Sometimes our desires get complicated with the realities already in place!As we all know, moving is an emotional experience. Add to all that the expense and inconvenience of being in a motel for ten days.  At that point our expectations and desires were ready for compromise.We emailed all the agents we had known before and got a quick response from only one.  She indicated that our price range was unrealistic...  We also happened to call on a fsbo lease house and discovered that it belonged to an agent who we had worked with once upon a time.  He suggested that we look on Craig's List.We found two listings and when the owner called us back, we found our perfect match.  It is nothing like I imagined, but it was available and although more than we wanted to spend, it meant we could unload... 05/19/2013

While walking along Main Street in Durango we spotted a shop that indicated it specialized in Olive Oil..  The Durango Olive Oil Company.Located at 640 Main Avenue it offers an incredible variety of Olive Oils.We went in somewhat skeptically, and emerged a short time later with a bottle of Olive Oil, a bottle of Smoked Balsamic and a decorative cork.Now a week later I do not know how we functioned without the oil And Balsamic.I found that if you make a salad dressing with the oil infused with smoked balsamic it makes the salad come alive with flavor.Another pleasant find was making a simple ham and grilled cheese and dipping the pieces in the oil and smoked balsamic makes an ordinary sandwich very special.  Add the health benefits and we think we have found an unexpected treasure.The s... 05/19/2013

    One of the best known things about Durango Colorado is that the dining possibilities are numerous and delightful.Today the restaurant association put on a sampling session in the form of a street festival.Restaurants of many varieties filled Main Street with sights and sounds of cooking munchables and bands.Some of the booths included were:  Mexican street corn, sizzling beef of sticks, Indian fare, and many different kinds of beers.At about the midway point, there was a band stand and many covered seats from which to enjoy the music.Had we known this was going on today (we just moved back a couple of weeks ago), we could have enjoyed the diverse cuisines and made quite an enjoyable meal.  It would also have afforded us with a chance to plan our eating out excursions for many weeks... 05/19/2013

      You never know what you may see in dynamic Downtown Durango Colorado!Today the Restaurant Association teamed up to present the various tastes of Durango.This was just one of the eye treats we encountered.Just one of the many reminders that if you have chosen to make Durango your home,  there is a better than average chance that you will feel that the "Force" is with you.  Daily adventures are found everywhere. There is something going on almost every weekend!!  Come and enjoy! 05/19/2013

After almost two weeks of continuous unpacking, we have reached the 85 percent point.When we packed to make the move, we made a list of what number the box was and what was in it.  There were 114 boxes.Yesterday I decided that opening all we have opened still did not allow me to find the remaining plastic containers for left overs.  I really want to be finished with the pantry phase of the project.Consulting the list, it was determined that the sought after finishing touch is in box 97.Now all that stands between me and a totally finished pantry, is finding that box. Paging box 97... Where are you Box 97?? 05/19/2013

While enjoying our occassional Starbucks moment today,  Ralph pulled on the coffee table adjacent to our selected seats.The table did not budge!  He tugged on it.  Still no movement .  After a few bewildering moments we concluded that the table legs had been glued to the floor.Novel decorating premise.  It does assure that no one will relocate the table.  It can be easily located at all times.  The glue precludes the table legs from scraping the floor.  It just is such a departure from the norm that it seems weird. 04/28/2013

Whether we acknowledge it or not, moving is one stressful experience!Having a house on the market is just a part of the process. It however is a piece of cake compared to the packing and actual loading of a truck.We got the truck late yesterday and with  the help of a tiny former client, Ralph achieved getting it about a quarter loaded before they both  gave in to the heat and humidity.The next day we had the aid of one of our sons then the next day another son and two of his buddies helped with the real big items and the plants And heavy furniture.Although the truck looks large and is 26 feet long, we are already running into a serious lack if space for actualFurniture!  Who knew?The experience will no doubt aid us in being extremely compassionate as we assist others in the relocation ... 04/28/2013

