Real Estate Glossary
Denver Cash Home Buyer Edition

The world of real estate comes with a lot of terms that can be confusing if you don’t use them every day. This glossary is designed to keep things simple. Each definition is written in plain language so you can quickly understand what the word means and how it fits into the process of selling or buying property.

Think of it as a quick reference guide you can come back to whenever a new term pops up — no jargon, no fluff, just clear explanations.

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0–9

1031 Exchange

Definition: A tax strategy that lets real estate investors defer capital gains by reinvesting sale proceeds into another like-kind property.
Denver Example: I worked with a Denver investor who sold a Wash Park duplex and exchanged into a larger Aurora fourplex—kept growing without a big tax bill.

7/30/90 List Price Plan™

Definition: Timeline-based pricing method—set a list price to sell in ~7, ~30, or ~90 days.
Denver Example: I’ve used the 30-day price on Denver flips to secure strong contracts in about a month.

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A

Adams County

Definition:
County north and northeast of Denver (Thornton, Commerce City, Brighton, Federal Heights), with a mix of older homes and new builds.

Denver Example:
I bought a house about 25 minutes north of downtown Denver, in Federal Heights, which is part of Adams County. The roof had hail damage, and the family wanted a fast exit, so we closed in cash within a week.

All-Cash Offer

Definition: An all-cash offer is an offer to buy a house where the buyer agrees to pay the full purchase price in cash, without using a mortgage or other financing.—fewer delays and less risk for sellers.

Example: When we make an all-cash offer to buy your house, we use our money — not a loan — and provide proof of funds so you know the cash is ready, giving you a fast, certain sale without delays.

Appraisal

Definition: Professional opinion of value, usually required by lenders to justify the loan amount.
Example: An Arvada sale fell apart when the appraisal was $40K under contract. The seller chose my no-appraisal cash offer instead.

ARV (After Repair Value)

Definition: Estimated value after a property is renovated—key number for investor math.
Example: I bought in Aurora for ~$250K, put ~$60K in repairs, and sold around $380K—ARV set the buy and rehab budget.

As-Is Condition

Definition: Sale where the seller won’t make repairs; buyer takes the property exactly as it is.
Denver Example: In Montbello I purchased a home with foundation cracks and old wiring; selling as-is was the cleanest path for the owner.

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B

Bankruptcy

Definition: Legal process for debt relief (Chapter 7/13); can pause foreclosure and affect sale timing.
Denver Example: I bought from an Aurora family in Chapter 13 with court approval—paid off debts and gave them a fresh start.

Behind on Payments

Definition: Multiple missed mortgage payments that can trigger foreclosure if not cured.
Denver Example: In Green Valley Ranch, we closed quickly for a seller 5 months behind—beat the auction date.

Boulder

Definition: University city northwest of Denver; high prices and strong demand.
Denver Example: Even rough fixers in Boulder can get multiple offers—saw a $650K fixer draw over-ask interest within days.

Buyer Demand

Definition: Number of active/qualified buyers; higher demand usually means faster sales and higher prices.
Denver Example: From 2015–2021 in Denver, I watched homes pull 10+ offers first weekend—demand was that hot.

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C

Capital Gains Tax

Definition: Tax on profit from a sale; homeowners may qualify for exclusions if they lived in the home.
Denver Example: A Littleton seller qualified for the homeowner exclusion and saved thousands at closing.

Cash Home Buyer

Definition 1 (General):
A cash home buyer is a person or company that purchases houses directly with cash, without relying on bank financing. These buyers often purchase homes in as-is condition and can close quickly.

Denver Example: I worked with a seller in Westminster who had grown tired of buyers’ loans falling through. He chose a cash home buyer and was relieved when the deal closed in just 8 days without financing delays.

Cash Home Buyer

Definition 2 (Personal/Business):
I am a cash home buyer based in Denver. I use my own funds to purchase properties across the Front Range, which means I can close on your timeline — sometimes in as little as two days, or whenever works best for you.

Denver Example: In Englewood, I bought a house directly from the seller after her listing expired with no offers. She appreciated that I wasn’t a wholesaler or middleman — I was the end buyer with cash ready to go.

Closing Costs

Definition: Fees at finalizing a sale (title insurance, recording, transfer tax, etc.).
Denver Example: A Thornton seller expected ~$12K in costs. I covered them so he walked with his full amount.

Code Violations

Definition: When a property fails local safety/building standards (e.g., unsafe wiring, broken windows).
Denver Example: I purchased a vacant Denver rental with violation notices taped to the door—owner avoided mounting fines.

Comps (Comparable Sales)

Definition: Recent similar sales used to judge value.
Denver Example: Pricing an Arvada ranch, I pulled REcolorado comps showing similar 3-bed homes trading ~$450–470K.

