Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
719.287.1049
Housing market in West Colorado Springs staying strong
Colorado Spring Real Estate – West Area
Market Report – Single Family Homes
Includes Homes in Pleasant Valley and Kissing Camels
Search for Homes in West Colorado Springs
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. 120 Single family homes have been sold in 2009 vs. 124 for the same period in 2008; a decline of 3%.
Current Report Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs townhome and condo sales continue to be slow, down 28% for the year
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 a 11.6 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a “NEUTRAL MARKET”. 427 townhomes/condos have been sold in 2009 vs. 579 for the same period in 2008; a decline of 28%.
Current Market Read the rest of this entry »
Market in Northwest Colorado Springs is almost foreclosure free
Homes in Colorado Springs – Northwest
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 5-18-09
Neighborhoods: Homes in Pinecliff, Mountain Shadows, Rockrimmon, Oak Valley, Centennial Glen
Active homes for sale
- Short sales: 5 (1.6%)
- Bank-owned: 5 (1.6%
- Regular: 300 (96.8%)
Active Homes for Sale as of 5-18-09 :
- Single Family Homes: 218 (70%)
- Condos/Townhomes/Patio Homes: 92 (30%) Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Homes for Sale — New Foreclosure Listings For week of May 9th
Saturday bargains – Homes in Colorado Springs
NEW Foreclosure Listings in Colorado Springs – for the week of May 9, 2009
For a FREE list of up-to-date Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn
Partial list of NEW Colorado Springs Foreclosed homes currently on the market Read the rest of this entry »
New Carbon Monoxide Law effective July 1, 2009
Carbon Monoxide Bill Signed into Law
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
Colorado homebuilders will be required to install carbon-monoxide detectors in new homes under a proposal signed into law on March 24th. House Bill HB 1091 also requires installation of the detectors in new and resold homes near bedrooms as well as rented apartments and homes. It takes effect July 1, 2009. The new la
w will cover all new residential construction and existing single-family and multi-family housing units offered for sale, transfer or rent.
The law applies to any seller of residential real property containing a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. The seller will be responsible for assuring that a carbon monoxide alarm is properly installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping. No person shall have a claim for relief against a property owner or their authorized agent if a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions.
There have been several deaths in Colorado Read the rest of this entry »
Resources for building a Green Home
Green Homes
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
Are you considering building the home of your dreams this year? The newest trend is to build green by using materials that are environmentally friendly, designing your space to use energy 
more efficiently, furnishing your home with Energy Star rated appliances, avoiding waste and using natural resources as much as possible.
There’s also the advantage of doing your bit to help the environment while cutting back on your own utility bills.
Here are a few websites that offer help while you’re in the planning stages of building green: Read the rest of this entry »
Marriage and Mortgages FAQ’s
Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature a great article by
Harry Venik with Adams Mortgage, LLC
Related Articles:
- Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval, which do you need to buy a home?
- Will VantageScore Bring Consistency?
- Colorado Springs Mortgages — tips for consumers on points
Marriage and Mortgages FAQs
Q: Could one spouse’s bad credit negatively affect the other?
A: If a couple is applying for credit jointly, say for a loan or credit card, then yes. One person’s lower score can negatively impact the interest rate the couple will be offered. This is because every borrower has three credit scores, and lenders use the lowest “middle” credit score of the two borrowers. We have seen many situations in the past in which one borrower was dropped from the application – but only if the lower score belongs to a non-working spouse. This can create a serious issue, however, if the income is needed in order to qualify.
Q: Can one spouse’s low score negatively Read the rest of this entry »
How do you price a Colorado Springs short sale?
The Art of Pricing a Short Sale
Part IX of Colorado Springs Short Sales Series
Interested in selling your house as a short-sale? Email Kathy Torline KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
I’ve had some agents tell me that it seems like everyone will be a short sale expert by the time all this is said
and done. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have to say that there are very FEW experts in short sales in this market; as I think every situation is different and every lender is different. No two situations are the same. Here are some of my favorite comments about short sales from other agents …………..
The seller needs to fix the roof, it won’t pass inspection. If the seller had the money to fix the roof, he wouldn’t be in a short-sale. Did you see the verbiage sold “as-is” in the MLS? Did you see that it was listed as cash or conventional financing only?
Why can’t the seller keep the utilities on? Again, if the seller had the money to keep the utilities on, he probably wouldn’t be in a short-sale.
And my favorite …………. I’m going to advise my seller to price the house really cheap, that way I’ll get several offers to send to the lender. I know the lender will accept any offer they get.
