Category: Tips on buying a home
Thinking of Selling?Thinking of Selling?
Have you been thinking of selling? Here are 4 signs that now is the right time.
- You can afford to move. Sure, when you sell your home you will have money but do you have the money now to help you get top dollar for your home? Tips to making your home look it’s best:
- Paint is the #1 investment. Buyers love the clean look.
- Curb appeal- Need to do some minor repairs?
- Kitchen and Bathrooms- upgrade faucets and fixtures.
- Declutter
- Your current home doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Do you need more space or is it time to downsize? Do you like your neighborhood? Have you been daydreaming of building or been looking at other homes?
- How’s the market? Do you know if there are buyers looking for your type of home? How long will your home be on the market till it sells? Did your neighbor’s home sell quickly?
- How much is your house worth? Do you have enough equity in your home that once you sell, you can buy another?
Selling your home is a big decision. Want to know what your home is worth? Call me for a free market analysis. I also have a seller’s guide to help make the transition smoother. One thing I offer my clients is that I will help you get your place ready to sell by orchestrating handymen, cleaners and even provide the trailer. I look forward to helping you.
New Year New Home- Why you should consider buildingNew Year New Home- Why you should consider building
Is Fall/Winter a good time to sell?Is Fall/Winter a good time to sell?
Have you been outside doing Fall clean up? The weather has been wonderful – 60’s and bright blue sky. Have your needs changed? Do you need a smaller house, or a larger house? Maybe you have always wanted to build your dream home. Now is a great time to sell!
- You have fewer competitors. Many homes that were on the market have either sold, or have taken it off and wait till next Spring. You might think Spring is a good time, however since there is such a bombardment on the market, its hard for your home to stand out.
- Serious buyers. Many buyers right now are preapproved and or have cash in hand.
- Fewer homes on the market means you have the upper hand. When buyers are looking and there are few homes on the market, there just isn’t much of a choice for them. Generally you will get closer to your asking price.
- Interest rates are low. The 30 year fixed conventional rate is hovering around 3.75 %.
- Curb Appeal. Fall and Winter make it a great time to decorate. Just don’t go hog wild with the Christmas lights.
- Price it right. Have a market analysis done on your home. Get to know your competitors. What makes your home a better deal? Call me for your free market analysis.
New Home Construction!New Home Construction!
Home building has been busy this summer! In Cedar Mesa subdivision just opposite of Mesa Verde National Park in Southwest Colorado, there are several homes getting built. Right now contractors are getting about $120 a sq. foot. Many home buyers haven’t found their “dream” home and now are looking to build. This is good news!
There is an abundance of land for sale in Montezuma County. Currently there are 202 parcels of land for sale ranging from $10k for a lot intown Cortez to 1200 acres north of Mancos for just shy of $8m. Many of the parcels have restriction/covenants however there are still some that do not.
Are you looking for a new home or thinking of building? Give me a call 970-759-2540. I’m here to help you fall in love with SW Colorado! MancosHomes.com
How to tell if a homeowner is desperate to sellHow to tell if a homeowner is desperate to sell
Searching for a new home in Mancos, Cortez or Dolores Colorado? There are some signs to help you determine if the homeowner is desperate to sell.
Information is valuable. Do your homework. How long has the house been on the market? Why are they selling? Have there been several price drops? Google the homeowner and the address. Is the home vacant? A rental? Are they listing the home “as is”? Does the listing say “motivated seller” or “sellers concessions”?
Some of these questions can be answered by your Realtor. Ask the neighbors,and ask at the coffee shop. On your first visit to the home look for signs- is mailbox stuffed and yard untidy? If the owners are at your showing ask lots of questions. Ask them “Have you had any offers”?
Looking to buy a new home in Mancos, Dolores or Cortez Colorado? I’m here to help! MancosHomes.com 970-759-2540
Do I need to get the septic tank pumped?Do I need to get the septic tank pumped?
How often do I need to get my septic tank pumped? If properly installed, do I ever? These are the questions I get when I’m helping homeowners, and buyers in Mancos, Cortez and Dolores, Colorado. Just last weekend I ran into Bill Edgerton with LePew Septic Cleaning Service in Cortez. I asked him and he said many people are misinformed. He does free evaluations on your tank, to see if it needs pumping. It’s better safe than sorry, cause no one likes a backed up septic into your home! His number is 970-565-2448.
