Special tax districts and metro districts have been in the news again. As new subdivisions pop up along Colorado’s Front Range, it is prudent for today’s new home buyer to do some research. First of all, what is a special tax district or metro district? It is a tool that has been around for years […]
Duane's Timely Topics
Duane's compilation of the most relevant topics to real estate today in Boulder.
New home construction purchases
Owning a home is still a key facet of the American Dream. Owning a home, built specifically for you, with the opportunity to choose colors, floorplan, appliances, and every detail, is quite special! Real estate markets go through cycles – they always have, always will. Since I started selling real estate in 1978, I have […]
Wondering if you’re too old to buy a home?
There are certainly few things in life we’re too old to do. However, when it comes to buying a home, you’re never too old. Many baby boomers never bought a home in their younger years and some baby boomers lost their home in the 2007 to 2012 recession. Baby boomers were born between 1944 and […]
Living with the threat of wildfire
The fires in recent weeks in Routt County and western states bringing haze to the Front Range are a huge wake-up call to be prepared, especially for those who live in the mountains and foothills where wildfire is an ongoing hazard. (Photo: Pexels). Boulder County has seen its share of wildfires in recent years. […]
Appraisals and appraisal gaps on a home purchase
“Appraisal gap” is the current buzzy catchphrase in today’s hot housing market. An appraisal gap is the difference between what a home buyer is willing to offer and what the bank’s appraiser says the property is worth, based on the most recent sales of similar homes. Appraisers use sales that have closed in the past […]
Selling or buying a home with solar
Today, most of the solar panels you see are photovoltaic (PV), which produce electricity for the home or provide power back to the grid. In the 1980s, there was a significant 70% Federal tax credit available if you added solar panels to your home. At the time, we saw solar panels on rooftops popping up […]
Should I co-sign a mortgage for a relative?
Frequently, first-time homebuyers will turn to relatives to help with a down payment or to cosign on the loan. In Boulder County, the prices of homes have risen steadily, and even more so this year with very low inventory and high buyer and investor demand. Due to this, it has been much more difficult for […]
Buying College Housing Starts Now — Part 2
In my last article, Part 1 of “Buying College Housing Starts Now,” I discussed how purchasing a condo or house for your child to live in while attending college can be a worthwhile investment and can provide financial as well as other benefits for your college student. As you evaluate this decision, here’s a guide […]
Buying college housing starts now – Part 1
A college property purchase can prove to be an astute financial investment as well as a superb learning experience for the student. In college towns across the country every August, college students start returning for the fall semester, generating a torrent of real estate activity. Because the rental housing market tends to be tight in […]
Buying a home? You will need insurance
When you buy a homeowners policy, you actually receive much more than protection for your home. When you buy a home, you need insurance protection for what is probably the largest investment you will ever make. But when you buy a homeowners policy, you actually receive much more than protection for your home. Most […]