The Northern Colorado Home Buyer's Guide

Thanks for signing up! Here's our complete guide to buying a home in Longmont, Frederick, Firestone, Boulder, Fort Collins and the surrounding towns. Bookmark this page, or use your browser's Print button to save it as a PDF.

The 8 Steps to Buying a Home

Step	What happens	Tip
1. Plan	Set a budget, check credit, decide on towns	Pull your free credit reports early
2. Pre-approval	A lender confirms what you can borrow	Ask about CHFA and local programs
3. Buyer agreement	Sign a written agreement with your agent	Ask exactly what it covers
4. Search	Listing alerts, tours, neighborhood research	Visit at rush hour and on weekends
5. Offer	Price, terms and deadlines based on comps	Compare a price cut with a rate buydown
6. Inspection	Inspection, radon test, insurance quotes	Book the inspector the day you sign
7. Appraisal and loan	Appraisal, title review, final approval	Avoid new debt until closing
8. Closing	Final walkthrough, signing, keys	Plan extra time around holidays

How Much Do You Need Up Front?

Most first-time buyers put down far less than 20%. Conventional low down payment loans start at 3%, FHA at 3.5%, and VA loans can require nothing down for eligible veterans. CHFA programs can help with the down payment. Also budget for closing costs (commonly about 2% to 5% of the price), inspections, moving and a cash cushion. More detail: First-Time Home Buyer Down Payment Guide.

The True Cost of Owning in Colorado

Property taxes vary by address and special district. Always look up the actual tax bill.
Metro districts add an extra property tax in many newer neighborhoods.
HOA dues vary widely; compare what they cover and ask about transfer fees and reserves.
Home insurance is rising, driven mostly by hail. Get quotes during your inspection period.
Radon: nearly half of Colorado homes test above the EPA action level. Test before you buy.

Full details: The True Cost of Owning a Home in Colorado.

Home Tour Checklist

Roof age and material; any past hail claims
Age of furnace, water heater and A/C
Signs of water in the basement or crawl space
Radon mitigation system present?
Sprinkler system and when it was last blown out
Lot orientation and afternoon sun on the backyard
Traffic, noise and nearby development
HOA rules on fencing, parking, rentals and exterior changes
Metro district on the tax bill?
Commute time at rush hour
School district and boundaries for the address

Inspection Period Checklist

General home inspection
Radon test
Sewer line scope on older homes
Insurance quotes from at least two companies
Review HOA documents, budget and meeting minutes
Review the title commitment and survey
Confirm property taxes and special district levies

New to Colorado?

See our Moving to Northern Colorado relocation guide for town comparisons, DMV deadlines and taxes.

Have questions about a home or a town? Call or text Matthew Starr at 720-432-8695. We're happy to help, even if you're a year or more away from buying.

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General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Programs, rates and laws change; confirm current details with your lender, county and the relevant agency.