Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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Archive for August, 2008
Nosh in Colorado Springs… small plates offer artistic fun
Try Nosh for some fun dining located next to The Fine Arts Center in The Plaza of the Rockies. If the weather is nice, sit outside on the patio, though you might have to hold on to the umbrella as it is usually very windy. The inside is quite colorful sitting under pieces of modern art surrounding a huge bar.
Nosh provides many small plates of gorgeous and interesting flavors. Expect to order several of them and part of the fun is sharing with your dining partner. Read the rest of this entry »
The crown jewel of Colorado Springs Parks, Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods
For a Free Colorado Springs relocation Guide, Contact Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
The Park is a giant rock garden composed of red sandstone formations and is located on the west side of town in the 80904 Zip Code. It is minutes from neighborhoods on the Northwest and West side of Colorado Springs including Mountain Shadows, Cedar Heights, Pleasant Valley, Rockrimmon, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs.
About Garden of the Gods:
• It’s a Colorado Springs city park, public, Read the rest of this entry »
Hidden Gems in Colorado Springs Parks, #1 The Gardens at Monument Valley Park
In the heart of Central Colorado Springs
are the Gardens at Monument Valley Park
For a Free Colorado Springs relocation Guide, Contact Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
One of the top reasons people love living in the Pikes Peak Region is because of the open spaces and mountains. It’s paradise for a nature lover!
If you’ve recently moved to the area, and want to learn about what grows well in the high arid climate of the Pikes Peak region, this is a perfect place for you to visit. It’s one of the hidden gems of the city.
The gardens are located in Read the rest of this entry »
Names for Colorado Springs Streets
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
An early history of Colorado Springs, part 2
We now have a new town named Colorado Springs: however, it was just a dusty landscape with little water and no homes. It would need more than Palmers vision to become a reality.
In 1870, Palmer finally got his Denver and Rio Grande Railway started. It was the north/south route he so dreamed of. He started the Mountain Base Investment Fund to build and develop the other products to go along with his railroad (ranches, lots, towns, mines etc). Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Short Sale Primer, an explanation of debt forgiveness
Colorado Springs Short Sale Primer on Deb
When lenders accept less than what it is owed, they have 3 options:
- They can do nothing
- They can go after the deficiency
- They can send a 1099, which mean they forgive the debt and send out a 1099 form for the deficiency,
As an example:
Property is worth $220,000
Balanced owed is $240,000
Net received by the lender after the short sale is $190,000
The lender incurred a deficiency of $ $50,000
Why would a lender send a 1099 for the Deficiency?
The lender lost $80,000 of their income and they forgave the borrower’s debt. Per IRS regulations Read the rest of this entry »
2008 Parade of Homes at Banning Lewis Ranch in Colorado Springs
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The 2008 Parade of Homes at Banning Lewis Ranch presented some great opportunities for photos.
Enjoy!
The Classic Homes at Banning Lewis had great curb appeal
Top 7 Appraisal Myths for Homes in Colorado Springs
Appraisals
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
(1) Do you know how foreclosures affect the value of appraisals in a neighborhood?
If a foreclosure is the exception in a neighborhood, an appraiser doesn’t typically include it in their comparative properties.
(2) Did you know that the appraisal is owned by the person or business that orders it, not the person who pays for it?
As an example, if the bank orders the appraisal they actually own it.
(3) Did you know that the appraisal is Read the rest of this entry »
32nd Balloon Classic comes to Colorado Springs Labor Day Weekend 2008
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Not sure what to do over Labor Day weekend? Well, come over to Memorial Park and help the city celebrate its 32nd annual Balloon Classic. For three days these colorful balloons will be lifting off, giving the city a very colorful sky-scrape as they dot the Pikes Peak sky. During the evening come on down and watch the night come to light during 
the Balloon Glo and while you’re there, wander into downtown Colorado Springs and enjoy one of the fine local restaurants or come to one of the free concerts that will be offered on Saturday and Sunday evening.
The Colorado Balloon Classic (a division of Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, Inc.) was organized in 1977 and has grown to be the largest and the longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as the State of Colorado. The Colorado Balloon Classic is an annual family event – admission is free.
