Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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Archive for April, 2009
Colorado Springs Vintage Home, open house on Saturday, May 2nd
Colorado Springs Open House
Kathy will be at an open house this weekend on Saturday from 1:00-4:00pm, you can stop by and see her at this home at 3013 Palmer Park in a Vintage Colorado Springs Neighborhood, close to Circle and Palmer Park.
Search for Homes in Central Colorado Springs
This home is almost 2000 square feet located in the central part of Colorado Springs.
The pride of ownership shows in this home, same owners for over 25 years. House is immaculate, move-in ready. Everything shines!
Townhome pricing continues to decline in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Townhomes and Condos
Must Read Article: Townhome bargains in Colorado Springs
Search for Townhomes and condos in Colorado Springs
The Colorado Springs townhome and condo market continue to be a BUYERS Market, as there is currently an 13 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET”.
7 important things to know about FHA Loans
Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature a great article by
Harry Venik with Adams Mortgage, LLC
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
The Advantages of FHA Loans
The following are a just a few of the recent changes that have made FHA loans a more attractive option again for some consumers looking to buy a new home or refinance an existing one:
(1) Congress passed the Stimulus Act of 2008. During the recent housing boom, home values sur
passed FHA loan limits in many regions of the US. The recent enactment of this important legislation, however, increased FHA loan limits up to $729,500 in many high-cost regions of the US through the end of the year. FHA loan limits vary by county; current limits for El Paso County $ 325,000(1unit ), $ 416,050 (2units), $502,900 (3units), and $ 625,000 (4units).”
(2) The FHA has changed its appraisal and fee negotiating guidelines. In the past, many sellers steered clear of FHA loans because the appraisals were too strict and certain fees were non-negotiable. The FHA has greatly loosened these guidelines to make it easier for both buyers and sellers. Read the rest of this entry »
Technology and nature compliment each other
Technology and Nature compliment each other
OK, I know I err on the side of being a technology geek; but I’ve just heard about the most amazing thing ………… The City of Colorado Springs has a walking tour podcast about Garden of the Gods available on ITunes.
Seems like the best of both worlds to me; technology and nature!
Garden of the Gods 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. According to the information on the Springs government web site, the park system is visited by 1.7 million visitors from around the world each year.
In 2009, the City is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Garden of the Gods becoming a City park. There is a wonderful timeline showing the history of the park Read the rest of this entry »
First Quarter 2009 Market report for homes in West Colorado Springs
Colorado Spring Real Estate - West area – Market Report – Single Family Homes
Includes Homes in Pleasant Valley and Kissing Camels
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Articles
- El Paso County taxes are some of the lowest in the nation!
- Colorado Springs in ratings for Best Places to Start Over
- Radon poses a threat to Colorado Springs Homes
- High Altitude Adjustment for living in Colorado Springs
- Schools in the Colorado Springs Area
- Abandoned Coal Mines Cause Problems
The West housing market continues to be a BUYERS Market, as there is currently an 9.25 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET”. Sales units are ONLY down 1% from 2008 to 2007, but pricing is down more than16% from 2008 to 2007.
Recap of 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 Read the rest of this entry »
First Quarter 2009 Market report for homes in Northwest Colorado Springs
Colorado Spring Real Estate – Market Report for Northwest – Single Family Homes
Neighborhoods: Includes Homes in Mountain Shadows, Rockrimmon, Pinecliff
Search for Homes in Northwest 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?
The housing market in Northwest Colorado Springs continues to be a BUYERS Market, as there is currently a 11.3 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET“. Sales are down 15% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing is ONLY down 6.5% from 2008 to 2007.
Recap of 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 Read the rest of this entry »
Birding season, mark your calendar
Looking for something unique to do? Love watching wildlife?
I’ve never been an avid bird watcher, but I certainly enjoying watching any type of wildlife; including birds. I was doing some research this weekend on local birds, including the hummingbirds that come by and visit us every year and I came across these unique activities in Colorado Springs, and thought I’d share it with our readers …………
Plan now to take advantage of the monthly bird walks at the Garden of 
the Gods Park. The park staff is partnering with the American Birding Association (ABA) and is offering monthly bird walks from May to November.
