How to save money while insuring your home properly

If you are preparing to buy a home, one necessary next step is to secure homeowners insurance. Most mortgages require it, and it will help protect your investment from natural disasters, accidents and other loss.

Your policy will help cover the home itself, your belongings and help protect you from liability if others are injured on your property. We will talk about the details of what homeowners insurance should cover in a future post.

Below are a few ways to save on homeowners insurance:

• Insure for property value. Your policy should cover the replacement cost of the home, which is not the same as market value. 
• Maximize your deductible. Set your deductible at a higher, but comfortable level, to lower your premium. 
• Ask for discounts. Your insurer most likely offers discounts based on a variety of factors, including safety upgrades to the property, holding multiple policies with the insurer, being a non-smoker, retirement and more. These discounts vary from company to company, so shop around. 
• Group rates. Membership with certain groups or associations may help you gain access to discounted rates on insurance. 
• Review your coverage periodically. Make sure that you are not over-insured for items that you no longer own or that may have depreciated over time. 
• Premium comparisons. Each state offers insurance premium comparison reports. To access the one for Colorado, click here.

Homeowners insurance is a necessary part of home ownership, but with a little research and persistence, you can save some money on this expense. You want to be sure that you have sufficient coverage without blowing your budget.

To learn more about home ownership in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you.

Homebuyers are wise to look for these potentially costly issues

When shopping for a new home, people can get swept away by their emotions. That four-bedroom home with the big yard and three-car garage might tick all the boxes on your wish list, but hidden issues could make your dream home more of a nightmare to own.

A home might seem perfect on the surface, but all homebuyers should be sure to look for potential issues. Your experienced real estate agent will help guide you through potential issues, but here are just a few to note:

• Water damage. Stains on ceilings, walls and baseboards can offer clues to past leaks. Note any additional damage that might have occurred due to a water leak
• Foundation problems. Large cracks can be an indication of shifting foundation, which could lead mean expensive remediation in the future.
• Drainage issues. Standing water in the yard, in the basement or near a home’s foundation could be a sign of drainage problems. Again, these repairs could be costly.
• Outdated electrical systems. Electrical systems that are not up to current code could lead to outages, fires and more, and they can be expensive to update.
• Plumbing concerns. Turn on a sink or a shower during a viewing to check water pressure. Low pressure could be a sign of a bigger plumbing problem. Check for tile damage in showers and inspect toilets for signs of leaks.

If you encounter any of these defects, do your research about what repairs would entail and how much they would cost. If you do decide to place an offer on a home with potential problems, talk to your real estate agent about how to factor those issues into your offer.

If you are buying or selling a home in Steamboat Springs, we would love to put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you. Contact us using the form below.

Make Steamboat Springs your Colorado home

For those of you who have visited our beautiful state, or spent any length of time here, you probably know why so many people choose to live here. People from other states and countries are drawn here by our amazing vistas and outdoor lifestyle, and even locals who have moved away are often called back home. Colorado is, quite simply, special.

Here are our top 5 reasons to live in Colorado, in no particular order:

• The mountains. If you have ever flown over Colorado’s mountains, you understand the sheer majesty of the snow-capped peaks that seem to spring up suddenly from the plains and go on for miles. Those beautiful mountains are home to incredible wildlife and almost endless opportunities for recreation and adventure.
• Sunshine. Thanks to our incredible ski resorts, including Steamboat Springs, people think snow when they think Colorado. Yes, while we get plenty of the welcome white stuff, we also have more days of sunshine than many other states. Our unique geographic location makes our climate pretty mild with low humidity.
• Great beer. Colorado is home to hundreds of craft breweries where you can find just the right beer for your tastes. Colorado ranks third in the nation for the number of craft breweries.
• Music. From world-renowned Red Rocks to our local mountain stages, Colorado attracts some of the best music acts around. We are also home to several incredible music festivals that cater to music lovers in a variety of genres.  
• Wellness. Colorado’s natural playground encourages people to get outside and move, and many residents here focus on fitness, wellness – and have fun doing it. Colorado’s combination of outdoor activities, good food and fresh air are great for both your physical and mental health.

Steamboat Springs in particular offers a unique Colorado experience that combines the beauty of the mountains and rivers with a rich western tradition. We invite you to visit Steamboat or contact us to learn more about our stunning mountain town that is just a three-hour drive from Denver.

