Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or you’ve purchased houses in the past, it is important to be prepared before going into your home search. As you look for homes for sale in Colorado Springs, using your realtor will help to make everything a seamless process. However, there are some top mistakes to avoid as you complete your search. Learn why you should not make choices on aspects that can be changed, handling your finances improperly, and the importance of maintaining the home’s structure by completing an inspection.

Making Choices Based on Aesthetics

When you begin your home search, it is easy to look at everything at face value. You might walk through rooms and be completely turned off by the existing homeowner’s decorating style. You might see painted walls that you don’t like or wallpaper that you know will have to be removed. It is items like this that can be changed. While it will be some work, in the grand scheme of things, if you like everything else about the house, do not make your decision based on things that can be changed. This can be a variety of things from door knobs and cabinet color to carpeting and landscaping. You can always talk to your realtor on resources that will help you make some of these aesthetic changes.

Improper Finances

There are a variety of mistakes some homebuyers make when it comes to finances. It is important to save for your down payment, but then the additional costs, too. It is important to work with your realtor and lending agent on additional costs. These can include closing costs, inspection, or homeowner’s insurance. In addition, you need to be prepared financially to make any fixes in case anything breaks upon purchasing the home, or anything that comes up in the inspection that the seller will not fix. Last, as you are in the home buying process, do not make any major purchases or do anything drastic with your finances. It can become a red flag to your lender and you may not get the mortgage.

Skipping the Home Inspection

The home inspection is a very important part of the home buying process. Before sealing the deal on a home, an inspector will go in and review the quality of it. They will find any issues that could pose as a risk or that you as the future owner will need to know and fix. In some cases, you can also work with the seller to see if they will cover costs. The home inspection, explained by Investopedia, is different from the appraisal and specifically reviews the quality. This is not something to skip out on. With the risk of structural issues, it is important to have this done. To help you prepare for your inspection, you can work with your realtor on costs.

To help make your home buying process seamless, you can count on realtor Marianne Farrell. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, you can trust her to help you through the process to ensure you do not make any of these top mistakes to avoid. As you finalize a sale, be sure to read Marianne’s overview on who pays closing costs on homes for sale in Colorado Springs. To get started, call her office today at 303-638-6115.

Did you know the average commute for those who live in Colorado is just over 24 miles? For many, they want to cut or eliminate this to be able to spend what was 30 minute to an hour in the car to quality time to family, getting more work done, or much more. Many are doing this by finding jobs that allow them to work from home, or in some instances, becoming their own small business owner. Learn more about what makes for a great home office that you can look for in a home search, simple upgrades to make to enhance your home work space, and other home tips to create a great work environment from your Colorado Springs real estate expert.

What Makes a Great Home Office?

A great home office is a space that is functional for what you need. In order to do that, you must know what you need. Take some time to think about what would help you in a home office. What kind of storage space do you need? What type of desk do you need and space requirements? What types of devices do you use and do you need workspaces for different types of activities? What type of work in general do you do? Will you need a space to meet with clients? These and more are all factors you should consider when looking for a home that has your perfect home office. While you can make it your own, you do need to find a home that has the space requirements you need. Unless you plan on doing some renovations, be sure to look for a home that has the space that you can build on.

Simple Upgrades to Enhance Your Space

As you find the right space for your new home office, there are a few great additions you can make to make the space more functional. First, consider furniture with built-in outlets or wiring that is embedded into your furniture. This makes for a great clutter-free work environment sans wires.If you don't like sitting still, make your space more friendly for an active lifestyle by incorporating a standing desk. This will help keep your blood flowing throughout the day. You can even make an investment into a treadmill desk if you have to spend hours and hours in your office. Last, be sure to make the space your own. Decorate in ways that work for you and make it functional for you. Need ideas? Try the 14 simple things you can do to upgrade your office from Life Hack.

Other Home Tips for Great Work Environment

Just because you will work from home does not mean you will spend all of your time working in your office. If you plan to work at home, you will also be spending a lot of time at your new house. This means you need to have a home you enjoy spending a majority of your time in. Sounds simple but it makes a difference in your quality of life. Find a house that a great outdoor space that allows you to go outside and enjoy some time working on a deck or poolside. Next, make sure the internet at your new house will work properly. As a person working from home, spending a little more to ensure great internet is an investment worth making. Last, it is helpful to have other spaces to spend time in that you don’t during non-work hours. This could include an extra eating area that you use for lunches or a loft to take breaks in.

In addition to these tips, be sure to read more about finding the perfect home office when searching for homes for sale in Colorado Springs. For help, you can count on the expertise of Marianne Farrell. Be sure to check out buyer info and how she can help you find a home that works for you to work in!

When putting your home on the market, you might be wondering what the best methods are to help your home sell quickly. When working with a local Colorado Springs real estate expert, they can help you with some of the major fixes you may need to make if you are not able to compromise on price. However, did you know there are quick fixes you can make on your own to help attract buyers? Learn how you can sell your home more quickly with kitchen paint and updated appliances, consistent finishes and fixtures and flooring changes.

Kitchen Paint and Appliances

The kitchen is one of the go-to areas of the home. You want the space to be open, clean and inviting. If you have walls that look aged or dated, or they are a unique color, give your kitchen a fresh coat of paint. If your kitchen has any out-of-date wallpaper, you will want to remove that too before painting. Ideally, you will want to paint your kitchen a light color. It can be a neutral beige, grey or white or a lighter shade of colors like green or blue. Along with upgrading your paint colors, take some time to evaluate your appliances. If your appliances might be a factor on future homeowners, discuss with your realtor if they are worth replacing. Read more about remodeling a kitchen for resale.

