Colorado Real Estate

Real Estate, ERA Real Estate - Properties for Sale Always There For You Just as you pride yourself on doing the little things that make your house a home, focusing on the fine details is what distinguishes the ERA® professional. The ERA.com site is enhanced using JavaScript, and we recommend enabling it in your browser. Mobile browser users may view our mobile browser optimized site at 3g.era.com , or browse homes for sale by state . © ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Each ERA ® Office is Independently Owned and Operated. View our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions . Buy a Home Property Search Search by Map Find a Sales Associate Find an Office Join MyERA.com International Collection Open Houses Select Consumer Services International Office Search Calculators Resource Center Looking to Rent Military Specialist Commercial Specialist Resort.ERA.com Mature Market ERA.com Mobile Historic Specialist Homepage Edition Sell a Home Find a Sales Associate Find an Office Join MyERA.com ERA Answers Find a Relocation Specialist Sellers Security Plan Select Consumer Services ERA Home Protection Plan International Office Search Calculators Resource Center Tips - Selling by Owner Looking to Rent Military Specialist Commercial Specialist Resort.ERA.com Mature Market ERA.com Mobile Historic Specialist Homepage Edition ERA Mortgage Home Financing Get Approved Loan Programs My Loan Status Mortgage Tools Learning Center How We Do It Our Process Who We Are Your Privacy Contact Mortgage ERA Worldwide International Office Search Worldwide Offices About ERA A Technology Brand Acerca de ERA en Espaol Buy & Sell the ERA Way A World of Opportunities ERA Vision Statement Technology Advantage ERA Commitment to Service Advertising Niche Marketing Opportunities Joining the ERA Family Customer Service Newsroom & Corporate Information ERA History Corporate Sponsorship: Muscular Dystrophy Association Resource Center Contact ERA Find a Sales Associate Find an Office Find a Relocation Specialist Become an ERA Sales Associate Become an ERA Franchise Contact ERA.com Join MyERA.com Resource Center ERA.com Survey Member's Area - Login to TeamERA.com

Home Loan Program DISASTER

Information on the VA Home Loan Program Information on the Home Loan Program HomeOwnership Education for First Time Buyers Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? Property Management Construction and Valuation Lenders & Servicers Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage VBA HomePage VA Homepage If You Owe VA VA Monitoring Unit Loan Production Specially Adapted Housing Information on the Home Loan Program DISASTER ADVICE FOR VETERAN HOMEOWNERS Thinking of Buying, Selling or Refinancing a Home These short videos explain what you need to know as a Veteran. Pamphlets on the VA Home Loan Program On-line copies of VA Home Loan Pamphlets. HomeOwnership Education for First Time Buyers Valuable information for first time homebuyers from the Ginnie Mae HomeOwnership Center. Frequently Asked Questions Answers to questions most frequently asked about the VA Home Loan program. About the Loan Guaranty Service The VA Loan Guaranty Service is the organization within the Veterans Benefits Administration charged with the responsibility of administering the home loan program. See an independent evaluation of the Loan Guaranty program here: Final Report / Final Report Appendices Information on Specially Adapted Housing for disabled veterans Click here for information on the Special Adapted Housing program for certain seriously disabled veterans. VA Regional Loan Centers Addresses, telephone numbers & websites of our Regional Loan Centers. Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service E-mail Loan Guaranty Service VA Approved Lenders Find a VA approved lender in your home town area using our E-lenders nationwide query. Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans Have interest rates fallen since you obtained your VA loan? Do you have an Adjustable Rate VA loan that you want to convert to a fixed rate loan? The IRRRL program, also called the VA streamlined refinancing program, may be for you. No appraisal or underwriting is required and a certificate of eligibility is not necessary. If You Have Trouble Making Your Payments If you have a VA loan but are having trouble making your mortgage payments, it is very important that you take steps to avoid a foreclosure. VA may be able to help. Information for Elderly Homeowners Information for Elderly Homeowners covers Reverse Mortgages, Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans, and Home Equity Fraud. VA Direct Home Loans for Native American Veterans Living on Trust lands VA direct home loans are available to eligible Native American veterans who wish to purchase or construct a home on trust lands. Information on the Home Loan Program / Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? / Property Management Construction and Valuation / Lenders & Servicers / Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service / Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage / If you owe VA / Monitoring Unit / Loan Production / SAH Disclaimer / Privacy & Security Statement / Freedom of Information Act Contact the VA / VBA HomePage / VA HomePage This page has been accessed since February 16, 2003. Reviewed/Updated: September 28, 2005 (kt)

