Congratulations to Rick Thurtle, Broker and Owner of Rick Thurtle & Associates, our Grand Junction Realtor of the Week! A longtime Grand Valley resident, and an active member of the Mesa County community since 1998, Rick loves to use his extensive knowledge, experience and attention to detail to make clients’ real estate transactions as smooth and profitable as possible. Over the years, local residents have grown to trust his tradition of public service making him one of the highest profile brokers in the area. He is known for serving all types of customers, from first time home buyers to longtime residents of the Western Slope.
 
Rick is a Certified Real Estate Negotiations expert, serves on the board of directors of several non-profit entities including the United Way of Mesa County, the Salvation Army, the Center for Independence, the Roice Hurst Humane Society, Mesa County RSVP and the American Red Cross and many others. 
 
Rick enjoys sporting events and live music Quick read more or view full article with his wife Vicki, as well as skiing, hiking and fishing across the beautiful Western Slope.
Rick is an avid Pickleball enthusiast. He and his wife Vicki enjoy spending time with their rescue dog, Scully.

To get in touch with Rick, call 970-243-3376.

Congratulations to Alyssa Needham, Realtor with DKT Realty. Inc on being inducted into the Grand Junction Area Realtor Association at their quarterly luncheon last week! Janell Gear, owner of Gear & Associates Realty, Hal Heath owner of Heath and Company Realtors, Mindy Timian-Winger of Western Slope Realty, Debbie Thomas of DKT Realty, and Mike McGinnis of ProMark Realty were there to celebrate with her.

Consumer Advisory: Long-term Home Ownership Concerns (Wholesaling/Assigning Transactions and Distressed Rescue Transactions).

The Division of Real Estate is seeing an uptick in cases involving two types of cases involving long-term home ownership: Wholesaling/Assigning Transactions and Distressed Rescue Transactions.

Wholesaling/Assigning Transactions

Investors and real estate brokers are targeting people with home ownership of over 20 years. This targeting translates to people over the age of 50 who are close to paying down their mortgage and holding equity in their property. The investor will offer the following:

• Cash transaction;
• A quick sale closing with no inspection; and
• You can leave behind any items you don’t want.

The problems begin when the homeowner is elderly, alone, and doesn’t know the true market value of their property:

• They may have purchased their property over 20 years ago for $50,000, $100,000, or maybe $200,000.
• That same property now could have a market value of $300,000, $400,000 or even $500,000.
• The idea that they purchased the property 20 years ago for $120,000 and are now Quick read more or view full article being offered $220,000 sounds appealing to these homeowners – their mortgage might be paid off and they will make $100,000 – sounds good right?
• They don’t realize that an investor or real estate broker who knows the true market value of the property may be taking advantage of them by actively misleading the homeowner as to the true market value.

The problems arise when the investor or real estate broker:

• Drives down the property value in the seller’s mind by showing them comparable properties that aren’t really comparable.
• Talks to the homeowner about all of the deferred maintenance that the property needs (which may or may not be true).
• Allows the homeowner to leave items behind (What is that “convenience” worth - the costs of renting a dumpster, hiring two-three workers for a day to unload your house? Is it worth a homeowner giving up $20,000 - $50,000 - $100,000 – or more of their equity?)
• Fails to tell the homeowner that they are actively marketing the property for market value and that the investor or real estate broker plans to assign their rights in their contract with the homeowner to another investor/buyer.
• Fails to tell the homeowner that they intend to make a profit by accomplishing an assignment of the contract.
• Fails to tell the homeowner when the contract is assigned to a different investor/buyer.

Investigated Case Example

Below is an example of a case that we investigated where the broker involved in the deal was referred criminally and her real estate license was revoked.

The victim had the misfortune of being on her front porch when an “investor” and his real estate partner approached her and told her they used to live in the neighborhood and wanted to move back.

They figured out her weaknesses and used them against her.

• After “working” on her for a few days, the investor and real estate agent had a meeting with her that lasted hours. At the end of the meeting they had talked her into a purchase price of $200,000 for a property she didn’t even plan on selling.
• At the same time, they had already assigned the contract to a second investor for $300,000 – with the agreement that the second investor would pay a $100,000 assignment fee to the original investor and real estate broker.
• The second investor sold the property to a third investor for $360,000 two weeks after the closing.
• Finally, the third investor held the property for eight months and sold it for $520,000.

That wouldn’t happen to any of us right? Think again. This type of thing can happen to anyone – young, old, rich, poor, no education, or highly educated. The reason it works is because people who perpetrate fraud are good at what they do – separating you from your money.

