Colorado Springs Real Estate Resources

 

 

July 30, 2021

4 Mistakes To Avoid When Upgrading To A Bigger Home

The keys to a new home

Are you tired of having to use one room for three different purposes in your home? It might be time to upgrade to a bigger house.

Buyers may be aware of the challenges that come with buying a new home, but what about when you want a larger space?

It's important to be mindful of the common mistakes made by homeowners who upsized their homes so that you avoid repeating them. It always helps to go into the buying process having done thorough market research.

Here are a few common blunders to avoid making when you take the plunge for a bigger home:

Rushing The Buying Process:

We've all been there. You spend months dreaming about large open spaces and sign the first home you come across that fits the bill. Instead of making a hasty decision, it's essential to step back and assess the market.

The current real estate market situation may prompt you to make quick decisions, but it's crucial to put in thought and deliberation.

Research the market trends, compare sales and valuate the house you have your eye on. Hiring an experienced real estate agent can help you quickly go through the analysis process, and you can avoid paying more for features you don't want or need.

Not Understanding The Amount Of Extra Space You Need:

Buyers don't often make calculations to understand their space needs. Before you look for a new home, assess your current home.

List down features you want or suggestions for improvement. There's a chance you may have enough space, but your furniture layout or other items are covering it up.

If not, calculate the extra space you'd still need if you efficiently placed every item in your home.

Once you move into a bigger space, you can use your new floor space for adequate furniture placement. Moreover, plan this placement for regular use, not just special occasions.

Home buyer surveying different homes

Not Thinking About The Long Term:

When making any significant purchase, it's important to assess how it will reflect on your life in the coming years.

You don't want to buy a home that won't fit your future needs and then regret your purchase. Consider long-term factors like marriage, kids, roommates, and more.

Additionally, you need to think about the added costs a larger space will bring. Over time, small expenses like utility bills and maintenance can add up to more than you had imagined.

Ignoring Financing:

When buying a new home, it's essential to know how you expect to be paying for it. Your larger home is likely to be more expensive, so you need to handle the finances accordingly.

You can hire an expert who is qualified to give you advice on mortgage and home loans. You can also consider alternative financing options if you don't want to apply to a bank.

A larger home means you'll have higher property taxes, more significant insurance, and a larger mortgage, so homeowners need to be realistic with their budgets.

At Flat Rate Realty, we ensure you get the best deal to suit your needs. Our brokers can help you secure affordable homes for sale erie co, without any hassle.

Call us at 719-283-9098 or visit our website to learn more.

July 25, 2021

4 Cities With The Best Weather In Colorado

a welcome sign for Colorado

Looking for a place to spend warm nights and sunny days? Hop on over to Colorado! Here, you can experience the full range of seasons, with lots of sunshine, low humidity, and clear blue skies.

When moving to Colorado, it's best to choose someplace in the east away from the mountains that gets plenty of sunshine. Going away from the Rocky Mountains and the Front Range gives you warm weather with beautiful views and plenty of plant life.

If you're thinking of buying homes for sale Colorado but are confused about the weather, this guide should help you out.

Lamar

The warmest city in Colorado is Lamar. This small town is located about 209 miles southwest of Denver.

In 2019, the highest ever temperature recorded in Colorado was in Lamar, which experienced highs of up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Previously, this record was held by Las Animas and Sedgwick, who experienced 114 degrees in 1933 and 1954, respectively.

The gorgeous town of Lamar is full of Colorado's history, including mysterious ghost towns and gold rush fame.

The town's welcome center features a train engine and a century-old windmill, a homage to the town's location of a restored 1907 train station.

You'll get to experience clear, sunny summers from the end of May to mid-September, with cold, dry, and cloudy winters. The cold lasts from late November to late February.

Pueblo

Pueblo is one of the biggest cities in Colorado, with a warm climate. While the city experiences dry, hot summers, the winters are relatively mild, with temperatures remaining bearable in both seasons.

Located on the Front Range, the city offers its residents picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains along with slight snow in the winter.

The city has a low population density with around 110,000 residents and is a great place to visit during the summers. The semi-arid climate of Pueblo ensures that crops like chilies and peppers can grow throughout the year. 

