Over 70% of the home searches begin with the internet. Most of the people searching for homes on the internet are younger, college educated, gainfully employed and very tech savvy. However, the same real estate internet portals are used over and over again. Typically, home searches will use the sites of the National Association of Realtors, the Real Estate company or the Real Estate agent’s site.If you use the National Association of Realtors site, it’s probably because they rank at the top after all they’re one of the biggest lobbying groups in the country. The second option is the real estate company site. Usually they promote their listings very heavily so you may not a true and accurate representation of homes available.If you’re working with a real estate agent and they directed you to their website, they have an IDX enabled website which allows you to view homes on the MLS. You will need to create a login with personal information and once you start looking at homes, the agent can see what homes you’ve viewed. It’s like big brother is watching everything you see and do.So where do you begin? Where can you search for homes with anonymously without having to fill out complex forms. Here are ways to search for Denver Real Estate for free:CRAIGSLISTThe best way to search for homes. Properties are listed by owners and real estate agents on a daily basis. They also have a RSS feed of their Denver home listings.GOOGLESimply search Google for the search terms “Denver homes” or “Denver real estate” and the first result you’ll get is a simple form to search Google Base, Google’s database of real estate listings.HOMES AND LANDIf you’ve ever walked in Downtown Denver, you’ve seen the multiple real estate magazines that are stored in magazine dispensers throughout the area. One of these magazines is Homes and Land.RECOLORADOIf you do a search for denver homes, in Google. One of the top listed results is http://www.recolorado.com brought to you by Metrolist, the MLS system that Denver uses. It should show you the most amount of listings.DENVER POST/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWSIn the old days real estate agents would post their listings in the newspaper. While this is an antiquated way of promoting listings, the Denver Post/Rocky Mountain News has an extensive list of homes available in their classified ads.Searching for a Denver home should be easy and accessible for everyone. While there are countless other ways to search for Denver Homes for free, these are the best.
Used Manufactured Homes – Tips for Finding a Quality Used Manufactured Home for Sale
The great thing about buying a used manufactured home is that, unlike a traditional home, it can be moved wherever you need it.There are many places to look for a used manufactured home. You can start with the classified ads, both ads in your local newspaper and online at sites such as Craigslist. If you are searching online, you can also check out eBay as well as sites specializing in mobile homes. You can also check your local yellow pages as many mobile home sales companies sell used as well as new homes.Searching for a used manufactured home is only part of the process. You also want to make sure you buy a good one.You need to determine the actual value of the mobile home. Since manufactured homes depreciate and lose value more quickly, you may find that the home is not worth the asking price. You can find the standard value of a particular brand, style and year of manufactured home by checking the Blue Book at your local public library. (You may have to ask a librarian help you obtain this information from another library.) You can also ask your local bank or manufactured home dealership for this information.Value is also determined by such add-ons as decks, garages, additional rooms and the like that can increase the value. Check with the local county appraisers offer to find out how the manufactured home property has been appraised for tax purposes.You also need to thoroughly evaluate the condition of the home. As manufactured homes age, they suffer from the same ills as traditional homes…wiring or plumbing problems, aging furnaces, and the like.The best way to do determine the value and condition of the manufactured home you are considering buying is by hiring an appraiser with experience in appraising manufactured homes. Check the yellow pages or ask your local bank for recommendations.By the way, if you are planning on keeping the manufactured home where it sits, you need to be approved by the mobile home park where the home is located. Make sure you do that before buying the home or you may find you need to move when you were not planning on it. Not only that, but check out the park itself as you may find that you actually do not want to stay that after all.
How to Manage a Vacation Home
Do you need itAbsolutely. I have a friend with a second home in Idaho. They have a beautiful home on a small ranch that is for Christmas and summers. Its a short hop from northern California and its a beautiful state with inexpensive land values. They got a lot of land, great views and space for a very affordable price….at least to us Californians!After being away from the ranch for most of the winter, the family arrived only to find that there had been a leak in the kitchen which had dripped for many months. Well, you can imagine the damage. The leak had wended its way from the P trap below the kitchen sink to flood the lino floors. It then slowly worked its way into the hallway and the floor boards of the first bathroom. The damage was extensive.The DamageFirst the lino had begun to lift up and the floor boards below were wet and molding. The lino had to be removed and the floor boards had to dry. Then a mold cleaner was professionally applied by a local company to be sure the family wasn’t exposed.Then the floor boards in the hallway had to be replaced because they were thoroughly wet and moldy. They would no longer lay flat and simply had to be pulled up and new boards laid down.The entire house had a wet damp smell that would not go away. A wonderful family experience was ruined because they did not have anyone watching the home during their long periods of absenceThe CureGet a property manager. There are companies that offer management for vacation homes. They do manage a little differently, because they are vacant for long periods and therefore they must be visited. Property management firms in rural or vacation areas have services designed to deal with the vacation homes special needs. In addition to all the general property management needs all properties require1. Find one that will visit the property bi weekly2. Be sure they will visit before and after all major storms to be sure the house is shuttered and that any damage can be assessed and taken care of immediately.3. Repairs: Be sure to have a cap on all repairs. Any major expenses should be approved and you should be sent receipts for any work done above the allowed amount. Try to keep the amount that does not need your approval below $750.003.Vacation Home Rentals: Vacation home property managers will manage holiday or off season rentals by the week or weekend. Some are set up to book rentals for you. You can expect some kind of revenue share or flat fee service, but it may be worth it.4.Be sure they will provide cleaning services and schedule maintenanceAnd Buy These ToolsCO MonitorA CO monitor will help you protect your family from the damaging effects of carbon monoxide and give you the peace of mind in knowing that you are doing your part to protect your family. Low prices on individual carbon monoxide monitors.They genreally run about $50 and can save a life. Having one of thesse in your second home is wise since the system may only be used for a few months a year and can become faulty without your knowledge.Water Shut Off ValveSophisticated water-sensor systems automatically shut off the water supply to a specific appliance or to the entire house when a leak is detected. Basically, they sense when the flow of water is high and will shut off the water to prevent a prolonged leak when no one is living there. Some can be installed by a home owner; for others, a plumber must install the special valves and an electrician must wire the sensors.Web Based Video CamsWith an internet based video cam installed in your vacation home, you can monitor for break ins and have piece of mind.Howard Bell for yourpropertypath.com