Selling Your Home in Colorado Springs

When it comes to selling your home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, there are many aspects to the real estate game that you have to consider. Pieces including knowing your home’s worth, where to list your home, who to hire to help you with the real estate business and everything else in between is part of this process. ToddHawker at Action Team Realty can help you organize all your real estate playing cards so you can sell your home in no time. 

Many observers pay attention to the average number of days a home is on the market before it is sold. While this number is of statistical interest to people who follow the market, it has very little relevance to the average home seller unless the price is in the upper range.

The idea of selling your home begins with a consultation with a highly qualified real estate agent. You want to understand if they are comfortable selling a home in your price range, or would they prefer to sell estate properties. Ask the agent how they will go about selling your home? Does the method they propose interest you if you were a buyer? How many homes have they sold in the past year?

The most important question is do you have a good “feel” about this agent. Are you comfortable with their presence and style? Contact Todd Hawker and his real estate professional team today and ask him all the above questions to see if he is the right agent for you. Listing your home with Action Team Realty couldn’t be any easier.

In home listings, the quality of them will help sell homes if the listings are complete, and if they contain all of the pertinent information that a buyer would want to know. The process of listing your home is really in you and your agent’s control. You have an obligation to ensure that every data requirement on the listing form is met, and that it is listed the way you want it to be as long as it does not misrepresent the property. The listing is entered into the Multiple Listing Service, the MLS, which is available to all real estate agents. This is the process by which agents like Todd Hawker seek home listings to show their clients.

The process of home selling in Colorado Springs is dependent on the price and whether the price is fairly representative of the property. Your agent can pull a list of comparable homes for sale in your neighborhood, and then compare their asking and their selling price, if it is recent, to what you are asking for your home. Carefully compare the features of each home and the upgrades that make the home special. When you have finished this task, take a look at your property and see where it would place.

Home selling in Colorado Springs requires the best effort that you can put forth. One idea that is a real help in selling your home is to provide multiple photos of various aspects of the property. Another would be to list all relevant and important information about your home for sale that will draw potential buyers in for a showing. Last but not least, use all the resources your professional real estate agent can provide you and listen to their advice.

Following all the aspects to home selling above will create higher interest for your home in the Colorado Springs real estate market. Action Team Realty can help you with all of this and give you a full hand to play with in the real estate game. All you have to do is give them a call! Your real estate will be placed on the MLS and will have more viewing traffic online instantly than representing yourself will. Sell your home today; call Todd!

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Is Now the Time to Buy a Home in Colorado Springs?

Is now the time to buy a home in Colorado Springs? The answer is, you bet! Spring 2013 is a great time for buying a home in El Paso County. Not only is the weather glorious at this time of year, so is the local real estate market. You’re likely to find your dream home in the price range you can afford in Colorado Springs, Colorado in no time. 

In spring 2013, home buying in Colorado Springs is as easy as it gets. With over 300 homes for sale currently, the local real estate market offers lots of choices. Interest rates are still in the low to mid 3’s to buy a home, and rent prices are higher than ever. That makes the decision to buy rather than rent an excellent choice. 

Colorado Springs homes are on average 3 or 4 bedrooms and two or more baths and are available all over the El Paso county area. To determine which type of house, where and how much you’re willing to spend on a home, you really should make a list of your “must haves.” Creating a list makes home shopping more organized and gives you a more clear view of what you should look for. When checking homes online, you can often take tours of the homes for sale, and get a good idea of what they look like from a digital online perspective. 

If you have children, you probably want to be near a good school. If local scenery is important, try to live near a park. Both scenarios are the kinds of thing you’ll want to know before you begin your home search. That's why buying a home in Colorado Springs can be rather easy if you just prepare yourself for the hunt.

If you choose one of the Colorado Springs homes in the northwest part of the city, you will have the natural beauty of the foothills and the elevation above the city making it one of the most desirable areas of Colorado Springs. The views of the mountains are spectacular. If you choose to live towards the southeast part or Colorado Springs, you could actually live on the side of a mountain like Cheyenne Mountain. There is a place for everyone, it’s just a matter of finding which place fits you.

