How Real Estate Can Help You Beef Up Your 401(k)

You don’t just have to let your 401(k) sit there. You can actually put it to work for you through real estate, and you might even be able to double its growth.

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Today I want to talk to you about your 401(k). Maybe you've spent the last 20 to 30 years building up this pretty nest egg, but did you know that you can actually self-direct that 401(k) wherever you want it to go or take your IRA and move it to a self-directed platform? Did you know that you can buy real estate with your 401(k) and have tremendous tax savings as a result?

Imagine being able to take your 401(k) and double its growth.

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I’m no tax attorney or CPA, but I have seen a number of my colleagues use this amazing tool to save money on their taxes by buying property within their 401(k). There are two companies that I’m familiar with that specialize in handling this type of transaction. Much like a 1031 exchange helps you transition from one investment property to another, Advanta IRA and New Direction IRA are wonderful businesses that act as custodians in the self-directed world of retirement.

Imagine being able to not just make 4% per year on your traditional IRA. Imagine being able to take that money to buy a piece of real estate instead. You’ll also be able to contribute to your 401(k) every year and be able to make money on that every month as you collect rent.

With a regular 401(k), it’s not appreciating based on the values around it, but it can if you use it to buy real estate. If you leave it in there for 20 years, it’s going to double. It’s very possible you could be seeing regular double-digit growth on your investment in your property.

If you have any questions about how this process works or how you can get started, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How Do You Know if It’s the Right Time to Move?

Are you looking to make a move, but are waiting for a sign that it’s the right choice? If any of these 16 points sound familiar, then this message could be that sign.

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If you’ve been considering moving but aren’t sure whether now’s the right time, there are a few key indicators you should look out for. Today, we’ll share 16 such signs:

1. Your financial situation has changed. Whether your current home has become too expensive or you’ve earned enough to make an upgrade, a change in budget can be a strong sign it’s time to move.


2. You’ve outgrown your storage space. Sometimes, no matter how tightly we pack our shelves and closets, there just isn’t enough room for everything we own. If this has happened to you, purging some unneeded belongings and moving to a smaller home or hauling your things to a new, larger space may be the next best step.


3. Your family is expanding. Sometimes, a large number of belongings isn’t the culprit behind space issues. The birth of a new child can also be a good reason to find a new, larger home.


4. Fewer people now live in your home. Whether your kids have flown the nest or you previously shared your home with roommates who have decided to move on, a decrease in the number of people living in the home can prompt those who still live there to downsize.


5. Your neighborhood is on the decline. Neighborhoods go downhill for a number of reasons, and any of them can serve as a good reason to move.


6. You have a dream your current home can’t support. Your home should match your lifestyle and the budget that comes along with it.


7. Your city doesn’t appeal to buyers. When there’s nothing in your area drawing new people in, values are sure to shrink. And when this happens, it’s sometimes best to get out while you can.


8. It costs you less to move. If your current property is so expensive that moving would be less so, it may be time to move. 

The people, amenities, and area surrounding your home should be a good fit for you.

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9. You’ve started cooking more (or less). If you’ve recently picked up an interest in the culinary arts, moving to a home with a larger kitchen might be best. Conversely, those who prefer not to cook and would rather live near restaurants may also find a move to be beneficial.


10. Your kids have stopped having friends over. The fewer guests you have, the less space you need.


11. You’re intimidated by the thought of rising interest rates. If you aren’t in your “forever home” and are worried how rising rates might impact your eventual move, taking the plunge sooner may be in your best interest.


12. You’ve been putting off moving for a while. There’s no time like the present.


13. The neighborhood no longer fits your wants and needs. The people, amenities, and area surrounding your home should be a good fit for you.


14. Your commute is too long. Moving might sound like a hassle, but driving an hour to and from work each day can be quite stressful, as well.


15. Things are getting serious with that special someone. Whether you’re looking to move closer to a long distance S.O. or you and your partner have decided to move in together, these can both be good reasons to find a new home.


16. You want a fresh start. 

There are many more signs that it’s time to move on, but these are just a few of the most common examples. If you have any other questions, would like more information, or want to discuss your real estate goals, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Why Should You Consider Buying or Selling in the Winter Months?

I’ve got some advice for anyone who is thinking about buying or selling a home this winter. Here’s what you need to know.

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As you know, I always say that it’s never a bad time to pursue your real estate goals. Now that we’re in the fall and nearing wintertime, a lot of people are under the impression that it’s a bad time to get involved in the market. Of course, there are holidays and parties and traveling, but there’s also a lot of off-time for potential buyers and sellers to do a lot of nothing. 

