5 Top Tips For The First Time Homebuyer

Owning your first home is one of the biggest milestones in an individual’s life. Once it’s finally all yours, you want to make sure you avoid common rookie mistakes like the ones below.

Starting major renovations right away
With all the excitement and energy from the closing table still lingering, it’s easy to get caught up in home improvements. Before starting a major renovation, give yourself 2 or 3 months of living in your home to really solidify that it’s the right financial investment and what you really want.

Ignoring routine maintenance
Ignoring routine upkeep and maintenance, such as prepping your pipes for winter, clearing gutters, and filling cracks near doors and walls, can cause big issues down the line. Make sure to budget both time and money for these tasks.

Hiring the cheapest option.
If you have a job that a professional, don’t always opt for the cheapest option. Makes sure to get several estimates for the work and look online for reviews. Once you do your research, select the professional you think will do the best job.

Not knowing your property boundaries
During closing, you may receive a survey of your home and property, however it’s crucial you know exactly where your property lines are. Outline this before your start planting or building fences or structures.

Neglecting the exterior of your home 
Once you move in, it’s easy to focus your energy and effort on the interior. But don’t forget to give your exterior some TLC with thoughtful landscaping and regular checks to ensure weeds are taken care of and water is draining correctly. 

When buying or selling a home in the Denver metro area, contact Delilah,

 and let me put my knowledge, experience, expertise, and professionalism to work for you.

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5 Top Tips For The First Time Homebuyer

What To Repair Before You List

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the utmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top four recommended repairs to make before selling your home.

Repaint walls.

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. Make sure cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.

Repair floors.

Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!

Refresh the landscaping.

Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the in. Clean walkways and driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, install outdoor décor pieces and fill in mulch and gravel.

Fix your fixtures.

Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handle? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detailed-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can be a real eyesore in a home. Updating cabinetry, repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets and sinks may be worth the investment

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What To Repair Before You List

3 Reasons Stopping You From Owning A Home In 2018

2018 is the year you want to become a homeowner but below are some popular reasons you are still renting: 

• Low Credit Score

You can buy a home with a credit score of 500, however, you will need 20% down payment. Speak with a mortgage consultant who can help you raise your credit score FREE of charge.  The higher your credit score, the better loan programs, and in some cases, lower down payment cost.  So contact me, if you need a mortgage consultant referral, your credit score could be on its way up in as little as a few weeks or a couple of months depending upon your situation.  

• Waiting for the Market to Settle

I can't tell you how many times that I have heard this response.  The reality is that Colorado has a thriving economy, with low unemployment rate. Companies are moving here and people are moving here for the jobs, the quality of life, and as a result, the demand for housing is greater than the supply.  In December of 2015, the median home sales for Colorado was $310k, in December 2017, it was $371k.  If you purchased a home just 3 years ago, you will have acquired approximately 60k in equity.

• Locked in the Leasing Cycle

Planning and preparation are all it takes to break the leasing cycle, but sometimes people underestimate this process and start looking too late.  If your lease ends in May, you will need to notify your landlord by March, which means that you need to start the home buying process approximately six weeks before you plan to give notice or in this scenario, late Jan, early Feb. If you find your perfect home in March, a 30-day closing takes you into April, and your first mortgage payment is due in May.  Another option is to rent month to month for 1-3 months until you find a new home. Rent will be higher but it is better than signing another 12-18 month lease if your desire is to be a homeowner.

If 2018 is your year to start earning some equity, give me a jingle.  

When buying or selling a home in the Denver metro area, contact Delilah,

 and let me put my knowledge, experience, expertise, and professionalism to work for you. 

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3 Reasons Stopping You From Owning A Home In 2018

2017 Denver Parade of Homes

Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Denver Parade of Home Tour presented by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver. The tour showcased 66 state of the art, energy efficient homes with unique floor plans, and the latest interior and exterior design finishes. Whether you are a home buyer seeking a no maintenance town home, a custom build, a luxury home, a smart home, or searching for a 55+ community, there was a home for you.  

Some of the design trends I noticed:

Glass & More Glass|Window towers brought more lights into interior units/townhomes & added a more spacious feel.

Spa Feel to Bathrooms| Free standing tubs, larger showers and glass enclosed water closests.

Outdoor Living Spaces| Transitioning seamlessly from the interior, rooftop decks, adjacent to master bedrooms

Next Generation Homes| full living spaces for in-laws or grandparents with separate entrances.

Weather Sensing Irrigation| Automatic timers and weather sensing irrigation, your landscaped yards will be healthier and you save money as well as reduce the amount of water used. 

Spray Foam Insulation| Greatly reduces costs for heating and cooling and well as decreases noise, dust, pollen, and other outdoor pollutant that can adversely affect indoor air quality. 

Don't rule out new build homes.  Price wise they are comparable to resales, customize-able, and in some cases move in ready.  If I can be of help in making a new build a reality, please give me a call.

When buying or selling a home in the Denver metro area, contact Delilah,

 and let me put my knowledge, experience, expertise, and professionalism to work for you. 

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2017 Denver Parade of Homes