Highlands Ranch Real Estate Information

Finding the best real estate agent to sell your home

2010-11-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

In today's real estate market, it's more important than ever that the agent you hire can find you a buyer and get you the best price possible for your home. Easier said than done. Here are some tips you ensure the best agent for the job.

1. Ask friends/family in your area if they have any referrals. Would they select the same real estate agent again? What quality of service did they receive?

Read the rest of the story.

Tips to Winterize Your Home

2010-11-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and there is a chill in the air.

Make your buyers feel the warmth and save energy by taking a few simple steps to winterize your home.

Read the rest of the story.

Wait-and-See Buyers May Lose Out

2010-10-22T22:54:00.001-06:00

Real estate agents have seen increasing numbers of prospective buyers repeating what has become a familiar pattern. In the current slower market, many buyers hesitate to make a purchase decision even when their search criteria have almost all been met by a property they have viewed. However, many prospective buyers may look back with regret if they are not prepared to make offers when a home meets their needs.

Of course this reluctance has served well from one point of view. Clearly prices have been in a downward trend for quite a while even in relatively stronger market areas.

See the full story.

Tips To Prepare Your Home For Quick Sale

2010-10-22T22:52:00.000-06:00

It is necessary to prepare your house for the market to sell it fast. This is especially important in a depressed real estate market where houses continue sitting on the market for months with no buyers.

Follow these tips to sell your house faster.

1) Get advice from a Realtor

When you need to sell your house, the first thing to do must be to consult a Realtor.

Read the full story.

Staging your home to sell it sooner

2010-10-15T21:45:00.000-06:00

Tough economic times continue to eat away at the housing market. Home sales and loans in Mesa County are declining compared to last year. However, sellers can learn some helpful tips to make their home as welcoming to would–be buyers as possible.

"The biggest thing is de–cluttering and sprucing up if you have walls that need paint," says 24-year veteran Realtor Betty Fulton, who works for Bray Real Estate.

See the full story here.

Tips for selling your home in this fall

2010-08-27T21:14:00.000-06:00

Summer is coming to an end which means the leaves will start changing, the weather will begin cooling and we'll all be spending more time inside our homes.

It may also be the time of year when you begin wondering if you truly want to stay in your home. Many sellers think that fall is a bad time to put their home on the market but, as real estate experts will tell you, that's simply not the case.

Read the rest of the story.

5 tips to improve your home's resale value

2010-08-21T13:30:00.001-06:00

By AMY MCFADDEN

Is the house you’re moving out of designed to sell?

If you’re looking to add oomph to your address before planting a for sale sign out front, area real-estate agents say you can do it yourself with little expense. “There are lots of low-cost ways to get your house ready to sell,” says Steve Klemm of Sangamon Realty in Springfield.

Tip 1: Up against the wall
Klemm says his No. 1 suggestion is to take down any wallpaper in the kitchen, living room and master bedroom. Then paint the interior walls a basic, neutral color.

Check out the rest of the tips.

Opportunities And Pitfalls In The Current Real Estate Market

2010-07-24T20:19:00.001-06:00

Opportunities And Pitfalls In The Current Real Estate Market

Do you have any advice for those looking to remodel? What types of upgrades are prudent?
The remodeling industry was hit extremely hard last year, and while more people are planning to fix up their homes this year, the problem is one of financing. You either have to save up enough money to fix your house or you have to charge it on your credit card. You can no longer take out a home equity loan, use the proceeds to fix up your house, and then refinance the balance into a new mortgage.

Read more here.

Tips to Help the Home Buyer Navigate the Housing Market

2010-07-18T08:58:00.001-06:00

So, you are in the market for a new home? Congratulations! This is a big step in your life--no matter what you end up buying. If you are like most home buyers you have many worries on your mind. Above all else, you probably want to get the best deal possible in terms of price.

1.Choose an experienced real estate agent. Your agent will guide you through the buying process.

Check out the other tips.

Do your own "staging" when selling your home

2010-07-10T08:40:00.001-06:00

When it comes to selling your home, appearance is everything. But hiring a professional "stager" to prepare the home for prospective buyers can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, according to Jessica Page, a Realtor with Innovative Real Estate in Denver.

Fortunately, homeowners can take matters into their own hands.
Page and veteran Florida Realtor Jennifer Radice, of Coldwell Banker in Boca Raton, Fla. share expert tips for staging your home that cost next to nothing.

See the entire article.

Selling A House? Tips For Attracting Buyers With Good Scents

2010-07-10T08:34:00.000-06:00

Can a potential buyer be compelled to make a big purchase if a pleasant background fragrance appeals to their senses and breaks down their defenses?

Years ago, savvy real estate agents baked cookies or cinnamon rolls in the homes they were showing to create a deliciously scented atmosphere meant to entice buyers. If you're trying to sell a home in today's challenging real estate market, you may have tried this technique. However, you may need to think a bit more creatively to make your home stand out.

Read the full story.

15 low-cost, high-return tips to sell in Highlands Ranch

2010-05-07T18:20:00.000-06:00

Fortunately, there are many low cost projects you can do yourself and have your home stand out from others, even during the slower market. Because we are in a buyer’s market, the days of calling your agent and selling your home a few days later is not the norm. We now have to differentiate our homes from the over-saturated inventory. The good news is, it does not have to cost a lot of money to do so. Below are some unique tips to help sell your house faster and for more money.

1. One of the largest impacts that you can have when selling your home is interior and exterior painting. One of the best quotes that I have heard on this topic is from John Tenza , a professional real estate coach in Ann Arbor , “Paint is worth $20 in the can and $1,000 on the wall.” He continues to explain that homes being sold must have a clean and fresh appearance to entice the buyers when they are considering your property. Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to accomplish this. Remember to use neutral colors.

2. Curb appeal is vital when selling a home.

Read the entire story.

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

2010-04-30T20:20:00.001-06:00

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."

See the full story.

7 tips for picking a real estate agent

2010-04-30T20:14:00.001-06:00

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.

Read the full story.

Nine Ways to Make Your Home More Appealing to Buyers

2010-04-23T21:10:00.000-06:00

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.

Check out the full list.

Attic Fans Cool Entire Home - Highlands Ranch

2010-04-13T20:29:00.001-06:00

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.

Read more.

Five Home Fixes Cheaper than $500

2010-03-26T07:55:00.002-06:00

Maybe you have $500 in your home maintenance budget for the rest of the year. Maybe you have a home maintenance project you've been trying to take care of for months and need to plan a budget around the upcoming cost. Here are five common home fixes that cost, on average, $500 or less. How do we know what these projects cost? From homeowners across the country, who just like you, have completed these home fixes with one of our trusted home improvement contractors.

