Colorado Springs Homes Blog

Plastics have a long honored tradition in counter tops - from the old stand-by of laminate counters like Formica to the composite solid surface counters like Corian. 

But counter tops made from paper?    Check out shetkaStone.  Along with counters, they fabricate table tops, benches, moldings and more - all with a 100% sustainable life cycle - from pre and post-consumer waste paper!

Prices fall between Corian and Granite.  The site bills the product as durable, food safe, and stain, water, bacteria and scorch resistant. 

You can request samples through the website for a small fee.

If you have used shetkaStone, please let us know! 

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  They welcome your real estate related inquiries; to contact them, please visit www.wickhome.com.

Through March 31st of this year, 1,811 single family homes have sold through the Pikes Peak Multiple Listing Service. 

722 single family homes sold in March - a higher number than the previous four months, and just one home shy of October's 2007's sales - and better than September's 695 sold homes. 

While the trend of lower-priced home sales is continuing, March's average price ($236,503) and median price ($202,000) were up from the last two months. 

                                                                                98 townhomes/condos also sold last month. 

Inventory remains high, with 5,849 active single family listings in March.   

Since areas vary greatly with days on market, list price to sales price ratio, and average price, please call us for specifics on your neighborhood.

Based on information from the Pikes Peak REALTOR Services Corp. ("RSC"), for the period 9/1/2007 through 3/31/2008 .  RSC does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for its accuracy.  Data maintained by RSC may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are long time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  They welcome your real estate inquiries; to contact them, please visit their website.

A record was set in the housing market, but it wasn't in the United States.  

The Times of London reports the recent sale of a London penthouse for between 115 and 120 million pounds (approximately 230-240 million US dollars), the most expensive residential property ever sold.

The flat, in London's  of St James's Square, is located smack dab between 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.  And, with approximately 20,000 square feet, there will be plenty of room for guests who wish to visit London's prime attractions.

The undisclosed owner won't be moving in right away; the to-be-built penthouse is will be one of six lavish apartments that will occupy a former office block from the 1930's.  Three of the other five flats have also been spoken for.

World's most expensive property sold in London

A mansion in North London, in Barnet's "Billionaire's Row", sold for 50 million pounds in January, which set a record for a "newly built" property.  But the home isn't quite up to the standards of the new owner, who plans to spend up to 30 million pounds on a remodel. 

Sale of ‘Top Whack Mansion' is £50m record

If you're intersted in luxury properties, why not consider the Pikes Peak region? 

There's currently a house under contract in Larkspur; with the turret and carriage house, you can feel like you're  in England, but with much better weather.  It only has 10,000 SF (all on one level), but sits on 197 acres of beautiful mountain property, and compared to the homes above, the $15,000,000 asking price seems like a bargain. 

For a little bit larger home, perhaps you'll like a 17226 SF home on 5.36 acres.  This beauty in prestigious Stratton Forest has city and mountain views, hand carved wood, crystal, marble, and plenty of room for entertaining.  It's listed at only $6,500,000. 

The Pikes Peak region offers plenty of choices for the discriminating buyer, and you'll get to live with stunning scenery and a pleasant climate.  Plus, with the money you'll save buying a luxury property here instead of London, you'll have plenty left over to travel the world! 

Please call us today if you'd like to find your dream home in the Colorado Springs area.

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  The welcome your real estate inquiries; to contact them, please visit their website.

Are you looking for a spacious home with old world charm but up-to-the-minute amenities and luxury?  Perhaps you'd like less home maintenance, too, but also prefer a unique, beautiful setting that's out of the hustle and bustle but convenient to services?

You can have this all in Fountain Creek Villas, a charming community in historic Manitou Springs.  The award-winning homes have over 3000 square feet, 3 car garages, and are loaded with attractive high-end features, including elevators.  You can enjoy the rushing water from your own creekside patio nestled next to Fountain Creek.   

