Family Is Forever and So Is The Dirt

Have you ever thought about family?  Once you have a family, it's always your family.  You might get along and you might not, but they are still your family.  Well, so is dirt.  Once you buy a home that has "dirt", then it is your "dirt".  It's always your "dirt" unless you sell it, don't pay for it, or eminent domain takes it.

"Dirt" becomes more valuable the more people that populate a location.  The less "dirt" there is, the more people are willing to pay.   It's your pot of gold!

Most of us celebrate with our family and friends in our homes.  Saint Patrick's day is just about upon us.  It is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17th.  It particularly remembers St Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century.   St Patricks Day is celebrated with family and friends and what better way to celebrate than on your own "dirt". It's a fantastic time to laugh, love, cry, and pass along the traditions that our families have given to us in generations before us.  Here are some ideas that you can do on your "dirt" to enjoy with your family and friends.

1. Make traditional St Patricks day food such as Corned Beef and Cabbage, Soda Bread, or Shepard Pie.
2. Drink green beer 
3. Buy green hats
4. Decorate with leprechauns and shamrocks

Protect your home ("dirt), update your home, enjoy your home with friends and family, and it will bring you a pot of gold.  Or, if you are interested in buying a home (dirt), give me a call at Turn Key Realty

How Martin Luther King Day Relates to Federal Fair Housing

Today is Martin Luther King Day.  Celebrate Civil Rights and the Federal Fair Housing Act.

Five days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, the Federal Fair Housing Act was passed.  It essentially extended the same discrimination protections contained within the 1964 Civil Rights Act to the housing industry.

Within the Federal Fair Housing Act, those individuals (realtors, lenders, property managers, etc) who facilitate a housing transaction must adhere to the rules of this Act. 

The classes of people this act protects are:

• Color
• Disability
• Familia Status  
• Parents who have one or more children under the age of 18 living with them.
• Legal guardians who have one or more children under the age of 18 living with them.
• The designee of the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18. This designation must have been made in writing by the child’s parent or legal guardian.
• A person in the process of being granted legal custody of a child under the age of 18.
• Pregnant women.
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion
• Sex

Examples of discriminatory housing allegations based on membership in a protected class may include, refusal to rent, unequal terms and conditions, discriminatory financing, failure to provide reasonable accommodation or modification for a person with a disability, refusal to sell, and retaliating against someone who has exercised his/her fair housing rights.  These are just a few examples.  

We've come a long way since Dr. King changed the world, but we still have a ways to go.  Discrimination still exists in our country, even in the housing industry.  If you feel you are a victim of Federal Fair Housing, you have one year to file a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division

Here at Turn Key Realty, our agents have taken extensive training on Federal Fair Housing.  We pride ourselves abiding by the rules set for by National Association of Realtors and Federal Fair Housing.

Put $$'s In Your Pocket - Senior Property Tax Exemption

Do you want to put $$'s in your pocket?  It's really easy with the Colorado Senior Property Tax Discount Program.  The Colorado State Property Tax program was reinstated in 2012.  As long as the program is funded, and if you qualify, 50% of the first $200,000 in the actual value of the primary residence is exempted from property tax.  Once an exemption application is filed and approved by the assessor, the exemption remains in effect until a disqualifying event occurs.

Who Qualifies

• Are at least 65 years of age PRIOR to January 1 of the year of application
• Owned the home for at least 10 consecutive years prior to January 1, and
• Occupied the home as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years prior to January 1.
• Surviving spouses of seniors who qualified

How To Apply - Larimer County

• Pick up a form at the Larimer County Assessor office - application available Jan 1
• Address:  200 Oak Street, Fort Collins 
• Phone:  970-498-7073
• Apply before July 15th
• Mail Form to:                                                                                                                                 Larimer County Assessor -                                                                                               Senior Exemptions Processing PO Box 860 Fort Collins, CO 80522                               Phone: (970) 498-7073                                                                                                     Email: grahamsm@larimer.org

