Real Estate Matters
www.realtyguide.com • Saturday, April 17, 2010 • Reporter-Herald
Recognize housing scams ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Q
uestion: My friend is trying to buy a house from a man who says that he owns a HUD house. He wants $80,000 for the property, with $500 down. The house looks like it should sell for $100,000 or more. He asked my friend to fax a copy of his ID and Social Security card to his office. I just don’t believe this is real because it’s too good to be true. Who can my friend contact to see if this house is for sale without being scammed? Answer: This deal has scam written all over it. First, HUD homes are regular houses with FHA loans on them that have gone into foreclosure. HUD sells HUD homes online and HUDcertified real estate agents can make offers for buyers online. Can you see what’s wrong with the situation your friend is facing? And, I probably don’t need to tell you that you’d never have to fax any legitimate real estate agent your contact information or Social Security information. That’s just asking to have your identity stolen. Your friend needs the help of a really smart real estate agent who is HUD-certified and probably the assistance of a real estate attorney. Is the person offering the home to your friend a HUDcertified real estate agent? The agent can look up the property and tell you if it is for sale or not I See GLINK/Page E5
Inside this week’s Home & Real Estate
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Realtor of the Week
Photo special to the RH
Above, a waterfall garden setup at the Home and Garden Show. A similar display will be the centerpiece of this spring’s show at the Ranch-Way Pavilions West at the Larimer County Fairgrounds on April 23-25.
Attend the Home and Garden Show The hottest home and garden ideas will inspire audiences April 23-25 RH PAID ADVERTORIAL
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he 7th annual Spring Home and Garden Show is being held next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 23, 24, and 25 at The Ranch-Way West Pavilions at the Larimer County Fairgrounds at The Ranch. The show will feature over 170 booths representing companies with a wide variety of products and services for the home. The booths are staffed by friendly folks who will gladly provide helpful hints and ideas on how families can improve their living spaces — both indoors and outdoors. Information will be available on ways to beautify your home, make it more energy efficient or just perform routine maintenance chores. Some booths will offer more personal services and products such as food items and cookware along with cooking classes. Wildlife sculptures by well known local sculptor Mike Dwyer will be available for your enjoyment at the show or to purchase and take home. A central feature of this year’s show is a beautiful waterfall display paired with a luxurious patio and outdoor kitchen. This display, presented by Empire Landscape of Johnstown, will inspire visitors with the latest ideas for enhancing the value and personal enjoyment of homes with water features, patios, stone work, flowers,
shrubs, outdoor kitchens and more. “You can get ideas and save money on all kinds of spring gardening and remodeling projects,” Mile High Productions owner Ann Ellis said. Admission and parking are free and free shuttle service between the parking lot and the entrance to the show will be provided each day by Super Shuttle. Carriage rides courtesy of Moonlight Carriage will be available free of charge for kids of all ages on Saturday and Sunday. Miss Q-T-Pie will entertain kids and parents with face painting and balloon animals on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hot and cold sandwiches are available at a reasonable price so come on out, have some lunch, have a little fun and get some good ideas for those spring projects around your house! Show hours are Friday noon to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mile High Productions, LLC, of Loveland is a producer of Home & Garden and Home & Remodeling Shows and has been in business in Northern Colorado for 18 years. They opened the new Larimer County Fairgrounds in Loveland with the first Home Show in October, 2003. For more information, contact Mile High Productions, LLC at 970-669-3004 or 303-883-5801 or www.mile-highproductions.com.
Kirk Lussenhop of Re/Max Alliance
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Above and clockwise, the Watkins booth at last fall’s show; the Spa World display at last fall’s show; Miss Q-T-Pie entertains children with face painting and an outdoor waterfall garden setup to complement an outdoor kitchen. Photos special to the RH