Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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Archive for December, 2008
Homes in Manitou Springs, November Market Report
Manitou Springs Homes – November 2008 Market Report
Search for Homes in Manitou Springs
Recap of November Activity
- Homes Sold in the last month: 3
Recap of 1-1-08 to 11-30-08 Activity in Manitou Springs
- Homes Sold in the last eleven months: 71
Current Report as of 12-25-08 in Manitou Springs
- Active listings: 62
- Under Contract and Pending: 3
- Absorption Rate: 6.45 homes per month, a 9.5 month supply of houses currently on the market. It’s currently a BUYERS MARKET in Manitou Springs Read the rest of this entry »
Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part VI
Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature a great article
on Managing Your Credit Score – Part VI
Anza Goodbar, President of Clearview Mortgage 
Previous Posts by Anza:
- Tips for Colorado Springs Consumers – what is identify theft?
- Want to buy a home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset!
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part II
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part III
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part IV
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part V
Now that you understand the individual components of your credit score and how they factor into your total score, let’s talk about what you can do to increase your score.
How to build your credit score:
You may be young and just starting to build a credit history, you may have been married and all of the credit history was in your husband’s name or you may have experienced difficulties in your past that have caused blemishes on your credit report.
The first step is to pull a tri-merged report to verify it is accurate. For this example, let’s say everything reporting is correct. You may not have a score because you have not applied for credit in the past. It may be difficult for you to obtain credit Read the rest of this entry »
5 mistakes people make when selling their home
Avoid These Seller Mistakes
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?
- Do you want your home in Colorado Springs to stand out from the competition?
- A tech savvy realtor can help sell your home
- It’s all about the home warranty
- What are closing costs in real estate?
You want to get the best price for your home in Colorado Springs, and you want to sell it in the least 
amount of time. Most of the homes in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas are considered to be in a buyer’s market, so homes will take longer to sell. It’s important to make the right moves at the very beginning of the homeselling process to remain competitive. Here are some common mistakes that many homeowners fall into and how to avoid them.
(1) Over-pricing: It’s easy to think your home is worth more than the current market may support. Since home prices have cooled in Colorado Springs, home sellers must be prepared to negotiate on price and terms, and stay flexible.
Sellers must also keep Read the rest of this entry »
Manitou Springs celebrates annual Fruitcake Toss to benefit Food Bank and end of holiday season
Fruitcake Toss
Search for Homes in Manitou Springs
Come one, come all to the 14th annual fruitcake toss held in Manitou Springs. The launch is set to begin at 9:30 am on January 3, 2009. So, come to Manitou Springs Memorial Park with your canned food entry fee (to be donated to the local food bank) and you too, can participate in getting rid of your unwanted fruitcakes.
Fruitcakes can be hurled, tossed or launched by a pneumatic device, the winner of each category actually wins a trophy. Who wouldn’t want one of these on the mantle? There are age classes as well, so do check out the rules. If you don’t have a fruitcake, you can rent one there. All fruitcakes must be edible (do you know anyone that REALLY eats them?). They must be visible to the Toss Tech Inspectors, though no one will actually taste test it (ugh!).
There are two weight categories, 2lb and the heavy division at 4 lbs. If your cake is underweight, it will be disqualified and if its too heavy it must be cut to the proper weight. Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Old North End, Market Report for November
Colorado Springs Real Estate – Market Report for Old North End Neighborhood – Single Family Homes
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
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 tech savvy realtor can help sell your home
- It’s all about the home warranty
Single Family Homes in Old North End were primarily built in the 1900’s to 1920’s. The majority of the houses are ranches and 2-storys, with 3 to 5 bedrooms, 2- 3 baths, and 1 – 2 car garages. The average home has appx. 2500 to 3500 square footage. The absorption rate of 3.18 houses per month shows that there is a 5.5 month supply of houses on the market; the housing market is currently a NEUTRAL -BUYERS MARKET in this area. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET“
AdAmAn Club set to light off fireworks on Pikes Peak to celebrate 2009
AdAmAns Club
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
One of our areas most unique events is The AdAmAns Club annual trek up Pikes Peak to ring in the New Year. This year is no exception.
It all started in 1922. In December of that year, five Colorado Springs men decided that they didn’t want to attend anymore boring parties or dances to ring in the new year. They decided to do something never done before…climb Pikes Peak in the dead of winter!