How To Apply - Weld County

• Pick up a form at the Weld County Assessor office in Greeley
• Address:  1400 N 17th Ave, Greeley 
• Phone:  970-400-3650
• Apply before July 15th
• You can request a form by emailing:  assessor@weldgov.com

For additional information, you can download the brochure published by the State of Colorado

Smart Device Ideas & Basic Need Resources for the Disabled

There are seasons to the year, with fall officially started, but there are no seasons when it comes to assisting people with disabilities. Disability in the senior community can start with a fall, a stroke, a heart attack, disease, or many other factors.  Depending on the disability, these "smart devices" could be a comfort to those in need.  

Echo

In the home, an Echo is a voice command devise that can be used to add a reminder for taking medications, or as a second timer for baking a casserole. This hands-free device can help compose a shopping list or do an internet search, all from the comfort of the chair or bed.  Just "ask it"  and it will do about anything you ask it to do.  

Ring Smart Doorbell

A Ring Smart Doorbell has a motion-sensor camera and will show who's at the door, so you can decide whether to answer or not.  If the disability makes it hard to get up out of a chair or you are wheelchair-bound, this could make a huge impact by causing you less pain and stress trying to get to the door when it's not important to you.  

Smart Thermostat

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night because you are cold?  A "smart thermostat" can be adjusted from an i-phone.  Don't get out of bed to turn up the heat.  Stay under the covers and turn up the heat.  You will be toasty soon.  

Echo Connect

The Echo Connect can call emergency services for you.  All you need to do is say "Alexa, call 911"  You don't have to wear a device around your neck if you "fall down and can't get up".

These products can be found on Amazon but there are many brands and styles to suit your taste and budget.  I do not promote these brands nor do I work for the company.

Basic Need Resources

These are just a few electronics that can help seniors with disabilities, but did you know that consumer's lives can be impacted by working with Disabled Resource Services.  Even the basics can be a huge need for some.  

Bet You Didn't Know

Top 5 Requests for Toiletries

Did you know they keep a supply of (primarily) sample-size toiletries at our Fort Collins and Loveland offices for their low-income and homeless consumers? Here are the 5 products most in demand:

1. Toothbrush                  4. Razors                           
2. Toothpaste                  5. Bar soap

3. Toilet paper

Personal hygiene is an important aspect of self-esteem and self-confidence. If you have unopened toiletries or extra toilet paper that you can spare, please consider donating them by dropping them by either of the DRS offices. Questions? Please don't hesitate to contact them.  To learn more or to donate to Disabled Resource Services, please visit the website.

Fort Collins office: Terry, 970-482-2700

Loveland office: Denise, 970-667-0816

If you know a senior who could benefit from one of these devices or has a basic need, please reach out and pass the information on.  We all need to do our share to make sure our seniors are cared for and able to stay in the home they choose.  

If you know of a senior who needs to downsize or has passed, please reach out to me for resources.

Margaret @ Turnkeyrealtyco.com

Colorado's Changing Colors

September is a month for winding down the summer and getting ready for the wonderful fall that we have here in Colorado.  The leaves will be changing to beautiful yellows, and reds, and orange colors very soon.  

Aspen trees are some of the most beautiful trees in Colorado.  You can see patches of them in the mountains as you travel to the Rocky Mountain National Park.  Their brilliant yellow coloring splashes the roadways and bike/walking trails from September to October.  Poudre Canyon has some amazing bike trails as well as these other five trails. 

Colorado also has the pleasure of oak and maple trees.  Usually, these types of trees have gorgeous scarlet, crimson, and ruby hues.  The pigment in the tree plays a key role in getting the trees ready for the spring.  The chemical in the leaf act as a sunscreen, protecting leaves, especially evergreen trees.  With Colorado's 360 days of sun, the trees need as much sunscreen as they can get.  The red color can also serve to ward off insects and bugs.  Some insects laying eggs in the fall may seek other, weaker trees for their offspring.

