Being a homeowner entails a lot of responsibilities. This includes taking care of your home and making sure that it stays in tip top shape. Some maintenance tasks require the assistance of a professional, but there are a number of things you can do to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Here are 4 maintenance skills aspiring homeowners need to master. Master these skills to keep your home in the best condition possible. Plus, it will help you save lots of money down the road.

Changing air filters

According to the U.S. FDA, indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. You may not realize it, but there are lots of pollutants inside your Colorado home. Dust, dirt, pet dander, mold, pollen, chemicals, and the list go on. These pollutants get trapped in the air filters.

During the summer and winter months, your HVAC system is running round the clock. That means, the air inside your Colorado home is being re-circulated again and again. When the air filter is dirty, these pollutants will be blown back into your home and will be floating in the air. Make it a habit to change your air filters every 30 to 90 days. Not only will it improve indoor air quality, it will also help extend the life of your HVAC system.

Unclogging drains 

If you notice that the sink is draining slower than usual or there is standing water in the tub, you probably have a clogged drain.

Clogged drains can be a serious nuisance, which is why you need to address the problem fast. You can clear up even the most stubborn clogs with a little practice and some simple tools.

Cleaning gutters 

Most people don’t give their gutters much thought until they stop working properly. Your gutters are designed to keep water away from your Colorado home. When it’s clogged, water can’t run through them and will collect in the roof. Eventually, it will cause damage. When there is too much water on the roof, it will drip down the side of your house.

The last thing you want is to deal with water damage due to clogged gutters. Make sure that you clean your gutters regularly to ensure that they are working properly. You may also want to consider putting a gutter guard to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from accumulating.

Repair a leaky faucet 

Every homeowner will experience plumbing problems at some point. Leaky faucets are one of the most common problems homeowners face. Often, they tend to ignore the problem thinking it isn’t a big deal. But if left unattended, you’ll be wasting a lot of water. Also, this can lead to a bigger, more complicated problem. Learn how to fix a leaky faucet. It’s a simple task that anyone can handle.

If you’re in the market for a Colorado home, you’re probably wondering if you missed the boat by not purchasing one during the spring or summer months. After all, that’s the best time to buy a property, right? Not necessarily.

The cooler days are starting to set in and the days are getting shorter, but fall may be a good time to go house hunting. In fact, it is a season filled with great deals.

Still not convinced? Here are 4 reasons why fall can be a great time to buy a house.

Less competition

Real estate market ebbs and flows just like the season. Potential buyers start looking at Denver houses as the sun comes out and slows down by the end of the summer. At this point, families who want to be home before school starts are no longer shopping. That means that there aren’t as many buyers as there were in spring and summer.

With fewer buyers out there, you don’t have to go on a bidding war just to get the Colorado home you really want.

Home for the holidays

The holidays are coming quickly. While some people are busy with their holiday shopping, you might want to take this time to go house hunting. Getting settled in your new home for the holidays can heighten your holiday mood. Since you have a new Colorado home, why don’t you host this year’s event and invite your family and a few friends over?

Year-end tax break

Buying a property during this time of the year allows you to take advantage of tax breaks, including property tax deductions, prepaid interest deductions, FHA and PMI mortgage insurance premium deduction and mortgage interest deductions.

More attention from your agent

With the reduced activity during this time of the year, you can enjoy additional attention from your agent. They can respond more quickly and spend more time discussing about certain things as their client load starts to dwindle down.

Mold is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only is it unsightly, it can a costly and dangerous problem. The problem is that most homeowners aren’t even aware that mold is already lurking within their home. 

If you suspect that there is mold in your home, it is important to clean it and address the problem as early as possible. If you can find mold before it becomes a major problem, remediation will be much easier to complete. 

Listed below are 3 signs that may indicate that your home may be contaminated with mold. Be on the lookout for signs of a possible mold infestation. 

Visual indicators of mold growth

If you can see mold, then that’s an obvious sign that you have mold growing in your home. However, some people don’t notice small patches of mold and think they’re just dirt. 

Molds tend to grow and spread fast, especially when moisture is present.  The mere fact that you see small spots of mold, it means that your home provides an ideal environment for mold growth. Don’t ignore it. Get rid of it fast to prevent it from spreading. 