The event is held in Memorial Park off Pikes Peak Avenue between Hancock Ave. and Union Blvd near the shores of Prospect Lake. Mass ascensions with over 100 balloons are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with a Balloon Glo® scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evenings. Read the rest of this entry »
Schools in the Colorado Springs Area
Colorado Springs School Districts
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
With school starting, I thought it’d be a good time to provide you with the links to the local Colorado Springs school districts. While driving, don’t forget to watch out for all our little citizens as they make their way back to their local school after their summer vacations.
One of the most important things to look at when moving to a new area, is to research the schools and the school systems. The following is a list of the School Districts in the Colorado Springs area.
District 2: – Harrison (South side of Colorado Springs)
District 3: — Widefield (South east side of Colorado Springs)
District 11: – Largest school district in the city (Central Colorado Springs) Read the rest of this entry »
It’s all about the home warranty
Include a Home Warranty with your house — it will help it sell faster!
Everything you ever wanted to know about Home Warranties
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
What is a home Warranty?
It is typically a one-year service contract that protects a resale homebuyer or current homeowner against the cost of 
unexpected repairs or replacement of major systems and appliances that break down due to normal usage. Coverage can also be available to home sellers during the listing and escrow period.
How does it work?
For an annual fee of $250 to $600, the warranties cover repair or replacement of basic home systems such as plumbing and heating, plus major appliances. Air conditioning, pools, spas, wells and sometimes roofs can typically be added to the basic policy for an extra fee.
The warranty company contracts with Read the rest of this entry »
8 biggest mistakes made by home buyers
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Biggest mistakes that home buyers make
Must Read Posts:
- It’s against the law
- Who is Representing YOU?
- Shop for a Lender like you shop for a house
- Research who you are working with
(1) Home Buyers don’t think about resale before they buy. Every house will be resold at some time in the future.
(2) Home Buyers base their decisions on what they hear in the national news. They need to remember that real estate is local; not national. Read the local Colorado Springs newspaper and watch the local news, hire a local Realtor.
(3) Home Buyers only talk to one lender. They need to shop for a loan, just like they shop for a house. Ask your Colorado Springs Realtor for some referrals.
(4) Home Buyers don’t understand the benefits of using a Buyer’s Agent. They should interview an agent who represents them, and make sure they specialize in buyer representation.
(5) Home Buyers don’t read and Read the rest of this entry »
Tips for selling your home in Colorado Springs, outdoors does matter
Your home is most inviting
when your property appears well groomed and uncluttered from the outside
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
We suggest following these important guidelines when trying to sell your home in Colorado Springs.
- The lawn should be fertilized and watered until its green (we know this is tough in drought conditions but it will make difference)
- The lawn should be trimmed and edged
- Flower beds should be cultivated and free of weeds
- Trees and bushes should be trimmed and leaves raked Read the rest of this entry »
33 unique things to do in Colorado Springs — #2
Could this be the new light rail in Colorado Springs?
Come to the Roswell Trolley Museum
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The Light Rail is a sign of the future so say proponents of the system. With the rising price of fuel, greenhouse emissions and 
rush hour gridlock, many people are trying to find a better way. But is it new? One only has to take a trip to The Roswell Trolley Museum to realize history really does repeat itself.
Owned by The Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation, The Roswell Trolley Museum is like stepping back in time. Volunteers work on restoring these electric streetcars and have opened the site as a museum with the idea of one Read the rest of this entry »
Increase your Curb Appeal by painting your house
Tips to Sell Your Colorado Springs Home
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Articles
- Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
- Are you a pet owner trying to sell your home
- Should I take my home off the market during the holidays?
- A 12 point checklist to make sure your home shows well to Colorado Springs buyers
- Do you want your home in Colorado Springs to stand out from the competition?
- A tech savvy realtor can help sell your home
Potential home buyers WILL decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal. They’ll make a decision if they even want to see it, from how it looks on the outside.
I have had many buyers make a decision not to go inside a house as they look at the house from their car.