A map of Colorado

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is the only city on this list that won't get a lot of snowfall. Located west of Colorado's Continental Divide, the town sits comfortably on Colorado's western slope.

It experiences a semi-arid climate and has a chunk of the city in a high desert in western Colorado.

Since the Grand Junction has mountains around the city, it doesn't come into contact with the usual arctic winds and retains a temperature just a little warmer than the state's average.

Moreover, the city doesn't experience snow, and the mountains make it a warm and cheerful place for residents. The Grand Junction is known to produce peaches, melons, and chili peppers due to its fruit-friendly soil.

Denver

In 2019, Denver crossed a population of 705,000 residents, which means it is currently the USA's 19th most populated city.

Denver experiences mild winters and is a warm place to live in despite what you may have heard. Because of the city's elevation, it gets 10-15 degrees warmer in the summer compared to some of the mountain towns.

Expect a cold January but hot July with up to 88 degrees in the summer. Moreover, Denver experiences an average of 240 days of sunshine each year, making it one of the sunniest cities in the country.

If you're looking for a home for sale in Colorado, get in touch with Flat Rate Realty. Our experts will help you get the best deal in the shortest amount of time. Call us at 719-283-9098 now!

Posted in Real Estate News
July 23, 2021

4 Reasons to Buy a New Construction Home

Workers constructing a home

 

Some of us believe in the concept of "out with the old, in with the new."

While the original saying may not refer to homes, buying a new construction home has a novel feel you won't get with an old house.

New construction homes are ideal if you want a home that hasn't been lived in by anyone else, but they do cost around 20% more than pre-owned houses. Despite the price tag, there are plenty of reasons why someone would choose a new home.

A newly constructed home gives owners a blank canvas to do with as they wish, and they can design their space as they want.

You can customize everything from the floor plan to the construction materials used in the building. You can choose to add an updated HVAC system that is energy efficient and position doors and cupboards to your liking.

Of course, it's essential to have done your research thoroughly to make the right decisions.

Here are a few reasons why homebuyers should consider new construction homes:

They Are Customizable:

One of the best things about buying a new home is the chance to decorate it. With a new construction home, you have the authority to choose exactly where you want to place certain home features to suit your style.

A personalized home allows builders to showcase their talent and craft and gives you the chance to display your preferences.

With an existing home, you may not get the opportunity to change the whole layout. At most, you can switch out old features and fixtures when remodeling.

If you don't need a fully personalized home, you can still take the opportunity to upgrade materials during the construction.

A newly constructed home

It's Cleaner:

If you want your new home to provide a clean and safe living experience for the family, a new construction home is your best bet.

You can be assured that no one has lived in the home before, and new houses are finished with the best materials and sealants in the market. As a result, you won't have to worry about any nasty surprises once you move in.

It Won't Need To Be Upgraded:

A pre-used home on resale can offer you a canvas to play with but only to an extent; you can add any features or updates you want.

But with a new construction home, you eliminate the need for upgrades since the house is finished with all the latest design trends.

In a resale home, you may have to change old elements and features that have gone out of fashion or aren't practical. But with a new home, you can make all the choices you want to suit your needs.

They Are Energy Efficient:

If you construct a new home today, you're likely to consider energy-efficient updates and features.

Increasing utility costs are a significant concern for homebuyers in 2021. Therefore, they want energy-efficient houses that help them cut down on gas and electricity bills.

When constructing a new home, you can add features like improved insulation between walls, vinyl windows, and new door trim and seals to keep the house cool or warm as needed. Moreover, these savings can help reduce costs in the long run.

Flat Rate Realty helps you pick out the best homes and land for sale durango co. With experienced real estate brokers, we help you get the best deal for every budget.

Give us a call on 719-283-9098 to talk to one of our experts today!

Posted in Buyers Resources
July 21, 2021

Home Selling Checklist – 5 Things To Do Before You Sell Your Home

Real estate agent

 

Ready to put that "For Sale" sign out on the front of your home? Selling your home requires much more effort than you realize.

So before you put your home up on the market, check out this list of tips to help you get the most cash for your place.

Find A Reliable Real Estate Agent:

While you may think you have the smarts needed to sell your home and, therefore, can save money on real estate agents, it never hurts to speak to a professional.

