Rent or Buy in Colorado Current Market Conditions? It’s a Complicated Question



May 25, 2012Deciding whether to rent or buy is a critical step in the home buying process.  While renters often feel that they are “throwing money away” by renting, the economics of this real estate question is not quite that simple. With home ownership, you see additional costs (both financial and time/effort costs) than you would with renting.  For example, maintenance, taxes, insurance, etc. But,...

Best Colorado School Districts



May 16, 2012As mentioned in previous blogs, it can be beneficial to consider the school district when purchasing homes- not only because it will help you send your kids to the school of your choosing, but living in a good school district can add value to your home. If you are looking to move to Colorado from out of state, or considering a move within the state and want to include school districts in your...

How Much To Spend on Colorado Housing



May 15, 2012One critical step in the home search process is determining how much to spend on housing.  The amount that you ultimately spend on housing is personal, and will of course be limited depending on fund available (either through income or loans).  But, it is important to consider how much you want to spend carefully, and to take into account both up front costs and ongoing costs. Up Front...

Resources for Choosing the Best Colorado School District



May 14, 2012In our last blog, we talked about the importance of considering the school district when choosing your next home.  Not only does it impact where your kids might go to school, but it can also add value to your home. How much flexibility do you have in your home search? For many, a reasonable commute to work is the first limiting factor that determines where you will live.  If you have...

Why You Should Choose The Best School District When You Choose Your Home



May 11, 2012In addition to considering home size, style, additional amenities, and location, you may want to consider adding a “good school district” to your home search criteria.  If you have kids or are planning to, this may already be on your list.  But, even if you are not planning on starting a family it may still be worth considering. Buying a home in a good school district will not only make...

Spotlight on Lakewood, Colorado: A Great Place for Young Families:



May 9, 2012Looking to move out of the city and start a family?  Many families are looking at Lakewood because they can buy a bigger house in Lakewood than in many Denver areas, live in a good school district, and still have a reasonable commute to work. Lakewood is a great place for young families that are moving to Colorado, or moving to a new home in Colorado: 1) Family Sized Homes at Family...

The Importance of Determining the Current Market Value of a Home



May 7, 2012As a home buyer, you want to know that you are making a good investment.   Part of making a good investment means knowing the value of a home, in the current conditions.  This way, you  will know when to walk away from a bad deal. Or, recognize the deal of a lifetime if it shows up. But how do you determine the value of a home?  Is it the listed price or asking price of the home?  Can...