http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/hud-testing-makes-discrimination-an-expensive-business.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/hud-testing-makes-discrimination-an-expensive-business.html Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:38:33 -0600
Detecting discrimination in real estate transactions can be a big problem for the powers that be, because it is by nature so subtle. If someone doesn't have actual evidence that other people are being treated better, they don't often feel that a complaint will be taken seriously. It helps when there are other people to confirm that discrimination has, indeed, taken place.

One of the ways that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fights against discrimination is through testers who pose as people looking for a home. First approved by the United States Supreme Court in 1982, testers have been a very significant tool in discovering and addressing discrimination in housing.

Advocacy groups, which are often funded by HUD, will send comparable people to gather information about the person or group offering a place for rent or sale. Testers will be chosen carefully to ensure that the only significant difference between these potential renters or buyers is their race, sex, handicap, or other characteristic that may be discriminated against. Reports will be made and sent to the advocacy groups, and then a decision can be made as to whether it seems that the party in question is participating in discriminatory acts.

Especially in this day and age, it is reprehensible that such testing even needs to be conducted. Many homeowners claim that it is a waste of their time and income to interview people who don't have a serious desire to own or rent a home from them. However, testing is a valuable tool in determining whether people are being discriminated against based on any protected status. It also helps protect property owners from unjustified claims of discrimination.

HUD-supported testing continues to be one of HUD's weapons against racism and other forms of discrimination. Landlords and home sellers should be aware that testers can appear everywhere, even if there is no report of discriminatory behavior. Property buyers and renters of every protected class have the right under the law to be considered fairly with other applicants. With a $16,000 fine per infraction, discrimination can be an expensive business.

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Discover what Greg Smith and his team of top agents in the Boulder Colorado real estate market can do for you. At BoulderHomeSource.com, you can search for Boulder homes for sale, learn about local markets, and get the inside scoop on living along Colorado's Front Range.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/city-of-distinction-boulder-colorado.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/city-of-distinction-boulder-colorado.html Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:38:01 -0600
Praise for Boulder includes commendations for being green, smart, sporty, brainy, and artsy. It was voted the "Most Educated City in America" by Forbes Magazine, placed number 5 on Country Home Magazine's list of America's "Top 25 Green Cities," and Bicycling Magazine choose Boulder as one of its top 5 cities in its list of the "Best Cities for Cycling."

Baby boomers will be interested to know that Boulder was also declared one of the "Best Places to Retire" by US News and World Report, and was #5 on Kiplinger's Personal Finance list of the "Best Cities for Empty-nesters."

Boulder has also been voted by Seventeen Magazine as one of the "Top Ten Cities for Teens"—how's that for diverse?

Although located only twenty-five miles from Denver, Boulder does not live in the shadow of its big sister. The city has developed a character all of its own. After all, where else can you join a group of cyclists and cruise around town every Thursday, wishing residents a "Happy Thursday"? As many as 500 people take part in the Boulder Cruiser Ride during the warm summer months, with many choosing to dress up and decorate their bikes for the occasion!

Boulder is a great area for cyclists, and has been labeled a "Platinum-Level Bicycle Friendly Community" by the League of American Bicyclists. A forward-thinking state, Boulder hosted its first annual "Bike to Work Day" in 1977, and is believed to be among the first cities to do this.

Among its educational opportunities, the University of Colorado at Boulder is the largest university in the state. Boulder also has a large selection of private schools, charter schools, colleges and science institutes, and also features the only accredited Buddhist-inspired university in the USA (Naropa University).

There are weekly farmer's markets held in the summer, and shoppers enjoy strolling around the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall, which spans four blocks.

If all that doesn't tempt you, its pleasant climate will. Boulder has mild, dry summers, comfortable winters (the surrounding mountains shield the city from many bad storms), and more than 300 days of sunshine per year. And with the glorious mountain ranges to explore, Boulder has one of the most inviting landscapes in the country.

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Discover what Greg Smith and his team of top agents in the Boulder real estate market can do for you. At BoulderHomeSource.com, you can search Boulder property listings, learn about local markets, and get the inside scoop on living along Colorado's Front Range.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/choosing-the-right-area.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/choosing-the-right-area.html Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
When beginning the process of finding the right area there are a few ways that you can go about it. The best way is to simply head out to the area and spend some time looking around. Find out where the daily necessities are for you. If you have to commute to work, is there transit readily available? If you drive to work, what is the traffic situation like? Are there schools nearby for your children if you have them? Are there social services close by like hospitals and doctor's offices? Also take into account the proximity of shopping, recreation, entertainment and other extras. After this has been considered, don't be afraid to talk to people in the neighborhood and ask about what it is like to live there. Have there been any problems in the past? Also try to find out if there are any development plans for the area. This can usually be accomplished by a quick trip to the local city hall. Future development can greatly affect your property values and is always something that should be considered in the purchase of any property.

Finally, the most important aspect of location is that you feel comfortable there. If you have found a home that suits all your needs, make sure you view it a few times to really get the feel of it. There is nothing worse then having to live in an environment that just feels wrong. Don't jump to a purchase, take your time and make sure it is the right purchase for you.

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Greg Smith is the managing Broker of Re/Max Alliance & President of Hinkelman, Smith & associates. Hinkelman, Smith is the premier Colorado real estate company featuring 75 agents to ensure that customers receive nothing but the best service possible. Click here for more info on the Boulder real estate market

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/getting-your-home-ready-for-the-summer-market.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/getting-your-home-ready-for-the-summer-market.html Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Its not hard for a home to gather up a fairly significant mess over the fall and winter months, especially in areas where there is a lot of rain and snow. This kind of weather can turn a lawn and yard into a soupy mess and present some distinct problems when trying to bring it back to life. Gardens can look like a mud bog and any gardens that border on the home may have left dirt and streaks on the home itself. A good place to start is with the lawn.

Depending on the kind of grass you have the lawn will green up at different rates. Some types of grass need to be fertilized early in spring and some other need the same closer to summer. Ask a lawn care professional about what is right for your type of grass. Now, when attacking the yard, spend some time clearing away the debris from the winter if there is any and then do a low cut on your lawn. This will help to clear away any dead plant or damaged grass. This gives the lawn a fresh cut to grow on, and after the first cut of the year it will grow like crazy. After taming the lawn back to a normal length, try aerating. This allows much needed oxygen into the soil and will help the lawn to look great.

The gardens are a somewhat easier task. New topsoil and mulch brings a garden back to top condition quickly. If you have flowers that bloom yearly then you may not have to worry about what will bloom, but adding some new color never hurts. Usually a quick power washing can remove any marks that mud and dirt may have left on the home. while you are at it, why not wash the driveway and make the entrance to your home more attractive?

There is a lot more that anyone can do to prepare their home for the summer markets. Its always a good idea to put a stress on the home's exterior as that is the first thing people see and summer months mean a lot of time spent outdoors. Let's face it, good yards can sell homes.

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Greg Smith is the managing Broker of Re/Max Alliance & President of Hinkelman, Smith & associates. Hinkelman, Smith is the premier Colorado real estate company featuring 75 agents to ensure that customers receive nothing but the best service possible. Click here for more info on the Boulder real estate market

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-a-home-not-just-a-house.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-a-home-not-just-a-house.html Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Well, to start; you should be on the lookout for potential candidates with certain criteria in mind. If you have some defined "musts" listed before you start looking, you should be able to find the right place. Now, it's important to separate needs from wants at this point. Also, try to think in terms of future needs as well. If you plan on expanding your family for instance, then you will need the room to do so. Typical needs run in the areas of rooms, backyards, proximity to schools, work and other services. Also, be mindful of what needs are more important than others. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a place that fulfills every need and one may have to be compromised, but hopefully not.

For a house to really become a home, it really needs to satisfy you as the buyer on many different levels. One of the main things that must happen is after the purchase process is finished, the buyer must have the ability to sit back and be completely happy with their purchase. This is largely related to the service that they receive from their realtor during the sale. If the realtor has fulfilled their duty then the client will never think "did I get the best deal and the best home for my dollar?" An agent has a huge role in the overall satisfaction of their clients. Realtors help make houses homes.

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Greg Smith is the managing Broker of Re/Max Alliance & President of Hinkelman, Smith & associates. Hinkelman, Smith is the premier Colorado real estate company featuring 75 agents to ensure that customers receive nothing but the best service possible. Click here for more info on the Boulder real estate market

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-the-right-fixer-upper.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/finding-the-right-fixer-upper.html Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
One of the most important things to take into consideration in buying a fixer-upper is the condition of the exterior. Depending on what the outside of the home is constructed from, there will be differing concerns. Wood and stucco are both susceptible to water damage, although for different reasons. Stucco can become damaged, usually when seams and corners are improperly finished or sealed. This allows water to get underneath the finish and into the wood beneath. Wood, while being susceptible to weather damage is also prone to damage from bugs, termites specifically. Before buying a home make sure that the inspector checks the condition of the exterior thoroughly, making sure there is no environmental damage and that all seams and joints are properly sealed.

In regards to the interior, if you can find a place that simply needs some paint, and maybe new appliances and fixtures then you are set. New appliances are a great start for any renovation. They can easily change the look of a tired old kitchen and new appliances are one of the things that most home buyers notice first in homes. Another great cosmetic element that can drastically increase the value of a home is new flooring. Laminate is a popular surface that looks great and is quite easy to install. It can also be relatively inexpensive and is functional for most any room. Although you may want to consider a more durable surface such as tile for areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Make yourself a list of the things that need to be done in any home that you look at. From that you should be able to make a cost estimation and decide on the right home.

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Greg Smith is the managing Broker of Re/Max Alliance & President of Hinkelman, Smith & associates. Hinkelman, Smith is the premier Colorado real estate company featuring 75 agents to ensure that customers receive nothing but the best service possible. Click here for more info on the Boulder real estate market

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-on-your-own-terms.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/selling-on-your-own-terms.html Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
One of the best ways to do this is to start paying close attention to what is happening on your local real estate market long before you put your home up for sale. Take note of homes that are similar to yours and track how long it takes them to sell. Also take note of what they were originally listed for and what they sold for. If you pay close attention to these numbers you should be able to accurately gauge the direction of the local market. If you have the ability and the time on your side you can use this information to assess the best time to put your home up for sale.

Don't hesitate to spend some time with your realtor discussing what is going on in the real estate industry in your area, the more information you have at the beginning of the process the better. Having this info at the outset will allow you to take care of the little things that your realtor would usually have to advise on, thus leaving them more time to dedicate to the marketing of your home. As any agent will tell you, marketing is one of the most important aspects in the sale of a home and the more time that can be dedicated to it the better it's chance of selling quickly and without deductions.

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Greg Smith is the managing Broker of Re/Max Alliance & President of Hinkelman, Smith & associates. Hinkelman, Smith is the premier Colorado real estate company featuring 75 agents to ensure that customers receive nothing but the best service possible. Click here for more info on the Boulder real estate market

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>