Here are the Pueblo West real estate statistics for 4th Quarter 2010, 10/1/2010-12/31/2010. The figures in parenthesis are from the same time period in 2009.  The properties on market figures do NOT include properties under contract.

SINGLE FAMILY
Of the 95 Single Family Sold, 94 were single family homes with 1 condo.

Residential homes sold 4th quarter by price:

9 < $100K
30 between $100-150K
29 between $150-200K
15 between $200-250K
12 over $250K

Residential homes sold 4th quarter by Pueblo West MLS location.

[To describe the Multiple List Service area breakdown, Pueblo West Acreage includes those lots on one acre (+) on the south side of Highway 50, not including the Golf Course area (which has smaller lot sizes), Liberty Point (the areas adjacent to Pueblo Lake boundaries) or Pueblo West East (generally areas east of the first McCulloch with smaller lot sizes). There are two designated manufactured home park areas which are on smaller lots, one on the north side and one on the south side of Highway 50.]

25 Pueblo West Acreage
17 Pueblo West East
11 Pueblo West Golf Course
5 Pueblo West Liberty Point
5 Pueblo West Manufactured Homes
32 Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Over 70% of the homes sold in Pueblo West during the fourth quarter were under $200K reflecting Pueblo West's affordability over Colorado Springs to the north and also reflecting the number of discounted homes due to short sale or foreclosure.  Of the 56 residential properties pending sale, 12 are awaiting short sale approval from lender.

MULTI-FAMILY

The 1 multi-family home that sold this quarter was a duplex which sold for $166K.  If you can get a loan (or are able to pay cash), it's a great time to purchase investment properties.

VACANT LOTS

Vacant lots sold 4th quarter by Pueblo West MLS location:

2 Pueblo West Acreage
1 Pueblo West East
0 Pueblo West Golf Course
0 Pueblo West Liberty Point
0 Pueblo West Manufactured Homes
5 Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Lot sales continue to reflect the depressed building situation with prices trending downward.  If you live in Pueblo West or are a local builder and if you are interested in a particular lot because it is adjacent to your property or you want to build, give me a call. I've talked to many lot owners who want to sell but have decided not to place their lot on the market at this time.

To recap 2010, the residential home sales spiked during the time the $8000 tax credit was available to buyers.  However, despite the tax credit, Pueblo West home sales were down overall from the previous year.  Sales of vacant lots were down nearly 20% which means that new home starts were less than during 2009.  Foreclosure and short sales continue to depress market value.  However, now is still a good time to purchase a home.  Mortgage rates are expected to slowly increase during 2011.  If you plan on selling this year, your house must be in tip-top shape to get the best possible sales price.  If you think you've cleaned and de-cluttered enough, go back and clean and de-clutter some more!  Complete all deferred maintenance projects, clean out your septic system if you have one, have your insurance company check your roof for hail damage, and if you are still on propane-convert to natural gas.

This will be my last blog for a while.  I'm looking at new opportunities outside the real estate world!

All the best,
Deb

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Treasure the ones you love this holiday season, remember those protecting our freedoms in far off lands, and be grateful for what you have.  Help those in need.  May you have a healthy and prosperous 2011.  Pray that love, tolerance, and peace become the way of life for everyone around the world.

Deb Jones, your Pueblo West real estate specialist

Have you got all of your holiday shopping completed?  If not, you'd better hurry if you plan on mailing your packages.  Here's info from the United States Postal Service:

The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:

Dec. 4   - Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan - (The date has already passed, but your package will be appreciated anytime!)
Dec. 15 - Parcel Post
Dec. 20 - First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 - Priority Mail, the best bargain in shipping
Dec. 22 - Express Mail

See http://www.usps.com/holiday/shippingcalendar.htm?from=global_ftpromo&page=Holiday2010SeeShippingDeadlines for more deadlines including mail for military addresses other than Iraq/Afghanistan and International Mail.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices.  The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $14.50, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $12.50.  Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship.

Environmentally friendly Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com.  Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship.

