colorado: Bonnie Raitt, Ridgway, and Real Estate. What's the Connection? - 02/21/16 08:22 AM
I think I own almost every Bonnie Raitt album she has ever produced.  I bought my first one back in 1974 when I was a student at UC Santa Barbara, the old black licorice LP type.  I am now patiently waiting for her latest release, which I pre-ordered on iTunes and will play on my iPod or stream to my stereo via Apple TV.  Yes, times (technologies) have changed!  
So, what does Bonnie Raitt have to do with Real Estate? Nothing, really, other than maybe a reminder that in this wonderful and crazy real estate industry in which we work, we need … (2 comments)

colorado: Good-bye Real Estate Broker, Hello Mortgage Broker! - 11/24/13 06:08 AM
For those who may have noticed my new contact info and wondered, YES, I've made the switch.  I've gone from the sales side of real estate over to the lending side of it.  I have enjoyed immensely my real estate career.  However, when the opportunity presented itself to me to become a mortgage loan originator (MLO), I simply couldn't ignore it, nor pass it up. 

As you might imagine, one of the biggest questions I've been getting is "why"?!  Well, I'll tell you why.
1.  As the market has slowly been recovering in my area and I saw more people … (2 comments)

colorado: 5 Pitfalls of Buying a Foreclosure--and How to Avoid Them - 02/28/13 05:48 AM
To many, “foreclosure” is synonymous with “great deal.”  That may be true in many cases, but great deals and investments often come with higher risk.  That certainly applies to buying a foreclosure, also referred to as a bank-owned or foreclosed property or REO (real estate owned--by the bank).

Here are 5 common pitfalls in buying a foreclosure and how to avoid them.
1. Not Understanding of the Process.
Pricing.  A common misconception is that banks readily give away their REO’s.  When a home is initially listed after being foreclosed upon, the bank will price a home will at market value, based … (4 comments)

colorado: Waiting till Summer to Sell Your Home? You Might Want to Think Again. - 02/01/13 08:49 AM
If you’ve been listening or reading all the real estate news lately, you’ve undoubtedly heard how the real estate market nationally is picking up, that it appears to have finally hit the bottom, and that home values have increased over last year.  That’s certainly been happening in Montrose County.  Since 4th quarter 2012, my buyer activity has definitely picked up and has kept up into 2013.  In fact, one of the biggest problems I’ve had is lack of inventory.  I can’t find my buyers what they are looking for, and it’s not just a question of the price point.  I hear … (0 comments)

colorado: Looking for the Best Shopping in Montrose, Colorado? Try Murdoch's! - 03/27/11 10:20 AM
The main attraction in Montrose, Colorado may not be shopping.  So, it’s a good thing I’m not much of a shopper.  We do have of a few big box stores, like WalMart and Home Depot.  We also have couple of relatively new shopping centers, Oxbow Crossing and River Landing with Target, J.C. Penney, Sports Authority, famous footwear, and the Natural Grocer, and a local favorite, The Looney Bean coffee shop.  Oxbow Crossing is where you'll find a medley of specialty stores and restaurants, along with a couple of fitness centers.  But my most favorite place to shop in Montrose is . … (2 comments)

colorado: Hot Deal on 1-Acre Homesite in Divide Ranch and Club, Ridgway, CO - 03/27/11 05:55 AM
 
Such a hot deal on a 1-acre homesite in Divide Ranch and Club in Ridgway, Colorado doesn't come along very often, even in this down market. It is priced at only $35,000, when the median price of all lots for sale in Divide Ranch is about $180,000. 
This nicely wooded lot sits across the road from the 14th tee of the Divide Ranch and Club Golf Course, offering up spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains from all angles through the tall Ponderosa trees. 
For more information, photos, and a virtual tour, click on this link:  Divide Ranch and Club … (0 comments)

colorado: Good-bye Century 21, Hello Kellers Williams! - 11/13/10 03:40 AM
Hello, all my ActiveRain friends!
I've been absent for awhile, primarily due to focusing on Facebook and other social media, not that I was purposefully neglecting ActiveRain.  But now I'm making a commitment to get back into the ActiveRain swing of things, since I truly believe this is one of the best places for fellow real estate professionals to connect, share, network, and learn.
For those who don't know, last month, I closed my Century 21 office.  Hated to make that decision, but it was a smart thing in light of these ongoing economic difficulties (disaster?).  I was coming up on … (3 comments)

colorado: Affordable Living In Montrose, CO on Large Lot--bring the kids, dogs, toys! - 08/18/10 10:50 AM
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colorado: Beautiful Riverfront 2-Acre Lot with Spectacular Views - 04/17/10 04:54 AM
Gorgeous, 2-Acre, Riverfront Lot with Fantastic Views 783 Meadows Circle, (Lot 13), Ridgway, CO 81432 View Map Build your dream home on this beautiful, cleared and level 2-acre lot in the desirable Dallas Meadows subdivision situated 2.5 miles north of the town of Ridgway. This lot adjoins the Uncompahgre River below the escarpment portion of lot. Your custom home can be positioned to take advantage of the spectacular views of the Sneffels Mountain Range to the south and of the Cimarron Mountains to the east. The friendly human neighbors are complemented by abundant wildlife, including deer, elk, fox, and bald eagles. … (0 comments)

colorado: Transaction Brokerage in Colorado--What the Heck is That?!! - 01/24/10 01:42 PM
 
Most people have some concept of agency, although a lay person may not understand completely the legal definition and ramifications of agency.  To confuse the issue, many people refer to a licensed real estate professional as a real estate agent, without considering or appreciating the legal significance of the term "agent."
In Colorado, not all real estate brokers or sales associates are agents.  There are 2 relationships a real estate broker can have when working with a buyer or seller, that of agent or transaction broker.  Transaction brokerage is unique to Colorado and a handful of other states.  Actually, I … (7 comments)

colorado: Montrose, CO Home Sales Statistics-Now is the Time to Seize the Opportunities! - 01/14/10 02:08 PM
While the Montrose area real estate market continued to present its challenges in 2009, in my office, we saw a slight improvement over 2008, enjoying even greater activity the last half of the year.  In November, while nationwide home sales were up 7.4%, in Montrose, per the MLS, they were up 53%! 
So, as of January 1, 2010, here are the MLS stats for home sales in 2009 and the current market of active home listings in Montrose:
                                                                                    2009  Statistics--Homes Sold Num Sold         Num Listed         Avg List Price          Avg Sale Price      % Sold 412                    1,097                    … (0 comments)

colorado: Ridgway's Pickin' in the Park--a great small town event! - 07/25/09 09:56 AM
The 2nd annual Pickin' in the Park in Ridgway, CO is underway.  This is my first year attending, and what a fun event!  This is a free 4-concert series that combines musical acts from around the country with local and regional opening acts.  The music, of course, is the main event, and the 2 concerts I've been to so far have been fabulous.  Last Thursday, I especially enjoyed Carrie Rodriguez, a singer, songwriter, and fiddler from Austin, TX.  She's really more of a rocker who also plays guitar and electric mandolin with a fantastic backup band.  I was quite impressed that Ridgway could attract … (0 comments)

colorado: Blogging Guilt---and my two cents worth on buying and selling now in Montrose, CO - 07/17/09 04:00 PM
I love blogging.  And I love reading other blogs, and commenting, and teaching about blogging and social networking.  I feel the power, the potential, and truly do enjoy the connection and the shared knowledge.  But I don't blog or read or comment enough, at least, not as much as I should or people tell me I should.  I compose blog posts in my mind and make mental notes of good subjects to write about.  And then ... poof!  It's all gone as I get derailed with distractions, and my topics are no longer timely or novel or something I'm motivated to write about.  … (1 comments)

colorado: Magic Circle Players Work Magic in Montrose-Happy 50th Anniversary! - 06/03/09 04:24 PM
I must admit I was a bit skeptical the first time I was encouraged to attend a performance of the Montrose Magic Circle Players.  I love legitimate theater and was quite spoiled having grown up in San Diego County with incredible live theater venues, like the Old Globe Theater and La Jolla Playhouse.  But my office adminstrative assistant, Kat Govan, who has been involved for years in anything musical or theatrical in Montrose, encouraged me to go and support it.  I finally saw my first production in May, 2007, of the musical comedy, Crazy For You, featuring the music of George … (0 comments)

