However, by law, there are some things that we just cannot discuss with you, as it falls more into the realm of “opinion” than fact. These topics include:

• Anything that violates fair housing laws. We cannot talk about nor engage in any activity that discriminates against another person based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. Read More: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm
• How “good or bad” a school district is. Every school district offers things that may be beneficial to one person and not to another. (For more information on schools and school districts, check out GreatSchools.net)
• How “good or bad” a neighborhood is. Consider checking out http://www.city-data.com/city/Colorado-Springs-Colorado.html for crime statistics. But, for you to get the most accurate impression of a specific neighborhood, drive through it during 3 different times:
  - Weekday
  – Weeknight
  – Weekend
• By Colorado Law, a listing agent cannot disclose if there was a murder, suicide or haunting in a home (unless ok’d by home owner). If you suspect something like this, we recommend talking with a couple neighbors about the home.

If any other questions arise that we cannot answer, we will direct you to a resource that can help you. Just call 719.434.8346

Did You Know … a 1% jump in interest rate nullifies a 10% drop in home price.

Take advantage of today’s historically LOW interest rates to buy a BETTER Colorado Springs home for LESS money!

Read Also:  The Importance of Getting Pre-Qualified When Looking to Buy a Colorado Springs Home

Getting pre-qualified allows you to know exactly how much home you can afford and how much your monthly payments will be. It also allows you to find and fix any errors on your credit report before those errors stand in the way of you buying your next home.

Additionally, in the current economy, home Sellers are very hesitant to take their home off the market unless they know that the home buyer can, in fact, qualify for a loan to buy the home. Sellers do not want to risk valuable time off the market for an unqualified buyer.

Furthermore, in a Colorado Springs real estate market where there are a lot more foreclosures, short sales and bank owned homes, being pre-qualified is a MUST. Most banks will not even look at an offer, unless it is accompanied by a pre-approval letter from your lender.

For a of local and reputable lenders that we trust and recommend, please contact the Wagner iTeam: 719.434.8346

• Earnest Money – In order to go under contract on a home for sale in Colorado Springs, you will need to supply Earnest Money. This is usually about 1% of the purchase price and must be paid at time of signing the contract. Depending on the circumstances, you will usually be able to get your earnest money BACK if you do not wind up buying/closing on the home.
• Loan Fees and Closing Costs – It costs money to get a mortgage. Usually the costs are about 1% of the loan amount. These will need to be paid at time of closing. However, in most cases, the Wagner iTeam is able to get the Seller to pay some of these costs FOR you.
• Appraisal – Your lender will order a home appraisal to make sure that the home is actually worth what you are buying it for. A home appraisal is about $350 and it is recommended that you pay this to the lender at time of loan application. However, in many cases, the Wagner iTeam can get the Seller to pay you back for this fee.
• Home Inspection – You will want to get a home inspection by the Inspection Deadline listed in your contract. A typical home inspection can cost between $300 and $400, but can be more or less, depending on the size of the property. You will need to pay the home inspector at the time of the inspection.
• Moving – Make sure you budget in moving costs, to include movers and/or a moving truck, packing supplies, cleaners and any meals that you may have to buy in the process of moving.
• Window Coverings – Depending on the details of the contract, you may be responsible for hanging window coverings (blinds and/or curtains) when you move into your new home. This is particularly true when buying a brand new Colorado Springs home. Blinds can start from $30 a window and run up to hundreds of dollars.
• Short Term Renting – Sometimes the contract-to-close process takes a little longer than outlined in the contract. In cases like these, you will need to be prepared to (possibly) spend a couple nights with family or friends, or a short term rental, or even a hotel. Make sure you budget enough money just in case this situation arises.

Knowing these costs ahead of time will only make your home buying experience better.

For more information on buying a Colorado Springs home, please call the Wagner iTeam: 719.434.7525

COLORADO SPRINGS OPEN HOUSES

Here I sit at an Open House for 3 hours, listening to Jack Johnson, organizing some of my files, and write this. Why? Well, I am not going to get any more than one or two people stopping by, at the most. So, I have PLENTY of time.

We all see the TV shows where the home for sale gets multiple offers because of the Open House that was held. Dozens of people (both with and without their agents) pile into the home exploring each room and inevitably one falls in love with the home and writes an offer.

Read More: Colorado Springs Real Estate Answers: Why Didn’t My House Sell? Part Three: Marketing

1. Buyer Agency is HUGE in Colorado Springs. Most home buyers are represented by a Buyers Agent and therefore, are not wandering around looking at random houses. If there is a home that may fit their needs, chances are their Buyers Agent has already shown it to them. This eliminates the need for a Buyer to “pop by” an Open House, as they probably have already seen it or already know that it will not fit their needs.
   
   (Mmm … Cookies…)
   
2. Listing agents do not need to be present for showings for most homes in Colorado Springs. Why does THIS matter? Well, lets think about this… In many areas of the nation, a listing agent MUST be present for anyone showing their listings. (The pros and cons to this practice can be debated a different time.) If a listing agent needs to be present for any showing then there are 4 schedules that need to coincide: The interested Buyer, the Buyers Agent, the Seller and the Listing Agent.
   In this scenario, an Open House would be a great opportunity for a home Buyer and their agent to see a house, as there is no need to align the Listing Agent and Sellers schedule it is already set. Visiting Open Houses become an efficient way to check out homes for sale.In Colorado Springs, Listing Agents RARELY need to be present for a home to be shown. Homes are set up on high security lock boxes, and the general rule of thumb to show is to call the listing agent or company showing desk and offer just a 1-2 hour notice before showing up to the home. For the vast majority of the time, listing agents and Sellers are never there for showings. We have grown accustomed to this way of business and having a “listing agent present” is seen as an annoyance. So, where an Open House is seen as a convenience for agents in some areas, it is actually seen as an annoyance, here in Colorado Springs.

   (Dang! I wish I brought some milk to wash down all these cookies …)

3. People have already SEEN the house. What? Well, what are YOU doing right now? You are online, arent you? (If you arent I am perplexed…) Over 80% of all homebuyers start their home search online (NAR Profile of Home Buyers in 2006). So, chances are that they have already SEEN the home that will someday be an Open House. The “curiosity factor” that Open Houses once offered have been squelched by the internet.

• Top 5 Ways to Choose the BEST Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home in Colorado Springs
• 3 Easy Ways to Find a Buyers Agent to Represent You
• Top 7 Questions to Ask Your Buyer’s Agent