|
“Real Estate Today” Columns by Jim Smith Published every Thursday in the Denver Post and in 3 Jefferson County weekly newspapers Get this column by email each Thursday! Send your request to Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com.
Click on dates to view columns |
|
Sept. 28, 2023 — Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out of California. Is That in Colorado’s Future? Also: Vermont Electric Utility Makes Deal to Tap Thousands of Tesla Powerwall Units to Save Money Handling Peak Loads Sept. 21, 2023 — Your Home Just Went Under Contract With a Buyer. Now What Happens? Also: The Metro Denver Green Homes Tour Is in Golden Oct. 7th, Including an Electric Vehicle Roundup 2nd Ad (click here): Lenders Are Offering Interest Rate Buydowns to Help Lower Initial Payments Sept. 14, 2023 — I Found Only One Marshall Fire Home Being Rebuilt With Fire Resistance in Mind Also: There Are 3 Free Presentations Later This Month Leading up to the Metro Denver Green Homes Tour Sept. 7, 2023 — Geothermal Energy, the Big Sister of Geothermal Heating and Cooling, Is Coming Along Aug. 31, 2023 — Is Losing Your Gas Fireplace Keeping You From Making Your Home All-Electric Also: Becoming a ‘Realtor’ Is Optional, So Why Should Agents Pay $500+ in Dues Per Year? Aug. 24, 2023 — NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, Says, “The Housing Recession Is Over” Also: What Are the Capital Gains Tax Implications of Selling Your Primary Residence? Also: If the Energy Efficiency of Your Next Home Matters, Call (and Hire) Golden Real Estate Aug. 17, 2023 — ‘Community Solar’ Makes Solar Power Available to Apartment Dwellers and Condo Owners Also: New State Laws Limit What Landlords Can Include in Leases Also: July Real Estate Market Analysis (with Megan Aller) 2nd Ad (click here): Should You Consider a ‘Reverse Mortgage’ as Part of Your Retirement Plan? Aug. 10, 2023 — What Are Some Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Selling? Also: I Found a Great Website on Home Electrification — LoveElectric.com Also: ‘Solar Village and Electric Vehicle Show’ This Friday in Boulder Also (Jeffco edition only): Golden Real Estate’s ‘Styrofoam Corral’ Closes Permanently on Aug. 31, 2023 Aug. 3, 2023 — Do Open Houses Help to Sell Homes? Some Sellers Say They Only Benefit Listing Agent July 27, 2023 — The Extreme Heat Crisis Is Keeping Climate Change and Its Mitigation Top of Mind Also: Free Webinar: Is Solar Power a Good Investment for You? July 20, 2023 — Unlike Most Professionals, Real Estate Agents Work for Free Most of the Time Also: Here’s Why I’m Not a Fan of Tankless Water Heaters 2nd Ad (click here): A Look at Mortgage Rates Over Time Puts Today’s Rates in Perspective July 13, 2023 — Selling Your Home and Renting Might Be the Answer for You, As It Was for Us Also: Metro Area Real Estate Market Exhibits Seasonal Cooling July 6, 2023 — At Golden Real Estate, Our Brokers Focus on What’s Important to Buyers Also: Learn What It Takes to Make a Building Net Zero Energy June 29, 2023 — At Golden Real Estate, Our Brokers Focus on What’s Important to Buyers Also: Cost-Effective Improvements to Help Your Home Sell for More Money June 22, 2023 — Real Estate Industry Is Abuzz With How Brokers Could Utilize ChatGPT Also: The Pros and Cons of Including ‘Love Letters’ With Real Estate Offers (written by ChatGPT) Also: Realtors’ “Anti-Woke” Tweets or Likes Could Constitute a Code of Ethics Violation June 15, 2023 — Don’t Let Capital Gains Tax Deter You From Cashing Out on an Investment Property Also: If the Energy Efficiency of Your New Home Matters to You, Call Us! Also: Meet Our Broker Associates and Me at This Saturday’s Farmers Market in Golden Also: We Welcome Broker Associate Kathy Jonke to the Golden Real Estate Team 2nd Ad (click here): Financing a Home Purchase Has Its Own Special Hurdles for ‘Gig Workers’ June 8, 2023 — Survey of 2,500 UK Households Shows 81% Satisfaction With Heat Pump Heating and Cooling Systems Also: Renewables Surpassed Nuclear and Coal for Electricity Generation for the First Time in 2022 Also: Are You Interested in or Curious About Cohousing? This Event May Interest You. June 1, 2023 — Innovative Startup to Manufacture ‘Carbon Negative’ Building Materials Made From Grass Also: International Rescue Committee (IRC) Honors Golden Volunteer Judy Denison Also: What Listing Agents Don’t Understand About Legal Descriptions May 25, 2023 — Governor Signs Into Law Massive Tax Credits and Rebates for EVs and Home Electrification Also: New Disclosure Targets Financial Crimes and Fraud in Residential Real Estate Transactions Also: Nine Signs Your Home May Have a Water Issue May 18, 2023 — Liv-Connected: A New Player in the Rapidly Growing Manufactured and Modular Housing Industry Also: The ‘We Buy Ugly Houses’ Company, HomeVestors, Is the Subject of a ProPublica Investigation Also: So Many New Scams! Here Are Some That We’re Seeing 2nd Ad (click here): Yes, I Know It’s Confusing, But There Are Some Changes in Loan Rates May 11, 2023 — Do Agents Inflate the Cost of Buying or Selling Your Home with ‘Junk Fees’? Also: Emissions From EVs Depends on the Fuel Mix of Your Utility’s Electricity Generation Also: Finalists Announced for DOE’s Home Electrification (EAS-E) Prize Also: On the MLS, a Half-Duplex Is No Longer Considered a ‘Single-Family Home’ May. 4, 2023 — (Denver) This Week You Received the County Assessor’s Valuation of Your Property. Now What? Click on these other editions: Jefferson County / Aurora/Adams County / Douglas/Arapahoe County Also: Proposal to Reduce Property Taxes Shouldn’t Affect the Effort to Reduce the Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home Also: State Program Pays $150 When You Replace a Gas-Power Lawn Mower With an Electric One Apr. 27, 2023 — Now That Spring Is Here, Homeowners Turn Their Attention to Lawn Care and Landscaping Apr. 20, 2023 — What Are Some Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Attractive to Buyers? Also: Why Wouldn’t a Real Estate Agent Want to Maximize the Exposure of His or Her Listings? 2nd Ad (click here): A Good Loan Officer Can Help You Navigate Buying Before You Sell Apr. 13, 2023 — Some Thoughts on War and Peace As Rita and I Vacation in Eastern Europe Also: Preparing for the Biennial Property Tax Appeal Process Apr. 6, 2023 — YouTube Playlist Features Over 40 ‘Top Green Products’ From the International Builders Show Also: 2 Denver Entities Cited for Their Housing Affordability Work Also: Sellers Are Helping Buyers to Buy Down Their Mortgage Interest Rates Mar. 30, 2023 — What’s the Story With Zillow? Specifically, Why Do Many Real Estate Agents Dislike Zillow? Also: A Follow-up on Last Week’s Article About Potting Soil Being Flammable Also: Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and Zinsco Electrical Panels in Many Older Homes Are Defective Mar. 23, 2023 — Geothermal Heating and Cooling Can Be Practical and Affordable on a Community Level Also: Did You Know? Potting Soil Can Be a Fire Hazard Also: Comcast’s TV Remote Can Be Programmed to Have a 30-Second Fast Forward Button Mar. 16, 2023 — Here Are Some Ways to Make Your Home More Accommodating to Seniors Also ‘Cord Cutting’ Is Becoming More and More Common; Here’s Our Story 2nd Ad (click here): With Credit Scores More Important Than Ever, Here’s What You Need to Know Mar. 9, 2023 — February 2023 Statistics Show Some Stabilizing of the Metro Denver Real Estate Market Click here for the same article focused on Jefferson County’s real estate statistics Also: Colorado Now Regulates Installers of Radon Testing Devices and Radon Mitigation Systems Also: Connecticut Launches ‘Green Liberty Bond’ Program to Finance Small Solar Energy Projects Mar. 2, 2023 — NAHB Reports on What Buyers Want in a New Home Also: The Colorado Environment Film Festival Expanded My ‘Woke’ Credentials—But That’s Not Bad! Feb. 23, 2023 — Boxabl, the Las Vegas Manufacturer of ADUs, Is Ramping up Production Also: MIT Technology Review Article Tells You All You Need to Know About Heat Pumps Feb. 16, 2023 — Colorado Environmental Film Festival Returns Live to Golden Next Weekend Also (in non-Jeffco editions of YourHub): Have You Wondered About 72Sold? It’s Not Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Colorado 2nd Ad (click here): What You Need to Know About FHFA’s Changes to Rules and Rates Feb. 9, 2023 — Understanding Indoor Air Quality and How It’s Managed in Super-Insulated Homes Also: How to Recognize Scam Emails, Text Messages and Phone Calls Feb. 2, 2023 — Here’s a Guide to the Tax Credits and Rebates Available for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient Jan. 26, 2023 — This Year’s CES Show Featured Some Exciting New Home Technologies and Products Also: A Canadian Company Manufactures Hail-Resistant Roofing Made of Recycled Rubber Tires Jan. 19, 2023 — Fannie Mae Requires Appraisers to Use a Measurement Method the MLS Doesn’t Use Also: The Real Estate Market Is Showing Signs of Springing Back to Life After a Moribund December 2nd Ad (click here): HELOC vs. Bridge Loan As an Alternative to Refinancing: Here Are Some Considerations Jan. 12, 2023 — Harvesting ‘Atmospheric Rivers’ to Replenish Aquifers and Fill Reservoirs Also: Here’s a Solution to Your Snow-Packed Residential Streets Also: Media Literacy Should Be Taught in High Schools Jan. 5, 2023 — Experts Differ on What 2023 Holds for the Real Estate and Mortgage Markets Also: You’re About to Develop a New Habit — Reusable Shopping Bags Also: Revisiting Lessons Learned from the Marshall Fire a Year Later Dec. 29, 2022 — Have You Considered Cohousing? Here’s an Explanation and Some Examples Dec. 22, 2022 — Getting Personal: Reflections on My Two Decades As a Colorado Realtor Dec. 15, 2022 — The 2023 Update of the Seller’s Property Disclosure Is a Great Improvement Also: Lennar’s New Subdivision Near Austin, Texas, Features 3D-Printed Homes Also: DMAR’s “Metro Denver” Market Statistics Actually Cover Many Rural Areas 2nd Ad (click here): For the Right Homeowner, the “All-in-One” Loan Pays Down Mortgage Faster Dec. 8, 2022 — A Subdivision in Pueblo Sets the Standard for All-Electric Home Construction Also: What Is a Heat Pump, and How Does It Work? Dec. 1, 2022 — NAR’s Annual Survey of Buyers and Sellers Reveals Some Major Deviations From Prior Years Nov. 24, 2022 — Thanksgiving 2022 — In Spite of Everything, We Have Much to Be Thankful for This Year Nov. 17, 2022 — Redfin Shuts Down Its iBuyer Unit. Can Opendoor and Offerpad Survive The Market Downturn? Also: We Took Delivery Last Week of Ford’s Electric F-150 Lightning — Here’s My Review Also: Golden Real Estate Partners With “96.9 The Cloud” in the Fight Against Food Insecurity 2nd Ad (click here): A Reader Asks Whether a Reverse Mortgage Could Be Funded by Heirs at Less Cost Nov. 10, 2022 — Here’s How Denver’s Real Estate Market Has Performed Since the Start of the Pandemic Also: KB Home Is Building All-Electric Homes — But Not in Colorado Also: Streaming Has Now Made Cable TV and Satellite TV Obsolete and Unnecessary Nov. 3, 2022 — What’s the Cost of Converting a House From Gas to All-Electric? Also: Follow-up on Last Week’s Column About Property Tax and Sales Tax in the Metro Area Oct. 27, 2022 — Sales Taxes May Be Lower, But Property Taxes Are Higher in Unincorporated Areas Also: Evidence Mounts That Natural Gas Stoves Are Harmful to One’s Health Also: Wire Fraud Can Rob Home Buyers of Their Life Savings Oct. 20, 2022 — How Does This October’s Real Estate Market Compare to October 2021’s Market? Also: This Might Be a Good Time to Consider Some Home Improvements While Waiting for Market to Improve 2nd Ad (click here): The Slumping Stock Market Is Making a ‘Reverse Mortgage’ More Appealing to Retirees Oct. 13, 2022 — Homes That Survived the Marshall Fire Were More Airtight and Had Conditioned Attics Also: Volunteer Sought to Help With Our Styrofoam Recycling Operation Oct. 6, 2022 — How to Make Sure That the House You Buy Will Not Be a ‘Money Pit’ Also: Here’s How the Inspection Objection Process Works Also: Here’s How the Real Estate Market Has Changed Over the Last 12 Months Sept. 29, 2022 — Don’t Miss the Metro Denver Green Homes Tour on Saturday, Oct. 1st Also: People Ask Me: “How’s the Real Estate Market These Days?” Sept. 22, 2022 — What Steps Can You Take to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient? Also: Cash Sales of Homes Are Up Less Here Than Nationally Sept. 15, 2022 — Looked at Correctly, It Costs No More to Build (or Buy) a Sustainable Home Also: Here’s More Info on Incentives Contained in the Inflation Reduction Act 2nd Ad (click here): Interestingly, ‘Seller Concessions’ Can Benefit Both Buyer and Seller Sept. 8, 2022 — Report Details How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Transform the Building Sector Sept. 1, 2022 — MLS Statistics Confirm a Rapidly Slowing Real Estate Market in the Denver Metro Area Also: Big Brokerages’ Stocks Plummet Due to Slowing Market Aug. 25, 2022 — Crested Butte Bans Natural Gas for New Construction — A New Statewide Trend? Also: Pricing Your Home Right Is More Important Than Ever Also: Golden Real Estate Reduces the Cost of Moving for Buyers and Sellers Aug. 18, 2022 — Statistics Help to Quantify the Slowing Real Estate Market in Metro Denver Click here to read the same analysis limited to Jefferson County statistics. Also: Here Are Some Reasons We’ll Never Have Fully Self-Driving (Driverless) Cars and Trucks 2nd Ad (click here): How Concerned Should Home Buyers Be About Fed Interest Rate Hikes? Aug. 11, 2022 — Looking for a Good Deal? Opendoor Is Slashing Prices to Clear Its Inventory Aug. 4, 2022 — Let’s Hear It for the Multiple Listing Service: The Best Tool for Buyers and Sellers Also: Realtor Magazine Promotes Electric Vehicles for Its Members in a 4-Page Article July 28, 2022 — Aging in Place vs. Moving to a 55+ Community: Here Are Some Considerations July 21, 2022 — Buyers and Sellers Are Confused by Today’s Chaotic Real Estate Market Also: Indoor Air Quality Is a Subject of Growing Concern — A CERV Might Be Your Answer Also: A New Colorado Law (HB22-1137) Prohibits HOAs From Foreclosing Over Unpaid Dues or Fees 2nd Ad (click here): Mortgage Interest Rate Buydowns Can Serve Both Buyers and Sellers July 14, 2022 — Are You Wondering If Your Home Is Underinsured? A Reader Shares His Research July 7, 2022 — Toronto Rejects High-Tech ‘Smart City’ in Favor of Something More Livable on Its Waterfront June 30, 2022 — How Much Has the Real Estate Market Slowed? Here Are Some Statistics Also: We Can Save You Thousands of Dollars on Moving Costs June 23, 2022 — Realtor Magazine: Builders Need to Respond to the Trend Toward Home Electrification June 16, 2022 — Zillow Has Published a Primer on Home Solar — Here Are My Reflections on It Also: You Might Want to Reconsider Cooking With Natural Gas Also: How Does a 3-Day Test-Drive of a Tesla Sound to You? 2nd Ad (click here): With the Rise in Mortgage Rates, ARMs Are Making a Comeback and Can Save You Money June 9, 2022 — MLS Statistics Seem Not to Support the Idea That the Real Estate Market Is Slowing Down Also: An Apple ‘AirTag’ Can Help You Locate Your Stolen Car June 2, 2022 — Both State and National Realtor Associations Make the Environment and Sustainability a Priority Issue May 26, 2022 — Reflections 7 Weeks After Selling Our Home and Moving Into a 55+ Rental Community Also: Some Advice to Sellers in a Slowing Real Estate Market May 19, 2022 — The Sharing of Listing Commissions With Buyers’ Agents Is Being Challenged Also: Don’t Fall for This FSBO Scam Targeting Vacant Land Also: When Can Buyers and Sellers Talk Directly With Each Other Instead of Through Their Agents? 