Musty smell

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. If you notice a musty smell in your home, it means that you already have a mold problem. This is a sign that you should take action.  

Walk through your home and try to find the source of the problem. If an area in your home persistently smells musty, focus on that area and try to find out where the mold is. 

Hire a mold remediation expert immediately to help you get rid of molds, especially if they are in an unreachable area like behind the walls. 

Allergy symptoms

Exposure to mold can cause allergic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin, puffy eyes and even asthma. If your symptoms tend to flare up whenever you’re at home and feel better when you’re away, there’s a good chance that mold may be what’s causing the allergy. 

Let’s face it. No for sale house is ever perfect. But if your Colorado house is in bad shape, you may find it extremely difficult to sell it.

Properties become distressed for several reasons. Maybe it’s due to old age, slacker tenants who treat your house with disrespect or financial strain. If you have an imperfect home but you need to sell it fast, selling may feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle.

Now, the question is, how do you sell a distressed house? Here are a few tips to help your substandard home shine bright and attract willing and able buyers.

Make it clean and clutter free

The first and most important thing you have to do is to de-clutter your Denver house and make sure to get rid of anything that would distract a buyer’s attention.

Also, we suggest removing anything that is outdated and dirty. Sometimes, all it takes is taking down those awful curtains and cleaning every corner of the house.

Fix up your home’s exterior

Most potential buyers make a decision during the first few seconds of seeing a Colorado house. Remember, first impressions are everything.

To attract the attention of buyers, it would be a good idea to maintain the garden, mow the lawn and give the outside of your home a fresh paint job. With very minimal cost and effort, you’ll be surprised how new and improved your house can look.

Be honest

When selling a less than perfect Colorado home, we want to stress the importance of being honest in your marketing. There’s no point in hiding your house’s imperfections since home inspectors are going to find out about those issues anyway. If this happens, buyers are going to be disappointed and the next buyer might not want to look at it since it fell out of escrow.

Sell the house as-is

Let’s face it. Not all of us have homes that are easy to sell. But selling a distressed Colorado house isn’t impossible. Even if it needs major renovation or minor refurbishment, someone will be interested to buy it. You just need to market it to the right people.

We believe that there is a buyer for every property. If you want to sell your home fast but you don’t have the money to spend on repairs or renovations, look for buyers who are willing to buy the property as-is.

You have decided to sell your Colorado home. Now that you’ve already packed your things and you’re ready to move to your new home, the last thing you want is for your home to sit on the market forever. 

Keeping a focus on these 4 factors will significantly increase your chances of selling your house quickly. 

Price

You think of your Colorado home as a shining beacon of perfection and you’re thinking of selling it at a higher price. But if you really want to sell your house fast, you might want to look at similar properties in your area and determine how much they were sold for. Setting a realistic price on your home will help you attract more buyers. 

It is important to get the pricing right the first time than to lower the price eventually. Many buyers will simply move on if the house is not priced reasonably. 

Property condition 

Colorado home buyers are looking for homes that are in pristine, move-in condition. They no longer have time to make repairs and fix up the home themselves. 

Obviously, a well-maintained home will sell faster than an old and property that requires a lot of TLC. It is a good idea to hire  a professional inspector.This way, you’ll have an idea about the overall condition of the property and decide what needs fixing before the property is listed for sale. 

Photos

Good listing photos can definitely shorten the amount of time your house sits on the market. Why? It’s because most buyers would go online in an effort to save time. In addition, online listings and apps allow them to compare and contrast houses, and then narrow down their searches to a select few. 

Having good photos entice more potential buyers. Take photos that would highlight your home’s best features. Also, it is best to have too many photos than it is to have too few. 

Real estate agent

Another important factor that affects your Colorado home sale is the amount of knowledge and experiences your real estate agent posses. You will stand a better chance of a quick sale by working with an experienced agent. Choose an agent who is familiar with the area and has an experience selling the type of home you have. 

If you have ever been involved in a real estate transaction, you probably know that one of the most important steps of buying a house is getting a home inspection. A thorough home inspection will verify the condition of the property and provide buyers the peace of mind and confidence that they are making a wise investment.

