A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Hamburger Ok, so I’m a decent cook, but I’m really much better at eating! From sushi to steak to a great pasta dish, I’m always up for a good meal. But if you’re like me, it’s a daily struggle to come up with fresh, delicious dinner dishes on a daily basis. So when you’re out of ideas and the left-over pork is about a week old, how about a good ol’-fashioned,...
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My Top 11 Gems In and Around Grand Junction, Colorado! Grand Junction, Colorado is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the American Southwest. From breathtaking natural landscapes to a vibrant arts scene, this picturesque city has something for everyone. Here are the top ten things that make Grand Junction a must-visit destination: 1. Majestic National Parks: Grand Junction serves as a gateway to two...
Mastering the Art of Simultaneous Home Buying and Selling: Your Guide to Perfect Timing Are you ready to take the plunge into a new chapter of your life, venturing into the world of new home ownership while bidding farewell to your current abode? The exhilarating journey of buying a new home while selling your current one is an adventure that requires the perfect blend of strategy, timing, and foresight....
Homeowner's Associations - most people either love them or hate them. They exist primarily to make sure that neighborhoods look presentable and that people enjoy living there. They do come with restrictions - covenants that you have to follow. In fact if you don't follow them, the HOA can actually put a lien on your property. They also come with fees as well, which range depending on what you get...
One of the silver linings to filing your income tax return is finding out that you are going to receive a refund that could literally open the door to owning a home. If you happen to be one of these fortunate taxpayers, your next decision is what to do with it. With the average tax refund near $3,000, it could be the ticket to buying a home sooner rather than later. Regardless of the size of your...
Sometimes, as people approach the inevitable, they start trying to get their things "in order". They may even have a will, but they decide to transfer title to real estate prior to their death which could be an unnecessary expense for the would-be heir. Generally, when property is passed through direction of a will, the heir will receive a stepped-up basis which means that the fair market value of the...
Mortgage insurance benefits the lender if a borrower with less than a 20% down payment defaults on their loan. Most conventional mortgages greater than 80% and all FHA loans require the borrower to have this coverage. Private mortgage insurance on conventional loans can range from 0.5% to 2.25% based on the loan-to-value and the credit worthiness of the borrower. A $350,000 mortgage would have a monthly...
This strategy is not about trying to negotiate the best price; it is about beating out the competition and buying the home. It may be difficult to understand until you have lost a few homes to better offers but when the reality of the situation is that there are not that many homes on the market, the competition heats up and different tactics are necessary. Sales in December were annualized at 6.76...
Many homeowners with mortgages pay for both types of insurance but only one of them protects the owner. Homeowner's insurance covers damage to your property and losses from fire, burglary, vandalism, and other named natural disasters. When an insured has a loss, they file a claim with the insurance carrier which would be subject to the deductible mentioned in the policy. If the homeowner has a mortgage...
Staying at home in 2020 caused of lot of owners to think about how nice it would be to have a larger home to accommodate the additional activities that come along with isolating. Particularly for people with children at home or possibly, the potential of either adult children or parents coming to live with them. There are other owners who are trying to weigh the pros and cons of selling their larger...