Charles and Mary Rigby Selected as Leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States
Durango, CO, September, 2009: Charles and Mary Rigby, leading providers of real estate services, today announced that they have been selected by Goldline Research as leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States for 2009. The list of leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States is scheduled to be published in the September 21st issue of Forbes Magazine.
"To be selected to this list of top real estate professionals is very gratifying," said the Rigbys. They added, "The real estate business is about more than houses. It's the people inside the house that we focus on. That's why we place such an emphasis on understanding our client's goals, needs and expectations. Our clients deserve only the best - we work to give them exactly that!"
"Those selected provide extensive client service that exceeds the industry standard," said Dana Mahoney, Analyst, Goldline Research. "We believe that they are setting the benchmarks for the industry as a whole."
Goldline Research recently completed its annual evaluation of real estate professionals in the Western United States. The Goldline Research study was conducted from July 2009 through mid-August 2009. The Western United States encompasses a nineteen state region that stretches from Texas to North Dakota and west to the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and Alaska.
About Charles and Mary Rigby
As one of the area's leading real estate teams, Charles combines his more than 25 years in the title insurance business with Mary's nearly three decades of experience as a Realtor. Together they provide each and every one of their clients with a simply unparalleled level of knowledge and service they can depend on.
About Goldline Research
Goldline Research is a leading marketing and information services company. Goldline Research's mission is to empower consumer choice by identifying leading professional services providers. Goldline Research has evaluated professional services firms and providers throughout the United States using a rigorous, proprietary research methodology. The company has helped thousands of consumers find high quality service providers. Goldline Research was recently named to the 2009 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing privately-held companies. Founded in 2004, Goldline Research is headquartered in Novato, California. For more information, please visit www.goldlineresearch.com.
One of the most important things to families relocating to an area are the schools. Data released last Friday shows fairly strong academic performance in both Durango and Bayfield while Ignacio lagged behind. The Colorado Student Assessment Program, a series of tests given to children in grades three through 10 each fall, form the backbone of how the state measures public schools performance. In both the Durango School District and the Bayfield School District 97 percent of 10th graders kept up with reading standards. The statewide average was 93 percent. Our schools measure up.
While important, school statistics are not the only measurement of the suitability of a community for raising a family. In small towns it seems that youth programs are a larger part of the overall lifestyle. Young people and their achievements are recognized. Last week, for example, the La Plata County Fair featured 4-H and FFA exhibitors. The Durango Herald's Friday front page was a photo and article of the sheep competition. Saturday's front page was a photo and article on the market swine grand champion and Sunday's front page was the market beef grand champion. We're talking FRONT PAGE. Our youth are important.
In a small community the kids get coverage. When the Durango swim team competes, it's news. Football, basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer - girls and boys, its all supported by the community. Whatever the activity, from sports to high school theater and musicals, our kids are recognized and supported. A "good education" is more than just school stats.
DURANGO - Statistics for the 2nd quarter have been released by the Durango Area Association of Realtors and, as expected, they indicate our real estate market continues to suffer from the nationwide housing slowdown.
The median sale price of Durango homes dropped 12 percent from $405,000 to 355,000. The number of sales fell by half, from 70 to 35. Homes in the La Plata county also saw declines. The median price of sold properties dropped 16 percent, from $344,975 to $288,300. The number of sales fell from 127 to 102.
With prices declining and favorable interest rates it appears some buyers are coming back into the market. We have been busy. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the first-time homebuyer credit to $8,000, providing some incentive to stimulate real estate sales.
4TH OF JULY in a small town - there's nothing like it. An outdoor breakfast in Rotary Park, arts and crafts in Buckley Park, patriotic readings on Main Avenue, and a KCBS sanctioned BBQ Cookoff; downtown was packed.
The BBQ cookoff, sponsored by the Kiwanis as a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs, drew 29 cooking teams from as far away as Florida. These were some of the guys you see on the Food Network specials. We spent 2 days preparing and serving chicken, ribs, pork shoulder and brisket to the public and judges. Our team raised over $3,200 for the area clubs.
The celebration was completed by a terrific parade lead by the Westwind Piper Band. Uncle Sam, Clydedales, Freemasons, Harleys and the Ladies and Gents of the Historical Society rounded out the spectacle that ended with a brilliant fireworks display.
Oh, by the way - we placed 6th in Pork Shoulder and 2nd in Brisket. Now THAT'S COOL!