1. Install a Central Humidifier-($494)

Check out the other inexpensive fixes.

10 tips to follow when selling your home

2010-03-19T20:34:00.002-06:00

By Jessica Heffner

Getting your home ready for this year’s spring market will be like beating Tiger Woods in the Masters — it’s not going to be easy.

With foreclosures still flooding the local real estate market — making up as much as 39 percent of all home sales in the Greater Cincinnati area, according to Zillow.com — there’s one easy way homeowners can set themselves apart from their cheaper counterparts.

Cleanliness.

“The easiest thing to overlook if you can’t make improvements is cleanliness. Everything has to be clean. That is not an expensive way to set yourself apart,” said John Prazynsk.

Read the full story.

10 Tips for a Greener Home

2010-02-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Leslie Mann

When I began working in real estate, one of the first things I wanted to do was immerse myself in learning about green construction. Daniel and Amelia Glickman of Sustainable Construction welcomed me into their beautiful studio in Sherborn, and imparted a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Since that time they’ve been a go-to resource when it comes to environmentally-friendly living. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Amelia, who shared these tips on creating a greener, healthier home.

1. Use milk-based paints. There are many gorgeous milk-based paints available, which are free of VOC (volatile organic compounds), a combination of chemicals that can cause adverse health impacts.

Read the full story.

6 Tax Tips for Real Estate Owners and Investors

2010-02-06T09:46:00.001-07:00

As real estate owners and investors do business throughout 2010, they will more than likely face many complex tax issues that could strain their resources and drain profits. They should keep in mind these tax tips that could help them save money in the long run:

1. Determine if your partnership qualifies for an income deferral for debt reacquisition transactions. Has your business had debt forgiven? There is a tax election available that will allow you to defer cancellation of debt (COD) income until 2014,

Read the full story.

Tips for selling your Highlands Ranch home fast

2010-01-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

By Stacy Johnson

In the 30 years I’ve been investing in real estate, I’ve never seen anything like this housing market. Granted, all real estate is local and I live in Florida, which shares the title of worst market with California, Nevada and Arizona. Home prices here have declined up to 50%, and many houses have been on the market for years.

See the full story here.

Six Important Tax Saving Tips for 2010

2010-01-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

By Mark Kennedy

Kennedy’s Six Top Tax Saving Tips for 2010:

1. People need to take advantage of the new 2010 ROTH IRA rollover rules to avoid having the Government take as much as 35% of their IRA value from their family when they die. They could be in for huge taxes if this is not done!

2. The Estate Tax is in unsettled territory and is temporarily repealed for 2010. But watch out, says Kennedy!…75,000 average Americans inheriting estates in 2010 that were not large enough for the Estate Tax, must take measures to avoid being hit with huge capital gains taxes for the first time since 1913!

Read the entire story.

10 Tips - Highlands Ranch

2010-01-15T21:58:00.002-07:00

By Steve McLinden

Entering 2010, many home sellers feel they're mired in the winter of their discontent, but there are signs the real estate market is on the mend. Sales activity is up, homebuilders are finally moving inventory and values are rising slightly in many American cities. At year-end 2009, mortgage rates stood at historic lows, spurring a wave of new applications.

Read the full story.

Beyond the mortgage payment

2010-01-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Before buying your first home, brace yourself for these extra costs. On his road to homeownership, Scott Leibfried has learned one thing: Expect the unexpected.

He and his wife had an offer accepted on a home, only to later find that foreclosure proceedings were about to begin on it. That's after they considered another home that was aesthetically pleasing but had major issues that came to light upon closer inspection.

Read the full story.

Highlands Ranch Information from City-Data.com

2010-01-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Some interesting facts about the Highlands Ranch area such as - population, weather, ethnic mix, surrounding schools, etc. See more details at the link below.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Highlands-Ranch-Colorado.html

5 WAYS to improve your home’s value

2010-01-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

By David Jakubiak

In a tough real estate market, the difference between selling a home and watching it stay listed month after month can come down to making a few changes to capture the uniqueness of your home.

While budget busting renovation projects are one way to update your space, they are often far too expensive for people looking to sell their homes. But tearing out your kitchen and adding a new bathroom aren’t the only ways to get your house sold.

If you want to make some changes, but don’t want to empty your wallet, here are five affordable tips to help you improve your home’s marketability.

1. Know Your Market

Talk to your Realtor. This may seem obvious, but few people know better what buyers want.

Read the rest of the story.

Buying Highland Ranch Real Estate - 10 questions to ask any Realtor

2010-01-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

No matter who you choose as a realtor, make sure you ask these 10 questions if you're considering buying Highlands Ranch Real estate.

- Are you a full-time professional Realtor®?
- Do you and/or your company each have a website that will provide me with useful information for research, services, and how you work with buyers? Can I have those Web addresses now? And who does the emails? Can I have the email address now?
- Will you show me properties from other companies' listings?

The Right (and Wrong) Way to Cut Home Insurance Costs

2009-12-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

By JENNIFER SARANOW SCHULTZ
If the market values of your home or collectibles have gone down recently, you may have considered reducing the amount of insurance coverage you have to save costs.

But such marking to market value isn’t always a smart insurance saving strategy.

The Insurance Information Institute, an educational organization financed by the insurance industry, has included “insuring a home for its real estate value rather than the cost of rebuilding” as No. 1 in its new list of insurance mistakes consumers make when trying to cut insurance costs.

Read the rest of the story.

5 Homeowner Open House Strategies

2009-12-25T20:19:00.001-07:00

by Matthew C. Keegan

If you’re a homeowner working with a real estate agent to sell your home, there are some things you can do make your open house successful, perhaps netting one or more offers. An open house is one of several ways to market your home, but it doesn’t always yield a buyer. By thinking creatively, you can attract visitors to your home including potential buyers.

1. Advertise — Is the realtor’s website updated and easy to access?

See the other 4 strategies.

10 Questions to ask your Realtor - Highlands Ranch Real Estate

2009-12-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

1. Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have?
Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but it is a good starting point for your discussion. The same issue can apply to professional designations.

2. Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to handle different parts of the purchase? What are their names and how will each of them help me in my transaction? How do I communicate with them?
It is not uncommon for agents who sell a lot of houses to hire people to work with them. As their businesses grow, they must be able to deliver the same or higher quality service to more people.
You may want to know who on the team will take part in your transaction, and what role each person will play. You may even want to meet the other team members before you decide to work with the team. If you have a question about fees on your closing statement, who would handle that? Who will show up to your closing?

