Shawn

PCS to Colorado Springs?

Homebuying FAQ's 1. Isn't it just easier to rent than to buy? I get this question a lot. Colorado Springs is very different from other duty stations you may have lived at. The area is large but really still small. That won't make sense to you now but when you arrive you'll get what I mean. We have really one county in our area (excluding the mountain communities). Finding a home takes (with a good Realtor of course) no more than a...Continue Reading!

Walkout Basements and Radon

I just closed on a sale for one of my military buyers. It was a wonderful home in Broadmoor Glen at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. Typically, this area will have high radon readings when testing is done. When it came time to do the home inspection, the buyer was deciding whether or not to do the radon testing.  Radon testing costs around $110 extra on top of the regular home inspection fees according to Scott Whitbeck of HomeTeam inspections. ...Continue Reading!

Can You Rent Out A Home With A VA Loan?

Common Question Can you rent out a home that has a VA mortgage on it? Yes, with certain conditions. VA loans are given only to Veterans who plan to occupy the home as their principle residence. This means that you cannot use your VA loan benefit to buy a home to fix and flip or to rent out as an investment property in the first place.  As a side note, I have never known how VA will monitor this but you...Continue Reading!

Can you Freeze Your Credit?

The answer is yes. One of my lender partners, Jeff Chapdelaine of Cherry Creek Mortage, just told me about this service.  Those who are quite sure they will not be needing to open any new credit might want to consider it. The first type of person that comes to my mind is a single person in the military getting ready to deploy for a year long tour in the desert. Who needs credit in Afghanistan anyway? Freezing credit will stop...Continue Reading!

Are You Ready To Buy Now?

Is It Time to Buy a House? By Guest Blogger Rose Kelly  If you are in a place where you want to buy a home, now may be the right time to start thinking about it. The banks and government are simply overwhelmed with homes that have been repossessed, and it looks like there might be as many as 2 million more homes to come onto the market. Prices in many areas are going to continue to fall, and if you can...Continue Reading!

Third Grade Reading Scores are in!

Scores have increased The 2011 CSAP Reading scores have been posted and there was a statewide increase in the number of students who are proficient in their reading. For 2010 the number was 70% and this year it increased to 73%. Good news for many districts but not all of the districts located in the Colorado Springs metro area were able to show the same results. (more...)Continue Reading!

Fort Carson to get new aviation brigade!

It looks like Fort Carson will be adding a new aviation brigade with 2700 troops to the post.  This move has to potential to add up to 7000 newcomers to the city.  What does this mean? Jobs, housing and more dollars for our local economy coming soon! Read all about the news in the story from the Colorado Springs Gazette .Continue Reading!

How bad is Colorado Springs traffic?

Not bad really! The traffic issues in Colorado Springs are minute as compared to other metro areas across the country! I drive several thousand miles per month in town and in Denver. Believe me, we do not have a traffic problem! (more...)Continue Reading!

7479 Fortman Fountain CO 80817 $157,900

[nggallery id=10] All New Interior! This upscale remodel will put a smile on your face the minute you enter the front door! Imagine moving into a brand new home. This is the one! Over 1800 square feet. All new carpet, interior paint and upscale lighting. The kitchen is a cooks dream with brand new stainless appliances, slab granite counters and upgraded cabinetry. Euro style faucets and lighting complete the look. Large living room upstairs plus spacious family room in the lower level allow...Continue Reading!

Do MLS Photos Tell The Truth?

Maybe and Maybe Not! The benefit of today's technology allows buyers to preview homes online. When I started in real estate in 1990, we used the old MLS books that were published every two weeks. If a buyer was relocating into Colorado Springs, I had to cut out the individual listings and place a bunch on the copy machine, make a copy and then mail the sheet to a buyer. (more...)Continue Reading!