Jay Hidoshi's Blog: Colorado real estate is an incredible investment

Using credit cards is the easiest way to build your credit history.

If you don’t have a credit card then you will have to go to a big name bank and start with a pre-paid credit card. General purpose, reloadable prepaid cards as they’re known in the banking industry, are not actually credit cards, nor are they debit cards. No one lends you money: You deposit money to the card and then use it as you see fit. Prepaid cards are not linked to a bank account either. It’s essentially cash in plastic form.

You can find a free pre-paid card without an annual or monthly fee. But I would recommend using a big name bank and paying an annual fee of no more than $40.00 per year. This allows for the big name banks to come knocking at your

mail box once you have used this prepaid card monthly, for one year.

Using a prepaid card or a credit card is the important part, monthly. Once the banks see that you can use a prepaid card for one year, then the letters will arrive in the mail for offers to use a real credit card from major banking corporations. Be selective and choose a credit card company that offers no annual fees. The offers will start with a low line of credit such as $300.00 per month. Use this $300 credit card for one year and then get your letters in the mailbox for offers to use a credit card with a credit line of $500.00. The following year the offers could be $1,000 to $1,500 credit line. It can take you as long as 7 years to reach a $3,000 to $10,000 line of credit on one credit card.

But wait, you should not limit yourself to one or two credit cards. Get as many free credit cards as possible and use them all on a monthly basis. This will be some work but the ultimate goal is to build as much credit as humanly possible with your social security number. Do not put your girlfriend or wife on your credit card accounts. And girls, do the same, keep your boyfriend or husband’s name off your credit card accounts. This is a personal goal.

Why would an individual build as much credit card credit as possible?

In order to have a great credit report that allows an individual to borrow money from a bank in the form of a mortgage loan. Keep in mind that a credit report will have more information than just your credit card history. But an exceptional credit card history could make-up for some negatives on your credit score. Negatives may need to be corrected but credit cards and great credit card history is what will make the back bone of your credit score.

BTW, why would someone want to take out a mortgage loan? So you can start investing in real estate. You can’t plan your retirement until you start with your real estate investments , first. This may seem like a lot of work but you need to dream first and then know the quickest path to retirement.

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue- collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: www.coloradomjrealestate.com

Average Denver-Single Family Home Price Up $171,000 In Four Years.

In March, the average price of a detached single-family home in metro Denver surpassed $500,000 for the first time. But that’s already seeming like the good old day’s. Why?

The new average price for such a property is up nearly $40,000 and over the past four years, that average has leaped skyward by more than $171,000 – an amount that would have bought a young family quite a nice house not all that long ago.

These revelations are contained within the June market trends report from Denver Metro Association of Realtors. It’s accessible below in its entirety. According to DMAR, the average price for a detached single-family home in metro Denver last month was $540,624. That’s an increase of $37,638 since February, or around 7 percent.

Condo’s have grown more expensive during this period, too, though not as dramatically. The average condo sold last month in metro Denver cost $356,337 as compared to $345,632 three months earlier. That’s a difference of $10,705, or slightly more than 3 percent.

Over 4 years, however, the prices of condos have actually risen at a speedier rate than have detached, single-family homes. And the latter now cost nearly a third more than during that period.

Continue to get facts and figures about detached single-family homes and condo sales in metro Denver from 2014 to the present, illustrated with photos of properties listed on the Homesnap website, as well as a link to the complete DMAR report: https://www.dmarealtors.com

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com

Molson Coors beer maker is looking at ways to enter the marijuana business. The brewer is said to have held talks with several Canadian-based marijuana companies to invest and collaborate in cannabis-infused beverages in an attempt to halt declining beer sales.

The company has spent the last six months engaged with as many as four cannabis companies, including Aphria Inc. and Aurora Cannabis Inc., discussing its plans to enter the space.

Last year, Corona beer seller Constellation Brands Inc. bought a minority stake in Canopy Growth, Canada’s largest marijuana producer. Rivals such as the Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. plans to develop a product-testing and manufacturing center to explore using cannabis in everything from iced teas, juices and sports drinks.

Molson would have significant exposure to the North American Cannabis market as the No. 2 beer seller in both Canada and the U.S.

With the threat of declining sales looming large, the alcohol industry may have little choice but to partner with cannabis companies.

1) I like to take my motorcycle for a cruise around Sloan’s Lake. You get the view of Denver’s sky scrapers to the East and the mountains to the West. I will stop at my favorite drinking spots in the neighborhood of Edgewater.

