New home buyers are constantly entering the housing market.  In 2010 alone 50% of buyers were first-time home buyers. What to buy, when and how it all works are puzzling concepts for the majority of property “virgins”.  Even when working with a Realtor® the concept of home ownership can be daunting and confusing.  However, there are a few useful guidelines that every first-time buyer can follow when deciding what to look for in their first home.

Hopefully at this point you are fully committed to buying a home.  You are aware of what you can afford and are ready to look at the options. A down payment is something you will have to consider in this process. According to Brian Buffini’s Real Estate Report, the median down payment for first-time home buyers

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REAL Trends has named RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. No. 1 on its list of Top Firms Ranked by Closed Sales Volume Per Office, a category in its 2011 REAL Trends 500 publication released this month.
 
RE/MAX of Boulder earned the designation with a sales volume of nearly $560 million representing 1,400 sides in 2010 – more than $71 million more than the next ranked office.
 
The REAL Trends 500 is an annual research report identifying the country’s largest and most successful residential firms as ranked by closed transaction sides and separately by closed sales volume.
 
“This report represents the most trusted standard of measuring the performance of the nation’s leading realty service firms,” said REAL Trends editor Steve Murray in informing RE/MAX of Boulder of

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Have you ever heard of a loan with a 2% down payment with no monthly mortgage insurance AND a monthly payment that may be less than the current rent payment?  The Community Development Mortgage Program (CDMP) is a great product for borrowers who don’t have 3.5% down or feel frustrated with having to pay high monthly mortgage insurance premiums.  This is a great way to get into a property with a low down payment and have payments that are cheaper than rent.  Highlights of the loan are as follows: 

• 2% down payment
• Zero Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium
• Zero Monthly Mortgage Insurance
• Seller paid closing costs okay
• FICO scores as low as 620
• Must attend Homebuyer Education Class
• Income limits apply and vary for each county (80% of median income)

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Today’s market is ripe with opportunities for first-time homebuyers. Shopping for and purchasing your first home is an exciting time, but before you begin looking, make sure you’re completely prepared and know what to expect. The following steps will help get you ready to make that big purchase.

Step 1: Freshen up your Finances.
Before you dive into the exciting part of home-buying—the search!—make sure you have all your ducks in a row. Figuring out your finances and crunching some numbers will allow you to set a realistic budget.

Step 2: Secure a Loan.
After you get your finances in order, talk to lenders and mortgage brokers. It’s important to shop around to get the lowest interest and overall best deal possible. Make sure you understand all of the

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Every showing matters! Every showing is a potential buyer!  If you're selling your home, there are certain focal points that can give your property the selling edge it needs to draw in buyers, ensuring a faster sale and a higher selling price. However, there is no need to build a pricey addition or completely gut your existing property.  By evaluating your home's top selling points, you can add modern touches to these features to create a new, fresh feel without doing major renovations.

Point 1:  Glam up your bath and kitchen. Does your house have a large kitchen or multiple baths?  Nice baths and kitchens are attractive qualities in a house, and you can make yours look luxurious without going overboard. If you can't afford double sinks, a whirlpool tub

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Spring is widely known as the busiest real estate season for both buyers and sellers, as the weather brightens and more houses pop up on the market. Spring is also the ideal time for any last minute renovations that could increase your home’s value. In this market, buyers are pickier than ever, so embarking on a few renovation projects before putting your house up for sale will speed up its selling process and allow you to ask for a higher price. The following renovations are ideal for spring-time completion and are likely to give your property a competitive edge.

The average home loses 30 percent of its energy through its windows. Installing energy efficient windows is a great way to improve your home’s value, because they lower your energy bills,

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