Veterans and qualifying military families may have the ability to lower their home mortgage interest noticeably with a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL). This is one of the most powerful refinancing options around, and the process is actually fairly simplistic compared to traditional options. Here is what veteran homeowners need to know regarding VA IRRRL's.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What Exactly is a VA IRRRL?

Sometimes called a VA Streamline, IRRRL is a quick refinancing option that has far fewer requirements to comparable programs such as a VA cash-out refinance. Qualifying veterans and military families may be

The road to home ownership is full of decisions, and one of the most important questions you'll face is what type of home you want. You need to consider your lifestyle, hobbies, and daily activities, as well as your goals for the next 5 years. This can be an especially daunting task for first-time buyers, because they don't necessarily know what they want yet in a home, aside from their rental experiences. Do you buy the house of your dreams now, or should you buy a fixer-upper instead? Ultimately it's up to you what home you want to buy, but here are the top three types of homes that first-time homebuyers should carefully consider before they commit.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before

Residents of Colorado Springs likely already know that real estate prices have been on the rise for several months now. After seeing a slow down at the very beginning of the year, February saw a spike that has continued as the city approaches the midyear. Real estate in the general state has long been coveted, given its natural beauty, clean air, and dramatic mountain views. But some cities, like Colorado Springs, are simply thriving more than others. Learn more about what's driving the price tags and what it may signify for the rest of 2019.

Median Prices

The median price for a typical single-family home in the counties of El Paso and Teller was $328,000 in April, making it the highest median price of any year. The number represents a 7.5% jump

We've seen first-hand just how much the real estate industry has flourished over the past few years, and the same can be said about the rental market as well. Immense job growth in various sectors, desirable quality of life, and surprising affordability are drawing more and more residents each month to the area, and although there have been several new housing developments in the region, the demand is still putting strong pressure on the supply, driving up rents across the city.

Job Growth Attracting More Residents To The Springs

Based on demographic and economic figures, experts remain confident that this growth is here to stay. According to the Colorado Real Estate Journal, El Paso County is expected to see an increase of 300,000 new

As all potential homebuyers have noticed, Colorado Springs real estate is in high demand, and homes are literally flying off the market right now. It is not uncommon to see homes go under contract in the first 24 hours of being listed, or to have showings canceled before prospective buyers even have a chance to see properties. It can be frustrating, especially if the home could have been "the one".

This doesn't mean home buyers should get discouraged, or give up their home search altogether. The current market environment is exciting for our local economy, and you don't need to be intimidated when armed with the following tips:

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real

With the rising cost of rent in Colorado Springs, you might be thinking this year is finally the year you're going to buy a home. This is an exciting time for anyone, but there's one big thing that stands between you and your dream of owning: a mortgage.

While you might feel financially ready to take on a mortgage, it's ultimately up to the lender to deem you responsible and financially stable. One of the ways they do that is to take a peek into your credit history. Maxing out your credit card in college or forgetting to pay a bill here and there might not seem like a big deal at the time, but it could come back to haunt you later in life when trying to apply for a large loan.

If you've been informed you have imperfect credit and need to

The purchase of your first home can be an exciting and exhilarating process. Homeownership is something that many people dream of. Owning your own home means not being held accountable to a landlord. It means the freedom to paint, remodel, and redecorate your space how you like. It means creating the perfect space for you and your family to build a life together and create memories that will last a lifetime.

For most people, the purchase of a home is also the largest transaction they will make. This can be daunting. Few buyers have the resources to buy a home outright, and this can make the buying process even more complicated because lenders are involved too. One of the biggest challenges that new home buyers face is understanding the buying

Home insurance is single-most important thing you can have to protect your largest investment, and if you're financing a home with a mortgage, there's a very good chance you'll be required to have it. However, not every insurance policy is created equal and it pays to do your homework. If disaster strikes, you don't want to be left wondering: am I really covered for that?

Here are some things to watch for if you're in the market for home insurance:

Know What You Need

The foundation of every insurance policy is its level of coverage. A twenty year-old home is going to require a different policy than a new construction one, as will mobile homes and condominiums.

For many homeowners, insurance is one of those things they buy once and forget

When it comes to hiring a real estate agent, the saying, "you get what you pay for" rings true. We see many Realtors® advertise their services online offering rebates and discounts for homebuyers— especially here in The Springs. If you think these Realtors sound too good to be true, they definitely are.

Discount Realtors are easy to find but they are also something you should avoid if you are selling or buying a home. The initial discount or rebate is not worth the hassle and trouble of working with an inexperienced and unprepared individual.

Here are 3 reasons why you should avoid working with a discount real estate broker:

They Can Lack Proper Training and Experience

Training to be Realtor takes time and money. Offering reliable

As you wind down from the excitement of a summer that was filled with family gatherings, nights out with friends, barbecues in the backyard, and weekends floating peacefully in a lake somewhere, it's time to focus your thoughts on buying that new home that you have been thinking about. Why would you want to do this in the fall I can hear you thinking! There are many reasons for listing in the fall and after this blog post, we know you'll be ready to run out and buy your first or next home! Ok, maybe not run out, but at least be more informed after reviewing the following 6 reasons for listing in the fall.

Homes Are Priced Lower

Realty Trac states that October is actually the best time to purchase a home. They looked at over 32 million home