To keep yourself healthy, you make sure to schedule an annual physical. To maintain your financial well-being, it is essential to schedule an annual real estate checkup. December is a great time to conduct that review so you can make any adjustments in the year ahead. If you’re not a homeowner yet or don’t own […]
Gift of a lifetime for first-time home buyers – Part 2
An exceptional gift idea is helping your relative or loved one with an interest rate or mortgage buydown. (Photo: Pexels). The holiday season is upon us and you may be thinking about finding a special or unique gift your family member or loved one could use for years to come. In my previous article […]
Gift of a lifetime for first-time home buyers – Part 1
For 29 percent of first-time home buyers, saving for a down payment on a home is the most challenging step in the home buying process, according to the 2021 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavioral insights at NAR says, […]
Tips for selling or buying homes with solar panels
Selling or buying a home with a solar panel system lease or loan could introduce a few challenges for a real estate transaction. (Photo: Pexels). In the 1980s, there was a significant 70% Federal tax credit available if you added solar panels to your home. At the time, we saw solar panels on rooftops popping […]
Being thankful in 2021
Thanksgiving week has passed. 2021 is drawing to a close with just over a month to go. It has been a tough year with COVID-19 still being a part of day-to-day life, but we still have so much to be thankful for. It’s a perfect time to reflect on how fortunate we are to be […]
A post-closing occupancy agreement: How does it work?
Using a Post-Closing Occupancy Agreement with all the issues discussed and agreed upon can be a great tool for creating a seamless home sale to meet the needs of all parties involved. (Photo: Pexels). In the Boulder-area market, possession of a home most commonly happens upon delivery of the deed. In other words, the home […]
Buying or refinancing your home with an interest-only loan
Another tool to help buyers in an accelerating market is the interest-only mortgage. (Photo: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels). The 30-year fully amortized loan has been the mainstay of real estate financing in the U.S. for decades, yet market conditions often bring about different types of mortgages to help buyers get into a home. At one time, there […]
Protecting the structural integrity of your home’s foundation
In Colorado, it is pretty rare to have a 100% crack free foundation and concrete work, but a proper design for the specific lot, maintaining the grade and the drainage system, will ensure the least amount of problems due to expansive soils in our area. (Photo: Unsplash). A home is often the biggest single expense […]
Homeowner wealth vs. renter wealth
There are many times in life when it makes sense to rent the place you live in, such as for a temporary job assignment. However, over the years, owning real estate has proven to be the greatest wealth builder for most Americans. Advantages of renting • More mobile in the event of a job or […]
Grow your real estate wealth one owner-occupied home at a time
Most people start investing real estate by buying their personal residence. Yet the majority of Americans will stop there in terms of building their real estate portfolio. This is because when people are motivated to buy their first investment property, they are often told they will need a 20- or 25-percent down payment. Finding it […]