Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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Archive for August, 2009
Colorado Springs Neighborhood — Pinon Valley
My Colorado Springs neighborhood pick of the week — Pinon Valley
Search for Homes in Pinon Valley
Pinon Valley in Colorado Springs is a community that is located in northwest Colorado Springs. The neighborhood backs up against the west side of Ute Valley Park; and some of the homes have these magnificent cliffs right in their back yard.
To get to Pinon Valley homes Read the rest of this entry »
Where are the houses selling in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs Real Estate — Market Update
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
In Real Estate, Realtors often use a term called Absorption Rate. It is an easy equation which takes the current inventory of houses for sale, divided by the the average number of houses sold per month. The result of this equation is called the Absorption Rate, the lower the rate typically equates to properties selling faster. The Absorption Rate lets you know how well the market is absorbing the current inventory of listings.
Less than 6 months of inventory on the market is considered a seller’s market. Hence, per the chart below, Read the rest of this entry »
7 ways to avoid identity theft
1 in 10 will be the victim of ID theft this year
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in Colorado and in the US.
Must Read Posts:
- Credit score explanation
- Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval, which do you need to buy a home?
- Why do I have to pay mortgage insurance?
- 26 criteria used to determine interest rates
Here’s my top 7 tips to avoid identity theft
-
Mail: Have it delivered to/from the post office. Don’t have mail delivered to your home mailbox; especially if it is unsecured
- Social Security number: Never carry your social security card with you. Be very cautious about giving it out.
- Receipts: Take all your ATM and gas receipts with you. Don’t leave them at the gas station or at the ATM machine.
- Statements and credit card solicitations: Don’t just throw them away, shred them.
- Bar codes: Remove the bar codes from magazine and shred them.
- Credit report: Monitor your report on an annual basis at www.annualcreditreport.com
- Electronic Keypad signatures: Put the date at the end of your signature when you are signing on an Electronic keypad. (This will keep your signature from being stolen and used again.)
Remember, Knowledge is Power
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To find out more information about buying or renting a home in Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs, call ….
July 2009 Market Report for Homes in Southwest Colorado Springs
Colorado Spring Real Estate
Market Report for Southwest, Single Family Homes
Search for Homes for Sale in Southwest Colorado Springs
Includes Homes in the Broadmoor, Cheyenne Meadows, Bluff Bluffs, Quail Ridge
The Southwest housing market continues to be a BUYERS Market, as there is currently a 9.7 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET”. 2008 Sales units were down 25% from 2007, but 2008 pricing was only down 10% from 2007. 303 Single family homes have been sold in 2009 vs. 325 for the same period in 2008 a decline of 22%.
Labor Day Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, mark your calendars.
Colorado Springs Labor Day
Mark your Calendars!
Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
The Colorado Balloon Classic is held in Memorial Park off Pikes Peak Avenue between Hancock Ave. and Union Blvd near the shores 
of Prospect Lake. It 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. Over 100 balloons are scheduled for accession on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with a Balloon Glo® scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evenings. 
The Colorado Balloon Classic was originally created in 1977 alongside the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Because of its success and large tourism attraction, it moved downtown into Memorial Park in 1978 for the Labor Day Weekend at the request of the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. Best of all, the entire event is free.
Unique Facts
** The event is considered one of the top 100 events in the North America by the American Bus Association.
** Most balloons fly between 500 and 1000 feet above ground. Read the rest of this entry »
Homes Sales in Old Colorado City area remain strong
Colorado Spring Real Estate – Market Report for Homes in Old Colorado City, Single Family Homes
Includes Crown Hill Mesa, Gold Hill, Old Colorado City
Search for Homes in Old Colorado City
The Old Colorado City housing market continues to be a Buyer’s Market, as there is currently a 6.5 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 22% from 2008 to 2007, but 2008 pricing was only down 1.5% from 2007. 142 Single family homes were sold in 2009 vs. 157 for the same period in 2009; a decline of 10%.
Recap of 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004
Homes in Southeast Colorado Springs continue to be hit by foreclosures
Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs as of August 22, 2009
During the last two weeks of August, starting on August 10th, 47 bank-owned properties came on the market; 15 (31%) of them are already under contract
It seems like many more properties are going to final foreclosure than the number of properties that are coming back on the market. There are lots of rumors that there is a back log of properties that will hit the market sometime in 2009.