At Flat Rate Realty, we've seen many transactions go haywire because the owner attempted to carry it out themselves. With our experienced real estate agents, you save time and money.

Our brokers can help you understand the benefits and limitations of your specific market and leverage the opportunities to give you a great deal with buyers.

We'll work day and night to ensure you have a smooth and comfortable selling process without any hiccups. Give us a call at 719-283-9098 to talk to your agent.

Think About Curb Appeal:

Buyers will form their first opinion about your home as soon as they pull up to it. Therefore, you want to ensure you dazzle potential buyers and inspire them to schedule a tour of your home by giving them a view they love.

Invest in a few easy fixes like repainting the front and garage doors, adding plants and flowers, and cleaning windows to create an inviting appearance.

You can also ask your real estate agent for tips on how others in the area have increased their home's market value with cosmetic improvements.

A woman holding a for sale sign

Clean Away The Mess:

When selling your home, you want to show people a picture of how the house would look if they bought it. You can't do that if your living area is cluttered with your own stuff.

Before you open your doors to the public, clean the counters, tables, windowsills, and other visible areas.

Next, clear out trash from closets, cupboards, and drawers as well. If you have excess items, it's best to donate them or pack them for transport.

Depersonalize The Space:

This should be a part of your de-cluttering process. Take away any personal items that distract from the home's look so the buyers can see themselves living in the house.

Before you bring in potential buyers, take down family photos, bold artwork, and other personal items.

You should aim to create a blank canvas that buyers can imagine themselves working with once they're in the home.

Add Plants:

The more green you add to your house, the comfier it will look. Plants help create a more open and welcoming space.

If you don't want to commit to potted plants, you can also bring in a bouquet of flowers or keep a bowl of fresh fruit on a visible tabletop.

These elements will add to the color and freshness your home needs.

For more home selling tips, get in touch with Flat Rate Realty Group today! We provide detailed consultation backed by comprehensive market research to help you bag the best deal. Visit our website to learn more.

 

Posted in Sellers Resources
April 16, 2021

Why Real Estate Investment is a Good Idea in 2021

a real estate investor working

 

With multiple investment options in the country, it’s become challenging for new and experienced investors to choose the most viable options that pose no significant risks of losses as an outcome of economic volatility. 

Real estate investment has been on the rise in the past few years, offering a wide range of benefits for investors. It’s become an excellent tool to build wealth with financial advantages, including increased cash flow, portfolio diversification, tax benefits, and massive returns on investments. 

If you’re thinking of purchasing the best homes for sale colorado as a real estate investment, read on to learn why it’s a good idea in 2021.

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April 10, 2021

Why Work with a Realtor?

a house for sale in Colorado

 

A lot of people think all they need to find good real estate is Google. If you belong to this group of people, we don’t blame you. After all, it’s easy to find a buyer online—but that isn’t what real estate is all about. The market is dark and full of terrors. Here’s why you should work with a realtor.

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April 8, 2021

Real Estate Agent: Why Hire One?

A home purchase is often the largest financial transaction that a person makes in life....

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Posted in Buyers Resources
April 5, 2021

Negotiating the Right Price with a Buyer

a house model

 

Like every major business deal, selling a house is a significant financial transaction that requires substantial effort, rhetoric, sources, and negotiation. 842,000 people sold their homes in the United States in 2020. It’s become critical for homebuyers to set the right price for their homes when selling because it determines how much money they’ll be walking away with after making commission payments and other remunerations.

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Posted in Sellers Resources
April 3, 2021

Colorado Ski Homes: Why You Should Invest in One

a ski home

Some vacation spots feel so homey that the idea of moving to that place or owning a property in such an area seems like the perfect next step. If you’ve been to Colorado for a ski trip with your family, you know how thrilling and unforgettable that experience can be.  

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March 30, 2021

The Most Popular Cities in Colorado

Colorado

 

Looking to take a break from tall and shiny skyscrapers and heavy traffic all around you? The increasing urban population growth worldwide has resulted in the vast majority of populations residing in towns, cities, and suburbs. Apart from urban infrastructure, city dwellers are constantly in dire need of a connection with nature in the urban environment. 

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Posted in Real Estate News