One of the things I credit ActiveRain for is making me more curious about my community. Every aspect of it. Things that I would have ignored at one time, have taken on a new meaning. And so it was last Saturday.I was driving through the Spring Creek area of Colorado Springs last weekend and happened to see someone with a sign pointing towards the homes of one of the home builders in this new community. I was curious to know more, so I stopped to chat with her. It was an interesting conversation. A lot of it wasn't included in the interview because we spoke for a long time before I grabbed my recorder. Anyway, here's the interview:  Your name is ...?Courtney.And you're with?I'm with Todays Homes today.So you're a contractor, is that right?Yes, that's right.What does that mean? What kind... 04/30/2007

I visited the Jazzed On Java coffee shop last weekend and had the opportunity to speak with Jessica Renaud who works there. She was kind enough to take a moment to grant me an interview. Here's what we talked about:What is your name?I'm Jessica. Jessica, how long have you been working with Jazzed On Java?For about a year now.How do you like working here?I love it. The scenery is really nice. And the people are always friendly. And good tips. I see it has a nice view of the mountains.Yes, we have a good view of the Rocky Mountains. And a perfect view of Pikes Peak here. I understand that the owner of this place is a former Miss Colorado?Yes, actually she is. But she is going into law now. So she's not going to be with us much. She is a very nice young lady, and her mother is too as well... 04/30/2007

Soaring Eagles is a 250-acre master planned community in Southeast Colorado Springs - close to Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Schriever Air Field and just minutes north of the City of Fountain and Fort Carson Army Base.Soaring Eagles is located on the Southwest corner of South Powers and Hancock Expressway. This allows for easy access to I-25, the entertanment and shopping of Powers corridor as well as Colorado Springs' largest YMCA and Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation's new ball fields.Boundaries:NORTH: Hancock ExpresswaySOUTH: Drennan Road (Soarnig Eagles is the most Southeastern neighborhood of Colorado Springs before the unincorporated neighborhoods of Security and Widefield.)WEST: Hancock Road and Chelton Road (This is one of the MANY parts of Colorado Sprin... 04/29/2007

So, you're in Colorado Springs - and now are wondering - what's there to do? Well, don't despair -  there is always something to explore, hike, view, or participate in, specially Outdoors!If Hiking is among your hobbies, one of our trails is the Colorado Gold Camp Trail. It's approx. 17 miles long (round-trip) and takes about 7 hours to complete. The Gold Camp Trail is located in the South/West area, off North Cheyenne Canyon Blvd., past Helen Hunt Falls. (Another nice hiking area.) The trail is rated as a moderate hike. Just keep in mind the change of elevation and the quick change of weather in Colorado, as well as the local wildlife - come prepared! Be safe!In the 1890's, Gold Camp Road was originally built for a narrow gauge rail road, connecting Colorado Springs to the Cripple Cree... 04/29/2007

Kind of in the middle of nowhere, but still a straight shot to Fountain, Powers Corridor, Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Field is a neighborhood that was built throughout the late 80's and 90's. Actually, there are 2 neighborhoods: Colorado Centre and Morning Sun. From the southern end of Powers - right before it hits the city of Fountain, you head east on Bradley Road. Just past Marksheffel Road and to the North are these neighborhoods. Colorado Centre and Morning Sun are ...About 5 minutes South of Peterson Air Force BaseJust West of Schriever Air Force Base10-15 minutes southeast of the Powers shopping and entertainment corridorAbout 10 minutes southeast from Colorado Springs Municipal Airport20-25 minutes east of I-25About 10-15 minutes Northeast of the city of Fountain5 ... 04/26/2007

Every year in May hundreds of runners and walkers converge on Garden of the Gods for a beautiful morning of breath-taking scenery and exercise!  This year the run is on May 5th.  All levels and ages welcome.  It is such an amazing place to run/walk and the weather usually cooperates. Hope to see you there.  For more information at-http://www.csgrandprix.com/garden.html.  04/22/2007

