Bonnie and Josh Sherman's Blog Posts

The #1 Rule: Call Us Or the Warranty Company FIRSTIf something breaks — furnace, fridge, water heater, A/C — your first call must be to the home warranty company.Not a local repair tech.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make — and the first year of ownership is often the most unpredictable. That’s why, for nine years, we’ve

If you own a home in Northern Colorado — whether it’s in Greeley, Windsor, Ault, Eaton, or anywhere in Weld County — a home warranty is one of the most underrated tools you can

Your Contractor Network Can Make or Break Your FlipOne of the biggest advantages our investors have is access to our trusted contractor network — people we’ve worked with for years

Your Neighborhood Matters More Than the HouseOne of the biggest mistakes new investors make is assuming every auction home has the same flip potential.Not true.In Northern Colorado, the neighborhood

Our Proven System for Evaluating Auction HomesAuction.com gives you photos, bid ranges, and basic info — but it doesn’t tell you whether the property will actually make you money.That

Why Greeley Auction Homes Can Surprise You (And How We Protect Your Budget)Buying an auction property in Greeley, Weld County, or anywhere in Northern Colorado can be a great way to build wealth

💡 Fixtures: When “High‑End” Doesn’t HelpBuyers may not pay extra for:Designer lightingCustom faucetsHigh‑end hardwareSmart‑home gadgetsSpecialty finishesWhy? Because these

🍽️ The Myth: “If I update it, buyers will pay more.”The reality:Buyers have different tastesTrends change fastUpdates don’t guarantee higher offersThe market sets the ceiling,

Why Homeowners Think Windows Add ValueWe've all seen those commercials where window companies often say:“New windows raise your home value.”“Buyers will pay more for energy

Solar companies love the line: “This will increase your home value.” That line was actually told to us in 2023 when we got solar panels on our personal residence and we had to

If you’re ready to downsize turf, xeriscaping is the smart, beautiful, water‑wise choice for Northern Colorado. There are practical, supported ways to make the switch without breaking the

Before you rip out turf or buy new controllers, get the facts. Greeley’s irrigation audits are a free, practical first step that many homeowners skip — and it costs them in water and

If you’re ready to take action, Greeley offers residential rebates and programs that help homeowners reduce outdoor water use and lower bills. These are real, city‑run options that can

Summer in Greeley means longer days, more yard time, and — for many homeowners — a water bill that climbs faster than the temperature. The single biggest driver is outdoor watering.

Why Seller Concessions and Home Warranties Still Matter in 2026If you’ve been watching the Northern Colorado market over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed a big shift: buyers

When buyers walk into a home, they’re not just looking at square footage and bedroom count — they’re looking for a feeling. A home that feels clean, updated, and well‑cared‑for

The One Thing Buyers Trust More Than Fresh Paint: Your Home’s Paper TrailIf there’s one thing we’ve learned from walking hundreds of buyers through homes in Northern Colorado, it

The Hidden Maintenance Issues That Can Kill Your Home Sale in Greeley & Weld CountyWhen buyers walk into a home, they’re not just looking at paint colors and layout — they’re

You Have More Options Than You ThinkIf you’re behind on your mortgage, it’s easy to feel like foreclosure is the only outcome. But in many cases, homeowners have several alternatives

A Real Northern Colorado Story of Hope and RecoveryIn 2018, we worked with a family who was facing foreclosure. They were overwhelmed, embarrassed, and convinced they were out of options. But after

Pre‑Foreclosure Isn’t the End — It’s the Beginning of Your Options“Pre‑foreclosure” sounds final, but it’s actually the stage where homeowners still have the

We’ve Been There — Not as Realtors, but as a FamilyIf you’re behind on your mortgage or feeling overwhelmed by financial stress, we want you to know something important: you&rsquo

As the weather warms up, many homeowners start thinking about projects — new flooring, fresh paint, kitchen updates, landscaping, and more. But before you spend money or hire a contractor, it

Spring is when Northern Colorado homeowners start thinking about projects and maintenance — but it’s also the perfect time to review something most people overlook: your homeowners

Spring is when buyers start warming up — and the ones who prepare early are the ones who win. If you’re thinking about buying in Northern Colorado this spring or summer, here’s how

Spring is when many Northern Colorado homeowners start asking the same question: “Are we ready to list?” Before you jump into repairs or updates, here are the seven steps that make the

Buying a home in Northern Colorado hasn’t been “easy” in years — but that hasn’t stopped our clients from succeeding. Whether rates were in the 2s or the 7s, whether

Mortgage rates have been the headline for years, but in 2026, the conversation is shifting. Rates have stabilized, buyers have adjusted, and the focus is now on affordability and strategy —

