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Showing posts from 2015

Reasons to Buy Your Home in the Winter

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Winter isn't the most popular time to purchase a home, but it can be a great time to get what you’re looking for without the competition or the high prices. Both buyers and sellers tend to be more serious during the winter as well, which can mean there is less “window shopping." Here are a few reasons that you should consider buying a home in the winter months. There May Be Less Competition Winter can be a great time to buy your home because there can be less competition. Many people will choose to buy a home during the warmer spring and summer months. The weather is nicer and easier to tour the homes, and the landscapes offer more curb appeal. While buying a home in the winter months may not be as convenient, you may be glad when there aren’t many other people putting offers on the best home in Colorado Springs ! You Can Learn More About the Home You can potentially learn more about the flaws in a home during the winter. From leaks in the roof and gutters, or possibl

Christmas Events in Colorado Springs

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The holiday season is upon us, and we don't want you to miss out on any of the fun Colorado Springs Christmas events ! From theater productions to elegant dining experiences, there are so many reasons to get out and enjoy the Christmas season here in Colorado. A Classic Broadmoor Christmas - Through December 27th Visit www.Broadmoor.com for more information. Sleigh Rides and Dinner at M Lazy C Ranch - through December 2015 Call 719-748-3398 for more information. A Tuna Christmas at the Milibo Art Theatre - through December 27th. For more information call 719-465-6321 Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Fine Arts Center - through January 3rd. Call 719-272-7078 for more information about performances and matinees. Christmas at Broadmoor Seven Falls - through February 28th, 2016 Call 855-923-7272 for more information. Christmas Carol at the Simpich Showcase - through December 31st Visit their website for more information: www.Simpich.com 2015 Kwanzaa Ce

5 Holiday Safety Tips for Your Home

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The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be a dangerous time for fires and burglaries. The Mike MacGuire team can help you find your perfect Colorado home, but we also want to help you keep safe during this time of the year. Here are a few tips to remember as you decorate and celebrate during the Holiday season! Inspect Your Holiday Lights As you're decorating your home, be sure to check every strand of bulbs for fraying and splitting. When your lights start to show signs of age it's time to replace them to avoid any fire danger. Another way to decrease your chance of fire is by turning out all holiday lights when you go to sleep, or will not be home. Meet Your Neighbors Whether you're new to the neighborhood, or you've been there for a while, the holidays are a wonderful time to meet your neighbors. Introduce yourself to the people surrounding you on every side and down the street. The more you know about your neighbors,

7 Unexpected Purchases for a First Time Homebuyer

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Buying your first home is an exciting time, full of changes and new experiences. While you're learning about this detailed process, the Mike MacGuire team will help you navigate through all of the ins and outs of the home buying experience. When you purchase your first home, you will be excited to get settled in, but there are a few other purchases that you may need. Here are seven things that can go unnoticed in the home buying process that you'll want to budget for in advance. Blinds Blinds are not always the first thing you think of when you buy a home, but if your home in Colorado Springs doesn't come with blinds, you'll want to add this to the budget. You can purchase standard blinds at a local home improvement store, or you can hire a company to come and measure your windows and create a custom fit. Ask us for a referral to a reputable local company! Fire Extinguisher This is a MUST for every home. At the minimum you should keep one in the kitchen,

The Difference Between Pre-Qualified vs. Pre-Approved

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There are many details to buying a home, and as a homebuyer, you can't be expected to remember them all. Pre-qualification sounds like the last step in the mortgage, yet it's only just the beginning. In fact, if you were to rely solely on the results from your pre-qualification it could cause some bigger problems down the road. Though pre-qualification is important, you want to make sure that you are pre-approved before  buying a home in Colorado . Here are a few details that can help you understand the distinction between these two steps. 1st Step: Pre-Qualification When you are pre-qualified, you have completed the initial step in the mortgage process. You will provide your financial information to the bank, including you debt, income, and assets. They will evaluate all of the information, and then the lender can give you an estimated mortgage amount that you could qualify for. Pre-qualification does not examine your credit report or take an extensive look at

We're Grateful To Live In Colorado Springs!

