I think this is a really cool idea. Kind of a Pike Place Market space (Seattle natives, back me up)?
I think efforts to bring more jobs and businesses to the Springs are a really good idea!
Colorado Springs: HUD Report 2014
If I’m reading HUD’s schedule correctly, we’re due soon for an update but this is a comprehensive report with some great historical data on our city.
Looking for stuff to do in the Springs? Check out these hiking trails!
Here are 5 hiking trails of varying skill level for your consideration (once the rain stops!).
Denver Post: Colorado markets vary but improving…
The market’s on fire in Denver and picking up in other places.
Looking to buy in Colorado Springs? I can help! Call Rob at 719-440-6626 or email robthompsonrealtor@gmail.com.
From the inbox: is the VA loan debt payoff a good idea?
This is a GREAT question. If you don’t know, the VA loan allows for up to 4% debt payoff, as part of the mortgage balance. What does this mean?
Let’s take a hypothetical $250,000 dollar home. This means you can roll as much as $10K in debt payoff into a home purchase (credit card, car payoff, etc.). This has a couple of caveats, including home appraisal price — the home must still appraise for the contracted sales price or higher.
That’s great, right?! It can be. Who wouldn’t want to trade 10-15-19% credit card debt for 4-5% on a mortgage? It all depends on price point and long term goals. If you’re considering holding the home for a short time, this may not be the best use of the money.
Email me or call at 719-440-6626 and let’s talk options.
This is not legal or financial advice; always consult a qualified professional in their field of expertise.
From the inbox: what’s a buyer’s agent?
Good question! Short answer: YOUR advocate in the purchase of a home.
Longer answer: in Colorado, there are four types of working relationships — seller’s agent, buyer’s agent, transaction broker and customer. A seller’s agent represents the seller and “works solely on behalf of the seller to promote the interests of the seller with the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity. The agent negotiates on behalf of and acts as an advocate for the seller.”
A buyer’s agent “works solely on behalf of the buyer to promote the interests of the buyer with the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity. The agent negotiates on behalf of and acts as an advocate for the buyer.”
A transaction broker “assists the buyer or seller or both throughout a real estate transaction by performing terms of any written or oral agreement, fully informing the parties, presenting all offers and assisting the parties with any contracts, including the closing of the transaction without being an agent or advocate for any of the parties.”
Finally, in the customer relationship, the agent “has no brokerage relationship because such party has not engaged or employed the broker, either as the
party’s agent or as the party’s transaction-broker.”
(From the Colorado Definitions of Working Relationships Disclosure)
Looking to buy a home? I’d be honored to earn your business
Front range to be the silicon valley of agriculture?
It certainly looks like a strong possibility. The report indicates that with the right nurturing, this could come to fruition here in the next decade.
What say you?
From the inbox: what is an appraisal?
Good question! The short answer: an appraisal is an independent assessment of a home’s value. This differs from a home inspection, whose primary purpose is to assess the condition – not value – of a home.
The longer answer…Before You Buy: 4 Questions About Home Appraisals
Looking to buy or sell a home in Colorado Springs? Call Rob at 719-440-6626!
Are rising rents forcing millennials to buy homes?
Here in Colorado Springs, this seems to be the trend. Especially around the $200K price point…we’re seeing lots of activity. Looking for a home? Questions about the process, I’ a home! Call Rob at 719-440-6626!me! Call Rob at 719-440-6626!
RealtyTime: Why Rates Remain Deliciously Low
From the article: “The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.80 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week. Compare that to a year ago when the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 4.37 percent.”
That’s close to what my mortgage rate was 3.5 years ago!
From Bankrate.com, check out this chart that plots the last 3 years of fixed rate mortgages.