2nd Ad (click here): Overdue Medical Bills? Upcoming Changes Will Improve Your Credit Score May 12, 2022 — Report from Division of Insurance Details Extent of Underinsurance in the Marshall Fire Also: DMAR Creates a Smartphone App for Realtors and Homebuyers May 5, 2022 — Are Investors Snapping Up Homes, Squeezing Out Other Buyers? Yes and No. Apr. 28, 2022 — ‘Community Solar’ Makes Solar Power Available to Condo Owners and Apartment Dwellers Also: If a Slowdown in the Real Estate Market Is Coming, April’s Statistics Don’t Reflect It Apr. 21, 2022 — Home Builders Aren’t ‘Getting It’ When It Comes to Building Sustainable Homes Also: The Surge in Mortgage Rates Could Trigger a Market Slowdown 2nd Ad (click here): Amid Today’s Rising Interest Rates, Let’s Revisit the Concept of Buying Down Those Rates Apr. 14, 2022 — AirCrete Is a Lighter, More Climate-Friendly Version of Concrete for Home Construction Also: Zillow Says Late April Is the Optimum Time to Sell Your Home Apr. 7, 2022 — Property Tax Increases for 2023 / 2024 Will Be Limited by TABOR in Some Jurisdictions Also: Here’s How the National Association of Realtors Advises Its Members on How to Handle Multiple Offer Situations Mar. 31, 2022 — Politically Correct? Denver’s MLS Makes the Switch From ‘Master Bedroom’ to ‘Primary Bedroom’ Mar. 24, 2022 — The Current Surge in Sold Prices of Homes With Cause a Surge in 2023-2024 Property Taxes Mar. 17, 2022 — MLS Statistics Document the Return of Last Year’s Out-of-Control Seller’s Market 2nd Ad (click here): Changes to Second Home and Jumbo Loans, Self-Employed Borrowers and Appraisal Fees Mar. 10, 2022 — With Prices So High, Many Homeowners Are Wondering If It’s Time to Cash Out Mar. 3, 2022 — ‘Buy Before You Sell’ Is Being Offered by Some Companies — But at What Cost? Feb. 24, 2022 — The Colorado Environmental Film Festival Is Back This Week — for Home Viewing Also: 55+ Communities Get More Attractive With Age Feb. 17, 2022 — The 2.8% Co-op Commission Is Becoming Less and Less Common Also: No Brokerage Has Experimented More With Co-op Commissions Than Trelora Also: Fifty-Six Percent of Americans Say They Would Live in a Tiny Home 2nd Ad (click here): The Hidden (But Very High) Cost of Waiting to Buy Your Home Feb. 10, 2022 — There’s a Persistent Myth That the “Standard” Real Estate Commission is 6% Feb. 3, 2022 — Why Aren’t More Homes Going on the MLS Amid This Record Shortage of Listings? Also: Houston Home Builder Specializes in Building Net Zero Homes Using Concrete Jan. 27, 2022 — The Buying of Homes Has Become More Frantic Since the Marshall Fire Also: How to Alert Residents About Approaching Wildfires Also: The U.S. Cement Industry Sets a Goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2050 Jan. 20, 2022 — Here Are More Examples of Concrete Construction and Fire-Resistant Roofing 2nd Ad (click here): Do You Have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? Here Are Some Important Changes Jan. 13, 2022 — Homes Built of Concrete Garner Increased Interest in Wake of Marshall Fire Also: Politicians Could Learn About Civility From the NFL Jan. 6, 2022 — Last Week’s Fire Disaster Is a Wake-up Call for Building More Fire-Resistant Homes Dec. 30, 2021 — The Year in Review: 2021 Saw Unprecedented Real Estate Market Changes Also: Our WindoVision Unit Allows Passersby to Search MLS Listings on a Touchscreen 24/7 Dec. 23, 2021 — Climate Change Vulnerability Is Increasingly an Issue for Homebuyers Also: Our Downtown Golden Office Doubles as a Gallery for Noted Golden Photographer Todd Caudle Dec. 16, 2021 — What’s the Effect of Surging Inflation Rates on the Real Estate Market? Also: Housing Trends Reflects Pandemic’s Influence Also: Realtor Magazine Features the Trend Toward All-Electric Homes 2nd ad (click here): Interest-Only Loans Make a Comeback. Is One Right for You? Dec. 9, 2021 — Must Read: ‘From Homes to Cars, It’s Now Time to Electrify Everything’ Also: Recommended Video: Are We in a Housing Bubble? 2nd ad (click here): Come Visit Us at Our New Downtown Golden Office, 1214 Washington Ave. Dec. 2, 2021 — My Favorite Home Improvements When Purchasing a New-to-Me Home Also: Electric Cars Are Your Best Cold Weather Choice Nov. 25, 2021 — Happy Thanksgiving! Here Are Some Things We’re Grateful for This Year Also: Don’t Wait Until Spring to Sell Your Home. There Are Many Advantages to Putting It on the MLS in Winter Nov. 18, 2021 — Interviewing a Listing Agent? Ask Him or Her to Bring Their MLS Production Print-out Also: I’m Reconsidering the Advice I’ve Given About What to Fix or Improve Before Listing Your Home Nov. 11, 2021 — NAR’s ‘Clear Cooperation’ Policy Has Failed to Reduce the Number of Pocket Listings Nov. 4, 2021 — What Are the Steps You Can Take Toward Making Your Home Net Zero Energy? Oct. 28, 2021 — As Real Estate Disruptors Abound, Let’s Hear It for the Traditional Brokerage! Also: Restoring Regulation of Community Association Managers; A Professional Inspection Is Money Well Spent Bonus article for Jeffco edition: Arvada City Council Buys into Developer’s False Narrative About Natural Gas Oct. 21, 2021 — We Are Now Witnessing the Transition From a Sellers Market to a Balanced Market My Page 2 Column on Home Financing: Jaxzann Riggs on Why This May Be the Best Time to Buy Oct. 14, 2021 — Court Rules That Sending an Email Can Bind You, Even Without Signing It Oct. 7, 2021 — What Are the Most Common Foundation Issues You Might Encounter in a Home? Sept. 30, 2021 — Metro Denver Green Homes Tour Is This Saturday, Oct. 2nd, Both In-Person and Virtual Sept. 23, 2021 — Want to Boost Your Home’s Appeal? What You Should and Shouldn’t Spend Money On Sept. 16, 2021 — Why Are Real Estate Agents (except ours) Still Resistant to Shooting Narrated Video Tours? Extra column this week: Planning for Retirement? Add a Reverse Mortgage to Your Retirement Tool Box. Sept. 9, 2021 — Now That the Summer Months Are Behind Us, How’s the Market Shaping Up for the Fall? Also: Integrity, for the Most Part, Still Rules in Real Estate Sept. 2, 2021 — MLS Email Alerts of New Listings Are a Good Reason to List Your Home on the MLS Also: Golden Real Estate’s Commitment to Keeping Styrofoam Out of Landfills Aug. 26, 2021 — Sellers Who Value Their Privacy and Security Can Make Their Home Visible Only to Agents Also: Most Agents Are in Sales, Primarily of Themselves Aug. 19, 2021 — More Homeowners Are Asking About the Tax Implications of Selling Their Homes Also: Moving Industry Struggles to Keep Up With Demand Aug. 12, 2021 — The MLS’s Campaign Against ‘Pocket Listings’ Is Serious, With $1,500 Fines Aug. 5, 2021 — Is the Real Estate Market Slowing or Isn’t It? Here Are Some Useful Statistics. Also: Title Insurance Is an Essential Part of Every Real Estate Transaction July 29, 2021 — Brokerages Should Allow Agents to Enter or Change Their Listings on the MLS Also: When Will Your Car Need These Expensive Repairs? Also: Bidding Wars Are Slowing — For Higher Priced Homes July 22, 2021 — Can We Say Goodbye to Agents Claiming to Be ‘5280 Five Star Professionals’? Also: Let’s Call It What It Is: ‘Climate Destabilization’ July 15, 2021 — Xcel Energy Is Penalizing Small Businesses Which Offer Workplace Charging of EVs Also: Are More Contracts Falling Because of Bidding Wars (Buyer’s Remorse) July 8, 2021 — Every Industry Is Facing Disruption of Some Kind. How About Real Estate? Also: A Further Update on the Ongoing Bidding Wars July 1, 2021 — How Listing Agents Handle Bidding Wars: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly June 24, 2021 — Winning a Bidding War Is Harder Than Ever for Buyers. Here Are Some Ideas for Success. Also: Abuse of Lockbox Access Is Serious But Rare June 17, 2021 — Don’t Fall for ‘Title Lock’ Services. They’re a Waste of Money and Don’t Provide Much Protection Also: The Real Estate Bidding Wars Are Not Abating Also: We and Our Truck Go the Extra Mile for Our Clients (and Non-Profits) June 10, 2021 — Democratic Sponsors May Regret HOA Legislation Banning Limits on Political Flags and Signs Also: Let’s Make Our Summer a Little Quieter by Ditching Our Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers and Weed Eaters June 3, 2021 — National Association of Realtor’s Member Profile Reveals Drop in Realtors’ Median Income May 27, 2021 — Here’s Some Advice on Avoiding Scams When Hiring a Moving Company Also: Arvada’s Net Zero Energy Geos Community Facing Challenge to Its Principles by New Developer Also: We Have Reserved a Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Truck May 20, 2021 — What Should You Fix or Improve Before Putting Your Home on the Market? Also: How High Are Bidding Wars Driving Up Home Prices? May 13, 2021 — I Learned Some Things I Didn’t Know About Title Insurance in a Recent CE Class Also: Here’s Some Guidance on Appealing the County Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home Click here for the Jeffco Assessor’s letter-size appeal form. Click here for the Denver Assessor’s letter-size appeal form. May 6, 2021 — This Week Property Owners Received Updated Valuations From the County Assessor Also: Don’t Let Service People Take Advantage of You Apr. 29, 2021 — Here Are Some Strategies for Assembling Your Down Payment Funds Also: 1200+ Metro Area Listings Are Just Sitting on the MLS — No Bidding Wars on Them! Also: Don’t Fall for This Gift Card Scam Apr. 22, 2021 — Home Buyers Have Widely Differing Needs and Motivations Also: How High Are Bidding Wars Driving Up Home Prices? Also: Golden Real Estate Wins Sustainability Award for Its Net Zero Energy Office Apr. 15, 2021 — Redfin Survey Suggests Colorado Will See Influx of Buyers Due to Climate Fears Also: Higher Property Values Mean Higher Property Taxes Also: Golden Real Estate Wins Quality Service Award Apr. 8, 2021 — Manufactured and Modular vs. ‘Stick-Built’ Homes: Here Are Some Observations Also: Learn the Benefits of the ‘Realtor Advantage’ Apr. 1, 2021 — Do You Want to Get the Most Money for Your Home? Don’t Sell Too Quickly! Mar. 25, 2021 — ‘Deed’ or ‘Title’ — Homeowners Are Confused About Ownership Instrumnets Also: Postscript to Our March 11th Column About All-Electric Homes Mar. 18, 2021 — Zillow’s Offer to Buy Your Home for Its ‘Zestimate’ Is a Brilliant But Devious Strategy Mar. 11, 2021 — All-Electric Homes (and Buildings) Are Key to Mitigating Climate Change Also: ‘Selling Agent’ vs. ‘Seller’s Agent’ Confuses Lay Persons Also: We Must Face the Coming Crisis of Road and Bridge Funding Also: Do You Want to Avoid Bidding Wars? Mar. 4, 2021 — CES 2021 Featured New Tech and Designs for Kitchen, Bath and Elsewhere Also: This Climate Change Movie, Kiss the Ground, Is a Must-See Also: Big Battery-Electric Trucks Are Coming Soon Feb. 25, 2021 — NAR’s ‘Clear Cooperation’ Policy Is a First Step Toward Eliminating Pocket Listings Feb. 18, 2021 — Division of Real Estate Warns Homeowners of ‘Equity Skimming’ Schemes Also: ‘Equity Sharing’ vs. a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Also: 2021 Will Be ‘The Year of the Electric Pickup’ Feb. 11, 2021 — Environmental Film Festival Opens Virtually This Weekend; See All the Films Online Also: Denver Realtor Association Reports That the Average Home Price Increased by $100K in the Last 12 Months Feb. 4, 2021 — What Defines a Bedroom? Neither the Real Estate Commission nor the MLS Will Say. Also: Why You Might Consider Installing a Heat Pump Water Heater Also: Real Estate Magazine Names Jim Smith a Real Estate “Influencer” Jan. 28, 2021 — We Can All Learn From Studying Racism’s Role in the Evolution of Zoning Click here for the full text of Don Cameron’s “A History of Golden Zoning” Jan. 21, 2021 — The Pros and Cons of Buying in a Community With a Homeowners Association Also: Why You Might Consider Installing a Heat Pump Water Heater Jan. 14, 2021 — Could Accessory Dwelling Units Be a Solution, Albeit Small, to the Housing Shortage? Jan. 7, 2021 — Denver Real Estate Market Ends 2020 With a Record-Breaking December Dec. 31, 2020 — National Association of Realtors Promotes “Pathways to Professionalism” Also: Happy (and Better) New Year to All! Dec. 24, 2020 — Fewer Sellers Are Trying “For Sale By Owner” — Here Are Some Reasons Why Also: Narrated Video Tours Are Still Surprisingly Rare on MLS Listings Also: Readers Appreciate Our Free MLS Neighborhood Alerts Dec. 17, 2020 — Downsizing Safely and Effectively in Your Senior Years Also: Up For Growth Promotes Affordable Housing and ‘Accessible Growth’ Also: Look to Us, Not Zillow, for an Accurate Valuation of Your Home Dec. 10, 2020 — Everyone Wants to Know: Where’s the Real Estate Market Headed in 2021? Also: FHA Raises Loan Limits: Now $596,850 for the Denver Metro Area Also: News Literacy, Like Civic Literacy, Needs to Be Taught in Our Schools Also: If You Want to Buy or Sell a Solar Powered Home, Call Golden Real Estate Dec. 3, 2020 — Agents Who Submit ‘Love Letters’ Could Be Committing a Fair Housing Violation Also: Incorporated or Unincorporated: What’s the Difference? Nov. 26, 2020 — Happy Thanksgiving! Let Me Share What We at Golden Real Estate Are Grateful For Also: NAR Agrees to More Transparency re: Buyer Agent Commissions Also: NAR’s New President Apologizes for Association’s Racist Practices in the 1900s Nov. 19, 2020 — Biden Presidency Will Bring Renewed Focus on Affordable Housing and Discrimination Also: We Help Buyers and Sellers With the High Cost of Moving Nov. 12, 2020 — Denver’s Realtor Association Reports That October Listings and Sales Broke 22 Records Nov. 5, 2020 — 3D Printing Is Being Used to Build Homes for the Homeless and Poor Using ‘Lavacrete’ Walls Also: Electric Cars Are Your Best Cold Weather Choice Oct. 29, 2020 — As Winter Approaches and Covid-19 Lingers, What’s the Denver Real Estate Outlook? Also: Trying ‘For Sale by Owner’ Can Be a Big Mistake During a Seller’s Market Also: NAR Proposes to Include Hate Speech as a Violation of the Realtor Code of Ethics Oct. 22, 2020 — MyMove.com Reports a Surge in Moves During Covid-19, 28% Citing Virus as the Reason Also: Denver Has Among the Nation’s Lowest Foreclosure Rates Oct. 15, 2020 — You’ve Heard of NIMBY (‘Not in My Backyard’). Next Year You May Be Hearing About YIMBY. Also: Realtor Association Takes Fair Housing Seriously Oct. 8, 2020 — Report Names 7 Cities Most at Risk of a Housing Crash. Denver Is Not One of Them. Oct. 1, 2020 — Sustainability, Starting With Solar Power, Can Be Your Key to a More Affordable Lifestyle Sept. 24, 2020 — Experts Are Predicting a Surge in Foreclosures, But I See the Situation Differently Also: A Reader Asks How to Handle Inspection Objections Sept. 17, 2020 — Despite Global Pandemic, Our Real Estate Market Was the Hottest Ever for August Sept. 10, 2020 — If You Don’t Put Your Home on the MLS, You May Not Get What Your Home Is Worth Sept. 3, 2020 — Any Talk About Affordable Housing Must Include Mobile Homes Also: Open Houses Are Back — Here Are the Rules We Must Follow Aug. 27, 2020 — When It’s Time to Replace Your Gas Forced-Air Furnace, Consider the Alternatives Also: Here’s Where I Get My Topic Ideas and What I Watch, Listen to, and Read Aug. 20, 2020 — Many Organizations Contribute to ‘Rapid Shelter’ Effort Addressing Homelessness Also: As More Companies Embrace Work-at-Home, Expect More Office Space to Convert to Apartments and Condos Aug. 13, 2020 — Home Ownership Surged During the Pandemic, According to a Realtor.com Report Also: How Should Listing Agents Manage Multiple Offers/a Bidding War? Aug. 6, 2020 — A High-Performance Car Can Kill You. A High-Performance Home Can Save Your Life. July 23, 2020 — Realtor.com Weighs in on the Real Estate Market’s Surprising Rebound July 16, 2020 — Buyers Benefit From Having an Agent Who Knows Home Systems and Sustainability Also: Here Are Some Things You Should Expert to Learn From a Home Inspector Also: Bidding Wars Are Back, According to Redfin July 9, 2020 — After a Dreadful March and April, Denver’s Real Estate Market Surged in June Also: Houston’s Realtor Association Drops the Use of ‘Master’ Also: If You Oppose Taxation Without Representation, Support D.C. Statehood July 2, 2020 — Discover Arvada’s Geos Community, Where the Homes’ Energy Costs Are Essentially Zero June 25, 2020 — Homeowners Complain About Over-Solicitation by Agents, Buyers and Investors June 18, 2020 — John Avenson of Westminster Is a Committed Teacher of Energy Efficiency June 11, 2020 — It Seems That We All Have Racism on Our Minds. Here Are My Thoughts Also: Golden Real Estate Wants to