"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” - Chinese Proverb

Hey Everyone,

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Ridgeline Rundown!

Spring is moving fast, and with more listings popping up, it’s easy to feel the pressure to move quickly. But before you skip ahead—let’s talk about one step that should never be overlooked: the home inspection. 🔍🛠️

This week’s highlight, “Why You Don’t Want To Skip Your Home Inspection,” dives into how a proper inspection can uncover hidden issues, strengthen your negotiation power, and ultimately save you money and stress down the road.

Whether you’re actively searching or just starting to explore your options, knowing what to expect makes all the difference.

As always, I’m here to guide you with honest advice, real strategies, and a personalized approach that makes a difference. Have questions? Let’s chat and build a plan that works for you.

Mortgage Minute

Freddie Mac’s weekly survey reports mortgage rates at 6.62%, a slight drop from 6.64%. However, that data reflects averages from last Thursday through Wednesday, and it’s already outdated. Over the past few days, rates have surged—climbing roughly 0.30% to 0.35%—due to hotter-than-expected economic data and shifting investor sentiment. This means today’s rates are not only higher than last week’s but also among the highest we’ve seen in over a month. For buyers, it's a reminder that real-time rate updates matter more than headlines.

Featured Listing

The Insider’s Guide to Real Estate | Tips

Why You Don't Want To Skip Your Home Inspection

When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to another buyer’s offer because they skipped their inspection.

But here’s the thing. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And no matter how perfect that house seems, skipping a home inspection is a risk that could cost you a lot more than just time.

What Exactly Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection gives you a detailed look at the home’s condition, usually after your offer’s accepted but before closing. While what’s covered varies by state, an inspector usually goes over the home’s major systems and structure, including things like the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more.

Why an Inspection Is Worth It

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the biggest benefits of getting an inspection.

• Helps you avoid unpleasant surprises. A house might seem move-in ready, but could have issues you didn’t see during your walkthrough. Knowing about these before closing day is important. That way, you have a better idea of what work may need to be done to the home.

• Gives you negotiating power. Depending on what the inspection turns up, you may want to re-negotiate with the seller. For that, lean on your agent. With their help, you can ask the seller to handle repairs before closing day or provide a credit so you can take care of them yourself.

• Offers you peace of mind. Buying a home is emotional, especially if you’ve been searching for a while. An inspection helps take some of the uncertainty off your plate, so you can move forward with confidence.

A few hundred dollars upfront for the home inspection could save you thousands in surprise repairs later. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:

Why You Don’t Want To Waive Your Inspection

According to the latest data from NAR, nearly 1 in 4 buyers are waiving (or removing) the inspection contingency when they buy a home. And with spring being peak homebuying season and buyer activity already heating up, you may be thinking about doing that yourself. As Realtor.com points out:

But skipping the inspection is a gamble that doesn’t necessarily pay off. Just remember, there are other ways to make your offer attractive to sellers, like being flexible with the closing date. Before making an offer, talk to your agent about other ways to get a seller’s attention without sacrificing your peace of mind.

Bottom Line

Even if skipping an inspection sounds like a way to make your offer more competitive or speed things up, it’s risky. It’s not just extra time and documentation, it’s a smart step that protects your wallet, your investment, and your future.

If you could ask a home inspector one question before buying, what would it be? Let me know and I’ll make sure it’s the first thing we bring up.

Colorado Springs Social Scene

Military News and Updates

Happiest dog I've ever met': Ember retires after 8 years of service at Peterson Space Force Base

All of Ember’s former co-workers agree that she could be a pain to work with, especially while riding in a car. But they also acknowledged that they would miss the unbridled joy and excitement she brought to the job each day.

Ember, a military working dog with Space Base Delta 1, recently retired after more than eight years of service. About 50 Peterson service members and civilians celebrated her years of service during a brief retirement ceremony on Tuesday.

Feel free to reach out with any real estate questions—I’m here to help, no matter the state!

Referrals are the biggest compliment, so send anyone my way. Until next time!