If you've lived in Colorado Springs for any length of time, you know how much the North/East side expanded - new homes and stores galore!  - specially toward Falcon. However, if you are looking for a quieter area - you might want to try Colorado Centre. Located off Powers or Marksheffel and Bradley or Drennan, it's separate enough from the hustle and bustle of downtown, to make you feel as if you're out in the country.Colorado Centre is like it's own little village - surrounded by open fields, grazing antelope, the occasional cow or horse. FYI - once the Banning Lewis development gets under way, the views might change a bit! For now tho, Colorado Centre is ‘away' from everything - Horizonview Drive being the "main strip" through this development, which offers a park and playground, a Ba... 04/22/2007

I have friends and family from New Mexico that visit here each year.  One of our favorite things to do is hike The Peak!   Here are some photos from the beginning of the trail, looking back at Manitou Springs.Check out Garden of the Gods in the background!  With the sunhitting the top of the rock formations, its stunning!  04/22/2007

  Greenhaven - Colorado Springs  Greenhaven is a neighborhood of about 230 single family homes built by John Laing, located in the northern part of  "Ridgeview at Stetson Hills" - in the northeast part of Colorado Springs. Greenhaven is nestled at the northwest corner of Black Forest Drive and Dublin Boulevard. I love living here because I am far enough to the east to really appreciate the sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak, yet not too far from all that Colorado Springs has to offer. Our neighborhood has been referred to as the Crayola Neighborhood because of our vibrant house colors - particularly the "Cottage-Series" homes on the South half of the neighborhood. Deep blue, rich turquoise, burnt orange, vibrant red, bright yellow and energetic green were among the col... 04/22/2007

The Pikes Peak region of Habitat for Humanity will be having its 5th annual Hike for Habitat. It will be held on Saturday, June 16th. The purpose of the hike is to raise support for the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity's local efforts to build affordable houses for low-income families in El Paso County, Colorado. The 4-mile hike begins and ends at the picnic pavillion near the pool in Monument Valley Park at 170 W. Cache La Poudre. The start time is 10:00 a.m. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. You can pre-register by calling (719) 475-7800. You can register as an individual, or as a team. Tickets are $25.00 per person. There is no charge for children under 12. Each participant will receive a T-shirt and lunch. Lunch will be served after the hike.  There will also be entertaiinment. Hikers... 04/22/2007

Here are a handful of very useful links to have handy - whether you LIVE in Colorado Springs, or PLAN on moving here.Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce: "It is the mission of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce to promote the economic growth and prosperity of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region; to strengthen the American system of free, competitive enterprise; and to represent the common interests of business, industry and the professions in the development of sound public policy which promotes economic opportunity for all citizens."The City of Colorado Springs: This site offers all kinds of information on Colorado Springs' Parks and Recreation activities, Public Safety, Transportation, Tourism, City Planning, etc.U.S. Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Region: Here ... 04/21/2007

The Red Rocks Open Space is part of the very popular Garden of the Gods park. It was purchased by the City of Colorado Springs in 2003. With almost 800 acres of open space and parks, Red Rocks offers hiking, climbing, cycling, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. Geology:Red Rocks area is an old alluvial deposit that was formed 300 million years ago from sand and gravel that washed down from the Rockies. These sediments were later pushed up to form now what we see in Red Rocks open space. A more comprehensive geology of the area can be accessed here.                                                                                               Biology:Red Rocks Canyon vegetation consists mostly of gamble oak, mountain mahogany, yucca, cactus, and a variety of grasses. There are pines ... 04/19/2007

Do you live in the Colorado Springs area and have a lot of clutter that you don't need?  Are you getting your home ready to sell and throwing all the junk away that you have collected over the years?  Maybe, you are even bold enough to do some Spring cleaning and getting started with your closets.  Well, most people donate their items to Goodwill and there is nothing wrong with that but, they do charge people for the items you donate.  Why not donate your items to a non-profit organization that gives them away for free?  There are so many places in Colorado Springs that desperately need donations from people in the community in order to give to poor and needy families.  In fact, I have been to many of these places and have much respect for the organizations and their staff.  I have list... 04/17/2007

Many sellers are asking:  Will I be able to sell my home if I put it on the market right now, should I wait?  Although there is currently a large inventory of homes for sale that does not mean you cannot sell your home.  People are always going to need to buy and sell homes.  Listed below, are some of the factors that impact how long it will take for your home to sell or if it will even sell at all.1.  Pricing it correctly- If the home is overpriced, it often will not sell or not appraise for the loan amount.   If you were a buyer and found two homes that were similar in the same area and the price of one of them was considerably lower, which home would you put an offer on?   When deciding how much to list your home for, have your Realtor complete a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of ... 04/16/2007

