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Archive for the 'Relocation Information' Category
I can’t be there to see it, now what?
Relocating to Colorado Springs
Related Articles:
Occasionally I work with a buyer who is overseas and is intersted in Relocating to Colorado Springs and buying a property that they won’t be able to see in person. Wow, scary stuff for everyone involved. Even with all of the amazing info now available on the Internet, it still doesn’t take the place of seeing the property in person. Here’s some of the additional steps I take, as a Colorado Springs Realtor, to help make sure the buyer gets the most accurate information possible.
- Pictures, pictures and more pictures (and then even more pictures)
I take pictures of everything I can see, including the roof, the furnace, the hot water heater, everything in house. I take pictures of the neighborhood up and down the street, the next door neighbors, the neighbors across the street, the neighbors behind the house, the parks, the schools, the shopping areas that are close by. I try to create the same experience for the buyer that they would have when they actually came visit the house.
I make sure they check out Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Housing prices have started to increase
Colorado Springs Real Estate — prices have started to increase
Must Read Articles
- Schools in the Colorado Springs Area
- High Altitude Tips
- Trees make a neighborhood special
- Relocating, it’s all about the schools
- Government and Military are #1 employers in El Paso County
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
How to avoid information overload when looking at houses
Information overload can be avoided
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
Related Buyer and Seller Articles:
Since I work with many buyers, I’m always thinking about how I can help the average Colorado Springs first time home buyer look for a home. One of the biggest challenges for first time home buyers is information overload. How do they keep all the information straight? At the end of a full day of showings, how do they remember what they saw?
Here are my top 6 tips to help the Colorado Springs first time home buyer:
- Keep notes on each house as you go through it. Why do you like it, what needs work? What’s the good, the bad, and the ugly?
When you get in the car, write everything down you can about the house. You may think you’ll remember the information later in the day, but if you write it down you know you’ll remember the key points. - Nickname the house. The “bright” house. Or the “70’s house” with the shag carpeting. Or the “cul-de-sac” house. Nicknaming the house will help you keep them straight. After seeing 10 – 15 houses in a day it becomes confusing. All the houses run together.
- If you don’t like the house, get rid of the paperwork or cross it off. (no reason to keep unneeded paperwork as it just adds to the information overload.)
- Take pictures to help you remember the houses and the features you like.
- As you go through the day seeing houses, rank the homes. On a scale of 1 to 10, which house is a 9 or a 10? Write this information down on the MLS property sheet.
- Write down all the pluses and minuses of each home on single piece of paper. That way you can look at all of information on one single sheet vs. flipping thru 20 different sheets.
Remember Knowledge is Power
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
Moving to Colorado Springs ?
Crime information is easy to find
For FREE Colorado Springs Relocation Information, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Some other articles that could be of interest:
many things I do to answer their question, is to send them to different web sites that gives them the crime stats. In the age of All Things Internet, there is no shortage of information, they just have to be directed on where to find it. Here’s some of my favorite sites:- CBI website http://cbi.state.co.us/ — Gives you everything from registered sex offenders to crime stats.
- http://www.neighborhoodscout.com — When you put in an address for a Colorado Springs neighborhood, it gives you all types of information about the area, including crime stats, a general overview of the area, as well as school information.
- http://www.NeighborhoodScan.com – This site gives you extremely detailed information about sex offenders.
- http://www.spotcrime.com – Maps out crime occurrences, and allows you to pull up details on specific crimes.
- http://www.crimereports.com — Also gives you extremely detailed information about sex offenders.
- http://www.relocationessentials.com — Compares crime in Colorado Springs vs. the national average. As an example, it shows you that Colorado Springs has less rape and burglaries than the national average.
But even with all of the comprehensive national data, the best web site which is chocked full of information is part of the City of Colorado Springs web site. You can pull up a weekly report that shows you the location of crimes by different categories. There is also information on all of the Meth Labs that were discovered in Colorado Springs by year. (See Don’t let your dream house become a nightmare) You can even follow the Colorado Springs Police Department on Twitter.
