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Author: Leslie Beck

With over a decade of experience, Leslie leads Lark Realty Group with a focus on client-centric service and community involvement in Denver's real estate market.

Three Home Buying Myths You Need to Know

If you’ve been thinking about buying your first Denver home, chances are you’re getting tons of advice from everyone you mention it to. It can be pretty overwhelming which is why I want to share 3 home buying myths you need to know if you’re considering homeownership. These will help debunk some of the things you may be hearing from people who want to give their advice from the kindness of their hearts but probably aren’t professionals.

Myth #1: You Have to Put 20% Down to Purchase a Home 

This could be the biggest home-buying myth of all time! Putting a minimum of 20% down on a house does have some financial benefits but it isn’t required.

There are several options when it comes to financing your home so you’ll want to meet with a local lender to discuss these options before jumping head first into the process.

There are loans that require as little as 3% down as well as resources for buyers struggling with down payment money and first-time home buyer programs.

Myth #1 Tip: Do not get pre-approved from an online lender. Find someone local who you can actually sit down with, understand your options and make the best decision for your financial future.

Myth #2: It Doesn’t Matter if I Don’t Have a Real Estate Agent

Some buyers prefer not to commit to working with one specific agent and therefore they don’t take advantage of hiring a buyer’s agent to help them with their home purchase. This means they’re on their own for scheduling showings, be alerted of new listings and when it comes time to negotiations, they won’t have anyone working in their best interest.

This is not a great combination because it can prevent you from getting an Accepted Offer on the house you really love because you haven’t been educated on the market or how quickly you need to make a move. It could also result in you losing money or overspending because you don’t have anyone negotiating on your behalf. I don’t know about you but if I’m buying my first house or any house for that matter, that does not sound like a situation I want to be in.

Myth #3: Wait Until “Spring” to Start Looking For Homes

Real Estate Agents hear this ALL. THE. TIME. I want to share why you shouldn’t wait for a specific time of year to start your home search, especially Spring.

There is less competition when you’re not in the prime months for buying and selling real estate. Buying in the “off-season” could save you money because there are fewer buyers out which means less potential competition when writing an offer. It’s best to start your home search when you are ready rather than waiting for a certain time of year. There are always new listings coming on the market and you could be missing your perfect house if you want to start your search until a specific time of year.

If you’re considering homeownership, you’re already ahead of the game by knowing about these 3 myths. Your next step should be to sit down with a local Real Estate Agent who can go over the entire process with you and set you up for success.

1313 E 17th Avenue

Location, location, location! Welcome to your urban condo in the heart of Denver. Conveniently located in the City Park West neighborhood this beautiful loft-like home is perfect for the Colorado active lifestyle. Walking in, you are greeted with acid-washed concrete floors, exposed brick walls and ductwork, offering a modern feel. Entertaining is easy with this open concept layout and updated kitchen that is adjoined to your private patio with recently stained deck. This alluring home includes a decorative fireplace, in-unit laundry and ample storage for all of your outdoor toys. Leave your car parked in your off-street dedicated parking space and get outside! Walkability and location are key when living the Denver life… walk or roll to the bustling area of Uptown restaurants, shops, coffee houses and breweries. You are minutes away from downtown Denver, the Medical Complexes, City Park, and Denver Botanic Gardens. Snatch up this condo today and immerse yourself into city living!

12352 W Nevada Place Unit: 302

Location, location, location! Maintenance free living at its finest with this FHA approved condo in the Green Mountain community that is conveniently located to shopping, restaurants, trails, the foothills, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Bear Creek Lake Park, and the quaint town of Morrison. Easy commute to 6th Ave., C470, and Downtown Denver. This 3rd floor condo, with no one above you, offers vaulted ceilings, natural light and a balcony with storage closet for your outdoor toys, letting you enjoy the Colorado lifestyle. The living room features a wood burning fireplace for those chilly nights, while the kitchen opens up toward the dining nook and balcony for easy entertaining. Two bedrooms provide the option for having a home office, don’t miss the walk-in closet in the primary bedroom! Natural light streams throughout, and with in-unit laundry included, you are set to get outside and explore on the weekends. Furnace installed 2019, new refrigerator 2020, newer laminate flooring. Affordable living and a low HOA makes this an ideal place to call home!

