Why use a Realtor?
The typical home buyer or home seller often asks, “What’s the difference between a licensed agent and a Realtor?” That’s a good question. So, what is the difference?
15 best questions to ask when buying a house
Finding the right home involves research, so you’ll need to ask the right questions. Here are 15 questions to ask when buying a house.
Four tips for millennials and first-time buyers considering purchasing a home
63 percent of millennial home buyers have regrets, mainly because they underestimated the hidden costs associated with buying and owning a home.
Real Estate Matters: Many buyers underestimate the true costs of homeownership
You are absolutely correct that there are a fair number of buyers (first-time in particular) who underestimate the true costs of homeownership. It’s so much more than simply making that monthly mortgage payment, even if the taxes are included through a real estate property tax escrow.
Design Recipes: How to avoid these 5 common new homeowner mistakes
So you’ve just purchased a new home. Naturally the experience is filled with lots of excitement and anticipation. From renovation and remodeling ideas to design, a number of projects and considerations likely come to mind.
What to consider before buying a condo
Denver Realtor John Stegner, of New Era Group at Your Castle Real Estate, lists the top three questions to ask before buying a condo.
FHA Loan 101
There are many types of mortgages, and one that may be a fit for your situation is a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan.
“Coming soon” home listings
Usually a real estate “For Sale” sign is pretty straightforward and announces that a house is for sale. However, with recent market conditions, there has been a trend across the country of “For Sale” signs having a sign rider attached that says, “Coming Soon”.
March Madness: It’s not just for basketball
March Madness is here – and with Boulder’s red-hot real estate market, it’s not just for college basketball fans.
Minimum service requirements for real estate brokers
Homebuyers and home sellers hire real estate brokers to assist them with what is commonly the largest financial transaction in most people’s lives. In today’s real estate world, there is a copious variety of business models seeking to serve the needs of homebuyers and sellers. As markets change, types of real estate business models change and evolve with the market. When the market heated up prior to the recession, a business model evolved called limited service companies. The fees charged and services rendered varied greatly. The fees, commissions, and services are 100 percent negotiated between a broker and their principal. The Division of Real Estate does not regulate commissions or services offered. However, the level of services dropped so low, in some cases, that both brokers and their clients were contacting the Division of Real Estate for clarity regarding the minimum amount of service required was to serve the home buying and selling public.
5 Dangers of Buying at Foreclosure Auctions
Foreclosure auctions sound appealing to buyers given the prospect of getting a discounted price on a home. However, the term “foreclosure” is often mistaken for “bank-owned.” Buying a true foreclosure means buying a home at auction. This process is not ideal for first time buyers and here are a few reasons why.
Gen Z: 5 not-so-easy but worthwhile steps to homeownership
Gen Z is poised to be the largest source of homebuyers in the United States. The post-millennial generation, or those born after 1996, make up about 32 percent of the population. And, according to a recent report by Realtor.com, 80 percent of them want to own a home before they turn 30.
Buying or selling a home? Consider using a CRS
Buying or selling your home is one of the biggest and most important decisions you will make in your lifetime – and the process can be complicated with many financial and legal considerations — so it makes sense to rely on a real estate agent who has been around the block, so to speak.
Measuring square footage in single-family homes, condos and townhomes
If you have three different professionals measure a home, you will likely be presented with three slightly different results. Why is that? Different standards, rounding differences, and local customs are just a few of the reasons.
What new 2019 loan limits mean for you
Sabrina Lee Elevations Credit Union The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) raised the baseline conforming loan limit for 2019, and this will have an impact on borrowers for the year ahead. The “conforming loan limit” is the amount that a single-family mortgage...
The 4 most common mortgage and real estate scams and how to stop them
The last thing consumers should have to worry about is being scammed when they buy or rent a home, or consider refinancing options. Unfortunately, criminals are getting more creative in how they target their victims, leading to major financial headaches for their unsuspecting victims.
Co-signing a mortgage for a relative–should I or should I not?
As prices of homes have increased steadily, it has been more difficult for first-time home buyers to enter the real estate market. Often first-time home buyers will turn to relatives to help with a down payment or co-signing on the loan. However, all parties involved...
What you need to know about Homeowners Associations
If you are buying any property, whether it is land, house, condo, or townhome, there might be a Homeowners Association (HOA) involved. Knowing as much as you can about the HOA will help you make a quality decision in the homebuying process. Knowing as much as you can...
Buying a home in 2019: 5 credit improvement tips
It’s a new year and with it comes new goals and dreams. If one of your dreams is to buy a home this year, then improving your credit should be a top priority. Credit scores mean so much this day and age. Good scores help you qualify for better mortgage programs and...
4 key home buying trends to watch in 2019
The net effect of the coming 2019 trends is that even with these challenges, sellers are in a good position and homeowners will continue to enjoy positive financial gains from their home. (Photo: Shutterstock) Tom Kalinski, RE/MAX of Boulder As we look ahead to...
Home features for those who love to entertain
Kitchens are often the place where everyone congregates during a party. Thus, those with peninsulas or islands are a huge plus. (Photo: Shutterstock). Suzanne Plewes, RE/MAX Alliance in Loveland The holidays are a reminder that the ability to host parties and family...
Alternative financing when mortgage interest rates rise – then and now
Although owner financing rules have become more complex, enlisting the appropriate professionals can help you assess if it is right for you as a seller. (Photo: Unslpash). Duane Duggan, Realtor and Author, RE/MAX of Boulder When interest rates on mortgage loans...
Real Estate Matters: Home Buyer Resolutions for 2019
In the 25 years or so that we’ve been writing this column, we’ve started each new year with a look back at the year that was (in this case, 2018) and offered some resolutions for those looking to buy homes the following year. Ten years ago, as the world’s economy was...
The Voice of Colorado Real Estate: The Colorado Association of Realtors
Knowing the statistics in your market will help you and your Realtor make qualified and informed decisions on what may be the biggest investment of your life. Duane Duggan, Realtor and Author, RE/MAX of Boulder One of the goals of the Colorado Association of...
Seasonal Real Estate Market Trends
The fall and winter can actually be advantageous to both buyers and sellers. (Photo: Shutterstock). Suzanne Plewes, RE/MAX Alliance in Loveland Have you ever wondered what the best time of year is to buy or sell a home? The answer is, there’s technically no “best”...