The southeast area is home to the most prestigious neighborhoods. It is luxury living at its finest, tucked in as it is in the foothills of Cheyenne Mountain. There are splendid new homes there, as well as older, historic mansions. The renowned and magnificent 5-star Broadmoor Hotel is there, one of the top destinations in the world. The scenery and fresh air are bracing and soothing at the same time. 

The best thing about home buying in Colorado Springs is that you'll be near many wondrous sites that you can enjoy as often as you like. The big, beautiful outdoors, the many shops and restaurants, and the friendly people will all make you feel as if you've lived here all your life. There's a unique sense of tranquility in Colorado Springs. From the glowing mountains to the fabulous property value, Colorado Springs will welcome you with open arms. 

So, if you have your budget in line, your wants organized, and your motivation spiked, why wouldn't now be the time to purchase a Colorado Springs home? Spring time is one of the best times of year to dive into the real estate market and find what you have always been looking for. Don’t delay any longer, contact Todd Hawker and his team of professional real estate agents at Action Team Realty in Colorado Springs today! A house is waiting for you!

What's Your Home Buying Budget?

     Buying a home in Colorado Springs requires money, just like anywhere else. The amount of money you want to spend on your new home depends on what type of property you want to purchase, the location and the competition in the market. Of course, you can always use your own cash to buy a house. However, most people depend on real estate finances if they cannot afford the full amount that they need. Getting real estate financial help is not as difficult as you may think. It certainly requires some due diligence and serious homework on your part, but calculating out your budget prior to home shopping is the best route to take. 

Know Your Budget Limit

     Once you have tracked your savings, income and expenses, you’ll have a clear picture of how much you can afford towards your monthly mortgage. When it comes to buying a house, which is a major purchase for most people, the primary goal in making a real estate budget is to get a clear picture of your family’s financial situation. This, in turn, will give you an idea of your different options for financing. In addition, creating a home buying budget can make you figure out where the necessary changes can be made, so you are able to make regular payments on time. If you had late payments on credit cards, bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past, the sooner you realize your options/budget the better. Your home buying budget is the most important aspect to buying your dream house. 

There are several different questions you need to ask yourself when determining your real estate budget:

-What is your family’s monthly income?

-What are your monthly bills?

-How much money goes towards your monthly insurance payments? Your kids expenses? Groceries? Gas?

-How much extra income are your storing/saving per month?

-What is the difference between your income and your outcome? (Extra cash)

-What are you and your family comfortable with paying per month?

     A direct path to obtaining financing is through loans offered by various lenders, such as banks and credit unions. First, analyze the property before real estate finances. If the property is in a desirable location, the property is your primary residence; you are getting 80 percent of the value as loan, using 20 percent as down payment. If you have excellent earning potential and credit rating, have only a few other monthly obligations, then you are in a good position and most preferred by lenders. You, as a borrower, would receive the best rate available from most lenders. A lot of this may not make sense until you speak to a professional real estate agent like Todd Hawker at Action TeamRealty, so don’t get too frustrated over all the information yet. Give Colorado Springs’ best real estate agents a call today!

Top 5 Neighborhoods in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs real estate offers a variety of gorgeous homes amid breathtaking scenery. If a potential buyer is looking for custom built homes, good schools, and plenty of outdoor activities there are several neighborhoods that provide all this and more. The following are the top 5 Colorado Springs neighborhoods according to the rank of the above criteria.

Black Forest
Black Forest is definitely one of the best Colorado Springs neighborhoods. The area offers the Black Forest Regional Park to those who enjoy the outdoors, as well as a variety of public and private golf courses. Young and upwardly mobile describes many of the Black Forest residents. There are a variety of lot sizes available; many that are five acres or more. The median home price is about $434,857. 

Briargate
Briargate is a fast growing community in the northeast area of Colorado Springs. This nearly 10,000 acre community offers several small neighborhoods where many of the homes are custom built. For outgoing families, the Challenger Learning Center is located in the Briargate community, and is the only one in Colorado. The learning center offers space simulations for schools and the public. This area is also home to the Academy School District 20, which is a nationally recognized school district.

