Division Notifications

Title Insurance - What is it and Why is it Used?

Buying a home for the first time can be a very time-consuming and complicated process. You will be dealing with many contractual and legal matters while coming across some terms and requirements that you might not be familiar with - such as title insurance. So what is title insurance, why do you need it, and who pays for it?

Real Estate Fraud Issues

Real estate fraud and scams are on the rise and consumers need to recognize them before becoming a victim.

Real Estate Broker Safety

Now that the summer home-buying season is underway, real estate brokers should take heed of safety measures for themselves, as well as for their clients. In addition to any COVID-19 health department protocols that may exist in any particular county, there are other measures that can help ensure one’s safety.

Association Committees and How You Can Make Yours More Efficient and Effective

The effort and resources it takes to effectively govern a homeowners association requires collaboration and cooperation from more than one person. As such, the use of committees in community associations can be a very useful tool for accomplishing the goals of the association. However, in order to be most effective, committees should be well formed with specific purposes and guidelines for their operation.

Ways to Increase Cash Flow Without Increasing Assessments

Association finances are usually on the top of the list when homeowners are asked about what concerns them the most about their HOA. Since the only way that most association boards believe they can generate revenue is through assessments, annual increases in dues and the levying of special assessments have become the norm. However, there are some ways for an association to generate additional income that many may have not thought about.

Recognizing Discrimination in Housing

Colorado has been at the forefront when it comes to enacting fair housing laws, in fact prohibiting discrimination in housing as far back as 1959, years before the federal Fair Housing Act became law. These laws were established to make sure that everyone has the same opportunity and access to choosing where they want to live and the type of housing that they desire.

Real Estate Broker Safety

Now that the summer home-buying season is underway, real estate brokers should take heed of safety measures for themselves, as well as for their clients. In addition to any COVID-19 health department protocols that may exist in any particular county, there are other measures that can help ensure one’s safety.
 

Connect With Your Membership

There are many ways to operate and govern a homeowners association. Some boards prefer to use a community association manager as an agent to interact with the membership and deal with day-to-day operations. Other boards may choose to be more hands on and active with governance and communication with their membership. While both approaches hold value, regardless of management style, one thing should always be at the top of your mind - homeowners associations are communities and the people who live there are your neighbors.

The What, Why, and Risks of Using Lockboxes

In this second advisory of the series, we discuss the types, use, risks, and some best practices involved with using lockboxes for accessing a seller’s property. We also touch on some real life examples of lockbox violations that can bring a real estate broker before the Real Estate Commission for discipline.

What is an Appraisal Gap on a Home Purchase?

An appraisal gap is the difference that occurs when a buyer's offer is higher than the actual appraised value of the property (which is usually the amount the bank will loan for the home) that they are contracting to purchase. It is an issue that is currently being experienced in the hot and highly competitive Colorado real estate market and experienced by buyers where there are many more prospective purchasers than inventory that is available for sale, and where bidding wars and other aggressive purchase offer tactics are being used.