Tips for Making a Winning Offer on Your Dream Home

The Grand Junction real estate market is hot, hot, hot right now so if you're searching for a new home be sure to listen to this show! Dave and Robert discuss some tips for making an offer that will win you your dream home. Skim the list of tips below and listen to the show for all the details.

Tips for Making a Winning Offer on Your Dream Home

1. Mentally prepare for a marathon house hunt.
2. Don't drag your feet when you find the right home.
3. Consider using a well-known, local mortgage lender.
4. Do not offer your max pre-approved amount.
5. Don't put in a low ball offer!
6. Do not offer above the property's appraisal value.
7. Attach fewer contingencies to your offer.
8. But do NOT waive the inspection contingency!
9. Do not let outsiders sway your offer.

Market Update + 2017 Flooring Trends to Watch

Is the Grand Valley real estate market hot or not? Find out on today's show! Robert and Dave discuss market stats from April and what it means going into the month of May. They also discuss flooring trends for 2017. Check them out below and listen to the show to get Dave and Robert's opinion on which ones will stick around.

2017 Flooring Trends to Watch

1. Wood Flooring
2. Parquet Flooring
3. Wide Plank Flooring
4. Large Tile Flooring
5. Gray Colored Flooring
6. Espresso Colored Flooring
7. White Colored Flooring
8. Blonde Colored Flooring

What not to do when closing a home + closing terms to know

Congratulations! You're under contract on a home! On this show Robert and Dave talk about what not to do when you're closing a home. They also take on all those confusing terms and acronyms that you'll hear throughout closing. This show is a great listen for any homebuyer!

What Not to do when closing a home:

1. Make any big financial purchases or changes
2. Obtain a car lease
3. Switch jobs last minute
4. Have poor communication with your lender
5. Fail to communicate with your lender about large gifts from family or withdrawals from your IRA for a down payment

Closing terms to know:

• COE: "Close of Escrow"--the day you offically become a homeowner.
• EMD: "Earnest Money Deposit"--the funds the buyers put down to prove to the sellers they are making a serious offer.
• Contingencies: Certain criteria that must be met before closing on the home. If they are not met, a buyer may back out of the deal without losing their EMD.
• Title Insurance: Offers protection against any unexpected competing claims on the home.
• CD: "Closing Disclosure"--a document the buyer is required to receive three days perform closing. It summarizes the buyer's loan terms and all fees the buyer needs to bring to closing.
• Cash to Close: The total amount the buyer needs to bring to closing to seal the deal.
• Prorations: When certain fees and taxes are divided between the buyers and sellers, like property taxes. 
• Credits: These add wiggle room to closing costs to help cash-strapped home buyers seal the deal.

SOURCE: Realtor.com