Archive

Author Archive

Homeowner Associations: What do you need to know?

November 8th, 2011 Comments off

Those looking over the advertisements for Colorado real estate properties will occasionally come across verbiage they may have heard in the past but never really understood exactly what the term(s) may have meant. A common term that is bandied about in real estate circles is “Homeowner’s Association.” On the surface, this infers “something” about a collective of property owner. But, what does this collective do and what is its primary purpose. Most people might be unaware of the actual definition of a homeowner’s association. That can be unfortunate since there are many great benefits to being involved with a homeowner’s associated. So, let’s explore exactly what a homeowner’s association is:

Basically, a homeowner’s association can be described as a legal entity that is utilized for developing, overseeing, and facilitating the purchase of homes while they are in the development stage. All of these responsibilities are legally obligated to the real estate developer on a contractual basis. That means, for example, the developer MUST properly build the homes, oversee the employees responsible for the construction, and then take the proper steps to sell the home for its true value.

Once the home is sold, however, all of these obligations will transfer to the buyer. In other words, the person that purchases the home will be responsible for all maintenance and repairs on the property. The homeowner’s associated will no longer be required to handle anything with the property any further. After all, they are no longer of the owners of the home. However, because of their proper management and oversight, the new owners can be quite comfortable in the notion that their new property will be in excellent shape provided the homeowner’s association is known for its high quality professional reputation in the field.

Many of the homeowner associations in the United States are considered non-profit corporations. Some may wonder why they are afforded such a status. After all, what would local governments possibly gain by reducing the tax revenues on these corporations? What they have to gain is significantly more revenue than they ever would procure had their not been the existence of such homeowner’s associations. Remember when the homeowner association builds 15 residential properties all 15 become annual revenue generators for the local municipality through their payment of real estate tax. Needless to say this will more than pay for the lack of tax revenue that the municipality would be drawing from the homeowner’s association. Of course, the laws and regulations dealing with these associations will vary from state to state. Some states are more stringent on how homeowner associations can operate while others let them basically do what they want to do.

Those considering making a purchase from property being offered from a homeowner’s association can often do so without much worry. These associations are usually of high quality and can deliver properties to the specification of those making the purchase. It is this purchasing confidence that makes homeowner’s associations so popular.

Looking for Boulder real estate?  Check out Automated Homefinder.

Categories: Other Articles, Uncategorized Tags:

Yes Man

November 7th, 2011 Comments off

The last movie I saw was Yes, man at a Boulder Movie Theater. My friends talked about that movie for days and they were really laughing while that. So, I had to watch it. And, Jim Carrey is the main actor. Even if they had not talked about that movie, i would watch it because I really love Jim Carrey. The movie was pretty good. It is a comedy about the man who says no to everything. Even to a drink with his friends. So, one of his friends took him to meet some group of people who are saying yes to everything. After that, he said yes for everything in his life. And he found himself in many good situations. But, with time he just went from one trouble to another.

Categories: Other Articles Tags:

Differences between owning a home & a condo

November 6th, 2011 Comments off

While some people have the dream of owning their own home in Boulder CO, others are perfectly content with owning a condo. This should come as no surprise since there are many excellent benefits to owning a condo over a home. Then again, there are many benefits that a home possesses over a condo. Ultimately, a person’s personal preferences will play a large role in the choice the buyer makes. These choices will be based upon weighing the differences between owning a home and a condo. Here is a look at 5 main differences between the two:

With a Colorado condo, the owner will not be required to cover all the costs of upkeep on the property. In many ways, a condo is managed in a manner no different from an apartment. The lawn will be cut. The pool will be cleaned. Maintenance will be covered. With a home, none of these added benefits will be present. The owner will have to cover everything on his own.

Of course, with the good there also comes the bad. While the management of the condo will cover a number of the upkeep components of the property, they will also put forth a number of rules. These rules must be maintained in order to live at the condo or else punitive action will be taken. When you own your own home, you are the proverbial king of your castle. You do not have to follow any house rules other than your own.

