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Beware of Low Down Payments
First-time buyers can borrow with little down, but that may not be wise
Financial planners warn: "Borrowers should not overlook the true measure of home affordability: monthly cash flow."
Is your down payment going to affect your cash flow in the end? Check out this article to see what they suggest.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/02/homebuyers-beware-of-banks-offering-too-much-cash.html
The Winner Is…
With the Olympics stoking the spirit of competition, we took a look at how Colorado stacks up against the other states when it comes to real estate prices.
Our impartial judge for the competition is the Federal Housing Finance Authority who tracks close to 300 real estate markets all over the country.
For this competition we are looking at home price appreciation over the last five years. Simply, how much have prices gone up for each state?
And the winner is… (not Colorado)
The winner is Nevada with a 68% increase in the last five years.
Here’s the top 5:
1. Nevada 68%
2. Arizona 57%
3. California 54%
4. Florida 53%
5. Colorado 48%
Here’s the deal about this list- other than Colorado, these are all the states that were hit hardest by the real estate downturn in 2008 & 2009. These states are still clawing their way out of the hole that was created. While Colorado continues to show a more steady pattern without the wild swings seen in other places.
800 E Swallow, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Amazing Opportunity in Midtown! 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1,900 Square Foot 4-Level Home, with a huge yard measuring over 11,000 Square Feet! Nicely updated interior with Wood Floors, Fresh Paint, Updated Lighting and New Stainless Steel Appliances coming soon! The wonderful back yard is fenced and offers endless possibilities. Just minutes to the new Foothills Mall, the Fort Collins MAX, Trails, Parks, Shopping and Entertainment. Seller is Licensed REALTOR.
Check here for details on this home: https://www.coloproperty.com/listing/details/1098894
Enjoy Both City and Country Living
When people come to Colorado, it's often to visit the Rocky Mountains and explore the beautiful landscapes that our state has to offer. They may also come to visit Denver and experience the Mile High City, taking in a professional football or hockey game, and enjoying the vibrant nightlife in the LoDo or RiNo districts. At Windermere Real Estate in Fort Collins, we understand that not everyone is interested in city living, but they want to be close enough to the city that if they wanted to spend the day there, it wouldn't be a long drive.
We have several homes for sale in Fort Collins, Timnath, Severance, and the surrounding communities, and can help you find the acreage or rural home where you can settle in and enjoy the outdoors. You'll also be close to the hustle and bustle of Denver, and only a few minutes from Old Town Fort Collins. You can have the best of both worlds, with acres where you can raise crops or livestock, and city life where you can enjoy craft beer, fine wines, outstanding cuisine, and amazing entertainment.
If you're thinking about moving to Colorado, or you've lived here for many years and you're ready to leave the city for more agrarian surroundings, please contact us right away. Based on your preferences and budget, we'll find you the perfect residence that's close enough to the city, but still far enough away that you don't feel confined. Also, if you're selling your current home, we can help you find the perfect buyer!
An Experienced Team of Real Estate Agents
If you're a business owner that's in charge of hiring new employees, one of the first questions you ask during interviews is what sort of experience the applicant has, and more importantly, what experience they have in the field or industry with which your business is concerned. You want to know what they can bring to the table, and how they can add skills and knowledge to your company. At Windermere Real Estate in Fort Collins, we believe in that same principle, and when you contact us to be your real estate agent, we want you to know that we will bring a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise to your property search.
For those that are moving to Northern Colorado from another part of the country, they want an agent that understands the communities and all that they have to offer. Depending on your needs, your individual agent will narrow down your property search to the most appropriate neighborhoods, finding you a house that's close to schools, parks, and other conveniences. Our team of agents has lived and worked in the area for many years, and can answer all of your questions about Fort Collins, Loveland, and all the surrounding communities.
To begin your real estate search, take a look at some of our online listings, and if one or two catch your eye, please contact us right away for more information or to set up a showing. We look forward to being your agent and helping you find your perfect home!
Find Your New Townhome in Fort Collins
For many people, the idea of owning a townhome or condominium is much more appealing than owning a single-family house. They enjoy the community that is found in a townhome development, and the layout and square footage of their home is ideal for their lifestyle. They may be a single working professional, or a newly-married couple that's waiting to start a family, but whatever the case may be, Windermere Real Estate can help them find the perfect townhome or condo in Fort Collins.
Our realtors are experts at finding attached homes that fit a certain person's or couple's needs. If they enjoy entertaining guests, the focus may be on a spacious kitchen and dining room, and we can pinpoint properties that fit those criteria. If having out-of-town guests stay over is important, we'll find a townhome with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. If a person travels for work most of the year, we can narrow the search to smaller condos that are spacious enough to be comfortable, but not overly large as to be too much for one person to maintain. We know that you don't want to find a home, but a place that you can call your home.
If you're searching for townhomes in Fort Collins, please contact us right away. You can reach us by email at fortcollins@windermere.com, or call us at (970) 323-3015. A realty professional will help you with everything from finding the perfect neighborhood to setting up showings. Before you know it, you'll be settling into your new townhome!