Cosmetic Repairs

Definition: Surface-level updates (paint, carpet, lights) that improve appeal but not structure.
Denver Example: A Wheat Ridge house needed only cosmetics—new paint/flooring added ~$30K in resale value.

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D

Days on Market (DOM)

Definition: Number of days a listing stays active before going under contract.
Denver Example: Properly priced Denver homes can get offers in 3 days; overpriced ones can sit 60+ with little activity.

Deferred Maintenance

Definition: Repairs put off for too long, often making problems worse and costlier.
Denver Example: A Commerce City home had roof leaks, bad plumbing, and a dead furnace—years of deferral led the seller to choose a cash exit.

Denver, Colorado

Definition: Colorado’s capital, the Mile High City—fast-moving market with distinct neighborhood dynamics.
Denver Example: I’ve bought across Denver—from Highlands to Montbello—helping sellers who needed speed and certainty.

Direct Buyer

Definition: The actual end buyer (not a middleman assigning the contract).
Denver Example: In Englewood, a seller preferred me after another company tried to assign her deal—she wanted the real buyer.

Divorce Sale

Definition: Sale of a home as part of dividing assets during divorce; timelines can be sensitive.
Denver Example: In Parker, I provided a neutral cash sale so both parties could move on quickly.

Downsizing

Definition: Moving from a larger home to a smaller, easier place.
Denver Example: A Littleton couple sold me their two-story and bought a condo closer to grandkids.

Douglas County

Definition: Suburban county south of Denver (Parker, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch); known for newer homes and schools.
Denver Example: I bought in Parker from a family relocating—homes here often sell quickly due to demand for schools/amenities.

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E

Earnest Money

Definition: Buyer deposit showing commitment; applied at closing if the deal proceeds.
Denver Example: An Arvada seller had a buyer bail despite a small deposit; my cash deal didn’t require earnest money at all.

Equity

Definition: Market value minus loan payoff and liens.
Denver Example: An Aurora seller with ~$200K equity was behind on payments—closing fast preserved her equity before foreclosure.

Escrow

Definition: Neutral third party that holds funds/docs and ensures both sides meet terms.
Denver Example: I often use Denver title/escrow companies like Land Title or First American to close safely.

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F

Fire-Damaged Home

Definition: Property with burn/smoke damage—repairs can be extensive and expensive.
Denver Example: I bought a Pueblo home after a kitchen fire—the seller didn’t want to rebuild and chose an as-is sale.

Foreclosure

Definition: Lender takes a property after prolonged non-payment; harms credit for years.
Denver Example: At Adams County auctions, I’ve seen homes go cheap—earlier cash sales would have left sellers with money in hand.

Foundation Issues

Definition: Structural problems (cracks, settlement) that threaten stability and value.
Denver Example: A Lakewood house had visible cracks and heaving; the owner avoided a $50K repair by selling as-is.

Front Range

Definition: Urban corridor from Pueblo through Denver to Fort Collins along the Rockies.
Denver Example: I buy across the Front Range—Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley, and in between.

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G

Greeley

Definition: Northern Colorado city in Weld County; mix of student housing and affordable family homes.
Denver Example: I bought a Greeley rental from a tired landlord worn out by student turnover.

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H

House Flipping

Definition: Buying, renovating, and reselling for profit.
Denver Example: I flipped a Barnum house—bought around $190K, put in ~$40K, resold near $300K.

Housing Market Trends

Definition: Patterns in prices, days on market, supply, and demand.
Denver Example: In 2022, I watched Denver shift fast—3-day sales turned into 30+ days as rates jumped.

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I

Inherited House

Definition: Home received from an estate; may involve probate and multiple heirs.
Denver Example: I bought from three Denver siblings who inherited their parents’ house—they split the proceeds and avoided repairs.

Inspection

Definition: Professional evaluation of condition before closing; can trigger repair requests or cancellations.
Denver Example: A Highlands buyer walked after a rough inspection; I purchased the home as-is without contingencies.

Interest Rates

Definition: Cost of borrowing; higher rates cool demand and affect affordability.
Denver Example: When rates topped 7% in 2023, more Denver sellers called me for fast, certain cash exits.

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J

Jefferson County

Definition: County west of Denver (Lakewood, Arvada, Golden); diverse housing and strong school draw.
Denver Example: I bought in Lakewood from an older couple downsizing—JeffCo is popular with families.

Job Relocation

Definition: Move required by employment; often tight timelines.
Denver Example: An Aurora seller needed to be in Texas in 30 days—we closed quickly so he could start the new job on time.

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L

Liens

Definition: Legal claims on a property for unpaid debts (taxes, HOA, contractors).
Denver Example: A Denver home had a $20K tax lien; we worked with title to clear it and close.

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M

Market Value

Definition: What a property should sell for today based on comps, condition, and demand.
Denver Example: A Thornton owner thought $500K; comps showed nearer $450K—that explained the lack of offers.

