No one can deny that it is a seller’s market when it comes to Denver and University Hills real estate, but that doesn’t mean your home will be in high demand once you list it. There are still things that buyers are looking for when they are looking for their dream home. Does your University Hills home have these coveted features?

Open Floor Plan

Open floor plans are one of the most popular features homebuyers are looking for in today’s real estate market. Not only do open floor plans make it easier for entertaining, but they also tend to let in more light. Older homes often have rooms blocked off with walls, so if you are considering updating your home before you list, knocking down walls might be something to think about.

Plenty of Storage

People love closets and storage space in homes, and the more yours has, the better. Often people are looking to buy a new home because they have grown out of their old home, so storage is crucial. Be sure your real estate agent plays up the amount of basement, attic, and closet space in your home to entice potential buyers.

The Right Number of Bedrooms

If your home has at least three bedrooms, you will appeal to the most number of buyers, according to real estate experts. Believe it or not, most buyers are not interested in homes with a huge amount of bedrooms; three seems to be the sweet spot for most people.

An Updated Kitchen

If you have an older home and an outdated kitchen, you might lose potential buyers. Buyers want the kitchen to be updated before they buy. Before you consider ripping out your entire kitchen, consider making smaller upgrades, such as new countertops and new appliances.

A Ranch Style

With a population that is aging, many homebuyers prefer one-floor living so they won’t have to deal with stairs as they enter old age.

At Least Two Bathrooms

Many older homes had just one bathroom, but new build trends are to have multiple bathrooms in homes—as many as three or four. This means most buyers are expecting to have at least two in any home they purchase. Having less could mean missing out on potential buyers.

An Outdoor Space

Buyers don’t just look at the inside space of a home when they are considering a purchase; they also look at the outdoor space. Even if your backyard is small, a sitting area can increase the appeal of your home.

Hardwood Floors

Design trends come and go, but hardwood floors stand the test of time and almost all buyers are looking for them. Hardwoods are beautiful and durable—and they can be refinished when they become worn.

Now that you know what buyers are looking for in a home, find out what they are not looking for in this article so you will know what to avoid: 12 Things Home Buyers Will Hate About Your House.
Are you ready to sell your home in University Hills? Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts. We are ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey. Give us a call today!
 

Buying a home is a business transaction that is fraught with many emotions. You might have fallen in love with the home, but you still have to negotiate a price, set up an inspection, settle on timelines, and so forth. Having a good real estate agent on your side is crucial to help your Observatory Park real estate transaction go as smoothly as possible. 
Here are some other tips to keep in mind during the process.

Consider Your Offer Carefully

Many homebuyers want to go in with a “lowball” offer, but this doesn’t necessarily work in today’s competitive market. Plenty of homes in the Denver area end up with multiple offers, which can often drive the price above what the home is listed for. Here are some things to consider with your offer:

• The price of comparable properties
• The number of days the home has been on market
• The proposed length of escrow before the closing date
• Requests to the sellers to pay the closing costs
• The results of the inspection and whether repairs are needed to the home before closing
• Financing issues

Once you do find a house you like, it’s important to submit your offer quickly because competition for single-family homes is high. If you wait, someone else could swoop in and put the home under contract before you even have a chance.
Here are some additional tips from the professionals at Realtor.com on home buying in a competitive market: What Is a Seller’s Market? A Tough Road for Homebuyers.

Realize You Are in a Seller’s Market

When you present an offer in today’s market, there is a good chance there will be competing offers. It’s a good idea to submit your best offer right from the beginning. Be sure you have your financing in order so there is no reason for the seller’s to immediately reject your offer if they get one that is more solid. Keep in mind too that closing date, requests for closing costs, and other concessions can play a very powerful role in the seller’s decision to accept your offer over others.

Finalize the Real Estate Transaction

Once you are finally under contract for a home, it can be a huge relief. When you are working with a good real estate agent, he or she will help to keep you on task while you wait for the closing date because there is still plenty to do, much of which is time sensitive. You’ll need to finalize the details on the following:

• Financing
• Appraisal
• Inspections
• Property insurance
• Title search
• Closing procedures, including setting a closing date

Buying a home in today’s competitive real estate market can be a real challenge. There are a lot of factors to consider, deadlines that have to be met, and terms that have to be negotiated. Your buyer agent can help you stay on task and ensure you present a strong offer that results in an acceptance. 
Make sure your Observatory Park real estate transaction goes smoothly by having an experienced real estate agent by your side. Let Elevation Realty be your guide in managing those tasks. Contact us today.

The mid-century modern style of home has seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years. Once viewed as simply dated, now these homes are in high demand. The mid-century modern home was built from the mid-1940s to the early 1980s, although most were probably built during the 1950s and 1960s. These homes are characterized by flat plans (including roofs) with large glass windows and natural open spaces. Those interested in real estate in University Park in Denver as well as the mid-century modern architecture are in luck because there are plenty of these unique homes in the area.

