Mary Kay Irving

Colorado short sale homes, at least in the Boulder and Broomfield area are not in as abundant supply as some places. We are poised for a recovery in this market and we were not as deeply hurt as other areas.

This beautifully crafted home in the lovely Crystal Pines neighborhood of Broomfield offers a tremendous buying opportunity for some very lucky soul. Colorado short sale properties like short sales anywhere offer up images of decrepit structures or neighborhoods. The reality for this home and for many short sales in Broomfield and Boulder counties is quite different. Frequently a Colorado short sale home has been lovingly maintained and lived in until some hardship arises and the sellers can no longer stay in the home. With the change in property values over time from the inflated market a few years ago may mean the the current market sale price of a home will be less than what the current mortage pay off balance is to the lender.

With a Colorado short sale, and elsewhere, the buyer negotiates with the lender to come to a sales price they agree on. Despite the name of short sale, the process can actually take several months longer than a regular market sale. Banks are starting to steamline their process and today a Colorado short sale may be completed in as few as 3 months, possibly quicker if approval has already been given by the lender. If you are a buyer in search of an amazing deal and willing to wait an extra couple of months. then this home at 2525 Outlook Tr. in Broomfield, CO, in beautiful condition, may be just the home for you!

This Colorado short sale opportunity will be open to the public and available for your viewing this Sunday 2/12/12. Hope to see you there!

To learn more about short sale buying opportunities or if you are a homeowner in a distress sale situation (divorce, health crisis, job or income loss please call Mary Kay Irving today at 720-217-6450 or email MaryKay@theirvingteam.com

Hiring a Realtor in Lafayette, CO. So, you've made the decision to buy a home. Whether you are a first-time home buyer, buying up or downsizing it is often an unfamiliar process and you know you need help. How and where do you start when hiring a Realtor in Colorado? Often a good place to start is by asking friends or neighbors or maybe the Realtor holding the Open House at your neighbors'.

Once you've made contact with a Realtor the real confusion begins as they start telling you about brokerage relationships and long before the actual closing, the paperwork starts flowing. This paperwork, approved by the Colorado Real Estate Commission, describes the types of brokerage relationship buyers can choose when purchasing a home. In Colorado, when hiring a Realtor to represent you you have a choice of either a Buyer's Agent or as a Transaction Broker. Just what is the difference?

When hiring a Realtor you choose to be represented by a Buyer's Agent you are getting the highest form of representation. This Realtor will work fully on your behalf as an advocate to negotiate the best deal possible for you in your home purchase. They are loyal to you and working solely for your best interest in the deal.

When hiring a Realtor you choose to be represented by a Transaction Broker you are hiring a professional to assist you throughout the transaction. This is a perfectly acceptable form of representation and the Broker will perform all the terms of your agreement and assist you with the contract through closing.

I like to make reference to baseball when describing the difference between hiring an Agent vs. a Transaction Broker. A Buyer's Agent is like the coach of the baseball team. S/he will strategize with you to come up with the best game plan to win the game. If the seller has a Seller's Agent, they also are developing strategies to get their best deal. A transaction broker is like the referee. The referee does not create strategies with either team but is there to ensure you play by the rules and that it is a fair game.

Hiring a Realtoris not your only choice, however. In Colorado one may choose to be a 'customer' in a transaction. This is a party to the deal, either a buyer or seller who has not hired a Realtor as either a Seller's Agent, a Buyer's Agent or a Transaction brokerage. This might be a do it yourself person or investor.

For the average person buying a home in Lafayette, or elsewhere in Colorado, hiring a Realtor whether an Agent or Transaction Broker is the best way to ensure a smooth transaction. Probably the best news for the buyer is that hiring an agent does not cost you one penny. The Realtor's fees are all paid as part of the seller's closing costs for the home being purchased.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Lafayette or Boulder County Colorado call Mary Kay at the Irving Team at (720) 217-6450. You can start your property search now by clicking here; hiring a Realtor in Lafayette, CO. Happy Home Hunting!

Using a Realtor to purchase your home in Lafayette, Colorado.

While sales of homes have been slower this year I have met many buyers over the last few weeks. Many of these buyers, like you have not yet chosen the agent who will represent them. Many are just beginning their search in preparation to buy in the near or distant future. I am often asked the same questions about the home buying process and I thought I'd share a common one with you here.

Using a Realtor to purchase your home provides you with instant access to an experienced expert to help you navigate your home purchase. They will answer your questions or they will help connect you to the person or other expert to get your answer. They are here to serve you.