Here’s a good website for more info. http://www.aahealth.org/programs/env-hlth/well-septic-systems/guidelines-maintaining.
When buying a home, in the contract, request that the buyer pumps the septic tank. You want them to take all their stuff! For more tips on buying a home in Mancos, Dolores, and Cortez, please give me a call 970-759-2540,
How to choose a real estate agent?How to choose a real estate agent?
What kind of real estate company and agent you want working for you is a very important question. At first you might say “I need a large company working for me.” Let’s look~
1. Size– You might feel the excitement and buss of a large office, however lets look a little closer. Will there be confusion on who to speak with throughout the real estate process? Can your realtor be reached? Do they return calls in a timely manner? How’s there reputation with other Realtors and clients? All Realtors can list your home on the MLS, and to hundreds of internet sites but what does the prospective office do differently than the others?
2. Location– Consider how long it will be to drive to the prospective office. Of course technology gives real estate agents and clients mobility to keep up on emails, and answer calls. However, a real estate office being in another town does not make it easy for you. How easy is it for clients to find the real estate office? What are the first impressions you get when you walk in?
3. Training– Does your potential realtor has specialized training? Sure all Realtors are licensed by the state but what makes them stand out? Have they gotten any awards?
4. Experience– How many sales has the potential realtor had in your area? Are they familiar with the domestic water systems in your area? How about the irrigation? In Montezuma County in Southwest Colorado do they know about “red signed roads?” If they don’t sell much in your area, the answer is no. Get a list of current clients and past clients to call and get reviews. Google them. Do they have a personal website that is user friendly?
5. Administrative Support– Meet their assistant. Are they friendly? Google them.
6. Commissions– Does the real estate office, offer the same commission structure to everyone? There are firms that will take a listing for a lower commission, however what kind of service will you get? Will other Realtors want to show your home if they are only getting paid 2 or 2.5% commission? Will a Realtor just list your house at any price to get the listing or will they do a market analysis to determine the fair price?
7. Marketing– For sellers, ask to see a marketing plan from a prospective realtor? If buying a home, will they look at everything on the market ie. Craigslist, MLS, and for sale by owners?
8. Community Involvement- Is your potential Realtor involved in the community? You want a Realtor who is known in the community and has a wide range of interests. For buyers, the Realtor will know what’s going on and who is about to list their home. For sellers, Realtors who are known in the community will have more clients, and that will equal to more showings.
By doing your homework, you can have a successful and stress free real estate transaction. If you would like more information on buying or selling a home in Mancos, Dolores, or Cortez Colorado, please give me a call 970-759-2540. MancosHomes.com. I’m here to help!
Do I have enough for a down payment?Do I have enough for a down payment?
So you want to buy a home, however you don’t think you have enough cash for a down payment? That’s the #1 reason why non owners don’t buy a home. However 8 out of 10 people according to the National Association of Realtors say that owning a home is the “American Dream”.
Most lenders will state you need 20% down. That’s $60,000 on a $300,000 home! Plus you need money for cost of getting your loan. That’s scary! So now what? You can actually buy a home with as little as 3% down or 0 down!
The Federal Housing Administration is a government agency charged with helping home buyers — especially first timers — get approved. The FHA assists mortgage lenders to make loans by guaranteeing a portion of the balance.
And if you’re an active or retired service member, or live in a rural area, you may have access to zero down payment programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program (USDA).
A lower down payment makes you a bigger risk in the eyes of the lender. That’s why it will look for help from one of those government programs to guarantee a portion of the loan. The thing is, you pay for the guarantee. It’s called mortgage insurance. There will be an upfront fee and likely an ongoing charge built into your monthly payment.
Some of the programs don’t require mortgage insurance, but will charge an “upfront guarantee fee” or “funding fee.” Whatever you call it, a fee is a fee. And as a “higher risk,” you’ll likely pay a higher interest rate for the life of the loan in addition to the other fees.
It’s tempting to go with the lowest all-in upfront charges when trying to buy a home. But the key is to do your homework!
~ Check out Homesfund.org. They are a wealth of information.
~ Review your financial situation and meet with several lenders and discuss options.
Buying a home can sometimes be a challenging process, but with a little work and me, at your side, 2017 may be a good time to start looking. I’m here to help. MancosHomes.com