Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
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Archive for November, 2009
Free local money for home improvements
Colorado Springs homeowners, check this out!
I just came across a very informative blog about free money, and cheap money. The blog detailed a local Colorado Springs program to 
help residents install energy efficient items in their houses. As usual when I come across an article like this, I like to go to the original source about the program so I can give even more information to my readers.
The City of Colorado Springs has an entire section of their web site dedicated to Housing Rehabilitation. I was impressed with the range of programs offered including Lights and Locks for Seniors, Emergency Repair, Energy Environment Economy Program, and Owner Occupant Rehab.
The Owner Occupant Rehab program is targeted towards low income home owners in Colorado Springs and can be used to improvement the energy efficiency of a house; including replacing windows, upgrading a furnace, adding insulation, upgrading plumbing. They have some criteria to qualify including you must live in the home and it must be valued less than $247,000. If you meet the income guidelines, your interest rate is 3%. Yes I did type it right, only 3%.
The web site includes the contact name at the City to get more information about all of the program.
- 5 reasons lack of building permits cause big problems
- Colorado Springs Building Codes and Permits – Part I
- Colorado Springs Building Permits – Part II
- Colorado Springs Building Permits – Part III
- Colorado Springs Building Permits — Part IV
- Colorado Springs Building Permits — Part V
- 5 reasons lack of building permits cause big problems
- Do your homework on building permits
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
Manitou Springs pricing holds strong
Manitou Springs Real Estate – Single Family Homes – Market Report for October 31, 2009
Search for Homes in Manitou Springs
Related Articles:
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 were only 1% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing was down 10% from 2008 to 2007. Sales have continued to decline in 2009, but pricing has increased.
Pricing in Southwest Colorado Springs continues to decline
Colorado Spring Real Estate, October 31, 2009
Market Report for Southwest – Single Family Homes, Homes Close to Fort Carson
Includes Homes in the Broadmoor, Cheyenne Meadows, Bluff Bluffs, Quail Ridge
Search for Homes in Southwest Colorado Springs
Related Articles:
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. Sales have continued to declined in 2009 and pricing has continued to see downward pressure.
Old Colorado City pricing holding strong
Colorado Spring Real Estate
Market Report for Old Colorado City - Single Family Homes
Includes Homes in Crown Hill Mesa, Gold Hill, Old Colorado City
Search for Homes in Old Colorado City
Related Articles:
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. Sales are up for 2009 and pricing is holding fairly strong compared to 2008.
Federal Tax credit available for remodeling
Energy Tax Credit
For a Free Market Analysis on your neighborhood, email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
HOME REPAIR
Everyone is talking about the $8000 First Time Home Owners Tax Credit. But, there is also a $1500 energy tax credit that is available for every home owner.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended a variety of tax incentives that w
ere first started in 2005. Home owners, including those in Colorado, can save up to $1,500 on their income tax bill if you install approved energy improvements to your house before December 31st, 2010.
Some things you can use the tax credit for include:
- Air Conditioners
- Insulation
- Furnaces
- Windows / Doors
- Sky Lights
- Roofing
- Water Heaters
- Attic Ventilation
- Solar water heating
- Solar Electricity
- Wind Power
- Geo Thermal
- Sealed Crawl Spaces
To take advantage of this tax credit, Read the rest of this entry »
12 Acceptable Reasons for a Short Sale
Are you thinking about selling your Colorado Springs Home? Do you want to do a short sale?
If you would like some other helpful advise on selling your home, please feel free to call Kathy at 719-287-1049, KTorline@msn.com
Many times I’ve been asked about why would a homeowner would want to do a short sale. The reasons are many, b
ut here my top 12 list of acceptable reasons:
- Financial Hardship due to a reduction of income, still employed but you are making less money
- Financial Hardship due to unemployment
- Financial Hardship due to your ARM loan resetting and you can no longer afford the payments
- Divorce
- Death
- Military Deployment
- Job Relocation Read the rest of this entry »
Market Report for homes in Central Colorado Springs as of October 31, 2009
Colorado Spring Real Estate
Market Report for homes in Central Colorado Springs, Single Family Homes
Popular Search for homes in Central Colorado Springs
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Search for homes in Downtown Colorado Springs
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Search for homes in Old North End
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Search for home in Patty Jewett
The Central part of Colorado Springs housing market continues to be a NEUTRAL Market, as there is currently a 5.66 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 16% from 2008 to 2007, but average pricing was down 5% from 2007 to 2008. Pricing and Sales have continued to decline in Central Colorado Springs in 2009.
Why should I get an ILC?
Why should I get an ILC? Or why not?
Related post: ILC versus a Survey, what’s the difference?
Here’s some of the top reasons why you should get an ILC (Improvement Location Certificate)
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You could identify property line violations
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You may find out the fence is not the property line
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You could find out that all or a portion of the driveway is on some one else’s property
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It will also tell you where the easement are located
I used to think that ILC’s and surveys were only for rural properties. Wrong. Even lots in the middle of a subdivision are not immune to “hidden problems” ; including :
- Encroachments
- Easements
- Other adverse conditions
Why should I get an ILC before completing a purchase of a house?
Encroachments and infringements can especially cause Read the rest of this entry »
New Colorado Springs Foreclosures as of 11-15-09, average prices at a 25% discount
NEW Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs as of November 15, 2009
During the first two weeks of October, 77 bank-owned properties came on the market; 8 (10%) of them are already under contract. This is double the amount of properties that have been coming on the market in a typical 2 week period.