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes in Colorado Springs, Email KTorline@msn
Colorado Springs Real Estate on road to recovery
Colorado Springs Real Estate on road to recovery
Forbes magazine recently published an interesting article about “It’s best cities for a housing recovery”. According to the article some metro areas are more on their way to recovery than others. Forbes looked at 161 metro area and their top 5 list of cities includes Colorado Springs:
The Rankings
1. Miami, FL
2. Lincoln, NE
3. Colorado Springs, CO
4. Salem, OR
5. San Luis Obispo, CA
According to the article, foreclosure home sales in Colorado Springs are only 20% of the transactions and sales activity is up 14%. Not sure if I agree with their analysis, as in some zip codes in the city foreclosures sales are only 5% and in other areas, it’s probably closer to 40%; but regardless it’s always nice to see national recognition in a positive way for Colorado Springs.
Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
All types of foreclosed homes are hitting the market, from A to Z
I was going through the list of the new Colorado Springs foreclosure homes that just came on the market, and was surprised by the huge range in properties.
For a Free list of Foreclosed Homes in Colorado Springs, email KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
There is a home that just came on the market in Cripple Creek with over 3,500 square feet for $110,000. Wow, but there 
is a catch. The property hasn’t been finished and doesn’t have a occupancy certificate on it. No interior walls yet, no deck, no floor covering, no bathroom fixtures. It’s almost a blank slate.
Then there is a home in Larkspur, 7918 square feet for $550,000 on 10 acres land. From first glance it looks like a great deal. But, I’ve been in this property, and even though it was built in 2005, property does need some work. Read the rest of this entry »
Market Report for Homes in Monument, July 2009
Colorado Spring Real Estate
Market Report for Tri-Lakes – Single Family Homes, Includes Monument and Palmer Lake
Search for homes in Monument
Must Read Articles
The Monument and Palmer Lake housing market continues to be a Buyer’s Market, as there is currently a 14.5 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET”. Sales were down 17% from 2008 to 2007, but pricing was only down 10% from 2008 to 2007. Sales continue to be soft in 2009 and are down 31% from the same period last year.
Colorado Springs townhomes currently have 9 months of inventory on the market
Colorado Springs Townhomes
Search for Townhomes in Colorado Springs
Average townhome SOLD pricing in 2009 is very similar to SOLD pricing in 2005
Must Read Articles
Random musings while looking at houses
Since my husband and I are starting to personally look for a different house, I’m essentially turning into my own client. Very interesting. Here’s my random musings from looking at houses yesterday:
My favorites:
- Amazing wooded lot in Cloven Hill Estates in Monument, WOW! Views, lots of space, trees and, scrub oaks
- Another amazing lot in Woodmoor on Greg’s Pond, turned a 1 acre lot into feeling like it was 5
- Teak wood floors on the entire main floor of a house, definitely my favorite floors of the day, absolutely beautiful
- Several houses had entrances from the master bedroom to the deck
My least favorites:
- Walking into the foyer of a house right into the staircase, made the front of the house feel way to crowded, bad feng shui Read the rest of this entry »
What to do with hazardous waste in El Paso County
Getting ready to move in Colorado Springs?
What do you do with the old paint cans? The old car batteries? Old computers?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
El Paso county has a Hazardous Waste Collection Facility on 3255 Akers Drive, which is close to Constitution and Marksheffel Road.. The collection center is free to residents of El Paso and Teller County, but they encourage a donation of non-perishable food for Care and Share.
The web site is full of all types of amazing information, including what is household waste and a recycling directory.
The facility accepts:
- household paint and paint-related products
- lawn & garden chemicals
- household items: cleaners (carpet, drain, oven, toilet bowl), aerosols, ammonia,
- batteries (alkaline & rechargeable),
- fluorescent lights,
- mercury thermometers
- propane tanks,
- automotive products (no tires): antifreeze, batteries, brake & transmission fluids, cleaners (bug/tar, chrome, engine, vinyl), contaminated oil, flares, fuels, wax, etc.
- ammunition,
- fireworks
- electronics: including CPU’s, monitors, keyboards, printers
For other counties:
- Pueblo, contact the Pueblo Health Dept.
- Douglas County, contact the Tri-County Health Dept.
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not Subscribe to be notified of the next one?