Earn Your Business June 4, 2020 — More Metro Area Homes Went Under Contract in May Than Ever Before Also: Accessory Dwelling Units Are Gaining in Popularity—Here’s What You Need to Know Also: Last Week’s Column About Seniors Being Cheated Out of Their Home’s Equity Got Lots of Reader Responses May 28, 2020 — Investors Target Seniors and Others, Buying Homes Below Their True Value Also: Beware of Brokerages That Offer to Sell Your Home for 1% Also: Here’s Why the Public Will Not Accept Driverless Cars May 21, 2020 — A Fair Housing Violation Could Ruin a Real Estate Professional’s Career Also: Interested in Net Zero Energy Living? Discover Arvada’s Geos Community! Also: More People Are Considering Electric Cars and Trucks, as the Number of Brands and Models Surges May 14, 2020 — If You’re Surviving Covid-19 Financially, Now Is a Good Time to Buy or Sell Also: Zillow Shortchanges Agents and Buyers on Video Tours Also: Most Feedback Requests on Showings Are Non-Productive May 7, 2020 — New Listings and Showings Surged Last Week After Governor Eased Showing Restrictions April 30, 2020 — What Will Be the Short- and Long-Term Effects of Covid-19 on Real Estate? Also: Why Real Estate Values Won’t Crash Like They Did in the Great Recession April 23, 2020 — Real Estate May, Oddly Enough, Be the Last Industry to Adopt Live-Action Video Also: The Number of New Listings Remains Low, But They Are Selling Quickly April 16, 2020 — The Rule Against Showings and Open Houses Shouldn’t Hamper Home-Buying... Also: Homes Are Still Selling— An Analysis of the Metro Real Estate Market for the Week of April 4th April 9, 2020 — Newspaper Headline Gave a Distorted Picture of Real Estate Market Under Covid-19 Also: A Follow-Up of Last Week’s Analysis of the Denver Real Estate Market for the Week of March 22nd Also: Real Estate Coach Thinks I Should Charge More Than I Do. What Do You Think? April 2, 2020 — The Real Estate Market Is Still Active, Meeting the Needs of Both Buyers and Sellers Also: How Golden Real Estate Is Coping With the COVID-19 Guidelines Mar. 26, 2020 — COVID-19 Will Certainly Impact the Real Estate Market, But By How Much? Also: Golden Real Estate’s Narrated Video Tours Make Open Houses and In-Person Showings Less Necessary Mar. 19, 2020 — Our Newest Listing Is a Case Study on How to Achieve Net Zero Energy at Home Mar. 12, 2020 — What Does ‘Open and Transparent’ Look Like in Real Estate? Mar. 5, 2020 — Six New Listings from Golden Real Estate (no space for a column this week) Feb. 27, 2020 — Renters Aren’t Taking Advantage of Rent-With-Right-to-Purchase Program Also this week: Why Wouldn’t the Russians Want Trump Re-Elected? Look at His Accomplishments. Feb. 20, 2020 — Guest Article from Money.com: The Best Home Security Systems for 2020 Also this week: Reflections on the State of Journalism & Saving Our Local Newspapers Feb. 13, 2020 — Do You Think a Big Down Payment Is Needed to Buy a Home? Think CHFA. Feb. 6, 2020 — Big Entities Target Mobile Home Parks, the Last Bastion of Affordable Housing Also this week: Passive House Technology Underlies Going ‘Net Zero Energy’ in Homes Jan. 30, 2020 — Taxation of Residential vs. Non-Residential Property Is a Growing Problem Also this week: As the Housing Crisis Deepens, Zoning Laws Are in the Crosshairs Jan. 23, 2020 — Buyer Beware: You May Be on Candid Camera When Looking at a Home Also this week: Is Your Gas Furnace or Water Heat About to Fail? Consider a Heat Pump Also this week: Plant-Based Meat Has Won Us Over; Celebrating MLK Jr. With His Words Jan. 16, 2020 — In Colorado, Real Estate Agents Are Granted the Limited Practice of Law Also this week: Real Estate Agents Have an “Affirmative Responsibility” to Report Wrongdoing Also this week: Do You Really Need a Buyer’s Agent? Jan. 9, 2020 — What Do the Year-End Stats Tell Us About Denver’s Real Estate Market? (see 2nd page for Jeffco stats) Also this week: January Is National Radon Action Month. Here’s What You Need to Know. Jan. 2, 2020 — Learn the True Cost of Selling Your Home off-MLS to an ‘iBuyer’ Like Zillow Also this week: Your Car Battery Could Someday Be Your Home Backup Power Dec. 26, 2019 — Denver Post Series Uncovers the Corruption of Tax Districts Created by Developers Also this week: The Future of Home Heating is Electric Heat Pumps, Not Gas Forced Air Dec. 19, 2019 — Golden Real Estate Uses an App to Protect Clients From Being Scammed Also this week: Denver’s Winter Real Estate Market Isn’t Slowing As Much As Reported Also this week: Jeffco’s Winter Real Estate Market Is Slowing More Than in Previous Years (see 2nd page of PDF) Dec. 12, 2019 — Putting Your Heirs on Title so They Inherit Your Home May Not Be the Best Strategy Dec. 5, 2019 — High-Tech, Low-Tech and No-Tech Ways to Make a Home Senior-Friendly Also this week: Property Tax Is the Original “Wealth Tax” Also this week: A Reader Asks: Should I Spend Money on Home Staging? Nov. 28, 2019 — Thanksgiving Is Here, and We at Golden Real Estate Are Thankful Nov. 21, 2019 — National Association of Realtors (NAR) Rules Against “Pocket Listings” Also this week: My TV Viewing Recommendations: “Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace” and “Reliable Sources” Nov. 14, 2019 — What Is a ‘Smart Home’ and What Elements of a ‘Smart Home’ Make Sense for You? Nov. 7, 2019 — Sellers Ask: Should I Wait Until Spring to Put My Home on the Market? Also this week: Winter Is When Electric Vehicles Really Shine Oct. 31, 2019 — The Crackdown on Hispanic Immigration Is Impacting the Construction Trades Also this week: Inspection — The Most Important Step in Homebuying Oct. 24, 2019 — Before Putting Your Home on the Market, Take Care of the Little (& Low-Cost) Things Also this week: Sunset Review Recommends Dispute Resolution Function for HOA Information Center Office Oct. 17, 2019 — Have You Noticed How Many Denver Homes Are Selling for Over $1 Million? Here Are the Stats. Oct. 17, 2019 — Have You Noticed How Many Jeffco Homes Are Selling for Over $1 Million? Here Are the Stats. Also this week: Golden Real Estate’s Agents Are Featured on RatedAgent.com Oct. 10, 2019 — Cars Have Titles Which Are Transferred Upon Sale. Homes Do Not. So, What’s a “Deed”? Oct. 3, 2019 — At Saturday’s ‘Green Homes Tour’ You’ll Learn What’s Possible for Your Home Sept. 26, 2019 — Were Last Week’s “Climate Strikes” Enough of a Wake-up Call on Climate Change? Sept. 19, 2019 — Nothing Would Spur the Real Estate Market More Than Relief of Student Debt Also this week: Takeaways From Last Saturday’s Electric Car Event Sept. 12, 2019 — What Is a ‘Variable Commission’ and Why Should Sellers Demand It? Sept. 5, 2019 — Is a Recession Coming? If So, How Will It Impact the Real Estate Market? August 29, 2019 — All-Electric Homes Are Practical Now, and Can Help Mitigate Climate Change Also this week: I Think I May Have Purchased My Last Car August 22, 2019 — Report Reveals the True Cost of Selling Your Home to an ‘iBuyer’ Company For a link to the full report from Collateral Analytics, click here. August 15, 2019 — LED Lighting Has Some Health & Vision Side Effects Worth Considering August 8, 2019 — What Requires a Permit? And Does Unpermitted Work Affect Your Ability to Sell? August 1, 2019 — Amazon’s Deal With Real Estate Megafirm Realogy Could Be a Game Changer July 25, 2019 — Truth Matters in Real Estate, Unlike in Politics and the Legal Profession July 18, 2019 — Some Favorite Home Improvements When Purchasing a New-to-Me Home July 11, 2019 — With His Veto of HB-1212, Gov. Polis Ended the Licensing of HOA Managers July 4, 2019 — Video Is Finding Its Way Into Inspection Reports to Illustrate Issues Also this week: Digital Editions and Email Newsletters Are the Future of Newspapers June 27, 2019 — Renovate Your Home for Your Own Enjoyment, Not to Help It Sell Better Also this week: Some Reflections on Our 4,800-Mile Tesla Road Trip Also this week: How to Research Potential Listing Agents June 20, 2019 — Conserving Water Is Likely to Become More Important in Coming Years June 13, 2019 — Some Thoughts From Attending My 50th Reunion at M.I.T. June 6, 2019 — Here Are Some Questions Sellers Should Ask When Hiring a Listing Agent Also this week: Climate Change Is Our Nation’s Most Pressing Issue May 30, 2019 — Finding the Right Senior Community Can Be Confusing! Also this week: Readability of Websites, Emails and Even Your Smartphone Screen Can Become an Issue as You Age May 23, 2019 — What Is Negotiated When You Buy or Sell a Home? More Than You’d Think! May 16, 2019 — Do You Practice Sustainability? Home Renovation Can Be Done Sustainably, Too May 9, 2019 — What You Need to Know About Appealing the County Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home Click here for Same Article but for Jefferson County Instead of Denver County May 2, 2019 — Many Renters Are Unaware of Programs That Make Homeownership a Real Possibility April 25, 2019 — Timing the Sale of Your Current Home and Purchase of a New Home Can Be Challenging April 18, 2019 — Readers Responded in Great Numbers to Our Offer of Free Neighborhood Alerts April 11, 2019 — Why Be in the Dark About Real Estate Activity in Your Neighborhood? We Can Help. Also this week: No Brokerage Does Better Than Golden Real Estate in Getting the Highest Price for Sellers April 4, 2019 — The Federal Reserve Raised Interest Rates, Yet Mortgage Rates Plummeted. Why? Also this week: A Seller Asks: Do I Have to Accept a Full-Price Offer? Mar. 28, 2019 — The Way Real Estate Agents Are Compensated Confuses Many Buyers and Sellers Also this week: Another Area of Confusion: When Is Your Real Estate Agent a “Transaction Broker” and Not an “Agent”? Mar. 21, 2019 — Off-Market Transactions Hurt Sellers by Shutting Out Buyers Who Might Pay More Also this week: ‘Preferential Voting’ Is a Great Method for Dealing With Primary Elections With a Dozen or More Candidates Mar. 14, 2019 — How Do You Know That the Real Estate Agent You’re Interviewing Is Telling the Truth? Mar. 7, 2019 — Downsizing: One of Those Big Issues Which We All Face As We Age Feb. 28, 2019 — With Home Prices So Much Higher, Shouldn’t Real Estate Commissions Be Lower? Also this week: EVs: Yes, They Have Lower Range in Winter, But Consider These Offsetting Benefits Feb. 21, 2019 — You Can Defer -- or Reduce -- Capital Gains Tax on the Sale of Investment Properties Feb. 14, 2019 — Security Devices Could Allow Sellers to Eavesdrop on Buyers During Showings Feb. 7, 2019 — Some Home-Selling Advice Is No Longer Valid; Let’s Review the Literature… Also this week: You Can ‘Sell High/Buy Low’ and Stay in Colorado Jan. 31, 2019 — Remodeling Your Home to Help It Sell May Not Be the Moneywise Approach Jan. 24, 2019 (Denver edition) — Statistics Show a Slowing Denver Real Estate Market, But Not at Golden Real Estate Jan. 24, 2019 (Jeffco editions) — Statistics Show a Slowing Jeffco Real Estate Market, But Not at Golden Real Estate Also this week: The Realtor Code of Ethics Exists to Protect You Jan. 17, 2019 — Sustainability Series Session #1: The Many Facets of Insulating a Home Also this week: The Graying of the Internet — What About Readability? Jan. 10, 2019 — Even if You’re a Sophisticated Buyer or Seller, You Need Us — And Here’s Why... Also this week: In Defense of Journalists — They’re Working for You! Jan. 3, 2019 — Ways to Defer Capital Gains Tax Exposure When Selling Investment Properties Dec. 27, 2018 — Some Thoughts Regarding Characteristics to Look for When Hiring a Realtor Dec. 20, 2018 — Looking Back on a Busy Year — Here Are Some Popular Columns From 2018 Dec. 13, 2018 — Statistics Appear Not to Reflect a 2019 Slowdown in Our Real Estate Market Dec. 6, 2018 — Should You List Your Home During the Holidays? The Answer May Surprise You Also this week: Conforming Loan Limits Raised / More Ideas for Making Your Home Resistant to Wildfires Nov. 29, 2018 — California’s Wildfires Are a Wakeup Call for Building More Fire-Resistant Homes Also this week: Golden Real Estate’s Agents Will Donate Their Earned Commission to Buyers Who Lost Their Homes Nov. 22, 2018 — At Thanksgiving, I Like to Reflect on the Many People for Whom I’m Grateful Nov. 15, 2018 — Yes, the Russians Wanted Trump Over Hillary, But Their Real Goal Is to Divide Americans Click here to view a New York Times video documenting how Russia works to divide Americans and others; or copy this link in your browser: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/12/opinion/russia-meddling-disinformation-fake-news-elections.html?wpisrc=nl_fact&wpmm=1 Nov. 8, 2018 — Senior Homeowners Are at Risk of Being Conned/Scammed Out of Their Homes Nov. 1, 2018 (Denver YourHub) — Are You Ready to Take Full Advantage of the Winter Home-Selling Season? Nov. 1, 2018 (Jeffco YourHubs) — Jeffco Commissioners Quietly Eliminated the County’s Portion of a Business Tax Oct. 25, 2018 — When Buying or Selling a Home, Don’t Overlook the Cost of Moving! Oct. 18, 2018 — Behind Golden Real Estate’s Motto: ‘Hometown Service Delivered With Integrity’ Oct. 11, 2018 (Denver YourHub) — Denver’s Seller’s Market May Be Cooling, But Not As Dramatically As Reported Oct. 11, 2018 (Jeffco YourHubs) — Jefferson County’s Seller’s Market May Be Cooling, But Not As Dramatically As Reported Oct. 4, 2018 — Saturday Is Your Opportunity to Learn How to Make Your Home More ‘Green’ Sept. 27, 2018 — While Market Activity Shows Signs of Slowing, Prices Are Actually Rising Also this week: D.C. Has a 30-Year-Old Law Giving Tenants Right of First Refusal When Landlord Sells Sept. 20, 2018 — Yes, Our Real Estate Market Is Beginning to Slow. Here’s the Evidence. Sept. 13, 2018 — Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Made by Others When Trying to Sell Their Homes Sept. 6, 2018 — As Manufacturers Gear Up to Build Electric Cars, Come See What’s in Your Future Aug. 30, 2018 — What You Need to Know About Agents Who Claim to Have a Buyer for Your Home Aug. 23, 2018 (Denver YourHub) — Statistics Suggest Denver’s Market May Be Slowing Down, But Only Marginally Aug. 23, 2018 (Jeffco YourHubs) — Statistics Suggest Jeffco’s Market May Be Slowing Down, But Only Marginally Aug. 16, 2018 (Denver YourHub) — Should the MLS Include a Condition Rating for Each Listing? Here’s How It Might Work Aug. 16, 2018 (Jeffco YourHubs) — The Golden Fine Arts Festival Is This Weekend, Featuring 134 Artists in 9 Categories Aug. 9, 2018 — Feedback From Showings Can Be Helpful, But There Are Good and Bad Ways to Ask for It Aug. 2, 2018 — Sell Your Home for $5,000, Regardless of Price? There’s a Reason to Be Suspicious July 26, 2018 — The Home Buying Process: How It Works in the Internet Age July 19, 2018 — Federal Law Unfairly Burdens Buyers When Buying From a ‘Foreign Person’ July 12, 2018 — Everyone Knows the Value of Video, So Why Aren’t More Listing Agents Using It? Also this week: ‘Love Letters’ Pose a Fair Housing Risk for Sellers July 5, 2018 — What Are the Implications When a Buyer Waives Appraisal Objection in a Bidding War? Also this week: When Will Colorado Finally License Home Inspectors? June 28, 2018 — Property Taxes in 2019 Will Be Based on the Value of Your Home This Saturday Denver readers Click Here Jefferson County readers Click Here Also this week: Last Week’s “Personal” Column Touched a Nerve June 21, 2018 — I Love to Write About Real Estate, But This Week It’s Personal Also this week: A Couple Modest Proposals for Saving America June 14, 2018 — Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Sell Your House Without Putting It on the Market June 7, 2018 — Gentrification or Revitalization: It’s a Hard Topic for a Meaningful Conversation May 31, 2018 — New Program Helps Buyer (and Sellers Who Need to Buy) Succeed in This Market May 24, 2018 — What Is Title Insurance, and Why Do Buyer and Sellers Need It, Anyway? May 17, 2018 — The General Assembly Allows the Regulation of HOA Managers to Lapse May 10, 2018 — Stop the Madness! We Should Never Allow Driverless Cars and Trucks Also this week: Come to Our Annual Golden Garage Sales on May 12th May 3, 2018 — As Warm Weather Arrives, What Are the Different Ways to Cool a Home? Also