3. Do you have a Website that will list my home? Can I have your URL address? Who responds to emails and how quickly? What’s your email address?

See all 10 at www.denver-real-estate-agency.com

Blueprint for Buying in Highlands Ranch

2009-12-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

By June Fletcher From The Wall Street Journal Online

To buy or not to buy?
That is the question facing homeowners all across the country as overall home prices reach yet another record & mortgage interest rates reach a six-year-high.

April and Adam Nichols are suffering from sticker shock. The newlywed New Yorkers would love to get out of their cramped one-bedroom rental ... click here for more of the story.

How Buyers and Sellers can get the most for Highlands Ranch Real Estate

2009-12-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Contributed by Wall Street Staff Reporters

By now, almost everyone knows someone who postponed buying a house "until prices cooled off" -- and most of those buyers are still waiting (unless they've given up and bought, before they get completely priced out of the market).

See tips for buyers and tips for sellers, see the rest of the story at this link

5 tips for staging your home in Highlands Ranch

2009-11-27T18:56:00.001-07:00

Staging a home for sale is all about making it inviting to the largest number of potential buyers. If a home is vacant, a stager will haul in furniture and décor so buyers can imagine themselves living there. If it’s occupied, the stager will declutter, neutralize and decorate for the masses.
Staging won’t make a home sell for more than it’s worth, but it can set your home apart and boost the selling price to the top of the range for comparable homes. It can also cut the time on the market.
Staging can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance shares a few ways to stage your home for less than $1,000.

1. “Virtually stage” your vacant property.

See the rest of the story.

Buying Commercial Real Estate in Highlands Ranch

2009-11-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Buying Commercial Real Estate Can Be a Secure Investment
by Phoebe Chongchua - Realty Times

Buying commercial real estate can be a secure and profitable investment if you take the time to research, get advice from experts and know your risks and benefits.

"There are four main reasons to buy investment real estate: cash flow, appreciation, depreciation and principal pay-down," says Mike McCaffery, Investment Property Consultant, GFS Commercial, a division of the Guiltinan Group Real Estate Specialists. See more by clicking on this link.

Highlands Ranch School Directory

2009-11-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Looking for all the schools in Highlands Ranch? Check out this complete list at the link below:
http://www.dcsdk12.org/portal/page/portal/DCSD

Highlands Ranch Youth Sports

2009-11-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Check out all the youth sports available in Highlands Ranch.

Boys T-ball / Baseball
Girls T-ball / Softball
Boys' and Girls' Flag Football
Tackle Football
In-line Hockey
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Sport Camps
Skateboard Clinics & Competitions

Highlands Ranch Park System

2009-11-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Highlands Ranch owns and maintains an impressive network of outdoor recreation amenities. With 21 parks, more than 70 miles of trails, and 2,000 acres of natural open space areas, Highlands Ranch is home to active people and a diverse wildlife population.

Check out more by clicking here.

Highlands Ranch Real Estate still strong

2009-11-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

By Robyn Lydick - Staff Writer
Highlands Ranch Herald

Two years after construction began, most of the retail space in Town Center is rented. Add the opening of Civic Green Park and the interest in town houses surrounding the park and retail areas, and Shea's vision of new urbanism has come to life. Many of the store are open: Jamba Juice, Lansdowne Arms, Egg & I, Qdoba, Coldstone Creamery, Fatburger, Tattered Cover, Bed Bath Beyond and Home Depot, once the lone business in the center.

Seven Tips to Sell a Home in a Tough Economy

2009-11-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

By Philip Moeller

The Boomerater™ Report, our weekly collaboration with online baby boomer resource Boomerater, this week offers tips to help sell a house in a down economy. “I’m looking for clever ways to help sell my home is this tough market,” a Boomerater member asks. “My mother has moved into assisted living and I need to sell her home.” Other Boomerater members weighed in with their suggestions:

Cover the basics. Simple repairs should always be taken care of, and a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference. Be critical when you consider the home’s curb appeal, get rid of dead or overgrown bushes, and spruce up the yard.

Read the entire story.

Selling a home? It's all about staging

2009-11-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

These days, the market’s tough for those trying to sell their Highlands Ranch homes. With hundreds of houses available, buyers can be choosy — and they are, according to local real estate agents.

Read the rest of the story.

History of Highlands Ranch

2009-10-29T16:13:00.000-06:00

Before it was claimed as Spanish territory in the mid-1500s, our Highlands Ranch community was a prime hunting area for the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Indians. For the full story, courtesy of www.highlandsranch.com, can be found by clicking here.

7 Tips to Sell your Highlands Ranch home now

2009-10-25T17:25:00.001-06:00

What do you do if you're on the wrong side of a slowing market? Selling in a slump is part mental adjustment, part common sense.

Here are some critical pieces of advice for selling your home in this market:

1. Price it right. Most real estate agents agree that pricing your home correctly is one of the best strategies in a competitive market. But this is also one of the toughest hurdles for sellers who remember asking prices from several years ago. Because things have been changing in this market from month to month, it can be hard to get a handle on what kind of pricing the market will allow. This means you must rely heavily on the expertise of your real estate agent and a property appraiser.

Read the full story at Fool.com.

Outdoor Rooms Are A Must-Have For Most

2009-10-23T22:36:00.000-06:00

by Michele Dawson
Realty Times

Homebuyers aren't just clamoring for the upgraded kitchen and bathroom amenities when they look at and ultimately buy a new house. Climbing up the priority list is the outdoor room. Indeed, nearly 60 percent of the 1.8 million new homes built last year have a patio, porch or deck, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. In addition, outdoor hearth products were sold in record numbers for the second straight year.

Read more of the story by clicking here!

Budgeting to Buy a Home - Highlands Ranch

2009-10-16T15:53:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of MSN.com

If you want to buy a house, start by estimating what you can afford and making a budget to buy. Many prospective buyers find it difficult to accumulate enough cash for a down payment, especially if they are saddled with heavy debt. With some discipline and creative strategies, you can probably come up with more cash than you think. Check your current finances and investigate ways to save and raise extra funds.

This is a great comprehensive article, see the rest here!

Seven Tips For Homebuyers - Highlands Ranch

2009-10-08T23:06:00.001-06:00

By: Shelly K. Schwartz

Inventories are high, prices are low and housing markets across the country are still testing the bottom following the real estate recession that wiped out more than $4 trillion worth of homeowner equity since 2006.