colorado: 3528 2000 Road, Delta, Colorado - 06/03/09 09:57 AM
Cozy Cabin on 5 Acres with Big Views and Lots of Potential! 3258 2000 Road, Delta, CO 81416 View Map This darling, near-new one-bedroom loft cabin with all the modern amenities awaits you on this 5-acre, parcel with irrigation water in Peach Valley, Delta County. From the covered decks, enjoy the sweeping, 360-degree views of West Elk Mtns, San Juan Mtns, Uncompahgre Plateau, and Grand Mesa. Live comfortably in the cabin while you build your custom home on an existing, perfect building site. An abundance of elm, aspen and fruit trees, including peach, pear, apple, and cherry, have recently been planted, … (1 comments)

colorado: Dream Lot for Dream Home in Duckett Draw, Montrose, Colorado - 02/19/09 06:38 AM
Dream Lot for Dream Home in Duckett Draw, Montrose, CO 65434 Sunridge Court, Montrose, CO 81403 View Map Hard-to-find residential 3.2-acre lot in beautiful Duckett Draw south of Montrose in Clearview Estates Subdivision. Currently owned and used by owner of adjoining Lot 1 for pasture and growing hay, which yields about 250 bales/year (about 400 bales with Lot 1). Fully fenced and cross-fenced with irrigation system, including pipes and sprinklers, with ample irrigation water through HOA. Horses are allowed. A very build-able lot that offers wonderful views of the Valley, Grand Mesa, and the Sneffles Range. The adjoining Lot 1 with … (0 comments)

colorado: Blue Lakes Trail - 08/03/08 05:39 PM
My new friend and fellow runner/hiker-in-training for the Imogene Pass Run, Sherralyn Daniels, and I hiked the Blue Lakes Trail this past Saturday as far as the lower Blue Lake.  This is a popular trail and one I had not done before, but had heard much about.  Actually, I'd seen the lakes from atop Mt. Sneffles when I'd hiked that a couple years ago.  Our approach Saturday was from the trailhead from East Dallas Creek Rd. (CR 7) off Highway 62.  It was a beatiful and challenging hike, 3.3 miles to the lower lake.  The wild flowers were a highlight.  Arriving at … (2 comments)

colorado: Not all is Rosie in the Rockies--a Plea for Sane Driving! - 07/23/08 04:59 PM
Colorado, and especially where I live in and around the San Juan Mountains and the famous "Million Dollar Highway," offers some of the most spectacular drives on mountain highways and byways.  By the same token, these roads intensify the normal risks of motoring down the highway.  I commute almost daily the 27 miles between Ridgway and Montrose, and I can tell you, I've developed quite some cat nerves. 
Highway 550 from Montrose to Ridgway is, for the most part, a narrow, two-lane highway, often with no shoulder and just a drop off down into the river or over an embankment.  It … (0 comments)

colorado: A Little Coloradoan Humor . . . and Truth! - 06/26/08 06:38 AM
You know you're from Colorado when . . . ,
 You'll eat ice cream in the winter.
 When the weather report says it's going to be 65 degrees, you shave your legs and wear a skirt.
 It snows 5 inches and you don't expect school to be cancelled.
 You'll wear flip flops every day of the year, regardless of temperature.
 You have no accent at all, but can hear other people's.  And then you make fun of them.
 "Humid" is over 25%.
 Your sense of direction is: Toward the mountains and Away from the mountains.
 You say "the Interstate" and everybody … (9 comments)

colorado: Springtime in Montrose, finally! - 05/19/08 01:21 PM
As is all too common, I let work and life's distractions pull me away from posting to this blog recently, for which I apologize, but I'm back with renewed commitment and enthusiasm.  Just to catch you up on what's been happening with me, in March, I made a very typical Coloradan escape during the "mud months" to La Paz, Baja California, Mexico.  The primary purpose was to attend a wedding, where many dear friends from San Diego gathered for the affair, so it was a wonderful reunion, as well.  La Paz was marvelous, friendly, beautiful, great weather, good food, and relaxing.  … (3 comments)