AFFORDABLE HOUSING??? The Durango City Council has adopted our first official affordable housing policy by passing the Fair Share Housing inclusionary-zoning regulation. The policy will be added to the Land Use and Development Code, and requires builders to provide a percentage of affordable units or pay a fee in lieu for each new development of more than 2 units. Under the amendment 16 percent of homes in new developments would have to be priced as affordable or attainable under a four-tiered income and pricing structure formulated by the Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County.
No one disagrees that the Durango area is in need of more housing that is affordable for our citizens. But who is going to pick up the tab for the price reduction on the units or the fees in lieu. Simply put - the buyers of the other units in the development. Builders will pass on the costs and prices will escalate.
The solution to affordable housing does not lie within the city limits of Durango. Land is too expensive. Affordable development must happen in non-incorporated areas of the county. But that would be "urban sprawl" and good luck with county planners.
The bright side is maybe the situation will solve itself. The way the national economy is looking, we're likely to have plenty of cheap housing.
THE DRYSIDE??? The arid western portion of La Plata County, where residents draw drinking water from wells or truck it home in tanks, appears ready to shed the "Dryside" label hung by old-timers.
Next week, ground will be broken on a $6 million intake at Lake Nighthorse southwest of Durango. Treated reservoir water then would be available for residents in a 250 square mile area on Fort Lewis Mesa. The reservoir, part of the Animas-La Plata Project, which is nearly complete, is to start filling in early 2009.
Critical funding for the intake project came from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
It's estimated that the 700 acre feet of water in Lake Nighthorse that is available to the project is enough to serve 3,600 homes on the Dryside.
THIRD QUARTER STATS: The median sale price for homes in Durango slipped 14 percent during the July 1 to September 30 period, while the number sold dropped 20 percent, and dollar volume fell 23 percent, compared with the same period in 2007.
The median price is the midpoint of all homes sold - where half of the homes cost more and half cost less. As sales of higher priced homes have slowed, the resulting "median price" has come down. Overall the value of real estate in our area has remained remarkably stable when compared to other markets throughout the nation.
We are hearing reports from Arizona, southern California and Las Vegas that these markets have bottomed out and are beginning to mend. If true, it bodes well for our Durango markets. Hopefully by the spring we'll see a return to normalcy.
11:05 p.m. A caller from the 5800 block of Main Avenue said her boyfriend was drunk and belligerent. He was to spend the night in another room.
11:54 p.m. A caller from the 5800 block of Main Avenue said here boyfriend was passed out in front of her room.
Tuesday:
11:49 a.m. A man sitting in a red van in the parking lot of Pueblo Community College, 701 Camino Del Rio, had been there since 9 a.m. watching people come and go.
Saturday:
2:00 a.m. A man was in the street screaming and hitting cars in the 2900 block of Richard Drive. He had been kicked out of his house.
3:45 a.m. A neighbor reported a woman screaming in the 3600 block of 502. A deputy reported finding a lot of cat hair in the road.
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS: Since 2000, Colorado has encouraged land protection with a generous tax credit to conservation easement donors. The credit, worth 50% of the easement's value (but capped at $375,000), may be used against the donor's taxes or sold to other taxpayer's. Any portion unused/unsold in the year of the donation may be carried forward for 20 years. For 2008 the amount of this credit remains unchanged. However, House Bill 08-1354 has created new rules. Beginning in July 2008, easement appraisers must submit each appraisal, with a $600 fee, to the State for review; and beginning in January 2010, only easement granted to state-certified land trusts will generate a tax credit. The new certification program will begin accepting applications in January 2009.
CNNMoney.com: In a recent article CNN featured "6 terrific town on the water." Many baby boomers dream of retiring somewhere by the water. CNN recommended a half-dozen places that are on a lake, a river or an ocean that won't sink your retirement budget.
Guess what? Durango was number one on the list.
Durango's name originates from the Basque word for "water town," thanks to the mighty Animas River, which flows almost parallel to our Main Avenue. CNN pointed out vacationers flock here to kayak, fly-fish or enjoy the water views from our many hiking, biking trails or from the network of shady parks along the river.
The Durango lifestyle with our arts community, quality restaurants, farmer's market and the surrounding San Juan National Forest together with our stable real estate economy is a major calling card for individuals seeking the ultimate in retirement location.
If we can assist you in gathering information about Durango give us a call or email. We'll be glad to help.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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