“Real Estate Today” Columns by Jim Smith

Published every Thursday in the Denver Post and in 3 Jefferson County weekly newspapers

Get this column in your inbox each Thursday!  Send your request to Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com.

 

Click on dates to view columns

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: May 2021’s Green Home of the Month: The Rosenberg-Fisher Home on Genesee Mountain

           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!

           Also: Electric Vehicle Roundup Returns to Our Parking Lot on Saturday, Featuring Electric Mustang, Jaguar and Other Brands

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

           Also: Steve Nixon’s Arvada Home Is March’s Green Home of the Month

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’

           Also: Solar Tax Credit of 22% Expires on Dec. 31, 2021

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: Golden Real Estate Welcomes a New Broker Associate — Andrea Cox

           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

           Also: Find Out This Saturday Whether an Electric Vehicle Is for You

Sept. 24, 2020 — Experts Are Predicting a Surge in Foreclosures, But I See the Situation Differently

           Also: Golden Real Estate Welcomes a New Broker Associate, Ty Scrable

           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

           Also: We Support Andrew Romanoff for U.S. Senate

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

           Also: If Home Prices Decline by June 30th, It Would Temper Property Taxes for 2021 and 2022

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.

           Also this week: The 14th Annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival Is Feb. 20-23 in Downtown Golden

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?

           Also this week: Golden Real Estate Is Hosting a ‘Climate Reality’ Event on Nov. 20th.

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?

           Also this week: Electric Vehicle Events in Golden (Sept. 14) & Denver (Sept. 19)

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

             Also this week:  Broker Associate Carol Milan to Embark on African Mission

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:  Seats Still Available for Next Thursday’s Information Session on Electric Vehicles

             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

             Also this week:  Electric Vehicle Event at Golden Real Estate on April 20th

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

             Also this week:  Help Mark Stenberg Recover From a Severely Broken Leg

Feb. 14, 2019 — Security Devices Could Allow Sellers to Eavesdrop on Buyers During Showings

             Also this week: 13th Annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival Opens Next Weekend in Golden

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

             Also this week: Golden Real Estate Launches Monthly Sustainability Series

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’

             Also this week: Help Habitat for Humanity Raise Money at Pumpkin Patches in Lakewood and Arvada

Sept. 27, 2018 — While Market Activity Shows Signs of Slowing, Prices Are Actually Rising

             Also this week: Next Saturday, Oct. 6th — Metro Denver Tour of Green Homes

             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

             Also this week: New Website Is Devote to Duples, Triplex and Fourplex Listings

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

Email from reader

Aug. 21, 2008 — Fees Charged by HOA Management Companies Profit Those Companies, not HOAs

Email from reader

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