The potential to raise the equity of a home is far greater than what would be possible with a condo. You cannot add an addition to a condo, folks. Actually, there are a lot of things you cannot do with a condo because the condos will be connected to one another in a communal design. For some, this is a huge plus. However, others may find such a set up to be less than valuable.

This is not to say that condos do not rise in equity. In many instances, a condo can greatly increase in equity depending upon the current real estate market. Related to this is the fact that condos can often be purchased extremely cheap in price. Many times, this is the result of pre-purchasing a condo prior to its construction. Since most condos will turn out exactly as they are planned on the drawing stage, people are quite confident in making such a purchase. This is doubly true when the condo construction company has a strong reputation in the field.

Many people will find the communal living at a condominium to be quite enjoyable. Granted, there are those that do not like such communal living. Sometimes, the differences between the two can be considered a positive or a negative depending upon your personal likes and dislikes. This is true in real estate as well as life in general.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Which Flooring Option is Best for You? (Part 2)

November 5th, 2011 Comments off

…Continued from yesterday’s post.

Wood: Wood flooring will certainly cost at least twice as much as carpeting. This is because wood is obviously more expensive a material than the average carpeting that can be purchased. However, it is also fair to point out that there is significant range among all the various wood flooring that is available on the open market. Custom hardwood flooring can be quite high in price since it is, of course, a custom job. Wood flooring will also require stains and finishes and, while this can lead to a rise in costs, it will also make the floors easier to clean. That can be considered a huge plus for many consumers.

Tile: Tile flooring has a tendency to cost upwards of twice as much as wood flooring depending upon the type of tile that you wish to have. Granite, for example, can sometimes prove to be very costly. Then again, thanks to the unique look of the tiles, the added expense may be well worth it. Again, prices will range depending upon the type of tiles you select and how much flooring needs to be covered. As such, it is best to seek estimates by shopping around. You may be surprised at some of the deals that you acquire.

Which of these types of flooring would be best for your home? It will ultimately depend upon your own personal tastes. Some may find certain flooring to be better than others depending upon needs and the type of home in question. In general, all three have their value and that makes them well worth exploring.

Thinking of buying a home in Boulder Colorado?  Check out Automated Homefinder – The Best Real Estate Company in Colorado.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Which Flooring Option is Best For You?

November 5th, 2011 Comments off

Those looking for a particular design for the flooring of their Boulder home have several choices. The three most common choices that can be selected include carpet, wood, or tile. Which one should a homeowner select? Well, that really does depend on the budget of the person seeking to have their floor configured. Of course, personal taste will play a role in the decision making process but no matter what an individual’s personal tastes may be, the individual needs to afford the work that will be performed. Then, there are those that can afford a more expensive process but may opt for a cheaper one due to personal taste. Which one should you select? Let’s look at the three options available:

Carpet: In Colorado, One of the best benefits of having carpeting placed on a floor centers on the sheer variety of carpeting available. No matter what individual tastes you may have there is surely a design of carpeting available that can meet your needs. Carpeting will also last a long time if you take care of it properly; those that opt to keep their carpet regularly cleaned will discover the need to replace it will be minimal. You could consider carpeting the most cost effective option for flooring that is available.

…To be continued on next post.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Getting rid of the peanut gallery

November 4th, 2011 Comments off

I had the greatest first date a little outside of Boulder last night!  Some friends of mine had been trying to set me up with Allen for quite some time.  What I didn’t know, was that Allen’s best friend (Chris) already had a crush on me.  I was set up on a date with Allen in a group of friends.  This group included Chris, Heather (whose boyfriend lives 8 hours away), and Chip (who is going through a divorce and isn’t happy with women right now).

Poor Allen tried to get to know me through the dinner.  He’d ask me a question.  I’d answer it.  Then Chris, in an attempt to prove he knew me better, would follow up.  Then Chip would say something about how women sucked.  Then Heather would proclaim she missed her boyfriend.  Allen would then ask another question.  It went in a circle like this for HOURS!

