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Showing posts with the label Buying A Home

April Market Snapshot with the MacGuire Team

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We're beginning to see a rise in the real estate market, which compared to the previous quarter is wonderful news! With a new month means new local real estate market conditions in El Paso County, Colorado. Check out the market insights of what April looked like and how it may affect you if you are planning on selling or  buying a Colorado Springs home . Average Days On Market As of April, we still saw a lower average of inventory sitting just 31 days on the market, compared to the historically recorded 67 days. Because of a lack of inventory, homes are still selling more quickly, leaving the market looking slimmer than last year. We are seeing an increase in inventory as we gain traction into the 2nd quarter. However, the low inventory tells us this quicker sell time could continue until the market sees a surge in available properties for sale. This is great news for the seller who's hoping to move their property quickly. Listing vs. Sales Prices Sales prices as of Ma...

Buying The Right Retirement Home!

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You are in the next chapter of your life which is an exciting time.  Retirement means these are the years you can relax and enjoy all your favorite hobbies.  Your current home may have a lot of memories, but it won't meet your needs as you age.  Finding a retirement home has different criteria than when you purchased your first home with a growing family.  Size, location, layout and other factors become extremely important.  You will want to find a home that is right for you now and as you age.  When deciding what home is right for you, calling one of our  experienced Colorado Springs real estate agent s is your first step in the home buying process.  If you are in the market to buy a  retirement home in Colorado Springs , read our list of items to consider. Consider The Following When Buying Your Colorado Springs Home To Retire In Pick The Right Location-   You are at a point in your life you can enjoy all your favorite hobb...

How Important Is My Credit Score?

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While you can still buy a home with a lower credit score, especially if you are trying for a USDA loan, your credit score can still vastly improve your ability to get the loan you desire. Your credit score can affect your mortgage rate, it can affect your monthly payments, and in some cases can even affect if you can get a home at all. That's how important your credit score is. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you think about your credit score. What Is A Credit Score? This number that ranges from 300-850 paints a financial picture to show the likelihood of your ability to pay your loan back. The higher the score, the more chances you have of getting a better deal on your mortgage. The credit score is generally referred to as a FICO score, which stands for Fair, Isaac, and Company. While it's a mystery to everyone to know what exactly affects your credit score, and how to actually boost it, here are a few things that your score takes into account: Payment History...

The Home Buying Process From the MacGuire Team

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Buying a home is both exciting and overwhelming all at once. We understand that until a family is settled in a great home, life is on hold due to stress and upheaval. We will listen to your desires and needs and we will hear what you have to say, because ultimately, you know what you're looking for. There are a lot of steps to buying a home, though, that will seem overwhelming at first, but that's why you hire the best real estate agents in Colorado Springs . We can walk you through them all to help make this process fun, easy, and ultimately successful! Navigating the Home Buying Process Loan Pre-Qualification – this helps you establish how much you are comfortable with spending on your new home. Needs Assessment – We sit down and discuss your desires, lifestyle, needs & dreams. Area Tour – We drive you through the Colorado Springs communities so that you may identify the areas that meet your wants and needs. Tour Homes – We visit the homes in your favorite a...

Are You Ready To Upsize Your Home?

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When you bought your first home, it was perfect. The cute two bedroom home with a window seat, fireplace, and one bathroom was ideal for you. One spouse, two kids, one dog and one hamster later, though, it lacks the ideal charm that it seemed to have while you were single. If it's time for you to upsize your home, the MacGuire team would love to help you find a home that is perfect for your new goals and dreams. Here are a few things to consider as you start the home buying and selling process. Check Your Finances This is always the first step whether you're buying a home for the first time, or you are a veteran home buyer with years of experience under your belt. It's important that your finances are squared away and in good shape when you're buying a new home, especially when you'll be selling one at the same time. If you need some references for a good mortgage company to work with, we can recommend several in the area to help you determine exactly how much ...

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 lo...

Immaculate 2-Story Home For Sale In Colorado Springs on Choice Golf Course Lot

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Move in Ready 2-Story Home For Sale in Colorado Springs on a choice golf course lot, featuring 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 3 Car Garage and over 3,100 Square Feet. Click here to view this home that features an open main level includes a spacious formal living room and formal dining room perfect for entertaining. The perfectly appointed gourmet kitchen boasts hardwood floors, granite countertops, large island, pantry, upgraded appliances, dual ovens and a large eating area with walk out. The main level also includes a family room with a cozy gas fireplace, large office with fireplace, powder room and laundry room. Unwind in the upper level master retreat with vaulted ceilings, sitting area, fireplace, walk-in closet and attached luxurious 5 piece bathroom with dual sinks, free standing shower and a Jacuzzi tub. The upper level also includes 2 spacious secondary bedrooms and a full bathroom. The unfinished basement is perfect for future expansion! The professionally landsc...

Home Appraisals 101

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You've made an offer, the sellers have accepted, and everything is progressing smoothly. Before your lender can finalize your loan, however, he/she will need to procure a home appraisal. Home appraisals don't specifically indicate how big of a loan you can qualify for, but they still play an integral part of the lending process. What Is A Home Appraisal? During a home appraisal, a certified home appraiser will evaluate your home to determine its current market value. Your home will be evaluated and compared according to several different criteria, depending on which appraisal method is used. With the sales comparison method , the appraiser will evaluate your home according to the... Sale Price of Comparable Homes (also called "comparables" or "comps") Size of the Lot Amount of Finished Square Footage Amount of Unfinished Square Footage Style of the Home Age of the Home With the cost method , the appraiser will evaluate your home to deter...

Offers & Counter Offers - The Basics

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Many of us think about buying a new home in Colorado Springs solely in terms of moving our place or residence - we imagine what it will be like to live in the new location or how it will feel to finally have that amazing mountain view you've been dreaming of. While this is certainly a huge part of buying a new home, it's important to remember that a home is also a major financial purchase and should be navigated carefully and strategically. The MacGuire Team is here to help you approach this financial move with as much advance knowledge and information as possible. In order to help you better prepare for the process of buying a new home , here is some background information on real estate offers and counter offers. The Offer Buyers -  When you have found a home you love and wish to purchase, you will work with your Colorado Springs real estate agent to submit an offer to the seller. Your offer will include a suggested sale price of the home (it does not have to m...