Review OF Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs)
For prospective buyers, current property owners, and entities involved in real estate, understanding the foundational legal agreements that govern property use, access, and restrictions is not just a procedural step-it’s an essential safeguard. At the center of this complexity are documents such as Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs), Easements, Licenses, and Rights-of-Way. Failing to fully comprehend these documents can lead to unexpected limitations, disputes with neighbors or governing entities, and a decline in property value. At GLO, we specialize in navigating these complexities. With our legal expertise and attention to detail, we help clients avoid these pitfalls and protect the integrity and value of their real estate interests.
The Implications of CCRs
When you purchase property within a homeowners’ association (HOA), planned community, or even certain historic districts, you are agreeing to abide by a detailed set of CCRs. These covenants “run with the land,” meaning they remain enforceable for future owners and shape the property's long-term use. While CCRs are often intended to maintain community standards and property values, they can also impose restrictions that conflict directly with your plans or lifestyle.
Many buyers don’t realize until it’s too late that CCRs may prohibit additions like detached garages, control exterior paint colors, restrict landscaping design, or ban short-term rentals. Even more personal aspects- such as the type or number of pets you may have, running a business from your home, or installing fencing- can be regulated. Violating these covenants can lead to substantial fines, forced modifications, or even legal action by the HOA or neighbors. Without a careful legal review before purchase, buyers may unknowingly give up key property rights and commit to living under terms they never agreed to- and would have never accepted. For more information visit HOA Document Review - Buying a Home in an HOA.
At GLO, we help clients fully understand the scope and implications of CCRs before they sign. Our review ensures you’re not blindsided by limitations that could undermine your lifestyle, financial strategy, or future development goals.
Managing Access and Preventing Conflict
Beyond use restrictions, a property's physical access, development potential, and long-term usability often hinge on easements, licenses, and rights-of-way. These legal agreements grant others specific rights to use your land- or grant you access across someone else’s. They may involve utility companies, neighboring property owners, or even public entities. Each agreement, if poorly defined or unrecorded, can carry serious legal and financial consequences.
A utility easement might prevent you from building on parts of your land. A shared driveway easement could impose costly maintenance obligations. A revoked license agreement might cut off temporary access or usage you assumed would be permanent. For landlocked parcels, an informal or unrecorded access arrangement can render the property effectively unusable-and unsellable- if challenged. On the other hand, if you’re the one granting access, vague or overly broad terms could result in ongoing disruptions or future development restrictions you didn’t anticipate. Our attorneys ensure that easement and access agreements are clear, properly documented, and legally enforceable. We help you avoid surprises, clarify responsibilities, and preserve your property’s functionality and value. Read our blog Easement Disputes Don’t Have to be Gross: Using Your Neighbor’s Property with Ease for more information
How Legal Oversight Protects Property Value
Legal oversights in property agreements don’t just lead to inconvenience- they have real financial consequences. Properties burdened by ambiguous access rights, overly restrictive covenants, or unresolved boundary issues become harder to sell, less desirable to lenders, and more difficult to develop. A single oversight can delay or derail your plans entirely- whether it’s denied building permits, forced design revisions, or revoked access to essential utilities. Read our blog Helpful Tips for Selling a Colorado Home with an HOA Agreement for more information
Buyers who proceed without thorough legal review often find themselves forced to abandon renovation plans, invest in costly legal corrections, or even engage in litigation. These conflicts not only cost time and money but also significantly reduce the return on your investment. What starts as a minor issue, an undefined easement or an unanticipated covenant,can escalate into years of legal wrangling and tens of thousands in expenses.
With GLO guiding you from the outset, these risks are dramatically reduced. Our attorneys provide comprehensive due diligence to preserve property value, eliminate hidden liabilities, and ensure that your transaction proceeds with clarity and confidence.
How GLO Can Help
At GLO, we offer more than legal review—we offer peace of mind. Our attorneys are highly experienced in identifying and resolving the legal complexities embedded in real estate agreements. We work directly with homeowners, investors, and developers to protect their property rights, maximize value, and prevent disputes before they arise.We provide detailed CCR analysis, identifying any provisions that may impact your intended use of the property. We draft, review, and negotiate easement and license agreements to clarify terms, define responsibilities, and ensure enforceability. We also assess rights-of-way, confirm recording accuracy, and customize documents to fit your unique development or ownership goals. Every property is different. Every agreement carries potential risks. At GLO, we tailor our legal services to fit your specific needs and protect your long-term interests. With a focus on clarity, precision, and strategic foresight, we help clients move forward with confidence in their real estate transactions.
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