• Unfortunately, some of our victims became victims because they responded to an unsolicited mailer, phone call, or knock on the door. Once the “investor” makes contact with someone, they start “working” on them.  They are professionals at getting close and gaining trust.
• They are charming and know how to obtain information about you that will help in their dealings with you. In just a few short conversations they will find out private information about you and then use it against you.

Things to Keep In Mind

• Be wary if someone approaches you about something you weren’t even thinking about doing.
• If you want to sell your property, you should contact someone you have been referred to by family, friends, or do research on real estate brokers working in your neighborhood.
• Go to our website and see if the person has a real estate license and if they have any disciplinary history – dora.colorado.gov/dre
• Go to the City and County of Denver website to check on neighborhood sales – denvergov.org
  • Click Search Property Information, then enter your address and click Search. In the Results link click on your address where there are various tabs and click on Neighborhood Sales.
• If you have a hard time with technology, you can always ask friends or family members to help you navigate the web to do some research about property values in your area.

If you do find yourself entertaining an offer from an unsolicited investor:

• Ask to obtain, and keep, a list of the comparable property sales in your neighborhood the investor used to come up with their purchase price offer.
• Always keep someone else in the loop – your children, good friends, or someone you trust.
• Always know that you can seek legal advice – in the end, it might be worth the money you spend on a consultation with an attorney.
• Review the contract closely to see if it is assignable.  Inquire into why it is assignable, for instance: to whom it is assigned and why, and how much the new buyer is paying the original buyer - AKA – an assignment fee. 
• Do not sign an assignable contract until you have had the opportunity to investigate the true value of your property and the legal implications with an attorney.
• Take responsibility for being informed about the value of your property and the contracts that you are considering signing.

Distressed Rescue Transactions

Investors and real estate brokers are approaching distressed homeowners (those behind in their payments, facing foreclosure, or experiencing a medical issue). They offer the homeowner an “out” by agreeing to make the mortgage payments for them.

Problems arise when the investor does not explain how this will be accomplished. The unscrupulous investor will:

• Have the homeowner sign a Quit Claim Deed in which the homeowner signs over their ownership in the property.
• Fail to explain to the homeowner that they, the homeowner, are still responsible for the mortgage.
• Fail to warn the homeowner that they could be violating their “due on sale clause” with their lender.

The homeowner is usually elderly or part of an at-risk population (English isn’t their first language, disability of some kind, etc.).

The Division advises the following when it comes to these types of rescue transactions:

• Don’t sign any documents or a deed to anyone until you have had a chance to talk with your lender and an attorney about your mortgage obligations and your legal rights.
• Colorado has a Foreclosure Protection Act that affords you certain rights when you are financially distressed.
• It’s best to take proactive steps when you first start having financial problems, and here are some resources that you can contact:
• Colorado Housing Connects – 1-844-926-6632
• Colorado Foreclosure Hotline – 1-877-601-HOPE (4673)
• Colorado Bar Association “Find-a-Lawyer” – 303-860-1115
• Colorado Legal Services – 303-837-1313
• Disability Law Colorado (Formerly The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People) – 303-722-0720

Congratulations to Jennifer Howard, broker at Gear & Associates, our featured Grand Junction real estate agent of the week! Jennifer was born and raised in Grand Junction and her family has called Western Colorado home for many generations. 

"Having bought and sold many of my own homes, I know the stress and emotion that can come along with the biggest sale or purchase in your life," says Jennifer. "Through honesty, communication and understanding your wants and needs, my goal is to make this exciting step in your life as painless and, dare I say fun, as possible."

Jennifer is passionate about real estate and would love to help you sell your current home and/or purchase your next one.  Whether you are looking to upsize, downsize or just move to a new part of town, she can help you navigate the process. 

When she's not working you can find her at home with her husband and son. They enjoy traveling, remodeling their fixer upper house, Quick read more or view full article and spending time with friends and family. 

To get started on your next real estate move, get in touch with Jennifer today at 970-201-8740 or jennifersellsgj@gmail.com.

Participating Walmart stores:

If you haven't bought a home yet, you're missing out on a wonderful feeling! That moment when you walk through your doors, throw your purse or keys on the floor, plop down on your couch and breathe a sigh of relief while thinking, "Finally, it's ours (or mine)!" And the joy of looking at all of your boxes, getting to roll your eyes about why you buy so much stuff, then giving yourself a moment to take a nap because you worked hard to get here and earned it! Yes that's a real feeling!

by Kyler Frye

Emergency situations such as fire, extreme weather and power outages can happen without warning. By taking the time to prepare for a possible disaster now, you and your family will be equipped to handle a crisis if one ever occurs.

