Yesterday the United States Senate voted 72-22 to approve the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). The Senate acted quickly to pass the bill as amended by the House to avoid the need for a conference committee to reconcile any differences. The new bill further reins in and holds the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accountable for the Biggert-Waters implementation...
Did you know that the Fair Housing Acts extends to service animals? Federal law, through the federal Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (applies to housing that received federal funding assistance), may require accommodations by housing providers for service animals that provide assistance to individuals with a disability. This will include housing that may have a “no...
A new warning for brokers across the country: If you get an email inquiry through Zillow or any other third party real estate website that involves a customer asking about a listing and stating that they want a home just like this one, do not respond to the message if you have not had previous communications with the client. Fraud attempts...
The Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief expired December 31, 2013. Without an extension from Congress, homeowners who have had any amount of mortgage forgiven by a lender through either a foreclosure or short sale will be forced to pay a "phantom income tax" on any amount that was forgiven. It is CAR and NAR's position that homeowners should not be subject to...
NEW Extended Monday Hours beginning January 6, 2014. As CAR works to expand popular services and benefits to members, we are happy to announce that the CAR Legal Hotline will have extended hours on Mondays beginning on January 6, 2014. The hotline will be open on Mondays from 9:00 am until noon and 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The hours will...
Kirk Goble, ALC, was named the 2013 Land REALTOR® of America at the 2013 REALTORS® Land Institute Day on November 7 in San Francisco, CA. The REALTOR® Land of America award winner is chosen by past award recipients that distinguishes their efforts and work in the interest of REALTOR® Land Institute (RLI) members, their profession, and their community. Goble who is...
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) installed its 2013-2014 Leadership Council during the organization’s 93nd annual State Convention held in Denver this week. Jolon Ruch, a broker with the Main Street Group at Keller Williams Realty, was installed as CAR president. A long time resident of Broomfield, Ruch has been involved in the real estate business for more than 25 years...
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is waiving license fees of those impacted by natural disasters including wind, fire, or water to name a few. “The last thing we want our licensees to worry about when they are evacuated or trying to rebuild their lives is paying a transfer fee so that they can continue working," said Marcia Waters, Division...
When disasters strikes, unfortunately so do scam artists! Coloradoans should beware of possible charity scams in the wake of the floods affecting many parts of Colorado. Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler offers some guidance to help citizens raise funds legally or donate wisely to help survivors, their families, and affected communities recover from this disaster. Raising Funds Under Colorado law, most...
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) together with four of its local metro REALTOR® associations- Aurora, Denver Metro, Douglas Elbert, South Metro Denver and RE/MAX Professionals are a $25,000 sponsor for the Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver- Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project (JRCWP). Scheduled for Oct. 6 - 12, 2013 in Denver, the Work Project will include the completion...