In that time, I managed to notice that Allen seems to be a great guy.  I really had no idea what kind of impression I was making, because there was too much going on around us.  We had all carpooled to the restaurant (Allen was driving), so we all left together and went to where our cars were parked.  I took my time getting out of the car so I could at least thank him for dinner.  As soon as everyone else had left the car, he turned around.  “Would you like to try this again without the Peanut Gallery?” he asked.

It was still early, so we went back out and talked for hours.  I had the greatest time!  He ended the evening with a very nice kiss.  I have a feeling this one’s going to last!

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Should I test my home for radon?

November 2nd, 2011 Comments off

Radon is the second greatest cause of lung cancer according to the Surgeon General and is a very real threat that exists in every area of the country. It is a radioactive gas that is invisible and cannot be detected without testing, so it is imperative that you have testing done. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It is caused by the natural decay of uranium in the ground, rocks and water and naturally exists underneath the earths crust. Once formed it moves through the ground until it reaches the surface.

Radon gas decays until it becomes radioactive particles that can be breathed into your lungs. These particles can then break down further causing small bursts of energy that damage lung tissue and after prolonged exposure cause lung cancer. Not everyone that is exposed to radon gas will develop lung cancer and some may not develop this deadly disease until many years later. Studies conducted by the National Academy of Sciences suggests that more than 21 000 deaths occur each year by radon induced lung cancer. Research suggests that breathing in radon gas is not the only danger, as drinking water containing radon can also have devastating effects.

There is no level of radon exposure that is considered safe and yet one in fifteen homes in the United States is said to have an elevated level of Radon. I’ve seen some homes in the Firelight, Highlands Ranch neighborhood where one home tests with hardly any radon at all, and the home right next door has an extremely high reading.

Radon gets into homes from the soil and ground beneath them. There are many points of entry that allow gases to seep into a home such as the openings and spaces around sump pumps or drains, holes or spaces around utility fixtures such as pipes and wires, crawl spaces and cracks in the floors, walls and foundation of a home, and any other spot where air can get through.

Homes with well water are susceptible to high levels in their water supply, which can lead to elevated overall levels of gas in the home.

Any home, whether it is new or centuries old, air tight or filled with holes, whether it has or does not have a basement can potentially have high radon levels. There is no way to predict whether a home may have high levels of radon, there are no ways of knowing for sure whether there is radon in a home or area without testing for it.

The Surgeon General and EPA strongly suggest that every home be tested for this invisible but potentially deadly gas. It is recommended that the lowest levels (below the third floor) of every dwelling be tested to ensure that there are not elevated levels of radon present that will put occupants at risk.

If an initial short term test is conducted and levels of radon are below 4 pCi/L (picocuries per litre) than no further testing needs to be done at this time. It is wise to periodically retest a home as radon levels can change.

If the first short term test shows a level of 4pCi/L or higher (which means if there are 4 pCi/L there are an estimated 12 672 radioactive disintegrations in just one litre of air in a 24 hr cycle) than further testing should be done to verify the results. A second test showing high levels indicates that action should be taken to correct the problem. Some homes are constructed with a radon resistant design, others can have renovations done to make the home more radon resistant. This can include the installation of ventilation systems and fans that circulate and clean the air.

For the health of your entire family it is important to know that your home is safe from radon gas. Once testing is done you can breath a sigh of relief knowing that the air you breath is not dangerous.

If you’re in the market for a Boulder Colorado Home, or any home in Colorado for that matter, be sure to visit Automated Homefinder.

Categories: Other Articles Tags:

What is a walkout basement?

November 2nd, 2011 Comments off

Here is what makes a walk out basement different from your usual underground basement. If you are building a home in Boulder Colorado & it is on a sloping piece of property, or on a hillside, you can create an extra living space where a cold dark storage area would be. A walk out basement sits on top of the ground, or out from a slope. It definitely takes a little more planning than just digging a hole in the ground, you have to excavate, then refill, and build up and around.