2) If you’re in the mood for a cheeseburger then you have to try “Sloan’s” bar for a never frozen, fresh ground beef cheeseburger. I order, at an extra cost, blue-cheese, bacon, and a sunny-side-up fried egg to make for a sloppy burger. But to make things even sloppier I have to have my side of mayo. I use the mayo for my french fries. That should hit-the-spot. Don’t let the Edgewater police station across the street bother you. I have never heard of anyone getting pulled over for drinking and driving by the Edgewater police, but I would not jump on my motorcycle if an officer came out of the police station and jumped into a cop car.

3) If you like in-expensive beer drinking then you have to try “GB Fish and Chips” on Sherman Boulevard. This place has good homemade British food, meat pies, banger’s and mash, and fish and chips. I was originally drawn to this place for its beautiful view of Sloan’s Lake with downtown Denver sky-scrapers in the back-ground. I soon found out that they had a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon for $1 per-can. Not my first choice of beer but for the price I will hang-out and see what the view offers. After frequenting this establishment for two years and many servings of fish and chips later, I saw the cooks making home-made foods from scratch. I eventually tried most of the foods on the menu, later than sooner, due to my rut of eating the same things out of habit.

4) If you like Italian then you have to try the “Deli Italia”. All things Italian are good. This place has sandwiches, pasta, and pizza and that’s just where it starts. Bob is one of the owners and tell him Jay Hidoshi sent you. This place can be found just a spit away from Sloan’s Lake at the intersection of Wadsworth and west 20th avenue.

5) Just ten blocks away from Sloan’s Lake is the “New Saigon” Vietnamese” restaurant at the intersection of Federal Boulevard and West Gill place.

6) If you want a massage then I recommend the Korean massage over all others in the Denver, metro area.

7) If you’re searching for good real estate buys then my advice would be to pick a desired location and walk it on foot. This can give you a better feel for an area and talk to people in the neighborhoods of desired areas. Only talk if your stomach says your getting correct info, because some neighbors can be mis-leading.

8) I love to hang at my medical marijuana farm. I really don’t like to go to other marijuana farms because you just don’t know if there’s spider mites or mold spores present. These could get on your clothes and be brought back to a clean farm.

9) I love Australian Shepherds. I like to call my friends that have Australian Shepherds and see if me and my dog can come over and play.

10) No more skiing for this old guy. I’m lucky to be walking and talking after the motorcycle accidents I’ve had and not to mention too many years in construction.

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com

Real estate agents face challenges from DIY buyers and sellers. Home sellers and buyers have an increased number of options as technology and websites evolve. The pro’s of going it alone are what I been waiting for. No more mis-representation by realtors that claim to have business ethics.

In 2017, 13 percent of buyers and 8 percent of sellers didn’t use a real estate agent when purchasing or selling their homes, according to the national association of realtors.

Flat fee services are on the rise.

A real estate attorney can handle a real estate transaction for a flat fee. Be sure to contact as many as three real estate attorneys before deciding on the best attorney for the job.

A big motivating factor for those going without agents or brokers is not wanting to pay a hefty fee or contribute to a 6 percent commission. This commission can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

When selling real estate on your own, the most important thing you can do is qualify buyers. #1) Can the buyer afford the selling price of the property for sale?

Never let an appraiser step foot on your property and never let anyone tell you what your property is worth based on comps and any surrounding or similar properties in your area. This scam has been going on too long. No two homes are the same. Some property owners keep their property in a condition that they can come home to and enjoy. They love the sight of their home when they get home. Other property owners are slum lords and treat the property like it’s a place for meth heads. And then you have the appraiser that wants to come to your property and tell you that your newly re-modeled house is of the same value as another.

Realtors will try to talk a seller into selling their property for less than the seller wants to. The motive on the realtors part is for the buyers to see a good price and the contract could close faster, leaving a realtor with a faster commission. Never let a realtor or appraiser tell you what your property is worth. The DIY seller should always do the research and determine the selling price of the property.

Take the time and sell your own real estate. Realtors and appraisers are words that will be unheard of in another two years.

Amen

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com

When selling real estate on craigslist you should make sure to have your finest selling points posted in your craigslist ad. For example: The first interest a buyer took in a home I sold was, the detail of a new garage with all extra electric power being to building code. An example of another selling point would be: new roof is only one year old and property is one block from light-rail train station.