The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas.  The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Military Care Kit.  Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

Lots of holiday events happening in Pueblo.  Here’s a sample:

Tickets are still available for the Nutcracker Ballet
Fri, Dec 3, 7:30pm
Sat, Dec 4, 2:00pm
Sat, Dec 4, 7:30 pm
Sun Dec 5, 2:00pm

$10 Adults, $8 seniors & children, Tickets 295-7222
Sangre de Cristo Ballet Theater
Arts Center Theater

First Friday Art Walk
Visit the Helen T. White Galleries for First Fridays! See items from the King Collection of Western Art, and artwork by Buffalo Kaplinski, Anna Grossnickle Hines, David McKean, Fran Dodd and from over 70 artists featured in the 43 Annual Own Your Own Holiday Art Show & Sale.

Galleries open until 9 pm Friday, Dec. 3

Yule Love It Downtown
Yule Love It Downtown, lets you enjoy the holidays in old fashioned style. Downtown Pueblo will come alive with art, performers and great holiday shopping in the Union Avenue Historic District and Main Street shopping areas beginning Friday, December 3, during Pueblo First Friday Art Walk. You’ll find “Upon a Star” Carolers and Q-Ball the Holiday Clown, throughout the downtown area. Visitors and shoppers alike will be delighted with displays by local artisans, performing artists, refreshments and unique shopping opportunities with a nostalgic holiday flare! Yule Love It Downtown continues throughout the month of December and includes more street performances on Saturday December 4th, 11th, and 18th, between 12-6pm.

Christmas at Rosemount
Christmas at Rosemount features the 1893 Victorian mansion fully decorated both inside and out for the holiday season. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and decorations will remain up until Dec. 30. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Guided tours are offered until Dec. 18 when self-guided tours are available through the end of the month. Call 545-5290 for more information.

ElectriCritters Holiday Light Extravaganza
ElectriCritters is a holiday light extravaganza, which has become a Pueblo tradition.  Annually attended by over 12,000 visitors, specially designed animal sculptures, many animated, make this event unique in the southern Colorado region.  Visitors, surrounded by 250,000 lights, stroll through the Zoo where they encounter live animals as well as lighted displays, while holiday music adds to the ambiance. Hot chocolate and other goodies await you in the Candy Cane Café and great stocking stuffers can be found in the Wild Things Gift Shop.

Contact events@pueblozoo.org or (719) 561-1452 Ext. 106

Holly & Ivy Concert
The United States Air Force Academy Band celebrates the spirit of the season with a special concert on Thursday, December 9, 2010. Come celebrate the holidays and enjoy this time of sharing and giving with family and friends. The concert is presented in partnership with The Pueblo Chieftain. The performance is free and open to the public. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Colorado State Fair Events Center, 1001 Beulah Avenue, Pueblo Colorado. Visit www.usafacademyband.af.mil or call 719-554-BAND (2263) for more information.

Winter Wonderettes
A 60’s Style Christmas Musical The Winter Wonderettes is described as a "cotton-candy colored non-stop pop Christmas musical." The show features the iconic sounds of the sixties and beyond in a journey back to the 1968 Harper's Hardware Christmas Party where the Wonderettes -- Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy -- are four young women who share fun, friendship, and a lot of heart. Songs include "Santa Baby," "Jingle Bells, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Sleigh Ride," "The Man With The Bag," and so many more! Tickets are half price when you bring a canned food donation to benefit Care and Share! December 10,11,17 and 18th at 7:30pm December 12th and 19th at 2:30pm Central High School Auditorium For tickets call: 719-258-8399 or order online at http://www.sctcpueblo.com

In a previous blog, I talked about a new community in Pueblo called Walking Stick Vistas.  This year, one of the homes scheduled in the Parade of Homes was to be a home in this new community.  Unfortunately, the home was never finished in time for the Parade (and it's still not finished).  Yesterday, there was a ground breaking at that location for a newly branded community (now called Panorama at Pueblo, see:  http://imaginepanorama.com) with Denver-based Capital Pacific Homes starting a couple of spec, patio-style homes.  I am excited that investors and builders are optimistic about Pueblo's future.  I am a bit disappointed that the Tuscan-style vision of Walking Stick Vistas has gone away since it would have been something unique in Pueblo.  Vacant lots in Panorama at Pueblo are in the $50-110K range.  Capital Pacific single family homes will be at the $200-350K point.  Panorama has annexed 1200 more acres for future development.  I'll be watching to see what happens.