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Fort Collins
Getting your home ready to sell may seem like a challenge, but you know that the more appealing the house is, the more likely it is to sell quickly. Windermere Real Estate in Fort Collins can help you with pricing, showings, and connecting with potential buyers, but what about the steps leading up to that first showing or open house? Many things, like cleaning the house and maintaining the lawn may seem obvious, but there are some more in-depth measures that you can take
Make Sure the Light is Right
Go through your home and make sure there are no missing or burned out light bulbs. You may even want to swap out bright bulbs for softer, warmer light, so that the home feels more inviting. For natural light, make sure your windows, blinds, and shades are clean so the light isn't diffused too much or reveal layers of dust.
Clean Out Your Closets
It's a fairly well-known fact that potential buyers will look in closets and cabinets to gain a better idea of how much storage space the house has. If your closets are overflowing or unorganized, the space can seem cramped, and buyers may think that you haven't taken the time to get the house ready. By removing a portion of the clothes in a closet or dishes in a cupboard (and cleaning and dusting them thoroughly) the buyer can truly see the entire storage space.
Remove Those Pet Items
It's possible that the buyers will be pet-lovers themselves, but leaving dog food sitting out or the kitty litter tray in plain view can quickly change a buyer's mind. Take the time to clean the house thoroughly and remove any traces of your pets, and arrange care for them during the showing.
A majority of potential buyers will make up their mind about your house from the moment they set foot inside, and you only have once chance to make a good first impression. By following these steps and a few others, you can get your home ready to sell, and we can make sure that it sells quickly. Contact us today!
An Amazing Inventory of Homes in Fort Collins
We've spoken before about how great of a place Northern Colorado is to live, but we feel that it can't be overstated. Our inventory of amazing homes in Fort Collins continues to grow, and we're always excited to meet that next homebuyer. If you're moving from another part of the country, or simply relocating within the Centennial State, we'd love to show you as many homes for sale as you'd like to see.
We have homes available in every area of the city, and can show you houses that are near schools, parks, or businesses, depending on your preference. If you'll be commuting on I-25, we have homes that are only a few minutes from the interstate. If you're searching for that perfect spot to spend your retirement, we'll show you houses in quiet neighborhoods, or that are closer to the foothills so you can get out and hike, and thoroughly enjoy your golden years. We gladly work with homebuyers of all ages, and can develop the best approach for any budget.
Every person or family that's looking to buy a home in Fort Collins has different needs and preferences. You may be coming from an area of the state or country that doesn't have too many homes for sale, and you might be worried that it will be difficult to find that perfect house. When you work with Windermere as your real estate agent, you'll feel confident that your needs are being met and your questions are being answered. We look forward to hearing from you!
What Age Should I Be Before Buying a House?
At Windermere Real Estate in Fort Collins, we've encountered this question quite a few times. Recent college graduates or newlyweds that are ready to become more independent often wonder if they're old enough to be homeowners. While there's no way to set an exact age when you're ready to buy a home, there are a couple of questions to consider that can help with your decision.
The first question is, "Am I going to stay put for at least a few years?" If you're wanting to travel and see the world, or you know you'll be gone for work most of the time, it might make more sense to continue renting for a few years. If you and your spouse know that you're ready to settle down and start a family, or that you'll at least be in Northern Colorado for the foreseeable future, looking at homes to buy may be a good option.
The second question is, "Will I have regular pay increases at my job?" If you're able to save for a down payment, and continue working while you pay off your mortgage, it can make sense to buy a home now rather than later. What will also help is if there is room for advancement at your current job. If you can receive regular raises while your mortgage payment stays the same, you'll be able to stay on top of your finances and not have to worry about falling behind on paying off your new home.
Windermere is here to answer all of your real estate questions, no matter what they are. If you feel that you're ready to buy a home in the Fort Collins area, contact us today!
Ready to Move from Rentals to Home Ownership?
Over the past few years, the rental market in Northern Colorado has continued to go up. For tenants that have lived in their current residence for a long time, their monthly rent may have increased somewhat, but the real surprise most likely came when new renters coming from other parts of the country tried to find something to rent in the Fort Collins area. Vacancy rates were very low, so finding a suitable place to rent was difficult, and once you did, the monthly rate was higher than you could afford or expected it to be. If you have the money saved for a down payment, and have figured out that a monthly mortgage payment would be the same, if not less than, a monthly rent payment, maybe it's time look for a home that you can buy!
The realtors at Windermere can help you understand the Northern Colorado housing market as it stands right now, and help you find a home that fits your needs and your budget. With the growing population of Fort Collins, Loveland, and the rest of the Front Range, it may seem like a challenge to find a home in the area, but you can rest assured that we will pinpoint the perfect spot for you and your family.
Buying a home in Fort Collins can be competitive, but if you're ready to move from rentals to home ownership, contact us today. We're ready to answer your questions and begin your search for that new home that you can call your own!