Tough times if you’re a seller. But those in the market to buy have assumed an enviable position indeed.

“Buyers are paying 20 to 40 percent less than they would have paid two years ago and far less in some markets,” says Eddie Fadel, a real estate agent and author of “Don’t Rent, Buy!” “You have more bargaining power right now.”

Read the entire story.

Hot Tubs And Dirty Secrets

2009-10-03T07:46:00.000-06:00

Many homes in Highlands Ranch have hot tubs. Here are some reminders.

by Stuart Lieberman
Realty Times

There is little that compares to a hot tub especially, if you live in a cold environment and have one outdoors. While it's 10 degrees outside, your soul can be warmed with 100 degree waters. Be at peace with yourself, meditate, and contemplate, as it's snowing around you.

Click here for the full story.

Moving on Up? Thinking About it?

2009-10-01T17:32:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of RealEstateABC.com

Sometimes, making the decision to sell your house and buy a new home is relatively easy. If you’re a couple and both partners agree that it is “time”….you move. If your employer s relocating, or chooses to relocate you to a different location, and you want to stay with the company…you move. Perhaps a child is on the way, maybe a divorce or a death. Maybe ..

Click here to see the full story.

The IRS Helps Cut Taxes

2009-09-25T10:22:00.000-06:00

by Ray Smith, Staff reporter for Wall Street Journal

A recent decision by the Internal Revenue Service could provide considerable relief to many homeowners facing huge price gains when they sell. The sharp appreciation of house prices in recent years means many people could face steep capital-gains taxes. But in late January, the IRS put forth new guidelines that allow certain homeowners to defer paying taxes on a significant portion of those gains.

See more of the story by clicking on this link.

Tips for first time home buyers

2009-09-22T20:30:00.000-06:00

Defining Search Parameters

Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs and aerial shots of neighborhoods and homes. You've probably defined your goals and have a pretty good idea of the type of home and neighborhood you want. By the time you reach your real estate agent's office, you are halfway to home ownership.

How Long Should It Take to Find What You Want?

Read the rest of the story.

Tips to enhance curb appeal - Highlands Ranch

2009-09-18T20:44:00.000-06:00

By Jacqueline Soule/Special to The ExplorerWith the real estate market still behaving badly, selling your home can be tough. Luckily it is easy to increase the "curb appeal" of your home with a little landscaping.

The American Association of Nurserymen reports that a nicely designed landscape with ample shade trees can add as much as $10,000 to the sale price of a home (based on identical homes on similar sized lots).

If you have no shade trees, the best time to plant them was 20 years ago. What is your next best strategy at this point? Go with the "nicely designed" landscape, and skip the trees for now. A sapling with stakes will suggest care issues to the prospective buyers, and detracts from curb appeal.

Read the rest of the story.

Avoiding 7 Costly Mistakes of Selling Your Home

2009-09-17T09:48:00.000-06:00

Avoiding 7 Costly Mistakes of Selling Your Home

by M. Anthony Carr - Realty Times

Mistake 1: Putting the home on the market before it's ready. Most times this happens because the seller gets impatient or is a procrastinator and has pushed himself up against a moving deadline without getting the pre-sale work done. So it comes on the market with the horrible carpet (that gets replaced during the marketing of the home); or they are painting it while it goes on the market. Presentation is everything --

Read the other 6 reasons by clicking here!

Voice of the Expert: 10 ways to sell your home faster

2009-09-14T20:18:00.000-06:00

Rana Cash

1. Sellers don’t hire a qualified agent. The biggest mistake sellers can make is they don’t hire a REALTOR to professionally market their home, Bauguss said. All real estate licensees are not the same. Only those who are members of the National Association of REALTORS are properly called REALTORS. No matter whom you hire, as a seller you need to interview the agent for the “job” of selling your home and review marketing plans. Selling (and buying) your home is one of the largest financial investments you’ll make. Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, sellers need to hire a professional.

2. Sellers price their home too high. Pricing a home is an art. Of course market value is based on comparable sales but market movement, demand, location and condition are factors also. If the home is overpriced then buyers won’t look at it or they will submit lowball offers.

Read the rest of the story.

Tax Planning Tips For Inherited Properties

2009-09-12T20:16:00.001-06:00

By Benny L. Kass
Washington Post

Q: My mother recently died, and her wish was that her estate be divided equally among her four children. My three siblings and I inherited three properties from her. Two were rental properties, of which one has been sold. We will soon be closing on the sale of the other rental. I just recently became aware of the 1031 tax exchange. Is this something we should consider?

A: Once you have sold a piece of property and have received the sales proceeds, it is too late to do a 1031 exchange (also called a Starker exchange). But in your situation, I doubt that it would make sense to consider an exchange for the remaining property, anyway.

Real estate investors generally do a 1031 like-kind exchange to defer the large capital gain they may make when they sell their properties. (Exchanges are not an option for the sale of your own residence.)

Read the rest of the story.

Tips for selecting a real estate agent - Highlands Ranch

2009-09-09T22:07:00.002-06:00

If you're thinking about selling your home, you may be considering using the services of a real estate broker or agent. But before you sign a listing agreement, the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, the agency that works for a competitive marketplace, wants you to be informed about your choices.

Before you hire a real estate professional, it's important to know the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate agent. Real estate brokers are licensed professionals who assist sellers and prospective buyers of homes. Real estate agents are licensed professionals who work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the sale or purchase of the property.

Read more of the story.

Begin Your Search for your New Highlands Ranch Home

2009-09-07T22:11:00.000-06:00

From Kiplinger.com

Buying a piece of real estate is a science. Buying a home is an art. The science is getting the legal and financial parts right. The art is finding a property that you'll be happy living in.

It can't be overstated: Focus on the location .....

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Seller's Checklist: Inside your Home

2009-09-04T14:36:00.000-06:00

From Kiplinger.com

Use this inside checklist to identify areas of your home that need work prior to putting it on the market.

Attic:
Check underside of roof for leaks, stains or dampness.
Look around chimney for condensation or signs of water.
Clean and clear ventilation openings if necessary.
Clean out stored junk.

Click here for the full list!

Staging Your Home to Get More Showings

2009-09-01T20:53:00.000-06:00

By Tina Traver

Staging your home will make it more receptive and inviting to buyers. Has your home been on the market for a while now? Are you getting showings but no offers? A little bit of work on your behalf will help your situation and produce more showings.