Every other aspect of building is the same, except where the front of the house is, at the higher point, the yard and drive may be short, because the property would open up from the back, where your walk out basement would be. It would open up to a porch or patio, and you could even have a balcony extend from the upper floor. The more work you were to put into it, the higher the value of your home would get. Put in a bathroom, and finish at least one bedroom, it could raise the value of your home thousands of dollars.

While it does raise the value of your home, it could also raise the property taxes as well. If you are considering adding this feature to your home, you may want to check ahead of time. You should also have a home inspection right after the excavation and resettlement of dirt, to make sure you have adequate support, and that the new landscape is compatible with other projects you have in mind.

With some careful planning, a walkout basement can be a welcome addition to your floor plan, and can open up space for things like guest bedrooms, an office or den, or even some kind of work area. If you are creative and put in a rudimentary kitchen area, you could even rent this space out to someone in a pinch, or a private in-law quarters. In these times when it is hard to know if you are going to be able to pay your bills, this could be a profitable idea.

You can find out much more detailed information about walkout basements, including floor plans, video, and pictures on the internet. You will need to talk you your realtor, and your lender about these ideas, and find out if it will fit in with your homeowner’s warranty; some adjustments may have to be made. Check with your local government agencies for a qualified inspector, and they can help you with other useful tips and information. You should also hire a contractor that is familiar with basements like this; they will be able to make something that will last a lifetime.

A walkout basement can provide you with much more use than an ordinary basement. It can be as bright and cheerful as any other part of the house, and you do things as a family, even if you are doing the laundry, or working from home. Often it will simple be more valuable as an office space, considering how many people are starting to work from home.

When searching for homes, be sure to check out Automated Homefinder. They’re awesome & very low pressure.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

A cool date in Boulder

November 1st, 2011 Comments off

My first was a successful date-nearly 10 years. Me, a sissy, the meeting called on his brother’s friend, classmate, became acquainted with the one party. Incidentally, we are almost even party not talking, just exchanged a few courtesy phrases.

But first we had a date-charming in Boulder CO. We wandered through town at night, looking at stars. Listened as he talked about the stars, their distribution and seeking a role that on the night they were so prominent. We even went on a nine-house roof, to be even closer to the stars. Then sat a grass and looking at each other’s eyes. By bringing together have the courage and lips.

There was also a second, third, tenth or even hundredth Dating – and for two years. Unfortunately, life is not limited to the stars and peep kiss in moonlight.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

What is a homeowner’s warranty, and is it useful? (Part 1)

October 31st, 2011 Comments off

What is a Homeowner’s Warranty? A homeowner’s warranty is an insurance policy that covers many unforeseen circumstances when buying a home. It is basically a plan to cover costs like if your furnace breaks down right after you move in, or the plumbing backs up into your basement because a tree root broke through your pipes.

Homeowner’s warranties are ideal for many first time buyers, especially those who have little or no experience with all that owning a home entails. You have to do regular maintenance, keep up on things like changing filters on the heating and air conditioning, making sure your chimneys are clean, etc. Once all the closing costs are over, and you are in your house, you can’t call the seller about any more problems, so what are you going to do?

A homeowner’s warranty can cover the high costs of repairs, which many can’t afford soon after they have purchased a new residence. Many times a homeowner’s warranty costs much less than have to fix something on their own, and getting coverage is well worth it. Where you live will depend on whether you pay for it or the seller does, and in some cases, the Boulder Realtor may offer a short-term warranty as a closing gift.

While individual plans may vary, a homeowner’s warranty works basically this way. If something in your house breaks or stops working, like your furnace, or refrigerator for example, the homeowner would call the warranty agency and tell them the problem. They call would call a company that they work with that performs repairs, and the repairman makes arrangements with the owner to access the problem. They fix it if possible, and depending on coverage, the warranty company pays to replace and install the item. The only fees charged to the client would be any service charges, usually less than a hundred bucks.

If you’re ever in the market for a home in a boulder neighborhood, visit Colorado’s best real estate companyAutomated Homefinder.