Author - The Durango Herald

Is your home situated in a flood plain?

During a recent transaction, I became aware of the newly revised flood plain regulations that have been adopted by La Plata County. In researching these regulations, I had a very ...

DATE: Aug 15, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Can you afford to buy a home?

Figuring out what you can comfortably afford means knowing the major things you need to budget for when you buy a home. From one-time expenses like the down payment to ongoing costs like tax...

DATE: Aug 9, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Hail damage? Check your policy before a disaster

On Sept. 22, 2013, a large hail storm wreaked havoc in the La Plata County area. Most of us remember that storm vividly. Although hail is not a new sight in our area, the severity and intens...

DATE: Aug 2, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

County inventory suggests it’s a buyer’s market

The Colorado Association of Realtors has just released housing reports for all of the districts in Colorado and a statewide report. These second-quarter reports for 2014 are particularly hel...

DATE: Jul 26, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Real Estate Contracts 101: The basics

In Colorado, all licensed real estate brokers must use forms approved by the Colorado Real Estate Commission or have an attorney draft a form specific to each transaction. The mos...

DATE: Jul 18, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Crunching numbers for county market

The La Plata County residential real estate market crested in the first half of 2014 compared with last year, but it maintained a high level of home sales compared with previous years. ...

DATE: Jul 12, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Extra care needed when buying a condominium

There are certain inspections and investigations that all buyers should complete during their contingency periods, such as having the home inspected and reviewing the title documents. When y...

DATE: Jul 4, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

What to look for in home inspections

Home inspections are one of the most important decisions in purchasing an older home. There are many issues that may affect the livability, value of the home and cost of ownership. ...

DATE: Jun 28, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Which remodeling projects are worth your money?

Many homeowners have held off investing in home improvements as property values declined, but now that the economy is healthy and the real estate market is gaining momentum, homeowners again...

DATE: Jun 21, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

How to avoid paying too much for a new home

When you find a home you like, you will have to decide what you’re willing to pay. If getting the best price for your home is important to you, then the most important decision you’ll make i...

DATE: Jun 13, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Understanding pre-qualification and pre-approval

In the home-buying process, the majority of conversations tend to revolve around mortgage interest rates and capitalizing on the low rates. This makes sense, as current interest rates are ar...

DATE: Jun 6, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate

Setting price determined by variety of factors

It can be extremely difficult to put a value on someone’s home for several reasons. The most important and problematic is emotions. Homes are filled with memories and generally ha...

DATE: May 31, 2014 | CATEGORY: On Real Estate