Sell House

House prices - setting the value Geta Free Home Valuation Now Setting the Price on Your Home Along with location and condition, the pricing of a house is a major component of the reasonswhy a house will--or will not--sell quickly. Although the pricing should not be dealt with lightly, some sellershave a tendency to put too much emphasis on the price and not enough on the condition, ending up with a house thatis overpriced for its current condition and the overall market. Even if you find an unaware buyer that appearswilling to pay the high price, when the buyer applies for a mortgage, the chances are good that the lender's appraisalwill force the price back down to market value. It's important to get it right the first time Care and time should be taken when establishing the original listingprice for several reasons: 1) If the houseis overpriced, it won't sell. If it doesn't sell and sits on the market the listing quickly becomes stale. 2) If you overpricethe house with the intention of reducing the price later just to "see what the market will bear", whenthe price of the house is lowered, it signals to buyers that it was (and still may be) overpriced. 3) If the houseis underpriced, it most likely will sell quickly--to the detriment of your net proceeds. Some factors that affect the price of a home 1) Location: Youcan't get away from this one. If your house is located in a desirable area that is in demand, you will be ableto get a higher price than you can for the same house in a less desirable area. 2) Condition: A house that has been better maintained and shows better will always sell for more than one that has had deferred(neglected) maintenance and needs work. 3 ) Desirable amenities: If a house has amenities that are currently popular in the marketplace, it will bring a higher price. Methods of setting the price CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) :A comparison of similar properties in the same general area that compares actual sold prices. A Real Estate Agentcan generate a CMA, or in many cases you can do it on your own. HomePrice.net gathers data on properties in the majority of U.S. states. Some of the informationyou'll see includes address, sale date, price and square footage for up to 30 comparable properties. Click herefor more information . HomeGain: If you're thinkingabout selling your home in the next 12 months, this FREE service is designed to help you get an estimate of yourhome's value. Knowing how much your home can be worth is one of the first steps in beginning to market the property. Clickhere for more information Electronic Appraiser Enter your property address and receive a home sales valuation report. Known to the Real Estate Appraisal industryas a Automated Valuation Model (AVM). Traditional Appraisal: A estimated valuation is placed specifically on your house by a professionalappraiser. An appraisal will take into account location, condition and sale prices of comparable properties inthe neighborhood. RELATED TOPICS CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) Appraisals Evaluation and Feedback HOME | Checklist | To-Do Lists | Set a Value | By Owner | With an Agent | Preparation | Showtime | Research | More Links