According to some information I found during my research for this blog, there have been over 170 species of birds seen in the park. Some of the local birds found are the Spotted Towhee, Virginia’s Warbler, White-throated Swift, Prairie Falcon, and the Rock Wren.
Schedule: Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs stormwater is once again controversial
STORMWATER FAQ’s
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Articles:
Why is the city putting liens on properties?
According to a recent article in the Gazette, 4% of the 2007 invoice were unpaid; and 9% of the 2008 invoices were unpaid amounting to $2,449,705. (The average quarterly bill is $12.75.)
Also, according to the article, Mayor Lionel Rivera said “”I think it’s only fair to those people who are paying their bills and paying their fair share of making sure the stormwater infrastructure is taken care of.” “It’s an obligation,” he said. “It’s an ordinance that was passed by the City Council, and I think everyone has an obligation to follow the law.”
If delinquent property owners don’t pay, the city will attach a lien on the property.
What if I buy a home and the stormwater bills have not been paid?
Under the code, Stormwater fees follow homes, not homeowners. This means if you buy a house and the owner before you didn’t pay their fees, you could end up being responsible for their bills. As an example, if you buy a foreclosure home in Colorado Springs and the previous owner didn’t pay, you could be responsible for paying the back stormwater fees.
What is Stormwater? Read the rest of this entry »
Houses in Central Colorado Springs are NOT staying on the market long
Colorado Spring Real Estate
Market Report for Central Colorado Springs – Single Family Homes
Search for Homes in Central Colorado Springs
Must Read Articles
- Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
- Are you a pet owner trying to sell your home
- It’s all about the home warranty
- What are closing costs in real estate?
- The pictures tell the story
The Central part of Colorado Springs housing market continues to be a NEUTRAL Market, as there is currently a 4.45 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET“. Sales are only down 16% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing is only down 5% from 2007 to 2008. Days on Market continues to decrease, which is a great sign for home sellers in this area.
More townhome bargains – Part II
My favorite townhome/condos in northwest Colorado Springs
Related Article: Townhome bargains in Colorado Springs
Search for Townhomes and condos in Colorado Springs
This is a continuation of an article I recently posted about my favorite townhomes and condos in Northwest Colorado Springs. There are some very attractive deals in the townhome/condo market; as they seem to have been hit even harder on pricing than single family homes. Here’s some more of my favorite properties I’ve recently previewed.
Condominimus in RavenCrest in Northwest Colorado Springs: Wonderful complex off of West Woodmen Road; very 
close to I-25. There are currently a couple of 1 bedroom 1 bath units on the market for less than $75,000; and a 2 bedroom 2 bath units that is bank-owned for less than $110,000. There also is a HUD repo for sale that is listed as under contract which is a 2 bedroom 2 bath unit priced under $75,000. Not very long ago the 2 bedroom 2 bath units were going for over $130,000. Included with the great location, the units are in the District 20 school district and include an outdoor swimming pool and a club house; although none of them includes garages, just carport spaces.
Arbours at Mountain Shadows: One of my favorite complexes in northwest Colorado Springs, again close to Garden of the Gods and I-25; easy access. Most units have an over-sized attached 1 car garages with direct access to the living area; perfect for the security minded homeowners and are close to Ute Valley Park and Garden of the Gods. Very well maintained complex with an outdoor pool, clubhouse, and a hot tub. There are 4 units currently for sale ranging from $125,000 to $170,000 and the HOA’s are less than $200.00 a month.
Townhome bargains in Colorado Springs
Some of my favorite townhomes and condos in Colorado Springs
Search for Townhomes Homes in Colorado Springs
Related Article: Tax Credit — Who is a first time home buyer?
I spent part of last weekend showing condos/townhomes to one of my clients on the west side of Colorado Springs. As I’ve mentioned before in some of my previous posts, it’s an amazi
ng time to buy a home in Colorado Springs, especially if you are a first time home buyer. There are some very attractive deals in the townhome/condo market; as they seem to have been hit even harder on pricing than single family homes. Here’s a sample of some of my favorite properties I showed over the weekend.
Townhomes in Holland Park: Newer units, some were just finished in 2006. Close to Garden of the Gods and I-25; easy access to the Interstate. Tons of space for a townhome, as many of the units have 2 car garages, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, with almost 1500 square feet. One bank-owned unit is priced at less than $150,000. Amazing value for all this square footage. Some of these units originally sold for $180,000 to $200.000.
