Did you know that you can investigate your own local government regarding the property taxes that they have assessed for your home? If you think that the property tax is too high for the value on your property, you have every right in the state of Colorado to challenge the tax assessor’s final recommendation. Calculate your Colorado Property Tax today! Is it too high for your property size, location or home value? Learn below how it is possible to lower the taxable value of your Colorado property, possibly reaping amazing tax savings. To be successful at challenging your property’s taxable value, there are certain things that you have to establish.

The Colorado Tax Assessor Had Wrong Information

If the tax assessor used incomplete or inaccurate information, you have the right to challenge. For instance, if tax assessment professional assumed that your home is 2,200 square feet and you know for sure that it is only 1,900 square feet; you have a legitimate claim of inaccuracy. The tax assessor should use similar properties in the community to come up with a taxable value. If a property used by the tax assessor is not entirely the same as yours, then the information is inaccurate. The same is true if the assessor uses a higher market value, assuming it is the right one. If you are quite convinced that any or all of this information is not factual, it is time to consider another strategy to get your property taxes reduced.

Tax Assessor Discussion

If your discovery is convincing proof that the tax assessor has not provided an accurate value of your property, then the tax assessor upon a thorough discussion with you may agree to make changes to the value. If that takes place, then you won’t have to opt for an administrative appeal. Go to the directory of the Colorado Tax Assessor and find contact information to make an appointment.

The Appointment

Tax assessors are very hard working individuals who take pride in the work that they do. They do the best job in treating property owners fairly. So, it is ideal to give them the benefit of the doubt by having a sit down to discuss the details. Prior to meeting with the tax assessor’s office, be sure to have additional copies of the proof found such as the reports used by the tax assessor and the correct property value that you researched. Try not to be argumentative or complaining. Approach this with as much professionalism that you can muster. In other words, stick to the evidence of lower taxes for your home. If proven, the tax assessor might make the changes right away or you may have to give the assessor a few weeks to resolve.

The Appeal

If an agreement cannot be reached with the tax assessor, you can make an administrative appeal to the higher offices. You can file a written formal appeal, protesting the assessor’s valuation. In the state of Colorado, the appeal must be delivered to the office by June 1. If you are not sure about the additional documents to file, call the office of the tax assessor to find out. Your appeal will be addressed to the County Board of Equalization in the state of Colorado, but deadlines for filing are different for different counties. So, be sure to double check.
Here is some of the evidence accepted for an appeal:

• Recent home appraisal
• Report of repair work conducted by a contractor
• Documentation for neighborhood sales price
• Pictures of similar homes with a list of the sales prices or tax values

The Hearing

At the appeal hearing, you will receive up to ten minutes to discuss your case. So, try to be as succinct as possible. If you are not in agreement with the County Board’s appeal decision, you can go a step further by appealing to the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals or to the Colorado District Court. You can also take your argument to an arbitrator. You may need legal representation for any court appearance.

For help in determining your property value, it is first recommended that you speak to a real estate professional in the area that has full knowledge of the real estate market in your neighborhood. Contact Elevation Realty to discuss your options.Call them today at 303-579-3566!

If you’re planning on buying a new home on the Lowry real estate market, you will have to make a lot of decisions about what you want out of your new space. How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? Which neighborhood do you want to live in? And of course, what style home do you prefer? Let’s start with that last question by taking a look at some of these popular home styles in the Denver area:

The Denver Square

This style is formally known as the American Foursquare, but it’s now affectionately called the Denver Square in this area. The front of this style of home is square and symmetrical, hence its name, and the inside typically has two stories with the exact same number of square footage on each. Most of these homes are built from brick, but other natural materials are used in some cases. Although these homes were originally built following the Victorian period, they are still loved among Denver residents because they are easy to renovate and remodel.

Craftsman Bungalow

Bungalows are designed with simplicity in mind. These homes are smaller than other styles, and only have the bare minimum such as bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a versatile living room. Most bungalows are single-story homes laid on a basement foundation with large front porches. However, builders have recently started to take inspiration from the bungalow and use it in a wide variety of home designs, so it’s entirely possible to find a mansion that has been inspired by this architectural style.

Tudor

First introduced in the 1920s and 1930s, the Tudor architectural style remains popular throughout the Denver area today. Named after the English Tudors, these homes are reminiscent of homes you would typically find in the English countryside. The Tudor style is versatile, so you can find homes of all sizes designed with this look in mind. Tudor-style homes are usually built with brick or stone, and feature high, steep roofs and a spacious, open floor plan on the inside. If you want the romance of the countryside without leaving the city, the Tudor style home is perfect for you. Learn how to get the look of the Tudor style here.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern homes were first introduced after the end of World War II, but they are still loved by architectural enthusiasts everywhere. These homes are characterized by flat roofs and symmetrical design. Many of these homes feature large, beautiful windows and open floor plans to create a warm, inviting space for families. Once you walk inside, you may notice a few small steps down to the sunken main living area. This design, known as a split-level space, is widely used in mid-century modern homes.