Some other articles that could be of interest:
- 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
For more information on Colorado Springs, please feel free to call Kathy at 719-287-1049 or email: KTorline@msn.com
Market report for homes in Northwest Colorado Springs for July 2009
Colorado Springs Real Estate – Market Report for Northwest
Single Family Homes
Search for homes in Northwest Colorado Springs
Must Read Articles:
The housing market in Northwest Colorado Springs continues to be a BUYERS Market, as there is currently a 7.78 months of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “BUYER’S MARKET”. Sales were down 15% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing was ONLY down 6.5% from 2008 to 2007. 197 Single family Homes have been sold in 2009 vs. 219 for the same period in 2008; a decline of 11%.
| 1-1-2009 to 7-30-09 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
| Number of Homes Sold | 197 | 317 | 370 | 473 | 532 | 546 |
| Average Sale Price | $296,601 | $339,804 | $363,946 | $354,585 | $327,587 | $301,114 |
| Total Square footage | 2814 | 3120 | 3195 | 3001 | 3093 | 3070 |
| Price Per Total Square Footage | $105.40 | $108.91 | $113.91 | $118.16 | $105.91 | $98.07 |
| Average Days on Market | 95 | 78 | 67 | 57 | 44 | |
| Average # of house sold per month | 28.1 | 26.4 | 30.8 | 39.4 | 44.3 | 45.5 |
36% of new bank-owned properties on the market are in Fountain and Southeast Colorado Springs
Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs as of August 10, 2009
During the week of August 3rd, 69 bank-owned properties came on the market; 47 (68%) of them are already under contract
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes in Colorado Springs, Email KTorline@msn
New Foreclosure Listings for the week Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Neighborhoods – Pleasant Valley
My Colorado Springs neighborhood pick of the week– Pleasant Valley
Search for Homes in Pleasant V alley
Pleasant Valley in Colorado Springs is a community that is a vintage neighborhood located in west Colorado Springs. As you drive through it, you feel like you have stepped back in time to “Leave it to Beaver” ; most of the lawns are perfectly manicured, houses are in great shape, you almost expect to see white picket fences with a 1950’s cars in the drive-ways.
To get to Pleasant Valley homes from I-25, turn west onto Colorado Blvd. Then turn right (north) on 30th Street and you are in Pleasant Valley.
Single family homes in Pleasant Valley currently range in price from $209,000 to $259,000. There are currently 7 houses and 3 townhomes for sale in the area. The townhome complex is a small complex with reasonable HOA’s at $120.00 a month; and it’s a pet-friendly complex. Read the rest of this entry »
Manitou Springs home sales are down 25% for 2009
Manitou Springs Real Estate
Single Family Homes
Search for Homes in Manitou Springs
Related Article: Homes in Crystal Hills, hidden gems
The Manitou Springs Springs housing market continues to be a Buyer’s Market, as there is currently a 18 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET”. Sales were only down 1% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing was down 10% from 2008 to 2007. 35 Single family homes have been sold in 2009 vs. 44 for the same period in 2008; a decline of 25%.
Recap of 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 Read the rest of this entry »
Looking for home repair bargains?
Home Repair Bargains
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must read articles
If you’re passionate about good deals and like to help support a good cause, then you’re in luck. You can visit the 
Habitat For Humanity ReStore in Colorado Springs, Colorado – one of over 500 such stores around the country
The store is similar to a Goodwill or Salvation Army; they are outlets that accept items for resale and are stocked with donations from individuals, contractors, and even retailers. Their inventory includes a variety of things for do-it-yourself projects including light fixtures, paint, sinks, appliances, cabinets, and flooring. Proceeds from the sales go build and rehabilitate homes for low-income families.
The local store in Colorado Springs is at:
- 411 S. Wahsatch Avenue, 80903
- 719-667-0840
There is also a store in Denver (70 Rio Grande Blvd.) To see a complete list of the stores in the Colorado Area, visit the web site.
To donate, volunteer, or to find out more, visit www.habitat.org.
Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
Radon testing is important in Colorado Springs
What’s the big deal about Radon?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that as many as 
20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon and it is is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Inspection Time
In Colorado Springs, a radon test can be requested by a buyer during a home inspection. If radon levels are high (4 pCi/L or higher) the installation of a mitigation system can become a negotiable item on the Inspection Resolution Form.
What is it?
Radon is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. It can be found in all 50 states. Once produced, radon moves through Read the rest of this entry »
Foreclosed homes in Colorado Springs continue to sale quickly
Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs as of August 1, 2009
During the week of July 27th, 71 bank-owned properties came on the market; 46 (65%) of them are already under contract, or pending.
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn
Must Read Articles
Read the rest of this entry »