The days of just cleaning and painting before putting your home on the market are over. Staging your home is a process of marketing that will make your home stand out above the rest. This process ensures that buyers will be more attracted to your property which will in turn produce more showings and a quicker sale.

Read more at ezinearticles.com

The Walk-Through - Highlands Ranch Homes

2009-08-29T20:39:00.000-06:00

By Albert Arouh
(Ezinearticles.com)

You excitedly open the door to your new house...flip on the light switch and nothing happens. You pull back the shade to add some light...and you notice the windows pane is broken. You look out the cracked window only to find the yard is still overgrown...and just for good measure you hear the drip...drip of the faucet...what does all this mean?

You made a an unfortunate home buyers mistake...you didn't complete the final walk-through.

Admittedly, this is unusual situation that most home buyers rarely encounter. Should you find yourself in this situation, don't be overly concerned, because you do have recourse to get these repairs resolved.

Read the rest of the story.

Real Estate Contract Contingencies - What You Need to Know

2009-08-27T23:27:00.000-06:00

By Pat Perkins

What Are Contingencies in a Real Estate Contract?

A contingency is a formal clause in a real estate contract that enumerates particular conditions that must be met by either the buyer or the seller in order for the principals to proceed to the next step in the contract. Found in every offer-to-purchase or sell contract, contingencies protect the interests of both buyers and sellers. Failure to meet a particular contingency can result in breach of contract and possible penalties to the party at fault.

Basic Contingencies in Real Estate Contracts

Contingencies are divided into categories according to their purpose:

(1) protection for the seller

Read the rest of the story.

Five Valid Reasons to Back Out of a Real Estate Transaction

2009-08-26T23:25:00.000-06:00

By Maria Faith

Finding the house you can relate to, you can see yourself living in and starting a new life over is quite hard. This is why when you finally find the right home for you, you immediately make your offer to the owner. Then, you start to visualize how you would arrange your furniture in the house and how you would decorate every nook and cranny in it. Before you get over emotional or over excited, you should stop yourself. Note that you should not follow your heart blindly especially when it comes to real estate purchasing. When you see a red flag signaling you to back out on your offer, be sure to do so. Here are five reasons to get you out of your offer even if you already have an emotional attachment to the property.

Check out the rest of the story.

Organizing Tips To Help Your Home Sell - Highlands Ranch

2009-08-25T18:03:00.000-06:00

In the midst of today’s tough real estate market, it is crucial that sellers make sure that their home has every chance of selling. Tonia Tomlin, a Dallas-area professional organizer, urges sellers to consider the importance of getting organized before placing a home on the market.

Tomlin recommends the following:
Clean off the kitchen counters. The kitchen, arguably one of the most important rooms in the home, has a tendency also to be the room that is most used.

Read more of the tips.

Set the Stage for a Top-dollar Sale

2009-08-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

by Pat Mertz Esswein (Kiplinger.com)

Be prepared to spend

Although your own elbow grease can take you far, you may need to lay out some money, as the Wests did, to fine-tune your property. You'll get back what you spend and more. The Wests' agent, Fujita, says that in his market, buyers can expect a return of about five times what they spend, though he notes that the impact is greatest with low-end properties that are likely to be bought by first-time buyers.

Conversely, doing nothing can cost you mightily in both sale price and time. Jenny Milligan, a real estate agent in.......

Click here to read more

10 most often overlooked real estate tax deductions

2009-08-22T09:55:00.000-06:00

10 most often overlooked real estate tax deductions
By Robert J Bruss - Inman News

1 – DEDUCT PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE ACQUISITION MORTGAGE FEE IF YOU BOUGHT A HOME LAST YEAR
2 – REMEMBER TO DEDUCT HOME MORTGAGE REFINANCE LOAN FEES OVER THE LIFE OF THE HOME LOAN.

See all 10 by clicking on the link below
http://www.inman.com/hstory.aspx?ID=45107

Real Estate 101: Tips for sellers down on their luck

2009-08-19T19:34:00.000-06:00

There's nothing worse than a listing that languishes unsold for weeks or months. With fewer bidding wars, flipping that has flopped and the squeeze on mortgage money, sellers really have to pull out all the stops. Having the means to move a home today is paramount, says Consumer Reports.

The trusted rater of products and goods also offers information for homeowners holding, buying or selling their home and recently offered homeowners tried and true ways to quickly sell homes.

• Get good representation. Seek local agents who are managing sales even when the market is slow. Have several professionals give you a presentation to justify your home's value and explain their marketing technique. Attend open house events hosted by prospective brokers so you can check out their on-the-job performance.

Read the full details.

Sprucing up a home for sale on a $1,000 budget

2009-08-18T15:47:00.000-06:00

Even with a budget of $1,000 or less, sellers are not priced out of making improvements that can help their home stand out among the competition. Real estate experts say there are many relatively small upgrades that can go a long way toward attracting buyers. "There are a lot of things that you can do that won't cost a lot of money but will sure make your home look a whole lot more appealing," said Gwyn Thorne, owner of Staged Appeal Homes in Fairfax, Va. Below are Thorne's top suggestions for a thousand-dollar budget. Washington Post

Interior motives

Swap out old light fixtures to help modernize the feel of the interior. Flush-mounted fixtures suitable for bedrooms and hallways can go for as little as $20 a pair, Thorne said.

Read the full story.

Highlands Ranch Off-Leash Dog Areas

2009-08-16T10:40:00.000-06:00

Highlands Ranch continues to grow and now offers 4 Off-Leash Dog areas nearby.

Hound Hill at Highland Heritage Park, located south of the Quebec/University/Lincoln intersection behind the Highlands Ranch Post Office. Parking is available at Highland Heritage Park.

Digger's at Dad Clark Park is located at 3385 Asterbrook Circle, west of Fairview Parkway and Summit View Parkway. Parking is available at Dad Clark Park.

Fido's Field at Foothills Park, located at 1042 Riddlewood Drive. To get to Foothills Park from Lucent Boulevard, turn south on Timbervale Trail to Riddlewood. It can also be accessed from Winterthur Way, west of Broadway. Parking is available at Foothills Park off Winterthur Way.