• Features include:  
• Stucco and stone exterior 
• 9' to 11' feet ceilings                                                                          
• Hand trowled walls
• Two gas burning fireplaces
• GE Monogram appliances and granite counter tops
• 6 burner gas range
• Designer cabinetry
• Tankless water heater
• Jacuzzi jetted tub

Home prices start at $780,000.  You can visit Fountain Creek Villa's  website to see more photos.

Call us today for more information about these wonderful homes. We're impressed with the quality features, and would be happy to show you the model. 

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  They welcome your inquiries; to contact them, please visit their website.

February is typically a slow month for home sales.  Some numbers just in from Pikes Peak Association of Realtors:

The better news:  the number of homes sold was up from January 2008.  In February, 556 single family homes sold, compared to 534 in January.  There were 5,571 active listings in February, so inventory remains high.  The homes that are selling continue to be priced competetively, and unless the buyer is looking for fixer uppers, are also in great condition and staged well. 

240 condos/townhomes also sold in February. 

The not-as-good news:  we saw further decrease in the median ($197,500) and average ($226,692) sales prices of single family homes in February.  Some factors are a increased number of sales of lower priced homes, sales of repos, and fewer new homes sold. 

We always like to caution that statistics don't tell the whole story.  If you'd like to sell your home, please contact us for specifics on your neighborhood - we'll be happy to meet with you to help you assess your situation. 

And, if you're thinking of buying - there's a wonderful selection, and interest rates and prices are favorable.  Please call us; we'd love to get together and learn about your dreams.

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  They welcome your real estate inquiries; to contact them, please visit their website.

How can you watch your health and your wallet, while supporting a local company?  By shopping at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage.

Margaret and Phillip Isely began selling whole grain breads and lending nutritional books in 1955, back in the days when squishy white bread was the norm.   Their first sales were door-to -door; soon they had enough people buying  supplements and bulk foods that they opened a retail store.  They named their Lakewood, CO store Vitamin Cottage in 1963 (they sold mostly vitamins at the time). 

There are 24 Colorado locations, and also stores in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  The company is still based in Lakewood, and is owned and operated by the children and grandchildren of the original visionaries.

Every product goes through a strict review process.   You won't find artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, hormones, toxic preservatives and even naturally occurring elements that can cause adverse reactions.

Although Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage is now one of the five largest supplement retailers in the country, they carry so much more.   Choose from fresh and organic produce, succulent dairy, hormone free meats, and a wonderful variety of shelf stable grocery items.  Indulge in natural body care with yummy scents - or unscented if you'd like.  Save money by buying bulk items including aromatic spices.  Try natural cleaning supplies that won't harm your water supply.  There are also plenty of wheat-free choices for people with sensitivities.   

Eating well can be expensive.  The Natural Grocers owners strive to have the lowest everyday prices in the industry, so their customers can afford to take care of their health.  

Vitamin Cottages offer much more than just products.  Their knowledgeable staff with help you with your choices, so don't hesitate to ask questions, especially if you feel overwhelmed.   You can attend lectures in your local store given by experts in health-related topics, and consult with their nutritionists.  Look up healthy recipes and learn about ingredients on-line, and sign up for their newsletter.

There are three stores in the  Colorado Springs area:

1780 E. Woodmen Road, near Sam’s Club,  1825 S. Nevada Avenue  and 655 Highway 105  in Monument.                                                                                                                                                  

If you’re not in Colorado, or there's not a location near you, you can shop on line at VitaminCottage.com or  NaturalGrocers.com.

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  They welcome your real estate inquiries; to contact them, visit their website.

Once the inspector completes the inspection, he'll work up a written list of action items (typically there are at least a few things that need to be done). 

If the buyers aren't satisfied with the condition of the house, and don't think they can get satisfaction from the seller, they may choose to terminate the contract at this point.  This is fairly rare; most buyers will negotiate with the sellers.  

Typically the buyers submit a Inspection Notice, with a "notice to correct", asking for specific items to be fixed.  Buyers and sellers negotiate through their agents until there's satisfactory resolution for both parties. 

