Most people hire real estate agents when they decide to sell their homes, but there are some people who decide to try to sell their homes without the help of a professional. If a seller is not working with a real estate agent, the home is said to be “for sale by owner.” You may fall in love with one of these for sale by owner homes in Colorado Springs, and if you do, it’s important to keep these tips in mind:

Don’t submit a low-ball offer.

The reason why sellers choose to list their homes without an agent is usually to save money. If they don’t hire an agent, they won’t have to pay the agent’s commission when the sale goes through. Therefore, these sellers are usually very focused on getting as much money as possible from the deal and are not willing to negotiate. If you submit a low-ball offer, you probably won’t be taken seriously by the seller.

You should always use an agent.

Don’t let the seller’s decision to not use a real estate agent impact how you go about buying a home. It’s perfectly fine to use a real estate agent to purchase a home that is for sale by owner. In fact, it’s strongly recommended that you do work with an agent to ensure all of the paperwork is done correctly and the seller isn’t hiding anything.

Always get a home inspection.

Don’t let a seller talk you out of getting a home inspection if the home is listed as for sale by owner. It’s possible that there are major issues with the home that will be your responsibility once the deal goes through. You should be informed about these issues prior to closing, but you shouldn’t trust a seller that is listing his home for sale by owner to fill you in on everything. Instead, rely on a home inspector to uncover any potential problems with the home. Here’s what to know about the home inspection.

Check the pricing.

One of the benefits of working with a real estate agent as a seller is getting an expert opinion on the value of your home. Because the seller is not working with a real estate agent when he chooses to list his home as for sale by owner, he probably has not pulled comps to see the value of other homes in his area. As a result, he may have listed his home far above the market value. It’s important that you ask your agent to look into whether the listing price is fair or not prior to making an offer.
 
Now that you know everything about buying a home that is for sale by owner, contact Farrell’s Sales to get started on your home buying journey. Marianne Farrell has lived in the Colorado Springs area for over three decades, and over that time, she has become the go-to real estate agent for both homebuyers and sellers. Call 303-796-7000 today to get started on your search!

Relocating can be a challenge. Whether it is for work, school, or just looking for a new area, Colorado Springs is one of the best places to consider. The area has great schools, plentiful work opportunities, some of the most beautiful destinations that nature has to offer, and is very affordable compared to many other parts of Colorado. If planning a relocation, here are a few of the many reasons so many other people have been looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs:

Opportunities for Education

Colorado Springs is home to many great and rapidly growing college universities. Among the schools in the area are the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Colorado College, and the Air Force Academy. UCCS offers forty five bachelor’s, twenty two master’s, and five doctoral degree programs. Those include both undergraduate and graduate programs that are nationally ranked. Colorado College is a liberal arts school offering a more unique education in the way of their block plan curriculum which has students taking one class at a time for 3 ½ weeks. The AIr Force Academy is a tradition and history rich university. Furthermore, the Air Force Academy is ranked highly in Forbes Top Public Colleges and Top Liberal Arts Universities in the country. In addition to these schools, there are a handful of smaller schools, community colleges, and technical schools.

Career Opportunities

Colorado Springs is growing quickly as a city and as a hotspot for the tech industry. In addition to the Colorado Spring’s education, Forbes has also recognized the city for its offerings to those building a career and/or those starting a business. Zoning and tax laws, educated candidates, business cost, and population growth have all contributed in making the city a prime spot for business builders and job seekers.

Some of the Greatest “Great Outdoors”

There is a place called Garden of the Gods… and it lives up to the name. Garden of the God’s is a nationally famous natural and historic landmark where one can see a variety of incredibly beautiful rock formations. However, this is just one of the beautiful parks and natural wonders to be found in this city, located at the base of Colorado’s famous Pike’s Peak. There are mountains to climb, caves to explore, trails to hike or bike, and white water rivers to raft and/or kayak. Colorado Springs is a city that is blessed with amazing nature and climate, and the community celebrates it year round.

Low Cost of Living

Despite its large population and surrounding beauty, Colorado Springs remains incredibly affordable in terms of real estate and daily cost of living. This is especially incredible considering the exponentially increasing renting and purchasing rates of real estate across other parts of Colorado. The tax rates in the county are generally the lowest in the State and among the lowest in the country. This makes Colorado Springs a great place to get a good job, make good money, and keep that money.
 
Whether you are looking to move to a different part of Colorado or move to Colorado from a different state, these are just a few of the major perks of living in Colorado Springs. If you want to know more about finding a home in Colorado Springs and what the city has to offer, contact Colorado Springs real estate expert, Marianne Farrell at Berkshire Hathaway.