this week: Hardwood Flooring Is All the Rage, But Some Condo Owners Are Having Second Thoughts April 26, 2018 — Just in Time: A Breakthrough in ‘Rent-to-Own’ for Those Who Can’t Buy Now Also this week: What Is an Escalation Clause, and How Should Sellers Respond to One? April 19, 2018 — As Earth Day Approaches, Coloradans Have Many Opportunities to Do Their Part Also this week: Would You Like to Be Alerted to Real Estate Activity in Your Neighborhood? Also this week: Do You Have a Question or Concern About Your Reverse Mortgage? April 12, 2018 — Buyers Save a Little on Property Tax When Buying a Long-Held Home from Seniors Also this week: Understanding the Scope of the Inspection Process April 5, 2018 — What If Sellers and Their Agents Don’t Disclose Known Defects in Their Listings? Also this week: Golden Real Estate’s Fleet of Electric Vehicles Continues to Grow Mar. 29, 2018 — How Can Buyers Win a Bidding War? Here’s What Our Agents Do Also this week: Contrary to Conventional Wisdom, Homeowners Are Selling Homes in Record Numbers Also this week: Follow-up on Last Week’s Column About Off-Market Sales — What About FSBOs? Mar. 22, 2018 — Off-Market Real Estate Sales Hurt Sellers by Shutting Out Buyers Who Might Pay More Also this week: Golden Real Estate Has Joined Good Business Colorado Also this week: Debbi Hysmith Joins Golden Real Estate Mar. 15, 2018 — Buyers and Sellers Ask: Why Did the Appraisal Come in at Exactly the Contract Price? Also this week: Time May Be Running Out on Getting a Low-Interest Mortgage Also this week: Win a Date Night at Golden’s Table Mountain Inn Mar. 8, 2018 — How Can Sellers Prepare for the Buyer’s Inspection? Here’s Some Practical Advice Also this week: You May Want to Pay Off Your Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Mar. 1, 2018 — Are You Interested in Urban Farming? Here’s an Introduction and an Opportunity Also this week: We’re Holding a Class on “Getting to Net Zero and Beyond” Also this week: A Follow-up on Last Week’s Article About Capital Gains Tax Exemption for Married Couples Feb. 22, 2018 — Owned Your Home for a Long Time? Here Are Some Ideas on Limiting Capital Gains Liability Also this week: Considering Buying an Electric Car? Here’s Some Practical Advice Also this week: Come to Golden Real Estate for a Tour of Our Net Zero Energy Office Feb. 15, 2018 — Don’t Miss the 12th Annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival Next Weekend Also this week: Also Next Week: A Behind the Scenes Tour of Golden Real Estate Also this week: Carol Milan Joins Golden Real Estate Feb. 8, 2018 — This Year’s Real Estate Commission Update Class Contains Several Surprises Also this week: Two Golden Real Estate Agents Are Qualified Staging Experts Feb. 1, 2018 — Here Are Some Obstacles (Real or Imagined) Faced by First-Time Home Buyers Also this week: Is Deporting Immigrants, Including Dreamers, Bad for the Economy? Jan. 25, 2018 — Life Transitions Are at the Heart of Most Clients’ Real Estate Needs Also this week: Did You Know? The Best Car for Wintertime Travel Is Electric Also this week: Just Listed: A Solar-Powered Home Near DU With a $5.89 Monthly Xcel Bill Jan. 18, 2018 — Study of Competitive Neighborhoods Reflect Slowing of Denver’s Real Estate Market (This is a 2-page PDF, one with Denver statistics, and the other with Jeffco statistics) Jan. 11, 2018 — Why Any Denver Seller Would Be Smart to List with Golden Real Estate Jan. 4, 2018 — Golden Real Estate: ‘Promoting and Modeling Environmental Responsibility’ Dec. 28, 2017 — Provisions Most Detrimental to Home Ownership Aren’t in the Final Tax Bill Also this week: A Reader Asks: Why Do Colorado Property Taxes Vary So Much? Dec. 21, 2017 — Many Buyers of New Homes Shortchange Themselves by Not Having an Agent Also this week: Now for a Brief Lesson on Type Fonts and Readability... Dec. 14, 2017 — 2017 Home Sales Will Hit Record (Again), Despite Reported ‘Low Inventory’ Also this week: Real Estate Related Email Scams Are Proliferating Dec. 7, 2017 — One Month Left to Sell Your Home Before Possible Tax Hike Also this week: Golden Real Estate Has a Record of Success in Jeffco and Denver Nov. 30, 2017 — If You’re a Veteran, You Owe It to Yourself to Consider Using a VA Loan Also this week: iPhone’s Siri Can Make Your Driving Safer, As It Has Mine Also this week: Here’s an End-of-Year Special for New Clients of Golden Real Estate Also this week: Winter’s a Good Time to Sell a Home, But It Can Be a Good Time for Buyers, Too Also this week: How Can Applying Feng Shui Principles Improve Your Home? Nov. 23, 2017 — It’s Thanksgiving, and I’m Thankful for Many Things and Many People Also this week: When It Comes to Real Estate Statistics, We Should Think “Median,” Not “Average” Nov. 16, 2017 — GOP’s Tax Bill Favors Homeowners in States Without an Income Tax Also this week: What Due Diligence Should You Do When Buying a Home? Also this week: Why Do We Refer to 110-Volt and 220-Volt Electricity, When It’s Actually 120 and 240 Volt? Also this week: If You’re Into Horses, You’ll Like This Book — About My Brother Nov. 9, 2017 — For Baby Boomers, It’s Decision Time: Aging in Place vs. Other Options Also this week: Percentage of Sellers Trying ‘For Sale By Owner’ Continues at Record Low Nov. 2, 2017 — Here Are Some Tips on How to Reduce the Cost of Heating Your Home Also this week: Are We at a Tipping Point in the Electrification of Transportation? Oct. 26, 2017 — What You Need to Know About the Inspection Process When Selling Your Home Also this week: Research Shows That 3 to 4 Days on the Market Yields Sellers the Highest Price Oct. 19, 2017 — 4 Colorado Home Builders Honored by Energy Dept. for Innovation in Construction Also this week: Reflections on Home Construction in Italy Also this week: Another New Concept You’ll Hear More About — ‘Vehicle-to-Grid’ or ‘V2G’ Also this week: Here Are Some Things to Consider When Hiring a Listing Agent Oct. 12, 2017 — As We Learn How Fragile Our Electric Grid Is, ‘Off-Grid’ Gains More Appeal Also this week: Here’s an Off-Grid Home With Continental Divide Views Oct. 5, 2017 — What Is Our Real Estate Market Like as We Transition to Fall & Winter? Sept. 28, 2017 — This Year’s Opportunity to Visit Solar & Sustainable Homes Is Oct. 7th Also this week: A Couple Important Facts About Flood Insurance Sept. 14, 2017 — What Should and Shouldn’t You Fix When Preparing to Sell Your Home? Also this week: It’s Not Rocket Science…. (about climate change) Also this week: Jeffco’s and Denver’s Seller’s Market Shows Continued Strength — How Long Will It Last? Sept. 7, 2017 — There’s Never an Excuse for an MLS Listing Not to Have Any Photos Also this week: National Drive Electric Week Kicks Off This Saturday Also this week: Denver Residents Think Often About Moving to Western Suburbs and Foothills Aug 31, 2017 — When I Became a Realtor 15 Years Ago, I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know Also this week: Take Outdoor Pictures of Your Home Now, In Case You Sell in Winter Also this week: Consider This Before Renting Your House to a Marijuana Grow Operation Aug 24, 2017 — Readers Say I Could Write a Book on Real Estate. Perhaps I Already Have! Aug 17, 2017 — Real Estate Transactions Can and Should Be a Win for Both Buyer and Seller Also this week: Denver Home Buyers Are Increasingly Looking at Western Suburbs and Foothills Aug 10, 2017 — Condo and Townhome Owners Need to Consider Their Collective Liabilities Also this week: How to Check Out Any Denver Area Real Estate Agent Also this week: What’s a Material Fact That Needs to Be Disclosed by Sellers and Listing Agents? Also this week: Golden Real Estate Receives National Recognition Aug 3, 2017 — National Association of Realtors Says Immigration Is Good for Real Estate Also this week: How Many Square Feet Is Your Home? It Depends... Also this week: How to Avoid the Most Common Real Estate Mistakes Also this week: Debunking Some Mistruths About Electric Cars July 27, 2017 — Many Insurance Companies Have Increased Their Deductible for Hail Damage Also this week: Why Aren’t Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required in Attached Garages? Also this week: If Living ‘Off the Grid’ Is Your Dream, This Could Be Your Dream House! July 20, 2017 — Here’s Some Advice on Downsizing and Prepping a Home for Market Also this week: Golden Real Estate’s 10th Anniversary Party Was a Great Success! (Page 2) July 13, 2017 — How Might You Respond to an Offer to Buy Your Home Off Market? July 6, 2017 (Denver YourHub) — Shouldn’t a Listing Agent Do More Than Just Put Your Home on the MLS? July 6, 2017 (Jeffco YourHub & Weeklies) — 84% of Jefferson County Is Unincorporated But Has “City” Addresses Also this week: NREL Celebrates 40 Years of Making a Difference in Renewable Energy June 29, 2017 — 2007 Was a Watershed Year Because of So Much More Than the iPhone Also this week: My Favorite Sustainable Practices and Improvements (on page 2) June 22, 2017 — Clearing the Deck: Topics Worthy of Mention, But Not a Full Column Also this week: Why Smart Sellers Are Choosing to List With Golden Real Estate (on page 2) June 15, 2017 — Beware of Less Obvious Costs of Ownership When You Buy a Home Also this week: Does Your House Need Painting? and: Looking for Green Homes June 8, 2017 — What Is Your Capital Gains Tax Liability When You Sell Your Home? June 1, 2017 — You’ve Heard About Geothermal Heating, But How Does It Work, Anyway? Also this week: Our Closing Gift or Buyers: A Home Energy Audit May 25, 2017 — Do You Have Tenant-Occupied Property? Here’s Some Advice for Selling It May 18, 2017 — When It Comes to Identifying ‘Scams and Shams,’ Google Is Your Friend Also this week: Testimonial From a Recent Golden Real Estate Client (Tom Slabe) May 11, 2017 — Post-Closing Occupancy Agreements Can Work for Both Buyers and Sellers May 4, 2017 — What You Need to Know About Appealing Your County Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home Click here for Same Article but for Jefferson County Instead of Denver County April 27, 2017 — Selling a Home on the 1st or 2nd Day (or Without Listing at All) Is Just Not Smart Also this week: Testimonial From a Recent Golden Real Estate Client (Dick & Nan Bryant) April 20, 2017 — What Makes for Success in Real Estate? Here’s What Golden Real Estate Does Also this week: Testimonial From a Recent Golden Real Estate Client (Brenda Bronson) April 13, 2017 — Good Planning and Help From Our Agents Can Reduce the Stress of Moving Also this week: NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index Says a Lot About Our Hot Market Also this week: Golden Real Estate Was Honored Last Week for Its Business Success April 6, 2017 — Learn From a Victim of Nigerian Scammers Who Died Penniless Last Week Also this week: 10 Reasons You’d Be Smart to List Your Home With Golden Real Estate Mar. 30, 2017 — First-Time Buyers and Veterans Buying a Home May Be “Leaving Money on the Table” Also this week: Find 15 Informative Videos for Buyers and Sellers on www.GoldenRealEstate.com Mar. 23, 2017 — When the Fed Raises Its Interest Rate, Do Mortgage Rates Increase? Also this week: What’s a “Closing Protection Letter” and When Do You Need One? Mar. 16, 2017 — What You Need to Know About Buying a New Home from a Builder Mar. 9, 2017 — Job #1 for Buyers: Finding the Right Mortgage Professional Also this week: Golden Real Estate Welcomes New Broker Associates Andrew Lesko and Susan Dixon Mar. 2, 2017 — Why Are So Many People Choosing to Relocate to Colorado? Feb. 23, 2017 — How Do Credit Scores Affect Mortgage Interest Rates? Also this week: Don’t Be Fooled by 1% Listing Commission Offers Feb. 16, 2017 — Dealing With Real Estate Can Be Overwhelming for Senior Citizens Feb. 9, 2017 — Where Should Zillow Fit Into Your Home Search Process? Also this week: What’s the Difference Between a Condo and a Townhome? Feb. 2, 2017 — What’s Your Definition of a “Full Service” Real Estate Professional? Click here to download CREC position statement CP-36 regarding “Limited Service” Also this week: What Are the Rules of Professional Journalism? Jan. 26, 2017 — In This Internet Age, What’s the Future of the Broker-Centric Real Estate Model? Jan. 19, 2017 — When Will Our Legislators Address the Issue of Excessive HOA Transfer Fees? Also: Colorado Enacts First-Time Homebuyers Savings Account Act Jan. 12, 2017 — Real Estate Commissions Warns About Affiliated Business Arrangements Also: Surprise! Electric Vehicles Excel in the Winter Also: 40 Percent of Adult Children Are Living With their Parents Jan. 5, 2017 — Denver Has 10 of the Nation’s 50 Most Competitive Real Estate Neighborhoods Click here for the Jefferson County version, focusing on the 4 Jeffco competitive neighborhoods Also: Have You Downloaded Golden Real Estate’s Smartphone App Listing Service Providers? Dec. 29, 2016 (Denver) — Happy New Year! What Will the Real Estate Market Be Like in 2017? Dec. 29, 2016 (Jeffco) — Happy New Year! What Will the Real Estate Market Be Like in 2017? Dec. 22, 2016 — Many Agents Are Rushing to Take a CE Class That Will Be Out-of-Date on Jan. 1st Also: Here’s Proof That Now Is a Great Time to Put a Home on the Market Also: Think Twice, Please, Before Buying a New Car Dec. 15, 2016 — Realtor Code of Ethics Is Supplemented by ‘Pathways to Professionalism’ Dec. 8, 2016 (Denver)— The Trend Continues: Winter May Be the Easiest Time to Sell a Denver Home Dec. 8, 2016 (Jeffco) — The Trend Continues: Winter May Be the Easiest Time to Sell a Jefferson County Home Also: Millennials Want to Buy, But They Think It’s Harder Than It Is Click Here to open the infographic about millennials and real estate Dec. 1, 2016 — Golden Real Estate Is Taking Colorado Gives Day to the Next Level Also: The Gas/Diesel Tax Should Be Replaced With a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Tax Nov. 24, 2016 — Here’s a Free and Innovative Real Estate App That You’ll Love Using Also: At Thanksgiving I Find Much to Be Thankful For. Here’s a Short List... Nov. 17, 2016 — How Will Trump’s Election Impact the Real Estate Market & Industry? Nov. 10, 2016 — What Effect Will Election Results Have on the Real Estate Market? We’ll See! Click Here for: Inflammation Is the Source of Most Diseases, and Diet Is the Major Cause of Inflammation Nov. 3, 2016 — The EcoBrokers of Golden Real Estate Offer a Variety of Backgrounds and Expertise Oct. 27, 2016 — Realtor Associations Take a Position on Several Ballot Issues, But Pass on Others Also: Here Are Some Measures You Can Take to Reduce Your Home’s Energy Bill This Winter Oct. 20, 2016 — As Winter Approaches, Should Sellers Wait for Spring to List Their Homes on MLS? Also: Is Home Battery Storage Right for You? What I Learned Visiting a Lakewood Company (Iron Edison) Oct. 13, 2016 — Colorado Is the First State to Install a Solar PV System Under DOE’s Weatherization Program Oct. 6, 2016 — Exploiting Work Overload, Some Appraisers Engage in Price Gouging Click Here to read “Agents Claiming to Be 5280 Five-Star Professionals Are Bending the Truth” Sept. 29, 2016 — Saturday’s Tour of Solar & Sustainable Homes Is a Multi-Location Educational Event Click Here to read “8 Weeks to Wellness Taught Me What Makes Us Fat. It’s Not Saturated Fat. It’s Sugar.” Sept. 22, 2016 — Homeowner Associations: Created to Serve Members, They Are Often Reviled Sept. 15, 2016 — Is Your Neighborhood Going to Pot (Literally)? How Much Worse Will It Get? Click Here to read the DEA document “Residential Marijuana Grows in Colorado: The New Meth Houses?” Sept. 8, 2016 — For Homeowners Over 62, a Reverse Mortgage Could Address Some Financial Needs Also: Do You Know a Realtor Who Belongs at Golden Real Estate? Sept. 1, 2016 — HOA Transfer Fees Can Be Excessive & Benefit Management Company, Not the HOA Aug. 25, 2016 — Agent Availability Is the #1 Complaint of Home Buyers and Sellers Aug. 18, 2016 — The Golden Fine Arts Festival Is a Factor in Golden’s Rising Home Values Aug. 11, 2016 — Denver’s MLS Adds Data Fields for Smart Home Technology Also: National Drive Electric Week Is Coming to Golden on Sept. 18th