Legal Updates
COVID-19 and Working with Real Estate Sellers
March 19, 2020 These are unprecedented times and these issues could not have been anticipated. No one in the real estate industry has experienced a similar event on such a scale. Nevertheless, CRES and our risk management attorneys are analyzing the situation to anticipate legal and practical challenges that face real estate professionals and consumers. Read More
COVID-19: Broker, Agent, and Firm Health and Safety Suggestions
March 19, 2020 As each day dealing with the coronavirus seems to bring new challenges for the real estate industry, there are positive steps brokers and agents can take to remain safe. CRES and our risk management attorneys continue to analyze the situation and offer these suggestions: Employing brokers and supervisors should develop a writtenRead More
COVID-19 and the Impact on California Real Estate Transactions
Download the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Coronavirus Addendum (C.A.R. Form CVA, 3/20). The spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 has created uncertainty in our everyday lives — including the purchase and sale of real property in California. People who are presently under contract to purchase or sell real property consider how the virus may impact theirRead More
Colorado Possible Real Estate Effects of Quarantines due to COVID-19
March 18, 2020 These are unprecedented times for consumers and the real estate industry. The Colorado real estate form contracts do not expressly address situations like this. No one in the industry has experienced a similar event on such a scale. Nevertheless, CRES and our Colorado attorneys are analyzing the situation to anticipate legal andRead More
Colorado Office Closures and Transaction Delays due to COVID-19
March 18, 2020 Although Colorado real estate form contracts do not expressly address situations like COVID-19, there are ways to handle effects on real estate transactions. CRES and our Colorado attorneys are analyzing the situation to anticipate legal and practical challenges that face real estate professionals and consumers. Here are some insights and thoughts: BrokersRead More
Source of Income Discrimination in California
Under California and federal law, it is illegal for a landlord or residential rental housing provider to discriminate against a person because of the person’s disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, marital status, religion, ancestry, or source of income for the rental. California’s Legislature has declared that the opportunity to seek, obtain and hold housingRead More
Broker Beware: Colorado Short-Term Rental Regulations
“There is [Absolutely No Other] Place Like Home.” Denver, like many cities across the U.S., prohibits individuals from operating “any short-term rental in the City and County of Denver without a license.” Denver Municipal Code further states that it is unlawful “to operate a short-term rental in any location that is not the applicant’s primaryRead More
How to Manage Your Risk When Dealing with Real Estate Sellers, Buyers, or Tenants Involved in a Cannabis Business
It’s important for real estate professionals to understand the implications of a cannabis business whether you’re representing the seller, buyer, or a tenant. (See our related post on property managers and cannabis businesses.) Your role isn’t to provide legal or tax advice, but to understand when you might need to refer your client to anotherRead More
Lost Mineral Rights Claims On The Rise in Colorado
Real estate brokers in Colorado increasingly face lawsuits filed by sellers who have unintentionally contracted away their mineral rights when they intended to only sell the surface property rights. The most common scenario is where the seller tells the listing broker about the intent to reserve the mineral rights. However, when the deed isRead More
Roofing Scam Alert
Real estate brokers, beware of a fraudulent scheme involving listed vacant properties. Here is the scenario. Acting as the property owner or an agent of the listing office, the scammer contacts roofers asking for a quote to replace a roof. The scammer explains that the roof is covered by insurance, and the roofer agrees toRead More