During the summer, a lot of the high-priced homes sell quickly. When an appraiser is pulling comps for the winter, they’re pulling these comps from the summer. Right now there are plenty of sellers in the marketplace who need to sell right now—it’s a great time for you to buy. Whether these homeowners are being relocated, upsizing, downsizing, or whatever, it’s a great time to buy while sellers really need to sell.

If you’re thinking about selling in the wintertime, the beauty of holiday decorations around your home plays to your strengths. It will make your home look great and appeal to those buyers who are in the market and have to buy before the end of the year. If your home is in a great location, the demand will certainly be there and will certainly be high.

Renting out your property instead of selling is always an option.

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The secret to real estate is to buy and never sell. If you’re contemplating whether to sell right now or whether you should rent the property out, there’s always room to discuss that during this time.

If you have any questions about your personal situation and what advantages you can have by buying or selling this winter, give us a call or send us an email today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

It Takes More Than Using Zillow to Fully Understand Our Market

Zillow can be a very useful resource during your home sale or home search, but don’t rely on it too heavily.

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Zillow is a phenomenal tool. It helps buyers, sellers, and homeowners alike get a grip on some real estate basics. However, putting too much stock in the information you find on Zillow is a recipe for disaster. 

Trying to fully understand the market from the data you see on Zillow alone is like trying to understand the entirety of the Lord of the Rings series after reading just one chapter.

The public record available on Zillow is an awesome resource, but you should still collaborate with a local, experienced Realtor when it comes time to pursue your real estate goals.

If you’re selling, for example, Zillow may set your home’s value as much as 20% above or below what it’s actually worth. Agents, on the other hand, will be able to reference specific, comparable properties to help you determine a more accurate home value.

Trying to understand the market from viewing Zillow is like trying to understand the Lord of the Rings after reading one chapter.

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It takes a local expert to achieve the best results from your home sale or your home search. Zillow is a great tool, but it isn’t the only resource you should rely on.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How to Avoid Costly Damages Caused by Poor Drainage

Cracks in your foundation from poor drainage cause damage which is costly to repair. Here is how you can avoid that becoming an issue.

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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come to a house where water has damaged the foundational walls, causing them to crack. This major home issue is caused by poor drainage.

One of the easiest ways that you can protect your house is to make sure that your drainage is coming down the downspouts, away from the house. Some people have landscapes that grade toward the home—this should be corrected immediately because melted snow and rainwater will be funneled toward your concrete foundation wall. Over time, this will erode and deteriorate it. That will eventually cause so much pressure on the wall that it cracks; once that happens, you’ll immediately lose $50,000 or more in value, since you’ve now got a structural problem that must be addressed.

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One of the easiest ways that you can protect your house is to make sure that your drainage is coming down the downspouts, away from the house.

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If you try to sell that house, the crack won’t go anywhere. You can cover it up with a band-aid or try to reinforce it, but it will be super difficult to overcome that flaw. Buyers won’t feel safe knowing that it could get worse over time or that they’ll have to pay to fix it if they purchase the house.

My advice to you is that if you have any sort of drainage running into your foundation, re-landscape it so that it flows away from your home. You’ll thank me for this because fixing a foundational crack is immensely costly.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be glad to guide and advise you however we can.

8 Home Repairs You Shouldn't Avoid, Pt. 8: Peeling Paint

Peeling paint seems like a minor issue, but it can expand into much larger and more expensive problems.

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For today’s eighth and final installment in my series on home repairs that you should not avoid, I want to discuss peeling paint.

If you have paint that you have not touched up in a long time, it will begin to peel. As it peels, water will seep into the wood, causing it to deteriorate. With each new problem, the expenses will grow exponentially.

Paint will typically begin to peel in areas of the house that are most exposed to the sun. Check those areas of your home first and scrape off the peeling paint, touch it up, or apply a fresh coat altogether. It is a relatively inexpensive gesture that could end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long-run, especially if you plan to sell the home or end up having to replace any damaged wood.

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Paint will typically begin to peel in areas of the house that are most exposed to the sun.

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I recommend having the paint refreshed every other year, just to ensure that the minor problems are taken care of before they escalate into bigger headaches.

If you have any questions or need referrals to painters or handymen, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be glad to help.

The 7th Repair to Not Avoid: Water Leaks

You want to avoid unexpected, costly repairs in your home’s future, correct? It is possible if you fix water leaks before they become a larger issue.

