I'm involved on the side in a startup consulting company that deals in practical lessons for leaders and managers of character. Basically, we're developing realistic examples to illustrate how to be good managers and leaders with integrity, for small and large businesses and corporate environments. Using that lead-in as a reference, it's interesting to see how some Realtors promote themselves and to whom. I must admit, that some seem to cross the line between good old fashion self-promotion and exaggeration.
But does anyone care? I'm reminded of an anecdote from back during the Kennedy campaign for president. Kennedy was trying to decide who his vice-presidential running mate would be and Lyndon Johnson's name came up. An aid told Kennedy that Johnson had been very critical of Kennedy during the primaries, insulting even (Johnson was an opponent). Kennedy said something that captures the essence of Democratic political reality. He said to the effect that "I don't care what any man says or does to get elected."
So the question is, does it matter how a Realtor presents him or herself to the public as long as it generates leads and customers? Do the means justify the end? I think it matters a lot and that the means are just as important as the end results, but that's just me. I realize that companies and corporations advertise their products all the time with claims that may seem questionable, or that we sometimes suspect are entirely bogus - like those weight-loss pills that don't require dieting or exercise. And, I also realize that as Realtors we need to attract customers in any (legal) way we can, particularly in these down times. I've always thought, though, the best way was through referrals and past-client recommendations. But other Realtors seem to resort to the "I'm better than anyone else" approach. That method seems arrogant to me, and tends to reinforce the "use-car dealer mentality" we're trying to avoid.
Perhaps, it's a non-issue, really. But I've notice that approach, even on Active Rain. It does present an issue to ponder.
One of the challenges facing Realtors in a rural area is being familiar enough with the land, the market, the history and the people to effectively relate the benefits of the area to prospective buyers. The challenge is even more difficult for other Realtors from outside the rural area showing properties for their clients. We have that situation in the Ute Pass/Pikes Peak area when Colorado Springs Realtors come up the Pass to show properties in Teller County or points west.
Don't get me wrong, the Realtors in the Springs are just as hard working and responsible as their high country counterparts. But for the most part, they are ignorant of the Ute Pass real estate market and the nuances that exist "above the clouds." There are water and septic issues, different development covenants, different county planning regs and a host of other regional specific issues that don't exist in a metropolitan area. Plus we have an abundance of old mining claims.
My point is, there ought to be more communication and joint assistances formed between the two Realtor groups. It's the old city folks vs. the country folks delimma. The truth is, quite a few rural agents up here might be just as ignorant of Colorado Springs real estate market issues. In these extraordinary times, it would be helpful to recognize that individual competition doesn't preclude mutual assistance. It's good for business.
Dave Martinek
(Here's a photo, courtesy of a homeowner in Crystal Park in Manitou Springs, showing the cloud cover over the city).
Picture: Top: North face of Pikes Peak after a fall snowfall. Center: A look at the Fourmile Creek valley just NW of Cripple Creek, viewed from Bear Trap Ranch. Pikes Peak and Mt. Pisgah shown. Bottom: Pikes Peak looking through the Pine/Spruce surrounding my home in Divide. Enjoy! More will follow later.
Dan Kadlec's article "Home Free," in the September 17 issue of Time Magazine. strikes a cord that I wrote about in my last blog entry. Dan recommends that now may be a great time for folks to consider buying their retirement (or vacation) homes, even though they don't plan to live in them (or retire) for years to come.
Dan's underlying thought is: "buy it now while the real estate market is soft."
He states that the idea of buying that retirement home is popular with a lot of people these days, in fact millions of them in the 40-60 age group. He quotes the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as saying that while the sales of primary homes dropped in 2006, the sales of vacation homes rose 5%. He also reinforces what I have said previously on my website - that current home prices won't remain weak forever but will certainly be much higher in years to come, meaning that buying now always gives one the time and opportunity to alter their retirement home plans into an investment possibility, if necessary. And, he reaffirms that mortgage rates remain low and housing loans are available for people with good credit.
He also gives some other important, social reasons for buying that retirement home, other than the fact that bargain prices prevail. He suggests such things as establishing roots in another community, creating a fun place for family connections and setting up creative ways to help finance the mortgage costs, like renting the place prior to retirement.
Rather than promoting doom and gloom for the housing industry (which is a refreshing change), he recommends strategic ways for certain groups of buyers to take advantage of the situation. Just click the link below to read in full.
I visited my cousin in Savannah the middle of September. We took a drive up to Rincon, GA, north of the city and west of I-95, to a fruit and vegetable stand he knew of. On the way back we stopped at a Coldwell Banker brokerage. I talked with a nice, friendly agent by the name of Carol Elliott. She indicated that property inventories in the area had increased by 50% or more. In the Pikes Peak region, specifically the Ute Pass area in the high country west of Colorado Springs, our inventory has increase by 15-25%. For us, though, this is just as significant as Rincon's 50%.
A major portion of our real estate has always been held by out-of-state owners. Many folks come to the Teller County area on vacation, like the place, and later buy second homes or vacant land because they intend, as I did, to eventually settle here. The region is close enough to the resort areas to be accessible, but far enough away to avoid the expense. So, we are a real estate destintation.
Like elsewhere, but particularly here, there is an opportunity for folks with adequate financial resources to invest in property along the Pass during this downturn that will yield a profit once sold when the real estate market rebounds. I call it "preparing for the next housing boom."
