Ready to buy your first home in Colorado Springs in 2022? The Dream Big Home Team specialize in helping first-time home buyers like you find their dream property here!

Before you start searching for homes online, it's important to take the first step to house shopping: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Your pre-approval will tell you what you can afford and what your monthly payment will be, so it's important to determine this before you start searching for your new home.

Pre-approval is good for about 30-90 days, so once you're ready, take these first 3 steps to get it done.

  1.  Contact us, and I’ll send over a list of lenders I know and trust.
  2.  Look over the list, check out online reviews, and ask friends and family for…

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Tune in to the radio or watch TV in the evening and you’ll be bombarded with commercials offering incredibly low interest rates to refinance your home. These rates may sound enticing, and you may be wondering if it’s time to refinance your home loan. While refinancing can make financial sense in some situations, not everyone will benefit.

Most people consider refinancing to lower their interest rate. Even a slight change in the interest rate may add up to significant dollars over the life of the loan. When evaluating the new loan, remember to add in any additional costs. Ask if you will be responsible for closing costs or appraisal costs before jumping at a lower rate. The length of the loan is also important to review. Are you restarting the clock…

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As we continue to see unprecedented activity in the real estate market, buyers often find they are too late to offer on recently listed homes. For the serious homebuyer, this can be frustrating, often causing them to make last-minute plans to run out and view homes, interfering with work and home life.


As employees and businesses have shifted to virtual methods of meetings and interaction, it’s natural for real estate to make the leap as well. Yet, buying a home completely virtual demands a unique approach. It’s not enough to simply view a home tour on the listing or Skype walk-through with the agent.


Fortunately, with the right approach, it is possible to buy completely virtually and still get the right information to make the best decision…

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If you have your home on the market, it’s natural to want to create the perfect environment for potential homebuyers. This includes not only professional staging services but also time-honored tips like freshly baked treats and seasonal décor. As we transition from summer to the holiday season, however, it’s interesting to note that fall decorating is the least appreciated by home visitors.


The cinnamon scents and pumpkin-everything that greets the senses in stores and coffee shops can be overwhelming in a home environment. You may enjoy a nice cookie-dough candle, but many people don’t agree. A tasteful, welcoming fall wreath on the front door is fine, but in general, fall is a time best ignored by home sellers.


The holiday season can…

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Tight labor markets are affecting industries across the country. Skilled and unskilled jobs remain unfilled as employers struggle to find prospective employees. For anyone ready to hire a contractor or handyman to perform home improvement projects, this shortage is causing frustration. As more people embrace the “staycation” and seek ways to upgrade their homes, many are finding few tradesmen to even come to provide estimates, much less schedule the work.


If you are trying to find good people to help with home improvement projects, there are still a few ways to achieve your goals. Here are a few tips to help you find a professional to help with your project.


• Social Media – One great way to find reputable laborers is to ask for help from…

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An unexpected byproduct of the pandemic has been a booming housing market. As Covid-19 hit the country, the housing supply was already low, and the lockdown depressed the volume even more. As more homebuyers began looking for new homes, fueled by the ability to work-from-home and low interest rates, sellers have been experiencing a strong seller’s market.


As we end 2021, however, signs may start to point to a market slowdown. Interest rates are starting to rise, and the higher home prices have discouraged potential buyers from purchasing.

So, what does this mean for a seller this fall and winter? Amidst concern over the slowing market, sellers already in the market or considering listing their home should plan for a potential slowdown.

No…

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Saving money each month toward a long-term goal is increasingly difficult for most people. Even committed savers can get thrown off track when unexpected problems or opportunities arise. It can be difficult to envision how $200 a month can add up to a new home; the dream of homeownership continues to get pushed back in favor of more immediate needs.


For many of these potential homebuyers, their tax refund can be a big step forward in their saving goals. Received in a lump sum, a tax refund is easier to see as a meaningful dollar amount. The average IRS refund in 2019 was almost $3,000. This, added to an already growing savings account, can be a great bonus.


In addition to adding to your down payment fund, a tax refund can also be used to…

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Real estate offers a solid investment opportunity that can provide not only an income stream, but long-term value appreciation as well. It’s never too late to begin investing in real estate. Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, people will always need housing, so real estate will remain a good way to create wealth.

By understanding some of the basics of real estate investing, you can begin to create a successful investment plan.


• Start Now – Every market offers opportunities for buyers; there is no perfect time to get started.

• Understand the Risks – Before investing, you should be certain that you can hold the property until conditions are right to sell.

• Do Your Homework – Know the market and understand the trends which…

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Are you looking for a fun project that will add some pizzazz to your home – that doesn’t require a degree in carpentry? Before you leave your old furniture on the curb with a sign that says, “free to good owner,” here are 7 creative ideas that will revitalize that furniture and leave anyone feeling handy.


1. Rustic Planter – Enhance any backyard space by painting an old bedroom side table with a fun color, pull out the drawer, and use it as a planter.

2. Kitchen Island – No built-in island? Transform an old dresser by adding a custom countertop. The drawers will come in handy also.

3. Crib Appeal – We all need more storage. Take off one of the side rails of that old crib and add a piece of glass or butcher block on top to make a cool…

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Everyone dreams of living in a model home – a beautiful modern room with the perfect vase of flowers sitting decoratively on a glass side table. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work this way. Our homes tend to look more “lived in” with a pile of shoes by the front door, school books on the kitchen table, and cat hair on the sofa.

If you have your home listed for sale, then you also know the stress of looking around your home after a phone call requesting a showing with a few minutes’ notice. You want your home to show well so the buyers can see the beauty of the home you love, but with such short notice, how can you convert the lived-in look to a show-ready property?

Fortunately, there are a few tricks for helping you keep your home…

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