The group consisted of five men, Fred and Ed Morath, Fred Barr, Willis Magee and Harry Standley. Fred and Ed were brothers who came up with this hare-brained idea. Fred Barr had just completed his trail from Manitou to the summit of the peak. He worked in the coal mines in the winter to gather the funds needed to build his trail. Harry Standley Was the photographer in the group who took many pictures of Cripple Creek during its heyday and also photographed all of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. He not only photographed them, but climbed them as well. Willis was a banker but he was one that loved to take risks.
The weather was terrible that New Years Eve, but they were a determined bunch of friends. There really wasn’t much in the way of cold-weather gear back then. Read the rest of this entry »
5 Unique Colorado New Year’s Eve Events
New Years Eve Events – 2008/2009
As Christmas has now passed, it’s time to start making your plans for Celebrating New Year’s Eve. I 
wrote a blog post earlier in the week about some of my favorites restaurants in the Colorado Springs Area to celebrate New Years Eve; but there are also some great things to do within an short drive from Colorado Springs.
(1) Royal Gorge Railway
Description: Train Departs at 9:30 pm and returns at 12:30 am, train ride, dinner, entertainment, and champagne toast.
- Address Canon City, CO
- Phone: 719.276.4000
- Web Site www.royalgorge.com
(2) Hot Springs Pool
Downtown Colorado Springs, November Market Report for November 2008
Colorado Springs Real Estate
- Market Report for Downtown – Single Family Homes
Search for Homes in Downtown Colorado Springs
Single Family Homes in Downtown Colorado Springs were built from 1900 to the 1940’s. The majority of the houses are ranches and 2-storys, with 2 to 3 bedrooms, 1 -2 baths, and 1 – 2 car garages. The average home has appx. 1000 to 1750 square footage. The absorption rate of .81 houses per month shows that there is a 12.2 month supply of houses on the market; the housing market is currently a BUYERS MARKET in this area.
Central Downtown area neighborhood is located in the Central area of Colorado Springs and in District 11 schools
How long does it take to do Colorado Springs Short Sale? – Part V in Short Sale Series
Must Read Previous Posts:
- Colorado Springs Homes, 4 things to know about a short sale - Part I of Short Sales Series
- Avoid Foreclosure, Know Your Options - Part II of Short Sales Series
- Colorado Springs Home Foreclosures – 11 benefits of a short sale - Part III of Short Sales Series
- The final step in the Colorado Foreclosure process – Part IV of Short Sale Series
How long does it take to do a Short Sale in Colorado?
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
As I continue to do more and more short sales; I think one of the most valuable services I can provide it to help educate and counsel potential home sellers who are interested in doing a short sale. Short sales aren’t a perfect solution, but they are an option.
There are many steps involved with the Short Sale process……
(1) The first step is an initial consultation with the homeowner to explain the “in and outs” of a short-sale, previewing the home, driving the neighborhood; completing a comprehensive market analysis on the home.
(2) If the homeowner decides to to a short sale …………. Read the rest of this entry »
Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part V
Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature another great article
on Managing Your Credit Score – Part V
Anza Goodbar, President of Clearview Mortgage
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Previous Posts by Anza:
- Tips for Colorado Springs Consumers – what is identify theft?
- Want to buy a home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset!
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part II
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part III
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part IV
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part V
Your Credit and You!
Let’s take a look at the final category that impacts your credit; the type of credit you use.
Types of Credit Used:
While this area has a lesser impact on your credit score, it is still important. The credit reporting formula is complex and takes many factors into consideration when calculating your score. It looks at the types of credit you have, the number of accounts you have and the mix of accounts.
There are two basic types of credit:
- Revolving
- Installment
Revolving credit is a credit card, a retail account Read the rest of this entry »
8 great restaurants to celebrate New Years Eve in Colorado Springs
New Year’s Eve Celebrations – 2008/2009
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
As the holidays are quickly approaching, it’s time to start making your plans for Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Colorado Springs. I’ve listed some of my favorites restaurants here. Also, make sure and read the information at the end of the post about FREE cab Fares available on New Years Eve.