Aug. 4, 2016 — Why Should Buyers Even Look for Homes When the Inventory Is So Low? Also: Did You Know? The ‘Grace’ Period on Your Monthly Mortgage Payment Isn’t Free July 28, 2016 — Who Pays for What When You Buy or Sell Real Estate? It’s All Negotiable July 21, 2016 — Metro Area Property Tax Rates Vary Far More Than Most Buyers Realize July 14, 2016 — Here Are More Ways to Find a Home That Fits Your Family’s Lifestyle Also: “Self-Driving” Cars Are a Pipe Dream July 7, 2016 — House Hunting? How Do You Find a Home That Fits Your Family’s Lifestyle? June 30, 2016 — Today’s ‘High Performance’ Homes Go Far Beyond Energy Efficiency and Solar Power June 23, 2016 — When an Agent Sells His Own Listing, Should the Buyer Be a ‘Client’ or ‘Customer’? June 16, 2016 — Trying to Sell Without an Agent? Learn from Another Seller’s Experience June 9, 2016 — What Are the Services You Can and Should Expect a Listing Agent to Perform? June 2, 2016 — More Homes Are Being Listed, But the Number of Active Listings Is Actually Falling May 25, 2016 — Thinking of Becoming a Realtor? You Might Think Twice Based on This Survey May 19, 2016 — Considering Solar? We Can Help You Sort Through the Various Financing Options May 12, 2016 — Does Your Organization Welcome Outside Speakers? May 5, 2016 — What Is a Buyer’s Recourse When the Seller Fails to Disclose Known Serious Defects? April 28, 2016 — Here Are Some Common Pricing Mistakes Made by Sellers and Their Listing Agents April 21, 2016 — Variable Commission Can Benefit Sellers; How I Shed 25 lbs. in 8 Weeks April 14, 2016 — Whose Side Is Your “Agent” On? What You Need to Know About Agency Laws April 7, 2016 — Did Your Listing Agent Produce the Buyer? You May Have Left Money on the Table Mar. 31, 2016 — Listing Agents Seem Confused About How to Handle Multiple Offers Mar. 24, 2016 (Denver) — Did You Know? 5280 Magazine Doesn’t Choose 5-Star Professionals Click Here to read the 2012 Five Star Professional Upsell Order Form/Price List Mar. 24, 2016 (Jeffco) — Higher Property Values Mean Higher Property Taxes, But What About TABOR? Mar. 17, 2016 (Denver) — Denver’s Seller’s Market Continues to Exceed Everyone’s Wildest Expectations Mar. 17, 2016 (Jeffco) — Jeffco’s Seller’s Market Continues to Exceed Everyone’s Wildest Expectations Mar. 10, 2016 (Denver) — Why Sellers Should Want Multiple Offers and How to Get Them Also: Now’s the Time to Put That Hard-to-Sell Home on the Market Mar. 10, 2016 (Jeffco) — Now’s the Time to Put That Hard-to-Sell Home on the Market Mar. 3, 2016 — Colorado’s Property Tax System Makes It Costly to Keep Vacant Land Vacant Also: Why Sellers Should Want Multiple Offers — And How to Get Them Feb. 25, 2016 (Denver) — Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Realtor About Listing Your Home Also: Research You Can Do Online Before the Interview Feb. 25, 2016 (Jeffco) — Cheap Electricity From Renewable Sources Is Revolutionizing the Utility Industry Also: Golden Optimists Move Their Bicycle Recycle Program to Golden Real Estate’s Parking Lot Feb. 18, 2016 — Here’s Some Different Advice for Buyers and Sellers in the Current Real Estate Market Feb. 11, 2016 — House of Representatives Passes Legislation Favoring First-Time and Low-Income Buyers Also: Coming Feb. 18-20 — Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden Feb. 4, 2016 — Chart Demonstrates Our Seller’s Market — More Sales from Fewer Listings Jan. 28, 2016 — Looking Back: Did Homes Listed in December Sell as Well as I Had Predicted? Also: Let’s Prevent a Repeat of the School Board Election Disaster Also: What I Have Learned Recently About Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Jan. 21, 2016 — As a Listing Agent, I Used to Think Buyer Agents Were Overpaid, But Not Anymore Also: Understanding the Resale Value of Roof-Top Solar PV Installations Jan. 14, 2016 — 2016 May Be the Year That Home Automation Goes Mainstream Also: Don’t Have a Smartphone? Find Our Services Providers at www.GoldenRealEstate.com Jan. 7, 2016 — Finding a Trusted Service Provider Just Got a Lot Easier! Also: Jefferson Parkway: Tell County Commissioners to Stop Throwing Good Money After Bad Dec. 31, 2015 — Lobbying by Realtor Associations Serves All Agents, But Also All Homeowners Dec. 24, 2015 — Holiday Greetings to Our Readers, Clients and Friends! Also: Read More About Metropolitan Tax Districts Dec. 17, 2015 — Understanding Real Estate Property Taxes and Why They Vary So Much Dec. 10, 2015 — The Seller’s Market Lives on — But Only for Homes That Are Priced Right Also: Looking for a Home Service Provider? We Have an App for That! Dec. 3, 2015 — Some Pros and Cons of Buying and Selling During the Holiday Season Nov. 26, 2015 — It’s Thanksgiving, and My Thankfulness Is Both Personal and Professional Also: Bring Your Unwrapped Toys to Golden Real Estate’s S. Golden Road Office by Dec. 17th Nov. 19, 2015 — Here’s Some of What I Learned at Last Weekend’s Realtor Convention/Expo Also: HUD Announces Relaxation of Condo Finance Requirements Nov. 12, 2015 — Teams Can Leverage the Talents of Individual Real Estate Agents Also: Christian Action Guild Solicits Unwrapped Toys Nov. 5, 2015 — Why We Believe in and Advocate for a Values-Based Real Estate Practice Oct. 29, 2015 — How Do You Decide When It’s Time to Downsize? It’s a Very Personal Decision Oct. 22, 2015 — What Is the Value of Hiring a Realtor When You Can Sell Your Home Without One? Oct. 15, 2015 — Is Your Denver Area Home Listed on the Right MLS? Here’s What You Need to Know Also: Of Course: Recall the Conservative Jeffco School Board Majority Oct. 8, 2015 — Golden Real Estate’s Agents Are Getting Great Reviews on www.RatedAgent.com Also: Support Jeffco’s Libraries — Vote Yes on Ballot Measure 1A Oct. 1, 2015 — This Saturday is Your Opportunity to Tour 14 Solar & Sustainable Homes Also: Electric Vehicle Roundup Is Part of Golden Solar Tour Sept. 24, 2015 — Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Realtor About Listing Your Home Also: Research You Can Do Online Before Your Listing Appointment With a Realtor Sept. 17, 2015 — It Can Be Quite Stressful to Buy a Home When You Have to Sell One First Also: Learn About and Experience Electric Vehicles This Saturday at “Drive Electric Week” Events Sept. 10, 2015 — Everyone Has a Friend or Relative in Real Estate, But Should You Use Him or Her? Sept. 3, 2015 — The Denver Metro Real Estate Market Is Still Hot, But It Does Vary Somewhat by Price Range Aug. 27, 2015 — Brokers and Sellers Must Disclose Defects Learned From Inspections, Not Just Known Defects Aug. 20, 2015 — In Our Internet-Connected Marketplace, What’s the Role of Realtors Now? Aug. 13, 2015 — The Reported Cooling of the Local Real Estate Market Isn’t Supported by MLS Data Aug. 6, 2015 — Heating & Cooling Is Important to 86% of Buyers, According to NAR July 30, 2015 — A Familiar Challenge: Mom & Dad Need to Go to Assisted Living July 23, 2015 — Social Media Can Supercharge the Marketing of Real Estate Listings July 16, 2015 — You’d Be Surprised How Many Real Estate Agents Compete for Your Business July 9, 2015 — Regarding Online Reviews, One Just Has to Take the Bad With the Good Also: Update on Jim Smith’s Bella Bluegrass Lawn (Less Mowing, Less Water) July 2, 2015 — In Greening Your Home, Where Do You Get the Most Bang for Your Buck? Also: Have You Been Caught in This Rental Scam? Also: Support the Golden Lions and Rotary Clubs June 25, 2015 — A “Post-Racial” America May Be Closer Than Ever, But It Remains Only a Goal June 18, 2015 — National Association of Realtors Says That “Marginal Agents Threaten Industry” Also: What Is Marijuana’s Impact on the Real Estate Market June 11, 2015 — What Can You Do If You Don’t Have the Money for a Downpayment? June 4, 2015 — You’ve Wondered About Electric Cars, Now Come Check Them Out Also: Some Sellers Cheat Themselves by Selling Too Quickly May 28, 2015 — Special New Lawn Doesn’t Need Mowing Yet May 21, 2015 — What Does a Full-Time Realtor’s Family Vacation Look Like? Well, Here’s Mine May 14, 2015 — Does the Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home Seem High? Here Are Some Data May 7, 2015 — Here’s Your Guide to Appealing the Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home April 30, 2015 — The Biennial Property Tax Reassessment Process Begins Next Week April 23, 2015 — Celebrating Earth Day — Fifty Shade of Green (continued) Also: Recent Transactions Show Level of Accuracy of Zillow Estimates April 16, 2015 — What’s Your Home’s Value? Assessor, Zillow & Others Differ Widely April 9, 2015 — Here’s Why Real Estate Bidding Wars Won’t End Any Time Soon April 2, 2015 — A Seller’s Market Is the Worst Time to Try “For Sale by Owner” Also: Locksmiths Aren’t Licensed in Colorado Also: You Thought Inventory Was Low? Look at These Statistics Mar. 25, 2015 — How Should a Seller (and Listing Agent) Handle Multiple Competing Offers? Also: Beware of Internet Scams; Denver Metro Area Saw 4th Highest Increase in Rents Mar. 19, 2015 — What Should You Do When You Get an Offer on Your Unlisted Home? Mar. 12, 2015 — It Takes Courage (& a Good Realtor) to Sell One House & Buy Another Mar. 5, 2015 — Buyer Demand Keeps Outpacing the Supply of Homes for Sale Feb. 26, 2015 — Fifty Shades of Green (cont’d): More Big & Small Ways to Go Green Also: Panel Urges Licensing of Home Inspectors, But Legislation Fails Feb. 19, 2015 — State Senate Considers Construction Defects Bill With Its Own Defects Also: Join Our Agents for a Lunch-and-Learn on Credit Repair Feb. 12, 2015 — Fifty Shades of Green: Big & Small Ways for You to “Go Green” Also: Colorado Environmental Film Festival Coming to Golden on Feb. 19-21 Feb. 5, 2015 — Going Green in Your Home Is More Doable Than Most People Think Also: The Inspection Objection and Inspection Resolution Process Explained Jan. 29, 2015 — In Today’s World, Real Estate Professionals Need to Be EcoBrokers Also: Solar PV Vendor Responds to Jan. 15th Column on Rooftop Solar Jan. 22, 2015 — Mortgage Lending Gets More Challenging All the Time; Here’s the Latest Also: Senior Property Tax Exemption Explained Also: 2015 Property Taxes Will Jump Because of 2014’s Value Surge Jan. 15, 2015 — More Than Ever, Overpriced Homes Sell for Less Than Underpriced Ones Also: Having Second Thoughts About Rooftop Solar Panels Also: Now’s a Good Time to Put That Hard-to-Sell Home on the Market Jan. 8, 2015 — Realtor Association Moves to Increase Professionalism and Skills of Members Also: Sellers Risk Losing Out If They Sell Without Putting Home on MLS Jan. 1, 2015 — Happy New Year! What’s Your Vision for Jefferson County in 2030? Here’s Mine. Also: 2014 — Jefferson County’s Real Estate Year in Review Also: Sellers, Too, Can Pay Too Much in Fees When Selling a Home Dec. 25, 2014 — Buyers Often Pay More Than They Should (in fees) When Buying a Home Dec. 18, 2014 — Did You Know? You Don’t Need a Suitable Roof to Benefit from Solar Power Also: What’s the Future of Solar PV and Electric Driving Powered by the Sun Dec. 11, 2014 — Buying That First Home May Not Be as Impossible as You Might Believe Also: Realtor.com Ranks Denver Metro Area #3 in Top 2015 Real Estate Growth Markets Dec. 4, 2014 — Negotiating Multiple Offers Can & Probably Should Resemble an Auction Also: How Much Does Landscaping Help to Sell a Home Nov. 27, 2014 — Happy Thanksgiving to Our Readers—We Have So Much to Be Grateful For Also: Climate Colorado Summit Gave Birth to Many Sustainable Initiatives — Including Mine Click here for the PowerPoint presentation “Gasoline-Powered Cars Are Obsolete” Click here for the PowerPoint presentation “Electric Vehicle Charging as an Employee Benefit” Click here for Steve Stevens’ PowerPoint presentation on “Beyond Net Zero” Nov. 20, 2014 — The Pros & Cons of Listing Your Home for Sale During the Holiday Season Nov. 13, 2014 — Have You Wondered Why Some Homes Don’t Sell, Even in a Seller’s Market? Also: Join Me This Weekend at the Climate Colorado Summit 2014; Colorado’s First All-Electric Car Share Opens in Golden Nov. 6, 2014 — The Press, With Its Limited Understanding of Real Estate, Is Easily Manipulated Also: Metrolist Stops Using Its Corporate Name; Now It’s ’REcolorado’ Oct. 30, 2014 — Did You Have a Bad Real Estate Experience? Here Are Some Actions You Can Take Oct. 23, 2014 — NAR Fights Losing Battle for Public Recognition of Its ‘Realtor’ Trademark Oct. 16, 2014 — What Owners of Pre-1978 Homes Need to Know About Lead Based Paint Also: Jeffco Voters Should Consider the School Board Chaos When Voting for Commissioner Oct. 9, 2014 — Buyer Activity Keeps Supply of Jeffco Homes for Sale Under 2 Months Oct. 2, 2014 — This Weekend Is Your Opportunity to Explore Solar-Powered Living Also: Annual Pumpkin Patch Funds Habitat for Humanity Houses Sept. 25, 2014 — Denver’s MLS Moving to Include Listings of New Homes and Rentals Also: Our Mascot, Flower, Has Died
Sept. 18, 2014 — This Is National Drive Electric Week, With Several Front Range Events Sept. 11, 2014 — Jeffco5 Petition Drive Failed, But Voters Can Achieve Same Goal in November Also: Find a “Five Star Professional” in This Month’s 5280 Magazine Click Here to read the 2012 Five Star Professional Upsell Order Form/Price List Sept. 4, 2014 — What You Can & Should Accomplish From Inspecting the Home You Buy Also: In Memoriam: A Tribute to Oliver Frascona Aug. 28, 2014 — The Top 5 Reasons Homes Don’t Sell, Even in Today’s Seller’s Market Aug. 21, 2014 — “Love It or Leave It” — Should You Remodel Your Home or Buy a New One? Aug. 14, 2014 — “Why Isn’t My House Selling” Consider Your Selection of Listing Agent Aug. 7, 2014 — Don’t Quit Your Job! … And Other Pre-Closing Advice (plus 5 new listings) July 31, 2014 — “All My Agent Did Was Put a Sign in the Ground and Wait for It to Sell.” July 24, 2014 — Purchase Contract With “As-Is” Clause Sounds Great, But It’s a Hollow Promise Also: Buyers Can Now Get Email Alerts About New Listings Within 15 Minutes Also: Is the Gas-Powered Automobile Obsolete? Consider This... July 17, 2014 — Fear of Homelessness Continues to Keep Sellers From Listing Their Homes July 10, 2014 — Sellers Often Ignore Their Own Self-Interest in Selecting a Listing Agent July 3, 2014 — Buyer’s Remorse Is Resulting in More Contract Terminations Than Usual June 26, 2014 — This Year’s Surge in Home Prices Will Impact Next Year’s Property Taxes June 19, 2014 — Real Estate Commission Takes a Stand on “Coming Soon” Listings Click Here to read CP-44, the CREC’s position statement on “Coming Soon” listings June 12, 2014 — The Final Push Is On to Get the Jeffco5 Measure on the November Ballot Click Here to read NAR’s full press release regarding the 2014 Survey of NAR Members June 5, 2014 — Inventory of Active Listings in Jeffco Is Up, But Not Meeting the Demand Also: Visit Our Electric Vehicle Roundup at Saturday’s Super Cruise in Golden May 29, 2014 — If You Have a Hard-to-Sell Home, Now Is the Time to Put It on the MLS Also: Remodeling? Let Habitat for Humanity Do the Demolition Also: The Gas-Powered Automobile Is Obsolete, But the Public Doesn’t Realize It Quite Yet Also: Senior Property Tax Exemption Penalizes Downsizing May 22, 2014 — Here Are Some Ways Real Estate Agents Can Save Money — at Clients’ Expense Also: At Golden Real Estate, We Like Going the Extra Mile May 15, 2014 — Whether Buying or Selling, Navigating This Market Requires Expertise May 8, 2014 — The Sellers Market Keeps Outdoing Itself — Just Look at These Charts! May 1, 2014 — Sellers Are Afraid to Sell Their Home and Not Find a Replacement Home to Buy Apr. 24, 2014 — The Conversation About “Coming Soon” Signs Continues Among Realtors Apr. 17, 2014 — HDR Imaging—Raising the Bar on Real Estate’s #1 Tool, Photography Also: Slab Granite Isn’t the Only Upgrade for Countertops Apr. 10. 2014 — Choosing the Right Lender Is As Important As Choosing the Right Realtor Apr. 3. 2014 — You May Leave Money on the Table if You Sell Without Listing on the MLS Also: Agents Committed to Sustainable Practices Should Consider Golden Real Estate Mar. 27. 