wasn’t a priority.
  • That they would love to have lot of windows to let in a ton of light.

That’s the message that I’m trying to send out when I talk about having a Meaningful Conversation and doing the Perfect Home Exercise. You’re connecting to the things that mean the most to you. And since you’re sharing with me, a real estate professional, I can be able to go out into the marketplace and find that type of property for you.

Our Personal Connection

It was just a perfect moment with this client. We probably looked around 4-5 houses in the Highland. Then as we’re waiting at a stoplight, we talked about what kind of music we like and found that we both enjoy a similar artist. It’s actually electronic dance music, Above & Beyond. One of my absolute favorites and we shared that common bond. It was just a special moment where things clicked.

The conversation continued to evolve. I felt like at that point, we’re able to really galvanize the relationship and they knew that I was their trusted advisor. They felt that I was going to go above and beyond for them and make sure that I could deliver what they truly wanted.

During the same day, we actually found a property that we wrote an offer on and got it recently accepted. That property really hit on all the Top Must-Haves that we had talked about early on in the process.

And I just wanted to share that from my perspective as the Agent. What it means to me and how through walking in the neighborhood and connecting on a personal level, we’re able to really discover what it is that they truly want.

Reflect on Your Past to Know What’s Next

I think what’s also great about all of this is the home buyers gets a chance to dig deep and connect to what truly resonates with them. And maybe you heard this before, but buyers sometimes come off as not knowing what they really want. Which can be true when taking a shotgun appraoch to homebuying.

That’s why it’s important to look back at your past real estate experiences. Where you’re be able to connect to what you loved about a space or a neighborhood and discover what you really needed and didn’t need.

And for a lot of people that enjoy living here in the Highland or Downtown Denver, location and proximity to many things is super important. Then you sprinkle in like neighborhood character and historic charm. All those things emerge once you have those types of conversation with a client.

And when we find out what those must have and non-negotiables are, we can go out into the marketplace and find that. We’ll be able to test those answers because if location is important for you, for example. It’s going to maybe change that bed, bath configuration, square footage or the level of finish. And those are things that are my job to ask the right questions around especiallay is if we’re talking about location.

Filed Under: #Denver Real Estate Tagged With: DenverRealEstate, home buyer, home buying, RealEstateAgent, RealEstateTips, realtor, TravisHightower

Help Someone Find Their Perfect Home and Win a FREE Weekend Getaway

April 1, 2019 by Travis Hightower

Help a Homebuyer Find Their Dream Home and Win a FREE Weekend Getaway

Without you, my business would not exist. Personal referrals are the lifeblood of my real estate business. This referral contest is my way of saying thank you 🙏

Earlier this year I shared my Perfect Home Process and how I help homebuyers discover what their perfect home looks like to them and why. Today I’m going to share how you can have meaningful real estate conversations with your friends and family.

The Perfect Home Process for Buyers

The Home Buying Process by Your Denver Real Estate Agent Travis Hightower

When looking for the right home, most buyers start by searching online, stop by an open house, or just agree with what a family member wants. Nothing hurts my heart more than hearing about someone buying a home based on pure emotion vs. having a purposeful plan.

The home buying process is really an emotional journey. So it’s best to come prepared. Create clarity around what a perfect home looks like for you by having Meaningful Conversation with your loved ones.

https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/399167390820268/

Start by talking about your best experiences and the most exciting moments you’ve had when it comes to real estate. Ask real estate thought joggers too. What did it feel like when you bought your first house? Were you excited about being away from home?

By having meaningful conversation you will see which aspects are similar to yours and from there, you can create a list of shared ideas. That will help connect the dots and see what are your core values and strengths.

Your Home-Must Have List

After everyone has shared what they value, it’s time to rapidly find out what’s possible so you can start synthesizing what your perfect home looks like. Here’s how it is:

https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/2634650216552575/

Creating a Top 3 Must-Have list will provide a ton of clarity so you know as soon as you step into a house if it fits your vision or not.

Make Your Home Must-Have List Powerful

I’m sharing you an example of the Top 3 Must Have List of a client that we built through the Perfect Home Process using Divergent Thinking:

https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/373523003476572/
  • Non-Negotiable: Location (choices between the busy streets or Proximity to the office or the groceries, Hospitals)
  • Layout  and Floor Plan: Ceilings, Closet Space, Elevator, Windows
  • Upgrades and Finishes: The client wasn’t really sure what finish that she really liked, but through this process we were able to figure out that the 90’s and older doesn’t fit the client’s style.

By following a process like this, it brings out the purpose of what you really want from the heart. And I cannot stress how important it is to have a meaningful conversation, to create clarity using divergent thinking when looking for you dream home. This might be a simple process, but it is where you will find clarity.

Why I Love Meaningful Real Estate Conversation

I enjoy building connection with my clients and getting to know them. It’s one of my biggest strengths. And as your Denver Real Estate Agent, I aim to give you the best value by sharing my best practices to help you find your perfect home. It all starts with aMeaningful Conversation.

https://www.facebook.com/thehightowerteam/videos/540416276467853/

It’s like in any other relationship where a two-way conversation is important. Open communication requires asking questions, knowing each other, and sharing experiences.

And in having meaningful conversation, you share what motivates you in finding the perfect home. This will give me an understanding of what your core values and strengths are.

Just like how my client and I won the deal by having a Meaningful Conversation and doing the Perfect Home Exercise, I want to do the same with every buyer I work with.

And as a Thank You…

I’m giving away a Summer Weekend Getaway in Silverthorne, CO for you and your family or friends! This will start on the 2nd Quarter of the year from April ’til June.