While all Colorado homes have a certain amount of flaw, it is important for buyers to become aware which of these flaws are normal and which ones may warrant potential problems.

Listed below are some red flags that may warrant concern if noted on a home inspection.

Old wiring

Defective electrical wiring is one of the most common causes of residential fire. With today’s families using more gadgets than ever, be sure that your home inspector thoroughly examines the house’s electrical system. Also, pay attention to aluminum wiring as it poses a dangerous fire hazard.

Mold

A home that is plagued by mold is not only disgusting; it can also be detrimental to your health.

If the Colorado home inspector found extensive mold growth around the house, you need to walk away for a number of reasons. Aside from being a health hazard, removing molds from ducts, walls and crawl spaces will cost thousands of dollars. Plus, molds is a clear indication of an underlying moisture problem, which can do real damage to the structure of the house.

Roofing

A house’s roof will age along with its dwelling. So, pay close attention to the home inspection notes and check to see if there are any signs of rotting, cracking, splitting, blistering, curling and cupping. If so, then you should think twice about buying the house as these are warning signs of future warning intrusion. Mind you, installing a new roof comes with a hefty tag price.

Final thoughts

No matter how much you love the Denver house, you certainly need to walk away from it if it has issues with its foundation. A qualified Colorado home inspector can tell you when a seemingly minor crack actually means major trouble.

Also, keep an eye out for cracked windows, bowing or bulging foundation walls as these are obvious signs of structural weakness.

Fall is upon us! As the weather turns cooler and the days grow darker, now is a great time to think about how to keep the temperature and mood in your Colorado home cozy. As such, you might want to get a jump start on prepping your living space for the cold winter ahead.

If you are looking for inspiration to start decorating your home for fall, look no further. Check out these simple decorating ideas and use them to transition your home décor for fall.

Keep your home warm and fuzzy

With the chill of autumn in the air, now is the best time to switch out lighter fabrics for heavier ones. Hang heavier curtains and drapery before the cold winter creeps up on us. Add seasonal style and functionality to your living space by laying throw blankets across your furnishings and go all out on the throw pillows. Complete the look by employing cozy patterns such as tweed, herringbone and plaid.

Bring fall to the exterior of your home 

Why should your indoor space have all the fun? Take it outside as well. One of the best ways to say “Hello fall!” is to hang a beautiful autumn wreath at your front door. This is super easy to make and is sure to add glitz and glam to your front door.

Bring the aromas of fall into your home 

It’s not autumn without the apple, cinnamon and pumpkin scents. What better way to bring the aromas of fall into your Colorado home than to make some fall goodies like caramel apples, ginger cookies, and pumpkin spice lattes.

Candles are also a great way to make your home smell amazing. Spread some scented candles throughout your home and light them up in the evening. Your Colorado home will be filled with wonderful aroma in no time. Its warm glow and subtle scent can also help alleviate stress and anxiety.

Dress the floor with area rugs

Cold air creeps in through gaps in doors and windows. When it does, it settles on the floor. Fend off icy toes by placing area rugs strategically in high traffic areas. Large, thick are rugs will create a soft, warm barrier between the cold, hard floor and your feet. Plus, an area rug with vibrant colors can cheer up your living space.

While the dream of owning a house has been set aside during the recession, most Americans say that buying a house is still in their life plan. But before you finally decide to make an offer, you might want to ask yourself a handful of questions. While the answers to these questions might make you rethink your bid or scare you off, you can be sure that you are making the right decision.

Why do you want to buy a house?

Determining the reason why you want to buy a Denver house is important before you go out and start looking at options. What purpose shall it serve? Are you planning to live in it or rent it out? This is important as it will help you determine the house size and the type of loan structure you’ll need based on your plans.

How confident are you about your future income?

Before you start dreaming about white picket fences and granite countertops, make sure that you have a steady source of income. If you are thinking about quitting your job or there are murmurs of layoffs in your company, where will you get your monthly mortgage payment?

How confident are you that you will want to stay?

