Dear Dave,
We’re planning to sell our home in the next year, and we’re trying to figure out what matters most as we get ready. We’ve heard about staging and updates, but if we only focus on a few things (because time and budget are real), what rooms really move the needle for buyers?
— Laura & Simon, Grand Junction

Dear Laura & Simon,
Great question!  There are a handful of rooms that consistently stand out in terms of buyer impact. So let’s walk through them—and I’ll tell you how to apply this here in Grand Junction.

Top Rooms to Focus On - Based on what buyer-agents report:

Living Room
Primary (Master) Bedroom
Kitchen

These are the rooms where buyers spend the most time (in person or in their minds), and where staging or condition make the biggest difference. Homes where these areas feel welcoming, functional, and move-in ready tend to sell faster and for moremoney  This also allows you to be strategic w ...

Dear Dave,
We’re thinking of selling our home in 2026—but with so many moving parts, we’re not sure when to start preparing or what steps we should take now to set ourselves up for success. What should we be doing this year so that when we go to sell, everything goes smoothly?
— Sarah & Tom, Grand Junction

Dear Sarah & Tom,
Great question—and smart thinking. If 2026 is your target year, then believe me when I say: the time to prepare is now. The groundwork you lay this year can make all the difference later—both for your stress level and your sale outcome. Let’s break down the three key areas to focus on:

1. Start with the Right Agent and the Right Advice
Working with a local real estate agent early is a game-changer. The market is evolving, and your home will be judged on today’s standards when you list next year. An experienced agent can help you understand exactly what buyers in the Grand Valley are ...

 
Dear Dave,
My husband is a big game hunter and he has some incredible mounts in our home. We are getting ready to put our house on the market and we can’t agree on having them in the house anymore.  Should we remove them or is it ok to leave them up? Of course, I think we have too many and he thinks they look awesome as they are his prized possessions.  Please help us settle this and tell us what we should do.
Betty, Fruita

Betty,
This is a common theme for homes in Western Colorado. The fact that we live in Western Colorado and not Chicago (not that there is anything wrong with Chicago) makes trophy mounts more acceptable in a home for sale.   There is however definitely a fine line of too much. Hunting is a way of life and not just a hobby, but in many cases, it borders on obsession for some. Many hunters like to showcase their mounts and in most cases, I am great with it.  To be honest I have a few mounts up in my home ??
The key her ...

Dear Dave,
I’ve been looking into doing some redecorating on my house. It looks like the new up and coming trend is wallpaper. What do you think of wallpaper in a newer home? I’m not considering any of the patterns from the 70’s, but what do the people that you work with think of wallpaper? Is it easy enough for someone to remove if I go ahead and do it and then sell my house? I just want to be smart and not do something that will be a huge deterrent from my house when I decide to sell it.
Thank you – I really enjoy reading your answers each and every week!
Jaquie – Grand Junction, CO
 
Jaquie,
Great question! You are right! Wallpaper is starting to make a comeback and is gaining quite a bit of traction in the housing market again. You know what they say, if you wait long enough it will come back and be popular again and I think that is where we are headed with wallpaper. At least to some extent.
Keep in mind that wallpaper of any kind is a ...

Dear Dave,
My husband and I are buying a new construction home and are very excited to build a house we love. We’ve decided on our lot and are about to meet with our builder to decide on some major aspects of the home. Our question for you is—what upgrades should we go for? What holds the most value? High-end finishes vs. larger square footage? I’m sure our builder will also have an opinion, but we’d love to hear what you think as well!
– Becca, Grand Junction

Dear Becca,
First of all—congratulations! There’s nothing quite like the excitement of building a home from the ground up. Having the chance to customize your space and design a home that fits your lifestyle is a unique opportunity, and it’s smart to approach those decisions with an eye on both livability and future resale value.
When it comes to choosing upgrades, start with the basics—your lot and floor plan.
1. Pick the Right Floor Plan
Go for a layout that&rsq ...