Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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Financing options for Colorado Springs Military — VA Loans are the best!
Are you a military member or a veteran?
Are you moving to Fort Carson? Schriever AFB? Peterson AFB? Air Force Academy?
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- How do I get a down payment for Homes in Colorado Springs?
- Credit score explanation
- Financial Do’s and Don’ts
- Local lenders vs. a National lender
With your VA Guaranteed Home Loan benefit you can still obtain a loan with no down payment and a fixed interest rate that is as good as or better than a conventional mortgage rate. Let’s start with some of the basics about VA loans.
What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?
Some people have the misconception that the military is the organization loaning the money. Not true. Your VA Guaranteed Home
Loan will be made by a private lender, such as your bank or a mortgage company of your choosing that has VA lending approval.
The guaranty means the lender is protected if you fail to repay the loan. This is also why you will not have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). Normally, a lender would require a down payment and/or PMI to obtain a loan.
For even more facts about VA Guarantee Home Loans in Colorado Springs, go the web site for the United States Department of Veteran Services.
You still must meet loan requirements
If there are items in your credit history that are derogatory, you can be denied a loan even though you have your Certificate of Eligibility. The VA cannot demand a lender make a loan to you that would violate their lending practices.
Lenders also must comply with the VA rules and policies when it comes to income and credit standards. Just having the benefit is not enough, you must be credit worthy and have the correct debt to income ratios.
Is a VA Appraisal the same as an Inspection?
No, these are not the same thing. Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs open house, Saturday July 24th, 12:00 – 3:00pm
Colorado Springs Open House
Saturday, July 24th, 12:00 -3:00m
1348 Atoka Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80915
For more Information, Contact Kathy Torline, 719-287-1049
Tax Credit for military personnel
Tax Credit for military personnel
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- Moving to Colorado Springs, check out Zip Skinny
Military families stationed at Fort Carson, Peterson AFA, Schriever AFA, and the U.S. Air Force Academy and other military installations in the Colorado Springs Since Colorado Springs will be glad to learn that 
the First Time Home Owner Tax Credit has some wonderful additional benefits for the military. Here’s some of the highlights:
- Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Foreclosure – December Pick
Colorado Springs Foreclosure Pick of the week
Search for Foreclosures in Colorado Springs
Related Article: Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what’s the difference?
My pick of the week is in Falcon Highlands, east of Colorado Springs, on 11006 Birch Hollow Way. Falcon is only a short commute to Schriever AFB, and Peterson AFB.
It includes over 4800 square feet, with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a 3 car attached garage, priced at less than $300,000.
If you are looking for a BIG house at reasonable price in Falcon; then this is the property for you. The property was built in 2007/2008; by John Laing; but was never finished as John Laing went into Bankruptcy.
The house has a great floor plan, with lots of room to expand in the 2500 square foot basement.
The upsides….. large attached two car and one car garage, laundry on the same level as the bedrooms, open floor plan, separate dining space, main floor office, newly built; never lived in. Plus it’s on over 1/2 acre lot. The downsides ………….. no landscaping, no window coverings, and no floor coverings, except in the kitchen and bathroom.
The description in the MLS Says: “Newly finished former popular Clayborn floorplan includes slab granite counters, upgraded Whirlpool appliances, and hardwood floors in the entry and kitchen / eating nook. Kitchen offers a gas cooktop, double oven, and breakfast bar. This spacious rancher has a great room, main level laundry, convenient mud room, 3 car garage, and unfinished basement with plenty of room to expand. Living spaces flow with ease from one to another, and home has a functionality that all will appreciate!”
6 Key things to know about the Homeowners Assistance Program for Military families
HAP program updates
Related Post: Housing relief for military families in Colorado Springs
I have a client I’m assisting with getting qualified for the HAP program and have already written one blog about this; but as new details continue to become available, I thought it would be a good idea to update my readers.
Military families stationed at Fort Carson, Peterson AFA, Schriever AFA, and the U.S. Air Force Academy 
and other military installations in the Colorado Springs area will be glad to learn they may now be eligible for relief for their housing challenges. The program is called the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), and is administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. For military personnel in Colorado Springs, the main contact is US Army Corps on Engineers in Fort Worth.
HAP Field Office, Fort Worth
U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Worth
P.O. Box 17300
Ft. Worth, TX 76102-0300
817-886-1112
888-231-7751HAP
The official guidelines for the program are expecting to be released within the next 60-90 days and already the counselors for our area indicate they have many applications waiting.
According to the web site, here are some of the requirements:
1. Permanent reassignment requires move of more than 50 miles. Read the rest of this entry »
Peterson AFB housing, what are my choices?
Must Read Posts: Relocating, it’s all about the schools
When relocating to Peterson AFB or Schriever AFB, there are many neighborhoods to choose from including the Powers Corridor on the East Side of town, Falcon/Peyton also on the east side of town as well as the Marksheffel area. Commute times vary from 10-35 minutes from these areas.
Search for Homes for Sale Near Peterson AFA and Schriever AFA
Powers Area in East Colorado Springs
As Colorado Springs continues to grow farther east, the homes on Powers Blvd are becoming more and more popular. It has the city’s largest concentration of retail shopping, restaurants and entertainment; and new restaurants and shopping continues to be added. Commuting from Powers takes 10-25 minutes. Some of my favorite neighborhoods include Stetson Hills, Indigo Ranch, and Springs Ranch.
Falcon and Peyton
Falcon and Peyton are two of the upcoming and growing neighborhoods in the Colorado Springs area. Read the rest of this entry »