Melting Pot
- Interactive Dining Experience with Fondue
- 30 A E. Pikes Peak
- Phone: 719-385-0300
- New Year’s Eve Dinner: $130.00 per couple, menu on web site
- www.meltingpot.com
Walters Bistro
- Fine Dining in a Relaxed Bistro Atmosphere
- Address: 146 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. Read the rest of this entry »
HOHOHO, NORAD is following Santa from Colorado Springs
Norad follows Santa
For more than 50 years, NORAD(North American Aerospace Defense Command) has been following Santa’s trip around the world and you too, can log on and see where Santa is at any time as he leaves the North Pole and flies around the world delivering his most precious presents.
This site is opened until December 26 and is arguably the most viewed noncommercial site on December 24.
How did NORAD, who keeps as all safe from unexpected attacks, become the one place to view his trip? In 1955, NORAD got a call by accident, as Sears had put an ad in The Gazette that said do you want to talk to Santa? Call this number. It was one digit off from the NORAD number and a child called and instead of telling the child they had the wrong number, they told this child they would check the radar. A new tradition was born.
Today, with all the tracking abilities of NORAD, they can see his every stop. A Santa-tracking Web site was created and children from around the world can track his every move. Its even translated into seven languages, so even non-English speakers can understand the audio. There’s also activities and games that the kids Read the rest of this entry »
Winifred Scott Stratton…why Colorado Springs loves him
Winfred Scott Stratton
Search for Historic Homes in Colorado Springs
With Christmas fast approaching I was thinking about one of the city’s richest people who gave his wealth to the entire city, kind of like Colorado Springs’ own Santa Claus. What a man he was…his name? Winifred Scott Stratton and no one could have foreseen what he would mean to us when he showed up.
Winfield Scott Stratton arrived in Colorado Springs in 1872 and began working as a carpenter, a trade he learned in his father’s shipyards while a child. In 1874, after a brief encounter with silver mining Stratton decided to work as a carpenter during the winter months (some of these are still visible today, check out Grace Episcopal Church or Helen Hunt Jackson’s home now located in The Pioneer Museum ) and he prospected for gold and silver in the summers.
He spent the next 17 years searching for gold and silver in the mountains of Colorado. He even took some mineralogy and other classes at Colorado College and School of Mines. He was quite social at the time and even married, Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
I
f you’re thinking about doing a little work on your home, make sure you understand the VALUE it will add to your house. There are many reasons to improve your Colorado Home, but don’t expect to get dollar for dollar back on your home improvements costs. One of the most important articles to read is published by Remodeling, as they put together a great report called Remodeling Cost vs Value Report 2008.
As mentioned by the article, despite home price drops in many cities, including cities in Colorado, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for homeowners to add value.
What I really liked about the article is that it broke things down by regions instead of grouping everyone together. We all know that things cost different prices in different areas, so this was a plus.
According to the information on the web site: Read the rest of this entry »
There are different types of foreclosed homes
Foreclosure Properties for Buyers — Just the Facts
For a FREE List of Foreclosures email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Related posts:
Buying a home that has been foreclosed on can be a very good deal, especially if you have money to invest
in fixing it up. Buyers may end up with more in equity than the amount they spend fixing the property, particularly when they do some of the work yourself. Even if you’re a first time homebuyer with no money for cosmetic or other repairs, a foreclosure may be within your reach with creative financing that allows you to finance the repairs based on the repaired value of the home.
As I was writing this article, I went to the local Multiple Listing Service and searched for all of the properties that said they were currently listed and classified as Bank owned. The search came up with 323 Bank owned properties, which is about 5% of the homes currently listed for sale. If you want a list of these properties, call or email Kathy or Nancy.
The following is a brief explanation of the majority of foreclosure properties available for buyers to purchase.
(1) Bank Owned: These type of properties are also called Real Estate owned or REO. The bank has already foreclosed, and the bank now owns the property. They are typically sold “as-is”, which means Read the rest of this entry »
Some free or inexpensive things to do this week in Colorado Springs
With just nine days left till Christmas, you may be wanting to find some fun things to do without spending much. Here’s a list of some of them that might interest you.
December 15 (and 16): Air Force Academy Band will be performing at the Pikes Peak Center. It starts at 7 pm and best of all, its free! Go to The World Arena, Pikes Peak Center or any of the ENT Federal Credit Unions for tickets. Its fun for the whole family.
December 17: Want to learn to dance? The downtown YMCA is hosting 4 weeks of ballroom dance lessons from 7:30-8:30. $85 per couple. You too, can be a magnificent dancer by New Years! Call 329-7242 for more info.