Median Home Price

Definition: Middle sale price in an area—half sell above, half below.
Denver Example: Denver’s median climbed past $600K in 2022, pushing buyers toward more affordable suburbs.

Mold / Asbestos

Definition: Hazardous materials that trigger health risks and costly remediation.
Denver Example: I bought a Commerce City home with asbestos siding; the seller avoided remediation by selling as-is.

Mortgage Payoff

Definition: Remaining loan balance that must be paid at closing.
Denver Example: In Aurora, title paid the $220K payoff and wired the seller the remaining equity.

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N

Net Proceeds

Definition: What the seller actually takes home after payoff, liens, and costs.
Denver Example: A seller listed at $400K but netted ~$360K after fees; with me covering costs, his net was higher.

Non-Paying Tenants

Definition: Renters not paying rent; eviction delays can strain landlords.
Denver Example: I bought a Denver rental where no rent came in for 9 months—owner needed out.

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P

Pueblo

Definition: Southern Colorado city with lower price points and slower appreciation than Denver.
Denver Example: I purchased from a Pueblo couple relocating north; they appreciated the quick, certain close.

Pre-Foreclosure

Definition: Period after missed payments but before auction—time window to sell or reinstate.
Denver Example: A Denver seller called two weeks pre-auction; we closed and prevented a foreclosure hit to her credit.

Probate / Inherited Property

Definition: Court process to settle estates; heirs often must complete probate before selling.
Denver Example: In Aurora, heirs sold to me after a year-long probate—cash split cleanly among siblings.

Proof of Funds

Definition: Documentation that a buyer has the cash to close (bank letter/statement).
Denver Example: I share proof of funds with Denver sellers so they know I’m a real cash buyer.

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R

Real Estate Investor

Definition: Buys properties to flip, rent, or hold for appreciation.
Denver Example: I’ve invested across Denver for 20+ years—fix-and-flips, rentals, and direct cash purchases.

REcolorado

Definition: Denver metro’s primary MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
Denver Example: I use REcolorado daily to pull comps and check DOM before offers.

Roof Damage

Definition: Deterioration from hail, wind, or age; can be pricey and insurance-sensitive.
Denver Example: After a 2022 hailstorm, I bought a Commerce City home where the claim was partially denied—the owner chose cash over repairs.

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S

Seller’s Market vs. Buyer’s Market

Definition: Seller’s market = high demand/low supply; buyer’s market = more supply, softer prices.
Denver Example: 2014–2021 leaned seller’s market; by late 2022, rising rates shifted leverage toward buyers.

Shaun Martin

Definition: Denver-based real estate investor and cash home buyer; over two decades of local deals.
Denver Example: That’s me—I’ve helped sellers across Denver, Boulder, Pueblo, and the Front Range.

Short Sale

Definition: Lender-approved sale below loan balance to avoid foreclosure.
Denver Example: In Thornton, I helped a seller complete a short sale when he was ~$50K underwater—better outcome than foreclosure.

Supply (Inventory Levels)

Definition: Number of homes for sale; months of supply indicates market speed.
Denver Example: In 2021 Denver had <1 month of supply; by 2023 inventory rose and pricing strategy mattered more.

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T

The Mile High City

Definition: Denver’s nickname—elevation at 5,280 feet.
Denver Example: I use the nickname in marketing to anchor my business to Denver’s identity.

Tired Landlord

Definition: Rental owner burned out by repairs, vacancies, or tenant issues.
Denver Example: I bought an Aurora rental from a landlord done with late rent and midnight calls.

Title Company

Definition: Verifies ownership, clears liens, and manages closing paperwork/funds.
Denver Example: We close with reputable Denver title companies so sellers are paid safely and on time.

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V

Vacant Property

Definition: Empty home at risk for vandalism, leaks, or code issues.
Denver Example: I purchased a long-vacant Commerce City house—neighbors had complained about weeds and trespassers.

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W

Watson Buys

Definition: Denver-based home buying company that purchases houses as-is for cash.
Denver Example: That’s one of my brands—we’ve closed dozens of straightforward, fast Denver sales.

Water Damage

Definition: Leaks, floods, or burst pipes that can lead to mold and structural issues.
Denver Example: After a winter freeze, I bought a Westminster home with burst pipes and a ruined basement.

We Buy Houses

Definition: Common phrase for companies that purchase homes directly for cash.
Denver Example: I’m local—not a national wholesaler—which matters to Denver sellers who want a guaranteed close.

We Buy Houses in Denver

Definition: Service focused on buying Denver homes quickly, as-is, for cash.
Denver Example: My site webuyhousesindenver.org helps homeowners sell fast without repairs or showings.

 

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Conclusion

That’s it — a quick guide to the most common real estate terms and entities you’re likely to come across. If a new word pops up and you’re not sure what it means, just circle back here. The clearer the language, the easier it is to make informed decisions.