Saturday Reporter-Herald February 19, 2011 E1
Real Estate Matters
www.homeandrealtyguide.com • Saturday, February 19, 2011 • Reporter-Herald
Resolve property line discrepancy
The Group celebrates 35th anniversary MISHELLE BAUN, THE GROUP INC. PAID ADVERTORIAL
ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Q
uestion: I have a large parcel of land adjoining my father-inlaw's property, which is also quite large. After owning the properties for years, we recently had the property surveyed and found that the property line between us is in my favor, and that a large barn with a cement floor he had built is mostly on my property. What are my options at this point? I can't ask him to tear it down and start a family war. Do I have a limited amount of time in making a lasting decision? If his property is sold, or transferred to another family member, what are my options at that point? Answer: Since you both have large parcels of land, what's the impact on your land in having the barn located where your father in law built it? You didn't indicate in your letter that you had a problem with the location of the barn prior to performing the survey. If the land that is used by the barn is small and you are trying to preserve the acreage you have, you and your father in law can swap some land to keep your acreages about the same while preserving the barn in its current location. If the amount of land doesn't have much value, you can deed your fatherin-law the land that underlies the barn so that it will sit on land he owns. There are a couple of options and configurations available to you and your father-in-law, as long as everybody agrees that something should be done to fix this issue. And you're smart to tackle the problem now, while everybody is getting along, than to risk having the problem surface years later, when this issue holds up the sale of the land. If a land swap is not in the cards due to the costs, government regulations or other issues, you could have an attorney draft an easement agreement that allows the barn to remain where it is for the remainder of the barn's useful life or a length of time that you and your father-in-law agree on. The easement agreement might preserve his right to continue to use the barn where it is located until, perhaps, it falls down and needs to be rebuilt. At that time, the new barn can be built on land owned by your fatherin-law. If the barn outlasts your fatherin-law, and the land is sold, the owners of the land will be on notice that the barn will have to come down and be moved. Or the easement could allow the barn to remain there forever. It's up to you and your father-in-law to decide. Talk to a real estate attorney in your area to give you an idea of what it would take to complete a land swap or an easement agreement, including the costs involved. You can even talk to the surveyor and ask him or her for any ideas as to how much land is involved with the barn and what he or she would suggest in terms of a land swap. You and your father-in-law may find that the land swap satisfies both of your goals and desires. I'm sure there is an amicable way to work it out, especially if the land is undeveloped and somewhat consistent throughout.
A
s The Group Real Estate celebrates its 35th anniversary it looks back with gratitude for the phenomenal success it has experienced. But it is intently focused on the future with a renewed commitment to its customers, communities and industry. Eric Thompson, President of The Group, joined in November of 2009. “The Group has an amazing story, and our rich history is a big reason I wanted to work here,” he said. “We will continue the Group’s legacy as community leaders by giving back; as industry leaders by being innovative and highly productive, and by putting our focus on doing our very best for our customers.” In 1976, the 12 original partners of The Group were actually looking for a way to change how the real estate business was conducted in Colorado. The partners pioneered the concept of providing brokers, staff and managers an equal opportunity to own company stock. Also, in an era when real estate firms saw themselves as gatekeepers for the home buying and selling process, The Group made the thengroundbreaking move to include home prices and addresses in real estate advertisements. It would set the tone for a customer-first philosophy that stands today. A more recent example of this philosophy is that The Group was the first northern Colorado company to place data for sold homes on its website. Over time, The Group compiled a litany of regional firsts, including the first to hire a female manager, the first to offer a Guaranteed Sales Plan to sellers, and the first to embrace northern Colorado as a regional real estate market. It was also the first (and only) to be recognized by both RealTrends and Realtor Magazine as the most productive company in the country. The shared ownership model has attracted subsequent partners to the in-
Photos courtesy The Group, Inc.
Group, Inc. partners with their decorated Loveland heart at the Centerra location. grained collaboration between brokers, that adds up to better service for customers. Chuck McNeal, who joined The Group Inc. in 1994, calls it “a culture of support that’s absent in any other real estate company.” Such a culture may also explain The Group’s effort to strive for more in 1996. That year a Colorado State University study found the most important issue for home buyers and sellers was to close on the property on or before the initial contract date. “While we were good at getting contracts closed, only 18 percent were closed on the original contract date,” recalled Larry Kendall, one of the 12 founders. “We began to work on that. We felt
it was unacceptable.” Today, The Group Inc. — which includes offices in Loveland, Greeley and Fort Collins — closes contracts on time 90 percent of the time. After 35 years, The Group is still “looking for ways to get better,” Kendall said. That philosophy is reflected in the scope of affiliated services that The Group has added, and which McNeal
oversees. Group Financial Partners LLLP includes firms and joint ventures such as The Group Guaranteed Mortgage, The Group Guaranteed Title, The Group Insurance Agency, Sperry Van Ness/The Group Commercial brokerages, and Ninja Selling LLC, a nationally delivered and recognized sales training program. By providing related services, The Group eases
“As real estate becomes more complex, customers demand to work with Realtors who are committed to a
higher standard.”
— Eric Thompson, President of The Group
The Group Inc. Milestones 1976 — Founded in Fort Collins 1980 — Opened second Fort Collins office 1980 — Opened Loveland Office 1996 — Opened Greeley Office 2000 — Opened Harmony Office in Fort Collins 2001 — Opened second Loveland office in Centerra 2001 — Surpassed $1 billion in sales 2002 — Recognized by Realtor Magazine as "Most Productive Company in U.S." 2006 — Launched The Group Guaranteed Mortgage and The Group Guaranteed Title 2009 — Launched The Group Insurance Agency 2011 — Launched The Group University
The Group, Inc. in Loveland, 1980
The Group, Inc. at 1401 W. 29th St., Loveland
the transaction process for clients. “It’s a better experience for the customer,” McNeal said. Customers can also benefit from the company’s commitment to broker education, said Thompson. The future of real estate sales is shaping up to favor the firms that continue to invest in training and innovation. “This year we launched The Group University, where Group Sales Partners and staff learn ways to help increase their business and lead positive, productive lives. Weekly courses cover a wide range of subjects including sales skills and tools, technology skills, and life skills. “ “We strive to exceed customers’ expectations, and having up-to-date market knowledge and highly skilled sales partners helps our customers make the very best decisions for their personal situations,” Thompson said. “As real estate becomes more complex, customers demand to work with Realtors who are committed to a higher standard.” Thirty-Five years as market leaders is the perfect launching pad for a company with an incredibly bright future.
The Group, Inc. at 5401 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland
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