Broadmoor
Broadmoor is one of the most distinguished areas and top Colorado Springsneighborhoods. Broadmoor is partially located in Bear Creek Regional Park, which provides families with plenty of outdoor activities and an open stunning environmental landscape. Bear Creek is a great area for families and people who want to stay active. There are playgrounds, biking and hiking trails, and ball fields. Broadmoor is one of the safest neighborhoods in Colorado Springs. The southern area of Broadmoor offers several condominiums and apartments as well. The cost of real estate in the Broadmoor area is higher than average but the wealthy area experience is worth the price.

Northgate Highlands
Northgate Highlands is one of the most beautiful and spacious Colorado Springs neighborhoods. With backdrops like Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains, and gorgeous tree-lined streets, it's hard to beat Northgate for its natural surroundings. There are a variety of excellent educational opportunities for those living in the Northgate area. The Academy District 20 Schools are in this area, as well as Pikes Peak Community College. The median price of homes in Northgate is about $410,000. 

Cheyenne Canyon
The homes aren’t quite as pricey in the Cheyenne Canyon area as some of the others in the top five, but the area offers some of the most beautiful Colorado Springs real estate. The outdoor amenities are impressive here. Bear Creek Park is close by, providing plenty of hiking, biking, and rock climbing. There is also the excitement of mountain bike racing in the area too. Cheyenne Canyon offers a “small town feel” while still close to all the shopping and dining of downtown Colorado Springs.

Depending on your family’s needs and wants in lifestyle, any real estate option in Colorado Springs is going to be a good choice. Colorado Springs is known for its landscape beauty so anywhere in this town you will feel spoiled and happy with your home location choice. If you are relocating to Colorado Springs, contact Todd Hawker and his agents at Action Team Realty today and they can help make your real estate location choice a lot easier.

Colorado Springs Military Relocation

Members of the armed services who have made a career out of their service to their 

country know all too well that from time to time the need for a military relocation may be required. This is a somewhat standard process for career personnel and when the time comes up and a military family needs to make that type of a move, it is helpful to know that firms such as Action Team Realty can help. They have a long standing reputation of being military relocation specialists that can be of assistance in helping those military members and their families find the right home for their needs.

Military members who have found that they are being transferred to Colorado Springs can take comfort in knowing that Action Team Realty is the top choice for Colorado Springs military relocation. The agency has been actively engaged in assisting with such military moves for many years with great success. This is because they understand that military families need real estate that is somewhat different than those who have civilian jobs. This is what makes the big difference as they can help families plan for the relocation, give them options in terms of military homes for sale and even help them better understand all that the Colorado Springs area has to offer to them and their families.

The moment one has been informed that a Colorado Springs military relocation has been ordered or assigned is the time that Action Team Realty needs to be contacted. This can give those military families the extra time they need to make those just decisions in terms of their housing requirements and thus be better able to find the perfect military homes for sale that fit within their budget and housing allowance. Colorado Springs is known for being a “military town” so any new military families coming here are always welcomed. This area is a great place for such families in many ways. Military homes for sale here are located close enough to the base, they have access to the top schools, and they provide the right living situation for any sized military family and are affordable too. All of these options make the Colorado Springs area an ideal choice for those seeking military real estate. All of these house hunting terms for military personnel are recognized by the professional agents at Action TeamRealty and utilized to your advantage. Call them today if you are a military family relocating to Colorado Springs!

The Best Type of Investments

There are many ways a person can choose to make investments with their money. However, over time there has been no method of investing money that has been proven to be as beneficial as real estate investing. Unlike the stock market, people who invest in real estate have more control over the success or failure of their investment. The benefits and perks of investing in real estate are plentiful to those who choose this form of venture.

Investing In a Home vs. Renting?

When a person pays rent for a property, that person pays money each month in order to reside at that property. That is it! There is no return on the money spent. There is no return on the property once the person decides to end their residence there. Many individuals fail to ever reach a good financial status because of these types of financial decisions.

When a person decides to venture into home investing, they see a great return on their money during the time of their residence in the home and after. You see, for every mortgage payment a person makes during the year that mortgage payment can be used as a tax write off when filing their federal and state income tax returns. And if there are any repairs made in the home, every dollar spent for the repairs can be used as a write off as well. And if a person decided to no longer reside in the home, they can sell the home and reap profits after the remainder of the mortgage is subtracted from the sell. When a renter decides to change residences they walk away with nothing.

