Colorado Springs Homes Blog

While Colorado Springs is in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities to enjoy boating.  The water is even more beautiful with mountains as a backdrop.

Two state parks within easy driving distance have extremely popular boating lakes:

• Lake Pueblo has 60 miles of shoreline.  Boaters can choose from two full service marinas, and enjoy sailing, motor boating and fishing.  The North Shore Marina (719-547-3880) and the South Shore Marina (719-564-1043) are both open year round.  
• Chatfield Reservoir in Littleton is open for boating year round, unless ice on the reservoir prevents safe navigation.  The Marina (303-791-5555) offers services seasonally, so call ahead in winter .    
  

For longer trips, check out Blue Mesa Reservoir,  Colorado's largest body of water and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishing spot in the United States.  The reservoir is part of the Curecanti National Recreation area, located between Gunnison and Montrose on Highway 50.  The vast park is where the Crystal and Marrow Point Reservoirs are also located.  There are two marinas that serve Blue Mesa Reservoir:  the full service Elk Creek Marina (970-641-0707) and the Lake Fork Marina (970-641-3048).  The park is also close to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, for even more recreational opportunities.  

Colorado weather conditions are quite variable, so be sure to check in advance, and take changes of clothing.  It's also a good idea to take your sunscreen and adequate drinking water to these high altitude parks. 

Lake Pueblo

Chatfield Reservoir

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Blue Mesa Reservoir

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.

In this day and age, it can seem like everybody and everything wants something from us.  Not so with libraries (unless you count the taxes we're happy to pay).   The library lets you loiter when you're bored or lonely, or need shelter from a sudden rainstorm.  You're only allowed, but encouraged, to access as much information and entertainment as you can handle.  (We know someone who may have 50 books at a time checked out of our local library).   All this in return for a modicum of responsibility - return your books on time - or if you can't, renew them, conveniently by phone or on line; and if that fails, pay your very reasonable fines. 

Since 1903, when The Free Library of Colorado Springs was established, local residents  have benefited from a top notch library system.  The Pikes Peak Library District  now has 12 branches plus two bookmobiles to serve our growing population.  

The district is proud to have two Carnegie Libraries, one downtown on Cascade Av., which had renovations completed in 2002, and the Old Colorado City branch, which is currently closed for renovations.

Many people don't realize the scope of our library's services and programs.  There are classes offered on Comcast channel 17, programs for children, teens, adults and seniors, adult literacy programs, community databases, a home school hub and much much more.  Please log on  the library's website to access events and information.

The Pikes Peak Library district is truly one of our local gems.  No matter who you are, you should be able to find something of interest.   

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.

You've thought long and hard about buying your first home.  You've considered the pros of home ownership - the satisfaction of achieving the milestone of a place to truly call "home", the tax breaks, and the equity you can build while paying your own mortgage, not someone else's.  You've also considered the cons - no landlord to fix that broken dryer, that you're not quite as footloose, and that your future "disposable" income may tend to be spent at Home Depot instead of the luxury car dealership. 

If you've been a resident of Colorado Springs for awhile, you may already know what neighborhoods appeal to you.  If not, consider your lifestyle, and what matters most to you - convenience to services vs. quiet;  commute time; newer homes vs. established neighborhoods; square footage vs. upgrades; indoor vs. outdoor living spaces; your own yard to putter in vs. the more carefree lifestyle of a town home or condo.  Drive around, and visit different neighborhoods.  If you're like many first time home buyers, the largest factor may be what you can afford.  You may or may not be able to buy your dream house for your first home, and that's ok!  You'll be building equity toward purchasing any future homes.

While you're considering these factors, start working on your finances.  Do you know your credit score?  If not, try a service like freecreditreport.com (their Triple Advantage program is free for the first month; by signing up you can get your Experian credit score and also see any credit problems you may need to clear up).  Your ability to qualify for a mortgage, and get a favorable interest rate, will depend heavily on your credit history.  

Do you have down payment money?  How much a month do you think you can realistically afford, while leaving some reserves for the unexpected, and for fun?  Have you considered the extra expenses you can have with home ownership, like property taxes, insurance, repairs, and perhaps increased utilities?  (Don't be scared by these, though - your landlord likely accounted for these in your rent; and your lender will take taxes and insurance into account when helping your decide on a comfortable payment.  One of the advantages to living in Colorado Springs is comparatively low taxes and utilities.).

Find a realtor.  One of the best ways is to get recommendations from family members and friends.  You'll want to find an agent who enjoys working with first time buyers (we do!), and who'll take the time to give you the guidance you need.  Be sure you're comfortable with the agent you choose.  Most Colorado Springs real estate agents will ask you to sign a "Buyer Agency" agreement; you commit to working exclusively with that agent, while he represents your best interests, and not the interests of the sellers.  

