Helpful Advice – Page 4 – The skinny on Steamboat Springs real estate.

16Dec 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

6 Ways to Avoid Costly Home Renovation Mistakes

Many of us are spending more time at home in 2020, which could mean having more time to take on home improvement projects. But home renovations aren’t just a way to fill time; you want the results to be worth the hard work. The key to any successful project lies in careful planning — including financial strategizing — long before the power tools come out. Roughly 3 in 5 American homeowners (61%) have taken on home improvement projects since March 1, 2020, spending $6,438, on average, according to an August 18-20 NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,414 homeowners. Whether you’re outfitting your home with a new office or classroom, or taking on long-intended improvements such as painting or installing new flooring, here are five tips to…

08Dec 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

Mortgage Denial Data Reveals How to Boost Your Approval Odds

Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK

Getting approved for a mortgage is never easy. Even with great credit and a big down payment, the process can be cumbersome. In 2020, the process has become even more difficult. Lenders have tightened standards in response to the economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic. Borrowers, hoping to buy a home while interest rates are super low, are finding it more difficult to get approved. Mortgage applications may be denied for several reasons — a down payment that’s too small or a credit history that’s too short or damaged, for example. And while more borrowers may face denials in 2020, those reasons are the same year after year. Examining 460,000 denied mortgage applications from 2019 paints a picture of the hurdles borrowers face and suggests how they can best prepare…

02Dec 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

10 Ways to Give Back to Our Local Community This Holiday Season

Helpful Advice

by olsonteam | Dec 1, 2020 This year has demonstrated, perhaps more than ever, the importance of our family, friends, neighbors, and community. It truly “takes a village” to keep a community functioning effectively, whether that’s by keeping our waterways clean, feeding the hungry, teaching our kids, or supporting small businesses. With the holidays right around the corner, December offers the perfect opportunity to give back to the place we call home. You might want to focus your efforts near home, expand to our larger community, or even help support the people closest to you. Whether you’re passionate about a particular cause or just want to get more involved in general, let these 10 ways, both big and small, inspire you to do good in your town. GIVE BACK NEAR HOME 1. Attract…

01Nov 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

The New Normal: A Strong Housing Market Expected to Continue into 2021

Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK

by olson team | Nov 1, 2020 “2020 will be known for a lot of things, and a record-breaking year for real estate will certainly be one of its more unexpected legacies,” prominent economist Daryl Fairweather said.1 And he’s right: most of us would have expected the housing market to suffer from circumstances like a once-in-a-hundred-years pandemic and historic inventory shortages. But, rather than a slowdown, we are continuing to experience a surprisingly robust real estate market across the country. And experts estimate that these conditions are likely to last well into the new year. Fannie Mae Senior VP and Chief Economist Doug Duncan predicts that existing home sales will ultimately “be up a percent or more in 2021.” He believes home prices will continue to rise due to limited inventory, but…

01Oct 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

5 Secrets Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Virtual Home Tours

BUYING AND SELLING REAL ESTATE, Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK

by olson team | Oct 1, 2020 For years now, virtual home tours have helped real estate buyers far and wide find the perfect home. From long-distance military personnel being relocated, to investors expanding their portfolio, to homeowners looking for a vacation getaway, this technology makes finding a house that’s a bit out of driving distance much easier. And for real estate agents, virtual tours have been a useful way to help buyers with their home search and to assist sellers in creatively marketing their listings. Because of the pandemic, virtual home showing options recently experienced a huge spike in popularity. One survey found that nearly 33% of recent home tour requests were for virtual tours, as compared to just 2% pre-pandemic.1 And it’s easy to see why. Buyers want to quickly find…

04Jun 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell Real Estate?

BUYING AND SELLING REAL ESTATE, Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK

Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, new listings fell nearly 45%, and sales volume fell 15% compared to last year.1 Fortunately, as restrictions have eased, we’ve seen an uptick in market activity. And economists at Realtor.com expect a rebound in July, August, and September, as fears about the pandemic subside, and buyers return to the market with pent-up demand from a lost spring season.2 But given safety concerns and the current economic climate, is it prudent to jump back into the real estate market? Before you decide, it’s important to consider where the housing market is headed, how it could impact your…

30May 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

6 Things Your Mortgage Lender Wants you to Know About Getting a Home Loan During Covid-19

BUYING AND SELLING REAL ESTATE, Helpful Advice, HOME BUYER HANDBOOK

By Lauren Sieben | May 28, 2020 Getting a mortgage, paying your mortgage, refinancing your mortgage: These are all major undertakings, but during a pandemic, all of it becomes more complicated. Sometimes a lot more complicated. But make no mistake, home buyers are still taking out and paying down mortgages during the current global health crisis. There have, in fact, been some silver linings amid the economic uncertainty—hello, record-low interest rates—but also plenty of changes to keep up with. Mortgage lending looks much different now than at the start of the year. Whether you’re applying for a new mortgage, struggling to pay your current mortgage, or curious about refinancing, here’s what mortgage lenders from around the country want you to know. 1. Rates have dropped, but getting a mortgage has gotten more complicated First, the…

21May 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

Take Advantage of Your Home Equity: A Homeowner’s Guide

Helpful Advice, SOTHEBY'S NEWS

Homeownership offers many advantages over renting, including a stable living environment, predictable monthly payments, and the freedom to make modifications. Neighborhoods with high rates of homeownership have less crime and more civic engagement. Additionally, studies show that homeowners are happier and healthier than renters, and their children do better in school.1 But one of the biggest perks of homeownership is the opportunity to build wealth over time. Researchers at the Urban Institute found that homeownership is financially beneficial for most families,2 and a recent study showed that the median net worth of homeowners can be up to 80 times greater than that of renters in some areas.3 So how does purchasing a home help you build wealth? And what steps should you take to maximize the potential of your investment?…

14May 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

#StayHome: How to Create Functional Spaces in Your Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Helpful Advice, Staying Sane During Covid-19

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many of us are spending a lot more time at home. We’re all being called upon to avoid public spaces and practice social distancing to help slow the spread of this infectious disease. While it can be understandably challenging, there are ways you can modify your home and your lifestyle to make the best of this difficult situation. Here are a few tips for creating comfortable and functional spaces within your home for work, school, and fitness. We also share some of our favorite ways to stay connected as a community, because we’re all in this together … and no one should face these trying times alone. Begin with the Basics A basic home emergency preparedness kit is a great addition to…

01May 2020 by Olson | Tolan Team Blog

20 Ways to Save Money and Stretch Your Household Budget

Helpful Advice

1 May 2020 by The Olson team These days, it seems like everyone’s looking for ways to cut costs and stretch their income further. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your household expenses without making radical changes to your standard of living. When combined, these small adjustments can add up to significant savings each month. Here are 20 things you can start doing today to lower your bills, secure better deals, and begin working toward your financial goals. Refinance Your Mortgage - For prime borrowers, mortgage rates are at or near historic lows. Depending on your current mortgage rate and the terms you choose, refinancing could save you a sizable amount on your monthly payments. There are fees and closing costs associated with refinancing, so…