Nicole Strom Realtor️ 12 hours ago

Are sellers still paying closing costs in El Paso County? The Q3 2026 numbers say yes, in most cases. Chicago Title of Colorado looked at every home sale in the county from July through September. Here’s what I found most interesting: About 65% of sales included a seller concession, and the median was $10,000 every single month. Homes between $300,000 and $400,000 had the highest rate, reaching nearly 80% in September. Homes over $1 million had concessions less often, but when they happened, they were often larger. Your ZIP code makes a big difference. In September, more than 80% of sales in 80916 and 80925 included a concession, while fewer than half did in 80132 and 80905. Something many people don’t realize: seller concessions are negotiated up front, as part of the offer, not at the end of the transaction. If you’re thinking about selling, it helps to plan for a concession before you list so it’s part of your pricing strategy from the start. If you’re buying, decide what to request before you write your offer. Your lender can walk you through how those funds could work for your situation. Inspection items are a separate conversation, and I have a strategy for resolving them that benefits both buyers and sellers. It’s a true win/win. Reach out and I’m happy to share how it works.

Nicole Strom Realtor️ 16 hours ago

Don't Let the Fear of a Buyer Backing Out Scare You Away from Selling What if you finally get an offer on your house... and then the buyer backs out? It's every seller's nightmare. And with headlines about canceled contracts on the rise, it's a concern worth talking about. But here's what those headlines aren't telling you: 85–90% of home sales still make it to closing. And there's more good news. You can actually take steps to protect your sale before your house even hits the market. According to a Redfin survey, 70% of agents say inspection or repair issues are a reason buyers back out. That's the biggest reason reported, by far. So, what's one smart move you can make? Consider getting a pre-listing inspection. It could help you spot potential problems early, decide what to fix, and avoid surprises that might send a buyer running. And that's just one piece of the puzzle. The right preparation, pricing, and negotiation strategy can make a real difference. Selling your house doesn't have to feel like a gamble. A little preparation can give you a much stronger start. Thinking about selling? Send me a message, and let's talk about how to set your sale up for success.

Nicole Strom Realtor️ 18 hours ago

Ever wonder what those view and save counts on Zillow actually mean? Zillow Research looked at two years of listings and compared first-week activity with what happened at sale. The typical listing went under contract in 15 days and sold for 98% of its list price. Homes with more engagement in their first week did even better. Here is what stood out, measured per day during the first week: Views: 250 or more usually meant pending within a week. 500 or more often meant selling above list price. Saves: This was the strongest signal. 5 or more saves per day meant an offer was likely within a week, compared with 41 days for homes with no saves. 10 or more was a strong sign of selling above list. Shares: 10 or more and most homes went pending within a week. 20 or more pointed to selling above list price. A few things I always keep in mind: These are daily numbers, not totals. They are national averages, so a home here in the Pikes Peak region should be compared with similar local homes. And saves matter more than views. If a home gets plenty of views but few saves, buyers are seeing it and moving on, which usually comes back to the photos, the price, or the description. The first week is a seller’s best window to learn from the data and adjust while a listing is still fresh.