The crisp cool changes in temperature during the fall start the food-making process of the leaves.  The length of daylight also has a bearing on the colors changing.  The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become move visible and give leaves the part of their fall splendor. 

Hiking and biking on one of Colorado's most treasured activities.  What better way to get outside and discover the beautiful splendor of the fall in the Rockies.  

If you are interested in living in Colorado, call Margaret at 970-672-6069  Turn Key Realty

The Role of a Personal Representative or Executor

One of the most important reasons to make a will is to name your executor -- commonly called a “personal representative” in Colorado.  If the person serving is a female -- an executrix. After your death, your executor's primary job is to protect your property until any debts and taxes have been paid, and then transfer what's left to those who are entitled to it.

What is Your Role as an Executor

• (1) determine if there are any probate assets;

• (2) identify, gather, and inventory the assets of the deceased;

• (3) receive payments due to the estate, including interest, dividends, and other income (e.g., unpaid salary, vacation pay, and other company benefits);

• (4) set up a checking account for the estate;

• (5) figure out who is going to get what and how much under the Will (if there is no Will, the state’s “interstate succession laws” apply);

• (6) value or appraise the estate’s assets;

• (7) give legal notice to potential creditors (the procedure and deadlines for creditors to file claims vary from state-to-state);

• (8) investigate the validity of all claims against the estate;

• (9) pay funeral bills, outstanding debts, and valid claims;

• (10) pay the expenses of administrating the estate;

• (11) handle various paperwork, such as discontinuing utilities and charge cards, and notifying Social Security, Civil Service, and Veterans Administration of the death;

• (12) file and pay income and estate taxes;

• (13) distribute the remaining property in accordance with the instructions provided in the deceased’s Will; and

• (14) close probate.

As of 2018, only gross estates with values of more than $5.6 million are subject to federal estate taxes, but some states also impose estate taxes. Colorado is not one of those states.  They do not impose an estate tax. Your gross taxable estate is the total value of all you own, both probate assets and property that pass directly to a living beneficiary.

As you can see, serving as a personal representative can be a huge responsibility and is often a time-consuming burden. If you need help finding a good estate planning attorney, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.  I have resources to help you.

Patio Home In Secure Neighborhood

Patio homes in secure neighborhoods are hard to come by in Colorado.  The sought after neighborhood of Four Seasons, in Fort Collins, is the perfect location for you or mom, and this one is for sale!! 

Mature trees adorn the neighborhood making for a warm inviting entrance.  It is a community in a community where your neighbors look out for each other.  Some of the owners have a monthly social gathering and visit often. 

900 Arbor Ave #6, Fort Collins, CO  $388,500

900 Arbor Ave #6, Fort Collins, CO  80526

The home features include:

• main floor master bedroom
• main floor laundry
• a newly remodeled kitchen
• a second bedroom on the main level for guests or an office
• a fully finished basement with recreation room, 3/4 bath, and a third bedroom
• newly poured fenced-in patio for your animals and privacy
• newly poured and driveway with rebar
• roof if 2 years old
• newer stainless steel appliances - even washer/dryer
• exterior paint is 2 years old
• Central air

The living room has vaulted ceilings and a door that leads to the patio.  Warm your bones with the cozy gas fireplace that can heat the room up in a hurry.  

The kitchen is a galley kitchen with enough room for a small table.  You can enjoy the south windows and watch the birds while you have your morning coffee.  The pantry has added pull-outs which make it easier to get to those foods that are in the back.   There is an additional pantry area for larger items such as mixer, paper items, etc.

What better way to spend your day than in this new kitchen.  It has new flooring, sink, faucet, back-splash, counters, lighting, and appliances. 

If you are interested in a showing, please call Margaret at 970-672-6069 - Turn Key Realty
margaret@turnkeyrealtyco.com

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