When you are looking at moving to Colorado Springs, these web sites can help give you a better pictures of neighborhoods you want to live in. Remember, Knowledge is Power
Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
Colorado Springs is on THE List
America’s Fastest Recovering Cities
Good news for Colorado Springs
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
I love it when I come across a national article giving Colorado Springs postive recognition. This morning, I happened to see an article
from Forbes about America’s Fastest Recovering Cities.
According to the article, the list was formed by compiling statistics from the 100 largest Metropolitan areas, and the statistics included unemployemnt, housing prices, GMP, Foreclosures, and sales rates.
Heres a link to the complete list; Colorado Springs is #14, Read the rest of this entry »
How to choose a Buyer’s Agent
How do I find a Buyer Agent?
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Finding homes for sale in Colorado Springs can be overwhelming task, especially for first time buyers. So, how do you go about selecting a Buyer’s agent to help you?
For starters you may want to put together a check list of questions to ask potential agents.
- How many transactions did you complete last year?
- Do you primarily work with buyers ?
- What is your commission? How do you get paid?
- Do you work as a Buyer’s Agent? Have you had any special training to work with buyers?
- Do you have recent references I can contact? Read the rest of this entry »
The numbers show the Colorado real estate market is improving
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
Explanation of Days on Market
One of the many ways all Realtors judge their local real estate market is by the Days on Market. If properties are selling quickly, the market is heating up. If homes take a long time to sell, the market is slow.
Let’s first start with some definitions: Days on Market (DOM) in real estate is defined as the number of days a property has been on an Active status in the Multiple Listing Service. The average days on market for single family homes in Colorado Springs for the last quarter ending September 2009 is currently 77 days. For Condos and townhomes it is 97 days.
But an important thing to remember is this number varies on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood and it also varies by different price categories. As an example:
- Briargate Days on Market: 80 (vs. 99 in 2008)
- Central Days on Market: 64 (vs. 79 in 2008)
- Manitou Springs Days on Market: 75 (vs. 124 in 2008) Read the rest of this entry »
10 things to know about Colorado real estate
What makes Colorado real estate different?
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
I recently took some accreditation classes in another state. It was eye-opening for me to understand how much the laws vary from state to state. Since a major portion of my business is from Internet leads and from people moving to Colorado Springs from other parts of the country, these classes were very helpful.
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
Did you know ?
- Colorado is an “actual knowledge” state, which means as Colorado Realtors we only need to disclose facts that we know and we must disclosure material facts. Some states are “imputed knowledge states”, which means Realtors are expected to know certain things.
- Most Realtors in Colorado list properties for sale in their local MLS and ask for 1% for Earnest Money. Some areas in the U.S. ask closer to 10% for Earnest Money.
- The majority of Colorado Springs homes get listed in some type of MLS database; and many homes get listed in multiple MLS’s. There are some major cities in the U.S. that don’t have an MLS.
- Colorado doesn’t have dual agency. Many states still have dual agency. In Colorado you can only be an agent for either the Buyer or the Seller, you can not be an agent for both. Read the rest of this entry »
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
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
Beware, it’s lightening time in Colorado Springs
Did you know that Colorado and Florida lead the way for the most lightening related deaths last year?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
I work with many people who are looking at relocating to Colorado Springs, and tho
ught it would be a good idea to do a quick blog about lightening in Colorado. Colorado has an average of 16 lightening related injuries a year and 3 deaths a year, all due to lightening. For those statistics people out there, there is a entire web site devoted to lightening to Colorado.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
It’s such a serious problem in Colorado, Governor Ritter has proclaimed a week in June the Colorado Lightning Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week. Here’s some facts about lightening in Colorado:
-
Thunderstorms are most likely from April to September, peaking in July. Though mountain thunderstorms are most common during mid afternoon, the first lightning strikes can occur before noon.
- Fifty percent of all known Colorado lightning casualties happen in one of four places: on mountain summits, under a lone tree, in wide-open areas and on lakes.
Lighting safety suggestions:
- If you hear thunder, go inside a building or get inside a hard-topped vehicle.
- If you are outside, avoid open spaces. Don’t be the tallest object in an area.
- Stay away from isolated trees, towers, or utility poles.
- Stay away from metal conductors including fences and wires; lightening can travel a long distance through metal.
- Make yourself as small as possible. Never lie flat on the ground.
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 Torline at 719-287-1049 or email: KTorline@msn.com
Colorado Springs in ratings for Best Places to Start Over
Starting Over?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Colorado Springs was recently rated one of the Top 10 Best Places to Start Over, according to Business Week 
Magazine!
The list was based on cities where companies were hiring and the quality of life is high. No. #1 on the list was Anchorage, Alaska, followed by Provo, Utah.
Colorado Springs ranked #8 in the list of 20. Here’s what the article stated about Colorado Springs: Read the rest of this entry »
Peterson AFB housing, what are my choices?
Must Read Posts: Relocating, it’s all about the schools
When relocating to Peterson AFB or Schriever AFB, there are many neighborhoods to choose from including the Powers Corridor on the East Side of town, Falcon/Peyton also on the east side of town as well as the Marksheffel area. Commute times vary from 10-35 minutes from these areas.
Search for Homes for Sale Near Peterson AFA and Schriever AFA
Powers Area in East Colorado Springs
As Colorado Springs continues to grow farther east, the homes on Powers Blvd are becoming more and more popular. It has the city’s largest concentration of retail shopping, restaurants and entertainment; and new restaurants and shopping continues to be added. Commuting from Powers takes 10-25 minutes. Some of my favorite neighborhoods include Stetson Hills, Indigo Ranch, and Springs Ranch.
Falcon and Peyton
Falcon and Peyton are two of the upcoming and growing neighborhoods in the Colorado Springs area. Read the rest of this entry »
What are my housing choices near Fort Carson?
Colorado Springs Military Relocation Tips
Must Read Posts: Relocating, it’s all about the schools
When relocating to Fort Carson, there are many neighborhoods to choose from including the Cheyenne Mountain area in southwest Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security/Widefield which are close to the base, and the Powers Corridor on the East Side of town. Commute times vary from 5-35 minutes from these areas.
Search for Homes for Sale Near Fort Carson
Fountain, Security/Widefield
Due to its close location to the base and an abundance of affordable housing, Fountain and Security/Widefield are one 
of the most popular choices for Fort Carson Relocation. Directly East from I-25 , Fountain is a vibrant growing community. Fountain is located 10 miles south of Colorado Springs and the Fountain Valley area also includes Security and Widefield; which are located in-between Colorado Springs and Fountain. Commute times to Fort Carson range from 5-20 minutes. Some of my favorite neighborhoods in the area are the Glen at Widefield, Windmill Mesa, and Clearview Estates.
Cheyenne Mountain in Southwest Colorado Springs
Cheyenne Mountain is on the southwest side of Colorado Springs, just north of Post. Part of the area is included in one of the most poplar school systems, District-12, Read the rest of this entry »
Moving to Colorado Springs, don’t forget to get your new Driver’s License
Don’t forget to get your Colorado License
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Articles
One of the many things to do when moving your entire house from one state to another is to remember to register your vehicle in Colorado and get your Colorado Driver’s License.
After becoming a Colorado resident, you have 30 days to qualify for a Colorado Driver’s license and 90 days to register your vehicle.
Colorado Driver’s License
When heading to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), bring the license from your former state 
as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license. There is no written exam or road skills testing required to change a valid out-of-state license to a Colorado Driver’s license, however you will need to pass the vision test. If your out-of-state driver’s license has expired, you may be required to apply for a STATE learners permit and pass all required testing to receive a driver’s license. The identification requirements are posted on the Colorado Department of Revenue Web site. There are several DMV locations in Colorado Springs:
- 4420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., Colorado Springs, CO 80918 M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (719) 594-8701
- Chapel Hills Shopping Center 1710 Briargate Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80920 M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (719) 520-6240 Read the rest of this entry »
What type of house do you like?
Colorado Springs Houses
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
I work with a lot of Colorado Springs first time home buyers, and I often ask them what type of floor plan they would like in a home. When I ask the question, I often see a blank look in their face; and I realize that first time buyers really don’t know what type of floor plan they like or don’t like; consequently I thought it would be helpful to put together some information on advantages and disadvantages of different types of house floor plans.
Ranch houses
- Sleeping and work areas are on one level; eliminating the need for stairs climbing. Can be well suited to baby boomers or seniors
- The exterior can be easy to reach and easy to maintain, although if it is built on a sloping lot with a walk-out basement, it can be more challenging to maintain
- Can be more difficult to provide privacy, since the house is on one level
- Takes more space to accommodate the same gross living area
- More expensive to build
Two Story - has a living space on two separate floors, stacked on top of each other
Read the rest of this entry »
It’s against the law
Fair-housing laws prevent agents from talking about neighborhood demographics
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Luckily, the Web picks up where agents leave off
A real estate agent can be a wealth of information about a house. So a homebuyer who asks what crime is like in a 
specific Colorado Springs neighborhood might be surprised when the agent defers the question, directing a client to the Web or local police instead. I work with many buyers looking to relocate to the city, and I often explain to them what I can and what I cannot say.
It comes as a shock to many buyers when they learn that a Colorado Springs realtor absolutely cannot address some requests because it is against the law. For example, if a married Jewish couple asks a realtor to find them a home close to a synagogue, the agent can’t accommodate that request. If a buyer is moving to the city, and wants to know the safest part of the city and the best neighborhoods to live in, an agent cannot answer. Also, Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs rated in the top 10 on Forbes Best Places for Business and Careers
Colorado Springs Awards
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
Congratulations Colorado Springs! You’ve been voted in at number ten for the Best Places for 
Business and Careers according to Forbes Magazine. In Colorado, we came in at number 10, while Ft. Collins came in at number 2. Two other city’s showed up in the top 20, Denver at number 14 and Boulder at number 20. Way to go Colorado!
North Carolina and Colorado are certainly winners here as they managed to capture ten of the top twenty on the list. There are plenty of mid-western cities on the list as well. Interesting was the lack of places in Read the rest of this entry »
Military relocation? 6 tips to read before you buy a home
Are you in the military?
Are you relocating to the Colorado Springs area? Do you want to purchase a home?
- Government and Military are #1 employers in El Paso County
- Relocate to an Award Winning City in the Colorado Rockies
- Relocating, it’s all about the schools
- High Altitude Tips
- Moving to Colorado Springs, check out Zip Skinny
Buying home is a complicated process which needs some investigation and education before making a decision. if you are in the military, you should ask yourself some questions before making the decision to purchase:
- Can you get financing? (It’s important to talk to a mortgage professional to get pre-qualified for a loan.)
- Is your tour of duty going to be longer than 2 years before the next PCS? If you know your current tour is less than two years, you have to weigh the risks of breaking even or even a loss when you go to sell.
- Will you have the opportunity to do another tour here or will you have an opportunity to come back? Read the rest of this entry »
Relocating to The Air Force Academy? Here’s some great info to make your move easier.
Moving to the Air Force Academy?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Are you preparing for a move to the Air Force Academy? If so, I hope you find these sites 
helpful. The Academy is celebrating its 50th graduation in May and it continues to educate young men and women for service with The United States Air Force. The Academy has approximately 4000 cadets and graduates about 1000 per year.
If you are moving here with your family, there are four housing areas located on the grounds of the Academy. You can also live off base where there is plenty of housing located in the northern part of Colorado Springs, Monument or Palmer Lake.
Anyone being transferred to the Academy is assigned a sponsor to make your transition easier, but here is some arrival information that will also help make your move go more smoothly.
If you have children of school age, they will be attending the award winning District 20 school system, Read the rest of this entry »
Relocating, it’s all about the schools
Are you relocating to the Colorado Springs area, or perhaps the Air Force Academy or Fort Carson or Peterson Field ? Are you relocating with USAA? Trying to decide where to live ?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Articles
- 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
- Radon poses a threat to Colorado Springs Homes
- High Altitude Adjustment for living in Colorado Springs
- Abandoned Coal Mines Cause Problems
- High Altitude Tips
- Trees make a neighborhood special
- Stay away from these intersections
To find out how Colorado Springs area schools rank, national and local web sites offer an assortment of school and neighborhood data. The national sites typically pull school and demographic data to generate their school profiles, consequently information on private schools is harder to come by.
But before we start with national sites, let’s first start with links to the school districts in the area:
- District 2 (Harrison)
- District 3 (Widefield)
- District 8 (Fountain)
- District 11
- District 12 (Cheyenne)
- District 14 (Manitou Springs)
- District 20 (Academy)
- District 23 (Peyton)
- District 38 (Lewis Palmer)
- District 49 (Falcon)
OK, now it’s time for the national web sites……………..
- Wealth of information for families with school-age children (test scores, ethnic information, student/teacher ratios and other metrics).
- Schools are ranked by a number of criteria, Read the rest of this entry »
Moving to Colorado Springs, check out Zip Skinny
Looking at moving to a new neighborhood, make sure and check out ZIPskinny
For someone like me who loves statistics, this web site provides everything you ever wanted to know about a neighborhood
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
According to the info on the site, it was created as a Web development “hobby” project using Census 2000 data obtained from the Census 
website.
You start with putting in your zip code on the upper right side of the page. After you click “get it“, it comes up with a web page with 7 different tabs, all in different colors so it is easy to distinguish between them.
One of the tabs include charts (for those us that like pictures), another includes info on schools, and yet another includes basic information on the zip code. If you want a a map of the zip code area, no problem.
One of the best tools is the zip code comparison tab. If you are trying to decide between two neighborhoods, one in Southwest Colorado Springs (80906) and one in Northwest Colorado Springs (80919); you can look at the population density, household income, occupation comparison between both areas.
There is also another web site, zipwho.com. It seems to give the same info as ZIPskinny, just presents it in a different format.
As an example ….. Did you know that in the 80919 zip code in Colorado Springs, the average home has Read the rest of this entry »
Stay away from these intersections
Colorado Springs Traffic
The City of Colorado Springs has released it’s annual statistics about the city’s worst intersections for traffic accidents
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Colorado Springs ranks the most accident-prone intersections based on traffic volume, the number of accidents and accident severity. The higher the score, the worse the intersection.
Last year’s top 10 top accident-prone intersections were:
1.) Briargate Parkway and Powers Boulevard
2.) Palmer Park Boulevard and Space Center Drive
3.) Rangewood and Vickers drives
4.) Nevada Avenue and Southgate Road
5.) Lake Avenue and Venetucci Boulevard
6.) N. Powers Boulevard and Research Parkway Read the rest of this entry »
Trees make a neighborhood special
Did you know that if you’ve recently purchased a home that’s ten years or newer in Colorado Springs, you can get a free tree from the city?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
The City of Colorado Springs has a New Home Tree Certificate Program is a wonderful program where you can get a $100.00 tree certificate.
Here’s some of the facts about the Tree Certificate Program
Then and Now Read the rest of this entry »
High Altitude Tips
Living or Relocating to Colorado Springs ?
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!
- 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
Living in the Colorado Springs area or in many of the surrounding cities, us “locals” are used to living at an 
altitude. In fact most of the time we completely forget about it. But tourist season is just around the corner; and many of us have friends and family that came visit us during the summer time. Also, it’s starting to be the time of the year that many people think about relocating to the area. Consequently I felt it may be a good time for a refresher course on the affects of high altitude.
Colorado Springs is considered one of the “highest” cities in the United States – an altitude of 6035 above sea level , 755 feet above Colorado’s “Mile High City”, Denver.