Homes in Southeast Colorado Springs and Homes in the Powers area are still continuing to see more foreclosures than other areas of the city.
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes in Colorado Springs, Email KTorline@msn
Foreclosure listings are the best deals in Colorado Springs, sold for less than 24% of “regular” Home sales
Read the rest of this entry »
Knowledge is power
From Kat’s corner of the world
Most of my Colorado Realtor friends and clients know that I’m a big proponent of education, and many of my posts have the subtitle
“knowledge is power” included in the post. In keeping with that philosophy, I’m also a big proponent of keeping up my own education, as there is so much to learn in real estate, and you can never begin to know it all, not even close.
Hence, I try to go to the National Real Estate Convention every year, or at least every year, which is where I’m at now. The convention officially starts today (Friday), but I spent all day yesterday at the REBar Camp in San Diego. Almost every Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Housing market report – Northwest Area as of October 2009
Colorado Spring Real Estate – Market Report for Northwest – Single Family Homes
For a Free Market Analysis on your neighborhood, email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com or call at 719-287-1049
Must Read Article
The Northwest area in Colorado Springs continues to be a BUYERS Market, as there is currently a 8.45 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. 289 Single family Homes have been sold in 2009, a decline of 10% from 2008.
Real Estate Agent or Realtor?
What is the difference between a Colorado Springs Realtor and a Colorado Springs Real Estate agent?
Must read articles:
Most Home buyers and home sellers the Colorado Springs area use the terms REALTOR® and Real Estate Agent interchangeably, but that is not correct. There are many differences between REALTORS® and real estate agents. They are not the same……………..
What is a Realtor®?
- Realtors® subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics set forth by the National Association of Realtors, which contains 17 Articles and various underlying Standards of Practice.
- Realtors® must complete mandatory quadrennial Code of Ethics training.
- Realtors® belong to the local Realtor® boards, which contribute listings to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service®).
- Realtor® agree to arbitration procedures used to settle any complaints, whether from consumers or other Realtor® members.
- Realtors® belong to the professional organization, National Association of Realtors®. Read the rest of this entry »
My foreclosure pick of the week
Colordo Springs Foreclosure pick of the week
For a FREE List of Foreclosures email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
- Don’t let your dream house become a nightmare
- Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval, which do you need to buy a home?
- Homes sold “As Is” in Colorado Springs….what does it mean?
My pick of the week is in Holland Park area on 1090 Kara Ridge Pt.
It includes over 1400 square feet, with 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car attached garage.
If you are looking for a Colorado Springs townhome at a reasonable price in the desirable west side located close to Garden of the Gods, then this is the property for you.
The downside
Even though the property was built in 2004, the property has been lived in fairly hard. There are some dings in the wall, paint chiped on some of the bull nose corners, some broken tiles in the main entryway; all easy cosmetic things to fix.
The one downside I saw about the property, the master bath only has a shower, vs. a shower and bath. The carpet going to the garage is stained, but it may be able to be cleaned up. Also it’s a typical bank-owned property with no appliances, but it has been cleaned up.
The other thing I didn’t like about the property was it’s location in the complex. It’s a middle unit and there are another 8 units located just a sidewalk away; because of it’s location it felt dark and crowded.
The upsides
The upsides, Read the rest of this entry »
ILC versus a Survey, what’s the difference?
Improvement Location Certificates and Surveys in Colorado
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
I’ve had several experiences recently with surveys for two different Home buyers in the Colorado Springs Area. As usual, my day to day life as a realtor provides me with constant topics to write about. Let’s start with the basics of a Survey and ILC:
What is a survey?
A land survey is completed to exactly locate the boundaries and monuments of a property. Missing monuments (property corners) will be replaced. All above ground improvements and utilities will be documented.
What is an ILC?
An ILC is not a survey, and the initials of ILC stand for Improvement Location Certificate It is merely a surveyor’s opinion that the the buildings and major improvements appear to be located on the property described in the deed.
What is the difference between an ILC and a survey?
Colorado Springs Neighborhood Pick of the Week – Sunset Mesa
My Colorado Springs neighborhood pick of the week — Sunset Mesa
Search for Homes in Sunset Mesa 
Don’t forget about the Better Business Bureau
A Resource for Colorado Springs home owners
Must Read Posts:
Since I work with many home owners and home buyers, and I’m very cautious on people I recommend to assist them. I started to think 
about the benefits of the Colorado Springs Better Business Bureau in helping people choose businesses to hire.
Do you have any of these questions?
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Do you need a new roof?
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Do you need a heating contractor?
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Are you looking for a good plumber?
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Do you need someone to build a fence?
In the old days, you’d pull out the Yellow Pages, and flip through them until someone’s ad caught your eye. In current times, you’ll probably turn to the Internet and use Google or some other type of search engine to find some businesses to call; or you’ll ask a friend or a business acquaintance for a recommendation. Maybe in addition to your Internet search, you should also do some quick research with the Better Business Bureau.
Here’s some examples on how you can the BBB web site, you can pull up information on Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday Foreclosure Bargains
Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs as of November 1, 2009
During the last two weeks of October, 64 bank-owned properties came on the market; 15 (24% ) of them are already under contract, or pending.
Homes in Fountain and in the Southeast area of town continue to see the most foreclosures
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn
