The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month. According to the EPA, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon gas is emitted from decaying uranium naturally occurring in our soil, rocks, and groundwater. Radon is radioactive and carcinogenic, seeping through a foundation to build up to […]
Home for the holidays – gift giving to first-time home buyers – Part 2
An exceptional gift idea is helping your relative or loved one with an interest rate or mortgage buydown (Photo: Pexels). The holiday season is upon us, and you may be thinking about finding a special or unique gift your family member or loved one could use for years to come. In my previous article entitled, […]
Home for the holidays – gift giving to first-time home buyers – Part 1
For 26% of first-time home buyers, saving for a down payment on a home is the most challenging step in the home buying process, according to the 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Overall, it is very difficult for first-time buyers in this housing market. Of all […]
It’s time for your annual real estate checkup
To keep yourself healthy, you make sure to schedule an annual physical. To maintain your financial well-being, it is essential to schedule an annual real estate checkup. November is a great time to conduct that review so you can make any adjustments in the year ahead. If you’re not a homeowner yet or don’t own […]
Do falling home prices offset higher interest rates?
Now that interest rates have risen from the 3.5% range to the 7% range, will home prices decline to balance out the purchasing power? Looking at historical evidence, it shows that sharply rising mortgage rates tend to slow home price appreciation and affect housing market activity. However, nominal price appreciation in most of Colorado remains […]
Are there alternatives to foreclosure?
The years 2007 to 2012 were pretty rough for homeowners across the nation. Boulder County didn’t suffer nearly as much as other markets, such as Las Vegas and Phoenix, where homes lost a considerable amount of value. Boulder County has experienced a strong real estate market since 2012 and is still showing considerable strength. If […]
Where does Boulder’s water come from?
With ongoing drought in Colorado and news of the Colorado River rapidly drying up, water resources are top of mind. If you drive up Flagstaff Mountain and look across the sea of homes on the eastern Colorado plains, the striking view will compel you to ask, “where is the water supply coming from for all […]
Rising interest rates decrease purchasing power
In general, as interest rates rise, the homebuyer loses about 3% of purchasing power for every .25% in interest rate increase. Today’s market is tough on first time buyers. The inventory of homes and condos purchased by first-time buyers continues to be low, and along with inflation, home prices are being pushed upward in […]
Financing options when interest rates rise
The 30-year mortgage has been the mainstay of American homebuying for decades. The 30-year mortgage came about as a result of the housing crisis of the 1920s. Back then, a typical mortgage was three to five years with a variable rate, and payments only covered the interest. Often, large down payments were required. The most […]
Rising mortgage rates…To lock or not lock? That is the question!
To lock or not to lock, that is the home buyer’s choice. However, buyers need to understand this is a commitment from both the mortgage lender and themselves to close at the agreed upon interest rate. (Photo: Pexels). Over the last several years we have enjoyed record-low mortgage rates with a sense of stability. The most […]