Referral Contest by Travis Hightower: How to win a free summer weekend getaway in Silverthorne, Colorado

Rules: The person that refers me the most people in their life to have Real Estate conversation will get these amazing prizes:

  • Grand Prize: A FREE trip to Silverthorne. Bring your friends, family and loved ones in the comforts of 3 beds, 3 baths condo that can fit up to 10 people comfortably. You’ll be able to enjoy the mountains which I am passionate about.
  • 2nd prize: 3 winners of $100 gift certificate to REI Co-op. If you don’t have the most referrals but you’re on the top four, you’ll get an REI co-op GC.
  • 3rd Prize: 5 winners of $20 gift certificate from Starbucks. A cup of coffee going to work or just to have with a friend.

3 Steps to Refer Someone

You can reach me thru:

Phone: 303-829-7724
Email: go@travishightower.com
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Filed Under: #Denver Real Estate Tagged With: broker, Contest, Denver, DenverRealEstate, grand prize, Prizes, real estate agent, real estate tips, realtor, referral content, silverthrone, Travis Hightower

What It’s Like to be Referred to Me

March 11, 2019 by Travis Hightower

What it's like to be referred to Travis Hightower in Real Estate?

Last week, I talked about how referrals are the lifeblood of my business.
99% of my clients are personal referrals from friends or past clients.

This week, I want to share what the winning combo looks like when I work with a referral. What happens when someone refers me someone they trust and I take care of them.

The Client’s Goals

I really want to talk about a specific client that went from renter to buyer. They literally rented for a year just to get comfortable with Colorado and to make sure they were aware of where they wanted to live.

When I met with them, we talked about two possibilities:

  1. House in the suburbs – where they’re currently living. And would be the stepping stone to their dream property.
  2. A horse property – the dream house.

When I left that conversation I just really felt the client had her heart set on having a horse property. It really meant a lot to her to own something like that.

He is not a full man who does not own a piece of land

I actually wrote her a thank you card for taking the time to meet with me. And I literally put a stamp with horses on that card because I felt that that’s what she truly wanted and connect to.

Financing Program

When we started the process, she had mentioned something around doing doctor financing.

I was wondering what kind of doctor programs were out there. So, I literally called all the lenders in my referral network trying to figure out who had a program like this.

I ran into one at Compass Bank where if you’re a medical doctor or a physician, you can do 0% down with no MI up to $650,000. This was an amazing find because it allowed them to actually affirm that looking for a horse property was a possibility. They don’t need to make the house in the ‘burbs be the step because the program fit what the borrowers want.

Finding “The One”

This journey actually started off really great in May. We found a property that was a really great fit after the client has checked out some open houses. Then the market knocked us around a bit…

Multiple Failures

We got priced out with multiple offers. So we started out in the foothills and just kept exploring to see what possibilities were out there including what could fulfill this horse property dream.

Suze Orman's Real Estate Advice Owning a Home is a Keystone of Wealth

We even got bid out on a property in Sedalia. And we went through some forced outcomes where the buyers are really starting to feel like, “Ah man, I’m tired of renting. We just need to find something.”

It Was Destiny

I remember standing outside of a house in Parker of the Hess road. It fit everything that they wanted – had land perfect in all ways. But it was right on Hess Road where you could literally hear the cars wheezing by.

And we just talked about how we didn’t need to force it. I’m remember giving both of the clients a hug and just saying, “This will work out if we stay committed to what it is that you want.”

And through this process, we even considered doing Plan A – going back to the house in the ‘burbs. So was really powerful to just share that moment with them where we weren’t forcing that outcome and really getting clear on what the vision was when we started.

And within 2 weeks, “The One” showed up in Sedalia. It was pretty magical because we had that moment in early August. And then this property literally popped up.

Offered Below List and Won the Deal

If you remember last year the market started off really hot in the beginning of the selling season, ran hard in May and June, and it started to soften up towards the end of the summer. And when that happened, it created a great opportunity because the house that was previously under contract came back on.

This was “The One” because when we walked into it was nicely updated, had horse property potential with acreage, and a unique lot with all scrub oak and rolling hills. It was just a really cool property that fit the vision that the clients were looking for. And when we left that property the buyer literally couldn’t stop thinking about how awesome this was and how it fit everything that they were looking for.

It was listed for $675,000 but we actually offered $650,000 and we won the deal. This is because that house had been previously under contract and the sellers were just ready to move on.

Found Your Dream Home Yet? Call Travis Hightower

The Power of a Winning Combo

They just worked out so perfectly because it fit within the program. It fit within the original budget that we set in the beginning of the process. But most importantly it fit this vision that really was just a dream in the beginning. And we were able to make that a reality.

I shared this because this is a winning combo of where a referral – someone that showed up for me from another agent in another state referred me this client. I got to keep in touch with them for more or less a year and then they become a buyer after that. And then we created this experience together.

And that’s the power of having a triangle of trust. Creating a winning combo where everyone’s committed, right?

I’m committed to this client because I want them to find the perfect house. It means a lot to me that they realize their dream as much as possible.

And it’s perfect for the person that referred me as well. Since he’s another agent, he’s got to celebrate this experience along side us.

Real Estate Infographic Winning Combo with Travis Hightower

Next Week…

Stay tuned because I’m going to share my referral sources. These are trusted resources I can refer to you. They will help you win in some of the most important parts of a real estate transaction.

Filed Under: #Denver Real Estate Tagged With: #303Life, ColoradoRealEstate, DenverRealEstate, DreamHome, PerfectHome, PersonalReferrals, RealEstateAgent, RealEstateTips, realtor, TravisHightower

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Travis Hightower, real estate agent serving Lakewood and the Denver metro

Travis Hightower · Keller Williams Realty
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