Townhomes in Pinecliff: One of my favorite areas of town, in a secluded neighborhood on the bluffs. The area is visited by local wildlife; and portions of Pinecliff have amazing view, all close to I-25 and Garden of the Gods. There are currently 2 properties for sale in the complex; one 2 bedroom 2 bath rancher with a carport for under Read the rest of this entry »
Bargain Home in Southwest Colorado Springs as of 4-20-09
Homes in Colorado Springs
Market information for Active and Foreclosure Homes in Southwest As of 4-20-09
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com Search for Homes in SouthWest Colorado Springs
Must Read Articles
Neighborhoods: Cheyenne Meadows, Stratmoor Village, Skyway, Broadmoor, Broadmoor Bluffs, Quail Ridge
Active homes for sale, INCLJUDING FORECLOSURES
- Short sales: 22 (4.8%)
- VA Owned: 1 (.2%)
- Bank-owned: 22 (4.8%)
- Normal: 412 (90%)
- Government Owned: 2 (.4%)
Active Homes for Sale as of 4-20-09: 458
- Single Family Homes: 323 (71%)
- Condos/Townhomes/Patio Homes: 135 (29%)
Partial list of Foreclosed homes currently on the market Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Homes for Sale — New Foreclosure Listings For week of April 11th
Sunday Bargains – Homes in Colorado Springs
NEW Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs – for the week of April 11th, 2009
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Breakdown of New Foreclosure homes for sale from April 11th, to April 18th, 2009
Partial list of NEW Foreclosed homes currently on the market Read the rest of this entry »
5 things to know about buying a short sale home
Want to buy a short sale?
Related post: Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what’s the difference?
For a FREE List of Foreclosures and Short Sales email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Do you have questions about buying a Colorado Springs home that is noted as a “short sale”? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I often hear from buyers, along with a brief answer.
1. Is the Short Sale negotiation process the same for a short sale as for a regular sale?
Yes, except that there is one EXTRA layer: After the buyer and seller agree on a price and terms, the seller’s 
lender (or lenders) and other lien holders must also agree on the offer. This can add anywhere from a month to 5 or 6 months to the process.
2. Are loans types the same for a short sale as for a standard home purchase?
The type of loans a buyer can use are the same as for a standard real estate transaction. But if the property is not in good condition, a buyer may not be able to use a VA loan or a FHA loan; as the property may come back with conditions from the appraisal process; and most sellers in a short sale situation don’t have the funds to make the requested repairs. Most short sales are sold “as-is”.
3. What are some of the disadvantages of buying a short sale property?
It can often takes the seller’s lender(s) and lien holders a long time to respond to a offers, and a buyer can become frustrated and give up. Also, some Realtors accept offers from several buyers, and submit all of these offers to the lender(s). Read the rest of this entry »
Housing relief for military families in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Military
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Military families stationed at Fort Carson, Peterson AFA, Schriever AFA, and the U.S. Air Force Academy and other military installations in the Colorado Springs area will be glad to learn they may now be eligible for relief for their housing challenges.
An addition was made to the the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), administered by the Army Corps of 
Engineers. For military personnel in Colorado Springs, the main contact is US Army Corps on Engineers in Fort Worth. Their phone numbers are:
The program was originally intended to only assist military homeowners affected by base closings or a partial closure of a base.
According to the web site the new groups affected are:
- Homeowners who cannot ‘ride out’ the depressed real estate markets until their home values can recover, they are moving because of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order”
- Wounded warriors required to relocate for medical reasons
- Surviving spouses of fallen service members
Again, according to the web site: “HAP benefits offset some of the losses incurred when homes are sold, purchased by the government, or foreclosed upon. Applicants should understand that Read the rest of this entry »
Manitou Springs is still a Buyer’s market for homes
Manitou Springs Real Estate
Single Family Homes
Search for Homes in Manitou Springs
The Manitou Springs Springs housing market continues to be a Buyer’s Market, as there is currently a 15 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET“. Sales are only down 1% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing is down 10% from 2008 to 2007.
