I don't blog regularly but today is a good time to vent and to seek some advise. 

 It seems that at least once every month, I am showing a property to my Buyer client with the Listing Broker present.  One local realtor office in my area insists that their Listing Broker be present to present the property. But during the presentation to my buyer, the Listing Broker begins to tell us about his/her other Listings that could work well for my Buyer.  This is not because I have requested other ideas from them, just their voluntary contribution. I think this interuption constitutes interference.  I have a plan and a process going with my Buyer.  We are looking at everything within their criteria range eventhough they have already told me that they think the first house we saw would be near perfect.  And now some listing  broker begins to throw out new options, putting doubt in my buyers mind that I may have missed something or else leading them somewhere. So I end up having to explain to the listing broker (and my buyer) why the new idea will probably not work for them.  I can understand and appreciate helpful, aggressive Listing Brokers, but when do their disruptive actions cross the ethical line?

Jerry   www.LaVetaRealty.com  

I don't blog regularly (nor twick or tweet) but today is a good time to vent and to seek some advise. 

 It seems that at least once every month, I am showing a property to my Buyer client with the Listing Broker present.  One local realtor office in my area insists that their Listing Broker be present to present the property. But during the presentation to my buyer, the Listing Broker begins to tell us about his/her other Listings that could work well for my Buyer.  This is not because I have requested other ideas from them, just their voluntary contribution. I think this interuption constitutes interference.  I have a plan and a process going with my Buyer.  We are looking at everything within their criteria range eventhough they have already told me that they think the first house we saw would be near perfect.  And now some listing  broker begins to throw out new options, putting doubt in my buyers mind that I may have missed something or else leading them somewhere. So I end up having to explain to the listing broker (and my buyer) why the new idea will probably not work for them.  I can understand and appreciate helpful, aggressive Listing Brokers, but when do their disruptive actions cross the ethical line?

Jerry   www.LaVetaRealty.com  

I haven't seen many recent blogs on camera reviews.  I am finally ready to upgrade my real estate camera.  It seems I need at least at 28mm wide-angle and I need a tele-lense too, for long land view shots and wildlife. If I give up on the 28mm necessity, then the Canon SX110 looks pretty good.  The Powershot G10 has more megapixels  than I need and less long lense optical.  I am leaning away from full body type SLR just for pocket convenience, but how about the Olympus SP-550?  For an idea of my camera needs, pls. see my website photo work at www.LaVetaRealty.com  Any recent camera experiences and your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jerry 

Like many small towns, in La Veta (Southern Colorado) we have not experienced the enormity of real estate woes seen elsewhere.  Buyers are sure down in total numbers but Market values are still within 90% to 95% of a year ago.  Few people here are effected by toxic mortgages and forclosures are still pretty rare.  So imagine our shock to recently find that our own small town Doctor was being forclosed. 

Like most small town "country doctors", his practice was always busy but not highly profitable.  We have our share of folks that can't pay and even a few that probably just won't, even if they can.  Little did we realize that his property taxes have gone up, his malpractice insurance is up, his Medicare claims are up and his collections and reimbursements are down.  Without malpractice coverage he also loses hospital practice priviledges.  And our small hospital is in no financial position to help him out either. 

Our community has held fund raisers, auctions and bake-sales to benefit his clinic.  Last week our grand total has now reached over $13,000 in donations.  A nice gesture, but can it possibly be enough to rescue our doctor and his ailing clinic.  I don't think so.  So in this time of thanks, holidays and giving, please remember to express your thanks and appreciation to your own small town doctor. And your preachers, teachers, butchers, bakers, firemen and mechanics too.  You may never know who was really in need, but we truly need them all. 

Jerry  www.LaVetaRealty.com      

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving holiday.  Here in Southern Colorado we are beginning to see a light flurry of snow.  Accumulation of around 6 inches expected tonight.  Much more west of us toward Wolf Creek Pass and Telluride.  The wild turkey are roosting up tight, but we already have ours in the pot.  So here's to food, family, friends and football.

With the month ending soon, if you haven't seen my November newsletter yet, then check out La Veta area real estate and news at http://realtytimes.com/120/JerryHenson
 

Monument Lake Park near Stonewall was evacuated for a short time Wednesday afternoon as winds pushed a 100 acre wildfire.  Two buildings were destroyed before the fire was contained. 

 Another small fire burning 30 miles west of La Veta is "mostly contained", in the Trinchera Ranch region of Costilla County.  Smoke lingers on the horizon from the Spring Creek Fire that still smolders this morning with gusty winds fueling embers.

We are seeing smoke this afternoon coming from west of La Veta Pass and also from west of Stonewall.  Two small wildfires are burning in these area.  The dry windy springtime conditions have the entire SE portion of Colorado under a Fire Danger Alert.

Tomorrow's forecast calls for scattered rain/snow showers.  With higher humidity and dying winds, we hope to have these fires extinguished quickly. Watch for our post with updated details.

Alison Rice is the winning blogger for commenting on the new proposed website designs.  Congratulations Alison.  And the landslide winning design was Blue Sky.  (see at http://stage.lavetarealty.com/r2.0.c1.htm

Thanks to everyone who submitted comments and suggestions.  See all the posts at www.LaVetaRealty.com/blog/

You might win 1 night of Free Lodging for just giving me your opinion. That's right, just REPLY to this, and qualify for the drawing of one Night's Lodging here in La Veta, Colorado.  And it's FREE.  

I am currently working with Creative Lab 208 to redesign my website,  http://www.lavetarealty.com/.   I'm working hard to make it a professional, interesting and easy to use site for you, my readers and potential clients.  And as website savy professionals, I want your opinion.
Each of the 2 links below represent a different home page design. Of course, these are just static Home Page designs and not link activitaed yet. And your input is very important to me. Which version do you prefer, the Blue Sky or West Peak? What would you want to see on http://www.lavetarealty.com/?  What suggestions do you have for me?

I need your help and value your opinion, so all respondants to this, get their name in a hat for a drawing and one  lucky person (or couple) will get one night free lodging  right here in La Veta. There's no obligation whatsoever.  But to get in the drawing, you must give me your opinion of the 2 design concepts. Please leave a comment here on my blog, or email me at Jerry@LaVetaRealty.com. Just click and open the links below, review and then let me know the name of your choice design and any other comments. Don't wait to respond. Winner of the Free Night will be drawn from respondants on April 27 and announced April 28, 2008. (only one response per person please - offer is void where prohibited by law)

Blue Sky Design: http://stage.lavetarealty.com/r2.0.c1.htm

West Peak Design: http://stage.lavetarealty.com/r2.0.c3.htm

Thanks,

Jerry

We woke this morning to 10 inches of fresh wet snow in La Veta.  The Cuchara area reported over 15 inches.  Hopefully we are finally seeing the last snows of the season.  The snow pushed the elk back down in the meadow and it was beautiful.  By noon, the sun was bright and my horses were waiting for chow. Temperatures tomorrow in the mid-60's and Saturday reaching into the 70's.  Springtime in the Rockies.