Buying a new home can be thrilling and nerve-racking at the same time. Since this will be one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, it's important to control your emotions and make a rational decision. 

Don’t let the styled decor sway you into buying that Colorado house. More than anything, it is important to learn about the house’s condition so that you have a good idea of what you’re buying. Remember, this will be your Colorado home in the coming years, so it pays to check out every aspect of the property.

Here are a few things homebuyers should look out for before signing on the dotted line. 

Buying a foreclosed property can be a great option if you're in the market for a new home. While many buyers associate buying a foreclosure with getting a great deal, it can also carry some risk. Before making a purchase, you want to make sure that you understand what you're getting into.

To help you make a more informed decision, let's take a look at the pros and cons of buying a foreclosed home. 

Pros

Financial gains

Buying a foreclosed property is financially advantageous since you may be able to purchase it at a price that is below the market rate. Typically, the cost of foreclosed homes is about 5% lower as compared to similar properties in the market. 

It is essential to pay attention to your home's curb appeal when selling it. Potential buyers will make their initial judgments based on your home's curb appeal. It can make or break your home sale. 

If your home looks cluttered, untidy, or poorly maintained, you may scare potential buyers away. You may have to wait for a long time to sell your home, and your sales price may suffer as a result. 

Here are four curb appeal mistakes that can sabotage your home sale. 

Dying plants and flowers

Colorful plants and flowers will add visual interest to a shady yard and add instant curb appeal to your home. But if those once beautiful flowers have turned brown, they're going to have quite the opposite effect. 

A solid roof above your head protects your family from the elements and ensures that your property is secure. For your roof to do its job, you need to make sure it’s in top condition. Never wait for a serious problem to occur before examining your roof.

Learning the signs of potential roof damage will help you catch minor issues and prevent them from becoming bigger and more complicated. Pay attention to these warning signs and have a professional fix the issue as quickly as possible. 

Missing or damaged shingles 

Visually inspecting your roof will help you spot missing, cupped, or cracked shingles. Your roof’s structure and your home’s interior become vulnerable to water damage when you have missing shingles. Therefore, it is best to replace torn or missing shingles as soon as possible. If left unaddressed, the gutters, flashing, ventilation pipes, and chimney may eventually be damaged. 

Buying a house is one of the most expensive purchases most people make. But with financial stakes so high, one wrong move can cripple you with stress and end up costing you a lot of money. 

First-time homebuyers are prone to mistakes. Luckily, most of these mistakes are preventable. By arming yourself with knowledge, buying a house can be less stressful and more enjoyable. 

Here are some of the biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make, along with some tips on how to avoid them.

They don’t bother with an inspection

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, 10% of home buyers choose to forego a home inspection. We understand that most buyers are trying to cut costs, but hiring a professional home inspector can actually save you thousands of dollars down the road. 

So, you’re planning to put your home on the market? If so, you have probably taken steps to make sure your home appeals to most buyers. 

As a seller, the goal is to sell your home fast and get the most money out of it. These things, however, will distract a buyer from all the great things your home has to offer and may even sabotage the sale.

Unkempt yard

When potential buyers drive by your house, the first thing they see is your yard. You want it to be a great indication of what’s yet to be seen on the inside. 

If your yard looks like the Adams family owns it, potential buyers may never want to come inside. Tidy up, cut the grass, and plant some flowers. You want to make sure it looks warm, friendly, and welcoming.

Kitchens are the hub of home life. Homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling as compared to other home improvement projects. Depending on how serious an overhaul it is, homeowners would spend about $10,000 to $40,000 on kitchen renovations. 

We understands that some people do not have the budget required for a complete kitchen remodel, but don’t be tempted to use cheap materials to save money. To get the most financial gain on your kitchen remodels, you want to invest in durable materials. 

Here are three materials to avoid on your next kitchen remodel.

Trendy backsplash material 

The backsplash provides you an opportunity to be creative and express your personality. However, you may want to do away from trendy tile patterns and bold colors. 

Trends come and go. Tastes change. You may like it now, but you may find it tacky after a few years. To prevent this from happening, you want your kitchen to remain timeless in design. Stick with classic designs and neutral colors. A neutral backsplash adds just as much character to your space. 

Cheap sheet vinyl flooring 

Kitchens are among the busiest rooms in the house. Heavy foot traffic demands you to invest in durable materials. Besides the look, durability should be given importance when selecting kitchen flooring. 

Due to its affordability, vinyl flooring has gained popularity among homeowners. It is also moisture resistant, so it works pretty well in the kitchen. Despite having a “wear layer”, vinyl flooring tends to show signs of wear over time. If damaged, it’s unrepairable. Additionally, it has a shorter lifespan than other flooring materials and fades when exposed to sunlight. 

Plastic laminate countertop 

Countertops made from laminate are some of the cheapest options available. If you’re watching your budget, you are probably considering using laminate for your kitchen counters. Laminate is a good choice, provided that you stay away from the entry-level plastic laminate. 

Plastic laminate is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes. They are also easy to clean and maintain. The downside is that they are extremely easy to damage. Knives can damage the melamine finish, so be sure to keep your cutting boards handy. Also, be careful with hot pans as they could melt the plastic and leave a permanent mark on your counter.

Plastic laminate is impossible to repair once damaged, so your only option is to replace the entire counter or live with the damages. 

