You have decided to buy a new home in the metropolitan Denver Area.  You have a pretty good idea about how much you would like to spend. Now it’s just a matter of determining WHERE you’d like to live.  Denver offers a phenomenal choice of options in all price ranges.

1. Let’s start out discussing the kind of LIFESTYLE you would prefer.  Your options will include:

1. Selecting Family Homes
2. High Rise Condo’s
3. Town Homes
4. Patio Homes
5. Loft Living

2. Then narrow down a little more geographically by choosing between an urban setting or a suburban lifestyle or even a rural or mountain community…at this point you should have some feelings about what area(s) of town that might appeal you.  Some of that process will be predicated on your physical or directional needs, as well as more social situations.  You will want to consider factors such as:

1. Transportation Needs (Public and/or car)
2. Commute time to work, airport, regular functions
3. Distance to schools, church, health club, etc.
4. Access to shopping, restaurants and movies
5. Neighborhood parks, biking paths, libraries, post office, etc.

3. Old or new?  Do you enjoy an older neighborhood that:

1. Has an established track record
2. Is probably more centrally located
3. Has mature landscaping and charm

4. Schools

1. Do you prefer private or public schools?   Research test scores and visit the schools personally.

5. Area Crime Statistics

1. Check with the local police stations
2. Look at the type of crimes being commuted and review information going back a couple years to determine increasing or decreasing trends.

6. Homeowners Association Covenants- Cov’s have been written and recorded to protect the interests of the homeowners including their property rights (2), financial issues, and (3) architectural control.

1. As a buyer you may want to have your agent procure the last two HOA meeting notes to determine what actually is going on and if there are any new financial issues on the horizon.  At the end of the day, if the HOA has been doing its job, the marketability of the neighborhood will be enhanced and the individual home values will be reflected in the neighborhood pride of ownership.

7. After you’ve narrowed your focus to 2 or 3 neighborhoods you may want to walk the areas to get a better feel for demographics, any maintenance issues, is it quiet or noisy, and possibly chat with area residence.

• REMEMBER- When you are buying a home, you are also buying a neighborhood.

• There are really only 2 important factors when buying a new home:
            ○Is it meeting or exceeding your family’s physical and emotional needs and
            ○Do you feel it is a good investment for the future?

So, think long term when you choose a home, and the loan you obtain to finance it.

And always find a good realtor who you feel will be sensitive to your needs and desires, has the skills and experience to represent you appropriately and generally speaking is a good fit!

Steve Blank
CEO – Real Estate Libraries