Selling Home

FCIC: Selling a Home Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Life Advice About... Selling A Home This Life Advice section about Home Improvement was produced by the MetLife Consumer Education Center reviewed by the Real Estate Educators Association and the U.S.D.A. Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service. If you've decided to sell your home, chances are you're caught up in a host of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new dream house or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new adventures. Whatever turbulent feelings you're experiencing right now, there are plenty of practical matters that need your attention. Keep in mind the following considerations to help the whole process go more smoothly. Time Becomes Money It's a good idea to place your home on the market as far in advance as possible of purchasing a new one. If you find a new home first and then try to sell your present home, you may wind up with two mortgages. If this does happen, ask your real estate agent or banker about a bridge loan to help you make the double payments. Lenders use the same criteria for offering bridge loans as they use for mortgages. Should you qualify for a bridge loan, beware of the expense; during the term of the loan you must continue to pay both mortgages. Shop around for the best terms. Keep in mind that when people move, sell and buy, there usually is a domino effect. Closing and moving dates have to be coordinated, and the more firmly everyone commits to a window of dates and sticks to them, the better for all involved. Put all agreements about dates in writing, and protect yourself by negotiating financial penalties for failure to comply. Check Your Curb Appeal A home that's visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street. Use this checklist to view your property through an outsider's eyes. Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained? Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways? Does the driveway need resurfacing? Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition? Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting? Are garbage and debris stored out of sight? Are lawn mowers and hoses preperly stored? Is the garage door closed? On the Inside Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside, where you have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy improvements you can make to your home's interior without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair, but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges how well you have kept up your home. Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, basement, attic, closets and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not share your same views, beliefs or sense of humor. If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can be a strong turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home. Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, on the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma. Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily offer a good return on your investment when you sell. It's attention to the basics—anything that says “this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want. Go It Alone Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where you live or what agency you choose, but it is generally upwards of 5%. However, handling your own sale means you will be responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your home to strangers. What's more, buyers who know you are saving on an agent's commission may offer less for your home, wiping out the financial incentive to do it all yourself. You may decide an agent's commission is a bargain the first time that a would-be buyer shows up unannounced at dinnertime. Also, be aware that a real estate agent probably knows a lot more about the business of selling a home than you do. Here are some of the advantages professional agents offer: They will help you establish a fair asking price for your home. They will promote your home to other agents and list your property in multiple listing services. A multiple listing service is a book or computer database that all real estate agents who subscribe to the service can access. Your home will get exposure to all those agents, one of whom may have the perfect buyer. They will create, pay for and place advertising for you. They will schedule appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there. They can weed out buyers who will not qualify for a mortgage. They can refer you to sources for insurance, inspections, legal counsel and financing. They will help you negotiate with the buyer. They can make suggestions to help make your home more attractive to a potential buyer. If you decide to sell through an agent, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Talk to several agents before picking the one you want to work with. Taking a walk through your home with an agent should give you a feel for how that person will handle prospective buyers. Ask prospective agents how they plan to market your home. Don't sign with an agent just because he or she suggests the highest asking price. Negotiate the broker's commission prior to listing your home, and sign for a limited period of time—usually three to six months. Setting a Fair Price Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time, you don't want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that's too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to consider in pricing your home. Your location Economic conditions Supply and demand in the local housing market Seasonal influences Local schools Average home prices in the neighborhood Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc. To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own property. Qualifying a Buyer Either you or your agent will want to quickly weed out potential buyers who cannot really afford to purchase your home. A number of factors will help determine whether or not you are wasting your time negotiating a sale. The buyer's debt and credit history The buyer's current income and employment The buyer's cash position and availability of a down payment The length of time the buyer needs before closing on your home How interested the buyer appears to be in your home versus others Seek Legal Representation When selling your home—particularly if you are selling on your own—it's a good idea to be represented by an attorney. Look for an attorney with expertise in real estate transactions. When a potential buyer puts an offer in writing and you accept it, the signed acceptance becomes the sales contract. Your attorney will be present at the actual closing to protect your interests and can assist you with the following elements of a sales contract: The sale price What is included in the sale price -- draperies, carpeting, light fixtures, heating oil, etc. The amount of the down payment The date of closing and possession date Contingencies to the sale--inspections (e.g. structural, lead-based paint, radon), required improvements, legal review of the contract by the buyer's or seller's attorney, etc. The amount and length of the mortgage loan, interest rate and time limits to secure the loan Determining which closing costs are to be paid by the buyer and which by the seller Tax Implications Selling a home can have a major impact on your federal and state tax returns. Check with your tax consultant on the factors that may affect taxes resulting from the sale of your home. For example: Whether you purchased the home or acquired it by gift or inheritance Whether you used your home partly for business or rental Costs associated with selling your home Home improvements or additions, which may help to offset capital gains The sale of your home. In certain cases you can exclude up to $250,000 in gain ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return) on the sale of property that was your principle residence for at least two years. Generally, you can use this exclusion every two years. Congratulations! You've successfully weathered the logistics of selling your current home, and you're ready to move on to a new and exciting chapter in your life.As you prepare for the coming changes, check out the Life Advice sections Moving and Buying a Home to aid you in this transition. For More Information 100 Questions Every Home Seller Should Ask Ilyce R. Glink, Times Books $14 Life Advice price $11.20 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-02. Price and availability subject to change without notice. The American Bar Association Family Legal Guide Times Books$34.50 Life Advice price $28 Call 1-800-793-2665 to order and mention reference number 032-04. Price andavailability subject to change without notice. How to Sell Your Home in 5 Days William G. Effros, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 The Consumer Bible, 1001 Ways to Shop Smart Mark Green, Workman Publishing $14.95 Life Advice price $8.97 Tips and Traps When Selling a Home Robert Irwin, McGraw-Hill $12.95 PAMPHLETS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy write Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888/8-PUEBLO, or find the catalog on the Net at www.pueblo.gsa.gov . A Home for You and Your Family Publication Series, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Housing & House Furnishings, Box 7605, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7605 (single copies free). Also contact the Extension Service office listed in the white pages of your phone book. Related Life Advice pamphlets See the following related Life Advice pamphlets: Buying a Home, Moving, Home Improvement, Homeowners Insurance, Renting an Apartment, Enjoying Retirement and When Your Children Leave the Nest. Helpful Links HomeWEB You'll find consumer information on selling a home from this comprehensive real estate and relocation source. Topics include info on real estate agents, marketing your home, financing & mortgages, sales contracts, pricing your home and more. Basically, this is a great place to start, if you're thinking about selling your home. Audrie's Advice Audrie provides a complete check-list for selling your home without an agent and thereby retaining all the profit for yourself. SellYourHomeYourself.com SellYourHomeYourself.Com is a unique site that helps the For Sale By Owner seller save money. On this FSBO web site you'll find all the resources you need to sell a home yourself. * Because the content of newsgroups and Websites changes constantly, it is impossible for us to review it all. We are not responsible for the content of any of the above links. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --

Rental Property If you

Tax Deductions for Rental Property Home | About Us | Office Locator | Tax Resource Center | Investor Relations | FAQ | Contact Us | Site Map Tax Resource Center Tax Forms Tax Changes Tax Tips Deductions@Work Tax Calculators Tax Links What to Bring Checklist Top 50 Overlooked Deductions Top Overlooked Credits Tax Topics Disasters and Casualties Tax Education Tax Glossary Tax Trivia for Tax Year 2005 Home : Tax Resource Center : Tax Topics Rental Property If you own rental real estate, you should know how it impacts your personal tax return. Rental income must be reported on your tax return, and generally, associated expenses can be deducted from your rental income. Reviewing answers to the following common questions regarding rental property may help you understand the tax implications of rental property ownership: What is considered rental income? What deductions can I take as an owner of rental property? What are some things I should know about rental property? Contact your local Jackson Hewitt office for more information or assistance. Use the Office Locator feature available on this Web site or call 1-800-234-1040 to find the Jackson Hewitt location most convenient to you. What is considered rental income? Rental income is any income you receive for the use or occupancy of property you own. Some examples are: Rent Payment to cancel a lease Advance rent Expenses paid by the tenant Any security deposit kept because a tenant did not fulfill their part of the rental agreement Do not include: A security deposit you are holding with the intent of returning it to the tenant at the end of the lease Income received from renting your home for fewer than 15 days per year Back to Top What deductions can I take as an owner of rental property? Deductible expenses for rental property are the ordinary and necessary expenses to manage, conserve, and maintain your property. Deductible expenses include: Advertising in the newspaper for tenants and cost of signs Cleaning supplies Real estate taxes Mortgage and other interest paid for the rental property Cost of insurance-hazard, flood, fire, or liability Payments for service such as lawn care, pest control, and trash collection Payments for maintenance of the property Professional fees for tax advice and tax return preparation fees for the part of the tax return dealing with rental property Cost of new locks and keys Commissions paid for finding tenants Cost of necessary transportation to and from the rental property for the purpose of maintenance, management, rent collection, picking up supplies, or checking the property (if you use your personal vehicle, either keep track of actual expenses and miles traveled or just the miles traveled) Cost of repairs and maintenance (not improvements) to keep your property in good condition (this includes items such as repainting and fixing floors and windows) Cost of renting equipment used for the rental property Depreciation of the property (not including the land) Depreciation of appliances, furnishings, and improvements Any long distance calls associated with your rental property The court costs for evicting a tenant Legal fees pertaining to the rental property or tenants Utilities Expenses incurred when the property is not rented as long as you are actively trying to rent the property (even if you are renting it for the first time) You cannot deduct: Rental income lost due to vacancy The cost of improvements which increase the value and/or extend the life of the property or modify it for a new use (includes such things as a room addition, new carpet, new appliances, fencing, or a new roof - these items can generally be depreciated) Back to Top What Are Some Things I Should Know About Rental Property? If you rent only part of your property, certain expenses must be divided between the part used as rental property and the part used for personal purposes. If you do not rent your property for profit, you can deduct your rental expenses only up to the amount of your rental income. When rental property is sold, the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or capital, depending on the circumstances. The rental of personal property such as equipment or vehicles is reported as business income. You are in the business of renting personal property if the primary purpose for renting the property is income or profit and you are involved in the activity on a continuous and regular basis. If your rental of personal property is not a business, other rules for reporting will apply. Losses from residential rental properties are subject to certain limitations. If you are considered a real estate professional, special rules apply for the reporting of income and losses. For more information, contact your local Jackson Hewitt Tax Service office. Back to Top Back to Tax Topics Tax Tips JOB-RELATED EXPENSES Some of your job-related expenses that may be deducted include union dues, job-related magazines and books, and other related business expenses. Generally, you must depreciate the cost of tools used in your work. If your employer requires you to wear work clothes or uniforms that are not suitable for everyday wear, you may deduct the cost and upkeep. home | about us | tax news | tackle your taxes | learn & earn | own a franchise | work with us | privacy/terms of use © 2004 Jackson Hewitt Inc. All rights reserved.