Real Estate Archives - Andy Hawbaker - Windsor Colorado REALTOR®

Can I Make a Contingent Offer on a House?

by andyhawbaker@gmail.com | Mar 24, 2023 | Real Estate

When it is time to sell your current home and move into a new house, there are a lot of factors you need to consider. The most stressful part might be trying to buy your new house before selling your current house. The timing can be so important. People often ask me, “Can I make a contingent offer my a new house?”. This video explains how placing a contingent offer can work.

Making a contingent offer on a new house can be a smart move for a buyer, but it’s important to understand the process and potential risks. A contingent offer means that the sale of the house is contingent on certain conditions being met, such as the buyer selling their current home or securing financing. You’ll have to complete the sale of your home within the timeframe or else you’ll lose the new house.

To make a contingent offer, it’s important to work with a real estate agent who can guide you through the process and help you draft an appropriate contract. The Colorado Real Estate contracts do allow for you to keep your earnest money if the sale does not happen within the agreed upon timeframe.

Keep in mind that a seller may be hesitant to accept a contingent offer, as it means they may have to wait for the buyer to fulfill their conditions before the sale can be completed. It’s also possible that another buyer could come along with a non-contingent offer that the seller finds more attractive. In a hot real estate market, sellers are less likely to accept an offer that is contingent on the sale of another property.

Overall, making a contingent offer can be a useful tool for buyers, but you should have a full understanding of how it works and you’ll want a real estate agent who can guide you through the process. Hit me up to discuss your home buying and selling situation.

Is It Okay to Waive the Home Inspection?

by andyhawbaker@gmail.com | Mar 23, 2023 | Real Estate

When you buy a house, the contract gives you time to have a home inspection completed. I’m often asked if it is necessary to have an inspection or if it is okay to waive the home inspection? In the video below, I explain my thoughts on having a home inspected when you buy a house in Colorado.

Having a home inspection when buying a house is crucial for many reasons. First, it ensures that you are aware of any potential issues with the property before you make the purchase. This can literally save you thousands of dollars in repairs if there are problems with the house in the near future.

Additionally, having a home inspection report can be used as a negotiating tool. You can use the problems identified in the repot to potentially lower the purchase price, request repairs be made before closing or ask for a concession from the home seller.

A home inspection can provide a homeowner peace of mind, knowing that you are making a well-informed decision about what is likely your largest investment.

Overall, a home inspection is a small price to pay ($500-$600) for the invaluable information and protection it provides during the home buying process.

How does the home inspection process work?

While you do have the option to waive a home inspection, and we saw many people doing that when the market was red hot, I always suggest that the home buyers that I work with get a home inspection. I think it’s crazy to spend $400,000 or more to buy a house and not have a full inspection report.

Call or Text 970-203-5066

How to Get the Most Money For Your Home

by andyhawbaker@gmail.com | Mar 21, 2023 | Real Estate

When it comes to selling your home, you want to get the most money you can and there are many factors that can influence the final sale price of your house. However, three of the most important factors that can get you more money are cleanliness, condition, and the beginning asking price. By focusing on these three areas, you can maximize your home’s value and increase the price it ultimately sells for. Here are some tips for using these factors to your advantage:

Cleanliness: A clean home is essential for making a good impression on potential buyers. Make sure to deep clean your home before putting it on the market. This includes cleaning floors, carpets, windows, and bathrooms. Hire a professional cleaning service, it will be worth the cost.

Also, declutter your home and remove any personal items that may distract buyers from seeing the space as their own. A clean and decluttered home will help buyers envision themselves living in the house and can increase the perceived value of your home.

Condition: The condition of your home is another important factor in determining its value. If the home appears to be well maintained, buyers will find it more desireable.

Make any necessary repairs and upgrades to improve the overall condition of your home. This can include fixing leaky faucets, replacing outdated appliances, and refreshing the interior paint. A home in good condition will appeal to buyers and can justify a higher sale price.

Asking Price: Setting the right asking price is crucial when selling your home. Research the local real estate market and consult with a professional real estate agent to determine a fair and competitive price for your home. Pricing too high can turn off potential buyers and prolong the selling process, while pricing too low can leave money on the table. Finding the right balance can help you maximize your home’s value and sell it for the highest possible price.

In summary, by focusing on the cleanliness, condition, and price, you can increase the value of your home and sell it for the highest possible price. A clean and well-maintained home, priced competitively, will attract buyers and ensure you sell your house for the highest possible price.

To learn more about selling your home in Northern Colorado, reach out to Andy Hawbaker, subscribe to the YouTube Channel and follow this blog.