Here’s the scientific description of what happens to our bodies at higher altitudes:
The concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. Read the rest of this entry »
Are you starting to get Spring Fever?
Looking for something unique to do?
Plan to attend the Colorado Garden and Home Show
Feb 7 -15 at the 50th annual event held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Are you already thinking about Spring? Planning some new home improvement projects? Thinking about 
how to plant your garden? Wondering how to do xeriscaping? Plan on making the short trip to downtown Denver and enjoy the Colorado Garden and Home Show; it’s an amazing show with over 600 exhibitors in the 400,000 square feet Convention Center. The Theater schedule consists of 52 different offerings including Feng Shui Basics, Xeriscaping 101, Wine and Food Pairings, Pet Friendly Landscaping; and Vegetable and Herbs for Colorado. It’s really a great resource for Colorado and Colorado Springs home owners; and all of the seminars are FREE.
It is also benefits many different horticultural and related activities, and non-profit organizations throughout Colorado. There is a Cake decorating contest with Read the rest of this entry »
Have fun and help out these Colorado Springs community organizations in February
Don’t want to be stuck indoors with nothing to do in the magical month of February. Well, mark your calendars now and you too, can have a ball (or at least attend one)!
On February 21, 2009, you can attend the 26th annual Heart Ball to assist The American Heart Association held at The Cheyenne Mountain Resort which promises to be an exciting evening of dining, dancing and a silent auction to help protect our loved ones against heart disease and stroke, through research and education. Be sure to mark your calendars and put on your best black-tie and gowns which will help make a difference in the lives of those touched by heart disease and stroke. For more information call Tonya McKenzie 719-244-9587.
Still wanting to do something else that weekend? How about attending Read the rest of this entry »
News Flash — Colorado Springs ranked Fittest City
Colorado Springs #1
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Since I’m a “wanna-be” athlete, and I’m a statistic “junkie, I love articles like the recent publication in Men’s Fitness Magazine. The article praised Colorado Springs, which is no surprise to those of us who already live in the area.
The ranking information on the web site includes a report card, with A through F rankings. The area was rated an A in some categories, including Geography, Nutrition, Air Quality, and Parks and Open Space. But ………… on the other end of the spectrum there were F ratings for Alcohol Consumption and Access to HealthCare. Our neighbor to the north, Denver, was ranked #4, and also received an F in Alcohol Consumption, as well as they also received a D for Commute and Access to Healthcare.
There was some great trivia information posted on the web site:
- The number of heavy drinkers here is high: Colorado Springs has 17 percent more than average and the, 7th highest in the survey.
- Colorado Springs is home to Read the rest of this entry »
Holidays are over, but there’s still plenty of events in Colorado Springs this week
Post Holiday events
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
The Christmas tree is dead and buried, the relatives are gone and you’re feeling a little blue thinking you’ll be stuck in your home until the weather warms. However, there’s still plenty to entertain you even if you don’t ski. Here’s a look at some interesting events to entertain you during our coldest month of the year.
Sunday 1/4/2009: “On All Fours” benefits one of Colorado Springs more interesting sports teams, The 
Pikes Peak Derby Dames which is a roller derby league (yes, the derby still exists). These 60 women are unpaid and have to raise funds to continue their hitting and skating. The benefit is at Phantom Canyon Brewery Co. from 6-10 pm and will feature the dames in a fashion show along with an art show of the Derby Dames during their games. Two comedians will also keep you laughing. All of this for only $25 which goes to support their traveling teams, costumes (yes, fishnet stockings are still worn), and the rental fees for City Auditorium where they play. Call 719-387-7212 for more info.
Monday 1/5/2009: Pioneers Museum is continuing the exhibit: Pikes Peak Or Bust which runs through September 5, 2009. As always its free. Read the rest of this entry »
El Paso County taxes are some of the lowest in the nation!
El Paso County Taxes
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- 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 »
The Colorado State Flag
Have you ever wondered how we got our flag of Colorado? I was downtown the other day and saw it blowing in our breeze and it got me to wondering about it. We’ll here’s a little history on how our flag came about.
