May 7, 2014

Immaculate Furnished Town Home For Sale in Colorado Springs

Beautiful MOVE IN Ready home with large, attached 2 car garage in the Vistas at Norwood. This super clean home shows like a model and features hardwood floors in the kitchen, tile back-splash, stainless steel appliances, and tall 42" cabinets! It has been professionally decorated and most furnishings as well as washer and dryer can stay with a full price offer!, No smoking or animals ever in this home.The newly built pool should be ready this summer!


6249 Upham Hts, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
  • The Vistas at Norwood
  • $162,500
  • 3 Bedrooms / 3 Baths
  • 1361 Sq. Ft
  • Attached 2 Car Garage
  • Air Conditioning / Central Air
  • Ceiling Fans Throughout
  • 9 Ft. Ceilings
  • Stainless Steel Appliances
  • 42" Extra Tall Cabinets
  • Wood Flooring in Kitchen and Dining
  • Pool
  • Guest Parking
  • 2" Wood Blinds Throughout
  • Most Furnishing Can Stay with Full Price Offer!
  • Townhouse

For help with any of your Real Estate needs, please call me at (719) 357-1023 or Email Me

Apr 15, 2014

Colorado Springs 2014 City Wide Open House Weekend!


The Colorado Springs 2014 City Wide Open House Weekend is on April 26 and 27. Realtors from all over the Pikes Peak area will be holding open homes for public viewing. Times are typically from 1:00-4:00, but may vary depending on the home and Realtor. If you are just curious or have been thinking of buying a home in Colorado Springs or selling your current home, this is a great opportunity to get a sample of what is going on in the Colorado Springs housing market.                                     
The Pikes Peak Association of Realtors is having a Sweepstakes for this event and will be giving out prizes. Please go to their website for more information and to view a list of Addresses holding Open Houses in the Pikes Peak area.                     
Mark it on your calendars and I hope to see you there!                                                 
If you would like help buying a home in Colorado Springs I can set up a personalized search that fits your criteria that is linked directly to the Pikes Peak MLS. It will notify you the minute any new homes come on the market that fits your criteria. If you are considering selling your current homeI can provide you with a FREE, NO OBLIGATION Market Analysis to help you determine the value of your home. I would be happy to help you with any Real Estate needs you may have. You can email me, or give me a call #719-357-1023


Feb 8, 2014

Resale Value In Colorado Springs


When searching for your perfect Colorado Springs home, there's something you should keep in mind that many buyers forget to consider, the home's future resale value. It's not surprising that many home buyers may forget to consider resale value when they buy a home. They are focusing their time and attention on how the home will suit their needs while living there. By ensuring that you purchase a home with good resale value,  you will be saving yourself potential problems later. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), choosing a home should also be approached as a business decision.

The NAR points out that there are many things to consider before purchasing a home, such as the location, size and condition of the house, number of bathrooms and bedrooms. You could fall in love with a house for its charm while easily overlooking these vital components. But armed with all the rules of the game, you can nab the perfect house for you and your family while enjoying the peace of mind that you've landed a prime piece of real estate that won't give you resale problems later.

Things to Consider:

Location, Location, Location!
If you choose a home that is located in a desirable location, you'll attract a larger pool of buyers later when you decide to sell. Look at what School District the home is in. This is often a huge factor on home value here in Colorado Springs. If you find a home in a less than desirable location, it's possible that the home will always suffer a lower selling price than other homes around it. Homes that are located in quiet areas that allow easy access to important thoroughfares often have added value. Homes that are located next to busy streets and heavy traffic areas are not favorable to buyers and the future selling price will suffer as a result.  

Bedrooms:

A home with at least three bedrooms is always a better choice. Here in Colorado Springs, many homeowners are looking for at least four bedrooms. As a general rule, more bedrooms mean better resale value.
                                             

Bathrooms- How Many & Where?

A home should have at least two bathrooms, but depending on the floor plan of the home, this may not be enough for many home shoppers. A master bathroom is a must with most home buyers today, so if it is a two story home,  there should be a minimum of three bathrooms. One on the main level, one in the Master and one for the guest or kids rooms on the second floor. If the home has a basement, as the majority of Colorado Springs homes do, it will need a bathroom down  there too. So, ideally, a two story home with a finished basement should have 4 bathrooms.  Another amenity that home seekers pine for is the five piece Master bathroom. A five piece Master bathroom  is one that includes a separate bathtub and shower, toilet and a double vanity.
 

Garage, Storage-space, Laundry Room

These features are often overlooked, but they make a huge difference in terms of comfort and convenience. Closets are a standard each room, but walk in closets receive higher resale value for their increased convenience. Walk in closets these days are almost an essential, and homes with tiny closets are more difficult to sell. People want large spacious closets in the Master bedroom.

People want a garage. Most look for a two car garage, and some look for three. But unlike closet space, extra space in the garage is considered a luxury to most people and they can easily go without. Homes with maximized resale value will have a fully enclosed,  attached garage with two or more parking spots.

A Home With a View

The National Association of Realtors says that homes facing a business park or a strip mall sell for less due to their unappealing view. Homes with an attractive view always sell at a premium. But this is a feature that can easily be overlooked by buyers who are more concerned with the location and size of the home. But a home's view greatly contributes to a person's state of mind as well as their perceived valuation of the property. Take into account the home's view as well as any future developments that might impact the home later. Here in Colorado Springs, a view of Pikes Peak is highly sought after by many home buyers. I've had buyers tell me they only want to look at homes with a view of Pikes Peak!