For something to do this weekend, the Steel City Theatre Company Presents "Composing Duos: The music of Lerner and Loewe, Rogers and Hammerstein and other Beloved Collaborations" at La Renaissance Restaurant.  Date/Times are November 19 & 20, 6pm cash bar, 6:45pm buffet opens, 7:45pm show starts. Dinner and show for $35/person, great date night!. Call the Box Office for tickets 719-258-8399.  http://www.sctcpueblo.com/.

Lastly, there will be no blog next week since I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving.  (It's so hard to believe the end of the year is coming up so fast!).  Please take time to be grateful for all your blessings and to remember the loved ones who aren't able to be with us this year, especially our military members deployed in foreign lands.  Happy Thanksgiving!

End of Daylight Savings Time

Don't forget, clocks fall back an hour on Sunday, November 7.  Be prepared for a dark drive home from work starting next week.

It's a good idea to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change from/to daylight savings time.

Thank a Veteran!

The following Veterans Day activities are scheduled for downtown Pueblo.  Please thank a veteran on Veterans day and everyday!

- Pueblo Chieftain Veterans Day Parade

November 6, at 10am, Union Avenue Historic District.

The Pueblo Chieftain Veteran's Day Parade, "Pueblo's Salute to the Spirit of Our Veterans," hosted annually by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, November 6, at 10am beginning at Union Avenue and "B" Street, heading down Union Avenue to 1st Street, left on 1st Street ending at Greenwood.

- Veterans Bridge Ribbon Cutting

November 11, Breakfast 7:30am-9:30am - Bridge Dedication 11:00am - Lunch 12:30pm-2:00pm

Pueblo, as the "Home of Heroes", has just completed a bridge over the downtown Riverwalk dedicated to Pueblo's veterans.   Many  friends and families have donated to have their honorably discharged or active service veteran recognized with the veteran's name, branch and dates of service included on the bridge.

Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be available for all honored veterans listed on the bridge. Breakfast and lunch will be available for all other guests for $5.00 per person.   For more information please call 719-583-HARP (4277). 

Halloween is Sunday, October 31. Please drive carefully and watch out for little ghosts and goblins who might be out trick or treating. Parents, make sure your children’s costumes allow them to see and be seen.

Your best bet is to attend Pueblo West’s annual Halloween Bash which takes place on Sunday, October 31 between 2:30 and 4:30 pm at Lovell Park, ball field #1 on 362 E. Hahn’s Peak Avenue. The Halloween Bash, sponsored by Parks and Recreation, is FREE to all children and their families and offers tons of fun in a safe, community environment. You can look forward to the following events: Kids outdoor Carnival games, 'pumpkin walks' (cake walk), goodies, toys, & a costume contest (starting at 3:00 p.m. sharp-for different ages groups).

Just in case the weather turns s-P-o-O-k-Y, the Halloween Bash will take place at the Pueblo West Middle School.

It seems like we've had an extended summer with all the wonderful, warm fall days lately but there is now snow on top of Pikes Peak and a cold front is expected to blow in this weekend.  If you haven't already done the following "get-ready-for-winter" tasks, now is the time:

1. Furnace:  Have your furnace/heating system serviced by a qualified service company.  Check/clean/replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. 
2. Fireplace/Wood Stoves:   Inspect fireplace, wood stove and chimneys.  Have each cleaned and serviced as needed.
3. Chimneys:  Inspect chimney for problems. Clean out all obstructions such as leaves and bird's nests.
4. Sump Pump:  Ensure sump pump is operating and draining properly. 
5. Foundation:  Examine foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture.  Repair as required.  Check for and seal holes that could be an entry point for pests and rodents.
6. Gutters/Downspouts:  Check and clean out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof. Repair loose joints and ensure secure attachment to your home.  Clear any obstructions and make sure water flows away from your foundation. 
7. Driveway/Sidewalks:  Inspect driveway and walk ways.  Make repairs as needed.
8. Roof:  Make a visual inspection of your roof (or hire a professional to do so).  Replace broken or damaged shingles and flashings as needed.
9. Windows/Doors:  Put up storm windows.   Ensure all windows, skylights, and doors close tightly.  Repair weather stripping if required.
10. Outdoor hoses:  Drain and store outdoor hoses.  Prepare outdoor faucets for winter freezes.
11. Sprinkler system:  Close the sprinkler system shutoff valve and turn off the sprinkler controller/timer.  If necessary, call a professional to blow out the system.
12. Outdoor furniture and toys:  Clean and store.

And as always, keep safety in mind when working around your home.  If required, hire a professional.  And, from Nan Black - my trusted expert on all things gardening, be careful sticking your hand into holes or even sprinkler boxes - there are still rattlesnakes out there!

Here are the Pueblo West real estate statistics for 3rd Quarter 2010, 7/1/2010-9/30/2010.  The figures in parenthesis are from the same time period in 2009.  The properties on the market do NOT include properties under contract.

SINGLE FAMILY
Of the 96 Single Family Sold, all were single family homes, no condos/townhomes.

Residential homes sold 3rd quarter by price:

9 < $100K
37 between $100-150K
30 between $150-200K
11 between $200-250K
9 over $250K

Residential homes sold 3rd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location.

[To describe the Multiple List Service area breakdown, Pueblo West Acreage includes those lots on one acre (+) on the south side of Highway 50, not including the Golf Course area (which has smaller lot sizes), Liberty Point (the areas adjacent to Pueblo Lake boundaries) or Pueblo West East (generally areas east of the first McCulloch with smaller lot sizes).  There are two designated manufactured home park areas which are on smaller lots, one on the north side and one on the south side of Highway 50.]

27 Pueblo West Acreage
21 Pueblo West East
11 Pueblo West Golf Course

2 Pueblo West Liberty Point
5 Pueblo West Manufactured Homes
30 Pueblo West N of Highway 50

The lower figures for sale of residential homes this quarter reflects the rush last quarter to take advantage of the Federal First Time Home Buyer and Repeat Home Buyer Tax credit programs which ended April 30, 2010.  Many of the homes that were purchased last quarter would have occurred this quarter but for the credit.  Nearly 80% of the homes sold in Pueblo West during the second quarter were under $200K reflecting Pueblo West's affordability over Colorado Springs to the north.  I've added another row of information to show the homes that are no longer active but haven't yet sold - those pending sale.  Of the 84 residential properties pending sale, 16 are awaiting short sale approval from lender.

MULTI-FAMILY

Multi-family sales remain steady.  Of the 4 multi-family homes that sold this quarter 3 were duplexes and 1 was a 4-plex.  All sold for less than $142,000.  If you can get a loan (or are able to pay cash), it's a great time to purchase investment properties.

VACANT LOTS

Vacant lots sold 3rd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location:

5 Pueblo West Acreage
1 Pueblo West East
3 Pueblo West Golf Course
1 Pueblo West Liberty Point
0 Pueblo West Manufactured Homes
5 Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Lot sales continue to reflect the depressed building situation with prices trending downward.  If you live in Pueblo West or are a local builder and if you are interested in a particular lot because it is adjacent to your property or you want to build, give me a call. I've talked to many lot owners who want to sell but have decided not to place their lot on the market at this time.

Colorado's largest gun show comes to Pueblo this weekend!  The Tanner Gun show will be at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in the Kitchen Kraft Bldg/Agriculture Palace.  You can browse through approx. 500 tables of guns, knives, and accessories such as ammunition, hunting and fishing equipment, outdoor gear, military surplus, gun safes, and so much more!

Admission $8/day
2 Day Pass $12
12 and under free

Free Parking!

For more info and to get a $2.00 off coupon see:  http://tannergunshow.com/pueblo_customer.html.