To learn more about the homes available in Steamboat Springs to suit all budgets and lifestyles, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you.

The right contractor makes a big difference in your project

Whether you are remodeling in preparation to sell your property or planning to remodel a newly purchased home, finding the right contractor is key to the success of your project.

Here are some tips for finding and hiring a contractor:

• Comparison shop. Ask for estimates from three-five contractors.
• Ask for referrals. Ask your family and friends for referrals. The recommendation of someone you trust is a great place to start.
• Request references. Ask each prospective contractor for two or three customer references.
• Look for reviews. Check online for reviews and check the contractor’s Better Business Bureau rating.
• Verify licenses. Ensure that your contractor is licensed and obtains the correct permits for your project. The contractor should also handle necessary city and county inspections along the way.
• Negotiate terms. Most contractors ask for a down payment, but negotiate a fair payment schedule that is tied to phases of completion on the project.
• Review the contract. The contract should specify the scope of the project, the timeline for the project and the estimated costs. It should also specify what recourse you have if the contractor does not meet those specs. The contractor should be responsible for any damage and clean-up.
• Be involved. During the course of your project, ask questions and be involved in decisions. The best way to ensure a successful remodel is by taking a hands-on approach.

To learn more about finding and creating your dream home in Steamboat Springs, contact us. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you.

Buyers and sellers can reduce stress by packing strategically

Buying or selling a home is an involved process, and one of the most stressful steps in that process can be packing for the big move. A little thought and planning can go a long way toward ensuring a less stressful move.

Here are some tips for how to pack:

• Start organizing as soon as possible. As soon as you know you’re planning a move, create a list of everything you need to do to get ready.
• Sort and purge. Go through your home one room at a time and enlist your family members to help. Sort everything into keep, toss, donate and sell piles.
• Hold a garage sale. If you have time, hold a garage sale to make a little money on the items in your “sell” pile. Otherwise, list items for sale on local sale websites. Donate or toss anything that doesn’t sell.
• Plan your moving strategy. Will you hire movers, move yourself or do a combination of both?
• Get details. Book your moving company and/or moving truck rentals as soon as possible. Ask your movers if they offer pack-and-move services (for an added fee), what items they will move and how each item should be prepared for the move.
• Start packing. Work one room at a time, and pack less-used items as soon as possible. Keep essentials handy, but pack as much as you can in each room well before your moving date.
• Pack well. Wrap breakables and label each box clearly with the room and contents. Be sure to pack heavy items in smaller boxes so they don’t become too unwieldy. Reinforce the bottoms of boxes to prevent breakage.
• Keep files handy. Keep a file of your real estate and closing information, moving company contact details and other essential contacts.

With a little planning and organizing over time, your move can be relatively stress-free.

If you are buying or selling a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you. 

What to look for before closing

Congratulations, you are ready to close on your new home and prepare for the big move. Before closing, one important step is the final walk-through. You will want to schedule it several days before the closing date to ensure that there is enough time to resolve any issues that the walk-through might reveal.

A walk-through helps you feel confident that your new home is in the condition you expect before you sign the final paperwork. Use this final walk-through checklist to help you:

• Confirm repairs. Check on the status of any repairs you requested after inspection. If there are any left undone, alert your real estate agent. Ask the seller for copies of repair receipts and any related warranties on the work.
• Appliances. Turn on appliances to make sure they are still in working order.
• Heat and AC. Turn on both the heat and air conditioning to check that they work.
• Water. Turn on faucets to check that the hot water is working. Keep in mind that the seller might have turned down the temperature on the water heater, so check that as well.
• Condition. Make sure the seller has removed all personal items and garbage and that the home is clean and ready for your move-in.
• Extras. Check to be sure that any item listed as included in your purchase contract, such as window treatments and light fixtures, is still present in the home.

Your real estate agent will accompany you on the final walk-through and can help guide you along the way. Be sure to ask questions. You want to feel confident and comfortable about the condition of your property prior to move-in.

Keep in mind that some homes, including bank-owned properties, might be sold with “as is” terms. Your real estate agent can help you navigate the particulars of the walk-through for an as-is home.