8225 Fairmount Drive Unit: 203

Welcome home to this lovely top-level corner condo, ideally located in Woodside Village! The condo offers natural light with a skylight and south facing balcony with storage closet for your outdoor toys, letting you enjoy the Colorado lifestyle! The open living room features a wood burning fireplace for cozy winter evenings and flows to the dining nook for easy entertaining. Enjoy ample space in the primary bedroom, large enough for a king-sized bed, and the walk-in closet that is perfect for all of your seasonal clothes. This bedroom includes a full en-suite bath with tub to soak and relax at the end of the day. A secondary bedroom opens to the large balcony and is ideal for family, guests or a home office. Across the hall is an additional full bath. With in-unit laundry included, you are set to get outside and explore on the weekends. Your new home includes 1 parking space conveniently located right outside of the condo and plenty of guest parking. The exterior of this building, number 5, was recently painted and the interior has been freshly painted and professionally cleaned, it’s move-in ready and FHA approved! Just minutes to the High Line Canal trails, Lowry Town Center with shopping and restaurants, Lowry dog park and Common Grounds golf course. Schedule your showing today so you can spend your summer by the community pool!

2280 Geneva Street

With summer right around the corner, this move-in ready home has all you need to enjoy outdoor entertaining, Colorado style! Featuring a covered patio, oversized landscaped backyard and beachy firepit space, you will have endless options for fun. This adorable home features a lovely sunlit living room and adjacent dining nook that flows into a well-appointed updated kitchen. Here you will find brand-new stainless-steel appliances including a gas range, stunning marble countertops and subway tile backsplash. The main floor conveniently has 3 bedrooms and 2 updated full bathrooms. Downstairs you will find the brightly finished basement, ideal for movie nights or binge watching your favorite shows with a built-in movie screen! There is ample space to create a dedicated home office or gym. With an the oversized detached 2 car garage and separate storage you will have plenty of room for your seasonal toys. Recent updates include a new furnace, water heater, new carpet, and tile floors. You can’t beat this prime location with a quick bike ride to Stanley Marketplace, Moorhead Park and Recreation Center or hop on the light rail for a speedy arrival to downtown or the airport. Don’t miss this gem!

7882 Sweet Water Road

Start your day with coffee and watching the sunrise from your front porch! When you enter this move-in ready Lone Tree home your eye is drawn up toward the vaulted ceilings and light filled rooms. The updated kitchen with custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances is ideally located for entertaining either in the formal dining room or the breakfast nook. The family room features a cozy gas fireplace and flows out to the lush and private backyard with pergola. Upstairs you’ll find the primary bedroom with 5 piece-bath and expansive walk-in closet, two generously sized bedrooms a dual vanity guest bathroom and an open loft perfect for a home office! Descend to the garden level basement for movie watching and entertaining with the built-in oak wet bar! One additional bedroom with en suite and large walk-in closet makes this a perfect space for guests. Don’t miss the 3 bay garage with convenient backyard access. This home is nestled back in The Charter subdivision which allows its residents access to The Cook Creek Pool, nearby South Suburban Recreation center with a pool and gym, Link on Demand and walking trails right outside of your home. Highly rated elementary school is within walking distance. Conveniently located near the light rail, Park Meadows Mall, Restaurants and Lone Tree Golf Club.