The attic is one of the areas that are most susceptible to mold growth. Because most homeowners rarely access this area of the house, attic mold often grows unnoticed. Molds can spread quickly. As such, we highly recommend you conduct regular inspections to prevent mold from spreading to other parts of your home. 

There are several causes of mold growth. Learning about the common causes of attic molds will prevent mold from growing in the first place. By eliminating these potential causes, you’ll stand a better chance of keeping mold from growing in your attic.

Leaking roof

When homeowners find out about mold growth in the attic, many of them assume that it is caused by a leak in the roof. 

Wear and tear are inevitable, whether you have an old or new roof. Roofing issues make it less effective at keeping water out. Remember that moisture is the main ingredient for mold growth. Just a tiny leak causes enough moisture to build up and grow a large mold colony. A regular roof inspection is a must to keep it in top shape. Also, repair roof problems promptly to prevent mold growth. 

Exhaust vents going into the attic 

In most homes, a bathroom or kitchen vent can dump warm, moist air into the attic space. Exhausting hot, humid air directly into the attic will result in moisture formation. The moist environment, combined with a food source such as wood, creates an ideal environment for mold growth. 

Mold in the attic is often due to excess moisture in the area. Ensure that your exhaust fans and dryer vents pump moisture as far away from your home as possible and never in your attic. 

Poor ventilation 

Warm air from daily activities such as bathing or cooking often rises into the attic. When it does, it carries with it large amounts of moisture. Moisture gets trapped in the attic if there is poor ventilation. This can lead to attic mold. Ensuring you have good ventilation in the attic will help reduce moisture build-up; hence, preventing mold. 

Mold growth in the attic does not necessarily affect indoor air quality. But if left unaddressed, it can lead to structural damage, which will cost you thousands and thousands of dollars on repair. 

Buyers want a home that is in pristine condition. If you want to sell your house fast and get the most money out of it, leaving repairs for a buyer is undoubtedly not an intelligent thing to do. You want to address specific issues before putting your home on the market. 

Preparing your home for sale may seem like a daunting process. There’s an endless amount of cleaning, decluttering, and fixing to be done. Tending to specific issues will help your property stand out from the competition and boost the value of your home. 

Here are some necessary repairs you need to undertake before selling your home. 

Exterior 

Improving your home’s exterior may not be as exciting as remodeling the bathroom or the kitchen, but it's one of the first things you need to do when preparing your home for sale. Why? Because a huge percentage of buyers decide whether or not they like your house before they even walk into your home. 

Repair broken fences, glam up your mailbox, freshen the paint job, and powerwash the outside of your house – these are simple maintenance tasks that will help enhance curb appeal and add value to your home. 

Flooring 

Most buyers today want wood floors. Not only do they add warmth and character to your living space, but they also add value to your home. However, scratches can easily ruin the appeal of your wood floors. Consider refinishing the wood floor before putting your home on the market. If you have carpet over wood floor, consider ripping up the carpet and refinishing the wood floor underneath it. 

Update your interior 

Buyers buy with their eyes. While preparing your home for sale, you want to ensure that it has the wow factor that buyers desire. 

Spruce up your home’s interior and create a fresh look in every room of your home. Update the lighting, adorn walls with artwork, update your hardware, install decorative display shelves and dress up your floor with an oriental rug. Remember, it is easier to sell an attractive house, so be sure to include cosmetic updates in your to-do list. 

Selling your home takes more than just planting a for sale sign on the front lawn. Any family member friend or colleague who has sold their house before would tell you that it’s not easy. It requires a lot of work, patience and plenty of know-how.  

Selling a house, especially if you haven’t done it before, can be an inconvenience and create stress and anxiety. 

Here are 4 things you need to know before selling your house. 

Price it right 

When selling your house, the price can be one of its most attractive and unattractive features. If you want to get the most attention from potential buyers when it first hits the market, then you must pick the absolute right price tag based on how much your house is worth. 

Go too high and you risk turning off buyers. Of course, you can always lower the price later on, but you’re going to lose the freshness of the home’s appeal after two weeks of showing. 

Review comparables of recently sold homes to get the price right. If you are working with a real estate agent, he/she can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which will help you determine the current market value of a property. 

Timing is key when selling your house

Conventional wisdom tells us that spring and summer months are your best options for listing your home for sale. After all, this is the busiest time of the year for the real estate market - school is out and families are looking to move to their new house before the school year starts. 

While it’s true that most home sales happen in spring and summer, you also need to factor in your own family’s needs. The best time to sell is when you are ready for it. 

Find a good real estate agent 

With so much information readily available online, some sellers decide to just sell their house on their own. Plus, forgoing the agent means you can pocket that 6% commission. Sounds like a great idea, right? Not necessarily. 

Real estate agents take on several roles during the home selling process - marketer, stager, analyst, negotiator, copywriter etc. They’ll help you set the selling price, market your home, handle volumes of paperwork, negotiate with them, and show your home to potential buyers. Do yourself a favor and hire a good real estate agent. 

Staging 

If you want to sell your house fast and for top dollar, then make sure that it looks the part. 

Potential buyers aren’t just looking for a house to live in. Rather, they are looking for a place where they can create meaningful memories with their loved ones. This is where staging comes in handy. 

Staging involves re-arranging the furnitures and decorating the house to make sure it looks its best. Spruce up the yard, repaint the walls, accessorize, and get the house sparkling clean.