Blog

Creating a space outdoors for yourself to enjoy is a vital part of making your home feel like home! Especially here in the Roaring Fork Valley, being able to enjoy the fresh mountain air and sunshine is one of the nicest gifts to give yourself. This week I am going to give you five tricks to making your outdoor space a beautiful sanctuary!
 

1. Add Some Greenery!

This is SO important if your outdoor area is just a flat yard! Add some extra foliage by planting a few trees and bushes. Make your yard pop with a flower bed or two, and add some color to your deck/patio with some potted plants. Not only will this add some life to your space, but it will also make you want to spend all of your time Quick read more or view full article out there!

2. Make It Private

For some of us, we have property that allows us space from other people and houses. But, not everyone has that luxury. For those of you with close neighbors, you can create privacy in a few different ways. Grab a privacy screen to hang from your patio, or create a "living fence" by planting trees and bushes around your desired area. If you already have a fence, spice it up with some new color, or add some vines to make it feel more natural!

Quick Tip: Hanging some outdoor curtains can be a great, budgeted, way to do this too!

3. Add Some Yard Art

Give your yard that personal touch by adding some yard art! Go bold with colors, or calming with simple pieces. While you can always shop online, I would suggest going local. Support your local artists and showcase their work in your space. Not only are you supporting the community, but this gives a story and a connection to your piece!

4. Make Yourself A Spot

No matter what you do to your sanctuary, make sure you have a spot to call your own. Maybe you plan to have a lot of meals outside and want to set up a table with chairs. Or perhaps you are more into relaxing out in your space—in that case, find a comfortable hammock or hanging chair. Regardless, give it your personal touch—make it your special spot.
 

5. Plant A Garden

Creating a small or medium-sized garden can be a very therapeutic experience. Maybe it is just a small herb garden, or a place to grow wildflowers. Or maybe you want to go all out with a vegetable patch. Regardless of what you choose, having a calming project to work on outside can be a very relaxing and beneficial thing.

Whether you live in a large open space or a town house with a small yard, creating your outdoor sanctuary can be a very rewarding experience. Make yourself a place where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful Colorado day!

Buying a house in one of the largest financial commitments you will make in your lifetime, which is why it's vital to make the right decision to fit your lifestyle and needs. When you are finally ready to sign the papers and move in, you want to be confident that you made the best choice! Below are the top 10 tips I like to tell people when they are looking into buying a home.

Your credit score is a vital number when it comes to the homebuying process. It will dictate your ability to get approved for a loan, your intertest rate, and, in certain circumstances can qualify you for certain purchases. This prompts the common question: What credit score do I need when buying a home? For some, it may even bring up the question, what steps do I need to take to improve my credit score? Find the answers to these questions and more below!

What Credit Score Do I Need As a Homebuyer?

The majority of lenders have a baseline credit score that they use to determine whether or not to accept a mortgage applicant. For many lenders, this baseline is Quick read more or view full article 680—and that is the lowest you want to have when applying for low interest rate. If you are hoping to get a really great loan and interest rate, a score in the 700's is what you want!

For most lenders, 700 and above is fantastic and will open up many poential doors for you, where as a score of 680 is considered adequate. If the credit score is anything lower that 660, that is when the buyer will run into trouble: high interest rates and possible rejection.

When a lender takes you on and gives you a mortgage, they want to know that you are good to pay it back. The higher your credit score, the more trustworthy you will seem to the lender.

Note: This information relates strictly to conventional loans. There are other ways to attain a mortgages, such as a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or a VA-backed loan. These methods do not require as high of a credit score and many will work with you even if your score is lower than 500.

What If I Have Bad Credit? Can I Still Buy a House?

For those whose credit score has dropped below the 500 mark, there is still an option avaialble: a subprime loan (aka 'bad credit home loan'). Many subprime loans have significantly higher interest rates than the options listed above (aka Prime Loans), and can have additional fees attached.

The option for homebuying is still open to you, however it will end up costing far more than it would if you had a good credit score and go with a conventional loan.

How to Improve a Bad Credit Score?

A credit score is not set in stone, and therefore, improving your credit score is do-able! One of the simplest remedies is to track your financial habits and make sure you are paying everything off on time (credit cards, student loans, car loans, ect.. ). See if there is anything you can pay down and/or try to settle any discrepincies found on your credit history.

There are many sites that will not only help you find your credit score, but will also give you tips on how to improve it. CreditKarma.com or Credit.com are great options!

Bottom Line

It is recommended to step back and take the time necessary to build up your credit score before applying for a loan. Not only will get better rates, but you will also save a lot of money in the long-run.

Note: For those that cannot wait and have to purchase with a bad credit score, refinancing is always an option in the future.

As you can see, this number will dictate a lot of your opportunities as a homebuyer. Start by checking your credit score and depending on what you discover, talk with a lending agent to find out your next step in the pre-approval process.