Rover's Run at Redstone Park is located east of Redstone Park, near the intersection of Town Center Drive and Foothills Canyon Boulevard. Parking is available at the Redstone Park Tennis Center

For more details about the Dog parks, please click on the link below.
http://www.highlandsranch.org/03_p&os/03_5dogoff.html

Denver's Resale Housing Market Showing Hopeful Signs

2009-08-14T20:20:00.000-06:00

Forbes: Denver is America’s Best City to Buy a Home

2009-08-13T20:19:00.000-06:00

Denver is America’s best city to buy a home, Forbes magazine says in a new ranking of U.S. metro areas.” While the majority of the nation’s housing markets are still working toward a bottom, some cities are boasting fundamentals that make them good places to buy a home now,” Forbes reported.

Buy Real Estate for your IRA - Yes you can but beware

2009-08-13T09:50:00.000-06:00

Can you buy real estate for your IRA? Yes, you can but the rules might not make it your best investment. Here is an article about the possibility but it neglects to mention the loss of depreciation in the financial equation - another key factor in buying real estate as an investment.

By Tom Kelly
Inman News

The guidelines covering real estate IRAs are stringent. If you break one of these rules, you could jeopardize your tax-free status on your account.

The land or house must be treated like any other investment.

All rental profits must be returned to the trustee.

Check out more info by clicking on the link below.

http://www.inman.com/hstory.aspx?ID=44848

Good laughs accompany real estate investment book

2009-08-11T08:48:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

By Robert J. Bruss
Inman News

The most unusual real estate book I have ever reviewed is "What No One Ever Tells You About Investing in Real Estate" by Robert J. Hill II. It contains 112 mini-chapters about realty investor experiences and lessons to be learned from those stories. Click the link below for more of this story.....

http://www.inman.com/inmanstories.aspx?ID=44824

Real estate investing generates big tax benefits

2009-08-10T10:47:00.000-06:00

With average annual residence market value appreciation hovering around 10 percent nationally, they opined, savvy investors are probably buying rental homes as a very profitable alternative to the stock market.

In addition, investors in rental houses, apartments and commercial buildings should also consider the tax-shelter benefits, leverage control of investment property with little or no cash down payments, and investment safety.

BIG TAX BENEFITS FOR REALTY INVESTORS. Major benefits for realty .......... Click below for more details from Inman News.

http://www.inman.com/inmannews.aspx?ID=44781

If you're interested in investing in real estate, give me a call or contact me by email. In addition to my own home, I've personally invested in other real estate (rentals, etc) over the past 15 years.

Sandi Miyaki 303-913-9993

sandi.miyaki@kw.com

Valuable tips for first-time homebuyers

2009-08-09T11:23:00.000-06:00

The recent slowdown in the residential housing market has provided new buying opportunities through more affordable house prices, especially for first-time homebuyers. Before embarking on a real estate hunt however, it's a good idea to pick up a few insights on buying a first home. A wide variety of Web sites offer a wide range of advice for anyone looking to purchase a home. Here's a sampling of some sites with useful information:

BANKRATE.COM

www.bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/BuyerGuide2004/fthb-tips.asp

Read the rest of the story.

House for sale? 5 tips to sell your home fast

2009-08-08T11:19:00.002-06:00

In this economy many are finding it difficult to sell their home.

Things like staging a home for sale used to be considered a luxury. Now, many real estate agents consider it a necessity, according to AngiesList.com. The continuing slump in the housing market has given buyers plenty of options, making it increasingly important to have your house looking its most dapper.

Here are five tips to selling your house from AngiesList.com:

1. Screen appeal trumps curb appeal

Nearly 90-percent of homebuyers now research homes online, according to realty industry research. So it’s important that the house be staged and looking its best before the photos are taken to post online.

Read the rest of the story here.

7 Tips for Getting a Preapproved Mortgage

2009-08-07T12:27:00.001-06:00

During the height of the real estate boom, getting a mortgage was as easy as picking out a new coffee table for the living room. Now, home buyers have to jump through rings of fire before they can sign on the dotted line.

Today, the first step in landing a home loan is obtaining a letter of preapproval. This means a mortgage lender has verified that you’re approved for a mortgage of a certain amount over a fixed timeframe.

Preapproval letters are prepared even before you’ve picked out your home. They remove some of the uncertainty in the home-buying process. In the current housing market, real estate agents and sellers won't want to work with buyers unless they have one.

Read the rest of the SmartMoney.com story.

How to pay lower property taxes - Highlands Ranch Homes

2009-08-05T21:58:00.000-06:00

If you look really, really hard, you might find a silver lining in the darkest of clouds. When it comes to the gut-churning drop in home prices, the silver lining is the chance to reduce your property taxes. Maybe.

In most parts of the country, property taxes are used to support schools and local and county government. Since property, or real estate, tax is based on the property’s value multiplied by the tax rate, the tax should go down if the property’s value falls.

But it probably won’t go down automatically. Unless the home has sold recently, taxes are typically based on the latest assessment, and it’s common for years to go by between assessments. Tax authorities aren’t eager to reduce tax bills, so the homeowner has to take the initiative by filing an appeal.

Read the rest of the story.

Foreclosure Mediation Program - Highlands Ranch Residents

2009-08-04T21:09:00.000-06:00

The Douglas County Housing Partnership (DCHP), a Multi-Jurisdictional housing authority, has established a Foreclosure Mediation Program. The goals of the Program are to prevent mortgage defaults, assist home mortgage lenders and borrowers in working out mortgage defaults, and resolve foreclosure actions that are either initiated or threatened by lenders.

Check out the full details at the Douglas County Web site.

Selling Home May Be Influenced by What Buyers Can't See

2009-08-03T21:05:00.001-06:00

It’s not always what buyers can see in a home that causes them to want to buy it or not. Sometimes it’s the way the home feels. I’m not talking about staging, the size, or how spacious the home is, although those factors are important too. In this column I’m focusing on how buyers’ allergies may be affected when they tour your home.

Good article by by Phoebe Chongchua - check out the full article here.

Can Trees Help Sell Your Home in Highlands Ranch

2009-08-02T21:03:00.000-06:00

The study reports that, “General tree cover adds 2 percent to 9 percent to the value of existing homes and 7 percent for new construction on tree-covered lots.” Just a single tree can add up to 2 percent to the property value, according to the study. Hedges, walls, landscaped curbs, and dense vegetation can each add 2 percent to 4 percent to the property value. And if your home has more trees than nearby homes, the value shoots up by about 7 percent. Sophisticated designs in landscape affect property value in a very positive way.

Read the full story.

Home Staging Equals Quick Sale

2009-08-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

One of the most important things you can do to sell your listings quickly and for the highest possible price is to “stage” them. Basically, there are five steps to home staging.

