Speechless Sunday: Your Excuse is Invalid - 01/29/12 12:14 PM
Nothing Like a Little Inspiration and a Huge Smile!
None of us has any excuse to not do something amazing today!

… (7 comments)

Step 7: Make an Offer - 01/29/12 12:03 PM
Step 7: Make an Offer
10 Steps to Home Ownership
This step is often done in conjunction with Step 6: Finalize Your Financing but can be done after. Your realtor will help guide you through this process as smoothly as possible.
Realtor groups, working with legal counsel, have developed forms that are appropriate for realty transactions in specific communities. Such documents include numerous sale conditions and their wording should be carefully reviewed to assure that they reflect the terms you want to offer. Your Realtor can explain the general contracting process in your community as well as his or her role.
… (1 comments)

Step 6: Finalize Your Financing - 01/28/12 03:43 PM
Step 6: Finalize Your Financing
Series: 10 Steps to Home Ownership
Often the cost of real estate financing is routinely greater than the original purchase price of a home (after including interest and closing costs and commissions). Because financing is so important, buyers should have as much information as possible regarding mortgage options and costs.
Many websites provide consumers with extensive mortgage information as well as a variety of loan calculators just by searching “Mortgage Calculator”. Your Realtor can provide mortgage information, discuss financing options and recommend loan sources.
 
What kind of loan?  There are thousands of loans available … (0 comments)

Step 5: Make A Decision - 01/26/12 09:14 PM
Step 5: Make A Decision
Series: 10 Steps to Home Ownership
There's no doubt that choosing a home is a big decision and you want to do it right. As a buyer, here's what actually happens. A home has been placed on the market for which the seller has established an asking price as well as other terms. In effect, this is an offer. At this point, you have three choices: accept the seller's offer and create a contract; reject it and not make an offer; or suggest different terms and make a counter-offer. If you choose this last option, the … (3 comments)

Step 4: Decide What You Want - 01/24/12 12:10 AM
Step 4: Decide What You Are Looking For
Series: 10 Steps to Home Ownership
A good number of new and existing homes are sold each year. There's no shortage of housing options, but with so many choices the challenge becomes finding the property which best meets your needs.
The housing market is complicated because the stock of homes for sale is always in flux. If it were possible to have a complete list of every home for sale at this very moment in a given community, such a list would become obsolete as soon as it was created as new homes … (2 comments)

Why Should You Get Loan Pre-Approval? - 01/20/12 11:58 AM
Step 3: Get Loan Pre-Approval
Series: 10 Steps to Home Ownership
Few people can buy a home for cash. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nearly nine out of 10 buyers finance their purchase, which means that virtually all buyers -- especially first-time purchasers -- required a loan.
The real issue with real estate financing is not getting a loan (virtually anyone willing to pay lofty interest rates can find a mortgage). Instead, the idea is to get the loan that's right for you -- the mortgage with the lowest cost and best terms and that you feel comfortable paying.
… (1 comments)

Choose A Realtor - 01/16/12 08:14 PM
More than 2 million people in the United States have earned real estate licenses. However, real estate is a tough business with a steep dropout rate, and the result is that only a small percentage of those with licenses actively help buyers and sellers. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) includes 1 million brokers and salespeople, individuals bound together with a strong Code of Ethics, extensive training opportunities and a wealth of community information. NAR members are routinely active in PTAs, local government committees and a variety of neighborhood organizations. Being actively involved in community affairs provides realtors with a better … (3 comments)

Are You Ready?! - 01/12/12 01:15 PM
10 Steps to Homeownership Step 1: Are You Ready?


                    Knowledge and experience are the keys to successful real estate transactions. Another one of the keys to making the home-buying process easier and more understandable is planning. In doing so, you'll be able to anticipate requests from lenders, lawyers and a host of other professionals. Furthermore, planning will help you discover valuable shortcuts in the home-buying process. Do You Know What You Want? Whether you are a first-time home buyer or entering the marketplace as a repeat buyer, you need to … (3 comments)

Are You Keeping Up With Your Goals and Resolutions?! - 01/11/12 11:32 AM
I am sure with the New Year you made some goals. Have you looked back at the list and made sure you are actually working on accomplishing them? Have you looked at it and asked yourself about any of them? 
Almost two weeks into the New Year it is HIGHLY important to keep up and make sure your goals are on the path to success. Here are some things to keep in check:
1. Know your Blocks and Obstacles
"Ask yourself, what blocks and obstacles you will have to overcome to reach your goals. Take an inventory of your own self … (1 comments)

A 99c or FREE Solution to a Common DIY Problem! - 01/10/12 09:33 PM
There are so many times in which a DIY'er will run into this problem: A stripped screw! This can be the bane of your existance, a royal pain the tuckus, a stress factor, you get the point. 
There are many ways to handle stripped screws, but I like these best:

1. Get a hacksaw (99 cents) and cut into the the top of the screw to create a new groove.
OR
2. If you have some room to grab the screw, get pliers, squeeze tight and twist for a while.
OR 
3. Use a small piece of steelwool or the … (5 comments)

The Most Dangerous Room In YOUR House... - 01/09/12 08:11 PM
...is the kitchen. It can cause fires, electrical issues, plumbing issues, mold issues, etc. ALL IN ONE AREA. The kitchen is the hub of activity in most homes. It's where visitors gather for coffee, a likely site for junk drawers, and, of course, where food is prepared and often served. It houses heat, gas, water and everything that could cause problems. It's an inviting place but can also be a dangerous one, thanks to sharp utensils, open flames and searing heat within kids' reach.
RefrigeratorsThe fridge is cool and bright inside and contains all sorts of goodies. No wonder children like reach for … (4 comments)

January Remodel Calendar! - 01/06/12 08:02 PM
It's January! Time to start thinking about what you want to do to your house this year! Being that it is still the snow season here, I have compiled a list of things you can do to prep for remodel season and decide what you want/need to do!
Organize your home improvement files. Review warranties and product manuals to check on recommended maintenance for furnaces, equipment, appliances and tools. Mark your calendar to track scheduled upkeep and service. Inspect furniture, cabinets and vanities for loose knobs, pulls and hinges. Tighten or repair as necessary. Lubricate squeaky door hinges with lightweight machine … (0 comments)

Keep Your Emotions in Check - How To Negotiate Your Best House Buy! - 01/05/12 12:13 PM
Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you’ll pay less when purchasing a home.
When negotiating a house sale, for every concession you make, ask for something in return. Image: Westend61/Getty Images
 
Buying a home can be emotional, but negotiating the price shouldn’t be. The key to saving money when purchasing a home is sticking to a plan during the turbulence of high-stakes negotiations. A real estate agent who represents you can guide you and offer you advice, but you are the one who must make the final decision during each round of offers and … (6 comments)

Rent: High Deposits Explained. - 01/04/12 10:12 PM
If you’re renting and you wonder why the landlord charges a high security deposit, it could be because they’ve been burned by inconsiderate tenants who trashed rental units, moved out in the middle of the night or perhaps left an awful mess in what is considered an important investment by the owner.  Landlords don’t take too kindly to that, and often charge higher security deposits to cover the possibility of it happening again.  However, this is not the only reason landlords charge higher security deposits.
The main reason a landlord may charge more is if a tenant throws up red flags to the landlord during … (4 comments)

 
Final_headshot Rainmaker_large

Ben Blonder

Fort Collins, CO

More about me…

Broker/Owner, Kapital Real Estate Inc

Address: 153 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80524

Office Phone: (970) 797-2190

Cell Phone: (970) 420-6166

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog