Division Notifications

Understanding Real Estate Broker Competency Requirements

What does it mean for a real estate broker to be competent in the practice of real estate? A real estate broker must have the competency to properly advise and guide their client in order to protect the client’s interests. Competency is achieved by understanding the facts and principles that one obtains from formal training and experience.

Cigarettes, Cigars and Marijuana: Smoking in HOAs

We’ve all been there. You’re outside, maybe in a park, and you get a whiff of someone’s cigarette. If you’re one of the more than 38 million Americans who smoke, you may not think twice about it. But if you’re one of the other 290 million Americans who don’t smoke, then it’s likely offensive to you. Smelling smoke in a park is one thing, but what if you’re in your townhome living room watching TV?

What is your Association Doing to Protect its Members?

The first week of March is National Consumer Protection Week. During this time, consumer protection agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Division of Real Estate will be helping people understand their consumer rights and make well informed decisions about finances and the sharing of personal information. 

What is a Nuisance and What Can You Do About Them?

As we all know, living in a homeowners association has many benefits. Unfortunately, at times, it may also present some detriments. One of the most glaring is the possibility that a neighbor may do or not do something which ends up being a nuisance to others in the community. When this happens, it is only natural for those affected to feel frustrated and annoyed.

Consumer advisory: Protect yourself against home equity skimming scams

Many Colorado consumers may be experiencing some financial hardship during these economic times, and those living in homeowner associations (HOAs) that are not able to pay their HOA dues and assessments, together with the thought of losing their home through foreclosure, may be approached by a “savior in disguise.”

What does CCIOA Say About Community Association Records?

What are homeowners entitled to and how should they be requested?

The HOA Information and Resource Center frequently receives questions regarding records requests in homeowners associations. Fortunately, the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act ("CCIOA") provides clear guidance as to the rights and responsibilities of homeowners when requesting association records. 

Permission to Photo or Video Properties

A real estate broker representing a seller on a listing will no doubt encounter the situation where a buyer’s broker will want to take photos or a video of the interior of the seller’s property to share with their buyer. These situations are different from when a listing broker or a hired professional company is taking the photos or a video in a controlled setting and the listing broker has the controlled use of the images for their client for advertising purposes.

New Year, New Maintenance Schedule

As we ring in the New Year, it is an ideal time to think about planning for the regular maintenance of your community. Besides providing a gameplan for your community’s leadership, a well made maintenance plan will be able to provide your association with many benefits

Audio and Video Surveillance in Properties

Questions arise as to the Seller’s use of audio and video surveillance in homes during property showings. Security devices are justifiably used in homes for security purposes, however, should they be used as a means of obtaining information on prospective buyers and their real estate brokers, or to acquire confidential information about a prospective buyer? The improper use of these devices could possibly result in civil or criminal liability.