Do you see a popular home style you love? Now, all you need is an agent to help you find your dream home with this style. Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.

Are you planning on purchasing a home in University Park in Denver in the next few months? If so, you may have started to imagine how you want your new home to look. One trend that has been made a splash in the interior design and architecture world is the mid-century modern style, but is it right for you? Take a look at this trend to see if it’s what you’re looking for in a new home:

Characteristics of Mid-Century Modern Homes

Just as its name suggests, mid-century modern homes were built between the years of 1945 and 1980, however many newer homes have also began to use this style in their design because of its popularity. These homes are characterized by flat planes and symmetry. In fact, many of these homes were designed with flat roofs.

When you walk into a mid-century modern home, it will most likely be flooded with natural light. This is because this style uses large windows and glass doors to let natural light inside. The large windows combined with the open floor plans of mid-century modern homes lets natural light in more than many other architectural styles.

You may also notice steps within the home leading you from one room to another. Many of these homes are designed with one or two steps that lead you down into the family or living room. These are known as split-level spaces, and they are incredibly popular among mid-century modern homes. Learn all about midcentury modern architecture here.  

What to Consider Before Buying a Mid-Century Modern Home

If the home you’re interested in has a flat roof, it’s important to understand the risks that come along with this design. Flat roofs tend to leak more than other roofs because there is no slope to allow water to drain off as it should. If you move into a home with a flat roof, make sure you keep a close eye on it to spot issues as soon as they arise.

If the home was built during the original era of mid-century modern homes, make sure you get a detailed home inspection to check for serious issues. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with a home that has been lived in for decades.

What should you do if you can’t find a mid-century modern home within your budget or in the location you desire? Try to incorporate this style into your interior decorating choices instead. Choose minimalistic furniture pieces with clean lines and wood detailing to give your home a mid-century modern vibe. Pick vintage accessories to scatter throughout your home, such as a bar cart, which has a definite retro feel. Even if your home is not architecturally considered mid-century modern, the inside will still show your love and appreciation for this style.

Ready to learn more about buying, selling, and decorating homes in University Park? Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.

Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases a survey that shows different homebuyer trends for that year. The first survey was released 35 years ago, so this year, Goldsmith real estate agents at Elevation Realty have decided to take a look back at how times have changed in the last 35 years. Real estate agents are still vital to the process.
When the internet was first introduced to the world, many people thought it would eventually replace the need for realtors. After all, now buyers could access listings of different homes without asking a realtor for help. Although the survey shows a clear increase in the number of buyers who use the internet to look for a home, it also shows that despite having the internet available, buyers and sellers are still working with real estate agents. Younger generations are still struggling to afford a home.
In 2015, only 32% of home sales involved a first-time buyer, compared to 50% of home sales just five years prior. This shows that many people may still be struggling to save up a down payment on a new home because of unemployment or student loan debt. Are you struggling to put money aside that you can use towards your down payment? Millennials, here’s how to save for a down payment. Homes are basically the same size they’ve always been.
In last year’s survey, the average single-family home that was purchased by buyers was 2,000 square feet. But, this result is not unusual for the NAR survey, considering it has been the average single-family home size for seven different years. What does this show us? Not much has changed. In 1981, first year the survey was conducted, the average single-family home purchased was 1,700 square feet, which is not a significant difference from today’s numbers. It takes longer to find a home.
Surprisingly, it is taking buyers longer to find a home these days than it did back in the 1980s, despite today’s consumers having access to the internet. In 2015, it took buyers an average of 10 weeks to find a home once they began their search, compared to just 7 or 8 weeks back in the 1980s. Why? It’s hard to say. It could be because there isn’t as much inventory available for buyers, or it could be attributed to pickier buyers who spend more time finding the perfect home.   Down payments are going down.
In 1989, which was the first year the survey touched on down payments, first-time buyers were making an average down payment of 10% of the purchase price of the home. How does that compare to today? In 2015, first-time buyers were only putting an average of 6% of the purchase price down on a home. This could mean that lenders are more flexible today than they were back in the 1980s. Ready to learn more about buying, selling, and maintaining homes in Goldsmith? Contact Elevation Realty to be connected to a team of experienced real estate experts ready to help you on your home buying or selling journey.

This move-in-ready, ground level, 1/1-unit just steps from Bible Park, the High Line Canal & 5 minutes to DTC!

• Patio looks out onto courtyard/trees.
• New furnace, AC, hot water tank, & fridge.
• New front load, stack. washer/dryer (yep- laundry in unit).

Great HOA amenities, including indoor & outdoor pools, tennis courts, clubhouse with party/kitchen area, workout equipment, & racquetball court for under $200/mo! Deeded parking space & storage space. Walk to Tamarac Square, Whole Foods & Target. FHA warrantable! Check back for pics (being taken, Tue).

CONTACT RYAN MCDANIEL FOR MORE INFORMATION