OK, so you are going to ask me: “And what does it matter Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Foreclosure Homes, Tri-Lakes Area including Palmer Lake
Homes in Colorado Springs
Market information for Active and Foreclosure Homes in Tri-Lakes As of 1-7-09
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Must Read Posts
Neighborhoods: Woodmoor, Kings Deer, Palmer Lake, Walden Reserve, Jackson Creek
Active Homes for Sale as of 1-7-09: 411
- Single Family Homes: 383 (93%)
- Condos/Townhomes/Patio Homes: 28 (7%)
Foreclosure Colorado Springs, Central Area
Homes in Colorado Springs
Market information for Active and Foreclosure Homes in Central As of 1-7-09
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Neighborhoods: Ivywild, Old North End, Patty Jewett, Divine Redeemer, East End Addition, Crown Hill Mesa, Boulder Heights, Spring Creek
Active Homes for Sale as of 1-7-09: 497
- Single Family Homes: 387 (78%)
- Condos/Townhomes/Patio Homes: 110 (22%)
Breakdown of homes for sale, INCLUDING Read the rest of this entry »
What’s in a short sale package?
One of the most important steps in a successful short sale, is putting together the short sale package which will be submitted to the lender. A complete package can make the difference in how long it takes to get a short sale submitted.
A recent short sale package I submitted to a lender was 76 pages in length.
What should be included in a short sale package?
Interested in selling your house as a short-sale? Email Kathy Torline KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
Packages can vary lender by lender, but the following is a basic check sheet of what should be included in a 
short sale package. Lenders will tell you to send a complete package.
__ Hardship Letter
This is a letter written by the seller to explain the borrower’s situation and requesting a short sale. It should describe why the borrower cannot make their mortgage payments and their fear of possible foreclosure. It should be a plea for the lender to consider a short sale.
__ Sellers Authorization
This gives the Realtor (or whoever else you designate) authorization to act as your representative in taking to the lender. Colorado has an approved Real Estate document, Seller Authorization Form
___ Paycheck Stubs – Last 2 months Read the rest of this entry »
5 mistakes people make when selling their home
Avoid These Seller Mistakes
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
Must Read Articles
- Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
- Are you a pet owner trying to sell your home
- Should I take my home off the market during the holidays?
- Do you want your home in Colorado Springs to stand out from the competition?
- A tech savvy realtor can help sell your home
- It’s all about the home warranty
- What are closing costs in real estate?
You want to get the best price for your home in Colorado Springs, and you want to sell it in the least 
amount of time. Most of the homes in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas are considered to be in a buyer’s market, so homes will take longer to sell. It’s important to make the right moves at the very beginning of the homeselling process to remain competitive. Here are some common mistakes that many homeowners fall into and how to avoid them.
(1) Over-pricing: It’s easy to think your home is worth more than the current market may support. Since home prices have cooled in Colorado Springs, home sellers must be prepared to negotiate on price and terms, and stay flexible.
Sellers must also keep Read the rest of this entry »
Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part V
Colorado Springs Vintage Homes is happy to feature another great article
on Managing Your Credit Score – Part V
Anza Goodbar, President of Clearview Mortgage
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Previous Posts by Anza:
- Tips for Colorado Springs Consumers – what is identify theft?
- Want to buy a home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset!
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part II
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part III
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part IV
- Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, manage your most valuable asset! Part V
Your Credit and You!
Let’s take a look at the final category that impacts your credit; the type of credit you use.
Types of Credit Used:
While this area has a lesser impact on your credit score, it is still important. The credit reporting formula is complex and takes many factors into consideration when calculating your score. It looks at the types of credit you have, the number of accounts you have and the mix of accounts.
There are two basic types of credit:
- Revolving
- Installment
Revolving credit is a credit card, a retail account Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Homeowners, don’t remodel until you read this!
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
I
f you’re thinking about doing a little work on your home, make sure you understand the VALUE it will add to your house. There are many reasons to improve your Colorado Home, but don’t expect to get dollar for dollar back on your home improvements costs. One of the most important articles to read is published by Remodeling, as they put together a great report called Remodeling Cost vs Value Report 2008.
As mentioned by the article, despite home price drops in many cities, including cities in Colorado, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for homeowners to add value.
What I really liked about the article is that it broke things down by regions instead of grouping everyone together. We all know that things cost different prices in different areas, so this was a plus.
According to the information on the web site: Read the rest of this entry »
Colorado Springs Building Permits — Part V
Everything you want to know
about Building Permits in Colorado Springs – Knowledge is Power
Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049
Previous Posts
(1) QUESTION: I put in a new sprinkler system in my home in Kissing Camels, and recently received something from the Building Department saying I needed a Backflow Preventer. What is this?
ANSWER: A backflower preventer keeps possible contaminated water from backing up into your domestic water supply. A license is required to install this device.
(2) QUESTION: I need to hire a roofing contractor, how can I be sure the contractor will do a good job?
ANSWER: First of all, do your due diligence before hiring a contractor You can check with Read the rest of this entry »
