Colorado Real eState
Colorado Specific Information
Relocating every two to four years is part of joining or marrying into the military. Receiving Permanent Change of Station orders to a new base or post means starting over, finding a new home, a new job if you’re a spouse or finding new schools for the kids. We hope that our list of Colorado Real Estate Considerations can assist you in finding the perfect home for your troops!
Air Conditioning – Yes, the climate in Colorado is mild compared to other parts of the country, but don't let anyone fool you. It gets hot in the summer. Thankfully, it's not a humid, hot like I was accustomed to, growing up in Alabama, but it's still hot. Not all homes here have air conditioning.
Some homes have whole-house Evaporative Coolers or sometimes known as "Swamp Coolers". This provides cool air to a house by a fan blowing against a filter that is constantly wet. It works well in our climate as we have very low humidity.
If a home that you are considering doesn't have Central Air, check to see what type of heating system is installed. If the home has Forced Air Heat, that means that the ductwork is in place and that adding an Air Conditioner is possible. Unfortunately, if the heat is Baseboard Heat or depends on Radiators, your only options will be an Evaporative Cooler or Room Air Conditioning.
Pests– Great news! We really don't have very many pests that you have to be concerned about. Mountain properties will have their fair share of field mice that want to take refuge in a warm home for the winter, but typically speaking, you won't be dealing with fleas, termites, or roaches. Our winters are cold enough that it seems to keep pesky pests away. During an inspection it is always smart to have your inspector look for signs of termites. Check here to see Orkin's Termite Infestation Probability Zone Map.
Radon – Over 50% of homes in Colorado have some levels of radon. Radon is naturally occurring and can be found in all 50 states, however, Colorado ranks as having some of the highest levels of naturally-occurring radon. The good news is that it is easy and affordable to mitigate and shouldn’t deter you from purchasing a home.
Expansive Soils– Expansive soil earns its name by expanding in volume when it becomes wet and likewise shrinking when it dries out. This is usually due to the presence of clay in the soil and/or bedrock and can cause significant damage to structures if not properly planned for.
Grow Houses-With Colorado at the forefront of the legalization of marijuana, the demand for the plant increases along with those who are in the industry. Even with the legalization of retail sales, the demand for marijuana on the black market stands firm as it is cheaper and Colorado is at the top for the illegal exporting of this drug. As a result, there are still issues with private, illegal grow houses.
As you search for a home, look for certain signs that would indicate it was a grow house: Cannabis home grow Unusually high electrical bill Water damage Signs of mold/mildew Water lines that have been re-routed Electrical shortcuts