Most realtors will put you in touch with their preferred lender right away.  While this may not seem like quite as much fun as looking at houses, it's the logical and first best step. Your lender can help you determine your purchase price range, assist you with credit repair if necessary, and help you determine a realistic time line to purchase (should you need to repair your credit) or pre-qualify you if you're ready to start the buying process.  Your real estate agent should not be showing you homes if you're not pre-qualified - it's not fair to you, the listing or selling agents, or the sellers.

Once you're pre-qualified, the real fun begins.  If he hasn't already, your agent should give you a thorough overview of the home buying process. 

Let your agent know your likes and dislikes, your must haves and those items which would be nice, but not essential.  Your agent will have access to all homes in the Pikes Peak Multiple Listing Service, and will search according to your criteria.  You'll narrow down the homes you want to see, and visit those homes.  

One you find "the" home, your agent will draw up a contract and negotiate your offer.  You'll give your "earnest money" when you submit your offer.  It can seem a bit complicated, but your agent will walk you through offers and counter offers, inspections and title commitments, and closing of the property (settlement).  

It's a great time to buy your first Colorado Springs area home.  Interest rates are favorable, price appreciation has slowed, and there is a large inventory to choose from.  Please call us today; we're here to help you.

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 owners hate to leave this light and bright beauty, but wish to downsize.  This home needs new owners who wish to create their own memories.   It's your turn to enjoy the comfort, space, and fabulous open floorplan.  A lot of love and quality went into this home!   Almost 4000 square feet in Mountain Shadows.  5 spacious bedrooms, 4 baths, and a finished basement.  Professionally landscaped quarter acre lot with private deck for relaxing.  Great city views.  Many extras; Call us today at 719-534-7920 for more details.  A lot of home for $364,900.

Visual Tour of Ashton Park Place

Tomorrow,  the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce will host the perfect antidote to the post holiday blahs. 

Are you the kind of person who hates to see the holidays end, and wants to prolong them?   Or are you the type to bid them good riddance?  Either way, The Great Fruitcake Toss is a time honored local tradition dedicated to eliminating fruitcake re-gifting. 

Registration starts at 9:30 am Saturday January 5th; the free fun takes place at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs.

The Great Fruitcake Toss

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.

9,995 single family/patio homes sold through the Pikes Peak MLS during 2007.   This was greater than the total 2002 sales of 9,750 homes, but fewer than the total number of homes sold each year from 2003 through 2006.   2005 was our record year, when 13,124 homes sold. 

644 single family/patio homes sold in December.  Both the average ($253,965) and the median ($214,882) prices were up from October and November. 

There were 5,385 active listings in December; July had the year's highest number of active listings with 7,065. 

Please contact us for more specifics about your area, and for statistics for townhomes, condos, and land.

Based on information from the Pikes Peak REALTOR Services Corp. 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.

Happy New Year! We hope that 2008 is filled with health and contentment, and that a dream or two comes true for you.     Ken and Sandy

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas!  We haven't had a chance to drive about to  see Christmas lights, but we did happen upon a couple impressive displays: 

 Lower Falcon Estates

                                                                         North of Downtown

If you'd like to submit a picture of your home's decorations, we'd love to include it in a future post.  Please email us at homes@wickhome.net, and let us know what information you'd like included (story, name and/or address - or city if you're outside the Pikes Peak region.)

You can support the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo by purchasing tickets to their Electric Safari, the largest holiday light show in the region.  It runs through January 1, except for Christmas Eve, from 5:30 to 9 pm (the last admission is 8 pm).  If you go by December 23rd, you can visit with Santa and his elves.   

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.

 We hosted our annual Wreath Party on Sunday.  Each year, we enjoy getting together with our clients and sharing cookies and cider as we catch up.  It's great to see both new and long time clients (some of our homeowners have received wreaths for almost 20 years).  The football game is always on, and Santa is our special guest.

Our clients leave with some pictures with Santa and a beautiful Christmas wreath for their front doors.

We wish all of our clients and friends a very happy holiday season.

In November, 667 single family homes sold through the Pikes Peak Multiple Listing Service. 

It's been our slowest month for 2007 home sales, but just shy of the 669 homes sold in February and 673 in January. 

Both the average ($252,074) and the median ($207,500) single family home price is up from October.  9,351 single family homes sold through November 30th of this year.  November saw 5,967 total active listings; since July, the number of active listings has dropped each month. 

85 Condos/Townhomes and 52 pieces of land also sold during November. 

Based on information from the Pikes Peak REALTOR Services Corp.  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 are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO.  To contact them, call 719-534-7920 or visit their website.  They welcome your real estate inquiries.