Blogs by Author - Andrew Fortune

Sep 2, 2025 • 25 min read

22 Things to Know Before Moving to Colorado Springs

If you're considering moving to Colorado Springs, this article will explain the main pros and cons of the area. Colorado Springs has a unique personality, unlike any other city in the country. Let's dive in.I operate a real estate brokerage in Colorado Springs and am a Realtor who works in every part of this city. I've worked in every neighborhood and have boots-on-the-ground experience with the

Living in Colorado Springs

Recent Blogs

Jun 3, 2025 9 min read

How Do Emotion and Logic Influence Which House We Buy?

Shopping for a home brings out strong emotions and practical thinking. Most buyers hope to find a house that feels right and still makes sense as an investment. It is not always easy to balance what your heart wants with what your mind knows.When you search for homes, your feelings might pull you toward a charming kitchen or mountain view. At the same time, your head might focus on things like ne

May 27, 2025 8 min read

How to Find a Realtor That is a Good Fit

Consumers in America have a love/hate relationship with Realtors. The problem is that the barrier to entry is so low that most cities have 3 to 4 times as many Realtors as they have real estate transactions. The top 10% do 90% of the work. So, if you decide to hire the first Realtor you meet, you're likely not working with someone in that top 10% category.This article will help you slow down and

May 20, 2025 10 min read

The Cost to Buy A House - Home Buyer Fees Explained

The average cost of buying a house is typically around 2% to 6.5% of the sales price. This is the amount of cash you will need on the closing day. Some loan products, such as VA loans, allow the homebuyer to roll these costs into the loan. In those cases, minimal cash is required.Here is a quick overview of the basic expenses that you can expect to incur when buying a home:A portion of the total

May 13, 2025 7 min read

What Does Having A Realtor Represent You Really Mean?

Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming, but a good real estate agent makes everything easier. When a Realtor works for you, their main job is to look out for your best interests. They use their knowledge and experience with local homes and neighborhoods to guide you at each step. Agents spend many hours researching, planning, and communicating, so you do not have to worry about all the de

May 6, 2025 8 min read

What is an Appraisal Gap Clause and How Does It Work?

What is an appraisal gap? An "appraisal gap" happens when a home's appraised value is lower than the price agreed upon in the sales contract. To address this, an "appraisal gap clause" is included in the agreement, ensuring the buyer agrees to cover the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price if needed. Let’s walk through how this works below.You're not alone if you've ever

Apr 29, 2025 9 min read

Looking at Homes Online Versus In Person

Many homebuyers today search for houses online before they ever step inside one. It is easy to get excited when you spot a beautiful listing that seems to check every box. As someone who has helped buyers for years, I know how often those “perfect” homes online end up feeling very different once you see them in person.Keep in mind that real estate agents work hard to make every home look great on

May 21, 2024 4 min read

Where to Invest in Colorado Springs Real Estate for Best ROI?

We analyze data from the Pikes Peak MLS every three years to determine which zip codes have appreciated the most over the last five years. This helps us understand where home values have appreciated the fastest in Colorado Springs. The insights we discover are valuable for real estate investors and home buyers.To accurately measure appreciation, we didn’t just look at sales prices. We combined me

Apr 17, 2024 9 min read

How To Start A Real Estate Blog That Generates Business

I started my primary real estate blog in 2012, but I have been dabbling with blogging since 2008. At the time, blogging was the most popular way to get attention online. Since then, social media, YouTube, and AI have taken attention away from blogging. Blogging is still around and can be very effective at generating business for Realtors, especially when combined with social media, YouTube, and A

Feb 12, 2024 13 min read

How Much Do You Need For A Down Payment on a Home?

Let's dive into one of the biggest questions you might have on your journey to owning a home: "How much do I really need for a down payment?" You've probably heard a lot of different opinions on this, and yes, while saving for a down payment can feel like preparing for a trip to Mars, it's actually more achievable than you think. So, let's unpack the myths and facts to get you closer to your drea

Nov 1, 2023 10 min read

Best Ways to Find Who Owns a Property & the Home's History

Searching to find who owns a property? It's easy to locate a homeowner by searching the address for free. Here's how to do it.Homeowner history is accessible to discover online. In some cases, previous owners may not have been listed on a property record. In those cases, you'll have to take additional steps to determine who owns the home. But, in most cases, the info is easy to access.As a real e