Photos and images are not a requirement for the ad and make only limited photos available in your ad. When photos are requested by a potential buyer, have photos without a house number, and without street signs, and without specific landmarks, Have your property photos ready to send for potential buyers per request. Complete photo images of property for sale should logistically come after there has been thorough screening for cash buyers or bank approved buyers.

These are known as “qualified” buyers. Information such as the street and certain area of the town or city can be information that can be revealed in the craigslist ad as well in email communications.

Be repetitive and be sure that any potential buyers know that you’re only wasting very valuable time if you give information about a property for sale, if the potential buyer does not have the funds available to be a potential buyer.

When selling real estate on craigslist be certain to state very early in your ad, “Only Cash Buyers or Bank Approved Buyers” need inquire. Most people on craigslist do not have the money to buy real estate. This is all starting to change now that people are learning that you really should not use a realtor.

Realtor is a bad word and we will come back to this part of the article.

If a contact is made by a potential buyer on craigslist and they claim to be a cash buyer or bank approved buyer, then they should be able to provide in a simple email the following information:

1) Cash buyers can provide an email with a PDF document of a recent bank statement showing the dollar amount of the funds necessary to purchase your property. If the cash buyer is not comfortable sending the account info via email then the option of meeting at the bank would have been the next logistical step to confirm the email. A real estate attorney would be advised for this bank meeting on behalf of the seller. The attorney can explain to the buyers bank representative that a photo copy of a valid driver license along with a copy of the bankers letter stating there’s sufficient funds in the buyers account to purchase the property.

2) Bank approved buyers have already applied for a mortgage or land loan and have been approved for a certain dollar amount. They are currently active in property searches and ready to buy. They can request a letter from their bank and can send this to the seller via email. After receiving a letter of pre-approval then the next logistical step is for the seller’s attorney to meet with the buyer’s bank representative to confirm the pre-approved funds along with a copy of the buyer’s driver license.

Once the above steps are taken in a timely basis, then an appointment to walk the seller’s property can be made.

Avoid Using A Realtor For So Many Reasons.

A real estate attorney makes for better representation of the property and the seller.

Realtors make a large commission on real estate contracts. Realtors make four to six percent commission on vacant land contracts and six percent or higher on home contracts. Realtors make six to eight percent on commercial contracts.

Most real estate attorneys will handle the real estate contract for a flat fee of $1,000.

Do the math and shop around and give yourself the time and planning to find the qualified help that you need, or your money will go in to someone’s pocket due to poor decision making.

A real estate attorney is an officer of the law and should do things legally but a real estate attorney is also a business person that can try to get more from you than a quoted, flat fee of $1,000. Be sure to get any verbal quotations from an attorney in writing/in an email before starting work and making any payments. Be certain to tell the attorney and send an email stating that you will be firm to the quotation of a flat fee of $1,000 for the handling of the real estate contract. A title search should be $200 to $400. If the attorney handles the closing then all fees combined shall not exceed $1,700.

A realtor can have communications with the selling party and the buying party. A realtor can say anything they want about your property and they can even say things about your property that are not true. Why? To make the real estate contract commence faster. The faster the closing process the faster the realtor makes a commission.

If you decide to use a realtor because they are a friend or friend of a friend? This would be a bad idea to bring friends in to a personal business matter. But asking a realtor to take a lessor commission of three percent could work but realtors will also settle for the flat fee of $1,000. In today’s world of technology there are many places to list ads for your home on various websites. The information gets to the potential buyers directly from the seller and no middle party to forget, twist, or mis-represent about any facts about the property being sold.

Both realtors and attorney’s play off your emotions. If a realtor thinks the seller will take less money then they will disclose this to the buyer in private. Why? Because the contract and the realtors commission go to closing faster. Try to prepare as much as possible before meetings with realtors and attorneys. Try to show as little emotion as possible. Acting is suggested and be bland and monotone in personality, but try to be in control of the situation by presenting the information that is needed to get you the highest dollar amount on your real estate sale. Realtors and attorneys would try to have you think differently, but you can terminate your representation at anytime if you feel like your’e being taken advantage.

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com

Craigslist allows an individual to be a seller and be the selling party that’s in control of the selling transaction.

Don’t be in a hurry to communicate with buyers that contact your craigslist ad. Some buyers get too aggressive and demand that they come to your house and see the item for sale.

Explain to the buyer that you work two jobs. A day job and a night job, and that working by appointment is the only way.

