Chuck Barry   |   
cbarry3993@gmail.com   |   720-296-6217
http://www.chuckbarry.com

Costs for first-time buyers.

Buying a new home is a huge undertaking made even more complex if it’s your first time. The biggest mistake new buyers can make is underestimating the costs of buying a house and maintaining it over time.

Renters are accustomed to paying basic utilities. Homeowners, on the other hand, must also pay for water, sewer and trash collection—as well as property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, homeowner’s association dues, yard care, snow removal and other expenses unique to your location.

Inspections are important during the home buying process as they list repairs that will be needed for the home. A buyer should put together a short-term and long-term plan based on the inspection so they know how much money they will need in the months and years ahead. Many experts agree that homeowners should have 1%-3% of their homes’ purchase price in savings to cover the cost of improvements and any surprise expenses.

It is also wise to have at least six mortgage payments in the bank after a closing.

These estimates may not work for everyone, but if you are spending above your means on a new home, you may find yourself in sudden financial trouble and discover your dream home has now become a nightmare. Plan thoroughly for the financial changes to ensure you will be a happy homeowner.

Buying a home is one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent guiding you along the way. Your real estate agent can help with everything from establishing a realistic price point for your home purchase to having a clear understanding of your monthly expenses.

Don’t forget about the men when
showcasing your home.

When selling your home, it’s important to remember that your interior and exterior need to visually attract both male and female buyers. Read on to learn how to make your home universally appealing.

• Professional home stagers: They consult with homeowners to sell their homes quickly and for the most money possible. They consider demographics, buying psychology, design elements and lighting.
• Personal space: Men tend to gravitate towards rooms with gadgets and electronics. They appreciate open spaces and high ceilings—clean, streamlined rooms that men can easily walk through without obstructions.
• Cater to interests: Men don’t generally prefer fancy or frilly. They want to watch the big game with buddies or relax after work.
• Simplified color scheme: Don’t overwhelm any potential buyers with wild colors or furniture, even if you feel it makes your home “special.” Warm interior tones are generally preferred over cool tones.
• Garage envy: Think about painted walls, clean floors and enough storage for various hobbies. A built-in workbench, organized shelving as well as clean, spacious areas for tools, equipment and maintenance supplies are a great draw.
• The yard: A well-maintained lawn can really help boost your home’s appeal along with thick, healthy grass, minimal bushes to trim and easy-to-maintain flower beds.

Staging your home to visually appeal to men as well as women will ensure a better joint response from potential buyers.

What To Expect During Your Closing

The last step in the home buying process is commonly referred to as the "closing". The close of escrow is when all steps—from acceptance, title search, inspection, mortgage approval, and so on— come together in a final transaction. Documents are ready to sign, the buyer is ready to hand over the purchase price and the seller is ready to transfer title...and most importantly, the keys!

A closing usually takes about an hour and depending upon the state your closing takes place in, may be attended by some or all of the parties involved: buyer, seller, real estate sales professional(s), attorney, lender representative and title company representative.

The buyer reviews and signs the loan and real estate documents and pays for the property, closing costs and other home-buying related costs.

Assuming the funds are in order, the deed is correct and the title is clear, the final step is the disbursement of funds to the seller. The title company should have the funds in its possession, but the buyer needs to bring a cashier’s or certified check for the down payment and the closing costs if it was not included in the mortgage loan. If the buyer’s annual real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance will be paid through the lender, an escrow account will also be established.

Once all the papers are signed and funds are disbursed, the buyer receives the keys and is now a homeowner.

Your real estate agent can walk you through all the specifics of closing and answer any questions for you so you will know exactly what you can expect.

Five Tips To A Better Bathroom

Updating a tired-looking bathroom is a great way to increase a home’s resale. The fixes don’t need to be costly or labor intensive. Even the simplest changes can make a huge difference:

1. Beautify: Add decorative glass, stone tile or accents to make a bathroom stand out. Extra-wide wall tiles are popular and wood cabinets can be embellished with carved wooden inlays. A plain builder-grade mirror can be quickly dressed up when surrounded by a frame.
2. Lighting: Add more lighting options around the room to reduce shadows and glare. Mood lighting around the tub area is also very popular. Even something as simply as replacing CFL bulbs with LED can back a huge difference since the bright light of LED bulbs is immediate while CFL bulbs have to "build-up" their brightness.
3. Bath/Shower: A new tub and a spa-like atmosphere can do wonders for a bathroom. Even something as simple as upgrading the showerhead to one with massage features will appeal to buyers.
4. Update Fixtures: Changing the fixtures in a bathroom can add a great deal. From cabinet handles to faucets, the addition of coordinating metals such as brushed nickel or rubbed bronze is always a huge hit. And if space permits, add a second sink.
5. Think Green: Install fixtures that save water. A low-flow showerhead, low-flow faucet aerator and a dual-flush toilet can save thousands of gallons of water. Energy-efficient windows is another easy option.

A renovated bathroom offers an intimate, contemporary feel and is one of the main things people will remember about a home.