What is the MLS? - 02/25/10 07:05 AM
What is the Pikes Peak Multiple Listing Service (PPAR)?
Why is the MLS important?
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
One of the many acronyms that most Realtors in Colorado Springs use is "MLS".    When you are in any industry, you get used to using the common acronyms typical in the industry and forget your clients, customers and the general public may not understand your jargon, your verbiage.
Let's start with the definition:  MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service.   The MLS is a shared computer database accessed by the majority of local Colorado Springs Realtors.  It contains detailed information on thousands of listed properties … (4 comments)

There are loan options for distressed properties - 02/25/10 06:49 AM
Want to buy a Colorado Springs Foreclosure, check out FHA 203K Loans
Search for Colorado Springs Foreclosures
Related posts:
10 things to know about Colorado real estate One way to find a good home inspector 11 things to ASK about when buying a new home in Colorado Springs Top 5 Remodeling projects Free local money for home improvements Federal Tax credit available for remodeling With foreclosures at an all time high in the Colorado Springs area, it's a perfect time to pick up a bargain on a foreclosed home.    BUT, the challenge is that many of these homes need lots … (0 comments)

8 easy tips to avoid Identify Theft - 02/23/10 08:26 AM
1 in 10 will be the victim of ID theft this year
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in Colorado and in the US.
Protecting and maintaining good credit score is one of the first steps involved in buying a home in Colorado.
 Must Read Posts:
Credit score explanation Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval, which do you need to buy a home? Why do I have to pay mortgage insurance? 26 criteria used to determine interest rates Here's my 8 easy tips to avoid identity theft
Mail:   Have it delivered to/from the post office.  Don't have mail delivered to your … (5 comments)

7 Great reasons to buy a HUD property - 02/23/10 08:07 AM
Colorado Springs HUD Homes
7 Reasons to Buy
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Comprehensive Property Report;   HUD has already had a property inspection report done on their properties before they list them for sale.    Hence, you have an good idea of what needs to be repaired on them.  A buyer should still get an inspection done; but it's nice to know most of what needs to be done before you put in a bid; it cuts down on the surprises.  (On the web site where Colorado HUD homes are listed, www.mcbreo.com; you can actually pull off … (2 comments)

Home Repair Scams can be avoided - 02/21/10 07:38 AM
Home repair tops list of #1 scam in Colorado
Must read posts:
Do your homework on building permits Top 5 Remodeling projects ILC versus a Survey, what's the difference? Free local money for home improvements The Denver Post recently published an article listing the ANNUAL LIST of scams which was published by the Denver-Boulder Better Business Bureau.  The Pikes Peak Better Business Bureau also has a similar list published on their web site.  Drum roll please ............., #1 on the Denver-Boulder Better Business Bureau list:
Home Repair swindles.     The article states " Due to the historic storms Colorado saw in the summer … (1 comments)

Why should I get a survey? - 02/21/10 07:22 AM
Improvement Location Certificates and Surveys -- what the difference
For a free Buyers Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
Radon testing is important in Colorado Springs Research who you are working with 10 things to know about Colorado real estate One way to find a good home inspector 11 things to ASK about when buying a new home in Colorado Springs I've had several experiences last fall on survey issues for two different Home buyers in the Colorado Springs Area.    As usual, my day to day life as a realtor provides me with constant topics to write about.   Let's … (1 comments)

Best 4 Green remodeling web sites - 02/14/10 07:31 AM
Thinking about going green in your house? 
If so, here's some of my favorite websites to check out:g
(1) GreenandSave.com's  slogan is simple and direct - "Saving your Money and the Planet".    If you have ever wondered whether a certain "green" repair or improvement is worth it, then this is the website to go to. 
The Master ROI page:    For a statistic lover like me; this is an amazing page under the green tune-up section.    If you are looking at putting in a programmable thermostat, it shows you that the payback time in years is .6, added cost  $115 with an annual … (5 comments)

Know your numbers before you remodel - 02/14/10 07:05 AM
Looking at improving your Colorado Springs Home?
For a Free Market Analysis on your neighborhood, email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
HOME REPAIR Must read Articles:
Colorado Homeowners, don't remodel until you read this!  Do you want to do some green remodeling? The 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report just got released, and I think it's a MUST read for all Colorado Springs homeowners and all Realtors.  There is an amazing wealth of information included in this report.  It the 22nd annual report and compares the cost of remodeling vs. value.  
I've lost count of the times that a home owner tells … (5 comments)

Colorado Springs Foreclosures in the NORTHWEST area - 02/13/10 06:28 PM
Homes in Northwest Colorado Springs
Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 2-10-10
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what's the difference? 9 key things to know about buying a bank repo  Banks, how low will they go? Abandoned pets are foreclosure victims 7 reasons to buy a HUD home in Colorado Springs Northwest Colorado Springs is west of I-25, north of Garden of the Gods Road, all the to the US Air Force Academy. These neighborhoods include: Peregrine, Rockrimmon, Mountain Shadows, Oak Valley Ranch and Pinon Valley.   Some … (0 comments)