There are countless articles that explain how you can tell when you’ve found your dream home. But, how can you tell when a home definitely isn’t the one? There are a number of red flags you should look for when browsing Colorado Springs homes for sale. Move onto the next home on your list if you spot any of these warning signs:

Strange Smells

As you walk through the home, do you smell anything unusual? If the home has water damage, you may notice a musty smell permeating the home. Repairing water damage can be a pain—not to mention pricey—so you should probably avoid homes that have this problem.

Signs of DIY

Ask your real estate agent for information on when the home was last sold. If it was purchased and put back on the market a short time later, it’s very likely that the home is being “flipped” by investors who are trying to make a profit. This isn’t a problem unless the investors decided to cut corners when making renovations. Look at the tiling in the bathroom or kitchen to see if it is laid perfectly. If the investors handled a lot of the renovations themselves, they most likely laid the tiles without professional help. If you see the tiles are uneven, this is a sign that it was a DIY job, which means the investors could have cut corners on other renovations throughout the home, too.

Locked Doors

You should be able to see every inch of a home before deciding whether you want to buy it or not. If the seller has locked doors or told you that you cannot enter certain rooms in the home, this is a red flag that there are major issues within that area. It’s possible that the seller is hiding a room that has been completely torn apart, and doesn’t want you to know that you will have to make costly repairs in order to use this part of the home.

Irregular Maintenance

Do you see a lot of burned out light bulbs around the home? Is the grass in the front yard cut? Does the paint look fresh and vibrant? Look for signs that the homeowner has failed to keep up with the basic maintenance of the house. If you see any of these signs, it means there could be bigger issues hiding as well, such as a leaky roof or outdated heating and cooling system. An inspector will be able to find these problems before closing, but save yourself the trouble of making an offer by looking for these signs as you walk through the home for the first time. Learn what’s included in a home inspection report.

Are you ready to start looking for your dream home? If so, contact Farrell’s Sales for help. Marianne Farrell has lived in the Colorado Springs area for over three decades, and over that time, she has become the go-to real estate agent for both homebuyers and sellers. Call 303-796-7000 today to get started on your search!

As you look for the best homes for sale in Colorado Springs, keep your eye out for energy efficient features. From windows and siding to appliances and fixtures, there are a variety of ways a home can conserve energy. Not only will you feel great to purchase a home that helps the environment, but will also put money back into your pocket each month for saving energy. Here are some things to consider and things to look for during your search.

Review of Efficiency and Benefits

One of the primary benefits a homebuyer can take advantage of when it comes to energy efficiency are the savings. From heating and cooling to water use, there are quite a few ways energy is wasted. We usually think about wasting energy by leaving things on that we aren’t using or running the water too long. There are a variety of ways the different areas of a home can waste that you may not even realize such as dishwashers or washing machines that overuse water. Or, poor exterior protection that leaves air and water coming into your home. Issues such as these can provide negative impacts later down the road. It is a time saver when you can factor energy efficiency in as a priority as you look for homes. An alternative is to factor upgrades into your budget and look for homes that you can afford to fix.

Exterior Features (Windows, Siding)

A common way energy is wasted is through windows. Air and water can leak in, which leaves heating and cooling systems doing double-duty trying to maintain the temperature. Doors and siding may also have problems leading to this issue and imbalance within a home. When you find a home with new energy efficient windows or upgraded siding that eliminate any leaks and work with the sun to maintain temperature. This can provide added value for the quality of the home down the road. Proper insulation is another thing to factor in, which isn’t always easy to see. According to Top 10 Reviews’ 10 Features to Consider for an Energy-Efficient Home, proper insulation will help to maintain heat or cool temperatures within the home. You can have it looked at during inspection but even at first glance, it can be a red flat if the home feels drafty or the walls and floors are hot or cold, depending on the weather outside.  

Appliances and Fixtures

It will save you in the long run to find a home with energy efficient appliances and fixtures. One of the best ways to notice this is to see if appliances display the Energy Star logo. But typically, you will know items may not be in best shape if they are older. When looking at appliances, you can talk to your local realtor to see what types of premier appliances the home has. There is a wide variety from kitchen appliances (refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and equipment) to fixtures such as faucets, garbage disposals and toilets. Updated and efficient equipment will be your go-to for savings.

When it comes to finding the perfect home with energy efficient appliances and features, Farrell’s Sales can help.  Looking to buy a fixer upper? Considerations when looking at Colorado Springs homes for sale are important, but can be helpful if you would like to make changes and energy efficient solutions on your own. Contact us today at 303-638-6115 to get started.

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