Fire Escape Route and Meeting Spot
It can take a mere five minutes for a fire to engulf your entire home. This is one reason having an escape plan is so important. Include at least two exit routes in your plan in case one is blocked, and designate a safe location for everyone in your household to meet. Identifying a secondary location outside your neighborhood is good to have in the event it's not safe to return or you're asked to evacuate.

List of Emergency Contacts
Make laminated cards with a list of important phone numbers for each family member. This might include contact information for the local authorities and emergency services as well as your nearest relatives.

Home Safety Items
Be prepared in case an emergency does occur by having these Quick read more or view full article target="_blank">home safety items:

• Fire Extinguisher -- Keep one on each floor, and check them annually to make sure they're functioning properly.
• First-Aid Kit -- Store it in a central location, such as the kitchen, and make sure everyone knows where it is.
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors -- Install detectors in each room and test them once a month. Use long-life lithium batteries to cut back on replacements.
• Food and Water -- Put together a three-day supply of nonperishable foods and at least three gallons of water for each member of your household.

According to sellers, silence isn't always "golden"

By Rick Thurtle

When trying to sell a home, silence isn't always golden especially when you're expecting your real estate agent to call. In fact, it's one of the leading complaints among sellers in the real estate market. Often times you find an agent who is more than willing to take on your listing, but once the relationship is made, the seller enjoys getting a call at least once a week. A seller should establish with the agent up front the expectation that regular communication will occur. Even if it's just to check-in, the seller will be more satisfied being kept in the loop.

Keeping the communication lines open between the two parties assures the seller that the agent is keeping them apprised of any and all offers. In addition, agents often provide valuable tips on why prospective buyers weren't interested. Often times, an agent is privy to the buyer's dislikes of the property. For instance "this room's too dark" or "the kitchen has a funny smell." This allows the agent to Quick read more or view full article give the seller constructive feedback and offer important tips on how to make the home more attractive to future buyers.

If you're a seller and are not hearing from your broker, be sure to keep calling them until they get the message that you expect a regular update. Selling a home can be a lot of work and sometimes quite stressful. It is incumbent upon an agent to satisfy the seller's expectations of routine updates, this will ensure the possibility of future business not to mention a successful sale. Furthermore, as a seller you must demand the communication exchange between you and your agent. If both parties work in a cooperative effort, the selling experience will be more successful and enjoyable for both the agent and the seller involved.

During their time in the Grand Valley, Dana and her husband have bought and sold more than 30 fix and flip properties. "It is a passion of mine to take a distressed property and turn it in to someone’s updated new home," said Dana. "I'm excited to pursue a real estate career in the Grand Junction area so I can use what I have learned from our buying & selling experiences to help my clients."

To get in touch with Dana for any of your real estate needs, give her a call at 970-250-8518 or send her an Quick read more or view full article e-mail at dkwbroker@gmail.com

• Home purchase and refinance loans
• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost assistance
• Homebuyer education classes???

• 94,786 ?Colorado homebuyers achieve homeownership;
• 117,528 households attend homebuyer education classes held statewide;
• 62,439 affordable rental housing units be developed or preserved; and
• 4,527 businesses access capital to support 59,793 jobs.???

CHFA loans available.





























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If you'd like to see if CHFA can help you, contact their office on the Western Slope:
348 Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501??
970.241.2341
800.877.8450
970.241.9422 (fax)


Source for all info: CHFA website Read Less

Congratulations to Mike McGinnis of Promark Realty, Inc, our realtor of the week! Mike has been a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker since 1983 and opened Promark Realty, Inc. in 1991. He's proud to be one of the original owners of Metro Brokers Grand Junction, Inc.

Mike grew up right here in Mesa County and along with his wife, Kim, feel fortunate to have lived and raised their two sons in such a vibrant place. 

"Real estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience," says Mike. "If you're buying, I can help you select the home of your dreams by taking time to listen to your needs and desires. If you're selling, my real estate expertise and many effective marketing programs will give you the exposure and edge you need to sell your home quickly for top dollar."

So whether you are looking for property uptown, or land Quick read more or view full article downstream, Mike's local expertise and extensive experience with Grand Junction homes for sale will benefit you.