Cleaning
Getting rid of clutter
Depersonalizing
Decorating and accessorizing
Maintaining
Cleaning

When I say, “cleaning” I don’t mean your ordinary, weekly house cleaning. I mean a deep cleansing in which you make every surface, every window, every nook and cranny sparkle and shine. You should encourage your homeowners to clean their windows, their ceiling fans, their curtains and blinds, carpet…in short, everything. Homeowners should also strive to eliminate any unpleasant odors and if possible, have someone else care for their pets until the house is sold.

Read the rest of the story.

Tycoon in the Making! - Real Estate Investment Success Stories

2009-07-31T16:31:00.000-06:00

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The Bouquets have a nice income, and they intend to keep it that way. After they retire, they want to be bringing in six figures, and they're counting on the proceeds of their real estate holdings as one of the pillars of that plan.

He figured the houses, at $70,000 each for three beds and two baths, were already under market value by about five percent and ........... Check out more of the story at the link below.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/01/24/real_estate/

If you're considering Real Estate investments as part of your overall goals, give me a call at 303-913-9993 or send me an email at sandi.miyaki@kw.com and let me help you get started. I've personally have had many Real Estate Investment properties and I'm familiar with 1031 Exchanges, special financing, etc.

Sandi Miyaki, Realtor

Highlands Ranch, Derek Tolan, sets record on way to win at Colorado Open

2009-07-30T20:21:00.000-06:00

Derek Tolan is quickly getting the hang of being a professional golfer. He graduated from the University of Colorado, and turned pro less than two months ago, and he has already scored two wins. The first coming less than a month ago, the second coming at the Health One Colorado Open, held this past weekend at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, in Denver.

Tolan’s 22-under par, 262, outpaced the field by four strokes, and shattered the old tournament record by five strokes. For the week he recorded an eagle, 23 birdies, 45 pars, and only three bogeys.

Read more of the story.

Going Green: 10 Tips to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

2009-07-29T20:18:00.000-06:00

Living in an eco-friendly, energy efficient home is not only good for the environment, but also for our pocketbook. “Green” homes can save us money in the long-run, as well as saving natural resources for our planet. While the best way to have a green home is to buy one that was built that way, there are lots of things you can do to make your existing home more eco-friendly – and save you some green at the same time!

Start with an “energy audit.” Homeowners should start with an energy audit done by their local utility company or some independent energy consultants. You can also visit Home Energy Saver, a web-based energy audit site, at http://hes.lbl.gov. Audits can help pinpoint problem areas and measure energy savings after you improve your home’s efficiency.

Read the full story.

Free Highlands Ranch Real Estate and Area Information

2009-07-28T23:19:00.000-06:00

FREE Access to Highlands Ranch Real Estate and Area Information!

Free 2 Page Information Guide on the Highlands Ranch Area

Free Search of ALL Colorado Properties

Free Full-Color Book of Properties in Highlands Ranch Area

Access to Special Buyer’s Reports

Access to Home Seller’s Reports

Free Market Analysis before you Sell in Highlands Ranch

Free 17 page ebook of Educational Real Estate Web Sites

See all New Home Builders in Highlands Ranch

List of the Best Mortgage Rates for Highlands Ranch

Free Access to Mortgage Calculators

Should I buy or Should I rent? (Free Calculator)

Complete Info on the Highlands Ranch Recreation Centers

Check out the Highlands Ranch Schools

Preferred Vendor List for Highlands Ranch Real Estate

Free online access to Local Highlands Ranch area Newspaper

Still don’t see what you’re looking for?
Just contact me and I’ll help find the information!

Email me at sandi.miyaki@kw.com
Or call me at 303-913-9993.

Buy vs Rent - Easy to use calculator

2009-07-27T22:40:00.000-06:00

Use this calculator to determine whether you should buy or rent a home in Highlands Ranch. Click on the link below!

Easy to use calculator from www.ginniemae.gov

Richer neighborhoods buck home sales trend - includes Highlands Ranch

2009-07-24T10:59:00.002-06:00

Most price increases for single-family homes were in Boulder County, including Boulder and Louisville, and one was in the Douglas County area near Highlands Ranch, according to recent data compiled by Metrolist Inc.

Even in a recession, selling prices of homes continue to rise in some of the Denver metro area’s most desirable neighborhoods. Average prices for houses mostly continued to drop during the first six months of 2009. But sales prices in half of the 10 neighborhoods attracting the highest prices were up over the same period a year ago.

Source: Denver Business Journal

How Much Highlands Ranch Home Can You Afford?

2009-07-23T13:00:00.002-06:00

To determine how much of a home you can afford, you need to calculate your expected monthly payment. Most of your payment will go toward loan principal and interest, also called P+I. However, your monthly payment is also likely to include amounts for property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Because of these extra payments, your monthly P+I payment is sometimes called your P+I+T+I payment. If you plan to make a down payment of less than 20% of the home purchase price, you will also have to add an additional amount for private mortgage insurance ( PMI). Lenders require PMI to insure against the higher risk of default that occurs with loan-to-value (LTV) ratios greater than 80%. ( An LTV of 80% is equal to a down payment of 20%.)

Your housing ratio is your total monthly payment divided by your monthly gross income. Generally, the ratio should not be more than 28%. For example, if your monthly P+I+T+I payment is $1,400, your monthly gross income should be at least $5,000.

Read the entire article.

Denver's resale housing market showing hopeful signs

2009-07-22T21:43:00.000-06:00

Metro Denver's resale housing market appeared to start returning to normalcy in June, according to sales data Tuesday from Metrolist Inc.

Single-family home sales in June, for example, were equally split between the lower price ranges that appeal to first-time homebuyers and pricier houses that attract homebuyers moving up to larger and/or more expensive homes.

"Earlier this year, the majority of resale home activity was first-time homebuyers, distressed properties and investor activity," independent Littleton broker Gary Bauer said in a statement. "June appears to be the transition to a normal Denver market -- a market with both first-time homebuyer activity as well as 'move-up' activity."

Read the rest of the story here.

5 Steps to a more useful Garage

2009-07-22T15:18:00.000-06:00

Great article from CNN. Another way to simplify your life and make it less stressful. Here are the 5 steps and for the details, click on the link below.
Clear out, make a plan, categorize, containerize and safety-proof.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/01/25/real_estate/

9 Ways to Salvage an Ailing Credit Score

2009-07-21T13:21:00.000-06:00

Today's mortgage costs are dirt cheap—if you've got the right FICO rating.