We arrived back in what has always felt like Paradise ( Durango Colorado ) on Monday afternoon.  It took four days of driving hard with a Uhaul and trailer being followed by a packed to the gills car.  Enhancing the car travel were our two eight year old cats.  Less than thrilled with the program both of them spoke to me almost the entire travel route the first day!We found a lack of motels the first night and drove five hours which was two longer than wanted.Second day we drove eight and a half hours and were still in Texas!  Obviously we took the scenic route instead of the freeway.The third day we made it to Albuquerque and elected to stay overnight there to get past exhaustion.The Oddessey was long and hard but being back in our favorite place is worth the trip!  Hopefully we will n... 04/28/2013

When you drive for hours against strong winds you are likely to develop tightness in your neck and shoulders.In both of us the muscles also tightened in our lower backs.To say that everything hurt would be quite literally true,Lucky for us that one of our good friends had some pull with a massage therapist and had scheduled appointments within a couple of hours of our arrival home to Durango.The lady had magic in her fingers and wrists.  Before the hour session was over, I had tingling replacing discomfort.The relaxation that was achieved was unbelievable!  We bearly made it back to the motel before peaceful rest engulfed us.  Ahhhhh!  All the surrounding beauty of the area seems to promote healthy living!  Such a treat! 04/28/2013

In all my long life I have always had place to call home.On Friday April19 th we turned over the keys to our house and pulled out in the stuffed U-Haul with our destination to be determined,It was a strange feeling.  Now almost a week in our previously well loved surroundings, we have still not found a place to unload the truck.We have adjusted our requirements but... After searching high and low we still remain homeless...As I look back over the months before the move when we were giving lots of furniture etc., away, I wish we had given more to the kids and to Goodwill.It would be lovely not to have to worry about getting the truck unloaded.  It would have been great to have had time to comeback and be able to search out a place ahead of the moving.  Not the way things worked this time... 04/28/2013

A couple of days ago we made an appointment with a Property Manager to see a three story townhouse today at 12:30.We arrived fifteen minutes early and waited for fifteen minutes after the agreed upon time.  When there was no evidence of anyone coming to open the property, I called the management office.When I asked for the man I had made the appointment with, I was told that he was out.I explained the situation. The lady said, "oh, that property cannot be shown today, they are having the carpets cleaned.  He called and left a message for you."I said, "why no, he did not.  Why would we have come here and waited for him?" Well, would you like to reschedule for Monday?"I did reschedule and thought about the fact that if this company could not keep a showing appointment, what sort of servic... 04/28/2013

While attending a fundraiser for a charitable foundation a couple off nights ago, I managed to get one of my feet tangled in a chair leg.Suddenly my life went into slow motion as I lost my balance and fell(or really on my arm and rolled) flat on my back.  Unfortunately I had tried to break the fall with my left wrist.  The result is a painful sprain.  I am lucky that it was not much worse.The event overall was lovely.  The foundation that was created was done by a delightful 16 year old.  So, what were you doing when you were Sixteen?  She was a product of an abusive father.  Instead of engaging in a life of "pity me!", she has studied a lot and created a way to reach out to other victims of abuse.  The foundation is named Beautifully Made.  It has a website if you want further informat... 04/28/2013

    While we are remaining homeless and searching for the right lease home, one of our treats is eating large quantities of breakfast foods out every morning.We had remembered several places here did imaginative dishes, and the illustration proves that is true.The photo is of a spinach, egg, bacon, cheese and sprout delight that was the special of the day yesterday morning.  The crowning touch was a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds on top.  Served with crispy hash browns and toast,  this was a tummy pleaser!  We found it at "Carvers on Main Street in Dynamic and Delightful, Downtown Durango Colorado. 04/28/2013