I had an interesting conversation over the weekend with a gentleman about real estate.  I was introduced to this man at a barbeque and, as always seems to be the case the topic of conversation turned to real estate.  This gentleman is part of an investment group that get together to discuss partnership investing in real property assets.  He asked me a questions that I have thought about on several occasions and presented me with what he was taught as the "right answer".  He asked me, "What is the formula for the establishment of market value?"My initial reply was, "Did you ask what the formula is?"  Sure enough he did.  He then went on to tell me that a real estate professional told him that the "formula" included comps and an appraisal.  He further told me that he didn't like paying th... 04/16/2007

What would you do if one of your valuable documents were lost, or destroyed?I did a closing for a woman whose husband is in a nursing home. He granted her Power of Attorney.  There was just one problem. The title company wanted the power of attorney document so that it could be recorded.  The borrower was very upset about this, because it was the only document she had showing that she has power of attorney. And she uses it often.Colorado notaries are permitted to certify copies of documents.  So, with her permission, I made a copy of the power of attorney document and certified it, at no charge.  It put her mind at ease knowing that she had a certified copy that she could use while the title company had the original.I got a call last week from a German woman to certify copies of some of... 04/16/2007

What can we expect for the rest of second quarter and third quarter?  I believe that the market will strengthen during the next four to six months.  I don't think that we are in for a full rebound, but we will see buyers entering into the market within by late April to early May.  Sellers will also be entering during this selling season adding to the surplus inventory we already have.  This will strengthen the perception of the "buyer's market" along with the continued rise of foreclosed homes.The outlook is not a somber as that may read.  Yes there is a period of correction looming.  The bright side is that periods of correction tend to be fast and furious.  If you were to research the Colorado Springs area, it is not an over-inflated marketplace.  Areas that will experience some diffi... 04/13/2007

Colorado Springs' South West Area roughly covers the area from Cheyenne Mountain to I-25,  Colorado Avenue to just south of Academy Blvd.  It is probably the most diverse area of town, when it comes to properties - homes anywhere from brand-new to 40, 50+ years old, ranging in prices from $100,000 to several Millions throughout several neighborhoods.The South West Area also offers some beautiful views, either of the city or the Mountains. It also is home to a variety of "tourist spots" that are fun, even for the "Locals" -  including Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Seven Falls, the Broadmoor, Helen Hunt Falls and Old Gold Camp Road.  Almost any section of this area has easy access to shopping (groceries, furniture, antiques, miscellaneous and cars - at Motorcity), I-25, Ft. Carson and Downtown C... 04/10/2007

Cordera is located off Powers Blvd. and Briargate Parkway. It is a brand new Community in District 20, near Parks and shopping, with diverse architecture from premier builders, Community Center and Pools.Available Builders are Vantage Homes, Saddletree Homes, Keller Homes, Campbell Homes and Symphony Homes, with recent sold prices ranging from $329,000 to $430,000. (Sold since January 1st of 2007.) Cordera offers a variety of architectural styles, including American Heritage, European Cottage, Italian Eclectic, Prairie and more, as well as different landscaping options, like High Plains, Artistic Revival,  High Desert, Traditional Revival and Foothills. Each is a unique blend of plant materials and design, to complement the architecture.School Information:District 20 HomepageBoundary Ma... 04/09/2007

 Fairfax Neighborhood   ~  Northeast Colorado Springs  ~Fairfax is a wonderful, mature neighborhood, located in the Northeast part of Colorado Springs. Northern Boundary:   Research ParkwayEastern Boundary:   Powers BoulevardSouthern Boundary:   WoodmenWestern Boundary:   Austin BluffsAverage Active List Price (April 2007): $258,681Average Pending Price: $245,224Average Sold Price (since Jan.2007): $229,54598% List Price to Sell Price RatioHomes in this neighborhood were built anywhere from the mid 1980's to the late 1990's. One newer adjacent part has homes that were just completed last year (2006).These newer homes are not included in this housing data.Home styles include Ranchers with basements, Tri-Levels with basements and 2- story homes with basements.Home sizes are in the 1,800 ... 04/08/2007