March Madness is Here!

Whew…the first two months of the year have flown by and now we are embarking on another incredibly busy month with St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break, and Easter all rolled up into one. That coupled with the unpredictable weather that typically occurs in the early Spring can make

for a roller coaster with plans and chores both indoors and outdoors. This year as you begin to work around your house and spruce things up for the Spring, Summer, and Fall months ahead, I would like to encourage each of you to take a serious look at the value of your property. Why?

We all know that the cost of real estate has escalated throughout the country and Mesa County is no exception. There are many reasons for it and one big reason is the building costs for materials and manpower, not to mention other requirements from the City and County municipalities. Please ask yourself this question, “If something major happened to my home, would I be adequately insured to rebuild or repair the property?”. A home is the largest investment that most people will make in their lifetime. It is estimated that nearly two out of three homes in America are underinsured. The average underinsurance amount is about 22%,

though some homes are underinsured by 60% or more, according to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

In the past 10 years, the value of property in this area has steadily increased. If you have not taken a look at the true value of your property in the very recent past, then you need a current valuation on your property. I am not talking about a quick look at Zillow, I am talking about a properly prepared and researched valuation that can be a much more accurate assessment of your home’s replacement cost. Once you have that information you can make a call to your homeowners insurance carrier and have the conversation to make certain that you have the proper coverage that you need for your property.

There is another reason to have a current valuation prepared for your property. If you have a conventional mortgage loan and are currently paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), your property’s value may have reached the 20% loan-to-value percentage that could enable you to have that additional monthly fee removed from your mortgage payment. That could amount to hundreds of dollars in savings each year. There are many reasons to have an accurate valuation provided for your property. Remember this is probably the largest investment that you will make in your lifetime. Take the time to protect your investment and also

to know the true value of your property.

The Shafer Team is committed to assisting our clients and we will offer all of our clients in the Western Colorado area the opportunity to have a complimentary Home Valuation of your property at absolutely NO COST to you. We use the same process that appraisers utilize to provide our Professional Property Valuations for our clients. Please feel free to reach out to one of our licensed real estate agents to schedule your home valuation today. The Shafer Team is proud to be your professional real estate partner.

Cheers!

-The Shafer Team

We Are Western Colorado Real Estate

🍀 March Giveaway! 🍀

21 Interior Design Trends That Will Be Everywhere in 2024

It's that time when design pros are using their expertise and creativity to reveal the top interior design trends for the upcoming year — and, as in previous years, their predictions don't disappoint. Whether you're planning a gut renovation or simply looking to complete a budget-friendly home refresh, this list of 2024's biggest home trends from some of our go-to design experts is here to help.

Several of the styles — statement wallpaper, bold hues, and striking tiles, for example — prove to have staying power. However, a few more innovative ideas have popped up as well. Among them are woodgrain millwork and design schemes with wellness offerings.

Regardless of where your design sensibilities lie, you're sure to find a dose of inspiration in this roundup. So, go ahead and consider revamping an entire room or moving forward with a simple upgrade like a hardware change, paint project, or new furniture to craft the bedroom retreat or living room of your dreams.



Kenzie’s View

Happy March!

I am very excited for this month because there is so much to do! We have Saint Patrick’s Day, Spring Break for all of the students and families, and an early Easter for get-togethers for everyone. It is also finally warm enough to go outside and have a good time! So for this months

article, I want to tell you some of my favorite outdoor activities to do over the holidays and Spring Break. 

Saint Patrick’s Day is on March 17th, which is on a Sunday this year. With the weekend, everyone has the day to celebrate this special occasion. Biking is a great activity and this would be the perfect time to head out to the hills with your mountain bike, or just bike along the Riverfront Trail (28 miles of paved trail). You can bike with friends and family or go solo. This is a great form of exercise, not to mention it will be easier to catch a leprechaun.

Spring Break has different dates depending on where you live and go to school, but it can be relaxing to get an entire week off for students and families. This would be a great time to put on your hiking boots and visit many of the trails that this area has to offer. The Colorado National

Monument is a great place to start. It has more than twenty-five breathtaking trails to choose from. They range from easy and short to long and difficult. You can choose which trail is best for

you and/or your family and see how beautiful the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Valley can be. 

Easter is on Sunday, March 31 this year. I will never be too old to enjoy our family tradition of an Easter egg hunt. We love hunting for Easter eggs which always have fun treats inside of them. Finding these special eggs is good motivation for getting outside and enjoying the

wonderful Western Colorado fresh air and sunshine not to mention it is also a good form of exercise. Do you think you are fast enough to catch the Easter Bunny? Thank you so much for reading my article, I hope you get outside and have fun this month. See you in April! (Watch out for leprechauns and the Easter Bunny!)

See you next month!

-Kenzie

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🎉 March Birthday! 🎉

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Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide

Both locals and visitors love the adventure guide: Trail suggestions with ratings, maps for Nature’s Trifecta, itineraries, easy-to-navigate directories, and hundreds of colorful images. The best part? No ads! The destination speaks for itself. So follow your passion, broaden your horizons, and try new things. Here at Grand Junction, we are not limited to going any one way or another, we go whichever way life leads and you’re all welcome to join. We look forward to meeting you!

Whether you are a local resident or a visitor, consider stopping by the Grand Junction Visitor Center (740 Horizon Drive), where we will gift you a free stamped postcard so you can share your adventures with friends and family. You’ll also find trail maps, trip ideas, and most importantly, friendly and helpful Ambassadors who are happy to answer your questions and provide advice - all with a smile. All materials at the Grand Junction Visitor Center are complimentary.

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