The Colorado State Flag was adopted by The Colorado State Legislature on June 5, 1911 after Colorado had been a state for about 40 years. It was designed by Andrew Carlisle Carson and modified twice over the years.
It has three stripes with the two outer ones in blue and the middle one in white. It has a big red C in the center with the C filled in with gold. It was also stipulated that the flag should have an attached cord of gold and silver intertwined with gold and silver tassels.
In 1929, The Colorado State Legislature issued a decree that the blue and red colors would be the same as the United States flag as apparently there was some disagreement on the actual colors. In 1964, they again addressed the flag as no one could figure out the size for the letter C. They specified the size and how far away from Read the rest of this entry »
High Altitude Adjustment for living in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is located in a high altitude
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
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and this requires adjustments when making your favorite recipes!
Love your Grandma’s chocolate cake or love to bake bread? If you’ve recently moved 
to Colorado Springs and tried to make your favorite tried and true recipes, you may have found they didn’t meet your expectations. If the bread didn’t rise or the cake didn’t turn out or even if the beans wouldn’t ever get done, its probably due to the fact that living in Colorado requires some adjustment to your lowland recipes, especially when baking. Even when making a boxed mix or a pasta dish be sure and follow the high altitude directions. You’ll find that beans, pasta and brown rice all need longer cooking times as the water boils at a lower temperature here.
I hope you find these adjustments helpful: Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Building Codes and Permits – Part I
Do you want to know about Building Permits and Building Codes in the Pikes Peak Region?
Part I of FAQ’s
QUESTION: Can I apply for a building permit online?
ANSWER: Yes. Go to the PPRBD web site, and it will give you information on how you can purchase a permit online.
QUESTION: I had a contractor knock on my door and said that my roof was damaged; and then he gave me an estimate of what it would cost to fix it. How do I know if this contractor is legitimate?
ANSWER: First of all, it’s always good to get a second opinion from another contractor, and you may also want to call your insurance company and have them send out an adjuster to look at your roof. Second, you can Read the rest of this entry »
United Airlines highlights Colorado Springs
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Planning on flying by United Airlines this month? Take a look through their Hemispheres Magazine and check out the article about my hometown, Colorado Springs. We’re very honored and proud that United would write a 24 page spread about Colorado Springs. It’s something that United does a few times a year to highlight different cities.
The magazine spread includes articles on the Colorado Springs history, outdoor fun , Olympic Training Center, the economy and local housing areas and neighborhoods. Amy Long, Director of Marketing and Membership for 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 »
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
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1. Check out the school district
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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 »
Relocate to an Award Winning City in the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Springs
Awards, Awards, and more Awards ……
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#1 by Money Magazine for best big city in the nation to work and live – Money Magazine August 2006
- #1 by Forbes for most Pet Friendly city – 2007
- #1 Winner of DogTown USA, most dog-friendly city – 2008
- #2 in population for percentage of veterans #3 by Forbes for best, fastest, growing, most business friendly metro
- #3 by MSNBC for best places to live in U.S.
- #4 by Frommer’s for best cities ranked and rated April 2007
- #4 Smartest City by BizJournals.com
- #5 by Kiplinger’s in “Best Cities to Live, Work and Play”
- #6 among top cities in Read the rest of this entry »
Relocating to Colorado Springs, it’s all about the schools
Are you relocating to Colorado Springs?
For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
One of the most important elements to look at these days when buying a home is school districts according to a study by Trulia.com. Some studies have also found that despite the overall downturn in residential real estate, homes in highly rated school districts have kept their value better. And in many cities, home buyers are willing
to pay a premium for areas that schools considered better than average.
Most people agree that home buyers are attracted to neighborhoods with good schools, but not everyone agrees on what makes a good school. Some families want schools with high teacher-student ratios, others look for schools with good sports programs, others look at the testing information, and others may look for smaller schools with less students. And some home buyers may focus on the high school graduation rate, or whether they have an honors program, or a program for disabled children, or the Read the rest of this entry »