For many buyers in Greeley, Windsor, Severance, and surrounding areas, the biggest challenge in 2026 isn’t the interest rate — it’s the cash needed to close. Down payments, closing

Buying a home in Northern Colorado has changed a lot over the past few years, and so has the conversation around buyer representation. With headlines claiming you “don’t need an agent

Northern Colorado Market Update: Why 2026 Is Still a Smart Time to Make a MoveEvery January, we hear the same question: “Is now a good time to buy or sell?”In Northern Colorado, the

Do You Really Need a Realtor in 2026? Here’s the Truth Behind the Online AdviceThere’s a lot of noise online right now — advice that says you don’t need a Realtor, that AI

Selling Your Home in Greeley or Windsor? Here’s What 2026 Sellers Need to KnowIf you’re thinking about selling your home in Greeley, Windsor, Evans, or Ault, the start of the year is one

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Greeley, Windsor, Severance, or anywhere in Northern Colorado, you’ve probably seen the same dramatic headlines about mortgage rates. The

If you’ve been watching the housing market over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed one thing:it’s been a roller coaster.Between rising rates, low inventory, and intense

You’ve done it — you’ve found the right home, made it through inspections, and closed the deal. You’re finally a homeowner!But a few months after moving in, reality can hit

For many hopeful homebuyers across Northern Colorado, the biggest hurdle isn’t finding the perfect home — it’s coming up with the down payment.In conversations with buyers in

If you’ve been watching the housing market in Northern Colorado, you’ve probably noticed the same thing everyone else has — interest rates are higher than they were a few years.

At our homebuyer class in September, just about every person asked this question.  If you’ve just started a new job in Northern Colorado or may have gone from one job to another, you may

This is probably one of the most common questions we get as realtors from people who want to buy a home.  We all probably have the Credit Karma app downoaded and we all probably check it as

Another question our homebuying class had earlier this month was:“How can I buy a house if I don’t have credit?” It’s a common concern, and the good news is that not

We did a homebuyer class earlier this month and there were a bunch of good takeaways from the class that we're going to be rolling out over the next few weeks in an attempt to crash through barriers

If you're comparing cities in Colorado, understanding the cost of living in Greeley, CO is a smart place to start. Here's what to expect in 2025 — and why more buyers are making the move.🏠

Thinking of moving and wondering, “Is Greeley, CO a good place to live?” You’re not alone. Greeley has become a hidden gem in Northern Colorado, and in 2025, it continues to

The Ultimate Pre Approval Cheat SheetCo-written by The Sherman Team and Allan SalterIt’s no secret that it’s a big deal when it comes to getting pre-approved to buy a home.  All of

The Ultimate Pre-Approval Cheat Sheet Part 1: How Credit Scores Are AffectedMan, when I (Josh) first started to attempt to wrap my head around this thing called credit and how much it mattered when

The Ultimate Pre-Approval Cheat Sheet Part 2: Alternative CreditCo-Written By Allan Salter and The Sherman TeamFor those of you guys who might just be tuning in, we have been partnering with

Ultimate Pre-Approval Cheat Sheet Part 3: Paper TrailsCo-Authored by Allan Salter and The Sherman TeamWhen it comes to helping you guys get ready to buy a house, that’s where we really have to

Ultimate Pre-Approval Cheat Sheet Part 4: Other Closing Costs and How To Help Pay For Them Co-Authored by Allan Salter and The Sherman TeamPart of this series regarding pre approval 

The Effects That Deferring Car Payments Has On HomebuyingBy Allan Salter and The Sherman TeamDue to the fact that we have gotten asked about this subject a lot, we thought that we would take a

Don’t Get SurprisedBy Allan Salter and The Sherman TeamThere are certain times where it’s good clean fun to be part of a surprise. But in the Real Estate lending world we want to avoid

When Was The Last Time You Talked To Your Homeowners Insurance Agent?If you had to stop and think about it, then quite possibly it’s time to hit them up again and check in. The whole reason

Developing a Custom Pre-Approval PlanAs we chug along in 2023, 2023 and beyond, one of the biggest messages that we want to put out there is when it comes to getting ready to buy a house, not only

What Is Title Lock Exactly?This seems to be the latest craze to hit TV and Radio ads. Title Lock pitches that your home title can easily be taken right out from under you unless you subscribe to

5 Credit Do-Not-Do’sIt can either be building or rebuilding credit, but credit is the top thing that we get asked about on an all-the-time basis. Having a good credit score is vital to being

We’re back, continuing the Ultimate Pre-Approval Cheat Sheet with Allan Salter with Mac 5 Mortgage and he’s once again lending some of his extensive knowledge on credit, purely because