One of the most important things you can do to enhance curb appeal is to make the outside sure the paint looks good and is appealing.
When deciding on what colors to paint your house, keep the following in mind:
- Make sure that your colors are compatible with the houses next door
Existing Colors
- New paint doesn’t Read the rest of this entry »
15 steps to get your home ready to show and sell in Colorado Springs
Inside your Colorado Springs Home
work towards it being clean, comfortable and neutral
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
Must Read Articles
- Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
- Are you a pet owner trying to sell your home
- Should I take my home off the market during the holidays?
- A 12 point checklist to make sure your home shows well to Colorado Springs buyers
- Do you want your home in Colorado Springs to stand out from the competition?
- A tech savvy realtor can help sell your home
Here’s some tips to make the inside so inviting that buyers can’t resist the urge of imagining themselves of living there.
- Are all walls clean and in good repair.
- If you paint, make sure its a neutral color.
- Carpets should be steam-cleaned.
- All floors should be clean and waxed if necessary.
- All window treatments should be clean and in good repair.
- Clean and straighten out Read the rest of this entry »
Springs Old North End, Pictures, Pictures, and More Pictures
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Since I’m an avid photographer, I’m always looking for excuses to take photos; and the Old North End has no shortage of wonderful things to capture. Hope you enjoy the shots!
Marigolds Cafe and Bakery
A Colorado Springs Institution
For an elegant meal or a pastry and coffee, Marigolds is a great place to meet.
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Think you can’t find elegant dining in Colorado Springs? Then come to Marigolds Cafe and Bakery located in a strip mall off of Garden of the Gods and Centennial in Northwest Colorado Springs. Its been in operation for over 15 years and has become an institution here in Colorado Springs.
Enter this charming bistro and be intoxicated by the aromas of all the home-made pastries, including breads, cookies, pies, fresh fruit tarts and my personal favorite, Neapolitans.
They’re open for Read the rest of this entry »
Steele Elementary School in The Old North End of Colorado Springs
One of the first schools built in Colorado Springs
During the Gold Rush of the 1890’s many people were coming to Colorado Springs and building their homes in the Old North End. This created a problem due to a lack of schools; so in 1896 the school board bought several lots on the northwest corner of Del Norte and Weber. A building that had been used as an annex for Garfield School was 
moved onto the property and the school was called the Del Norte School. It started as a 2 room building where 43 students in first, second and third grade attended.
In 1901, due to the area’s explosive growth, bonds were issued and a eight room, 2-story brick building was built. The name was changed in memory of Benjamin Steele, the first editor of the Daily Gazette. It opened on January 28, 1901 and dedicated on February 22, 1901. Read the rest of this entry »
Tea and crumpets in Colorado Springs
How Colorado Springs and her homeowners became known as Little London
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Dr. William Bell (Palmer’s prodigy), became Colorado Springs main press agent in 1874. He promoted how wonderful 
Colorado Springs was to the Europeans (especially the English, Welsh, Irish and Scots). He originally haled from that area and eventually would return there in the 1890’s, but not before building his home, Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs. Why did this western United States town become know as “Little London”? Evidently, tea and crumpets were the norm at 5pm everyday.
Besides that, Dr. Bell actually took ads out in the local European newspapers on how the Pikes Peak region was superior for raising sheep and cattle….you might be saying, huh (?) to yourselves, but it was true. Read the rest of this entry »
4 Steps to Find the Perfect Neighborhood in Colorado Springs
Relocating ? Follow these 4 steps
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Articles
- News Flash – Colorado Springs ranked Fittest City
- Moving to Colorado Springs, check out Zip Skinny
- El Paso County taxes are some of the lowest in the nation!
- Colorado Springs in ratings for Best Places to Start Over
1. Check out the school district
-
Especially important if you have children, but it also can affect resale value.
- Visit schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering.
- Colorado Web sites include the Colorado Department of Education and School Accountability
- National web sites you can use in your research: School Digger, Great Schools, National Center for Education Statistics,
School Matters, School Data Direct.
2. Find out if the neighborhood is safe
- Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Read the rest of this entry »