How Much Money Do I Need to Buy a Home?

by andyhawbaker@gmail.com | Mar 16, 2023 | Real Estate

Buying a house is a significant financial investment that requires careful planning and budgeting. The amount of money required to purchase a home varies greatly but it might not be as hard to buy a house as you might think. There are FHA loans available with only 3.5% down and in Colorado we have CHFA which is a down payment assistance program that could get you into a new house with no money down.

On top of the down payment, there are actually only a couple of other expenses to consider when buying a home. You’ll need to pay for an appraisal and a home inspection but beyond that, all of your lender fees get wrapped up in the loan so you don’t really need a huge pile of cash to buy a house.

If you are a First Time Home Buyer, you will want to save some money and be sure to have great credit but don’t sit out of the home ownership lifestyle just because you don’t have 20% of the purchase price in the bank. We can help you get into a house and you can take advantage of all of the advantages of owning your own home.

Reach out to me now to get started. Or subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more information on buying a house.

Why Picking the Right Real Estate Agent is so Important

by andyhawbaker@gmail.com | Mar 13, 2023 | Real Estate

When it comes to the process of buying or selling a home in Northern Colorado, having an experienced real estate agent is essential. Not only do they provide valuable insight into the market and help you negotiate the best deal, they also act as an advocate and a guide throughout the entire process. Unfortunately, many home buyers and sellers don’t realize just how important having an experienced real estate agent is, and end up choosing an inexperienced one on Zillow or Realtor.com because their ad is there at the right time.

According to research, 68% of all real estate agents close two or less deals each year. That means that if you randomly choose an agent on Zillow or Realtor.com, you have a very high chance of working with someone who has limited or no actual real estate experience. This could lead to costly mistakes or even a failed sale. This new or inexperienced agent could make a mistake that could be very costly to their client.

When you are looking for a real estate agent, it’s important to do your research, ask questions and read reviews. Find out how many years they’ve been in the business, how many properties they’ve sold, how well they know the area, and how familiar they are with local regulations and guidelines. The more experienced an agent is, the more likely you are to get the best deal for your home purchase or sale.

It’s also important to take the time to get to know your agent. The real estate process can be stressful, so it’s important to find an agent you feel comfortable working with. Make sure they are responsive to your questions and concerns, and that they take the time to explain the process and help you make informed decisions. The last thing you want is an agent that rushes through the details and doesn’t give you the confidence and control of the decision making.

In short, when it comes to buying or selling a home, having an experienced real estate agent is a must. Doing your research and taking the time to find the right agent can make all the difference in getting the best deal and having a successful home purchase or sale. Skip the ads on popular real estate websites and agents that are door knocking your neighborhood or cold calling. These are all tasks that brand new agents are told to try.

In my opinion, reviews are the only way to know if a Realtor has been doing transactions. If there are multiple real estate reviews that all mention transactions that is a good sign but then look for how happy the people are about the result. If they have multiple reviews that mention home purchases and home sales and the people highly recommend them than it’s worth a phone call. If you see multiple negative reviews run away as there is clearly a problem. And check for reviews on Google, not just on the Realtor’s Website where they can control which reviews you see.

How to Sell Your Home For More Money? Easy Cleaning Tip

by andyhawbaker@gmail.com | Feb 28, 2023 | Real Estate

When you decide it is the right time to sell your home, you need to do everything you can to ensure you sell your home for the most money. Obviously there are things your agent can help with like properly pricing your home for sale, but there are also some really simple tips the homeowner can make to boost your final sales price. The following video covers one tip that can help you sell your home for more money.

Cleaning your door knobs is an important part of preparing your home for prospective buyers. It can have a huge impact on how your house shows when you are trying to sell. Not only do clean door knobs look more appealing and professional, they can also give buyers the impression that you care about the condition of your home. Cleaning your door knobs is a relatively simple job that won’t take too much time, but can make a big difference when it comes to making the right impression on potential buyers.

Simple tips to sell your house for more money

When potential home buyers are looking at homes, they always open all of the doors. They open the closets, look in the garage, open the pantry, and look in the backyard. If there is a door, you can bet that the buyer is going to open it. That means they are going to look at and touch every single door knob. By taking the time to wipe down every door and every door knob, you are sending a signal to the buyer that the house is very clean and well taken care of. While this seems silly, it can make a big difference in the amount of money your home sells for.

Thanks for reading this article and watching the video. My name is Andy Hawbaker and I am on a mission to help as many people in Northern Colorado sell their homes for the most money and the least amount of hassle. If you need to sell a house in Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont or surrounding areas; I can help.

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