If you are buying or selling a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you.

Questions to ask to find the right fit for you

It is important to find the right fit when choosing a real estate agent who will help you buy or sell a home. A combination of experience, credentials and personality will make a difference as you trust this person with one of the biggest transactions you will make in your life.

Here are a few questions to ask a potential real estate agent as either a seller or a buyer:

• How long have you worked in real estate? Is real estate your full-time job, or is it a side job for you?
• What was your agency’s sales record last year?
• What is the average length of time your listings stay on the market? How long do you work with a buyer, on average, before finding the right home for him or her?
• What percentage of your listings sell for close to the asking price?
• How will you market my home? How will you find potential homes for me to view?
• How much experience do you have in my target neighborhood?
• Do you have in-house resources or relationships with other professionals that could help me (real estate attorneys, mortgage specialists, appraisers, etc.)?
• How do you prefer to work with clients? What is your approach and philosophy?

That last question might be one of the most important ones to ask. You will likely spend quite a bit of time with your real estate agent, and you want to be sure that your expectations are in alignment with his or her approach. His or her personality can help put you at ease during the often stressful real estate process, so go with your gut on whether you will have a positive working relationship with your agent.

If you are preparing to buy or sell a home in Steamboat Springs, contact us using the form below. We will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you. 

Our 2015 Resort Comparison Report....compare Steamboat to other mountain towns! See below full report.

RESORT REPORT

Credit score tips for home buyers

Your credit score is key in helping you secure a mortgage loan at a favorable rate, and how you handle your credit prior to buying a home matters. Securing a lower interest rate now can translate into saving thousands during the life of your mortgage. 

Keep in mind these tips to improve and maintain a strong credit score:

Review your credit report. Obtain a copy of your credit report and check for errors or discrepancies. Work to clear up any issues prior to applying for a loan. For more information on how to order your credit report, visit the Federal Trade Commission website.

Reduce credit card debt. Make an effort to significantly reduce or eliminate your credit card debt. Your goal should be to reach a point where you can pay off the full balance each month.

It is also important not to charge to your maximum credit limit, and don’t sign up for new credit cards before shopping for a mortgage loan.

Put off large purchases that require financing. Between the time you apply for a loan and close on your new home, be sure not to add any additional loans or financing. Buying a new car or financing furniture can negatively impact you.

Be realistic and patient. If you have had problems paying bills on time, make every effort to catch up and maintain on-time payments as soon as possible. If you have any such credit issues on your credit report, it is often a good idea to wait a year before applying for a home loan.

If you would like to learn more about how to improve your credit score to buy a home, contact us using the form below. We have nearly 30 years of real estate experience that we will put to work for you. 

Fun in Steamboat continues when the snow melts

While there is plenty of great spring skiing and boarding to be had in March and April, the first signs of spring have us dreaming of the Colorado mountain wildflowers and warmer days ahead.

Spring and summer bring a whole new set of activities and events to our scenic town, and below are just a few reasons to visit Steamboat in the coming months. After you visit, you're almost guaranteed to want to stay. 

Pentathlon
As one of the last hurrahs of winter, this weekend marks the 25th annual Steamboat Pentathlon. The race event features a mix of alping skiing and boarding, nordic skiing, running, snowshoeing and mountain biking. Saturday, March 5. 

Springalicious Festival
Steamboat resort celebrates spring the first two weeks of April with this festival. Deals on passes, bluebird ski/board days, cardboard and exercise ball races, and live music help visitors and locals alike ring in spring on the mountain. 

Summer gondola mountain biking
The gondola opens for mountain bikers on June 9 with this special event to benefit the Routt County Riders trail fund. 

Art and wildflowers
On June 11, the Steamboat Art Musuem invites artists to paint al fresco in its Plein Air Paint Out event. The event is timed to take advantage of the wildflowers in bloom. 

Hot air balloon rodeo
From a photo-ready launch to unique balloon rodeo contests, this event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser this July. 

Wine and summer nights
The Steamboat Wine Festival treats wine lovers to an elegant tasting event in the fresh summer mountain air, Aug. 10-14, 2016. 

To learn more about living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, contact us using the form below. Whether you are looking for a vacation home or a permanent mountain escape, we will put our nearly 30 years of experience to work for you.