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...

Mission Impossible 10 : Preparing for Closing Tomorrow



June 16, 2010This is one of those things where I always thought that by the time I buy a house I’m going to be this incredibly responsible super person that never pays late fees or does things at the last minute. Unfortunately, I have not yet transformed into that person. Today I had the seemingly simple task of “getting the things together that we need at closing.”  Sounds easy enough, right? ...

Being In Contract Reminds Me of Being 9 Months Pregnant:



June 11, 2010Anxiously awaiting the new part of your life as your current living situation becomes more and more uncomfortable. It’s been one million degrees in Denver for the last few days, and we don’t have air conditioning.  But our new house does.  Our new house is becoming more and more the oasis in the middle of the desert.   Someone stole my parking spot in front of our house and we don’t...

buyer’s agents Serve As Your Guide



June 3, 2010When your favorite fantasy character seems like a good person to turn too, it’s time to call an exclusive buyer’s agent. One thing that I wished I could find when I first decided to buy a home was a simple list of the steps involved in buying a house.  How do I get started?  Should I call a bank? Should I look online at houses? Should I call a real estate agent?  All I knew is that I...

Shopping for Home Insurance, A Great Way to Kick Off Memorial Day Weekend



May 29, 2010One of the other fun activities you do once you are in contract is shop for home insurance.  There is a deadline set in your contract called Property Insurance Objection Deadline.  Basically it means:  if you go past this date you cannot break contract because you don’t like your insurance. Because I am a grown up now, I called several companies to get a quote.  Even on Friday before...

Radon, and Lead Paint, and Stairs! Oh my!



May 27, 2010What to expect during your Home Inspection. One of the things that you will do after you go into the contract has your home inspected.  Everyone that I have talked to about buying a home told me that this is one of the most important parts of the process.   It is your chance to make sure that there are no big problems lurking behind that fresh coat of paint. Pick your poison: choosing...

The Family Who Called House: In other words, making a second offer.



May 17, 2010Now that we have gone through this process a few times, I have realized that making an offer as a first time home buyer can be broken down into four stages: Stage One: This is The One: we will grow old in this house. Four times now my husband and I have called our friends and family, excited because we found a house in Colorado that we love! This is our third time that we have been ready to...