House hunting is one of the most exciting parts of buying a house. This is especially true for first-time homebuyers. Perhaps you have spent years saving up for your downpayment and building up your financial profile. 

Unfortunately, the homebuying process can be a long and arduous process. It can be stressful and overwhelming if you don’t stay focused and organized.

In this blog post, we listed down some tips to make the house hunting process easier and more effective. Use these tips to help you find your dream home.

Since home inspection isn’t mandatory in some parts of the country, some buyers skip it in an attempt to save money and streamline the buying process. But it makes no sense to put a huge sum of money on what will likely be the biggest purchase of your life without even knowing what you’re getting into. 

Thinking of skipping the home inspection? Think again. 

You have a new place to live in and you’re ready to settle in. Walking into your new house can be exciting, but it can also feel cold and unfamiliar. Finding ways to make it cozy and comfortable is quite a task. As if the challenge of redecorating the entire house isn’t hard enough, you also have to deal with the chaos of moving boxes and crazy kids.

In this blog post, we reveal a few things you can do to appreciate your new space and make it feel like home.

In the real estate business, curb appeal is a reflection of how the owner takes care of his/her home. A clean exterior, well-maintained shrubbery, and a neatly manicured lawn are ideal, especially if you’re selling your home.

The idea behind curb appeal is to make your Colorado home look attractive to anyone viewing it from the curb or street. Some sellers, however, are so busy staging the interiors of their Colorado house that they sometimes forget to make the exterior presentable. This is a big mistake.

Radon is a toxic gas that can be found in any house, old or new. It can enter your Colorado home through leaks in your foundation or porous building materials. Unfortunately, radon cannot be seen or smelled. Because of this, most homeowners aren’t even aware of the presence of radon in their home. 

Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. This is why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all homes be tested.

It's not peak selling season, but these smart strategies will help you make sure your Colorado home looks good even when the weather is dreary. Here are a few tips to help you sell your home this season.

Crank up the heat

Cold Colorado houses don't sell. If potential buyers shiver at your open house, they aren't likely to stick around, let alone make an offer. This isn't the time to save on the heating bill. Keep the thermometer at least at a steady 70 degrees. A cold house sends the wrong message. It doesn't need to be hot; it needs to be not cold.

Get shoveling

Don't let a little snow come between you and the next owner of your house. Get shoveling, and make sure the walkway is clear. If someone has to slip and slide their way into your house, you'll lose the battle before they cross the front door.

Moreover, if you want buyers to attend your open house, make sure they have a place to park. This task can be challenging as snowbanks and drifts accumulate. Don't clear just the driveway -- shovel out some spaces on the street as well. While you are at it, make sure you don't wind up with big piles of dirty snow near the front door. If they are concerned about breaking a leg, then they are not paying attention to your house in a good way.

Decorate, but don't go overboard

Some Realtors suggest stripping a house of all holiday decorations to avoid turning off potential buyers. But that sends the wrong message. After all, buyers are trying to get a feel for whether your house could become their next Colorado home. If your house is cold, empty and sterile, that sends the wrong message.

This is not the time to go nuts with plastic lawn ornaments. It might be the season to stow Santa and his reindeer out of sight in your cellar. Better to focus on some lighter, classier touches, such as wrapping a garland around the banister on the stairs or putting up a wreath. It really makes the entryway pop.

Become a weather freak, and stay flexible

One thing you can't control during the winter is the weather. It's time to start tuning into The Weather Channel, at least while you're trying to sell your house. When planning an open house, it's better to be prepared for weather changes. If a big storm is headed your way, maybe it's a good idea to reschedule for a new day or push a morning open house into the afternoon. Even if you can lure a few buyers out in the storm, a dark and dreary day is probably not the best backdrop for showing off your house.

Getting the right price for your home is the first and most important step in the sale process. You want to make sure that your house isn’t priced too high that you can’t make a sale and that it’s not priced too low that you don’t regret the sale. 

All too frequently, seller’s opinions of their Colorado house are clouded by their emotions.  It’s easy to think that your home is worth more than your neighbor’s, especially if you’ve lived in that house for several years. After all, you’ve made some improvements through the years and your Coloardo home has been special to you and your family. It may be one of your most prized possessions, but what your home means to you must come to terms with what the real estate market dictates.

Some sellers would list their home higher than what their real estate agent has advised. Some do this in the hopes of getting more money out of their property. Others think that they can always lower the price later on.  This is not a good strategy. Your real estate agent has already provided you with information that can help you see the bigger picture. Listen to his/her advice.

Home buyers will not waste their time looking at and negotiating on a Colorado home they know is overpriced. There are a lot of properties on the market. They’ll just move on to the next property until they find something that matches their needs and budget.

You can avoid the pressure and disappointment of your property sitting on the market and seeing no activity after a few months if only you priced it correctly in the first place. Eventually, you’ll decide to reduce the price in order to compete with the listings that are actually in your price range. But since your home has been sitting in the market for a while, buyers may not give it much attention.

An overpriced Colorado home is not going to sell. It doesn’t matter how many sites your home is listed or how many glossy fliers you’ve handed out. You need to put the right price tag in order to get that buzz going around your home.

As the owner, you are free to ask for any price on your home. But if it’s priced too high, don’t expect it to sell any time soon.

Winter is a great time to move. Since most people are out on vacation or busy with holiday get-togethers, you can get great deal with moving companies. However, moving house during the winter is not without challenges. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can make the moving process even more difficult.