2014 — Sellers Ask Themselves: Should I Sell Now, or Wait for the “Selling Season”? Also: First-Time Homebuyer Seminar at Our Office This Saturday, 10 am to Noon Also: Are Multiple-Fare Zones on Light Rail Self-Defeating? Also: Follow-up on Realtor.com Exec’s Defection to Zillow (Click Here for 16-minute video interview) Mar. 20. 2014 — Zillow Raids Realtor.com’s Executive Suite, Draws Legal Action Also: Jeffco School Board’s Dysfunction Can Be Attributed to the At-Large Election of Board Members Also: How Hot is the Real Estate Market? Here’s an Extreme Example Mar. 13. 2014 — With Supply of Active Listings at Record Low, Buyers Look to New Homes Also: Golden Real Estate Polishes Its “Green” Image with Purchase of a Tesla Model S Electric Car Mar. 6. 2014 — Sure, You Can Sell Your Current Home, But Can You Find a New One? Also: Why ALL Traffic at Light Rail Crossing in Golden Is Stopped for 80 Minutes/Day Feb. 27. 2014 — Do Pocket Listings Make Sense in the Current Real Estate Market? Also: Why You Should Attend Your Party Caucus Next Wednesday — Click here to find caucus location Also: There is No Excuse for MLS Listings Without Photos Also: Reflections on the Colorado Environment Film Festival Feb. 20. 2014 — Did Your Home Fail to Sell the Last Time You Tried? Consider the Current Market Also: Golden Real Estate Is an Agent-Friendly Brokerage Feb. 13. 2014 — Voluntary Associations Are Being Created in Older Subdivisions Without HOAs Also: Zillow Offers 4 Predictions About Real Estate in 2014 Feb. 6. 2014 — You May Have Thought Inventory Was Tight Before, But Look at This! Also: Reader Response to Last Week’s Column on Climate Change Has Got Me Thinking Jan. 30. 2014 — Our Planet May Have Already Passed the “Tipping Point” on Climate Change Also: Meet Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates Jan. 23. 2014 — Now You Can Select Your Next Real Estate Agent Based on True Evaluations Also: Sign the Jeffco5 Petition at Golden Real Estate’s office Jan. 16. 2014 — What You Need to Know About Email Notifications of New Real Estate Listings Also: State Legislatures Passed Several HOA Laws in 2013 Click here to view a lengthy description of new Colorado laws affecting HOA’s signed into law in 2013. Jan. 2. 2014 — ‘Qualified Mortgage’ and ‘Ability to Repay’ Rules Take Effect on Jan. 10th Also: Jeffco5 Petition Drive Begins Shortly and Reflections on the Past Year Dec. 26. 2013 — Home Sales Surged Dramatically Last Week, The Week Before Christmas Also: A list of my “evergreen” columns from 2013, in case you missed any of them Dec. 19. 2013 — The Pros & Cons of Putting Your Home on the Market During the Holidays Dec. 12. 2013 — Our Recent Sub-Zero Cold Spell Demonstrated the Value of Weatherization Dec. 5. 2013 — Realtor.com Creates a Major Uproar Over Its Agent Rating Program in Beta Testing Nov. 28. 2013 — Readers Ask More Questions About Selling American Real Estate to China Nov. 21. 2013 — What Are the Implications of Selling American Real Estate to China? Click here to view report on where Chinese are buying overseas real estate Nov. 14. 2013 — Here’s Some of What I Learned at This Year’s Realtor Convention & Expo Nov. 7. 2013 — The Year-End Rush Is on for Agents to Take Soon-to-Be-Outdated Mandatory Class Oct. 31. 2013 — Mastering the Art and Science of Getting Your Way on Inspection Issues Oct. 24. 2013 — Your Home’s Under Contract — Now What Should Your Do & Expect? Oct. 17. 2013 — ‘Credit Repair’ Services Can Actually Lower Your Credit Score, Not Raise It Oct. 10. 2013 — Buyer Activity Has Slowed Down, But Only Somewhat, Across the Front Range Oct. 3. 2013 — What Impact Will Government Shutdown Have on Real Estate Transactions? Sept. 25. 2013 — Dropping Membership Points to a Slow, Steady Decline for Realtor Associations Sept. 19. 2013 — Recent Floods Blindsided the Uninsured, But Does It Need to Be That Way? Sept. 12. 2013 — Westword Draws Attention to the Effect of Construction Defect Lawsuits Sept. 5. 2013 — Should You Really Care Whether Your Real Estate Agent Is a Realtor? Aug. 29, 2013 — 18 Questions to Ask When Interviewing an Agent to List Your Home Aug. 22, 2013 — Client Is Glad She Decided Against Trying to Sell Home by Herself Aug. 15, 2013 — What Qualities Make Some Real Estate Agents More Successful Than Others? Aug. 8, 2013 — Momentum Builds for Having 5 Jeffco Commissioners, Not Just 3 Aug. 1, 2013 — There’s So Much More to Buying or Selling a Home Than Getting Under Contract July 25, 2013 — New to Colorado? Most Real Estate Transactions Here Are Lawyer-Free July 18, 2013 — Trulia & Zillow Are Great, But Not for Finding Homes Actually for Sale July 11, 2013 — Metropolitan Tax Districts Add Hidden Cost to the Price of Many Homes July 4, 2013 — Buyer Activity & Competing Offers Continue to Decline, But Still Quite High June 27, 2013 — Here Are Some Typical Questions That Buyers and Sellers Have About Closings June 20, 2013 — Think Real Estate Agents Are Overpaid? Much of the Time We Work for Free June 13, 2013 — You Can’t Underprice a Home, But You Can Still Overprice It in This Market June 6, 2013 — Buyer Activity Slows Down Slightly — Except for Listings Over $600,000 May 30, 2013 — Confidentiality Reduces Effectiveness & Utilization of Realtor Code of Ethics Click here to read the Realty Times article about the California Association of Realtors’ effort to reverse this policy.. May 23, 2013 — Mold - The Hidden Danger in Homes and What You Need to Know About It Click here for Scott Lagge’s personal story of how his family discovered and dealt with the effects of mold.. Click here for Scott’s article “A Healthy Home” on surviving mold. May 16, 2013 — What to Do About ‘Coming Soon’ Listings Is Big Topic at Realtor Meetings Also: Big Price Reductions on Two Golden Listings; Two Big Garage Sales in Golden This Saturday May 9, 2013 — Unhappy With the County Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home? Here’s Help! Click here for a guide to appealing the Jeffco Assessor’s valuation of your home.. Click here for the Assessor’s explanation of the valuation process.. May 2, 2013 — Over Half the Metro Area Homes Listed in April Are Already Under Contract or Sold Apr. 25, 2013 — With Homes Selling So Quickly, It’s Tempting to Think You Can Do It Alone Apr. 18, 2013 — How Buyers Can Make Their Offers More Attractive Than Competing Offers Apr. 11, 2013 — Low Number of Homes for Sale Is Not Due to Sellers Failing to List Their Homes Also: Colorado Real Estate Commission to Review Use of Font Signatures on e-Contracts Apr. 4, 2013 — All Price Ranges in Jefferson County Are Benefiting From This Seller’s Market Mar. 28, 2013 — Buyers & Sellers Are Now Being Asked to Rate Agents at Participating Firms Click here to read Five Star Professionals’ 58-page advertising insert in the September 2012 issue of 5280. Click here for Five Star Professionals’ rate card for their 2012 advertising supplement in 5280 Magazine. Click here to read comments from Denver agents who are 5280 Magazine Five Star Professionals. Mar. 21, 2013 — Housing Is Recovering So Quickly, Might the Federal Reserve Raise Rates? Mar. 14, 2013 — Lenders Hire ‘Property Preservation’ Firms to Break Into Vacant Homes Mar. 7, 2013 — Hot Market Makes ‘Pocket’ Listings and ‘Coming Soon’ Signs More Common Feb. 28, 2013 — An Unwary Buyer Could Be Blindsided at Closing and Lose Earnest Money Feb. 21, 2013 — This Seller’s Market Is Inspiring Greater Use of Escalation Clauses in Contracts Feb. 14, 2013 — It’s Almost Scary How Buyers Are Bidding Up Properties Above Listing Price ALSO: Buyers Learn How to Avoid Disclosing Inspection Issues to Lenders. Feb. 7, 2013 — Fees on FHA-Insured Loans Are Rising, Hurting First-Time Buyers the Most Jan. 31, 2013 — How Hot is the Real Estate Market? One Listing Draws 26 Competing Offers Jan. 24, 2013 — 2013 May Be the Year When Electronic Lockboxes Finally Take Hold Here Jan. 17, 2013 — The Art of Giving and Requesting Good Feedback on Real Estate Showings ALSO: CBI Gives Priority to Gun Checks. Jan. 10, 2013 — ‘Above & Beyond’ Services Can Set Apart a Full-Service Real Estate Agent Jan. 3, 2013 — Don’t Believe Reports that the Mortgage Interest Deduction Will Be Eliminated ALSO: Furnace Efficiency Standards to Rise. ALSO: Speaking of Tax Deductions.... My Chevy Volt Costs 3.8 cents per mile, but I can deduct 55.5 cents Dec. 27, 2012 — Denver Metro Association of Realtors Take the Plunge Into Rating of Realtors Dec. 20, 2012 — 2013 Brings Big Change in How Inspection Issues Are Handled in Transactions ALSO: Fannie Mae’s Rules Benefit Credit Unions (which don’t sell their loans to Fannie Mae). Dec. 13, 2012 — Inspection Issues Bring Second Round of Negotiations Between Buyer & Seller Dec. 6, 2012 — How to Protect Yourself From Being Scammed After the Next Big Hail Storm ALSO: Bringing Democracy to Jefferson County. Nov. 29, 2012 — Many Realtor Association-Endorsed Candidates, Including Casey Tighe, Won Nov. 22, 2012 — Habitat for Humanity Dedication Reminds Us of the Value of Home Ownership Nov. 15, 2012 — It’s Easy to Believe Realtors Are Overpaid for What They Do, But Are They? Nov. 8, 2012 — Mortgage Credit Certificates Can Save First-Time Buyers (& Veterans) Thousands of $ Nov. 1, 2012 — What You Need to Know When You Choose to Buy Without Your Own Agent ALSO: The Good and Bad Effects of eContracts. Oct. 25, 2012 — Do You Equate Real Estate Agents With Used Car Salesmen? Think Again! Oct. 18, 2012 — If You’re Selling Your Home Because of an ‘Obamacare’ Tax, You’ve Been Duped Click here for NAR’s explanation and debunking of this tax on unearned income. Click here for a 10-page PDF from NAR showing 7 different tax scenarios under this provision of Obamacare.. Oct. 11, 2012 — Real Estate Is Just One Area in Which Conflict Resolution Skills Are Useful Oct. 4, 2012 — Don’t Miss the All-Golden Tour of Solar & Sustainable Homes This Saturday Also: Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Round-Up This Friday, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 27, 2012 — Thanks, Norm Lewis, for Educating Realtors & Consumers on Lending Issues Sept. 20, 2012 — The #1 Mistake of Sellers: Not Checking Their Home’s Online Presence Sept. 13, 2012 — Homeowner Associations: Good or Bad? Here Are Some Points to Ponder Sept. 6, 2012 — Home Buyers Are Still Buying in All Areas and in All Price Ranges Click here to see full charts on Jim’s blog.. Aug. 30, 2012 — FHA Responds to Rep. Perlmutter’s Request to Ease Condo Financing Rules Click here to read Rep. Perlmutter’s April 25, 2012, letter to the FHA. Click here to read the FHA’s August 10, 2012, response. Aug. 23, 2012 — Some Useful Questions to Ask When Interviewing Your Next Listing Agent Aug. 16, 2012 — My Buyer Teaches Us All a Lesson About Not Taking “No” for an Answer Aug. 9, 2012 — Making the Rent vs. Buy Decision: Zillow Calculates the ‘Breakeven Horizon’ Click here to view the Zillow.com web page with figures for 224 metro areas... Aug. 2, 2012 — MCC Program Dwarfs the Earlier $8,000 Tax Credit, But Is Often Overlooked Click here for a detailed explanation of the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program... July 26, 2012 — Get Legal Assistance Before You Offer to Pay Someone Else’s Mortgage Click on June 9, 2011, column below for further detail on using a “wrap” and for a link for explanation by a lawyer. July 19, 2012 — How Can One Be Scammed in Real Estate? Help Me Count the Ways! July 12, 2012 — What Are the Buyer & Seller Costs Associated With Buying or Selling a Home? July 5, 2012 — Here’s How Our Area’s Real Estate Statistics Compare with National Stats June 28, 2012 — What Happens at a Real Estate Closing? Answers to Common Questions June 21, 2012 — In a Seller’s Market, It’s Tempting to Try to Sell Your Home Without an Agent June 14, 2012 — Here Are Some (Barely Half) of the Tasks I Perform to Put a Home on the Market Click here for a greatly expanded (over 3 times as long) version of this column on Jim’s blog.. June 7, 2012 — It’s a Sellers’ Market, as Buyers Put Half of Non-Foothills Listings Under Contract May 31, 2012 — Here Are My Favorite Easy Improvements When Moving Into a New Home May 24, 2012 — Look at How Much the Cost of Installing Solar PV on Your Home Has Dropped May 17, 2012 — Home Builders Lead the Way on Solar, But You Can Get It Free in an Existing Home May 10, 2012 — I’m a Big Fan of eContracts, But Look at What Passes for a Signature May 3, 2012 — Real Estate May Be Slow Nationally, But Front Range Buyers Are on a Tear April 26, 2012 — Following Backlash, Jeffco Commissioners Shelve Effort to Legislate Beltway April 19, 2012 — In Pursuit of Beltway, Commissioners Ask Legislature to Gut Cities’ Right Click here for the article in Jefferson County’s employee newsletter “Frontline” Click here for the full draft of the “Beltway Completion Bill” Click here for a summary of the provisions contained in the proposed legislation April 12, 2012 — Here’s My Take on Radon Gas in Your Home, Its Risks, and Its Mitigation April 5, 2012 — If You Don’t Think the Housing Market Is Improving, Ask Any Realtor® Mar. 29, 2012 — The Word ‘Realtor’ Is Misused as Much as ‘Kleenex,’ Including by Realtors Mar. 22, 2012 — How to Respond to Agents Who Send You Letters or Ring Your Doorbell Mar. 15, 2012 — Sellers Answer the Call and Create a Surge of New Listings, Including Here Mar. 8, 2012 — Percentage of Listed Homes Under Contract Surges Past the 40% Mark Mar. 1, 2012 — Home Buyers Can Save by Purchasing Before FHA Fees Go Up on April 1st Feb. 23, 2012 — Not All Regulation Is Bad — In Some Critical Areas We Need More Regulation Feb. 16, 2012 — Emails Perpetuate Mistruth About a 3.8% Medicare Tax on Real Estate Sales Feb. 9, 2012 — Why Owners Who’d Like to Sell Their Homes Aren’t Putting Them on the Market Feb. 2, 2012 — National Press Reports Continue to Mislead & Confuse Local Buyers & Sellers Jan. 26, 2012 — Sen. Bennet’s SAVE Act Will Bring Sense to Valuing Solar-Powered Homes Jan. 19, 2012 — Supply of Homes for Sale Is Being Depleted: We Need More Homes on Market Also: Hiring Interior Designer Can Pay for Itself Also: Arvada Public Mobilizes Against Beltway Jan. 12, 2012 — Mortgage Cost Increase to Pay for 2-Month Extension of Payroll Tax ‘Holiday’ Also: Jeffco Planning Commission Promotes Blight Jan. 5, 2012 — Yes, Virginia, You Can Buy a Home with Less Than 20% Down Payment Dec. 29, 2011 — Real Estate Industry’s Tech Revolution Really Accelerated in 2011 Dec. 22, 2011 — Condo Associations Need to Take Actions So That Members Can Sell Their Units Click here for a print-out of HUD’s approval status for condo projects in all Jeffco ZIP Codes Dec. 15, 2011 — Here Are Some Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a New Home vs. Resale Dec. 8, 2011 — Is It Fair to Charge the Same Percentage Commission on High-Priced Homes? Dec. 1, 2011 — Yes, It’s a Hot Market, But Your House Isn’t Selling. So, What Can You Do? Nov. 24, 2011 — Thanksgiving Is a Gift to Ourselves, Reminding Us of How Blessed We Are Nov. 17, 2011 — Here’s Some of What I Learned at Last Weekend’s Realtor Convention in LA Nov. 10, 2011 — All 4 Front Range Cities Rank Among Top 20 Healthiest Housing Markets Nov. 3, 2011 — Newly Devised Real Estate Index Answers the Question, “How’s the Market?” Oct. 27, 2011 — Rental Scams on Craigslist Persist, With a 6th Listing of My Own Targeted Oct. 20, 2011 — Here’s Why the Fluctuation in Average Sold Price Can Be Rather Misleading Oct. 13, 2011 — Buyer Who Terminated Because of EMF From Power Line Got Me Thinking Click here to see my YouTube video measuring EMFs with a gaussmeter Oct. 6, 2011 (Arvada Edition)— Think Traffic Is Bad Now? Wait Until the Toll Road/Beltway Is Built! Click here to see who has given money to elect Marc Williams mayor Oct. 6, 2011 — Real Estate Commission Fails to Adopt Controversial Rule on Competency Sep. 29, 2011 — Realtor Association’s Support of ‘Completing’ the Beltway Doesn’t Make Sense Sep. 22, 2011 — 16th Annual Solar & Green Homes Tour Is This Saturday — Costs Just $10 Sep. 15, 2011 — Do You Know What a ‘Patient Navigator’ Is? — It Sounds a Lot Like My Job! Sep. 8, 2011 — Choosing the Wrong Inspector Can Really Mess With Your Home Purchase Click here for inspector Jim Camp’s document on how to select the right inspector Click here for engineer Tom Stroud’s comments on structural issues misread by inspectors Sep. 1, 2011 — “If the Buyer’s Agent Sells My House, Why Do I Need a Lazy Listing Agent?” Aug. 25, 2011 — Who “Sold” That Listing? Real Estate Terminology Clouds the Answer Aug. 18, 2011 — Three Realtor Associations, Including Jeffco’s, Vote to Merge Into One Board Aug. 11, 2011 — Buyers Are Snapping Up the Available Inventory, Both in Jeffco & Metrowide Aug. 4, 2011 — The Appraisal Process Has Many Buyers Confused, So Let Me Explain It Click here for comments by an appraisal and three mortgage professionals on this topic July 28, 2011 — Denver MLS Resists Push to Pay Commissions Based on Net Purchase Price July 21, 2011 — Misinformation About the Real Estate Market Is at the Highest Level I Can Recall July 14, 2011 — Sellers Need to Use Common Sense When Putting Their Homes on the Market July 7, 2011 — Negotiation of Purchase Price Is Only the Beginning — There’s More to Follow June 30, 2011 — With All I See Around Me, I Celebrate Being an American & a Coloradan June 23, 2011 — Despite Reports of Declining Sales, an Abrupt Increase Is in the Pipeline June 16, 2011 — Want to Become a Realtor? You’ll Find NAR’s Member Profile Discouraging June 9, 2011 — 50 Million Americans Can’t Qualify for a Loan, But Here’s a Strategy Click here for article explaining how “wraps” work and why they’re preferred to lease/option and contracts for deed. June 2, 2011 — NBC’s “Today” Show Portrays ‘Tricks by Realtors’ to Promote Their Listings May 26, 2011 — Sellers List with Agents They Like, Know and Trust — But Is That Enough? May 19, 2011 — Appealing the Assessor’s Valuation Is Easier Than You and I Thought May 12, 2011 — Don’t Make These Common Mistakes When Appealing Assessor’s Valuation Click here for instructions on how to appeal Jeffco Assessor’s valuation of your home. May 5, 2011 — Jeffco Assessor’s Valuations of Homes Are Surprisingly Inconsistent Apr. 28, 2011 — Realtor Associations Struggle With the Loss of Members to Non-Realtor Firms NOTE: This PDF contains the full column, which was shortened in the Post in order to feature two listings. Apr. 21, 2011 — What Is the Value of Experience, & How Do You Measure It in Real Estate? Apr. 14, 2011 — Agents & Their Brokers Pay Big Bucks for Features That Most Don’t Use Apr. 7, 2011 — Real Estate Commission & MLS at Odds Over ‘Limited Service’ Listings Mar. 31, 2011 — What the Heck Is Going on in the Mortgage Industry, & Should You Care? Click here to read US Bank’s explanation of the rule to mortgage brokers.. Mar. 24, 2011 — Waiting Until You Have a 20% Down Payment Isn’t Wise — Or Necessary Mar. 17, 2011 — The Real Estate Market Springs to Life—Call It “Day Life Savings” Time! Mar. 10, 2011 — The Good Real Estate Professional Is a Go-Giver, Not Just a Go-Getter Mar. 3, 2011 — For Me, All Relationships, Including in Real Estate, Demand Authenticity Feb. 24, 2011 — Getting Real Estate License May Not Be the Best Advice for the Unemployed Feb. 17, 2011 — The Mortgage Business Keeps Being Tweaked — For Better or Worse Feb. 10, 2011 — Looking for Foreclosures? Here’s How I’d Recast Your Property Search Feb. 3, 2011 — Agents Aren’t Allowed to Put Your House on MLS — And Do Nothing Else Click here to read the Colorado Real Estate Commission’s statement on minimum service requirements. Jan. 27, 2011 — When It Comes to Hiring an Agent, the Best Advice is “Trust, but Verify” Click here to view Jim Smith’s own record for 2009-2010 as an example what to request from an agent. Jan. 20, 2011 — In Today’s Mortgage Market, Raising Your Credit Score Could Help a Lot Click here to view Bruce Gustafson’s PowerPoint presentation from our credit score workshop Jan. 13, 2011 — MLS Changes Make Accepting a Contingent Offer Even Less Attractive Jan. 6, 2011 — The Continued Promotion of Jefferson Parkway Toll Road Defies Logic Click here for a the version printed in the Golden/Evergreen edition of YourHub.. Click here for Mayor Jacob Smith’s and Gwyn Green’s response to the Golden/Evergreen version. Dec. 30, 2010 — Appraisal Is Not the Homebuyer’s Last Hurdle — It’s Lender Underwriting Dec. 23, 2010 — If You Have Decent Credit and Income, You Can Probably Get a Mortgage Dec. 16, 2010 — You Owe It to Yourself & Society to Speak Up When Treated Unethically Click here for info on filing complaints with Realtor Associations and the Real Estate Commission. Dec. 9, 2010 — Denver’s MLS Shifts Into High Gear With Major Changes & Enhancements Dec. 2, 2010 — It Can Make Sense to Put Your Home on the Market During the Holidays Nov. 25, 2010 — Jeffco Homeowners Can Be Thankful for Our Healthy Real Estate Market Click here for additional comments and for input from other professionals on this topic. Nov. 18, 2010 — What Does It Cost to Buy a Home? Here’s a Breakdown of What You Pay Click here for a more detailed breakdown of mortgage-related costs when purchasing a home. Nov. 11, 2010 — What Does It Cost to Sell a Home? Here’s a Breakdown of What You Pay Nov. 4, 2010 — What’s the Difference Between an Appraisal & a Broker’s Price Opinion? Click here to read comments on this column by several mortgage professionals & an appraiser. Oct. 28, 2010 — Realtor Assn. Endorsements in This Year’s Election Cross Party Lines Click here for the explanation of the Colorado Association of Realtors’ endorsement process. Oct. 21, 2010 — New Paperwork Scandal Needn’t Spook Buyers of Colorado Foreclosures Oct. 14, 2010 — 6.1% of Jeffco Homes for Sale Are Foreclosures; 10.3% Are Short Sales Click here for the statistics (by MLS area) for condos/townhomes that are foreclosures or short sales.. Oct. 7, 2010 — Jeffco Foreclosures Far Fewer Than in Eastern Suburbs and National Average Sept. 30, 2010 — Is Your Home Market Ready? Here’s Some Time-Tested, Sensible Advice Sept. 23, 2010 — Inspection Issues Don’t Have to Kill a Contract — If You Prepare Wisely Click here for the pre-inspection checklist from inspector Kevin Yuran mentioned in this column. Click here for 10 tips from inspector Judi Browne on how to get the most out of your home inspection.. Sept. 16, 2010 — Thinking of Selling? Learn What You Need to Know at a Free Listing Seminar Click here to open a web page with links for the Tour of Solar & Green Homes. Sept. 9, 2010 — This Year’s Solar Tour of Homes Goes Far Beyond Last Year’s Event Click here to open a web page with links to all of this year’s tours and seminars. Sept. 2, 2010 — Today’s Low Interest Rates Save You More Than the Expired Tax Credits Aug. 26, 2010 — Should a Home’s Energy Cost Be a Factor in Approving Your Mortgage? Click here to read the grist.org article about this subject. Aug. 19, 2010 — Uninformed Buyers Make Faulty Assumptions About “Declining” Market Aug. 12, 2010 — Sorry, That $30,000 Lot Premium You Paid Has Little or No Resale Value Aug. 5, 2010 — It’s Amazing How Much Time Realtors Must Spend on Their Computers July 29, 2010 — Don’t Fall for the Claim that the Health Care Bill Includes Tax on Real Estate Click here for the snopes.com refutation of this claim. July 22, 2010 — Come to Buffalo Bill Days & You’ll Want to Move Here. (We Can Help!) July 15, 2010 — How Many Square Feet Is Your Home? Well, It Depends on Where It’s Listed July 8, 2010 — Understanding Foreclosures & Short Sales July 1, 2010 — Things to Consider When Buying a New Home vs. a Resale Home Click here for comments from other real estate professionals. June 24, 2010 — New GPS-Enabled Phone App Makes House Hunting Fun and Easy June 17, 2010 — Local Rental Scams on Craigslist Are Becoming More & More Common Click here for a follow-up on this article with example of an email from an actual craigslist scammer. June 10, 2010 — Ten of the More Common Mistakes Made by Listing and Selling Agents NOTE: This column was originally supposed to be published on June 3, 2010, but wasn’t. May 27, 2010 — Choosing the Right Lender Is as Important as Choosing the Right Realtor Click here to read the minister’s eulogy of Pete Smith May 20, 2010 — Arvada Softens Its Attitude Regarding Unpermitted Work in Homes for Sale May 13, 2010 — It’s Surprising Sometimes How Sellers Select Their Listing Agents May 6, 2010 — Good News for Real Estate: Contracts Down for April, But Still Healthy April 29, 2010 — Homes Went Under Contract in April at ~50% Higher Rate Than in 2009 April 22, 2010 — Not All Agents Are ‘Realtors’ — Why You Should Care Whether Yours Is April 15, 2010 — Overpriced Listing Are the Agent’s Curse — And the Seller’s Downfall April 8, 2010 — Still More New Listings from Golden Real Estate as Tax Credit Deadline Nears Click here for column: “Little Flaws Made Big Impressions on Buyers — & Are Cheap to Fix” April 1, 2010 — As Expected, New Listings Surge as the April 30 Tax Credit Deadline Nears Click here for column: “Missing: A System for Verifying the Claims of Real Estate Professionals” Mar. 25, 2010 — All Sellers Want to Get Accurate and Useful Feedback on Their Showings Mar. 18, 2010 — “Quiet Zones” Could Reduce the Impact of Train Horns on Neighborhoods Click here for the Federal Railroad Administration web page about “Quiet Zones” Mar. 11, 2010 — Home Sellers Are Suddenly Jumping Into the Market — And So Are Buyers Mar. 4, 2010 — Buyer Beware: Your Inspector May Not Inspect for Energy Efficiency Feb. 25, 2010 — Things I Learned & Observed From Attending the Garden & Home Show The PDF of this column contains links for numerous vendors mentioned in the column Feb. 18, 2010 — The Listing Contract Now Includes Your Broker’s Marketing Commitments Feb. 11, 2010 — Solar Features, Part III: It’s Not All About Economics for Solar Enthusiasts Feb. 4, 2010 — Solar Power Offers Homeowners the Best Operating Return on Investment Jan. 28, 2010 — What You Need to Know Before Investing in Solar for Your Current Home Jan. 21, 2010 — CHFA Loans Make It Possible to Buy a Home With Only $1,000 in Cash Jan. 14, 2010 — A Home Inspector Advises: Know Where All Your Home’s Turn-Offs Are Jan. 7, 2010 — Agents Have Ways of Obscuring How Long a Listing Has Been on the MLS Dec. 31, 2009 — If You Like Buying Low and Have the Means, This is the Time to Buy a Home Dec. 24, 2009 — Golden Real Estate Now Accepting Listings in West Metro & Foothills Area Dec. 17, 2009 — Some Things to Consider Before Buying (or Selling) a Distressed Property Dec. 10, 2009 — Few Buyers or Sellers Fully Understand the Buying & Selling Process Dec. 3, 2009 — Clients Ask: Isn’t It a Conflict of Interest to Represent Both Buyers & Sellers? Nov. 26, 2009 — Am I Thankful? Despite Today’s Challenges, Let Me Count the Ways... Nov. 19, 2009 — Realtor Convention & Expo Report - Drinking From Yet Another Fire Hose Nov. 12, 2009 — Most of the Time, Realtors Work for Free, More Than Most Professionals Nov. 5, 2009 — 18 (or More) Questions to Ask When Interviewing Your Next Listing Agent Oct. 29, 2009 — It’s Fun, Or at Least Interesting, to Watch Real Estate Contracts Evolve Oct. 22, 2009 — Technological Convergence Has Improved the Practice of Real Estate Oct. 15, 2009 — The Job of a Listing Agent Is Not to Sell Your Home, But to Get It Sold Oct. 8, 2009 — Attention 1st-Time Homebuyers: Only 3 Shopping Weeks Left for $8,000 Credit Oct. 1, 2009 — Annual Tour of Solar Homes Is This Saturday, Oct. 3rd, and You’re Invited Sept. 24, 2009 — Regulators Prove the Road to Real Estate Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions Sept. 17, 2009 — Mortgage Issues Exacerbate Already Difficult High-End Real Estate Market Sept. 10, 2009 — Jeffco Is Experiencing a Dramatic Surge in Homes Going Under Contract Sept. 3, 2009 — If House-Hunting in Arvada, Wheat Ridge or Lakewood, Look for Hail Damage August 27, 2009 — It’s a Seller’s Market at the High-End and a Buyer’s Market at the High-End August 20, 2009 — Real Estate Property Taxes Can Vary Significantly by City and Subdivision Click here for a description of how property taxes are calculated August 13, 2009 — There Are Some Corners That a Listing Agent Shouldn’t Cut, Yet Many Do August 6, 2009 — Obama Goal: Incentivize Short Sales & Reduce Foreclosures (Good Luck!) July 30, 2009 — What Is a Seller Concession, And Why Not Just Lower the Purchase Price? July 23, 2009 — Are You in the Midst of a Real Estate Move? Believe Me, I Feel Your Pain! July 16, 2009 — Internet Scammer Hijacks a Golden Listing; Did You Send Him $800 “Rent”? July 2, 2009 — Analysis Reveals a Different Market Dynamic in Each Real Estate Price Range June 25, 2009 — Listors Live to Sell to an Unrepresented Buyer, But Is It Really Best for You? June 18, 2009 — When Does It Serve You to Dump Your Current Listing Agent for a New One? June 11, 2009 — There Are Lots of Resources to Help You Buy a Home — or Keep Your Home June 4, 2009 — As Residential Real Estate Rebounds, a Crisis Looms for Commercial Sector Click here to read a developer/commercial property owner’s response to this column. May 28, 2009 — Public Undervalues Real Estate Agents Because It Doesn’t Know Our Full Job Click here for Jim Smith’s analysis of the just released March 2009 Case-Shiller survey. May 21, 2009 — For Buying Denver Properties, the $8,000 Tax Credit Is Just the Beginning May 14, 2009 — I Can’t Believe the HVCC Appraisal Rule Has Actually Been Implemented Click here for comments from different readers of this week’s column. May 7, 2009 — State Program Can Still Get You Into a Home with Just $1,000 Cash at Closing April 30, 2009 — Scamming & Scheming to Defraud Each Other Is Bringing Us All Down Click here to read craigslist’s warning about common scams and how to avoid them. April 23, 2009 — Jeffco Has Programs to Rehab Homes of Low and Moderate Income Families Previous columns about hiring the best Realtor® are highlighted in boldface type below. April 16, 2009 — Here’s Why the Assessor’s Valuation of Your Home Isn’t Particularly Useful COUNTY ASSESSOR JIM EVERSON WRITES: Good article. I really appreciate the fact that you got the June 30 date out there, many people are confused about this. April 9, 2009 — Video Tours: A Competitive Advantage I’m Ready to Share With Other Agents April 2, 2009 — Conservative Appraisals Beg the Question: How Can Home Values Ever Rise? Click here to read additional comments by three readers who are mortgage professionals Mar. 26, 2009 — What Does “Full Service Realtor” Mean to You? Here’s My Definition Mar. 19, 2009 — Buyers & Sellers Would Both Benefit From Making Greater Use of Google Mar. 12, 2009 — Finding My Real Estate Soul Mate: Here’s a Book Agents Can Take to Heart Mar. 5, 2009 — If You’re Waiting for Further Price Declines, You May Miss a Good Deal THANKS FOR WRITING THIS! I think it is prudent to manage your assets and investments wisely, but lots of potential buyers are going to miss out all together. I have a buyer who kept waiting “for prices to hit bottom,” and is now unable to qualify (because of higher down payment requirements on investment purchases) and will probably miss out completely on his opportunity to purchase in this market! —Shelley Ervin, Mortgage Banker, Clarion Mortgage Capital Feb. 26, 2009 — Here’s Some Practical Advice on Interviewing an Agent to List Your House Feb. 19, 2009 — For the Individual Home Seller, Values Continue to Rise, Especially in Jeffco Feb. 12, 2009 — Bargain Hunting — Advice on Short Sales vs. Foreclosures vs. Bank-Owned Feb. 5, 2009 — Mortgage Rates Are Low, But You’ll Pay More Points for Credit Scores Under 740 Jan. 29, 2009 — Plan Ahead: Buying With an FHA Loan Now May Help You Sell Later On Click here to read comments by two licensed mortgage brokers regarding FHA loans. Click here for Ted Jones’ PowerPoint presentation (in PDF form) mentioned in this column. Click here for an explanation of “hanging walls” and how to recognize them. Jan. 22, 2009 — The War Against Appraisal Fraud Is Producing Mixed Results, Not All Good Click here to read comments by three licensed mortgage brokers and an appraiser on