Another key factor to consider is that after 15-30 years of paying rent without investing in property, a renter will continue to pay high amounts for living expenses. As opposed to a home owner: who after 15-30 years will eliminate a mortgage and decrease their cost of living expenses dramatically. When it comes to money spent for room and board, there is no question that home investing is the more logical and lucrative path to take than renting.

Other Benefits of Real Estate Investments

Many individuals invest in real estate for the sole purpose of profit. They invest in homes and commercial properties with the intent to rent and lease them out to others. So if a person invest in a house and is paying a mortgage rate of $800 monthly, and they rent out the premises for $1,300 monthly (not including utilities) this investor can see a profit of $500 monthly. Landlords can also write off mortgage payments and repairs to their property in order to receive tax breaks at the end of the year on the money made. Landlords can earn thousands of dollars over time renting out property. They can then increase their profit margin once they decide to sell the property after years of earning money from it.

It’s easy to see why real estate investing is the best way for a person to invest their money. With hard work and wise decision making, a person can reap great financial benefits from this form of investing. For more real estate investing information, go to www.actionteamcoloradosprings.com!

Online Home Searching

       Today, more than 90 percent of home buyers and investors are turning to the internet for home shopping. A skilled investor knows that the key to purchasing a home and finding a great deal is finding out about the properties as soon as they hit the market. No place is better than the internet for online home searching or online home shopping. Internet is inundated by properties from sellers, real estate agents and lending institutions, which gives future home buyers and investors a source of all information they need in one location. For one example, smart investors use their information-gathering skills to get current knowledge about the property they are interested in, owners, events and auctions being conducted by banks and government agencies. Unfortunately, to many users, searching homes online through online real estate websites has been a tedious and time-consuming process because they do not pay attention to some common mistakes while searching. So how do you devise a better search in order to find the best list of updated homes and properties around a given area? Here are some good tips on how to search for homes online:

Visit Real Estate Agent's Official Website

       The most obvious way to get and gather information about the latest homes for sale in any area is to look for them on the real estate agent's website you are working with. Action Team Realty at www.actionteamcoloradosprings.com, for example, is a great resource to utilize in your search, whether you’re just starting or have been searching for a new home for years. They have the list collected from local multiple listing service (MLS) plus the homes that the sellers are reluctant to post on other general real estate sites. No matter how sophisticated a website gets, real estate agents are still the most reliable source to get this list.

Connect With the Lending Institution if Possible

       If you are familiar with any of the lending institutions that deal with homes and foreclosures for sale, then it's better to contact them for more information with your requirements. Certain financial institutions have a section for real estate that they are obliged to update on a regular basis to make online home searching or online home shopping easy. The resources available there can let you track down opportunities. It’s also intelligent to ask your real estate agent like the professionals at Action Team Realty for more information on lending institutions just to get another view point on the resource. It's by no means exhaustive but it will surely direct you to some real good deals.

Get Access to Internet Data Exchange(IDX)

       This list differs from the online real estate websites or MLS in the sense, it has data from the MLS plus listing fed by non-agents and homeowners. Some IDX reports publish information about how to search for homes online and what homes are available at public auctions. This information can be highly useful in tracking the sale. Some services include phone numbers, trustee lists and the names of lenders who are foreclosing. Any serious home buyer should subscribe to this listing. 

       All of these tips can bring you closer to your dream home in just a short amount of time. If this seems too overwhelming or like too much work to you, don’t hesitate to contact the agents at Action Team Realty for help. They are available to answer any questions you may have about online home searching or any other real estate topic as well. Visit their website at www.actionteamcoloradosprings.com or give them a call today at (719) 492-4580.