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The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to be grateful for all of the blessings in our lives. From our family and friends to our jobs and our homes, we all have a lot to be thankful for. In honor of Thanksgiving, The MacGuire Team thought we would share with you some of the reasons why we are so grateful to live in Colorado Springs. Incredible Views It's no secret that Colorado Springs is home to some of the most stunning vistas in the country. Where else can you find such sweeping plains, soaring mountains, and majestic forests? In addition to the natural vistas, Colorado Springs offers a sparkling cityscape that is truly magnificent to behold. No matter where you want to live in the Springs, we can help you find a home with spectacular views. Amazing Housing The city and the natural landscape aren't the only things contributing to Colorado Springs' incredible vistas. Our area is also home to some of the most beautiful houses on the market. From cozy mountain cottag

7 Tips To Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient This Winter

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It happened! The first snow of the year has officially fallen in Colorado Springs. With the lows in this week's forecast dropping well below freezing, it's time to make sure your home in Colorado Springs is well-insulated and ready to withstand the cold temperatures this winter will bring - without racking up high electric bills. 7 Tips To Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient If you haven't already, here are a few tricks you can try to make your home more energy-efficient this winter. 1. Upgrade Your Insulation Most homes are built with the minimum required amount of insulation, but this may not be enough to prevent much-needed heat from escaping into the outside air. Adding insulation in your attic is especially important, as most attics are prime spots for heat loss in the winter. 2. Install A Programmable Thermostat Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule at what times of day your home is heated to different temperatures, enabling you to drop the t

Renters, Who Do You Think Pays For Repairs?

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Financial commitments are often the biggest factors that come between aspiring homeowners and the homes of their dreams. Many would-be potential buyers let the assumption that they can't afford homes of their own deter them from researching the topic thoroughly, and as a result, they fail to recognize that owning a home is actually much more affordable than they previously thought. As your trusted real estate agent in Colorado Springs , I'm here to help make you aware of why renting may not always be the most cost-effective solution. Rent Costs Are Expected To Increase People typically choose to rent when they think they can't afford to own, but the fact remains that rent prices consistently rank significantly higher than mortgage costs for comparable properties. By renting out their properties, landlords and/or property management companies aim to cover their own mortgage payments while managing to bring in some extra income at the same time. Thanks to infl

Beautiful Home for Sale in Colorado Springs

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Move in ready home for sale in Colorado Springs featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage and 1,188 square feet.  Click HERE to tour this home for sale in Colorado Springs . The main level offers a spacious living room and eat-in kitchen with ample cabinet and counter space.  The family room offers a gas fireplace and walks out to sprawling patio and deck.  The spacious master bedroom adjoins the remodeled bathroom and provides his and her closets. There are two secondary bedrooms. Enjoy summer gatherings on the deck overlooking the fenced back yard.  Pride of ownership is obvious with this home providing a new roof, newer furnace and water heater & new windows to be installed in November.  This home is conveniently located to parks, schools, shopping, dining and the Powers Corridor.  

2.6 Acre Lot for Sale in Colorado Springs

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2.6 acre lot for sale in Colorado Springs at top of Skyway offering sweeping city and mountain views. Click HERE to tour this lot for sale in Colorado Springs today! This is a great opportunity to build your dream home just minutes from excellent District 12 Cheyenne Mountain schools, downtown and the Broadmoor. Access thousands of acres of hiking and biking trails at the nearby Bear Creek Park, Section 16 and Stratton Open Space.

6 Helpful Hints Every Homeowner Should Know

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Owning your own home in Colorado Springs offers incredible freedom and countless benefits, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility. Among other things, you'll be responsible for making sure your mortgage and all utilities are paid on time every month, that your home stays in good general condition, and that any necessary repairs are made in a timely manner. This week, The MacGuire Team is here to help you out with this quick checklist of a few helpful hints that can make your life much easier. 1. Make The Switch To LED Lighting For a long time, incandescent bulbs were the only kind of lighting used in homes. While LED light bulbs are steadily becoming more popular, most houses still have a vast majority of incandescent bulbs. While LED lights cost more upfront, they use less energy and have significantly longer lifespans than their incandescent counterparts. Switching your interior lighting to LED bulbs may help save you money in the long run. 2. If Your Refr

Is The Price Right?

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We've all heard about the importance of staging your home and aggressively marketing it to get it in front of as many people looking to buy a home in Colorado Springs as possible. We all know that keeping our home clean and boosting our curb appeal is essential if we want to get a good price on our property. But what about pricing your home in the first place? The Importance Of Pricing Your Home Right From The Start Some sellers want to aim high on their initial asking price, just to see if they can find a buyer who will agree to the inflated cost. However, more and more sellers are discovering that this strategy has several inherent flaws. Here are a few reasons why pricing your home high in the beginning may hurt you in the long run. You may scare off potential buyers who think your home is out of their price range. When you subsequently lower your asking price, buyers may assume that you are desperate to sell (and offer you an even lower price). Since most buyers