Home Buying

16 12, 2020

New Home Loan Document Evokes a Childhood Pledge

2021-03-23T16:03:31-06:00December 16th, 2020|Contract and Closing, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Mortgages|

It’s one of childhood’s most solemn oaths, still uttered by six-year-olds who hope it will convince one and all of their heartfelt intention to keep a promise. More convincing than “honest to goodness” or “cross my heart,” it is nonetheless a fairly counterproductive pledge. Since it needs to be said in the first place, the assurance can’t help but plant a seed of doubt.

9 12, 2020

Negotiating Mesa County Home Sales Calls for Cool

2021-03-23T16:07:53-06:00December 9th, 2020|Home Buying, Home Ownership, Home Selling|

A few years back, the Business Insider listed one tip for negotiating a home sale: “Don’t be a jerk!” That sounds like a hyperbolic put-down (after all, who wants to be a jerk?). But it’s true that negotiating for a home can have personal consequences that contribute to a particularly tense situation—one where uncharacteristically charged emotions can be triggered. This can befall even the most even-tempered among us—especially if the other side seems to be acting like a jerk!

25 11, 2020

Minor Market Hiccup Could Encourage Mesa County Listings

2021-03-23T16:10:10-06:00November 25th, 2020|Home Buying, Home Ownership|

The first words of last week’s Realtor Magazine title were reassuring to area homeowners with homes currently included in the Mesa County listings: “Sellers Are Calling the Shots…” For most regions across the U.S., that’s become apparent as the summer wore on. Realtor.com’s Chief Economist elaborated: “Prices are rising, and housing inventory is vanishing as fast as it appears.”

4 11, 2020

Beyond the ‘R’ Word: Existing Home Sales Spike in Every Region

2021-03-23T16:28:50-06:00November 4th, 2020|Home Buying, Home Selling|

When corporate leaders seek to communicate good news on their company’s performance, they frequently reach for the ‘R’ word: “robust.” Sales are robust; production is robust; future prospects are robust, etc. The ‘R’ word performs the near-miraculous feat of conveying strength, energy, and accomplishment —all without having to come up with specifics.

21 10, 2020

Closing Out Your Unused Credit Cards? Not So Fast!

2021-03-24T17:25:49-06:00October 21st, 2020|Home Buying|

Mesa County residents who will be buying a home, refinancing their mortgage, or even just financing a car anytime soon, should think twice before making abrupt credit moves. Even some actions intended to reflect positively on their creditworthiness can backfire.

7 10, 2020

Today’s Mesa County Real Estate Prospects—a Different Animal

2021-03-24T17:28:54-06:00October 7th, 2020|Choosing a Realtor, Home Buying, Home Selling|

The bright economic news that began this summer may have wilted a bit in the July heat, but as the month drew to a close, Mesa County real estate watchers have reason to doubt that some of the more dour expectations will materialize. Especially worries about a possible replay of the Great Recession’s rush of foreclosures seems improbable for a number of powerful reasons.

23 09, 2020

Why Experienced Mesa County Realtors® Ignore “Zestimates”

2021-03-24T17:48:47-06:00September 23rd, 2020|Home Buying, Home Selling|

Today's Mesa County house hunters are using the web more than ever—and more than ever, they're running into seemingly omnipresent "Zillow." It's unavoidable because Zillow ads are everywhere—often in the first and/or second position on the search engine results pages. With annual revenue topping $2 billion, the e-commerce mega-company can afford it.

2 09, 2020

Mesa County Home Fixer-uppers: Not for Everyone

2021-03-26T09:57:40-06:00September 2nd, 2020|Home Buying, Home Ownership|

Despite the well-documented national shortfall in residential housing, determined house hunters still can find Mesa County homes for sale that are priced to sell. Given today’s extremely low mortgage interest rates, affordable options are out there right now.

26 08, 2020

The Mortgage Rate Effect on Mesa County Real Estate Investments

2021-03-26T10:00:06-06:00August 26th, 2020|Home Buying, Home Ownership, Mortgages|

Most people are aware of the record-setting lows Mesa County mortgage rates are chalking up right now—the kind of rates that create tempting cashflow projections for even the most conservative would-be investors. But, of course, other factors enter the decision, whether they are planning their real estate investment for their own residence or as a rental. Given the uncertainty in the economy, prospective buyers are asking themselves if now is the right time to be investing in Mesa County.

15 06, 2020

Homebuyers Beware: Top 3 Things That Could Cause You to LOSE YOUR DEPOSIT!

2020-06-21T22:07:08-06:00June 15th, 2020|Contract and Closing, Favorites, Home Buying, Popular|

An earnest money deposit is substantial, so buyers should know what will cause their money to be forfeited, and how to avoid (or leverage!) those instances.

5 05, 2020

House Tour Etiquette Guide in Two Words

2020-06-21T22:08:15-06:00May 5th, 2020|Home Buying|

Etiquette can be hard when touring someone else's home; you don't know them, they're not around, and their 'house rules' aren't exactly posted on the wall.