A quiet mountain town just 20 minutes north of Aspen, Snowmass Village has plenty to offer its residents besides skiing and snowboarding, with a gorgeous ice skating rink and adventurous climbing wall. It is a more child-friendly option than Aspen, making it an excellent place for families to settle.
Along with all the wonderful things which make Snowmass Village an ideal place to live, owning a home overall is beneficial in the long run. Financially, homeowners can build equity and maintain fixed costs, as the mortgage will not increase in price compared to rent, which typically experiences a yearly increase. On a fun note, owning your home means you have control over decorating and designing your home as long as all the proper permits are in place. My intention in creating this home-buying guide is to assist you and provide information on the different steps involved throughout the entire process.
Partnering with an agent
The Snowmass Village housing market is seeing a decrease in new listings for single-family homes and condos. Despite this decrease in inventory, there is an increase in signing new contracts for condos. Essentially, more people are falling in love with Snowmass Village and are not only moving in but staying. Finding a Snowmass real estate agent who is knowledgeable of the market alleviates the stress of researching current listings, especially in the tight housing market.
An agent supports you during the home-buying process with their knowledge of the area gleaned from either living there or nearby, along with their access to data regular home buyers do not possess. Agents build extensive networks to utilize knowledge from fellow realtors and connect with others involved in the home-buying process, such as home appraisers. Also, the best thing about working with an agent is that it comes at no cost to you, as the seller of the house typically splits the commission between their agent and the buyer's agent.
Financing a new home
Throughout the home-buying process, staying organized is essential due to the large amounts of paperwork and finances involved during the transaction. You can do a few things for yourself financially to ensure you fully understand what you can afford and your financing options. First, review your current expenses alongside your savings to see what you can afford for monthly mortgage payments and any necessary upkeep for the house. Then, check your credit by pulling credit reports, removing past-due accounts from your credit history, and paying outstanding collections. Reviewing your credit history and overall financial situation is crucial, as it eases the application process for services such as loan pre-qualification.
Searching, negotiations, and contracts
Searching for a new home is a process involving lots of emotions ranging from excitement to exhaustion. An agent provides support during these more challenging moments and will listen to you in order to fully understand what your future home needs to provide. You will have conversations with your agent about your important needs in a home, such as wanting to live near good schools for your kids or somewhere that has a fun nightlife.
Do not be afraid to ask questions and utilize your agent's knowledge of the area and the market. It could be something menial such as traffic patterns or more long-term considerations about the neighborhood's value. After considering your needs, your agent can provide listings that are best for you and help you with house tours, whether virtual or in-person.
Once you find your perfect home, you and your agent will place an offer which eventually evolves into a contract. Before signing and finalizing the contract, your agent will consult with you to negotiate the terms of the agreement, such as the best price for the house and the closing date. The negotiations happen either through the seller's agent or directly with the seller. After the talks, although it is not legally mandatory in all states, it is highly advisable to have a real estate attorney review the contract to ensure its legality and validity before signing. When the contract is signed, you can begin closing the house.
Closing
After you sign the contract, it is time to close on the home, which is when the final walkthrough is performed, along with a home inspection. A home inspection provides an opportunity to make sure everything is properly maintained as stated by the seller, including the electrical system and plumbing. If anything is out of place, it can be brought to the seller's attention and dealt with before finalizing the contract. During this time, you can also start the loan application process (or continue the application process if you were pre-qualified for a loan). At this point, once everything is inspected and accounted for, you will close on the home, then receive your keys and officially become a homeowner.
Finding the right agent for you
Overall, there are a variety of benefits to owning a home. With its snowy mountain peaks and fun, family-friendly activities, Snowmass Village is the perfect place for any family to call home. In the end, all anyone wants to do is find their dream home. However, the overwhelming stress of the home-buying process can make such a dream more difficult to obtain than it needs to be. Getting the necessary support when buying a home is one of the many reasons why having an agent at your side is vital. Agents can offer support and knowledge during one of the most meaningful stages in your life.
If you are looking for Snowmass homes for sale or a home in Aspen, then don't hesitate to contact me, Jill Shore, to help you find your future home. I have over 29 years of real estate experience, and after living in Aspen since the early 70s, I can provide the best services as the "matchmaker" between you and your future home. When you are ready to start, connect with me to take the first step on a beautiful journey.