Most craigslist buyers have a second seller to buy from on craigslist and you will have to just let the hurried type move on. By setting an appointment, the seller is relaxed and doing the selling transaction at the convenience of the seller’s schedule. No hurrying and no stress. Keep in mind that you may have to wait a month to get the great price that you want for your used possessions. Be prepared to plan and be patient for the buyer that deserves your stuff.

Be sure that the buyer knows the amount of money they are to bring for the item you are selling, in cash. Ninety percent of all buyers will offer a lesser amount once you are face-to-face for the transaction. The potential buyer can and will try to come down on the agreed asking price of sale. Do not be shocked and be prepared to turn people away because of this gesture, or mark your item for sale, higher-in-price, in your ad and allow for the lesser offer at transaction time. You can always claim that you have a text message stored and stating the agreed price. You may be willing to take $5.00 or $10.00 less than agreed to be done with being a salesman?

Do your research and look at the price of items similar to yours on craigslist at the given time. Some sellers are hard-up and at rock-bottom when they sell their possessions at all-mighty low prices. You may want to post your item for sale when the prices are higher on craigslist.

Never give out your cell phone # until you feel that you are comfortable with the buyer via communications on craigslist or email. Always write in your craigslist ad that you operate by appointment. The use of the buyer having your CP# would only be for trying to locate each other at the time of the transaction. The use of email gives you more control with the transaction.

If you are leary to set appointments with strangers coming to your home, then set the appointment near to your home so you are not spending a lot of time and money on fuel driving to a location 1/2 hour away. Home Depot and Wal-Mart all have many security cameras in the parking areas. If you are selling a high dollar item then take a friend along for the ride/transaction, for security. This being said, you should also instruct the buyer to come alone. If the buyer does not come alone then control the situation and text the seller to leave others down the road at Mc Donald’s. This is generally over-kill and I believe craigslist gets a lot of bad press from bad things that have happened due to craigslist being the tool in between to parties. That being said, don’t let security cameras give you a false feeling of security. There are lots of crazy people in the world and they are most likely thinking that you are at rock-bottom and that’s why you’re selling your possessions. They could try to intimidate you with the element of surprise. I have not experienced this with the use of craigslist but you have to prepare yourself for potential types that use craigslist.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you get your possessions sold.



A buyer will often try to take control of the seller by the use of over texting or over emailing. Most likely demanding to set the appointment for meeting at the potential buyers demands and conditions.

When using craigslist to sell your possessions, control the act of taking into control of the transaction.

I have used craigslist for many transactions of selling my possessions before a move. I have used craigslist for well over 150 transactions. I’m a former owner of a construction business. The construction business was alive for 23 years and also had a fleet of trucks. Selling construction equipment all in one transaction is impossible. Some of your associates will want to buy equipment and not have money left to buy it all. This is where craigslist becomes as a great tool.

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com

Maybe you’ve gotten a new job or outgrown your current home. Perhaps you want more land to grow crops or need to downsize so you can afford to travel. Whatever the reason, if you’re moving, and there are a few things you should keep in mind to make the process a little easier on the mind, body, spirit, and bank account.

Not All Movers Offer The Same Services

In case you’re wondering, yes, you do need to hire a professional moving company. If you try to go it alone, you risk injury to yourself as well as potential monetary loss if something happens to your belongings. TVs, sofas, and valuable family keepsakes likely aren’t covered by your home insurance if there’s a mishap en route. A moving company will have insurance for just such an issue. But you can’t scroll through Craigslist hoping to find a bored college kid with a truck.

It’s easy to select the company (or individual) that offers the lowest price, but you might regret that decision. Get at least three quotes, and check the find print. Some companies bundle packing materials in their quote, others don’t. One company may provide a timeline and expected delivery date, but another may leave you waiting in the wind.

The moving cost calculator by Hire-A-Helper can help you compare prices and services between reputable moving companies in your area.

It’s A Great Time To Purge

You probably have too much stuff, and it’s in your best interest to avoid overfilling your new digs. Take a few weeks before moving day to purge your current home of things you haven’t laid eyes on in at least 12 months. Realtor.com also suggests taking into account the size of your new home and getting rid of any duplicate items you no longer need. Downsizing your belongings will also lower your moving fees, so do this before getting a quote.

There is an Art to Packing

Your first order of business when it comes to packing is to check with your moving company and ask about weight limits or special requirements before chucking your entire house into boxes. Once you know what they require, you can begin packing. Keep in mind, however, that it’s not just a matter of stuffing your clothes and pictures into a box. There is an art to it. Books, for example, need a sturdy box, and expensive hardbacks should be wrapped before being put away for transport. The Denver Post offers additional packing tips and advise on how you can use trash bags as part of your packing plan.