If I had to do the move to Durango over, I would leave all the plants we have nurtured for yearswithnfriends and relativesBetween the loading challenges and the bumpy ride, some did not survive the trip.  Add to the moving experience the fact that the vegetation was impossible to water and you have very unhappy campers.We still do not have a place to live after four days of travel and four days of searching.  Wish I had known what we would be putting them through! 04/27/2013

    Some businesses just have corners on their markets!Such is the case with breakfast.  There is only one choice once you have experienced "Oscars."Located in downtown Durango the food is outstanding and offers a wide range of menu delights.  From basic bacon and eggs to "chili verde, " your taste buds will thank you for bringing them here.To add to the over all special feelings in this exceptional place, there is a quaint model railroad running right overhead.  When you visit Durango, make "Oscars " at least one of your breakfast stops!  If you visit it first, you will probably use it every morning that you are in the area. 04/27/2013

First Quarter Durango Real Estate Statistics-Comparative For years I have been doing a comprehensive Durango Real Estate Statistical Analysis where I compare this year’s YTD statistics to the very same timeframe the year before. I do these every 3 months, so this analysis is for the first 3 months of 2013 compared to the first 3 months of 2012. The review is only for La Plata County homes, so Silverton Mancos and Cortez are not included. The review only covers homes priced at $100,000 and above in order to not include mobile homes in parks, the very low and condominiums, and timeshare or fractional sales. Based on the numbers that we’ve seen so far this year, I am quite optimistic. That is the same review that both Bob Allen and John Wells gave at our recent real estate forecast. I’m no... 04/04/2013

 Should I Purchase a Fixer-Upper? Many times, home buyers give some thought to whether or not they should purchase a fixer-upper home.  This will certainly depend on the market that you are in, but if you are doing your Durango real estate search or Bayfield real estate search, that is a question that I often have to address.  Let me start by saying this: one man’s idea of a “fixer-upper” is another man’s idea of a wreck and vice versa.  The easiest money you can put into a home is fresh paint and new carpet/floor coverings.  These typically are the lowest investments, but give the greatest returns.  Almost everybody is capable of painting so a little bit of “sweat equity” can go a long way.  Some of the laminate floors today are pretty easy to install for a homeowner as well.  Putting ... 04/03/2013

About 10 days ago I got into a lengthy conversation with my brother who lives back in Michigan regarding real estate.  He wanted to know what were the 6 or 8 most essential questions a buyer should be asking of their Realtor when they start narrowing down their search to specific areas in the county?  Here is how I answered him.A buyer should ask many of these questions regarding the various neighborhoods where they are looking: (A) How many foreclosure or short sale properties have there been in the last several years in this subdivision?  (B) How many homes sold in this neighborhood in the last year?  (C) How many homes are currently on the market in this neighborhood?  (D) What is the average days on the market? (E) How do each of those figures compare to the year before?  (E) What p... 03/27/2013

Wells Group Real Estate Forecast-2013 The Wells Group Real Estate Brokerage recently held its 13th Durango real estate forecast. The one-hour 20 minute presentation was held at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall and was attended by more than 300 invitees. In addition to video contributions from various Wells Group brokers, Bob Allen, local real estate appraiser and consultant gave his 100+ slide show covering everything from population growth, employment, the effect of natural gas prices on our local economy, low housing inventory, a complete analysis of sales for the last several years, the large increase in traffic at our airport, and so much more than that even. This event is called a “Forecast” so we do indeed try to predict the future and where we feel the market is goin... 03/24/2013

  Team Lorenz is proud to announce the addition of the newest member, Chris Smyth, to our Team. He will be both a Listing Partner and a Buyer Specialist. His numerous years of experience in Pennsylvania real estate will easily translate into well-taken-care-of clients here. Earning his real estate license even before graduating from The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Finance allowed Chris to hit the ground running and begin selling real estate within days of graduation. His highly motivated and eager approach continued as he quickly became adept at providing for his clients’ needs and getting them smoothly to the closing table. His expertise earned him the compliment of repeat clients, their referrals and allowed him to become the sales manager within his company. Chris ... 01/07/2013