Quick answer: Low appraisals are happening more often in Colorado as the Denver market cools and offer prices don't always match the comparable sales. The five most common reasons are limited recent comps, missed value-add features, conservative market-conditions adjustments, condition issues flagged by the appraiser, and offer prices that simply exceeded fair market value in multiple-offer situations. You...
Quick answer: If you are buying a home in Elbert County, parts of Douglas County like Franktown or Elizabeth, Park County, or rural Larimer County, there is a good chance the home runs on a private well instead of municipal water. Colorado's Division of Water Resources issues the permit that controls what the well can be used for, and the permit transfers with the property. During your inspection...
Quick answer: A reserve study is the HOA's professional assessment of long-term capital needs (roof, elevator, paint, parking lot, boiler) and how well-funded the reserve account is to cover them. A reserve account that is less than 30 percent funded is high risk for special assessments. Above 70 percent is strong. Colorado's HB22-1137 requires reserve studies every 5 years for many HOAs as of 2022. Before...
Quick answer: House hacking means buying a multi-unit property (duplex, triplex, or home with a legal ADU), living in one unit, and renting out the others to cover most or all of your mortgage. In Colorado, FHA loans allow you to buy a 2-4 unit property with as little as 3.5% down if you live in one unit. What House Hacking Actually Looks Like in Colorado I get asked about investment properties a lot,...
Quick answer: Earnest money in Colorado is usually held by a title company until the deal closes or both parties sign a release. If you miss a contract deadline, your money can get stuck for weeks or even months. The way to protect it is to know your deadlines cold, give written notice on time, and keep every signed form. I had a buyer last fall who almost lost a $5,000 deposit because he didn't formally...
A realistic breakdown of every cost involved in relocating to Colorado - from moving trucks and closing costs to altitude adjustments and vehicle registration.
Most first-year Colorado homeowners spend $8,000 to $15,000 beyond their mortgage. Here is a month-by-month breakdown of where that money goes and how to plan for it.
Summer is Colorado's busiest home buying season, but more inventory means more options. Here's how to stand out without overpaying in the 2026 market.
Quick answer: Student loan debt does not disqualify you from buying a home in Colorado. Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio, not the total balance owed. With income-driven repayment plans and Colorado-specific assistance programs, many borrowers qualify for more than they expect. Student Loans Don't Disqualify You - Here's What Actually Matters I talk to buyers every month who assume they can't buy...
Your credit score affects your mortgage rate, loan options, and down payment. Here's what Colorado buyers need to know about credit and how to improve it before applying.
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