Do you work in the Colorado Springs or Tri-Lake area? Do you have a long commute? Consider looking for homes for sale in Colorado Springs! There are so many benefits to living near your place of employment. Whether you are looking to move or this information helps you consider the advantages, it definitely can be a great decision.
 

1. Shorter Commute: Did you know the average person’s commute to work is 30 minutes each way? Many people even have an hour-long commute, which is two hours out of every day. Two hours! Add traffic, inclement weather and anything else that may occur on the way and you increase the time. By choosing a house that is closer to your place of employment, you will be able to reduce your stress. Studies have shown that long commute times not only take time out of your day, but can negatively impact your health. Spending hours in a vehicle causes stress and anxiety, increases your blood pressure, can create back issues and in general is a long time being sedentary.
   
    
2. Quality of Life: You may not realize it until it happens, but living close to work can improve your lifestyle and your happiness. Ultimately you will have more time during the day for other activities. For instance, you can take a class at the gym, sit and enjoy your morning coffee, attend more of your children’s activities, or even just have more time to come home and relax. Plus, a shorter commute time will leave more money in your pocket. In the short term, it will definitely save on trips to the gas station each week. But you are also saving in the long term too as you are not putting as much wear and tear onto your vehicle. If you are looking for one of the best ways to keep your car in premier condition—putting fewer miles on it will definitely help.
   
    
3. “Live Where You Work” Program: Those who work in the city area can take advantage of the “Live Where You Work” efforts. This program allows middle-income potential homeowners to find affordable housing near their workplace. Home prices range from $250,000 to $400,000. Participating in the “Live Where You Work” program is also one of the top ways to help economic growth and connect with your community. It is a great opportunity for those who want to achieve a shorter commute time, reduce stress and become more connected with their community.
    

As you decide to move into a home closer to work, we can help! Realtor Marianne Farrell is your go-to local real estate expert that will help you find the home of your dreams in an area near your workplace. She excels at working with potential homeowners every step of the way within the home buying process. Learn more about Marianne Farrell and how she can help you! When ready to get started looking for your next home, give her a call at 303-796-7000 or contact Marianne Farrell in Colorado Springs.

Many people choose to buy a home during the warmer months because it’s sunny out, the roads are clear, and it’s generally a good time to make a move, however, that does not mean you should wait if you are ready to move. Purchasing a new home during late Fall and Winter is feasible and has its perks. Learn some of the best ways to find a home and the advantages you have.

Eager Sellers

The summer is a popular time to put a home on the market. Once the fall rolls in, sellers become more eager to sell. If a house continues to stay on the market for weeks and weeks, buyers become very eager to sell. Each day the house is on the market, they could be potentially losing money depending on their situation. Typically, the longer a house stays on the market, the more likely the seller is willing to negotiate on price. Since winter is one of the seasons buyers choose to list a house the least, you may have more room to work with negotiation. From working on the price, to having the seller cover closing costs and other fees, you as a buyer may potentially have this advantage.

Fewer buyers

Since the winter is not the most popular time to buy a house, there are fewer people looking for homes. Not only does this give you a financial advantage for buyers eager to sell, but houses may not go as quickly. In hot markets, buyers should worry about houses selling before they have even had a chance to look at them. During the winter, the market is not as fast paced. It also gives you an advantage over what is available on the market. The winter is a great time to find a common middle ground that helps you and the seller.

Monetary benefits

In addition to having the upper hand on home sales, there are other top benefits to buying during the colder months. In Fox Business’ Advantages of Buying a Home During the Wintertime, purchasing a home before the first of the year provides tax benefits. They explain you can use deductions you could not after January 1. If you are hiring local movers to help you move, which may be helpful during the winter, costs may be lower. Fox Business explains you might be able to work with the moving company on price since they may be looking for more business. Moving companies also help with packing and other things as well, so be sure to look for services that can help you and your family make your move seamless.

As you look for homes for sale in Colorado Springs, read about Colorado market trends. You can find some of the latest information to help you with your home search. When ready to get started, contact Marianne Farrell with Berkshire Hathaway. Realtor Marianne Farrell is your local go-to realtor with over 30 years of experience. She is well versed in the market and will help you find a quality home at the perfect price this winter. Contact Marianne Farrell at Berkshire Hathaway in Colorado Springs, CO to get started.

1. Many people in search of a new home have a budget to work within during their search. As you prepare to buy a new house, it is important to determine that budget and stick to it. It is easy to deviate from your must-haves when you see what is available for a higher price, or a unique feature that you suddenly can’t live without. Follow some of these best practices to help keep your focus during your search.

Make a priority list

Before you begin your search, make a priority list. There is often a reason for a move, so it is important you find a home that covers those needs, whether it is the need for more space, to have a shorter commute, etc. Certain needs will stand out, such as minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms. There are a few other considerations as well, if you have someone tall living in the house, do the ceilings and shower heights accommodate them? Is a garage important? How much storage do you need? Do you need a basement and/or attic? Will you need double sinks in a master bathroom? Does it matter how many floors the home has? These are all top considerations when prioritizing needs for a new home. Keep in mind, the longer your priority list, the harder it may be to accommodate on a smaller budget.

