Category: Buying a Home In Colorado: The Guide

Are You Ready for Home Ownership?



August 25, 2010I have read many articles that help people decide if they are ready to become a home owner.  They tend to focus only on the financial obligation of home ownership.   Can you afford the monthly payments?  Do you have good credit and manage your credit?  Can you afford the maintenance of a home?  Especially now, these questions are on everyone’s mind when thinking about home...

Colorado Home Loans Have Gone On Sale, Part Two



August 19, 2010One of our exclusive buyer agent's also created another interesting chart showing a different perspective on what dropping interest rates mean for home owners’.  How much of a loan can you get for $2,000 per month?  In other words, for $2,000 a month, for 30 years, what can you buy? Your monthly mortgage payment is made up of principal and interest.  If the interest portion goes way down,...

Interest Rates Reach Record Lows



August 18, 2010What does this mean for home buyers? It is easy when shopping to look only at the price tag: it is right there, in front of your face.  But, if you use a credit card, there is that hidden price tag that nobody wants to think about: interest.  I dislike interest so much that I don’t even have a credit card, and I never have. (Yes, I know that using a card responsibly can help establish...

3 Things Home Buyer’s should know about Open Houses



August 11, 2010Looking for a way to get in some homes and get a feel for what is on the market?   Open houses avoid the step of contacting the listing agent to schedule a showing.  The open house is an opportunity for buyer’s to have less pressure.  Or is it? 1)      Listing agents also use open houses to find buyers.  Most home viewers that go to open houses are unrepresented, meaning they are not...

Which Comes First: the Home Loan or the Home?



August 9, 2010Should a Home Buyer Seek Pre-Approval or a Home First? Starting a home search can feel a little bit like the “Chicken and the Egg” riddle.  Should a buyer become pre-qualified for a home loan first, before finding a home they would like to purchase?   Or, should a buyer start shopping for homes before knowing what type of loan they might qualify for? The Real Estate Division of the...

Is a Short Sale a Good Opportunity for a Home Buyer?



August 5, 2010When you hear about real estate these days, these terms come up often: “short sale” and “foreclosure.”  For the potential home buyer, these phrases can evoke both interest and fear.  Interest because it sounds like the potential for a great deal, and fear because of the potential to end up in the same boat. But what is a short sale? Is it an opportunity for a good investment?  Is it...

Understand Your Home Buying Motives to Develop the Best Search Strategy



July 28, 2010There are many different reasons to purchase a home, and the story behind your purchase defines your future home better than how many bathrooms and bedrooms you want. Each motive will require a different home search strategy. For example, a first time home owner is likely to be in a different situation than someone shopping for a ski in ski out condo in Breckenridge, each will require a different...