One of the most important factors that you have to consider when deciding between buying versus renting is how long you are planning to stay in that Colorado house. Mind you, it takes about 5 to 7 years just to break even the cost of buying, owning and selling a Colorado house. So, if you’re not confident that you can stay put for that long, you might want to re-consider your plans.

How is your credit score?

Your credit score is one of the most important things you should consider if you are planning to buy a Denver house. If you have a low credit score, you might have a tough time getting a loan. And if you do, there’s a great chance that you’ll be required to pay a higher interest rate and a higher down payment.

So, if you are planning to buy a Colorado house in the near future, now is the right time to pay off some of your debt and raise your credit score.

In nearly all cases, it is the buyer who orders and pays for a home inspection. As a seller, you may be thinking, what’s the point of having a pre-listing inspection if the buyer will want their own inspection anyway? 

Here are 4 benefits of doing a pre-listing inspection. 

Prepare your home for sale

With a pre-listing inspection completed, you’ll know ahead of time what exactly is wrong and what needs to be fixed prior to putting your Colorado home on the market. You’ll have enough time to decide what to fix, who to hire to make repairs, and when it should be completed. 

Pre-listing inspections will not only help you cut cost and save time. It can also help you update your home and market it for the best return on investment. 

Get your ideal asking price 

Typically, a Denver home inspection is done shortly after the seller accepts the buyer’s offer. But if you wait for the buyer to discover some issues in your home, then they will likely negotiate for a lower price or ask you to have it repaired before closing. 

By completing an inspection prior to listing your Colorado property, you can deal with problems ahead of time and use the clean bill of health to justify a slightly higher asking price. 

Faster, smoother selling process

If you are the type of person who hates surprises, then we urge you get a pre-listing inspection. Not only will it eliminate surprises, it will also reduce the negotiation process. 

Since you already took the time to address the issues, there won’t be much left for buyers to negotiate on. Both parties will benefit from a smoother, faster selling process. 

Increase prospective buyers’ confidence 

No one wants to buy a house with a lot of hidden issues. Having a pre-listing inspection is a great way to show potential buyers that your Colorado home is in good condition and that you have nothing to hide. 

Home buyers are naturally skeptic about the condition of the house. Handing them an inspection report that details the condition of your home can help overcome skepticism and eliminate much of the doubt about your home. Buyers will be more comfortable making an offer, knowing that the house is in good condition. 

Home renovations provide several advantages. Whether you’re looking to enhance your home’s aesthetics and living environment or transforming it before putting it on the market, updating your dwelling is one of the most profitable decisions you can make.

Here are 4 tips for working out your home renovation budget.

What is your purpose for renovating? 

Before renovating, you first need to identify your reason. Renovating for lifestyle reasons requires a different approach for selling purposes. If you are renovating to enhance your Colorado home’s comfort or livability, you need to consider your family’s needs. An outdoor kitchen would be beneficial for entertaining guests. An additional bathroom may also be in order for your growing family.

If renovating for sale, you need to properly asses your house and focus on changes that will make it more attractive to prospective buyers. The backyard may need revamping. A lick of paint throughout the house will help freshen up your Colorado home.

Set your renovation budget 

Home renovation projects can be quite expensive. Before you start choosing paint colors or floor tiles, you first need to determine how much you can afford.

Renovation costs can quickly get out of control. Sometimes, people decide that they want this and that, and then realize later on that it’s out of their budget. To prevent this from happening, it is best to set a budget early on. This is important so as to prevent disappointment and financial distress later on.

Get quotes from contractors 

Now that you have an idea about what you want to achieve and how much you are willing to spend, it’s time to look for contractors.

If you don’t know any contractor, you can ask referral from your family and friends. Or better yet, go online and search for contractors in your area. Narrow down your list to 3 – 5 contractors, and ask for a quote from each of them. This way, you can compare the prices and find the one that offers the best deal.

Account for hidden costs

Just because the contractor gave you a quote for $30,000, it doesn’t necessarily mean that will be the final cost. During the renovation process, some contractors find some issues that need to be dealt with. This is one of the major reasons why renovation projects end up costing more than anticipated.

Make sure that you prepare at least 10% to 20% for unforeseen experiences, so you won’t be scrambling to come up with extra money.