The Ins and Outs of Foreclosures

     The word foreclosure is something that many people unfortunately have to become familiar with. While there are numerous ways to reach this same destination, it is likely that there are many who are still unclear with what the term actually means. Foreclosing on a home, for instance, is when a bank or lending company is given no other option but to take back a home that an owner is still attempting to pay off completely. Of course, it is not always this simple. Often this is due to a homeowner that is far behind on their scheduled payments, or has reached a point in which the amount owed is more than the home is worth.      Regrettably, there are limited options for those who have reached this foreclosing point. However, there are foreclosure facts that you should keep in mind that might give you a little bit of insight into what options you have left as well as what might lay ahead for you. The first thing that you need to do is assess your position with the lending company you are using to help finance your home at this time. Some people might know that foreclosing is a possibility that exists in their future, but do not realize that there might be ways to prevent this with a little bit of legwork.      The step to begin with to prevent potential foreclosure would be to contact your lending company directly to determine if there are options available for you. They might be willing to refinance your current loan or something along these lines to buy you time to set the situation right. Some real estate foreclosures are unavoidable due to the situation being beyond repair. In these cases, you should contact a representative to aid you through the process more easily than you might be able to on your own. They can ensure that you are only being held responsible for the appropriate amounts, and see you to the best possible outcome.      If you are someone on the other side of real estate foreclosures, the buyer, there are foreclosure facts that you need to be aware of as well. Timing is everything in this purchase process, because without the ideal timing, you might find yourself too close to the auction scheduled or in competition with a host of other interested parties. This is why knowledge on the foreclosure subject is key so you don’t miss out on some great opportunities that may arrive.

     Taking specific areas in account, such as Colorado Springs foreclosures, there are likely a lot of houses and properties reaching this dangerous level of potential foreclosing. So with this in mind, it can be wise as a buyer to stay tuned in to homes that are currently in default with their lending companies. There are services available to help alert you to these upcoming buying opportunities with Colorado Springs foreclosures and defaulted properties all across the county. Action Team Realty are experts in the field of foreclosure in Colorado Springs and are able to help you with any questions and concerns you may have on the subject. Give the real estate agents a call at (719) 559-8400 or visit their website at http://www.actionteamcolorado.com.

Real Estate Pricing Fluctuation

Good real estate experts warn investors about the fluctuating real estate market. It’s important to take a closer look at the current market and understand it before investing money in it. The topics in question include current housing market prices, housing market price fluctuation, costs of buying a house, real estate prices, and specifically the Colorado Springs real estate market. Action Team Realty recognizes that the real estate market is very complex and very confusing to new investors, so our agents are here to help. Our experts will certainly help clarify any pressing questions concerning the current fluctuating market place and also encourage investors to invest wisely but with caution.

The average investor in real estate wonders if the current housing market prices are affected by the economy. To clear up that wonder, the current economy does indeed have a strong impact on housing and causes housing market price fluctuation. In addition, current interest rates affect whether or not buyers enter the market. High interest rates tend to increase the cost of loans, mortgages, and housing in general while reducing the number of investors. For example, as the cost of buying a house rises, the number of buyers decreases. Fluctuating real estate prices are certainly a direct result of the current economy and whether it is a seller market or buyer market.

An increasing demand for Colorado Springs real estate properties usually occurs when the fluctuation is positive. The economy tips the real estate market in favor of investments in real property. More and more people are finding employment so the economy is expanding and people are investing their money into goods, services, and real property. A significant change or fluctuation in the local market is usually a result of supply versus demand. These supply and demand options include housing conditions, upscale neighborhoods, etc. Higher priced homes are in very high demand. Median range homes are also in very high demand. The demand from investors flip flops alternatively to what other investors are seeking or what is available. Currently, there seems to be more interest in buying a home instead of renting a property.

Experts state that the real estate pricing fluctuations suggests it’s still presently a buyer's market and to ignore the statistics pointing to a dwindling supply of homes. Action Team Realty believes investors should take advantage of the current real estate market in Colorado Springs before it’s too late. All accounts can change in the blink of an eye, so you must act when the benefits are higher than usual. Interest rates are surprisingly lower than they have been in many years, which is another aspect a future investor should consider. Savvy investors should move quickly and purchase property when experts like Action Team Realty advise them to do so. Real estate pricing fluctuation is a task monitored by our professional agents on a daily basis, so contact us today if investing in a home is in your near future!

Contact us at www.actionteamcolorado.com or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/actionteamrealty