<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<title>Latest Articles by Lane Hornung</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/</link>
<description>Articles at ArticleTrader</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<item>
<title>First Time Home Buying</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/first-time-home-buying.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/first-time-home-buying.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the biggest questions regarding real estate is the need for a down payment. People who have purchased homes before know the ins and outs of the game and they know that a down payment makes the whole process much easier. A down payment of 20% not only gives you far more mortgage options but it also keeps the monthly payments lower and when purchasing a home for the first time that is a nice bonus to have. Owning a home is drastically unlike renting. Suddenly you become responsible for many more costs and labor that have never been your concern before. This is where many first times lose out, they fail to plan ahead for the costs that are unexpected, those ones that tend to crop up out of nowhere and catch them by surprise.<br><br>Here's the catch: getting a down payment together can be tricky. Life in this era is expensive and it can be a real challenge to save 20% of a huge purchase. Especially if you are paying off student debt or have other financial obligations. That being said, financing 100% of a home can be an enormous undertaking and without a down payment your home options will be severely limited. In trying to arrange a down payment for a new home it's a good idea to try to take care of any outstanding credit concerns before applying for a mortgage. Your credit is a major factor in determining your eligibility for a loan. Any negative marks on your report can decrease the amount you are eligible for and serious marks can disqualify you entirely. Try to have your debts paid off before you apply for funding, it sounds difficult but it will benefit you in the long run. <br><br>Be wary of mortgage offers that sound too good to be true, most of the time they are. Educate yourself on the types of mortgage loans that are available and decide on which one suits your needs and your ability to pay. Remember to leave excess money available for the unexpected costs as well. Take the time to prepare yourself for home ownership and hopefully there will not be too many surprises.<br /><br />--<br />Lane Hornung & the team at <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com">Colorado Real Estate</a> are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/search-mls.php">homes & properties in Colorado</a>. For the best in real estate service in Colorado contact Lane & the team today.<br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
</item><item>
<title>Selling Your Home in the Winter Months</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-your-home-in-the-winter-months.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-your-home-in-the-winter-months.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ With a highly competitive home sales market, there are certain times of year when selling a home can become more difficult. Weather can be a definite concern when you are trying to showcase your home's best qualities. In some areas of the country it is necessary to deal with snow, sleet and a lot of rain during the sale. Staging a home does not change a lot during the winter but there are definitely some concerns that need to be addressed, mostly dealing with the exterior. <br><br>When selling your home in adverse weather conditions you must always consider the safety of your viewers. This is especially important if these is snow. Take some time each day to ensure that people viewing your home will be able to safely make it to and from the front door. Start by ensuring that all walkways and the driveway are clean and clear of snow and ice. It might be good practice to keep some rock salt or de-icer on hand to spread on the walks throughout the day. Next make sure that there is no overhanging snow or ice on the roof that could slip off and impair the walk or land on a prospective buyer. It is extremely important to make the exterior of your house as inviting as possible if you want buyers to come looking in bad weather.<br><br>This is also true for the interior. Try to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that buyers will feel comfortable in and want to stay in for as long as possible. Fireplaces are a great tool for this, so if you have one keep it lit. If the home is warm and pleasant it will looked upon favorably as it will show how nice the home can be on cold days. Another thoughtful touch would be to supply plastic booties for viewers to slip over their shoes. This saves them the time of having to remove their shoes. It may not seem like a big thing but if they are viewing several homes in a day, removing their shoes again and again can be a bit of a pain. Remember, it's the little things that stand out to home buyers; so if you go the extra mile it will be appreciated.<br /><br />--<br />Lane Hornung & the team at <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com">Colorado Real Estate</a> are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/search-mls.php">homes & properties in Colorado</a>. For the best in real estate service in Colorado contact Lane & the team today.<br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
</item><item>
<title>Getting The Right Representation: Selling</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/getting-the-right-representation-selling.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/getting-the-right-representation-selling.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Finding the right representation when selling your home can be a job in itself. There is such a remarkable number of agents and other methods of selling your home these days, how can you be sure that you choose the right one? Hopefully this article will give you some good basic info that will assist in the choice. Essentially you have two basic choices, selling the home yourself or using a realtor. <br><br>Selling your home yourself is a dicey choice at best. You will not be able to match the level of service that's provided by a realtor. The home sales process is a complicated one, its also a full time job, so if you have a job yourself, then you will not be able to dedicate the necessary time to your sale. Also you cannot equal the amount of advertising and media coverage that a realtor can provide. This is possibly the most important aspect of a sale, letting people know that the home is available and all the wonderful assets that it has. If it's not general knowledge that your home is for sale then the chances of it selling are severely limited. <br><br>A realtor can provide all these things and more, but with so many realtors available; how can you be sure you have the right one? Hiring a realtor is like conducting a job interview. The successful candidate will have all the right skills to do the job in a timely and professional manner. Don't be afraid to ask the agents what they will do to sell your home, in detail. The more comprehensive their business plan, the better your home's chances of selling. Look for a well developed marketing plan and be sure that they are available and reachable at all times. In choosing a representative for your home its essential to have someone with a good reputation and track record. Never hesitate to ask for references and be wary of someone who can't or seems reluctant to provide them. References are the hallmark of a good agent and are a real indication of their ability. <br /><br />--<br />Lane Hornung & the team at <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com">Colorado Real Estate</a> are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/search-mls.php">homes & properties in Colorado</a>. For the best in real estate service in Colorado contact Lane & the team today.<br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
