Colorado Springs House for First Time Buyer - Friday afternoon at 4:00 the conference room was full with the sellers, buyers, listing agent, selling agent and title closer. We all agreed to show up for closing not knowing if the closing was actually going to take place. My buyers were troopers, hanging in there as first time home buyers. We started by finding three houses that all had offers on them when I called to say we were writing an offer. Next came an offer on a short sale and 3 weeks later finding out the bank changed its mind to look at multiple offers vs just one. Feeling bruised from the short sale experience we eliminated looking at short sale properties at all. Found a house new on the market, offer was accepted and we were into new territory (the process of actually buying a house). For first time home buyers they were incredibly prepared, patient and accepting. They had submitted all necessary documents to their lender and were through underwriting when we went under contract. inspection went smoothly, appraisal was ordered and came back well and within 3 days of ordering. Two days before closing my first time homebuyer calls with the loan processors name and number. Would I please call and find out about closing. The time, 4:00 pm on Friday had been set and agreed upon. Without going through what will sound like a soap opera the mortgage company was not ready, prepared or in my opinion acting responsibly for their customer. Why write about this?
For Realtors it is important that we find a lender that we work well with, can rely upon and know that they will do a great job. This does not mean that something does not come up before closing ~ that happens, more often that not. There is a balance in working with a lender that the buyer has been referred to and had conversations with and I want to respect that. However, I also feel an incredibly strong responsibility to help my buyers have the best real estate buying experience possible and this means no surprises. In looking for a lender for your first house, talk to your Realtor about who their customers have used and had a successful experience with. This is not about recommending a specific lender but remembering that working with someone who has a proven history of success with buyers can make a difference for someone buying their first home.
Buying your first house comes with a wide range of emotions and keeping them in balance is an art. By working with a recommended lender with a proven history, is crucial to help keep the entire process and experience stable and low stress. This does not mean something will not happen but it does mean that it will be addressed, brought to the forefront in a timely manner and all involved will work together to get it resolved. Wishing you a good experience and joy of your first home.
There is nothing like the word, "used car salesman" to generate conversation. My past two weeks have included time spent researching and looking at cars. I dreaded looking and what I would experience when I walked into a "dealership". After going to several dealerships I had a wide range of experiences. What surprised me and then reminded me to write this blog post was meeting salesman Tony Neuman. I remembered that one of the most important contacts you can make being new to an area is a car salesman. Tony provided me with an experience of working with a salesman that I felt was genuinely interested in understanding what I was looking for and why. Instead of being "sold" from the moment I walked across the parking lot and into the dealership Tony was available while I was "cool, distant and almost rude". His patience and acceptance was remarkable. He said, "I don't know, lets find out" when I asked a question he did not have an answer to. Tony went to bat for me and used the price that I asked him to for the car I was interested in. I was impressed with the process and the integrity ~ yes I did say integrity ~ I found through the process. I am now a happy new/used car owner with the rare experience of having a great salesman!
With the intention to provide helpful resources for those new to Colorado Springs or looking for a car salesperson I knew this was important and valuable. For personal assistance call Tony Neuman at 719-217-8863 or email tneumann@perkinsdodge.com.
It has been a while since I have written my last blog post. I have been showing houses downtown, West side, out in Falcon and investment property on the Southwest side. What I appreciate about this is it keeps me up to date with the market, what is available and what is a good deal.
Downtown: After looking at all the houses for sale with the specific criteria including being updated, 2 bedroom, 2 bath and a garage as a minimum, we found the house. We had an offer in and accepted the first day it was on the market. Through the inspection we discovered the hot water heater and furnace are up there in age. The solution we used is a Home Warranty for the house which covers all mechanical aspects for the house up to 14 months. Sellers needed two months before their new home was ready and buyer was happy to provide a lease back after closing to help out.
Falcon: It has been a busy couple of weeks going and previewing homes for sale in Falcon as my buyers are back home and will be moving to Colorado Springs the first week of June. We stay connected with inventory and now have three homes to take photos and make decisions from.
Investment Property. Nice size house in terrific tucked area with huge trees and yet quick access to downtown, interstate and the west side. The investment property offer was presented and has been accepted.
West Side: The West side homes are actively being looked at as new inventory comes on the market daily. Today we head off to look at new house on the market and walk a builder model as a possibility.
All of these are successful because of the collaboration between the buyers, sellers, listing and sellng agents. Everyone has been incredible with what they bring whether it be wanting/needing new home, selling a home, warranties, keeping up with inventory and all working together. Life seems to work so much better with that approach.
Thinking about builders and trying to distinguish one versus another reminds me of recommending restaurants ~ sometimes it just isn't a fit. Today I wanted to introduce a local builder who is celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year and continues to achieve results and set standards that raise the bar for all who are in the business.
Stauffer and Sons is a full-service design and build home builder based in Colorado Springs and serves the Pikes Peak Region and other mountain communities in Colorado. What started as a one-man shop is now a full service deisgn, budgeting and building team that accommodates the demand for high-end, one-of-a-kind projects.
Just what do I mean by raising the bar. Today two particular aspects come to mind. The first is customer interaction. Stauffer and Sons often works with out of state (and country) buyers who are wanting to build a home and yet have heard the horror stories about building, much less remotely. Stauffer solves this question and more with a very interactive website and on-line presence that allows their customers to see at any time all documentation, photos, ideas, plans, costs and schedules for getting their home done. With technology tools such as gotomeeting.com they can have a meeting with customers before and during the building process that will keep them actively engaged and informed with their home. Seeing is believing and customer testimonials are available by sending a quick email. Stauffer and Sons website for more information is http://www.staufferandsons.com.
The second example of raising the bar has more to do with actual building and a fairly new measuring component called "Platinum". In order to achieve LEED certification, buildings are rated in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The US Green Building Council created the LEED for homes rating system. This system utilizes a stringent, national, third-party certification system for building a green home.
In order to achieve LEED certification, buildings are rated in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Future blog posts will give updates on some of the accomplishments by Stauffer and Sons in each LEED category:
Sustainable Site
Water Efficiency and Water Conservation
Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation
Indoor Environmental Quality and Lighting
Conservation of Materials and Resources
Stauffer & Sons is very proud to be building one of only a handful of homes in Colorado that are LEED Platinum certified. The motive was not just environmental. "Being a ‘green' builder has a profound, measurable effect for not only the environment but your bottom line as well. What's good for the environment and good for our customers and neighbors is also good for us, " said Andy Stauffer, President and Founder, Stauffer and Sons.
For more information on building your new home or remodeling your existing home please contact Stauffer and Sons at 719-492-3982 or online at http://www.staufferandsons.com
Colorado Springs is known for its natural beauty, location at the base of Pikes Peak, the military bases located here and Garden of the Gods. It also has something that is unusual yet quite popular for women (and men) here in the Pikes Peak region. The Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival, currently in its 22nd year, is the longest running Women's Film Festival in the United States. It is held every year the first weekend in November but has a special treat that is ideal for anyone looking for a Mothers Day present. The Festival is holding a one day, Best of the Fest on Sunday, May 3rd. Tickets are $35 and offer a day of documentary films written and produced by women. For more information about the films being shown and the Festival itself please check their website at http://www.rmwfilmfest.org.
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