Single Family Homes

Transfer Property in Probate and Trust Estates

Transferring real (real estate) property to an heir or beneficiary can be accomplished many ways, including Power of Attorney, Probate, Wills and Trust Estates.  Power of Attorney (PoA) are instructions while living.  Wills are instructions upon death.  Deeds are devices to transfer property.  Trusts are holding entities for assets (including real estate). Power of Attorney […]

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Tenants Facing Bankruptcy?

Tenants filing for bankruptcy, landlord and owner issues.

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Life Insurance or Mortgage Life Insurance?

When buying a property with a residential mortgage (loan), you may be bombarded with solicitations from various companies offering you “mortgage life insurance” that offers to pay-off your mortgage if you or your spouse dies.  These policies are usually much more expensive than a term-life policy and decline in value over the term of your […]

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Landlord-Tenant Laws

Owners that manage rental property should learn about the various “Landlord-Tenant” laws.  There are many laws that must be followed or the resulting legal action and penalties can be severe. For example, security deposits must be handled properly when received, held and disbursed.  A final accounting is extremely important and failure to correctly account for […]

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Craigslist Rental Scam

A common scam circulating on Craigslist is the rental property scam.  Thieves take the pictures of a property currently on the market and then re-market it on Craigslist (or other websites) as a rental.  The thief then steals the prospective tenant’s money. The common story begins with the property owner that had to leave the […]

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HUD-FHA Loans & Meth Properties

Recent guidelines for FHA loans will make getting a FHA-backed loan on a meth (methamphetamine) contaminated (or remediated) property virtually impossible.  Since most new loans today for buyers are FHA loans, this will probably severely limit lending on any property that was once a “meth contaminated” property.  The net effect will most likely mean a […]

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EPA: Renovate, Repair or Paint Rules

If you are rehabbing an older building  (built before 1978), then new EPA rules are in place. It is suggested that you first test the property for lead based paint.  If the building tests positive for lead based paint, you need to follow the new RRP (Renovate, Repair or Paint) Rules. The basic rules state […]

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Smoke Detectors & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Most smoke alarms (smoke detectors) have a useful life of 7 to 10 years. After this time period, the detecting elements start to wear out. Newer smoke detectors are more sensitive and more reliable. Homeowners should consider changing their smoke detectors every 7 to 10 years. (Remember: Batteries should be changed at least yearly). Most […]

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Fixing Basic Furnace Problems

Many homes in Colorado have a natural gas-fired furnace.  In the middle of cold Colorado nights, when the furnace starts and stops many times, the “igniter or ignition” or glow-plug may quit working.  This is one of the most common reason for no heat from a furnace. When the igniter stops working, the furnace electronics […]

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Home Maintenance

Buying a home has its rewards and drawbacks.  One of the biggest drawbacks to home ownership is the regular home maintenance needed to keep a home operating at peak efficiency. Properly maintaining a home increases the homes value as well as minimized operating costs.  Deferring maintenance is not a good practice and may also be […]

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Cosmetic or Serious Deficiency Issues

There are many properties available at a significant discount.  For the typical buyer that can tackle cosmetic repairs (paint, carpet, windows, doors, drywall and light remodeling) staying away from properties with structural defects/deficiencies is important. To help identify structural defects, buyers should have an agent that is familiar with the major systems of a property […]

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