Colorado Springs Foreclosures in Northgate and AFA Academy - 02/12/10 11:12 AM
Northgate Foreclosure Homes in Colorado Springs
Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 2-6-10
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com 
Related Articles: 
Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what's the difference? 9 key things to know about buying a bank repo  Banks, how low will they go? Abandoned pets are foreclosure victims 7 reasons to buy a HUD home in Colorado Springs Northgate is in northeast Colorado Springs and near the United States Air Force Academy. Some of the neighborhoods include Flying Horse Golf Community and the Gleneagle.  Northgate boundaries are Old Ranch Road (south), Baptist Road … (1 comments)

Colorado Springs Foreclosures in Fountain and Fort Carson - 02/07/10 07:53 AM
Homes in Fountain and Fort Carson
Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 2-6-10
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
 Related Articles: 
Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what's the difference? 9 key things to know about buying a bank repo  Banks, how low will they go? Abandoned pets are foreclosure victims 7 reasons to buy a HUD home in Colorado Springs  Fountain is located immediately south of Colorado Springs and adjacent to Fort Carson Army Base. The Fountain real estate market also consists of some unincorporated areas of Colorado Springs, to include: Security, Widefield and Colorado … (0 comments)

Colorado Springs Foreclsoures in the East Side of Colorado Springs - 02/07/10 07:36 AM
Colorado Springs Homes -- Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 2-6-10
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles: 
Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what's the difference? 9 key things to know about buying a bank repo  Banks, how low will they go? Abandoned pets are foreclosure victims 7 reasons to buy a HUD home in Colorado Springs  East neighborhoods are south of Austin Bluffs Parkway, North of Platte, West of Uniont of Powers.  The homes are in District 11 School District.  It includes homes in Village Seven, Old Farm, Rustic Hills, Maizeland.

Active … (0 comments)

Colorado Springs Foreclosures in the Briargate Area - 02/06/10 09:48 AM
Briargate Homes
Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 2-6-10
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what's the difference? 9 key things to know about buying a bank repo  Banks, how low will they go? Abandoned pets are foreclosure victims 7 reasons to buy a HUD home in Colorado Springs The Briargate real estate area is in northeast Colorado Springs is in Academy School District 20 schools.

Active homes for sale: 
Short sales:  15 (4%) Bank-owned:  11 (2.9%) Regular:  349 (92.3%) HUD:  1 (.3%) Government Owned:  0 VA … (0 comments)

Colorado Springs Foreclosures in the Black Forest Area - 02/06/10 08:48 AM
Black Forest Homes
Market breakdown for Active Homes as of 2-6-10
For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com
Related Articles:
Buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, what's the difference? 9 key things to know about buying a bank repo  Banks, how low will they go? Abandoned pets are foreclosure victims 7 reasons to buy a HUD home in Colorado Springs
Black Forest is a treed region in northern Colorado Springs and includes homes for sale in Academy School District 20 and in the Lewis Palmer School District 38
Active homes for sale:  175 Short sales:  14 (8%) … (0 comments)

Don't leave your pets behind - 02/04/10 05:54 AM
Don't leave your pet behind 
Sometimes I feel like I'm on the front-line of the economy; as I help home sellers in the Colorado Springs area who are in distress with short-selling their home; as well as I have many buyers who are looking at buying a bank-owned foreclosed homes.  As I walk into houses that are now bank-owned, I often wonder what happened to the previous owners of the house; what happened to their kids; their jobs. their pets.    I always hope they are able to pick up their lives and start over.
There are Options for pets
Pets can … (5 comments)

Don't get caught short with your insurance - 02/04/10 05:50 AM
Condominium/Townhome Insurance
Search for Townhomes Homes in Colorado Springs
Related Post: 
Colorado Springs townhomes currently have 9 months of inventory on the market New rules make condo buying harder If you own a Colorado Springs townhome or condo, have you looked at your homeowners insurance lately?
Some Colorado Springs Townhomes and Condos do not have an organization providing insurance for buildings, maintenance or common areas.   In this case, each unit is considered a single-family residence and standard homeowners insurance applies.  
Other complexes have a Homeowners Association (HOA) where you pay a monthly fee.    Part of the fee goes to cover … (0 comments)

Windows are an investment in your house - 02/04/10 05:45 AM
Windows
Colorado Home Improvement Part I
With a major snowstorm in the works in Colorado, I thought it may be a good time to talk about windows - as they are an investment in your home.    If you are considering purchasing new windows,  here are some ideas and tips you might consider:
Reasons to replace:  If your house has ugly, older aluminum, steel or cheap warn wood windows, replacing your windows can definitely enhance your home as well as provide a major energy savings.   There may also be all types of other reasons you want to replace them .......if you only have … (0 comments)

 
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Kathy Torline, Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog 719-287-1049

Colorado Springs, CO

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ERA Herman Group Real Estate

Address: 4065 N. Sinton, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO, 80907

Cell Phone: (719) 287-1049

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