When using a Realtor to puchase your home that Realtor works for you. You will most likely enter into an employment agreement with the Realtor hiring them as your agent or transaction broker (to learn about the difference between an agent and transaction broker stay tuned for my next blog). You are in effect their employer for the transaction of purchasing your home.

One common question I hear is 'how much lower as a percentage of the asking price should I make my offer?" Buyers are wondering if their is a standard or expected amount. When using a Realtor to purchase your home and you find the home you want to buy, an experienced Realtor will research the market value of that property based on the current market conditions. They will show you the results of the research and the current market value of your future home. Based on this you might discover that the home is actually priced right at market value or perhaps even under for a quick sale. In this case you would want to consult with your Realtor as to the pros and cons of making a purchase offer below the asking price. As you can see with this example one might not always make an offer under the asking price.

Using a Realtor to purchase your home can save you time, money and stress as you navigate the largest and perhaps the most important purchase in your life. There is no cost to you, the buyer to hire an agent.

When you are ready to buy or just beginning to think about buying a home or investment property using a Realtor to purchase your home is a wise choice. Please call Mary Kay at The Irving Team today for prompt, friendly and professional service (720) 317-6450. To see what homes are selling for in the Lafayette or Boulder County area visit my website by clicking; using a realtor to purchase your home. For a free property values report in a particular neighborhood visit; purchase your home in Lafayette

Property Values in Boulder County Colorado...What has happened to mine? The lead story in most everyone's life has been the economy and the question 'what has happened to my home's value' is common. When you are wondering about property values in Boulder County you can find answers with the Irving Team. As part of the Irving Team's commitment to servicing our customers we are providing a free service to allow you to keep up to date with what the current property values are in your own neighborhood. To see what home's in your exact neighborhood are actually selling for just go to www.Bouldercountypropertyvalues.com and we will provide you with an up to date Market Snapshot.

This complimentary report will give you the most up to date market activity of homes currently listed for sale and those that have actually sold in the past 3 months. This free service will keep you periodically updated on your very own property values in Boulder and surrounding areas.

While property values in Boulder have not been as hard hit as many communities in the nation some area neighborhoods have been more impacted than others in Boulder county. When it comes time for you to sell your home it is the current market that dictates the price you will be able to actually receive from a buyer. The Market Snapshot offered by the Irving Team will help you stay on top of the pricing trends in your own backyard. When you price your home in line with actual market dictated property values in Boulder you will have a much quicker sale.

Property values in Boulder and anywhere fluctuate with time. In recent years many neighborhoods have seen a marked decrease in home values. Others have remained flat. Often a homeowner will believe that a home has increased in value because of expensive improvements and remodels. Unfortunately this is just not the case. Don't leave it to guesswork. An experienced Realtor can help you get an accurate analysis of the property values in Boulder and surrounding areas, your exact neighborhood in particular. Go to www.Bouldercountypropertyvalues.com today or call Mary Kay at The Irving Team (720)-217-6450.

First time home buyers in Boulder Colorado have much to be celebrating.

Interest rates have been the lowest in years. There is currently a wealth of homes available for sale in all price ranges and many good deals to be made. If you are a first time home buyer in the Boulder Colorado area with steady income and a good credit rating you are in a great position and now is the time to buy.

Being first time home buyers you are likely excited, and it can be a scary and unfamiliar process. Let the experts help you through every step of the way. A good Realtor will tell first time home buyers in Boulder or anywhere that the first step is to speak with a lender. If this is your first buying experience you may have never worked with a professional lender. Your chosen real estate professional can direct you to experienced lenders who can guide you through your first steps. This financing expert will determine based on your income, debts and other information, how much they will lend you for the purchase of your first home. Knowing this amount before you begin the search for your dream home is important for several reasons. How disappointing after all, it would be if you fell in love with a home only to discover later that you could not afford it. Once you know what the lender will approve for you to borrow, as first time home buyers this will put you in a position of buying power. Now when you find your dream home and another buyer likes it as much as you, the seller will be more likely to accept the offer from the buyer that has a letter of pre-approval from their lender...you!

First time home buyers can feel like a roller coaster ride of emotions and uncertainty. Let an experienced team of real estate professionals guide you easily down the road. Contact Mary Kay Irving at 720-217-6450 or www.TheIrvingTeam.com Realtors with heart and soul, putting you first.