Mike considers this community an excellent place to reside and would love to share with you his enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods that encompass it. If you are looking for your next piece of Grand Junction real estate, you can get in touch with Mike at 970.234.6453

It is Kyler’s commitment to helping customers find just the right home that motivated him to pursue a real estate career. He offers cutting edge customer service and a strong love for our community and the people who live here. Meeting new people and helping customers find the right place to call "home” is Kyler’s passion. With his extensive knowledge of the Grand Valley he can help you find the right place. 

Kyler would love to show you around so you, too, Quick read more or view full article can plant your roots in our Valley. Call Kyler today at 970-773-3028 or email him at kylerfrye@gmail.com.

Born and raised in Western Colorado, Felecia has a strong appreciation for the variety and beauty that Colorado has to offer and can't imagine life anywhere else. She started out in Gunnison, Colorado before moving to the Grand Valley to attend Mesa State College to study marketing and financing. 

The values embodied by Metro Brokers parallel her own high ethical standards. Felecia believes that teamed with Metro Brokers Grand Junction's uncompromising integrity, and her honest, hardworking nature, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished!

Felecia and her husband Ray have three beautiful daughters. "My family is my life! They are what make my world complete!" said Felecia. Together, they enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, sports, and boating in Lake Powell. "We also travel as often as we can, including to Hong Kong where my mother is from and where many family members currently live!" she explains. 

Please feel free to call Felecia anytime, Quick read more or view full article without obligation, at 970-260-8258, to help with any of your real estate needs.

Congratulations to Dana Weiszbrod, our featured Agent of the Week! Dana is truly a Colorado Girl through and through, moving to Grand Junction 20+ years ago. She knew then that she had found her "forever" home. Since moving to Grand Junction, Dana and her husband have bought and sold more than 30 fix and flip properties. Their passion is to take a distressed property and turn it in to someone’s updated new home. With that experience, Dana jumped into her real estate career so she can apply what's she's learned from her own buying & selling experiences to help her clients.  

Dana and her husband Trent (owner & operator of Trent Plumbing and Heating) have four active and beautiful teenagers. They love living and raising their kids in the Grand Valley and enjoy being part of this amazing community. 

She looks forward to welcoming you as a client with Hansen & Associates Realty and Metro Brokers Grand Junction, Inc.!  Contact her for any of your real estate needs Quick read more or view full article at 970-250-8518 or dkwbroker@gmail.com.

Our featured agent this week is Teri Styers of Ford Realty! Teri is an experienced house “flipper” with a strong background in property management, HOA management and business management. She adopted the Grand Valley as her home 35 years ago, raising her four children with her husband on farms in East Orchard Mesa and Collbran.

Teri enjoys world travel, with a well-used passport as proof. Locally, she enjoys interesting restaurants, good books, cooking and small scale gardening. She also has a fascination with Tiny Houses and intends to build one someday.

Teri believes that real estate is the very best investment and wants to help others find what they are looking for. She's also available to help you strategize on how to find the ideal buyer for your existing real estate.

To get in touch with Teri to start your home search or list your home,contact her at: teri@mbgj.com or 970-270-0805.

Mindy believes there is a need for caring people in the real estate profession. The stresses encountered in buying and selling can be intense. She approaches such needs in an individualized manner, doing her best to anticipate and address the needs of her customers and clients.  She excels in negotiations, working hard for those that hire her. Let her help you bring your keys home! 

If you're ready to search for your next house without the stress, get in touch with Mindy at 970.209.0880.

Introducing Rick Thurtle, the newest addition to our real estate team!

Rick is a realtor because he loves to use his knowledge, experience and attention to detail to make real estate transactions as smooth and profitable as possible. He is a Certified Real Estate Negotiations Expert to ensure you get the most out of your transaction.

Rick is a longtime Grand Valley resident, developing relationships over the years both in the real estate and non-profit worlds, to help you achieve your real estate goals, whether it is residential, commercial or investment opportunities.

Additionally, he has served on the board of directors of several non-profit entities including the United Way of Mesa County, the Salvation Army, the Center for Independence, the Roice Hurst Humane Society, Mesa County RSVP, the American Red Cross and many others. He also spent more than two decades as a news anchor, including eight years at our local NBC affiliate, KKCO-TV.

Rick and his wife Vicki feel fortunate that their Golden Retriever, Fletcher, allows them to share a home with him. Fletch was a rescue dog at the Roice Hurst Humane Quick read more or view full article Society.