December 18: Sacklunch Serenade at The City Auditorium. Read the rest of this entry »
El Paso County taxes are some of the lowest in the nation!
El Paso County Taxes
Must Read Articles
- News Flash – Colorado Springs ranked Fittest City
- Moving to Colorado Springs, check out Zip Skinny
- Colorado Springs in ratings for Best Places to Start Over
- How does days on market affect home prices in Colorado Springs?
- Radon poses a threat to Colorado Springs Homes
- High Altitude Adjustment for living in Colorado Springs
It’s no secret that I’m a statistic junkie; as I find numbers fascinating. I recently came across a web site by the Tax Foundation that provides comprehensive comparisons on property taxes for all counties in the United States. One of the many things people don’t think about w
hen buying a house, is their property taxes; as it can make a big difference in their house payment. The following is a quick summary of some of the info I found on their web site.
- El Paso County residents paid $930 in annual property taxes from 2005 to 2007.
The tax, which is paid by businesses and home owners, ranked 1577th among 1,817 counties in the U.S., according to three-year estimates compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau and released Monday by Tax Foundation, a Washington-based nonpartisan group that has monitored fiscal policy levels since 1937.
- Douglas County ranked Read the rest of this entry »
Broadmoor Homes, Market Report for November
Colorado Springs Real Estate – Market Report for Broadmoor Homes
Single Family Homes
Search for Homes in Broadmoor
Must Read Articles
- Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
- Are you a pet owner trying to sell your home
- A tech savvy realtor can help sell your home
- It’s all about the home warranty
- What are closing costs in real estate?
Single Family Homes in Broadmoor were built from 1900 to the 2000
’s. The majority of the houses are ranches and 2-storys, with 4 to 6 bedrooms, 3 – 5 baths, and 2-4 car garages. The average home has appx. 3000 to 5000 square footage. The absorption rate of 2.09 houses per month shows that there is a 21 month supply of houses on the market; the housing market is currently a BUYERS MARKET in this area.
Broadmoor homes are located in the Southwest area of Colorado Springs and in District 12 school
- Grade School: Canon
- Middle School: Cheyenne Mountain
- High School: Cheyenne Mountain
Broadmoor homes are: Read the rest of this entry »
History of Ft. Carson part II
Fort Carson History
Search for Homes in Fort Carson
Please check out the part 1 post if you haven’t read: An early history of Ft. Carson
Part II starts in the early 1960’s and will go through 2004. I’ll deal with Ft. Carson today in another article that will also give some great websites if you’re being transferred here in the near future.
look for the statue of Kit Carson also located by the main gate
During the early 1960’s, Ft. Carson was home to only one major unit and was on McNamara’s list of potential base closings. This was not known at the time but the Cuban Missile Crisis and Berlin blockade was enough for the Army to reactivate two more divisions, including the 5th Infantry which formally reactivated in early 1962. The 5th was the Army’s first mechanized Infantry division to be organized. The problem was the need for land. Tanks need lots of room to roam and so in 1965, the base acquired almost 25,000 acres of state land (remember it was originally leased in 1942). They traded the land with some federal land owned at the time close to Lowry near Denver. Also, in 1965 and 1966 they purchased almost 79,000 acres south of the original base for around $3.5 million. All this brought Ft. Carson up to its current size of 138,523 acres, though Ft. Carson officials and the Army have recently been trying to acquire more land which has been met Read the rest of this entry »
Making your home more energy efficient
Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature an article by our
NEWEST Guest Blogger
Mark W. Baxley with Brick and Mortar Home Inspections, Inc.
Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
Leaky windows and other gaps in your home can add costly dollars to your utility bill. Ensuring your home is adequately sealed and well insulated can make a significant impact on your heating and cooling costs.
Identifying where air comes in and out of your home is the first step in making your home more energy efficient.
FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS
Adequately insulating the home is the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. To earn the most savings, add insulation to the attic. Generally, a minimum depth of 10″ – 14″ is recommended if insulating with loose fill fiberglass. This could save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.
When it comes to insulation, don’t forget about the water heater. Water heaters 7 years or older will benefit from an insulating blanket. This inexpensive investment will keep the water hot and reduce energy costs.
AIR DUCTS
Forced air heating and cooling systems use ducts to distribute air throughout the home. Typically, 15% – 20% Read the rest of this entry »
