Category: Buying a Home In Colorado: The Guide

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...

Buyers Beware of the Home Stager



July 23, 2010I was reading today about a favorite trick of real estate agents, "home staging." In case you are not familiar with the concept, the idea is to make the house more appealing to buyers by preparing a home for viewing. For example, sometimes having a million dusty nick nacks all over the place can detract from the beauty of the home, and reduce its appeal to buyers. The home stager is advertising...

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...