Recap of 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004
| 1-1-2009 to 3-31-09 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
| Number of Homes Sold | 6 | 62 | 63 | 90 | 80 | 82 |
| Average Sale Price | $222,583 | $288,634 | $331,214 | $293,955 | $268,868 | $251,372 |
| Sales Price to List Price | 92.2% | 95.3% | 94.9% | 96.3% | 97% | 97.1% |
| Average Days on Market | 244 | 138 | 133 | 101 | 99 | 70 |
| Average # of house sold per month | 2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 7.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 |
Current Report as of 4-10-09 in Manitou Springs Read the rest of this entry »
New Foreclosure reporting bill signed by the Governor
Public Trustees are unique to Colorado
For a FREE List of Foreclosures email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
The foreclosure process in Colorado is quite a bit different than in other states because the Governor appoints a 
“Public Trustee” for each county in the state. The trustee must act as an impartial party when handling a power of sale foreclosure. The Public Trustee acts as a representative of the lender to facilitate the sale, which typically occurs in the form of a public auction.
Because of these differences, national foreclosure reporting companies may report a Colorado foreclosed property as many as two to three times between the Notices of Election and Demand, and at the point of a public trustee sale, thereby inflating Colorado foreclosure figures.
Over the years, concerns have been raised that foreclosure numbers for Colorado are inflated versus other states that have already implemented standardized reporting procedures. This can put Colorado at a disadvantage when national numbers are analyzed and compared.
There is a new Bill, HB 1197
Top 3 websites for home buyers
The following information is the third in a series of Buyer Tips to provide tips for both the first-time home buyer and the most experienced home buyer. The goal is to help the consumer to become better educated about purchasing real estate in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. This article includes tips #7 – 9
For a FREE Buyer’s Guide, Email KTorline@msn.com
Home Buying Resources on the Internet
As I started to put together this article, I originally was going to write it about the wonderful resources that HUD provides on the Internet, but as usual, my blog article evolved into something much more. The Internet provides all of us an amazing opportunity for education, and home buying is no exception. Remember, knowledge is power.
Tip #7: My favorite site for Home Buyers: HUD web site. In fact, when you google “buying a home”, the first site that comes up is HUD’s site. The site provides an easy way to find out about all of the loan products offered through HUD/FHA, but equally important it offers perspective buyers great advice on all types of things. One of my personal favorites is the quick easy list they have on the 9 steps to buying a home:
Nine steps to buying a home
- Figure out how much you can afford
- Know your rights
- Shop for a loan
- Learn about homebuying programs
- Shop for a home
- Make an offer Read the rest of this entry »
Shop for a Lender like you shop for a house
The following information is the second in a series of Buyer Tips to provide tips for both the first-time homebuyer and the most experienced homebuyer. The goal is to help the consumer to become better educated about purchasing real estate in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.
For a FREE Buyer’s Guide, Email KTorline@msn.com
Tips #2 – 6
2. Consult a mortgage lender prior to looking at homes. Lending requirements seem to be changing daily, so make sure and know your mortgage options and what you qualify for. Don’t wait until you find a home to get pre-qualified.
As a Colorado Springs Realtor, this is probably one of the biggest mistakes I consistently see made by all home buyers. It’s important to know in advance what you are qualified for. If you qualify for $150,000; don’t look at houses that are worth $250,000; you’ll just get discouraged and disillusioned. It’s similar to looking at a Lexus SUV, when you can really only afford a Nissan SUV.
3. Shop around when it comes to mortgage lenders, as rates and closing costs can vary vastly between lenders. The “Best Rate” isn’t always Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Foreclosure listings in the Central as of 4-8-09
Homes in Colorado Springs
Up-to-date market information for Active and Foreclosure Homes in the Central area
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Neighborhoods: Homes in Ivywild, Old North End, Patty Jewett, Divine Redeemer, East End Addition, Crown Hill Mesa, Boulder Heights, Spring Creek
Breakdown of homes for sale, INCLUDING FORECLOSURES
- Short sales: 45 (10.6%)
- Bank-owned: 37 (8.7%)
- VA Owned: 1 (.2%)
- Regular: 340 (80.4%)
Active Homes for Sale: 423
- Single Family Homes: 315 (74%)
- Condos/Townhomes/Patio Homes: 108 (26%)
Partial list of Foreclosed homes currently on the market
This Colorado Springs Real Estate report contains information on homes in Central Colorado Springs. Read the rest of this entry »
