Home Buying Tips
WK Real Estate : The Colorado Migration
While this past year has been anything but normal, it is now routine to see Colorado receive distinctions left and right, especially when it comes to the quality of life and economic vitality.
How to buy a home for less than 20 percent down
With the cost of real estate today, the 20 percent down rule is no longer so hard and fast.
Updated real estate market conditions for Boulder County
The first quarter in 2021 showed a decrease in inventory, an uptick in home prices and emerging priorities for home buyers.
Relocating? Check the Housing Affordability Index
Pondering the thought of moving? You will undoubtedly want to compare housing affordability in the area you would like to relocate to
Greeley’s affordability attracts homebuyers near and far
Greeley is now one of the most sought-after places to buy a home and settle in for the long haul because unlike Cinderella, the city won’t go back to what it was after midnight.
Practicing patience: A lesson in today’s harrowing real estate market
The oft-touted virtue may be our best recourse against roller coaster emotions, snap decisions, and sky-high expectations.
Get a CLUE when buying a home
If you don’t have a CLUE, don’t be embarrassed! Most Americans are CLUE-less and have never heard of the CLUE database, but if you are a home buyer or home seller, it’s probably a good idea to get a CLUE!
How to win a bidding war
If you’re a homebuyer in Boulder Valley, prepare yourself for a possible bidding war on that property you love.
Rising mortgage rates: Lock or not?
To lock or not to lock, that is the home buyer’s choice. However, buyers need to understand this is a commitment from both the mortgage lender and themselves to close at the agreed upon interest rate.
Removing Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) from your mortgage
As you pay on your mortgage, the loan balance goes down a little each month. Once it is less than 80 percent of the original value, you can request the PMI be removed.
Why is there such a shortage of homes to buy?, Part 1
According to RE/MAX of Boulder Managing Broker Todd Gullette, 2021 is starting off with a record-low number of homes available to buy.
How bidding wars can affect loan-to-value ratio
Bidding wars are becoming increasingly common due to limited inventory, so it’s quite possible you could find yourself submitting one of multiple offers.
Investing in real estate using retirement plan funds, Part 2
In my previous article, I introduced an overview of a SDIRA and its requirements. In this article, I will explain more details and the process for purchasing real estate in your SDIRA.
Investing in real estate using retirement plan funds, Part 1
Anyone can use their retirement plan to invest in real estate – you just need to have the proper plan in place.
Millennials are changing the luxury real estate market
In sharp contrast to the “slacker” stereotype that has defined their generation, millennials aren’t living in parents’ basements. They’re buying multimillion-dollar homes.
Affordability surprises first-time homebuyers while parental assistance, savings and compromises prove common, survey finds
For first-time homebuyers looking to buy in 2021, a new survey from Realtor.com® indicates that getting finances in order is a critical place to start.
Denver suburbs top luxury home sales charts
According to Realtor.com’s recent luxury market report, wealthy buyers are exiting metropolises in favor of suburban and more remote living.
Second home and retirement home market booming since coronavirus
The ability to work from home has changed the behavior of homebuyers. Not only are they searching for floor plans that offer home office and homeschooling spaces, they are no longer tied to a specific location.
Colorado’s top cities to live in 2021
The secret has long been out: Colorado is a beautiful place to live, especially if you enjoy outdoor living.
Lingo, fees & contracts: Explaining real estate concepts
The real estate industry has its own lingo, fee structure and contracts packed with lengthy clauses, confusing concepts, and plenty of legalese.
The complex nature of valuing rural properties
First-time rural property buyers are often unaware of the complexities that determine a property’s value. Unlike city properties, there is an abundance of variables to be considered, and “comps” are difficult to find.
Real Estate Q&A: We want to buy a house but can’t afford to do any major repairs for a few years. What should we do?
We are buying our first home and will need to use most of our savings for the down payment and furniture. We cannot afford to make any major repairs for the first couple of years. How can we protect ourselves?
Owner financing in real estate
Owner financing is an alternative to a using a mortgage lender or bank. Also known as seller financing, owner financing is when a real estate owner has enough equity to loan all or part of the money for a buyer’s purchase of their property. Carrying the financing on a...
Second home purchases: The rise of co-primary living
As the boundary line between work life and home life becomes increasingly blurry, there’s an interesting real estate trend that’s popping up across the country: an increase of second-home purchases.
A special holiday gift for first-time home buyers
If you’re searching for an enduring gift for your loved ones, which will be treasured for a lifetime, during an especially challenging year, you can consider giving up to $15,000 in cash or assets to another person without having to worry about the federal gift...
Rural Boulder County: Why every year there are fewer properties
Folks wanting to buy in rural Boulder County are often frustrated by the lack of properties on the market and wonder why there are so few. As a Boulder County rural property broker for more than 30 years, I have seen the changes that have led to this situation....
Beyond brokers, real estate data sharing benefits homebuyers and sellers too
To ensure Colorado’s industry tools are more effective for consumers along the Front Range, Information and Real Estate Services (IRES) and REcolorado recently launched a data-sharing partnership that integrates listing data into each organization’s system.
Decoding a home inspection report: What’s included and what to look for
If you’re in the process of buying a home, here’s what you can expect to find on the home inspection report, and what to watch for.
Directional living: Understanding a home’s unique placement
We’ve all heard the old real estate adage about “location, location, location”. And while location is definitely important, we could also add that real estate is just as much about “direction, direction, direction”.
Fixer Uppers to Live In
Fix-and-flips are all the rage, but have you ever considered a fix-up to live in?
