House Hunting in Colorado Springs: What Not To Do
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Dec 04, 2010 - When hunting for a new Colorado Springs home, there are some actions you may want to avoid in order to successfully scrutinize the properties you are viewing. In order to guarantee smooth scouting, try to avoid the following:
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is attending a viewing by yourself. Regardless of the safety factor, going it alone may be a waste of time. "A qualified Colorado Springs real estate agent will be able to trim your list down significantly, ruling out homes that don't match your criteria," says Joe Clement, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Properties, Inc.. Additionally, if a seller thinks you are unrepresented, you may be setting yourself up to be taken advantage of. "You don't want to lose your bargaining leverage. Always view a home with your Realtor," says Clement.
Avoid taking separate cars on lengthy buyer's tours, adds Clement. "If you're house-hopping, meet your Realtor at a set location and hop in with him or her. This avoids possible separation, and you can use the time to provide your agent with feedback on what you've just seen." Feedback is crucial to the process so that you can convey your likes and dislikes with your representative. "The more they understand what you want, the better homes they can find for you that match your buying criteria," says Clement. "Don't ever be afraid of offending your Realtor: by being honest, you'll be saving your Realtor -- and yourself -- lots of time in the long run."
Though honesty is the best policy, avoid being too vocal at open houses. You never know when sellers will be lurking around the home. "In a multiple-offer scenario, you never know what could work against you" Clement says. Be open with your Realtor, but do so once you are in the safety of your own vehicle -- not in public when surrounded by other open ears.
Don't hesitate to look in closets and drawers. For houses that you're really interested in, leave no spot unturned. Rifle through cupboards and drawers and really investigate everything the property has to offer. Don't feel bad by being nosey. This information will be important later when comparing the different homes you've seen. If you know right off the bat that it isn't the home for you, skipping the smaller details might make sense for you.
Viewing properties is a fun and exciting time for soon-to-be homeowners, however, there is a formula for success. For more information or tips for efficient house hunting, please contact a Colorado Springs RE/MAX Properties, Inc. real estate agent today.
RE/MAX Properties, Inc. has been the number one residential real estate brokerage in Colorado Springs since 1989. The company has 230 full-service professional Broker Associates that service all areas of Colorado Springs and surrounding areas in addition to relocation clients worldwide. The four RE/MAX Properties, Inc. locations are open seven days a week. More information can be found online at www.HomesColorado.com.
RE/MAX Properties, Inc. is proud to bring some cheer into
homes across Colorado Springs this Christmas with their first "Giving Tree" project
to benefit CASA kids across Colorado Springs.
The real estate agents in all three locations ¾ Monument, North, Downtown and
South ¾ will be buying gifts and
toys chosen from the suggestions on the Christmas tree ornaments to be
distributed to many foster families across the city. Donations of gift cards from Target and
Wal-Mart are also encouraged. Gifts
cards, gifts and toys will be picked up at each location on December 15th
and then taken to the CASA offices where volunteers will display the items so
that the foster parents can "shop" for gifts for their foster children to open
Christmas morning. 