this topic. Click here for an explanation of what’s involved in getting quicker hot water to your master bath. Jan. 15, 2009 — Showings Are Up Dramatically, But Buyers Aren’t Finding What They Want Jan. 8, 2009 — Study Reveals That Private Resales of Jeffco Home Are Doing Rather Well Click here for a copy of the spreadsheet referred to in this week’s column. Jan. 1, 2009 — Buyers Are Getting off the Fence as Mortgage Rates Level Off at Around 5% Dec. 25, 2008 — Analysis Reveals Varying Effect of Foreclosed Properties on the Jeffco Market Click here for spreadsheet with figures for all Jeffco areas and for an MLS area map to go with it. Dec. 18, 2008 — Plunging Interest Rates Create Surge of Activity at Usually Quiet Time of Year Dec. 11, 2008 — Public Is Understandably Confused About Current Situation With Mortgages Dec. 4, 2008 — This Week’s Energy Star Summit Taught Me Much About Energy Efficiency Nov. 27, 2008 — We Can Be Thankful Today That We Live in Jefferson County, Colorado Nov. 20, 2008 — Want to Sell a Lot of Art or Other Property Without Sales Tax? Here’s How... Nov. 13, 2008 — Listing Agents Who Only Put Homes on MLS Hurt Other Agents’ Reputation Nov. 6, 2008 — Realty Times: Western U.S. Leads in Apparent Real Estate Turnaround Oct. 30, 2008 — Realtors’ Challenge: Representing Buyers & Sellers Without Conflict of Interest Oct. 23, 2008 — Can You Believe It? The World Wide Web Is Barely 14 Years (5200 Days) Old! Oct. 16, 2008 — Realtors Shouldn’t Have to Check Their Political Opinions at the Door Also: One Realtor’s Bush-Bashing Mailer and her email describing the response she got. Oct. 9, 2008 — Year-to-Date MLS Statistics Suggest That the Worst May Be Behind Us Oct. 2, 2008 — Solar Home Tour & Environmental Film Festival Happening This Weekend Also: New Environmental Content on GoldenRealEstate.com Sept. 25, 2008 — Here Are Some Things That Are NOT Being Said About the Financial Crisis Sept. 18, 2008 — News Begs the Question: How Many Shocks Can Our Economy Absorb? Sept. 11, 2008 — Reverse Mortgage Can Rescue Some Elderly Homeowners Facing Foreclosure Sept. 4, 2008 — Incentives to Buyers’ Agents Can Constitute an Invitation to Cross Ethical Line Aug. 28, 2008 — Soliciting Testimonials Not My Strong Point; Plans for New Golden Newspaper Aug. 21, 2008 — Fees Charged by HOA Management Companies Profit Those Companies, not HOAs Aug. 14, 2008 — The Eyes of the World Will Soon Be on Colorado, And They’ll Like What They See Aug. 7, 2008 — Do You Know Who the Registered Sex Offenders Are in Your Neighborhood? July 31, 2008 — All Those Foreclosures Have Produced a Windfall for Some Local Newspapers Email from publisher of Jeffco weeklies (including Golden Transcript) July 24, 2008 — Come By Anytime for a Tour & Explanation of Our Solar Powered Office July 17, 2008 — ‘Penny Wise & Pound Foolish’ Comes to Mind When I See ‘For Sale by Owner’ July 10, 2008 — Statistics for 1st Half 2008 Reflect Well on Jeffco vs. Metro Area or Nation July 3, 2008 — Promoting and Modeling Environmental Responsibility Is a Core Value Here June 26, 2008 — Short Sales & Lender Owned Listings Present Different Challenges for Buyers June 12, 2008 — Is Completing the Beltway Good for Arvada & Jefferson County? Maybe Not Click Here to view CDOT’s “White Paper” about abandoning their beltway effort. May 29, 2008 — Beware of Mortgage Scam Letters You’ll Receive After Closing on a House May 22, 2008 — Confucius: Concentrate on Giving, and the Getting Will Take Care of Itself May 15, 2008 — Are FHA Loans Filling the Need Once Filled by Subprime Loans? Yes and No... May 1, 2008 — Are Open Houses Worthwhile? My Experience Tells Me, “Yes, Absolutely!” April 24, 2008 — Regrettably, You Can’t Verify Many Claims Made in a Listing Presentation April 17, 2008 — Jeffco Real Estate Market Continues to Heat Up, Defying National Downturn April 10, 2008 — Agent vs. Transaction Broker — It’s Important to Know the Difference April 3, 2008 — Why Is the Real Estate Market Heating Up So Much Right Now? Mar. 27, 2008 — A Code of Ethics and State Laws Make Home Buying Different From Car Buying Mar. 20, 2008 — St. Patrick’s Day Seems Like a Great Time to Write About “Going Green” Mar. 13, 2008 — Spring Break Brings the Usual Surge of Parents Buying Homes for Students Mar. 6, 2008 — Buyers of New Homes: Beware of Losing Deposits if Builder Goes Belly-Up Feb. 28, 2008 — Should You Worry About Flooding? Some Useful Information for Homeowners Feb. 21, 2008 — There Is No Better Feeling Than Serving a Client Well, Like I Did This Week... Feb. 14, 2008 — A Valentine’s Card for Some Special Real Estate Friends & Colleagues Feb. 7, 2008 — Data Sharing by Front Range MLS’s Is Good for Both Agents & Consumers Jan. 31, 2008 — Agents Who List Bank-Owned Properties Operate Quite Differently Jan. 24, 2008 — What I Learned at Last Week’s Presentation by NAR’s Chief Economist Jan. 17, 2008 — Buying a Foreclosed Property Could Entail “Unconscionable” Addendum (Click here to read the addendum referred to in this column) Jan. 10, 2008 — Flood of Foreclosures Is Depressing Home Prices, But Causing Rents to Rise Jan. 3, 2008 — Real Estate Offers an Uneven Income Stream — But Don’t Focus on That! Dec. 27, 2007 — Habitat Builds Its First Solar Powered Homes Without NREL Sponsorship Dec. 20, 2007 — Rocky Tech Loses Credibility With a Couple of Its Recent Lead Stories Dec. 13, 2007 — Newly Required Forms Introduce Degree of Integrity to Mortgage Business Dec. 6, 2007 — ‘Penny Wise and Pound Foolish’ Applies to Real Estate as Much as Elsewhere Nov. 29, 2007 — Are We Moving Toward “Paperless” Transactions? I’m Not Optimistic... Nov. 22, 2007 — Real Estate Agents Are Slow to Implement Video Tours of Their Listings Nov. 15, 2007 — HOA Restrictions on “For Sale” Signage Are an Assault on Property Rights Nov. 8, 2007 — Northern Colorado’s MLS, IRES, Puts Denver’s Metrolist to Shame Nov. 1, 2007 — How Are Foreclosures Impacting Sales? Should You Be Concerned? Oct. 25, 2007 — House Hunting? Take Advantage of New “Search by Map” Technology Oct. 18, 2007 — What is the Job of the Listing Agent, & How to Identify the Best One (2 Pages) Oct. 11, 2007 — One Never Knows What Will Sell a House, So I Try to Do It All Oct. 4, 2007 — Understanding How Market Forces Affect Mortgage Rates Isn’t That Easy Sept. 20, 2007 — Mortgage Rates & Guidelines Are Still Evolving in Wake of Crisis Sept. 13, 2007 — We Investigate Those Below-Market Mortgage Offers You Hear Advertised Sept. 6, 2007 — There’s No “Perfect” Time to Sell a Home If You’re Also Buying a New One Aug. 30, 2007 — Running My Own Brokerage is Both Challenging and Satisfying Aug. 23, 2007 — Is the Sharp Decline in Real Estate Closings Caused by Mortgage Crisis? Aug. 16, 2007 — Mortgage Chaos Was Predictable; Proper Lending Practices Return Aug. 9, 2007 — Distress in Low-End Homes Creates False Impression of Market Aug. 2, 2007 — Reducing One’s “Carbon Footprint” Can Make Good Financial Sense July 26, 2007 — Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s Your Sign (Introducing Golden Real Estate, Inc.) July 19, 2007 — Considering “For Sale By Owner”? Here Are the Considerations July 5, 2007 — Jeffco’s Most Outrageous Real Estate Transactions Revealed June 28, 2007 — Denver’s MLS Sought to Be ‘Best of Breed’ — It’s Not Even Close... June 21, 2007 — Sellers Do Have Options When a Listing Relationship Turns Sour June 14, 2007 — Finding Accessible Homes Is Not As Easy As It Could Be June 7, 2007 — How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by Your Mortgage/Refinance Person May 31, 2007 — House-Hunting Using “Search by Map” Can Save Lots of Gasoline May 24, 2007 — Data Integrity Poses Problems in Pricing Homes, Challenging Assessor May 17, 2007 — “I’m Not Using a Buyer’s Agent So That I Can Get a Better Deal” May 10, 2007 — How You Can Tell Whether the Jeffco Assessor Over-Valued Your Home May 3, 2007 — “If I Were a Legislator, Here Are Some Mortgage Laws I’d Introduce…” Apr. 26, 2007 — Negotiation: The #1 Skill for Which You Hire a Real Estate Professional Apr. 19, 2007 — “But the Mortgage Broker Was My Friend and Did the Loan for Free!” Apr. 12, 2007 — As Lawns Green Up and Trees Blossom, Take Pictures of Your Home Apr. 5, 2007 — Am I the Best Agent to List Your Home? Maybe Not, and Here’s Why Mar. 29, 2007 — Metrolist Returns to Old Square Footage Rules, With a Twist Mar. 15, 2007 — In Real Estate, Market Statistics Can Mislead Instead of Inform Mar. 1, 2007 — It’s Not That Hard to Do an Excellent Job of Marketing One’s Listings Feb. 22, 2007 — When Setting Listing Price, Consider Realtor.com’s Price Brackets Feb. 15, 2007 — In Real Estate, Don’t Confuse “Referral” with “Recommendation” Feb. 8, 2007 — How Important Is Experience in the Practice of Real Estate? Feb. 1, 2007 — “Search by Map” Makes Online Home Searching Much Easier Jan. 11, 2007 — Jeffco’s 2006 Slump in Home Sales Worse than the Metro Average Jan. 4, 2007 — A New Year — And a Renewed Sense of Gratitude Dec. 28, 2006 — Real Estate Is More or Less Seasonal — But Not Predictable; Broker Must Keep Oral & Written Promises; Some New Year’s Resolutions for Agents Dec. 14, 2006 — ‘Pride of Workmanship’ Can Apply to the Real Estate Industry Dec. 7, 2006 — Foreclosure Sales Are Dragging Down Metro Home Values Nov. 30, 2006 — Real Estate Attracting More & More Scammers & Schemers Nov. 16, 2006 — Faulty Data Can Distort Local MLS Statistical Analysis Nov. 2, 2006 — ‘One-Stop Shopping’ Might Not Be in Your Best Interest Oct. 26, 2006 — Integrity & Full Disclosure Is a Core Value in Real Estate Oct. 19, 2006 — Media Should Accept Its Share of Responsibility for Misleading Ads Oct. 12, 2006 — Catching an Error at Closing Saved My Client About $600 Sep. 21, 2006 — Broker ‘Teams’ Both Allowed & Cautioned by Real Estate Commission Sep. 14, 2006 — When & Why Realtors Refer Buyers and/or Sellers to Each Other Sep. 7, 2006 — Technology Keeps Testing Agents’ Ability to Keep Up With It Aug. 31, 2006 — Customer Service: A New Focus Among Savvy Agents Aug. 24, 2006 — Is There a “Best Time of Year” to Put a Home on the Market? Aug. 17, 2006 — How Important Is the Extent of Your Agent’s Experience? Aug. 10, 2006 — Everything Is Negotiable in a Contract to Buy & Sell Real Estate Aug. 3, 2006 — Yes, Some Agents Are Better Than Others at Giving/Getting Feedback July 27, 2006 — The Smart Seller Thinks Ahead to the Inspection by the Buyer July 20, 2006 — I Always Prefer to Deal With a Realtor — & You Should, Too! July 13, 2006 — Here’s a Checklist for Selecting the Best Listing Agent for You Click here for printable checklist referred to in the above column. July 6, 2006 — How Much Do Title Insurance and Closing Fees Vary? Let See... June 29, 2006 — We Listing Agents Could Do a Better Job of MLS Data Entry June 22, 2006 — ‘Buyer Registry Service’ Is for Buyers What the MLS Is for Sellers June 15, 2006 — Metrolist Faces Big Challenge as www.DenverMLS.com Surfaces June 8, 2006 — What’s a Virtual Tour, And How Do the Different Vendors Stack Up Against Each Other? June 1, 2006 — Why a Hot Water Recirculation Line Is My Favorite Home Upgrade May 25, 2006 — What Impact Will Certain Home Improvements Have on Resale Value? May 18, 2006 — You, Too, Could Be a Victim of ‘Predatory Lending’ Practices May 11, 2006 — Jeffco Home Sales Statistics Reflect the Metrowide “Housing Glut” (With Statistical Table & Map) May 4, 2006 — Be Thankful for Our Balanced Colorado Real Estate Market; Need a Contractor or Other Vendor? April 27, 2006 — When Choosing One Agent for Both Buying & Selling April 27, 2006 — Buyer Can Jeopardize Closing by Making Innocent Mistakes; Some Title Insurance Advice April 20, 2006 — Be Sure to Read & Understand Your Settlement Statement at Closing April 13, 2006 — Real Estate’s “Cooperation & Compensation” Model Is Quite Unlike Other Industries April 6, 2006 — Do You Know How Your Loan Officer Is Compensated? All Real Estate Is Local Mar. 30, 2006 — It Is Both Easy & Common to Get Ripped Off — Here’s Some Advice Mar. 23, 2006 — At Last, Colorado Is Taking Action Against Mortgage Fraud Mar. 16, 2006 (Arvada Edition, YourHub.com) — Don’t Be Misled About the Proposed Beltway/Toll Road Mar. 16, 2006 — Some Real Estate Topics Not Worth an Entire Column — How to clean oil stains from your driveway or garage / Keeping your house warmer and saving heating costs / Know when your garage door is open / Condo/Townhome HOA fees may actually be a bargain / FHA guidelines have changed / Another staging class is scheduled for Monday Mar. 2, 2006 — Another Class on Staging Your Home Will Be Held Mar. 6th; Morrison Speed Traps Feb. 23, 2006 — The Feb. 11th Staging Workshop Was Well Attended; Special Offer from Jim Feb. 16, 2006 — Beginning Your Home Search? Internet Searches Are Limited Feb. 2, 2006 — Do You Know How to “Stage” Your House to Sell Quicker? Jan. 26, 2006 — Statistical Reporting of Sales by MLS Can Be Misleading / Should I Renovate? Jan. 5, 2006 — Jeffco’s Foothills Out-Perform Rest of County in 2005 Residential Sales Dec. 22, 2005 — Timing the Buy-Sell Decision — When is the Best Time? Dec. 15, 2005 — “Price Per Square Foot” Is Now More Meaningless Than Ever Dec. 15, 2005 — CDOT Admits Toll Road Plan Depends on Continued Local Congestion Dec. 8, 2005 — Habitat for Humanity Breaks the Cycle of Poverty, One Family at a Time Nov. 17, 2005 — Thinking of a Career in Real Estate? Here Are Some Facts to Consider Nov. 10, 2005 — Don’t Let Yourself Fall Victim to Real Estate-Related Con Artists Oct. 27, 2005 — The MLS People Must Be Reading This Column… Sept. 22, 2005 — Ah, the Joys of Moving… And Other Half Truths Aug. 25, 2005 — Effort to “Complete the Beltway” Isn’t Good for Arvada, Either July 28, 2005 — Buyers of New Homes Should Consider Hiring a Good Real Estate Lawyer July 7, 2005 — Different Approaches to Succeeding in Real Estate June 23, 2005 — Making the “For Sale by Owner” vs. Listing Agent Decision May 26, 2005 — Beltway Push Is About Development, Not Traffic May 5, 2005 — Is a Mortgage Broker Better Than a Mortgage Banker? Mar. 23, 2005 — What Are Real Estate’s ‘Leading Indicators’? Mar. 16, 2005 — Advice on Selecting the Best Buyer’s Agent to Represent You Mar. 9, 2005 — Advice on Selecting the Best Listing Agent for Your House Feb. 23, 2005 — Denver’s MLS (Metrolist) Aspires to Be “Best of Breed” Jan. 26, 2005 — You Deserve to Know if Your Agent Has a Criminal Record Dec. 29, 2004 — Some New Year’s Resolutions for the Real Estate Industry Dec. 1, 2004 — Latest Industry Buzz Is About Creating Professional Standards for Realtors Nov. 3, 2004 — Here’s a Scary Halloween Story About Real Estate Oct. 6, 2004 — How to Time a Home Sale to Match Your Home Purchase; Shake Roofs Sept. 8, 2004 — Here Are Some Upgrades That Make a House Special August 25, 2004 — Should You Call the Listing Agent or Use a Buyer’s Agent? August 11, 2004 — Here’s Some ‘Staging’ Advice So Your Home Will Sell Better July 28, 2004 — New Real Estate Contracts Require More Information on HOA’s June 16, 2004 — Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver Celebrates 25th Anniversary June 2, 2004 — Myths & Misconceptions About Realtors & Their Profession May 19, 2004 — Your Realtor’s Choice of Title Company Can Save You Money May 5, 2004 — There Are a Multitude of Ways Realtors Can Market Your Listing April 7, 2004 — Even Seasoned Realtors Can Learn Something New February 25, 2004 — Inspection Issues Can Kill Contract to Sell Your Home February 11, 2004 — Title Insurance Cost Can Vary Greatly — Shop Around! January 28, 2004 — Staging: New Trend That Helps Homes Sell Quicker January 14, 2004 — Good Realtors Knows About Unlisted Homes for Sale December 31, 2003 — Before Pricing Your Home, Tour the Competition December 17, 2003 — Testimonials Can Help You Select a Good Realtor October 8, 2003 — Habitat for Humanity Turns Pumpkins Into... Houses! August 27, 2003 — ‘For Sale by Owner’ Is Very Tempting — But Will It Work? August 13, 2003 — Choosing a Mortgage That Meets Your Specific Needs July 30, 2003 — Pricing Your Home — The Most Important Element |
