Home Buying or Selling in a Divorce – Bernadette Melton
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Bernadette Melton!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…
Here’s what you missed from Bernadette Melton…
The conversation began with a fill-in-the-blank icebreaker on buyer concerns, investment strategies, and more. Bernadette introduces herself as a mother of three, she prioritizes her family and cherishes the experience of raising children. Additionally, Bernadette has a deep love for the mountains and currently resides in Colorado, where she appreciates the scenic beauty and the proximity to nature. Moreover, she has developed an interest in competitive robotics, which her son actively participates in.
Bernadette operates primarily in Erie, Colorado, situated directly north of Denver and east of Boulder. Erie exhibits a suburban environment with pockets of rural areas, offering residents the opportunity to enjoy both the tranquility of rural life and the convenience of nearby urban centers. Notably, the area boasts excellent views of the mountains and receives ample sunshine, creating a vibrant and appealing atmosphere. Her services extend beyond Erie, encompassing surrounding neighborhoods such as Broomfield, Lafayette, Thornton, and more. These areas collectively form the northern Denver Metro region. In terms of housing, the average properties in this market consist of two-story ranch homes and neighborhood houses, typically ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet in size.
Currently, the real estate market in Bernadette’s area presents a mixed scenario. While some homes sell rapidly within the first weekend of listing, others remain on the market for extended periods. The factors influencing these discrepancies include location, pricing, and the overall condition of the properties. By understanding the dynamics of the market, Bernadette can provide valuable insights and assistance to clients looking to buy or sell homes in this area.
In today’s digital age, most people initiate their home search online, regardless of their location. Recognizing this trend, Bernadette ensures that the homes she sells receive maximum exposure by utilizing virtual tools. This approach allows both local residents and out-of-town buyers to explore the properties she represents. Detailed floor plans provide a valuable perspective on the home’s layout while 3D walkthroughs offer an immersive experience, allowing buyers to virtually browse through the house and assess whether it suits their needs and preferences. Additionally, Bernadette offers virtual walkthroughs via FaceTime, providing clients with a better feel for the layout of the house and even allowing them to inspect drawers and doors remotely.
Serving various locations such as Erie, Broomfield, Lafayette, Longmont, and the surrounding areas requires a deep understanding of each local real estate market. To ensure Bernadette possesses accurate insights and can provide relevant recommendations to my clients, she employs a proactive approach. She stays constantly updated on new homes entering the market in each location. This entails daily monitoring and promptly informing potential buyers about suitable properties. Additionally, she conducts monthly meetings with her company to ensure they are all well-informed about market developments, including new trends and buyer preferences. Collaborating with a reliable title company and mortgage lender, they hold weekly combination meetings that provide a comprehensive market update, helping them stay on track and serve their clients effectively.
Furthermore, it is crucial for her to be aware of the broader real estate landscape in the United States. Understanding the larger market trends enables her to provide clients with a realistic expectation of what they can anticipate from their local market. By maintaining a deep understanding of both the local and national real estate markets, she can deliver accurate insights and make informed recommendations to guide her clients throughout their buying or selling journey.
Kevin then asked Bernadette about the event she hosted called Practical Considerations for Navigating Divorce. During the event, Bernadette and her group of professionals addressed several key topics related to navigating divorce. The event was part of a series of gatherings organized by the group, with another event focusing on navigating the challenges of aging. The group consists of financial and legal experts who recognized a common problem: people going through complex and difficult life transitions were not receiving consistent and reliable advice from professionals in different fields.
The purpose of their collaboration was to provide more comprehensive and well-rounded advice to individuals navigating these challenging situations. By pooling their expertise, the group aimed to guide individuals through divorce and aging with a stronger support system and access to diverse resources. The events not only benefit attendees by providing valuable information but also strengthen the professionals themselves as they exchange knowledge and resources.
Following that, the two discussed the common plumbing leading to water damage in homes. Water damage is a widespread concern for homeowners, and it can range from minor inconveniences to significant repairs. Bernadette emphasizes that water, as a substance, seeks the path of least resistance and can exploit any available cracks. The specific plumbing problems that commonly lead to water damage can vary depending on the geographical location. For instance, in Colorado, where Bernadette is based, certain issues arise due to weather conditions such as rain and hail. Spring storms often bring hail, making it crucial to ensure the roof’s integrity. If the roof is compromised, the entire structure beneath it becomes vulnerable. To address this, Bernadette recommends having a yearly inspection conducted by a reputable roofer to detect any damage and address it promptly.
In Colorado, there are also sump pits, which collect water around the house and divert it into a hole underneath. When the water level reaches a certain point, a sump pump is activated to pump the water out of the house. Proper landscaping is vital to ensure water drains away from the home instead of towards it, preventing water damage. Regular maintenance of plumbing systems is also essential to mitigate water-related problems. Bernadette stresses the importance of maintaining plumbing appropriately and conducting routine inspections. Water damage can be highly destructive and costly, making prevention and maintenance crucial for homeowners.
Next, Bernadette shares that she holds multiple designations that enhance her expertise in the real estate industry. One of these designations is the Pricing Strategies Advisor (PSA). This designation has proven to be valuable in her career, as it equips her with essential knowledge and skills regarding pricing strategies for different types of properties. As a firm believer in continuing education, Bernadette understands the importance of staying updated and being able to serve her clients effectively. The PSA designation enables her to excel in determining the best pricing strategies, particularly for properties that deviate from the typical cookie-cutter houses found in neighborhoods. Whether it’s properties located on farmland, in mountainous regions, or with picturesque lake views, Bernadette wanted to ensure that she could provide the best possible service to her clients.
When it comes to assessed property value and taxes, Bernadette sheds light on the concept of a “protest” and why it is necessary in certain situations. In Colorado, property taxes are reassessed every two years, with homeowners receiving new evaluation notices from the county. These notices outline the previous assessed value and the current assessed value of the property. If homeowners believe that the assessed value is incorrect or unjustifiably high, they have the option to appeal or “protest.” To assist her clients in this process, Bernadette thoroughly examines market data during a specific time period. She looks for homes that are as similar as possible to her clients’ properties, focusing on factors such as bed and bath count, square footage, finished square footage in the basement, garage size, and lot size. By comparing the client’s property to these comparable homes, she can determine if there is a discrepancy in the assessed value.
Bernadette’s role is to provide her clients with the necessary data and a well-documented description of their property, including the information that the county considers and the public records of the house. If there is a valid discrepancy, homeowners may have grounds for appeal to lower their property taxes. By offering this service, Bernadette helps her clients navigate the process and potentially achieve a more accurate assessment of their property value, resulting in fairer taxation.
The conversation wraps up with Kevin asking Bernadette about the content that has had a profound impact on motivating or inspiring her, Bernadette shares her personal experience and the guiding principle that has shaped her recent endeavors. This year, she crafted a new mission statement for her business and life. Her mission statement centers around living out her faith and embodying Christ’s love by loving and serving others wholeheartedly. This profound belief has become the driving force behind her actions and aspirations.
Check out Bernadette Melton:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernadette.melton
Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/bernadettemeltonrealtor
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