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A Colorado seller conveys a residential property to a buyer for a stated consideration of $50,000, even though the property's fair market value is $480,000. The parties are unrelated, and the low price reflects the seller's desire to help the buyer — a long-time employee — acquire the home. The county clerk and recorder assesses the documentary fee based on the $50,000 stated consideration. A neighboring property owner challenges this, arguing the fee should be based on fair market value. Which outcome is most consistent with Colorado law?

Correct Answer

B) The clerk is correct; the documentary fee is assessed on the stated consideration in the deed, not on fair market value

Under C.R.S. § 39-13-102, Colorado's documentary fee is assessed on the consideration stated in the deed or instrument of conveyance. Colorado law does not contain a provision requiring the fee to be recalculated based on fair market value when the stated consideration is below market. Unlike some states that impose transfer taxes based on fair market value or reassess understated consideration, Colorado's statutory framework is based on stated consideration. The neighboring property owner has no legal basis to challenge the fee calculation, and the county clerk correctly assessed the fee on $50,000.

Answer Options
A
The neighbor is correct; Colorado requires the documentary fee to be assessed on fair market value when stated consideration is significantly below market
B
The clerk is correct; the documentary fee is assessed on the stated consideration in the deed, not on fair market value
C
The clerk must assess the fee on the average of stated consideration and fair market value to prevent tax avoidance
D
The transaction is void because Colorado law requires arm's-length consideration in all residential property transfers

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

transfer_taxdocumentary_feestated_considerationfair_market_valuebelow_market_transfercolorado_financing

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