I want to live in a high rise; what should I look for?

When you're looking for a new home, especially in downtown Denver, you have a lot of decisions to make. A common building type is a high rise condominium building, and there are many things you should keep in mind when you start the home shopping process.

You've done the math and realize just how much of your income goes to rent. It's finally time to buy a house.

You're not alone. More millennials than ever are turning to homeownership. 

But in order to buy a house, more likely than not you'll need a residential mortgage. Follow these tips to ensure you get your application approved first time around.

1. Understand your own credit report

Checking your credit report before you even visit the bank or lender is the first step in qualifying for a mortgage.

Are you getting ready to shop for your first house? Do you have questions or concerns about how to navigate the home buying process? Our First-Time Home Buyers Guide will help you sort out all the elements of the home buying experience.

There is a lot to consider when home shopping. It's easy to make mistakes if you aren't familiar with the process.

We've put together a list of some common first-time buyer mistakes, and how you can avoid making them.

Buying your first home can seem overwhelming. But if you break it down step-by-step, the process will become much more clear and less anxiety filled. Our First Time Home Buyers Guide walks you through the process, and the information below helps you start thinking about the process at hand.

Viewing more than one home a day with your Usaj Realty broker? Use our friendly checklist to help you keep track of your favorite features. From cook tops to fenced in backyards to finished basements, it's easy to get mixed up. Take photos and use our helpful house hunting checklist to remind you of all the "must haves" you desire in your dream home while taking tours. Cross off the homes that don't make the cut and be sure to make note of neighborhood vibes and overall ambiance. Be sure to jot down the necessary repairs and needed upgrades and finishes. 

Let’s be clear about something -- buying a house isn’t for the faint of heart.

Yes, it’s exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time. For most people, it will be the biggest purchase of their lives. It goes without saying, you want to make sure you’re making a solid investment, regardless of how long you’re planning on staying in the home.

And once you close, you’re suddenly committed to this huge expenditure. Before you sign those closing papers, better yet, before you even start your search, it’s critical to consider some issues that will help solidify your intent to buy a home that you'll truly love for a long time.

Making an offer on a home and getting under contract is one of the last, but probably the most important, steps in home buying. Having a knowledgeable real estate broker by your side is critical in knowing the true value of a home and what should be included in the contract. Many times, the buyer and seller will go back and forth not only on price but on other aspects of the potential sale. Below are some line items that can be negotiated by a realtor on behalf of their client during the home buying process:

Avoid these new home construction pitfalls before venturing into buying in Denver.

So you’ve finally decided to buy a new construction home in Denver. Congratulations!

Whether it's a detached single family home or a newly constructed condo, this process is incredibly exciting but it can also feel overwhelming at times. There are so many decisions to be made, from the community you select, lot size and configuration, home finishes and the upgrades to the financing. Before you make any decisions in regards to your new home, take a step back and learn from the missteps of others before you.

You can’t ask enough questions when it comes to buying a “brand new” home. Unfortunately, when you don’t take the time to consider the bigger picture, you are often left frustrated and end up paying more money than what was necessary. It's always a good idea to have a real estate agent by your side helping you through this process, regardless of whether the home is brand new or decades old.

Denver has over 100 neighborhoods and that can make it a little tricky narrowing down where you want to live, especially if you are not familiar with the Mile High City. Inspired by 5280's recent report on the 25 Best Neighborhoods in Denver, we wanted to expand on their top picks to show you homes for sale in each neighborhood as well as market data for 2019.

It’s no surprise that obtaining homeowners' insurance is a requirement of mortgage lenders when going through the home buying process. What may be surprising is the amount of detail that goes into adequately covering your home. It’s important to make sure you have adequate coverage on your home in the event of any property damage.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, six percent of insured homes had a claim in 2017. Property damage, including theft, accounted for 98.1 percent of those claims. Changes in the percentage of each type of homeowners loss from one year to another are partially influenced by large fluctuations in the number and severity of weather-related events such as hurricanes and winter storms. Wind and hail damage, followed closely by water damage and freezing, are the most frequent types of claims.