Here are 4 smart tips to make your winter move easier.

Keep an eye on the weather 

Winter weather can be unpredictable. Even if the sun has been shining all week long, a blizzard may suddenly pop up just as you’re pulling away in your car.

Check weather reports from time to time and make sure to follow it up until the moving day. Keep the radio on until the movers arrive so you get the latest updates. Anticipate any weather challenges and adapt to them.

Keep the heat on

You might be tempted to have your utilities disconnected prior to moving day, but please resist the urge to do so. On moving day, you’ll be opening and closing the door many times as the movers carry your boxes. This will send cold air into your home. Without the heat, everybody will feel cold and uncomfortable. You’ll want to keep the heat on on moving day.

Protect your belongings 

Some items are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures. Electronics and other cold-sensitive items should be kept indoors for as long as possible and should be transported in a heated vehicle to avoid damage. Objects that are made of wood should be insulated during a move. These items can warp when exposed to freezing temperatures. Books and other documents will also need additional care. Place them in waterproof bins and make sure that they are sealed tight before they get loaded onto the moving truck.

Clear snow 

We understand that you have a lot on your plate right now, but make sure that you shovel snow prior to moving day. Snow and ice can be slippery. Clear the snow to prevent anyone from getting hurt. You may also spread rock salt on the ground to slow down the re-icing process. If snow is falling, we suggest that you mix calcium chloride with the rock salt. This will make snow and ice melt faster.

As temperatures start to drop, many of you are probably taking steps to ensure that your family stays warm and comfortable throughout the winter. While cranking up the heat seems like the best way to keep your house warm, it can be quite expensive.

This blog post will help you prepare your home for the cold weather. Here are 4 quick and easy ways to winterize your home while saving money.

Install a programmable thermostat

The furnace typically runs 24/7 during the winter. Installing a programmable thermostat keeps your Colorado home at a comfortable thermostat while saving money and energy.

A programmable thermostat allows you to program the thermostat to be at a lower temperature in the morning and then set it at a higher temperature in the afternoon. In addition to saving money and energy, it also simplifies your morning routine.

Check for air leaks

Air leaks will allow heated air to escape. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30% of your energy use. This will prevent your home from being the cozy, energy-efficient home you want.

Inspect the doors and windows to ensure that there is no air leakage. Make sure that the weather stripping around the doors and windows are in good condition. Inspect the threshold under each door.  Make sure to caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air.

Run fans in reverse

Most people will only turn on the fan when they feel hot. But fans can actually come in handy during the winter.

Reversing your ceiling fan direction will make the room feel warmer. When you turn on the fan, cooler air is drawn upwards while warm air is pushed back down. This allows you to set the thermostat at a lower temperature without sacrificing comfort.

Insulate your pipes 

Nothing is more relaxing than taking a steamy, hot shower in winter. However, your pipes are in danger of freezing and bursting in winter.

Insulating your hot water pipes will prevent heat from escaping through your pipes. Since insulated pipes deliver hotter water than uninsulated pipes, you can raise water temperature by 2 to 4°F; thus, saving you money and energy. It also prevents pipes from freezing and bursting. Pipes in the garage, crawlspace, and attic are in danger of freezing. Insulating them is essential to prevent broken or leaky pipes.

Christmas is such a joyous occasion. Everyone is looking forward to eating good food and spending time with their family. However, holiday meal preparation and clean up can lead to a lot of unwanted waste in the kitchen. Plus, extra occupants who require additional toilet flushes, hot water usage, showers, and washing can put a strain on your drain system. 

As much as you try to avoid plumbing problem during the holidays, you still end up with clogged sinks, toilets, disposals, and sewers.

Here are some tips to avoid holiday plumbing disasters.

Turn off water before going on vacation 

There is nothing more frustrating than coming home to a flooded home. To prevent plumbing disasters, make sure that you turn off the main water valve prior to your trip.

Pipes are susceptible to freezing during the winter. Water inside them expands as the temperature drops. This causes the pipes to freeze and burst. Shut off the main water valve when you leave your home, even if it’s just overnight. This is the best protection against catastrophic water damage.

Use a strainer screen 

During the holidays, you cook more food and wash more dishes. Having guests also mean taking more showers. 

Hair and food particles that go down the drain can cause it to clog eventually. Using a strainer screen can help prevent these issues. They keep hair from clogging your bathroom sinks and bathtubs. Plus, they prevent food particles from going down the kitchen sink.

Give the garbage disposal a break 

Your garbage disposal is not a trash can, so you shouldn’t treat it like one. Overloading your garbage disposal can damage the blades and create clogs. Never feed your garbage disposal with items such as fibrous foods, fruit and vegetable peels, and bones.

Never dump grease down the drain 

Fat and grease are common bi-products of any holiday feast. But they are a drain’s worst nightmare. Pouring excess grease down the drain may not seem like a big deal, but they tend to harden as they cool down. This can seriously clog the drain.

Be mindful of what you put down the drains. Pour excess grease in an empty container and then throw it in the trash can.

Get your trashcans ready 

Throwing trash like cigarette butts, kid’s toys, sanitary napkins, and paper towels down the toilet can create a plumbing disaster you don’t want to deal with. Place trash cans in the bathroom, so guests won’t be tempted to throw trash elsewhere.