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ISSUES AROUND THE MOUNTAINS02-08-2010
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*Real Estate Industry Reps Meet With Congressman Polis Staff on Condo Financing*
Late last week REALTORS®, Title Companies, and Mortgage Brokers from Summit and Eagle Counties met with Congressman Jared Polis'(D-Boulder) staff in Frisco to discuss the difficulties of obtaining financing for condos in the mountain region. From condo-tel issues to loan limits, the industry representatives made it clear to congressional staff that the issue is far-reaching and must be dealt with. One solution discussed is that Fannie Mae made an exemption to its resort condo financing rules, and gave "special approval designation" for 52 condo projects in Miami Beach, Florida. Congressman Polis and his staff are very sympathetic to the concerns of the real estate community and are going to research how this exemption was given to the Florida resort community, and determine whether it is an option for the Colorado resort areas. Polis is also going to determine why the rules were implemented to begin with. SAR and VBR have also included NAR staff in the discussion. NAR's lobbyists and regulatory staff are going to follow up this week with Polis' DC office.
*Avon Extends Fee Reduction For Zoning & Building Permits*
Against the wishes of town staff, the Avon Town Council recently approved a resolution that will provide an extension of a 100% fee reduction for zoning and building permit applications for an additional three months. Last year, the Council reduced building & zoning permit fees to zero for the period of August 1, 2009 to February 12, 2010. Planning staff recommended that the resolution be denied, citing that the fee reductions did not produce intended results, and that the construction industry was not jump started. According to planning staff, only $2100 in fees were waived during that period. In addition, the town manager felt that the fees should not be waived further because it will put further pressure on a very tight general fund. In the end, Council wanted to give the program more time to work, and make a gesture to the construction industry that they understand the difficult economic situation. The fee waiver program will now expire on May 12, 2010.
*Breckenridge Will Begin Review Of Open House Sign Sunset This Week*
It's been almost a year since the Breckenridge Town Council approved a year long allowance of uniform directional open house signs in the town. The ordinance is set to expire in March, and this week the Council will have a preliminary discussion whether to extend the ordinance for another year, make it permanent, or again impose a ban on open house signs. SAR will be speaking to the Council on their efforts during the last year to educate REALTORS® on the policy, and the importance of self-policing. SAR will be asking the Council to make the ordinance permanent. The Council will have its first reading on an ordinance February 23.
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LOCAL ELECTIONS BUZZ......
*GSAR To Provide Candidate Questionnaires for Local Elections*
Carbondale, Silt, New Castle and Parachute will all hold Council elections in April. GSAR will submit questionnaires to candidates in all of the local elections this spring. The questionnaire will include questions important to the real estate industry. GSAR will provide the results of the questionnaires to GSAR members for voting purposes. The questionnaires will be sent to the members well before the mail-in balloting process begins.
*Looking for Local REALTORS® To Run For Open Seats This Year*
With many City & Town Councils, & County Commissioners elections up this year, we are looking for REALTORS® to run for seats in your local areas. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Sarah Thorsteinson, Mountain REALTOR® Government Affairs Director at sarah@coloradorealtors.com.
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At The State Capitol...
*REALTORS® Swarm The State Capitol For CAR's "REALTOR Day At The Capitol"*
Nearly 200 REALTORS® met with state legislators and speakers last week at CAR's premier "REALTOR® Day at the Capitol". This year was yet another sold out event. REALTORS heard several state legislators speak including, Terrance Carroll, Speaker of the House; Josh Penry, Senate Minority Leader; Brandon Shaffer; Senate President; Frank McNulty, State Legislator; Cory Gardner, State Legislator; Executive Director Don Marostica; Office of Economic Development and International Trade; Bernie Buescher, Secretary of State; and Mark Snead, Asst VP and Denver Branch Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The speakers espoused their views on how to balance the the state budgetand how to pour more jobs into the state. Medical marijuana was also a hot topic of discussion. REALTORS® were more focused on supporting two bills CAR is running at the state Capitol this year: Amendments to the Colorado Foreclosure Protection Act (HB-1133) that would remove the vague descriptions of "equity purchaser" and exempt short sales from the act. The other bill, the Commercial Real Estate Brokers Commission Security Act, would allow commercial brokers to place liens on properties as an incentive for property owners to pay brokers promptly. REALTORS® in the mountain region enjoyed lunch with our state legislators, including Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Breckenridge), Senator Al White (R- Hayden), Representive Christine Scanlan (D-Dillon), and Representative Randy Baumgardner (R-Hot Sulpher Springs). |
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Sarah Thorsteinson, GAD |
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