Updates and Renovations

The kitchen and bathrooms are the two most important rooms in the house when it comes to resale value. Many home shoppers won't consider taking on remodeling projects, so an outdated kitchen or bathroom can often cause them to reject an otherwise perfect fit. Kitchens are expensive to remodel, so buyers want one that is already finished and updated. Islands, breakfast bars, and pantries are always welcomed additions for home shoppers. 

 

Landscaping

Both the home's interior and exterior are major considerations when it comes to evaluating a home's resale value. Landscaping contributes to a home's curb appeal, and curb appeal is an important factor to consider. The lot around the home should be well groomed and maintained.

Even if you're buying a home with the primary purpose of living in it, don't forget the importance of resale value. A home is one of the largest investments many people will make, resale value should be an important part of the decision. 

If you would like help finding a home, or you are considering selling your home, I would be happy to help you in any way possible. You can email me, or give me a call #719-357-1023

Feb 4, 2014

Colorado Springs Overview



 Colorado Springs Overview

Weather and Climate                                                                          
There are over 300 days of sunshine to be enjoyed in Colorado Springs annually. At an altitude of 6,035 feet, the climate of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is warm in the summer and moderate in the spring, fall and winter. Classified as an "alpine desert," the dry, clean air was once a destination to heal tuberculosis patients. Today, visitors enjoy the climate because it allows for year-round outdoor recreation. Summers are dry with temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s, with cool nights in the 60s. Spring and fall temperatures range from the mid 50s to the low 70s and winters here can be white, but normally the snow that does fall melts quickly and reveals a sunny sky again. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to upper 40s.


Cultural Facilities
The Pikes Peak region has a wide variety of museums, performance centers and visitor centers including the
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Colorado Springs Pioneers MuseumThe Pikes Peak Heritage Center,McAllister HouseMiramont CastleGlen Eyrie Castle and Focus on the Family Visitor Center.

Attractions and Activities
Visitors can enjoy over 55 natural and man-made attractions including the 
U.S. Air Force AcademyU.S. Olympic Training CenterRoyal Gorge Bridge & ParkPikes Peak - America's MountainGarden of the gods ParkSeven FallsCave of the Winds and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The region also offers whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, biking, hiking and horseback riding through Garden of the Gods. Downtown Colorado Springs offers a wide variety of Shops, Restaurants, and Nightclubs.
Education
The Pikes Peak region is home to several public, private and charter schools. With many private and public universities and trade schools available, Colorado Springs is ranked 4th in the United States with people who have high school diplomas according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Find out more about 
Colorado Springs Schools.

Health Care
With the active lifestyle of the Pikes Peak region, employers are benefited by lower absenteeism and overall better health of employees. Many health care providers offer wellness programs that employers can use in the workplace. Colorado Springs is home to some of the finest hospitals, physical therapy institutions and surgical centers in the region.
Employement
Home to thriving businesses, high tech companies, military installations, and non-profit organizations, Colorado Springs is proud of it's healthy economy and high quality of life.


Colorado Springs has been awarded in numerous magazines and news sources:
Top Ten Awards:
#1 Men's Fitness "Fittest City in America
#1 Money "Big City's to Live In"
#1 Forbes "America's Most Pet-Friendly City"
#1 Men's Health "Best Cities for Dogs"
#3 Earth Day Network "Best Places to Live
#4 Frommer's Travel Guide "Cities Ranked and Rated"
#5 Kiplinger's Personal Finance "Best Cities to Live, Work and Play"
#6 MSNBC "Best Cities to Live, Work and Play"
#7 Top 10 U.S News and World Report "Green Places to Retire"

*Much of my data was collected from the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and visitcos.com. Please visit these helpful links to find out even more about Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak area:

Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
Visit Colorado Springs

If you have any questions about Colorado Springs or would like help relocating, feel free to contact me anytime at (719) 357-1023 
email me, or fill out a contact form

Jan 7, 2014

Colorado Springs Home Owner's Associations: What You Should Know BEFORE You Buy in an HOA

Many neighborhoods in Colorado Springs have a Home Owners’ Association (HOA) and it is important that a home buyer understand the benefits and restrictions that are a part of the home they are thinking of purchasing. All HOAs differ from one another. They each have their own fees, budget and finances, governing bodies, covenants, restrictions, and benefits. Many HOAs aren't run by Homeowners that live in the neighborhood, but by Professional Community Managers. Since they are all different to some degree, it is very important to understand the HOA you will be buying into.


According to Colorado law, during the negotiation of the purchase of a home, the seller is required to disclose whether the home is in a HOA. They should provide you with HOA documents including a copy of the bylaws, covenants, and most recent Annual Owner’s Meeting, and most recent financial statements, if available, for the six month period immediately preceding the date of the contract to buy. It is very important that the home buyer read these carefully, especially the financial statements. Some HOA’s may not have managed their budget wisely and have a shortage of funds for needed upkeep or repairs or may have special assessment or fees that have been approved, but not yet applied. Some Associations strictly forbid any cars to be parked on the street, what color you paint your home, or if you are allowed to have a privacy fence. While these restrictions may be exactly the type of rules that keep a neighborhood beautiful and property value more secure, it may not be the right fit for some people. Home buyers often underestimate the importance of carefully reading the Bylaws, Covenants, and financial statements during the due diligence stage of the home buying process.
HOA’s also may offer benefits such as amenities and shared areas. Some may include a pool and clubhouse, community park, tennis courts, common area gardens and maintenance, snow removal, water and trash, or additional lighting around the neighborhood.  These features can help keep a community attractive and stabilize property values.
For additional information on HOA’s in Colorado Springs, click here.  If you would like help finding a home, or have questions about how HOA’s work, I would be happy to help you in any way possible. You can email me, or give me a call #719-357-1023