Many seasoned home buyers have been through the process and already know what they want and need. But if this is your first rodeo, you may not know what to look for when buying a home or where to even start. The home buying process can be emotionally charged at the best of times, so to help you stay on track and find exactly what you're looking for, here are a few things to think about before you start shopping.

Find Out How Much You Can Afford

Before you start perusing the listings and falling in love with house after house, it's time for a reality check. It's better to find out what you can really afford before you get your heart set on a particular home. This is one of the most common mistakes of first-time buyers and it's heartbreaking to

During the construction of a new home, your builder acts as a conductor would in an orchestra. The builder is the person in charge of coordinating all the smaller contractors and builders who are involved in the main construction of your home. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, are just a few of the people involved.

With so many cooks in the kitchen, it is imperative for the builder to keep track of everything and inspect the progress. Not only does the builder make sure the project is running on schedule, they also make sure everything is up to standard.

Before Closing

A couple weeks before the closing date, your builder will most likely walk through the home and make several notes of things that must be changed or repaired

Although most homes for sale in the Colorado Springs area will typically have a selling agent, some owners opt for the For Sale By Owner route. What this means is that the owner is 100% in control of the sale, from setting the listing price and marketing it on their own to negotiation with the buyer directly. For buyers, this doesn't really change how they buy the home, but there are a few things you should be aware of when working with a property that's For Sale By Owner.

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

Do You Still Need An Agent If Buying From An FSBO?

Like with any real estate transaction, you can choose to work with or without

Sometimes, a necessary part of the home buying process is attending a few open houses. These are great opportunities to see a home without the pressure of scheduling a viewing. For first-time homebuyers, open houses are a great way to see what other homebuyers are looking at and speak to a real estate agent without making a huge commitment.

Here are a few tips and tricks of things you can expect and ways you can prepare should you go to an open house:

Make the Most Out of the Day

One of the best ways how to prepare for an open house as a buyer is by researching the neighborhood and finding more open houses happening on the same day. That way, you can make the most of the afternoon and see as many properties as possible.

Dress

So you've found your dream home and you want to start the mortgage process to make things official. There are two options for buyers when it comes time to secure their local mortgage lender: either go with a mortgage broker or get a loan from a bank. Many homeowners will tell you exactly what they think the right choice is and while their opinions may be valid, they are often biased by their own past experiences. To find out which option is best for your personal needs, continue reading as we look at what it's like to work with a mortgage broker versus bank:

What is a Mortgage Lender?

A mortgage lender refers to a bank or other financial institution that specializes in mortgage products. Banks employ loan officers who work off a

The housing market in Colorado Springs was recently recognized as the best in the state, and with so many transactions and new construction properties, it's an exciting time to be buying or selling a home. Home values have continued to increase over the past few years, there are plenty of buyer's in the area, but there's also a lack of inventory for those buyers. These are all just some of the reasons why those who are looking to sell their home are at a bit of an advantage right now. That said if you're thinking about buying right now, with the right preparation, resources, and connections, you'll be well on the way to successfully owning a home in no time, for a great deal no less.

Know What You're Looking For In A Home

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It’s not difficult to understand why Colorado Springs has the appeal it does for new homebuyers. It offers all the amenities and conveniences of bigger urban areas in the state but with a more affordable cost of living and opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. There are many others reasons why we meet so many people looking to buy a home in Colorado Springs and the folks who move here tend to rave about what it’s like to live here. It's no surprise Colorado Springs is known as one of the fastest growing areas in the entire country. 

There are many people who enjoy views of Pikes Peak and the entire Front Range every day of the year, and with its clean, crisp fresh air, this area can’t be beat. Colorado Springs residents are certainly lucky

Deciding whether to buy or rent is one of the first things that crosses one's mind when they're told they're PCSing, and it's not always an easy decision. You have to take stock of your personal finances, consider what the housing market is like where you're moving to, and decide if it makes sense for you and your family. For those given orders to PCS to Colorado Springs and the rate at which rents are increasing, this decision is becoming less hard to make, especially if you can take advantage of a VA loan.

Colorado Rents Are On The Rise

According to an article in the Denver Post in 2016, 40% of working Colorado renters spend more than 1/3 of their pre-tax income on rent and utilities. What is even more alarming is that one in every four

Buying a home is often a stressful experience. Not only do you want to make sure you are purchasing the right home for you, but there could be other external factors that make homebuyers easier or more complicated. For example, if you have children, you may want to consider the time of year that you move. A growing trend that many real-estate experts once discouraged is purchasing a home during the winter. This was once frowned upon by the industry, but the benefits and advantages are making winter purchases ideal for many homebuyers.

Winter is actually a great time to be shopping for a home, but it can come with its own set of challenges as well. Since November, the average home price in The Springs has cooled slightly and the average