Finishes and Fixtures

One simple change you can make that seems small is making sure your finishes and fixtures are consistent. These are your door or cabinet knobs, faucets, towel racks, handles and more. You want to choose a color that is not flashy or outdated. Brushed nickel or chrome are two popular finishes. To save on costs, you could take an inventory of your home to see which finish you have the most of and update the others to be consistent if the colors are similar. In addition, you can also look at small things such as light or ceiling fan fixtures to see if they are out of date. You can install inexpensive fixtures to help make them more attractive to future buyers.

Flooring and Crown Molding

Over time, flooring can become old and worn. It may be worth an investment to update your flooring. Depending on the condition, if it is in poor shape, it can be a major turn off for a prospective buyer. It can be anything from scratched hardwood to stained carpet. Hardwood is a top choice to make that can make your rooms look larger. It is also more flexible for changes as you can use rugs to play up certain areas. If your carpet has large stains that do not come out, instead of replacing the carpet, you may want to consider a simple hardwood.
 
For a premier real estate agent to help you sell your home, you can trust Marianne Farrell. As a Denver resident, she strives to help you find the perfect home and sell yours. Another way to make your home more attractive is through staging. Be sure to read these tips for staging Colorado Springs homes for sale. Ready to get started and experience quality service? Contact Marianne Farrell at Berkshire Hathaway today.

If you’ve never purchased a home before, the fact that you have to pay closing costs may catch you off guard. Many buyers are unaware that they could be responsible for paying thousands of dollars in fees before officially closing on the home. Buyers aren’t the only ones who have to pay closing costs—sellers are on the hook for some of these fees as well. Take a look at who typically pays closing costs on homes for sale in Colorado Springs:

Sellers

In most cases, the seller will be responsible for paying the real estate agents’ commission at closing. This means he will pay the commission for both the agent representing the seller and the agent representing the buyer. The amount that the seller has to pay will depend on the commission percentage and the purchase price of the home. The typical commission rate is 6% of the purchase rate, which is then split between the two agents. How do real estate agents get paid?

Buyers

Unfortunately, buyers will usually have to pay the majority of closing costs. Many of the fees that buyers will have to pay are associated with taking out a loan to finance the house. If you are paying for your house with cash, these fees won’t apply to you.
 
Some of the fees that buyers will be expected to pay at closing include appraisal fees, origination fees, credit reporting fees, recording fees, notary fees, title insurance fees, and bank processing fees. Total closing costs can vary greatly, but it’s estimated that buyers generally pay closing costs that are between 2-5% of the purchase price of the home.
 
Buyers will receive a closing statement that lists each item that they are responsible for paying at closing. Your agent should provide this to you at least three days prior to your closing date so you have plenty of time to look it over. It’s important to carefully review this document with your real estate agent to ensure you understand what you owe.

Open to Negotiation

Even though the buyer is typically on the hook for most of the closing costs, this isn’t set in stone. In fact, it’s very common for buyers and sellers to bring up closing costs during the offer negotiations. In a seller’s market, the seller may ask the buyer to take on some of the real estate agents’ commission to sweeten the deal. In a buyer’s market, the buyer may ask the seller to take on a portion of the closing costs. If you’re concerned about closing costs, talk to your agent to see if it’s possible to negotiate.
 
Now that you know everything about the closing costs that you will be expected to pay, 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!

Purchasing a home is an exciting time—even more exciting when it is your first home. Becoming a homeowner is an accomplishment to be proud of! Many are happy to have a place that they can call your own. As you prepare to make this next step in your life, there are a few top considerations you must begin preparing for. From financials that you must get into order and tips for finding the perfect home to how your local realtor can help you find Colorado Springs real estate, learn what steps you need to take.

Financials to Get in Order

As soon as you think you will be ready to start considering purchasing your first home, it is time to get your financials in order. First time homebuyers can take advantage of a FHA loan with low down payment percentages that can be as low as 3.5 percent. Let FHA loans help you accomplish your goal. You will want to begin saving for this amount as soon as you can. In addition, some other costs to begin saving for include closing costs, inspection fees and homeowner’s insurance. In addition to ramping up your savings, you might also need to do some work on your credit. Lenders will review your credit and financial situation to be able to see what you can afford. One of the areas they will look at is your debt-to-income ratio. This will be the amount of debt you have compared to how much your family brings in for income. Ideally you want to keep this ratio at a healthy percent of 30 percent. If your ratio is higher, don’t fret. Just discuss with your lender what your options are.

Finding the Perfect Home

When preparing to begin your home search, it is best to think ahead to the future. You don’t only want to buy a house that works for you and your family now, but that you can see yourself in years down the road. Typically, it is ideal to live in a house for around seven years. Ask yourself and anyone else you will be moving in with a few key questions such as will you need additional space down the road for family? Do you have pets? Are there any needs for the home, such as extra space for a home office? Next, make a list of some must-haves and list them out on areas you can be flexible in. There are items that you won’t want to compromise, while others you might have to depending on your budget and availability in the area you are looking in. These can be things such as the age of the home, neighborhood, flooring, layout, and more. Keep in mind that some changes are cosmetic and are changeable. So, if you aren’t happy with the paint colors in a room—don’t let that be a deal breaker.

How a Realtor Can Help

Working with a premier realtor will help you every step of the way during your home search. You can use them as your go-to guide with everything, from the loans to your search. By allowing a realtor to be your guide, you can count on being able to find the perfect home with the quality you are looking for. Your realtor will do all of the heavy lifting and will be able to negotiate the final price on your behalf.
 
For a realtor that you can trust to help you find your first home, Marianne Farrell has you covered. As you look in the Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Tri-Lakes, and other Colorado Front Range areas, she has the experience to help. Review important buyer info and contact Marianne today to get started.