Learn to compromise

Once you have made your new home priority list, rank the list starting with the top priority. As you look at homes, you may develop a quality standard for some of your priorities. If you are turned off by a home that may have an item on your list that you don’t feel totally meets your needs, consider if it can be upgraded or remodeled at a lower price than another home. For instance, if you want a garage with shelving, but you find one without shelving—this is something you can add.

Not straying from goals

When searching for your new home, better features may grab your attention. You may be tempted to deviate from some of your top priority items. Do not lose sight of those. One of the biggest factors that have people stray from their list is location. Be cautious moving farther than you would like. It can extend your commute which will cost more in gas and time. Evaluate those costs and how it may change the quality of your life with extra minutes added each day to driving/commuting. Throughout the search, always hold firm on your priorities. Avoid straying from those but leave wiggle room with some of the other items lower on the list.

When you are ready to start looking for your next home, Marianne Farrell is your premier local realtor in Castle Pines, CO. As your go-to real estate agent in the Colorado Springs area, we will help you find a hope that fits within your budget and meet your needs. Be sure to bookmark our three tips to make your move easier from your Colorado Springs real estate expert. Contact us today to get started.  

Are you currently amidst finding a new home and trying to sell your old one? This can create a very stressful situation, especially around the holidays when the kitchen is buzzing and, family and friends are visiting. With the holidays upon us, use these tips from your Colorado Springs real estate experts. By practicing these tips, you can have a smooth move, even during the holidays.

Plan and Shop Ahead

One of the last things you will want to do or even have time to do during your move is gift buying, grocery shopping or holiday decorating. Use the time before the holidays to plan ahead. Make your shopping list now and take care of it now. Take advantage of online deals that will save you time from driving to the store. If you enjoy taking part in large shopping days, be sure you work around it. Go into your shopping trip with a game plan and get other important tasks done before and after the trip.

Ask for Help:

A move can be stressful. To maintain a good quality of life throughout a holiday season move, utilize the help of others. Consider throwing a packing or unpacking party with friends and/or family, and offer them food, drink and holiday cheer in return. Don’t want to ask friends or family for help? You can also utilize the help of a moving service. It is an added expense, but sometimes added expenses can make processes easier. Moving services will help you get your valuables and furniture to your new home relieving  your stress. Check out your local moving company to see what other services they offer.

Mail Routing:

If you will be moved to your new home during the holidays, you may not be able to get everyone your new address in time for cards and gifts. It’s important to change your address through the post service as soon as you take the new keys so all mail will be delivered there. Changing your address is easy and can be done from the comfort of your home. USPS’s Official USPS Change of Address explains the process gives you over $750 in coupons, safeguarded information, and local information and moving offers through My Move. They add you will receive an email confirmation of your address change. From there, your mail will be forwarded for up to a year and magazines and other periodicals for 60 days. This will give you plenty of time to make sure all of your addresses are changed after your move and holidays.

Moving is not just stressful for your family, it is for our pets too. During the process, read these pet moving tips when looking for homes for sale. If you think you are ready to take on a move during the holidays, Marianne Farrell at Berkshire Hathaway can help. We are your top go-to realtor to help you find the home that best accommodates you and your family. Search listings or fill out a contact form to get started.  

One of the least ideal situations when searching for a new home is finding one without any leads on the one you are living in, but can happen a lot. It puts you and your family in a tough place. Most people can’t afford two mortgages, so what do you do? Pass on the house of your dreams? There is a lot to consider and your local Colorado Springs real estate expert can help provide you with alternatives to make the situation work.

1. Assess your situation

One of the best things you can do if you have found a new home is assess your situation. You will need to work with your realtor and lender to determine how much your mortgage and any other fees, such as an HOA, will be. Next, review your finances and see if you can make that double payment? You may have to make the double payment for several months so it is important that you can live comfortably in the event the home does not sell quickly. Also, review your debt-to-income ratio. If it is higher than 40 percent, you may be in dangerous territory and may not be able to purchase based on the lender.

2. Options

If you aren’t ready to give up on your dream home, there are some options you can consider. First, talk to your realtor about a contingency. In Investopedia’s, Home Sale Contingencies: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know, they explain you can put a contingency in your contract that the deal can go through if the buyer’s home sells by a certain date. This will protect you from other buyers from coming in and making an offer. Another top option could be renting out your home. If your area is not selling well, renting could be a good option that may even supplement your income. However, that income can’t necessarily be claimed right away so you will have to prove to your lender you can make the double payments.

3. Take it or leave it

Ultimately, it will be your choice to decide if you can handle two mortgages. If you have any hesitations, it may be in your best interest to hold off until your home sells. It can be frustrating, but may prevent you from a stressful financial situation. On the flipside, if you sell before you buy, that can also be frustrating to find a temporary living situation. Evaluate the quality of life through this transition. You can decide to put everything you have in storage and move into a completely furnished option, or just find a rental opportunity that works for you. As you decide if you can juggle two homes, Marianne Farrell at Berkshire Hathaway is your premier go-to real estate agency. If you are struggling selling your home, learn the main reasons your house is not selling without a realtor. You can work with Marianne Farrell at Berkshire Hathaway on the sale of your current home and guidance if you find the new home of your dreams if your other has not yet sold. Call us at 303-796-7000 to get started!