4 Reasons To Go Home Shopping During the Holidays



December 2, 2010Toys and electronics aren't the only things that go on sale during the holiday season- home prices tend to drop as well. Depending on your situation, the holidays can be an excellent time to go home shopping!  Here are a few of the pros to Home Shopping during the holidays. 1) Less competition leads to lower prices, and less bidding wars. During the holidays, many families are busy with...

Home Sellers See Equity Gain of 24-40%



November 17, 2010In the real estate race, the tortoise wins, not the hare, according to the National Association of Realtors consumer study released on November 5, 2010.  Homeowners that lived in their homes for a longer period of time made a greater return on their investment.   In other words, home buyers should consider it a long term investment, not a quick turn-around.  Long term home owners are still...

Home Buying Basics: Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval



November 15, 2010What is pre-qualification? Pre-qualification is the first step towards securing a loan.  Typically, the pre-qualification process is a phone interview with a lender, but some lenders allow you to submit information online.  The lender is gathering information about your financial status to make a tentative decision about whether or not they will loan you money.  They will ask about your...

Equity, Appreciation and Tax Savings Anyone?



November 10, 2010One of the primary benefits of home ownership is financial.   Buying a house is an investment.  According to Wikipedia, “Investment is putting money into something with the hope of profit.”    I appreciate the honesty of this definition.  There is some hope involved.  Most investments are not a sure thing.  Let’s take a look at the basics of a real estate investment. Equity For a...

Better to Rent or Buy?



November 3, 2010When deciding to buy a home, it is important to take a look at the finances between renting and buying.  There are many calculators available that can help you decide if it is a better financial decision to rent or to buy.  While writing rent checks often feels like throwing money away, and owning seems like an investment because of building equity, it is not always that simple. Factors like...

The Sun is Shining, Interest Rates are Dropping, Go Buy a House!



November 1, 2010It’s hard to believe that it is fall in Denver when it is sunny and 80 degrees, in October.  It couldn’t be any more beautiful, and I think everyone appreciates it more because it feels like we are on borrowed time.  Go out to the park today, because we might not get another day like this until May. But, anyone that has lived here through at least one fall and winter knows: winter will...

Home Buyer Tip: Don’t buy the most expensive home in the neighborhood



October 18, 2010Buying your home is a large financial investment, maybe even the largest one your family will make. As a home buyer, you want to get the most value for your money.   If your primary motive for purchasing the home is to sell it and make a return, this tip is for you. Room to be Promoted Location, location, location:  The most important rule in Real Estate.  Everyone knows that the location...