Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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The biggies
I’ve found my perfect house, now what should I look at?
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What should I be looking at in a house is a common question I get from Colorado Springs home buyers. I always tell them if they 
like the neighborhood and the floor plan, then they need to look at the items that are going to cost them a lot of money. Here are the seven big items (and one smaller one) to look at.
- Roof - How does the roof look? Are there shingles missing? Look at the valleys in the roof. Are the shingles curling on the edges? Is there one or two layers of shingles? (or even 3 layers). This gives a general idea of whether the roof is going to need to be replaced in the next few years.
- Windows – Are they old? Do they need replacing? How is the wood around the windows? How well do the windows seal? Do they open, or have they been painted shut? Is there condensation between the panes of glass?
- Exterior siding or woodwork - Is it rotting or do pieces need replacing? Or does the exterior just need painting? If the house is stucco, do you see any major cracks in the stucco? If it’s vinyl siding; is the siding still in good shape? Read the rest of this entry »
Don’t let the big ticket items surprise you
Buying a home in Colorado Springs? Don’t forget about the big ticket items
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- Free local money for home improvements
- Federal Tax credit available for remodeling
Since I work with many first time home-buyers looking at homes in the Colorado Springs area, I really like to help educate them on what components of a house they should look closely at. Of course, real estate is and probably will always be about location, location, location. But once a buyer finds the perfect location and the perfect floor plan, then they should really focus on the condition of the house.
A qualified home inspector (see Appraisals and Inspections, 2 important steps for home buyers article) will help immensely with going through the major components of a house; but I still think it’s a good idea for potential buyers to have a mental check list of things they should be looking at. If a buyer knows up front that there are problems with the house, they can then keep that in mind when submitting their offer to the seller. My mantra………. an educated buyer can make better decisions.
What are the big ticket money items?
Here’s my list of the seven big items I think buyers should focus on:
- Roof - How does it look? Are there shingles missing? What type of roof is it? Is it shake shingle? Is it Woodruff? It is concrete? Are the shingles curling on the edges? Is there one or two layers of shingles, or even 3 layers? Can you see dips in the roof? Do you see any signs of water damage in the ceilings or on the walls? Read the rest of this entry »
When and why should I replace my furnace?
Buy or Selling a home in Colorado Springs? Check out the Furnace
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- Don’t forget about the Better Business Bureau
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- Preparing your home for a home inspection – Advice for Sellers
For a Free Market Analysis on Colorado Springs neighborhoods, email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
There are many things that are important when you go to buy and sell a house; but it’s crucial you understand the major components of 
a house and the related costs to replace them. Roofs, windows, heaters; all can run into major money. Since my hubby and I are planning on buying a Colorado Springs investment property this year, we’ve been putting together a list of contractors to use for major home components. Let’s start with some of the essentials.
What is the life span of a furnace?
The typical life of a furnace is appx. 20 years; but some furnaces last 25 to 35 years. One way to make sure it lasts even longer is to periodically have it serviced and change your furnace filter as recommended by the manufacturer. Think of it the same way you think of “an oil change” for you car. Preventative maintenance can definitely extend the life of the furnace.
Why would I replace the furnace?
If your furnace or boiler is older than 20 years, it may be good investment to replace it with a high-efficiency model with the guidance of a licensed contractor. Also, with the current energy tax credit Read the rest of this entry »