Without even contacting a credit bureau, Jeana Reed has a pretty good sense of what her credit score is. "It's probably the worst they've ever seen," says Reed, a 51-year-old Texan. Like many Americans, Reed's current credit headaches can be traced to a hospital stay. After her husband blew out his knee playing softball, complications from the injury kept him out of work longer than expected, which forced the couple to use credit cards to pay off medical bills. A job loss and a subprime mortgage refinancing later, the Reeds find themselves among the scores of Americans struggling to rebuild a soiled credit history. "I just want to get back on track," Reed says. "I'm not a deadbeat person."

Read more of the story here.

Rightsizing Into Retirement Gaining Popularity - Highlands Ranch

2009-07-20T10:40:00.001-06:00

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- If you ask Bill and Maggie Giesenhagen, they'll tell you they don't plan to move from their new home, ever.

"Things are fine. Everything's happening like we thought it would happen. We're enjoying it," said Bill Giesenhagen during a recent visit to their new home.

Within the past year and a half, the couple sold their Lone Tree home, cleared out the cLutter, and moved into a one-level apartment at the Classic Residences (at Hyatt) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Read more of the story.

Ten Questions You Must Ask a Realtor Before You List or....You Could Lose Big!

2009-07-19T08:31:00.000-06:00

10 Questions You Must Ask a Realtor Before You List or....You Could Lose Big!

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience in real estate how are we to be capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale? Many home sellers make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business sense to put the responsibility of selling your home with someone who has no plan or qualifications? This special report will educate you with valuable information that will help you make the best decision concerning: Which real estate agent should you list with? Check out the 10 item checklist by clicking on the link below:

http://www.totalrealestatesolutions.com/articles

Top 10 things to know before buying Highlands Ranch Real Estate

2009-07-17T08:13:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of CNN Money here's a link to CNN Money's Top 10 Things to know before you buy a home. Here's #3. Check out the link below for more!

3. Aim for a home you can really afford.
The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary.

http://premium.money.cnn.com/pf/101/lessons/8/index.html

Douglas County down payment assistance program

2009-07-16T12:14:00.002-06:00

Here in Highlands Ranch, Douglas County offers up to $20,000 in downpayment assistance for each individual or family who meets the basic requirements of First-Time Homebuyer Program.

Follow these steps with the Douglas County Housing Partnership, and let us lead
you to your own home in Douglas County!
STEP 1: Attend a FREE First-Time Home Buyer Class* Must attend a CHAFA approved class in person.

Read to learn about the other steps and the entire program.

Free 2 Page Report - Highlands Ranch Info

2009-07-15T17:48:00.001-06:00

Below is some general information about the Highlands Ranch area for those interested in purchasing Highlands Ranch Real Estate.

Highlands Ranch is a 22,000-acre master-planned community in Douglas County, Colorado. It is located 12 miles south of Denver along C-470 and approximately 1 mile west of Interstate 25 (I-25).

The Highlands Ranch Development Plan, approved by Douglas County in 1979, laid the foundation for the innovative development of a community with a wide variety of housing opportunities designed to meet the needs of a broad range of new homebuyers. The master plan calls for 61 percent of the land to be devoted to non-urban uses including open space and recreation, 31 percent to residential uses, and 8 percent to business properties. Highlands Ranch currently ranks as one of the top twenty master-planned communities in the country.

For more info, check out this PDF file by clicking here.

Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Newcomer's checklist

2009-07-15T17:43:00.002-06:00

Courtesy of highlandsranch.com here is an article of the few things you'll need when you purchase Highlands Ranch Real estate. It starts with:
Newcomer's Checklist
Welcome to Highlands Ranch! In order to help you get settled in as quickly and easily as possible, we’ve provided you with a “checklist” of things to do. We hope you’ll find it to be useful. And once again, welcome! It’s nice to have you here!
AT&T Cable Services: 303-930-2000
Driver License:
Castle Rock (Full Service) 927 Park Street 303-688-4625
Littleton (Limited Services) 311 E. County Line Road 303-795-5954
Electricity and Gas:
Public Service, 303-623-1234

Tips for sellers on short sales -

2009-07-13T14:27:00.001-06:00

The number of homeowners selling their home for less than the outstanding mortgage, known as a short sale, is growing, according to government data. But it is still not an easy process. Here are a few things borrowers should consider when pursuing a short sale of their property:

1. Explore other options. Could you qualify for a loan modification that would make your home affordable? Your lender may be willing to lower the interest rate or extend the length of the loan to lower the payments.

Read the entire story.

How to save money when buying a house in Highlands Ranch

2009-07-12T19:46:00.002-06:00

We've seen people who will spend all kinds of time looking to save a nickel on a gallon of gasoline or sweat it out in the dark to cut their BGE bill by $25 a month. But some of the same folks aren't always as careful when it comes to spending five or six hundred thousand dollars on a house. In this week's column we'll give you a few tips on how to maximize your home purchase while minimizing the cost. After all, buying a house is a pretty big purchase, and if you're smart about it you can easily save an amount of money that would be equal to a lifetime of clipping coupons. So here are a few things to consider as you embark on your home buying expedition.

Take advantage of government incentives. These days, the government is falling all over itself throwing money at our weak economy. Some of this largess is being extended to homebuyers. Right now, you can get an $8,000 tax credit just for buying a home.

See more of the story here.

5 tips for buying a foreclosed home in Highlands Ranch

2009-07-10T12:48:00.001-06:00

Buying a foreclosed home is a little different from buying a typical resale.

In many cases, only one real estate agent is involved.
The seller wants a preapproval letter from a lender before accepting an offer.
There often is little, if any, room for negotiation.
The home comes as is, and it's up to the buyer to pay for repairs.
On the upside, most bank-owned homes are vacant, which can speed up the process of moving in.

Read more of the story.

Highlands Ranch Open Space 2200 acres

2009-07-08T09:42:00.001-06:00

Highlands Ranch is a unique community boasting more than 2,200 acres of natural open space areas. This short-grass prairie environment is home to a variety of wildlife, birds, creeks and wetlands... places that are a haven for outdoor recreation. These natural areas are managed and maintained so residents can enjoy them for years to come.

See more of the story here.

Highlands Ranch most Patriotic City in America

2009-07-07T18:00:00.002-06:00

On July 1 Highlands Ranch was called the most patriotic city in America by former Gov. Bill Owens.On the fourth, residents and their guests showed that patriotic pride as thousands turned out for an all day extravaganza in Town Center.

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