Quick answer: In Colorado, escrow on a home purchase is handled by a title company rather than a separate escrow firm. The title company (or the brokerage named as Earnest Money Holder in the contract) keeps your earnest money in a trust account, collects the signed documents, and pays everyone at closing, typically 30 to 45 days after the contract is signed. If someone asked you to explain escrow right...
Quick answer: In Colorado, the rights to what is under your land can be owned by someone other than the person who owns the house on top. These are called severed mineral rights, and they are extremely common across the Front Range and the eastern plains. The mineral owner generally has the legal right to access and extract oil, gas, or other minerals from below your property, even if you own the surface....
Quick answer: Many new-construction subdivisions in suburban Denver sit inside a Metropolitan District (often called a metro district or Title 32 district). These districts add an extra mill levy on top of normal county, city, and school district taxes to pay back the bonds that financed roads, water lines, sewers, and parks. The extra cost can be anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 or more per year, and it can...
Quick answer: In Colorado, the tree belongs to whoever's property the trunk sits on - but if branches or roots cross the property line, your neighbor has the right to trim them back to the boundary at their own expense. Knowing these rules before you cut anything can save you thousands in liability. Who Owns the Tree? It Comes Down to the Trunk This question comes up more than you'd think, especially in...
Quick answer: Most Colorado homeowners will spend 70-80% less by modifying their current home for long-term livability than by moving to a senior-specific community. The key modifications - zero-step entries, main-floor primary suites, and grab bars - cost between $5,000 and $40,000 depending on scope, and many are covered by Colorado-specific programs. Why This Conversation Matters Now I have noticed...
Quick answer: Colorado's mechanic's lien law (C.R.S. 38-22-101) gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers the right to place a lien on your property if they're not paid for work performed. As a homeowner, you can protect yourself by requiring lien waivers, verifying contractor licenses, and understanding the timeline for lien filings before any renovation project begins. What a Mechanic's Lien...
Quick answer: Colorado's expansive clay soils put more stress on residential foundations than most other states. Cracks wider than a quarter-inch, sticking doors, and sloping floors are signs you should have a structural engineer take a look - and catching problems early can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Why Colorado Foundations Take a Beating If you've lived in the Denver metro area for any...
Quick answer: About 10% of Colorado homes rely on private well water instead of municipal systems. If you're buying a home with a well, you're responsible for testing, treatment, and maintenance - there's no city or state agency monitoring your water quality for you. Why This Matters When You're Buying or Selling a Home I've worked with buyers who fell in love with a property in Elizabeth or Franktown,...
Colorado cities are tightening short-term rental rules. Here's what homeowners need to know about permits, taxes, and HOA restrictions before listing on Airbnb or VRBO.
Quick answer: Colorado summers bring intense sun, dry heat, and afternoon thunderstorms. Keeping your home comfortable without a massive energy bill comes down to a few smart moves - most of which cost little or nothing. Last summer, I talked to a client who'd just moved from the Midwest. She was shocked that her July electric bill hit $280. "I thought Colorado was supposed to be dry and mild!" It is dry,...
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