</item><item>
<title>Finding The Perfect Colorado Home</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-the-perfect-colorado-home.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-the-perfect-colorado-home.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Few places in the nation are able top offer the stunning scenery and recreational options that are provided by Colorado. This state has long been known for its amazing sporting and recreational areas, especially the ones that come alive during the winter months. Colorado is a haven for lovers of snow sports and area such as Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail have gained notoriety around the world as top-class resorts and destinations. But Colorado is much deeper than a few ski resorts, this state is a fantastic place to live and work. With a thriving economy and excellent employment opportunities, Colorado is taking it's place as one of the premier spots to live in the nation. <br><br>There are quite a few elements that have contributed to Colorado's appeal, primarily is the excellent economy that is supported by a well educated work force. Colorado public schools are highly rated and feed into a post-secondary system that includes such notable schools as The University of Colorado, Colorado State and the United States Air Force Academy. The highly educated nature of this area has served to create a economic base that is both stable and looking to the future. Colorado is known for its tourism industry but this state is also a power in the manufacturing industry and many of the nation's top defense and aeronautics producers are headquartered here such as Lockheed-Martin. <br><br>There is a fantastic selection of homes in Colorado. The economic development of Colorado has helped to foster a boom in the housing industry, thereby creating a great atmosphere for home purchases. Whether you are looking for a home, condo, townhome or investment property, there will be little trouble in finding what you want in Colorado. If you are seeking a quiet and serene place to live where you have a variety of lifestyle options from active to more relaxed then Colorado is a state that you should seriously consider.<br /><br />--<br />Lane Hornung & the team at <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com">Colorado Real Estate</a> are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/search-mls.php">homes & properties in Colorado</a>. For the best in real estate service in Colorado contact Lane & the team today.<br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
</item><item>
<title>Selling Your Colorado Condo</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-your-colorado-condo.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-your-colorado-condo.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The art of selling a condo in Colorado is much the same a a typical home sale with a few differences. The process of creating curb appeal is much more centralized in the case of a townhome style condo and virtually non existent in a high-rise or low-rise situation. One bonus to this is that fact that it frees up a large amount of time for you to spend on detailing the interior of your condo. Hopefully the building management will keep up the exterior, keeping it clean and attractive to buyers. It is, of course in their best interest to do so. <br><br>Creating a good selling environment is all about proper utilization of the available space. As most condos are smaller than the average home, maximizing the available space is critical. It is very important to keep clutter and mess out of view, and preferably out of the condo. Another good idea is to have as much information as is available about the building and management for the visitors benefit. Buyers will be more confidant about purchasing your condo if they know about the people and companies involved in the day to day operations of the complex. <br><br>Like any home, your condo should be clean and staged appropriately for the sale. Make sure any architectural features that are desirable are featured prominently. Condos, especially high-rise condos have a visual/view element that can be played upon heavily. If there is a balcony make sure that is too is organized and uncluttered. Also ask your realtor if there are any little things that you can do to improve the show quality of your condo. You never know what will catch someone's eye, so try to cover all the bases!<br /><br />--<br />Lane Hornung & the team at <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com">Colorado Real Estate</a> are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/search-mls.php">homes & properties in Colorado</a>. For the best in real estate service in Colorado contact Lane & the team today.<br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
</item><item>
<title>Recreation in Colorado</title>
<link>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/recreation-in-colorado.html</link>
<guid>http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/recreation-in-colorado.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Its really no secret that Colorado is the spot where America comes to play in the winter. If you are interested in snow sports on any level, then colorado is the place you need to be when the white stuff comes. The famous mountains in Colorado have also got a thriving real estate industry that soared to new heights as the demand for homes and vacation cabins and condos is higher than ever before. <br><br>Colorado has long been known for some of the finest winter resorts in North America, Vail, Aspen, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge to name a few, and the Rocky Mountains are jammed with other smaller resorts and facilities. Skiing and snowboarding take the limelight in alpine areas that are world famous. But there is much more than these to catch the interest of winter sports fans. Any sport that you could imagine is available in Colorado, from nordic skiing, & snowmobiling, to ice fishing & ice climbing. <br><br>Because of the phenomenal recreation options, Colorado has become a popular choice for a second home or a condo. One of the nice plusses to a home in the mountains is the fact that you will never have trouble in finding renters to help pay the bills in the times that you are not using the home. Of course there are quite a number of people who end up making this area their year-round home. During the summer, Colorado is spectacular and boasts a whole new range of recreational options. <br><br>Colorado is simply perfect for anyone who enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle. It really does not matter which season it is, there is never a shortage of things to do. And the resorts in Colorado also offer a nightlife that is unmatchable. With great amenities and shopping, cultural events like the Sundance Film Festival and year-round sporting events, the lifestyle is good in Colorado. You just may buy a second home here and end up selling the first one. <br /><br />--<br />Lane Hornung & the team at <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com">Colorado Real Estate</a> are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/search-mls.php">homes & properties in Colorado</a>. For the best in real estate service in Colorado <a href="http://www.coloradoshomes.com/contact.php">contact Lane & the team</a> today.<br><br>Source: <a href="http://www.articletrader.com/">http://www.articletrader.com</a> ]]></description>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>
