2012 Colorado Real Estate Commission HOA Information and Resource Center Annual Report

In 2010, The Colorado State Legislature established the HOA Information and Resource Center to help assist, protect and inform members of homeowner associations, HOA boards and other interested parties.

As a subdivision of the Colorado Real Estate Commission, it hears complaints, collects data and provides an annual report to the public.

To learn how to file a complaint, how to otherwise resolve HOA disputes and to read the 2012 annual report, click here.

to sell or buy, call…
DEBBIE PALLAI
303-883-8837
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek, Ltd.
debpallai@comcast.net

Protect Yourself! Read the HOA Docs.

“I WON’T read the docs!”

“You MUST read the docs!”

“I WON’T read the docs!”

 

 

  

“You MUST read the docs!”

 

“I’ll save you, Nell.”

 

 

While I always encourage my clients to consult with an attorney when they are buying property, this is one thing I wouldn’t leave to anyone else. 

YOU MUST READ THE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION DOCUMENTS!

Your attorney doesn’t know if:

• You sing opera in the shower at 2 am
• You take in your sister’s pit bull for 2 weeks every year when she is on vacation
• You plan to bring clients into your home
• You plan to rent out the basement

Rules and regulations, Declarations, Covenants and By-Laws vary from community to community.  These are the governing documents for the entity. 

Just as municipal, state and federal laws define what are acceptable and punishable behaviors, so do community docments.  These documents help preserve the peace and safety of the members of the community, as well as the property values.

As a buyer, you will also be provided copies of financial documents and copies of the minutes of recent homeowner meetings before closing.

PLEASE review all materials CAREFULLY.

And PLEASE check the zoning laws, as well.

I have heard numerous sad stories over the years of folks who didn’t bother to read  the condo or neighborhood rules–stories of buyers having to give away their beloved pets, for example, and stories of folks thinking it wouldn’t be a problem for them to bring clients to their home for massage or psychotherapy.  Many condos and neighborhoods do not permit businesses to operate out of the homes.  Many have pet restrictions.

If you are among the folks who don’t like restrictions, do not buy into a condominium or neighborhood with rules.  It will only make you and your neighbors unhappy.

debpallai@comcast.net

Greening My Business

I’ve been taking small steps to practice real estate in a more sustainable way.

I drive a hybrid car.

When I print MLS descriptions for my clients, I reuse paper.  I’ll use the back of brochures and flyers I’ve received at the office and the back of left-over brochures from my listings. 

I used to leave 8-10 packets of disclosures on each property I listed.  Now I upload those documents to DocBox on our MLS system.  Selling agents can access them there, or call me to email them the disclosures.  This reduces my paper use and eliminates my driving to listed properties to replenish the disclosure packets.

These are modest and easy ways to care for our planet.  I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort and to share their strategies and techniques for reducing our impact on the environment.

debpallai@comcast.net

On My Soapbox: Speed limits

Disappoinment.  Dismay.  Confusion.

That was my reaction when I learned that the speed limit on I-225 between Parker Road and I-25 was increased from 55 mph to 65 mph.

I thought we were trying to reduce carbon emissions.  Some studies indicate that REDUCING speed limits from 65 to 55 reduces emissions by 10%.  Most of the cars and trucks we drive get optimal gas efficiency between 45 and 55 mph. 

Just what is CDOT thinking?  They’ve defended this decision saying it is safer to drive at 65 than 55 on this stretch of   I-225, because the average speed on this road is 70 mph.  Why don’t they just enforce the legal limit, instead of indulging the speeders?

http://denver.yourhub.com/Denver/Stories/News/Traffic/Story~519950.aspx

http://drive55.org/content/view/39/1/