The Kids Can Help, Too

Let the kids pack their non-breakables. Moving is tough on children, who might not understand why their life is being upended. Giving them responsibilities will help them feel more in control. However, while they should handle some tasks, outsourcing the heavy lifting will give you the chance to talk to and listen to your kids throughout the moving process. You’ll be better able to focus on their needs, and free up time to gather everything you need to help them settle into their new school, neighborhood, and life.

Your Dog Might Get You In Trouble

If you’re moving with pets, you need to be aware of your new state’s requirements when transporting a dog, cat, bird or other animal across state lines. Colorado requires a veterinary inspection certificate no older than 30 days prior to the move. Other states require full certificates of health and may even have restrictions on the animal’s body temperature or mandate certain vaccinations before calling their new house a home. Don’t forget to ask your moving company if they offer animal transport services; never assume they do.

Before heading down the highway, make sure you’ve done your research. Hiring a moving company based on value instead of cost, get rid of the belongings that have been holding you down, and don’t forget about the kids and the family pet. Nothing is going to completely take away the stress of moving, but the process doesn’t have to wreck your nerves.

This article was posted on behalf of Kelli Brewer.

Kelli Brewer is an admin writer at: http://deploycare.org

The Denver home price index measured an 8.4 percent annual gain in February, up from a 7.6 percent increase in January and a 7.4 percent increase in December. The February pace tied with Detroit for fourth highest and was behind only Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Fransisco, which all saw double digit gains. Nationally, home prices are up 6.3 percent.

David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices said in the report that home prices nationally have risen for the past 70 months, with the average annual gain at 6 percent.

Cheryl Young, an economist with Trulia, said Denver is seeing a pace of hiring that is 2.5 times faster than the country as a whole, which is driving demand for housing. But a lack of homes for sale is causing first-time buyers to hit a brick wall.

The inventory for starter homes is down 26.7 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier. That has pushed prices for the lowest-cost tier of homes in metro Denver up 14.9 percent the past year.

The average interest rate on a conventional 30-year fixed-rate home loan is 4.55 to 5.0%. In addition, home loans are getting easier to get. Home buyers who qualified for conventional loans had an average FICO credit score of 763 in 2012, according to Ellie Mae.

But by 2015, that had fallen to 754, which is where it sat for all of 2017. It was 751 in February of 2018.

The average FICO score for homeowners who refinanced through a conventional loan fell from 748 at the end of 2012 to 730 at the end of 2017. In February 2018, it was 729.

Those are exactly the kinds of Colorado trends that help borrowers land the loans they need.

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE:

http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com

New Jersey marijuana legalization could rake in $60 million in taxes.

Governor Phil Murphy looked to four states with legalized recreational marijuana as a guide for calculating the

$60 million in new tax money legalization could bring into New Jersey.

Treasury officials say they examined revenues for the first year of legalized recreational cannabis from Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and considered those states’ populations as compared to New Jersey’s and arrived at the $60 million figure.

Murphy hopes New Jersey joins the nine states and the District of Columbia in approving recreational pot, fulfilling a campaign promise and reversing the resolutely anti-drug policies of his Republican predecessor, Chris Christie.

Murphy’s budget proposal, which the democratic former Goldman Sachs executive unveiled, calls for legalized cannabis by January 2018, but lawmakers are taking a cautious approach.

Bill Caruso, an attorney and a former democratic legislative aid, is on the steering committee of New Jersey United for Marijuana, which supports legalization. He said he views the governor’s estimate as a sign that legalization is a priority and moving forward despite the slow pace.

“ I think we’re marching toward an inevitability,” he said.

Murphy has said he backs legalization on “social justice” grounds, specifically over concerns that poor people of color suffer disproportionately from cannabis being illegal.

But he is also relying on the revenue to help fund other promises, such as higher pension payments and school aid.

Lawmakers and Murphy have until June 30, 2018 to enact a balanced budget.

I have been a resident of Colorado for 36 years. I’m a former owner of a Denver dispensary. The dispensary sold for my retirement.

My book, titled “Colorado Marijuana Real Estate” is a how-to-guide for the entrepreneur and the blue-collar guy. This book provides a blueprint for starting a medical marijuana business plan.

Download the eBook for FREE: http://www.coloradomjrealestate.com