Rumors are flying around about the Cuchara Ski Resort.   Has it sold?  Will it reopen?  There are nearly always some  ongoing discussions between prospective buyers, principal shareholders, lien holders, lenders, tax authorities, Forest Service and other various parties in the ski mountain resort property. See the status overview at http://www.lavetarealty.com/blog/?p=835

We are so pleased to announce the new Listing for La Veta Inn.  And the owners have slashed the price from $995k down to $687,000 for the Deal of the Decade.  What a business opportunity this represents.  Contact me ASAP for details.  Click here to see a brief preview at LaVetaRealty.com  http://bit.ly/bOTc8I

Our small office has planned a fund raiser thru the American Red Cross, for benefit of Haiti.  This Sat. evening 1/23 at La Veta Inn.  And our equally small regional Spanish Peaks Board of Realtors made the first pledge today, of $1,000.  And next pledge came from a competitor broker, for $100.  We are so appreciative and aware that every small step can produce worthy results.

Ricky Tims presents Christmas in a Small Town in La Veta, CO.  Performances Dec. 17-19.  Tickets are $20 - call 719-742-3755 for reservations. click http://tinyurl.com/yakx24d for concert website.

Huerfano County Commissioners this week voted unanimously to DENY the application for the proposed Silver Mountain Wind Farm near La Veta, Colorado.  While initially receptive to the idea, a vocal number of activists pointed out that the location sits right in the middle of the Designated Scenic Corridor within view of home developments, foothills beauty and rock dike outcroppings.  Also in a major migratory game path. And to boot, it also violates our Master Development Plan.  While there was much acknowledgement of private property rights, it was nonetheless felt that the negative effects on wildlife, scenic views, and neighborhoods extended well beyond the rancher's deeded fenced acreage rights to impose on others.  Commissioners reminded applicant that this is why the Master Plan calls for Wind Farms in the fer eastern open plains of the county rather than in developed mountain foothills and valleys.      

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.