The History of the Mid-Century Modern Home

The first mid-century modern homes were designed by a group of modern architects who left Nazi Germany. Some of them ended up teaching at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Another founded the Second School of Chicago. Because of the difficulty of getting some supplies during World War II, these visionaries experimented with technology and materials, creating prototypes of housing that would become iconic after the war.
The environment of the mid-century modern home, with open spaces and big windows, was meant to encourage being outdoors and stimulating the senses. The famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, is probably the most influential architect of the mid-century modern period. You can read more about Wright in this article from HGTV: What Is Midcentury Modern Architecture, Really?
Many of the homes from this time are now eligible for a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Elements That Make Up the Mid-Century Design

There are a number of elements that clearly identify a home as mid-century modern:

• Probably the most identifiable mid-century modern home trait is the flatness of it. Many of them even have a flat roof. The homes have geometric lines that make them stand out from other types of homes.
• These homes also have very large windows, which is probably one of the reasons they have become so popular in recent years: People like bright spaces. Often the homes are characterized by huge walls of sliding-glass doors and other windows that let light enter the home from a variety of different places.
• There are often small steps between rooms in homes of this type, creating open spaces that are split-level, so somewhat divided.
• Partial walls or walls of varying heights can also be found, adding to the architectural interest of the mid-century modern home.
• Because of the number of windows, there is a feeling of nature in these homes. Some might even have indoor growing spaces.

If you admire the mid-century modern style of home, University Park in Denver is a great place to look—and we would be happy to assist you. We are experienced in working with homebuyers who are looking for just the right home for their family. If you’re thinking about purchasing University Park real estate, Elevation Realty can help. We can tell you more about this great neighborhood and help you whether you are looking for a starter home or if you want to find your forever home. Contact us online or give us a call at 303-579-3566 to begin your search.   

Buying a home is an exciting time for most people, and it’s easy to get so swept up in the process that you might want to overlook some of the more mundane details just to get to the closing. But items such as the home inspection are crucial to the process, so it’s important that you find the right home inspector before you close on Denver or Goldsmith real estate.
A home inspection is important because it offers buyers a layer of protection. For example, if you are purchasing a home that looks good as you walk through, this doesn’t tell you how the HVAC system runs or if the plumbing is in good shape or if the roof is sound. An inspection goes beyond what your inexperienced eye can see and makes sure the systems of the house are in good working order. If you make an offer on a house only to learn that it needs a new roof or has mold in the basement, this can provide you with an opportunity to either back out of the sales contract or negotiate with the seller to either pay for the repair or lower the purchase price of the home.
How can you ensure you find a reputable home inspector? Gather the following information before you make a decision to hire someone.

Get Information on the Inspector’s Prior Experience

The more experience the inspector has, the more likely he or she is to unearth problems in the home that might go unnoticed by others.

Make Sure You Can Attend the Inspection

You should be present at the home inspection, and any home inspector who does not want you there should raise a red flag.

Ask About the Inspection Report

You want to make sure you get a detailed report on all the areas of the home. You should ask to see a copy of a past inspection report. It’s also a good idea to find out if the inspector has discovered major problems with houses he or she has inspected in the past.
Find out more about the home inspection report from the American Society of Home Inspectors’ article Find Your Answers to Home Inspection Cost and Home Inspection Service Questions.

Find Out an Estimated Cost for the Inspection Ahead of Time

If you like what the inspector has to say about other areas of the inspection, then it’s time to find out about fees. Although you shouldn’t base your decision on cost alone, sometimes you get what you pay for. Fees should weigh in on your decision, but they shouldn’t be the ultimate decider.

If you’re thinking about purchasing Goldsmith real estate, Elevation Realty can help with everything from the home search to the inspection to the closing. We can tell you more about the Goldsmith market and help you whether you are looking for a starter home or if you want to find your forever home. Contact us online or give us a call at 303-579-3566 to begin your search.   

Buying a home. For many, it’s the equivalent of the American dream, but it can be out of reach for some people, particularly those who have credit scores that are less than ideal. But the good news is that buying University Hills real estate is still possible. Although the better your credit, the better your loan terms (such as a more favorable interest rate), there are still steps you can take to become a homeowner—and with today’s appreciation, it might be well worth it.
Find Out What Your Credit Score Is
There are a number of ways to find out what your credit score is. Referred to as a FICO score, this number reflects the amount of debt you have, the amount of credit that is available to you, whether you have made payments on time, and so forth. Knowing your score will help you figure out whether or not you will qualify for the best loan terms or not.
You should also check your credit report to find out whether or not there are errors on it that are lowering your credit score. Get those corrected as soon as possible.
Here are some tips from the experts at My FICO on bumping up that credit score if there is room for improvement: How to Repair My Credit and Improve My FICO® Scores.
Mortgages Specifically Designed for Those With Poor Credit
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers loans you can get with a lower down payment and a lower FICO score. FHA loans are one of the most popular types of loans for first-time homebuyers as well. But there are some other costs involved.
Since you can get an FHA loan without the standard 20 percent down payment, you will have to carry mortgage insurance on the loan to protect the lender in case you default. These are usually paid in the form of monthly premiums that are tacked on to your mortgage, tax, and insurance payment each month.
You’ll have to carry this insurance until you have equity in the home, at which time you can refinance your mortgage to drop this extra payment.
In addition to FHA loans, there are other government programs available for first-time homebuyers and those with less-than-perfect credit.
Determine How Much House You Can Afford
Although some of this is simply a matter of budget—and what you can reasonably afford to pay each month for housing—there are other limits you should know about. The maximum loan values for FHA loans vary across the country, so you’ll need to speak with a lender.
If you’re thinking about purchasing University Hills real estate, Elevation Realty can help. If you are concerned that your credit score will hinder the process, set up a meeting with us and we can go over the numbers. Homeownership does not have to be out of reach. Contact the Elevation Realty team when you are ready to purchase your dream home or give us a call at 303-579-3566 to begin your search.