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Today I’m continuing my series on repairs that you should not avoid. For this installment, we’ll be talking about water leaks.

Water leaks may not seem like a big deal, but that small drip under your bathroom sink or in your basement can turn into something much larger. The issues get worse, rather than better. If you know there is a leak anywhere in your house, get it taken care of immediately.

The funny thing about leaks is that you cannot always tell where they are. I saw a leak in my garage but there is nothing over my garage, so I knew it could not have come from above. It came from 30 feet away in our master bathroom’s tub which had a crack in it near the drain. When it was full, the water seeped through and down the line into my garage. It would have been near impossible to know where the water was coming without speaking to a plumber who was, luckily, able to discover the source.

So, take a look at your leaks so they do not affect your electrical system, damage your drywall, or result in unexpected, costly repairs. Have a plumber come out on a yearly basis and get leaks repaired immediately to avoid the potential damages.

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Look at your leaks so they do not affect your electrical system, damage your drywall, or result in unexpected, costly repairs.

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If you have any questions about this or anything else real estate related, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

8 Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Avoid, Part 3: The Roof

It’s important that you have a professional roof inspection done once a year so it doesn’t end up causing leaks in your home.

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In the latest installment of our series covering the eight home repairs you shouldn’t avoid, we’re focusing on the roof. 

Whether your roof is made of tile, clay, asphalt, or stone-coated steel, it’s important that you have a professional inspection of it done annually. 

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Get up on your roof and make sure it’s in good condition.

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Once the openings in your roof become evident, water can seep in and cause leaks inside your home. This season, get up on your roof and make sure it’s in good condition for this year and the next. 

If you have any questions about roof repair or you have any other real estate needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

8 Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Avoid: Part 2

The second home repair you shouldn’t avoid is simple: clean your dryer vent. Doing so can help prevent a house fire.

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We’re continuing our eight-part series about home repairs you really shouldn’t avoid. 

The second repair you need to keep up with is cleaning your dryer vent. 

This is one of those hidden things that you don’t even think about, but clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of fires in homes. Take a few minutes to call Ductworks or Monster Vac to come out and clean your dryer vent. 

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Simply cleaning out your dryer vent can prevent a major catastrophe.

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While they’re at your home, they might as well clean all the ducts around the house. 

These companies will get the kindling out of the dryer vent. A clogged dryer vent can also make your whole house smell like the laundry room, so cleaning the vent can help with that too. 

This simple repair can prevent a major catastrophe, so make sure you get your dryer vent cleaned this month. 

Again, our goal at The Anderson Group is to make your life better. If we preserve our real estate and take care of our things, our things will take care of us. 

Stay tuned for the next can’t-skip repair item. In the meantime, give us a call or send us an email with any real estate questions you might have. We would be happy to help you!

Why Do Real Estate Agents Charge Commission?

Why do real estate agents charge commission? The answer lies in the value our services bring to you.

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Why do real estate agents charge a commission? 

In most cases, the one selling a home will be the one to pay a real estate agent’s commission. After all, the seller is the one using their resources to find a buyer for a home, and part of that includes paying for title insurance, loans, water, heating, and, yes, hiring a real estate agent.

In fact, one of the biggest expenses is actually hiring the professional that will help market, negotiate, and sell your home. Luckily, real estate is a commission-based business, so you don’t spend much money until the home actually closes.

Who you choose is critical. With the wrong person, you could be wasting a lot of time and they could be costing you thousands of dollars. Do they have the experience to accurately price your home? Do they have a team to help carry out the tasks associated with getting you to closing? Are they prepared to be available for you when you need them? 

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With the wrong agent, you could be wasting a lot of time and they could be costing you thousands of dollars.

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What is a job well-done worth to you? If you had to have surgery, would you draw a doctor's name out of a box or research doctors and look at online reviews to determine if they were the right pick for you?

Being in business for over 15 years, we have the experience of selling thousands of homes here in Denver with an average days on market of 20 days or less and a 98% sales-to-list price ratio. This year, we’ve even increased that ratio to 101%. 

Our team of eight is available at any moment during the transaction. The yard signs we put out direct people to call us on a recorded number so that we can get their information right there and then, after which one of our team members will be able to meet them at the house in 30 minutes or less.

The commission that we charge is the industry standard. We believe in giving you the best value for the lowest cost. With our team of highly specialized experts, we can help you make more money by selling your house at the highest possible price.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.