I'm thinking of teaming up with others to begin marketing the availability of appealing properties in the Ute Pass area to such buyers in other out-of-state cities. We want to spread the news about the special circumstance that exists here for the discerning buyer/investor. Since I know a lot of people back in Kansas City, there may be our first adventure stop. If there any Realtors in the KC area, and over on the Kansas side in Overland Park, Lenexa or Olathe (for example), who may be interested in referral transactions for some of their clients interested in Colorado Pikes Peak property, I would appreciate a shout from you.
For October I have included a story in my monthly newsletter and on my website about Shelf Road, a stage route constructed in 1892 between Florence, Colorado and the gold field in Cripple Creek. The road allowed supplies and people to traverse the route to the gold fields and gold ore to come back down to Arkansas River valley smelters. The road is famous for the "shelf" about 10 miles south of Cripple Creek - a narrow ledge carved out of the side of a cliff just wide enough for a stagecoach. In 1894, a narrow gauge railroad was constructed to Cripple Creek and the stage route became less important. But, the road is still navigable today and is a favorite site for rock climbers and nature seekers.
See the Fall photo below of Pikes Peak seen from a meadow near Divide, CO
My website homepage story for September is the history of Mollie Kathleen Gortner, the first woman to file a claim (The Mollie Kathleen Mine - 1891) in the gold camp of "Fremont" Colorado, later named Cripple Creek. Generally speaking, I get more attention to my online newsletter and website when I include an historical story about the Ute Pass/Pikes Peak region as the lead. Plus, it's fun to do the research.
If anyone has any experience with securing easements for landlocked properties, or more specifically, experience involving litigation to secure legal access easements, give me shout. Thanks.
My blog is going to be a little different than most, I think. Instead of the usual Realtor rhetoric, I will feature stories that promote the Pikes Peak/Ute Pass area of Colorado - basically Teller County. I publish a monthly email newsletter that I send out to business associates, relatives and friends (most of which live out of state). The current monthly story will be featured here, as well (see below). You can also review the story on my website (http://www.davidmartinekcb.com/) and read all the past issues. I hope you like the stories and I invite you to respond and come to Colorado and see the beauty and feel the history for yourself.
(The Bullfight in Gillett - August, 2007 - Pikes Peak County) Like most of the mining areas of Colorado, the landscape in Teller County along Ute Pass and on the slopes of Pikes Peak has its share of relics and stories of towns and communities that no longer exist, or exist only as remnants of their former glory. Old buildings and other landmarks mark the locations of some of the towns, but others have disappeared back into nature with only a few artifacts remaining or old maps to show their place. Another few, like Cripple Creek and Victor, are still inhabited but their boom days are long over (unless casino gambling in Cripple Creek counts as a "boom"), and now only history and an annual summer festival commemorate their former greatness. The city of Gillett is one of those communities that is still known (now called Gillette flats), but only as a landmark along a road leading to another place.
The remains of Gillett (‘Gillette' on current maps) exist today in a high mountain plain along Highway 67 leading to Cripple Creek, at the intersection with County Road 81. A few buildings still stand as the road curves west and runs beside a couple of small ponds. By the road before the curve a crumble of bricks off to the right marks the foundation of the old Catholic Church. Gillett declined in the early 1900s (some say it burned) and was later deserted. Most of its remaining structures washed away in 1965 when the reservoir above the town collapsed during unusually heavy rains. Gillett's history as a family town with nice homes, churches and businesses supported by the many mines in the area is overshadowed by one event that dominates its short past - a bullfight.
Old pictures document that perhaps the only bull fight ever to occur in North America occurred in Gillett in 1895, the same year the city was incorporated. An entrepreneur named Joe H. Wolfe, and his partner, Charlie Meadows, organized and promoted the "La Fiesta Mexican Bullfight" in Gillett on August 24-26 of that year.
A wooden stadium was erected at the racetrack with corrals for the bulls, a bullring, concession stands (ran by Soapy Smith) and enough bleachers to seat 5,000 spectators. Real bulls and bullfighters were hired and brought up from Mexico. Supposedly, according to legend, nearly 50,000 persons attended including celebrities from both countries. However, from the pictures and the seating of the arena, it seems unlikely that such a large crowd ever developed. It was quite a circus, though; and it turned into a fiasco.
Besides the oddity, the reactions to the spectacle from the crowd, the local authorities and public opinion afterward are what mark Gillett's place in memory. It's possible that no one really understood what took place in a bull fight in Mexico. Quite simply, a bull was driven into the bullring and taunted to charge a matador who waved his red cape as enticement. The bull was then wounded several times (to weaken it) with banderillas (lances with streamers) by the matador or picadors on horseback, and finally dispatched by a strategic thrust of a curved sword between the front shoulder blades.
After two bulls were killed, the local Teller County deputy sheriff stopped the show on August 25th (the third day was cancelled). The bullfight caused quite a scandal and Joe Wolfe was demonized for promoting such animal cruelty. It was also reported that the crowd got out of hand and caused a riot.
Eye witnesses said the bulls appeared tired from their long journey, or maybe they were affected by the altitude. Whatever the reason, they didn't respond with the expected ferocity resulting in a spectacle that was pretty much just a slaughter. On a positive note, the meat from the killed bulls was given to poorer residents in town.
Some land surrounding the Gillett area is currently for sale to anyone wanting to own a piece of history. Give me a call.
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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