Category: Home Search Strategies

Manage your home buying fears: Three things every home buyer should know.



September 22, 2010People fear responsibilities of all types.  Getting married and having a baby are classic examples.  What about buying a house?  It is a large, life changing responsibility too.  And, people can be afraid of taking this step. Home Buyers biggest fear is being unable to afford their mortgage payment. Unlike changes like having a child or getting married, people are afraid of the financial...

Home Buyers Tip: Use Your Imagination When Home Shopping



September 13, 2010If you don’t have an imagination, shop with someone who does. There is a home on the end of our street that I believe is the envy of every home owner in the neighborhood.  I admit, I have a bit of a “crush” on this house.  It is beautiful.  From the landscaping, to the wood garage doors, to  their backyard filled with bonsai trees and a lily pond, the house tickles your imagination and...

5 Surprising Benefits of Home Ownership



September 10, 2010Let’s kick off the weekend with some cheerful thoughts.  The National Organization of Real Estate released research about the positive impacts of owning a home.  Instead of focusing on financial boons, the paper, “Social Benefits of Stable Housing” takes a look at the positive social outcomes. The benefits might surprise you. According to the paper, home ownership: Has a significant...

Buying the Right Home: First Time Home Buyers Tip



September 3, 2010How long do you want to live in your house? You are just thinking about buying a house.  Do you really need to start thinking about selling the home you haven’t even bought yet?  Well, probably.   In order to buy the right home for you, you need to answer the question “how long do I want to live here?”  This is just one  important home buying motives you will need to consider. As a...

Local Knowledge May Help You Find Your Dream Home



August 27, 2010Yesterday I was going for a stroll, when I met another one of my neighbors.  We had the typical new neighbor conversation; covering names, family members, abridged employment history and date moved to the neighborhood.   She has been here about 25 years.  I’ve been here about 2 months.  I told her that I was previously renting in the Denver University area, about a mile away from Wash...

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...

Location, Location, Location: Live by the Light Rail



August 23, 2010Looking for a good investment in Colorado?  You may want to consider buying a home near the light rail.  In a study done in 2008 by Your Castle Real Estate home values increased about 4% while the majority of Denver home values dropped by at least 7%.  The study focused on home values along the South East line over the 2 years after the line opened. Plus, as the light rail becomes...