5 key steps to buying your first home, tax credit or not

By Stephanie Armour

As a Realtor, Lacy Williams gives presentations to first-time home buyers about what to expect when buying a home. She often finds she must start at the beginning, helping novice buyers decide whether it makes more financial sense to rent or buy. Then she gets down to the nuts and bolts: how to get a loan, pick a Realtor and look for a home.

"I tell people there are no stupid questions. Ask anything you don't understand."

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7 tips for picking a real estate agent

Ask recent real estate clients about their asking and selling prices.
Find out if the agent is licensed and has had no disciplinary action.
Is the agent a Realtor and does he specialize in any type of home sale?

Ever wish you could see through the hype to hire the best real estate agent for buying or selling your home?

There are things you can do to pull back the curtain and accurately assess a real estate agent's past performance and potential success with your home. Whether you're the buyer or the seller, here are seven ways you can find out more about your agent before you hire.


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Nine Ways to Make Your Home More Appealing to Buyers

When you're ready to sell your house, it pays to assess your home and make improvements before the for-sale sign goes in the yard. By doing so, you'll help buyers see the beauty of your home -- and that helps put the sold sign up faster. Especially in today's tough market for home sellers, attention to details and a willingness to go the extra mile can make all the difference.

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Attic Fans Cool Entire Home - Highlands Ranch

By Marc Dickinson

During the hot summer months, attic temperatures can reach up to 160 degrees, and even though passive cooling systems, such as ridge vents, can certainly disperse the heat, more efficient ventilation can be attained through the use of attic fans. Though these fans can certainly cool down your attic, they have a much broader function: whole house ventilation.

In the Attic
During the summer, your attic acts as a giant radiator, retaining heat which can end up ruining your stored possessions.


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