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.

Among the many myths we hear in real estate, one of the biggest whoppers is that the holidays are the worst time to sell. Perhaps, this misconception stemmed from the fact that spring and summer are the busiest seasons in the real estate market. 

Winter may be the least active real estate season, but it is actually a great time to sell your Colorado house. There are fewer homes for sale. The competition is less fierce. Plus, homes embellished with lights and holiday decorations make for better showings. 

Here are some tips to help your sale go smoothly. 

Create a knockout online listing 

Living in the digital age, the home buying process usually starts online. Potential buyers would look at online listings and find properties that suit their needs and budget. 

To make a good first impression, we highly recommend that you create a knockout online listing. Make sure it includes high quality photos that highlights your Colorado home’s best features. 

Keep it cozy 

House hunting during the winter can be a challenge. From sub zero temperatures to driving in ice and snow, these conditions can put potential buyers in a less than jovial mood. 

Keep the heat up to a comfortable level. Also, offer holiday cheer by offering a plate of cookies and warm beverages. This will give potential buyers a reason to spend more time in your Denver home. 

Give them a place to escape the cold and they’ll spend more time admiring your home’s best features. 

Price it right 

While we usually see a decrease in the number of buyers during this time of the year, those who are still in the market are incredibly serious buyers. 

If you want to sell your Colorado home fast and for top dollar, then make sure that it is priced appropriately. Don’t overshoot your asking price. These buyers are looking to move in fast. Many of them don’t have the luxury of waiting until the weather gets warmer. 

Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard. 

When buyers walk into your Colorado home, you want them to be able to envision themselves living there. As you stage your home for showings, we suggest that you add some tasteful yet festive decorations. Some decors can add some holiday spirit to your home, but make sure not to overdo it. 

Keep the seasonal decorations simple and easy to maintain. Remember, not everyone has the same love of holiday decorations. Plus, too many decorations can be distracting and overwhelming. 

Most people believe that spring is the ideal time to sell your Colorado home. While selling your home during the holiday season has its challenges, it gives you an opportunity to show your Denver home at its very best. In fact, it is a great selling point. Buyers will find it easier to envision their family celebrating the holidays in your house once they see that it’s full of holiday cheer.

Create a festive, buyer-friendly environment with these staging tips.

Keep it simple

As tempting as it is to hang every last ornament to celebrate the season, it is best to keep your decorating to a minimum. Too much holiday cheer can drive potential buyers away. Subtle hints like a hand-sewn stocking hanging from the fire place, mulled cider brewing on the stovetop or a welcoming evergreen wreath at the front door gives the space a jolt of spirit.

Complement your palette

You’ll want to think of about the color scheme when adding holiday decor in your home. Skip the clashing red and green garland if your living room is painted a soothing ocean blue. In this case, a silver glass-ball wreath or white snowflakes would be more appropriate.

Create a cozy vibe

Colorado Home buyers don’t want to look at properties that are freezing cold. Make sure that the thermostat is set at warm. 

To create a cozy, warm feeling, we suggest sparking up some candles or start a fire in the fireplace. Also, give house hunters a reason to stay for a bit longer by serving cookies or hot beverages.

Light up your home

Winter can be a dreary season. Open curtains or blinds during the day to let natural light in. Use simple string lighting to draw attention to the gorgeous fir tree in your front yard. Most importantly, make sure to consider safety above all else. Light up the walkway and porch when showing your house at night.