The Denver Real Estate Broker Blog

Denver Trick or Treating Guide 2014

While dressing up is a big part of the fun of Halloween, you can’t say it’s been a perfect holiday if you didn’t enjoy a good walk in a safe neighborhood and score a full basket of candy.

Many people will stick to their own block this Halloween, but this is a great opportunity to get out and explore some different parts of the city. You might like the treats you find in one of Denver’s top four neighborhoods for trick or treating.

Here’s a Denver Trick or Treating Guide for 2014:

Cherry Creek

The Cherry Creek neighborhood is bordered by Colorado Boulevard, University Boulevard, First Avenue, and Seventh Avenue. In addition to seeing many gorgeous homes, you...

You Can Afford a lot More Home Than You Think

AffordibilityAt least right now, October 15th 2014. Rates this week are phenomenal and represent a great opportunity.

We have found that most people shop for a new home based on the monthly payment and not the cost of the home. At least this is where most buyers start when determining the price range for searching. This makes sense as the monthly payment translates to the carry cost of owning the real estate. The “sticker price” has little tangible value with regard to affordability without a monthly payment.

When looking at the monthly payment for financing a new home, a big driver is the interest rate. We find it fascinating how much the interest rate changes the amount a buyer can purchase at the same monthly payment. The rule is fairly obvious, the lower the interest...

You’ve Decided to Buy a New Home, Now What?

Congratulations, you have decided to buy a new home. That decision ushers in a flood of emotion ranging from excitement to anxiety.

In order to help with the later, we have created a home buying guide that identifies the steps in purchasing a new home.

Weather you’re a first time home buyer or seasoned owner, we feel our road map helps organize and simplify the process.

There are quite a few steps when purchasing a home. The graph below is a visual representation of the home buying process. 

It all starts with hiring a professional real estate broker to guide you through the process. You will want to hire a broker that is an expert in the areas you are considering a purchase. More: Denver...

Denver Real Estate Broker Duties, Home Purchase

What is the job of a real estate broker and what makes a good broker? These are two very good questions if you are considering hiring a real estate professional to help with the purchase of real estate.

There are four categories of skills that need to be managed by a competent real estate broker. These categories include; Guidance, Responsive, Accounting and Loyalty.

Guidance is an important attribute to a smooth and successful real estate transaction. Some of the areas of broker guidance center around the following:

  • Frame the property search around what’s most important to you
  • Recommend lenders for pre-approval that help determine an affordable price, strengthen your offer and lead to a faster closing
  • Search the MLS and network with other brokers daily to find new properties that match your criteria
  • Preview properties, schedule and accompany you to showings
  • Analyze comparable property values and advise you on current...

Denver Real Estate Inspection, What Should I Have Done?

Denver Real Estate Inspection, what should I have done?

This is another question we get from every one of the clients we help. The short answer is, you should inspect for everything that is a concern to you. Now that is a pretty vague answer so I’ll expand.

There are plenty of inspections that can be conducted for a home you are working to purchase. Here is a list of some of the inspections offered in Colorado. This is not a complete list, it’s simply a list of the most common.

  • General Home Inspection
  • Sewer Line
  • Radon
  • Structural
  • Termite
  • Asbesto
  • Methamphetamine
  • Mold
  • Waste Pump
  • Soil Condition
  • Lead Based Paint

We typically recommend that a buyer, at the bare minimum, conduct a general inspection, sewer line inspection and ...

What Makes a Good Offer When Purchasing Real Estate?

What Makes a Good Offer When Purchasing Real Estate?

This is a question we get asked by each and every client with work with. A good offer is one that gets accepted. That is the simplest explanation, however that can be a tricky undertaking.

It may be perceived, especially on the buy side, that a good offer is an offer at the lowest price. This is not the case as the market determines the price. Real estate typically trades hands at a price that other buyers paid for similar improvements (real estate). Now there are situations called distressed sales where prices fall outside this economic fact, however that will not be discussed here.

To make a good offer your real estate broker should first determine market price for the property you are interested in (subject property). This in not always, and often isn’t the list price of the home. Your broker finds the market price by gathering sales of comparable properties as close to the subject property as possible. Then through the...

Standard Colorado Real Estate Disclosures, What Are They?

Most Colorado real estate transactions have a standard set up disclosures that are provided by the seller and disclose important facts about the home being sold. Below you will find a list of the most common disclosures. This is not an all-inclusive list, as some real estate firms require other disclosures.

Sellers Property Disclosure – This is an important disclosure from the seller as to the condition of the home and systems within. This form has 13 sections that range from the structural condition to environmental condition. This form should be analyzed thoroughly as it will give you clues on where to pay special attention with the inspections.

Lead Based Paint Disclosure – This disclosure will only be present if the home was built prior to January 1st, 1978. This form discloses any knowledge the seller has about the presence of lead passed paint in the home.

Square Footage Disclosure – This is a disclosure that is made to the Buyer...

What is the Title Insurance Commitment?

The title insurance commitment is an insurance policy that is purchased by the seller that insures the property against loss due to title defects, liens or other matters related to title.

When reviewing your title commitment it is important to examine Schedule B, Section 2, Exceptions. This is the section that lists the items that will not be insured against.

More often than not, this section contains utility easements, recorded neighborhood plat maps etc. that are normal and don’t pose a liability for the buyer. However, there are transactions where serious exceptions are present that need to be cleared prior to closing on the property. Your real estate broker should offer guidance on involving a lawyer or title expert when issues with the title commitment arise.

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