The Home Search: Experience vs. Online Tools



July 18, 2010I was just sitting down to write about why online home searches can give an incomplete picture.  Since I haven’t been home searching in a while, I went back to my old friend Zillow to look at the home we almost purchased.  One feature I really loved on Zillow is that it gives the transaction history from public record, so you can see how much the current owners bought it for, etc.  This...

5 Colorado Cities Rank in CNN Money’s Top 100 Small Cities to Live



July 15, 2010I have lived now in Boulder, Evergreen, Denver, and Lakewood.  I loved living in each of these cities in Colorado, and I have to admit that my pride was a little bit bruised when none of the cities I lived in, none of My Cities were ranked in this list. But, just goes to show you, Colorado is amazing, and I feel a great sense of pride to see my neighbors on these quality of life lists. Colorado...

Top Three Reasons It is a Great Time to Buy . . . For Me



July 9, 2010I was going to write a blog explaining why it is a great time to buy, in general.  But, given the times we are in, it is a little bit difficult to make blanket statements like that.  I think we all might have a new appreciation for the complexities of real estate, and the good old value of the dollar.  I don’t think many people are in the business of spending money on a whim right now,...

How Our Buyer’s Agent Saved us Money.



July 5, 2010Does working with an experienced buyer’s agent pay off? For us it did.  Our agent’s experience and knowledge steered us away from buying a home that was not at a good value. We also saw the negative impact that the seller’s agent may have had on the seller. Timely responses are critical. We had made an offer on a home that was listed for $220,000 of $205,000.  The seller’s agent did...

What Are Buyer Agent Responsibilities?



July 2, 2010In Colorado, we have an Exclusive Right-to-Buy Contract approved by the Colorado Real Estate Commission that defines the basic buyer agent responsibilities.  In other words, this document was not written by your agent and it is a legal contract.    In general, the buyer agent is responsible for helping you and protecting your interests from house hunting to closing day.  Here are the...

Possible Extension of Tax Credit Deadline for New Home Buyers



June 30, 2010Missed Your Closing Deadline for the Tax Credit?  Don’t despair; you may still get the credit you deserve! Are you one of about 180,000 home buyers that went into contract by April 30th but may miss the tax credit because you haven’t closed yet?  Because of the popularity of the tax credit, lenders and appraisers have experienced closing delays.   If this is affecting you, there is good...

Top Four Things You Should Know About Your Buyers Contract



June 30, 2010When you are buying a home, you will sign several contracts.   If you are working with a buyer’s agent, you will sign a buyer agency agreement.  When you have found a home you would like to buy, you will sign a buyers contract, or contract to buy and sell real estate. 1.   Understand the finances set in your buyers contract. Your buyers contract will define your purchase price and terms...