Searching For A Home In Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is made up of many different areas as you will find in your search. The Northeast, East, Central, and Southeast areas make up the core of Colorado Springs. The Central area consists of many unique homes built at the turn of the century. Homes can also be found in the Central area that were built clear up to the 1960’s. The majority of homes in the Northeast, East, and Southeast were built from the 60’s to the 90’s. The average price per SF in these areas is between $95-$115, where the Southeast is one of the least expensive areas to buy in.

Powers, Briargate, Northwest, West, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs and Southwest are the areas just outside the core. These areas are quite different from one another. Powers is a large area that consists of homes built from the mid 60’s in the south to homes that are currently being built as you move up north. Briargate is complete with homes built in the 70’s where new construction is still available. The average price per SF in these areas is between $100-$120 per SF.

Northwest, West, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs and the Southwest are areas that are tucked up against the foothills of Colorado Springs where some of the most high end properties can be found in Colorado Springs. Some of the oldest and most unique homes in Colorado Springs can be found at the base of the foothills in these areas, while newer luxury homes can be found as you climb up the foothills. The average price range for homes in these areas is between $110-$150 per SF.

Northgate, Black Forest, Tri-Lakes, Falcon, Fountain Valley, Ute Pass and Woodland Park are all areas on the outskirts of Colorado Springs. Northgate, Black Forest, and Tri-Lakes are just north of the core of Colorado Springs where many custom homes and acreage properties can be found. These areas are also popular for there location in comparison to Colorado Springs and Denver. The average price range for homes in these areas is between $110-$120 per SF. Many high end properties can be found in the Northgate, Black Forest, and Tri-lakes areas.

Falcon and Fountain Valley are some of the least expensive areas to live in where the average price per SF is $90-$100. Falcon has a number of acreage properties, while Fountain Valley has all ages of homes including New Builds. Properties go down in price slightly as you travel further east.

Woodland Park & Ute Pass are areas deep into the foothills just west of Colorado Springs where many different properties can be found. Find anything from a cabin to a custom new build in these areas, where acreage is not uncommon. The average price per SF in these areas is between $120-$140.

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

Mark your calender for the FREE Colorado Springs home buyer seminar coming up! Find out everything you need to know about buying a home. RSVP as soon as possible as space is usually limited!

Some of the Topics Covered Include:

- How much can you really afford?

- Is it possible to get into a home with no money down?

- 15 things every buyer should know before purchasing.

- What is involved in the buying process?

- Everyone's favorite question & answer session and much more...


Date & Time: February 10, 2007 - 11:00 -1:30 PM

Location: East Library - 5550 N Union Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80918


RSVP by:

Email- homebuyingseminar@yahoo.com

Phone- (719)321-0929



*Complimentary Soft Drinks and hors d'oeuvres*

*FREE home buyer workbook*

*Enter to receive a FREE appraisal of your new home*

Is Mortgage Insurance Really Tax Deductible?

Here in Colorado Springs, Monument, and nation wide mortgage insurance has become a tax deduction following certain conditions. Mortgage insurance has been around since the late 1800's, but only now has it been passed by both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate as a tax deduction. This will provide more options to potential buyers and will even help bring more buyers to the market.

Only buyers who close loans during and after 2007 and make less than $100,000 per year will be eligible to deduct all the mortgage insurance paid for the year. I have heard that the average tax savings will be around $300-$350. Check with your local lender and accountant to see how this could effect you.

Ask your lender if this type of loan would work best for you. An experienced lender will be able to find the best loan for your situation. This change is just one of many that can benefit your home buying ambitions.

Colorado Blizzards of 2006

Here in Colorado there is usually one storm during the winter or even spring that brings a mass amount of snow. Just recently we have been hit with two of these major storms in less than two weeks. This is highly unusual considering I was born and raised in Colorado Springs and cannot remember seeing anything like this. Colorado's versatile weather makes things interesting. Just after each of these storms the sunshine came out and began working on melting the snow. Colorado Springs and Monument have up to 300 days of sunshine a year, which helps prevent permanent snow cover during the winter.

In Colorado Springs and Monument you can expect to stay in your home for at least one to two days after a storm like this. By this time the snow plows clear the main roads, and it is usually up to you to make your way off of the side roads until they get to them. Not a problem with a four wheel drive vehicle, although regular cars are seen out driving as well. Between the snow plows and sunshine the roads quickly become clear.

Consider the snow days a great time to relax and enjoy the white covered landscapes. These snow storms provide 80 percent of Colorado's water supply and our essential to our communities.

Full Service Realtors vs. Discount Realtors

A 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, based on more than 7,500 responses to a questionnaire mailed to a large national sample of consumers found a number of interesting stats from the services offered by Realtors.

The statistics show that most sellers prefer full-service brokerage, where professionals handle all aspects of the transaction process from listing to closing, including preparation of the home for sale, pricing, marketing, showing the home, contract negotiations and closing. Limited services are usually provided by “discount brokers” where sellers take a more active role in the process such as showing their homes themselves or preparing the contract. This can be compared to using a “discount surgeon” where the real estate agent preps you and allows you to do the surgery. As uncomfortable as that sounds experience is the important factor, and the numbers show that full service Realtors are preferred for handling what is most people’s largest investment.

The survey finds 83% of sellers use full-service brokerage, 9% limited services and 8% use minimal service, such as simply listing a property on a MLS. The numbers also show consumer satisfaction where the level of brokerage service varies, with 71% of sellers being very satisfied with their full-service experience and another 24% somewhat satisfied. Limited services also received high marks with 76% being generally satisfied; however, 50% of sellers using minimal service were dissatisfied with their experience.

After viewing these numbers it is easy to see that Full Service Realtors provide the greatest potential for a trouble-free move. Make sure to ask what services are provided when interviewing a Realtor to make sure you are truly receiving “Full Service.”