This isn't a complicated process; even though it seems like there are many steps, the whole process usually takes only a few days. 

The agents will help the buyers and sellers obtain estimates and coordinate repairs.  Typically all repairs are done before closing; if they're not, there's a survival clause in the inspection notice, meaning that the seller is still obligated to fix any remaining agreed upon inspection items after closing.

Sellers should provide the buyers receipts for all work done, and it's also up to the buyers to do a "final walkthrough" with their agent before closing.

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are REALTORS® with RE/MAX Real Estate Group in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO, and they welcome your real estate inquiries. To contact them, visit their website.

The inspector thoroughly examines your home and its systems - the structure, windows, plumbing, roof, electrical and heating, kitchen appliances, insulation and energy concerns, drainage, potential safety hazards, etc.  We recommend that you be present while the inspection is being done, so you can ask any questions and get familiar with your home.  Your inspector can point out the location of your main water shutoff valve and breaker box, and give you maintenance tips.

There are times when an inspector doesn't find any problems or deferred maintenance.  Most times, the inspection will result in a list of action items.  Our inspectors suggest immediate repairs (especially any safety issues), and also maintenance concerns that aren't crucial but should be addressed in the near future.   The inspector will give you and your agent a written report. 

You may also wish to opt for a radon test; some areas are more prone to radon, so your consult your inspector and agent.  Radon mitigation can be expensive, so it's best to have the problem corrected by the seller before closing.    

If the inspector has concerns such as structural, roof, or mold problems, he may recommend further comprehensive inspection by an expert in that area.

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are REALTORS® with RE/MAX Real Estate Group in Colorado Springs, CO, and they welcome your real estate inquiries. To contact them, visit their website.

Almost as important as getting a home inspection is choosing a quality inspector.  Ask your agent for referrals, and don't hesitate to ask for references. 

Did you realize that there aren't any licensing requirements for home inspectors in Colorado?  So, anyone can print up some attractive brochures, get a few tools and a flashlight, and call himself a home inspector.  

We only work with seasoned inspectors who are members the American Society of Home Inspectors, who must adhere to ASHI's standards and ethics.  Since we're present for our buyers' inspections, we're confident that our inspectors are thorough.  

We've witnessed some lax home inspectors, such as technicians who didn't even get up on the roof, or didn't flag breaker boxes known to be fire hazards, so we really stress the importance of hiring an respected ASHI inspector.

You learn more about ASHI at their website.  And, don't hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions. 

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are REALTORS® with RE/MAX Real Estate Group in Colorado Springs, CO, and they welcome your real estate inquiries. To contact them, visit their website.

As a prospective home owner, one of the best ways you can protect yourself is by getting a home inspection on the home you decide to buy.  After all, your home is probably the biggest investment you'll make.  By spending a tiny fraction of the purchase price, you can have a professional assessment of your home (neither buyers or their agents are qualified to perform an inspection).

You want to ensure you're not buying a "The Money Pit", (or if you do, that you're going into it forewarned - while the movie was funny, the reality is not).  You don't need the hassle of thousands and thousands of dollars of unexpected repairs.  Also, FHA and VA have some structural and repair requirements that must be met if you're financing through those programs.     

You certainly don't want any safety issues.  Fires, explosions, and rotten floors will take the joy right out of home ownership. 

Are there times when you want to skip a home inspection?  We don't recommend it.  It's a very small investment, and will help give you piece of mind, even if the inspector finds nothing wrong.  

It's even wise to have an independent inspection on a brand new home.  Doesn't the Regional Building department inspect your home?  Well, yes... and no. Those inspections can be very cursory, and some serious defects could be missed.  You have more leverage to get problems fixed before you close on your home, even if you have a builder warranty. 

Ken and Sandy Wickham, the authors of this article, are REALTORS® with RE/MAX Real Estate Group in Colorado Springs, CO, and they welcome your real estate inquiries. To contact them, visit their website.