7887 Sweet Water Road

Elegance, warmth and beauty are what you feel when entering this gorgeous Lone Tree home. Soaring 20ft ceilings with wall of windows greet you with an abundance of natural light and the curved staircase takes you to the private retreat of upstairs bedrooms. This home is an entertainer’s delight with the flowing floor plan and gourmet kitchen that opens to the new and oversized deck. A fireplace in the great room offers cozy nights by the TV or lovely ambiance while cooking. Working from home? The main floor office offers ample space for a desk and natural light for Zoom calls, it is also uniquely situated adjacent to the 3/4 bath, allowing for easy conversion to a main floor bedroom. Traveling upstairs you are taken to the generously sized primary bedroom featuring a sitting nook and a spa-like bathroom with jetted tub, separate shower, separate vanities, and walk-in closet. Three additional over-sized bedrooms are also upstairs, one with an en-suite. Feeling the need to spread out? The finished walkout basement features a grand entertaining space for movie watching, an additional two bedrooms and bath with a Sauna! Create your home gym, perfect for exercising and unwinding in the comfort of your home. Pride of ownership is evident throughout this beautiful home featuring: A new Trex deck, slider door, professionally landscaped yard with low voltage lighting, new furnace with humidifier, new A/C, new water heater, new upstairs carpet, new epoxy coated garage floors with built-in cabinets, and so much more! Living in The Charter neighborhood offers residents the ability to be part of The Cook Creek Pool, nearby South Suburban Recreation center with a pool and gym, and walking trails right outside of your home. Conveniently located near the light rail, Park Meadows Mall, and Lone Tree Golf Club. This stunning home is move-in ready so schedule your private showing today!

4158 S Ensenada Street

The moment you enter this home your eye is drawn to the vaulted ceiling in the living room and you are swept up in the abundance of natural light that flows through toward the kitchen and sun room. The open kitchen with wrap around counter features retro black and white tile and above cabinet storage with glass doors, perfect for displaying treasures! The upper level consists of the master bedroom with full bath and a secondary bedroom with attached 3/4 bath. The lower level features a cozy family room with brick, wood burning fireplace, perfect for those chilly nights. You will also find the third bedroom and full bath on the lower level, use as a private bedroom or ideal office space for working from home. The sun room on the main level is light filled and flows out to the flat and spacious backyard! With a large yard, water feature, hot tub, and garden you will have plenty of opportunity for entertaining. Love sunsets? Enjoy a lovely evening on your front deck with western facing views. Location is close to shopping, Aurora Reservoir, trails, and in the Cherry Creek School district. Schedule your showing today!

6703 S Yates Court

Welcome to this sprawling custom ranch home in the sought after Fox Haven Estates. This lovely home was designed with a blend of quality, detail, understated elegance, and surrounded by beautiful mature trees. The rich and sophisticated tones, generous scale, and warm and inviting interior will satisfy the most discerning buyer. Open concept living on the main floor offers a generously sized office with gorgeous custom bookshelves. The office can also be converted to an additional main floor bedroom with its own ensuite bath and closet. The home entertainer will delight in the flow and functionality of the family room to dinette to kitchen, which opens to a professionally landscaped backyard and flagstone patio. Downstairs you will find an additional room ideal for entertaining with the built-in kitchenette which includes a stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. Three more bedrooms, an oversized bonus room and a second laundry room complete the space, the perfect hangout for teenagers or multi-generational living. This home is optimally located with easy access to shopping, trails, equestrian centers, golf clubs: Columbine Country Club, Raccoon Creek Golf Course, Denver Equestrians Riding School and Normandy Estates Pool & Tennis Club. Schedule your private showing today!

2643 S Sheridan Court

Welcome to this beautifully updated townhome with 3 expansive outdoor spaces! Updated throughout making this home truly move-in ready. Open your wrought iron gate and enjoy outdoor seating on the private front porch. Once you enter the front door into the foyer, you will descend to the lower level which features open concept living with a great room, modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a dining nook that flows out to the covered patio, ideal for entertaining. Upstairs you will find 2 sizable bedrooms offering mountain views. The master bedroom includes a walk-in closet and covered balcony ideal for watching sunsets, doing yoga, or reading. In addition, upstairs is the main full bathroom with black floor tile, white subway tile in the shower/tub combo and a gorgeous double vanity with storage. The brand new washer and dryer are conveniently located on the upper level as well. The home offers ample storage, a 1 car garage, locked storage room on the front porch and a generous storage room on the lower level, just bring your adventure gear! Centrally located minutes from highway 285 with easy access to the mountains, Bear Creek Park, shopping, downtown, bike paths and the foothills!