It Is Official

….and somewhat scary - but my blog “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz” is no more. I’ve exported and imported, deleted and confirmed. Now all the previous content of that blog resides here, on “Colorado Highlands Buzz”…

Deleting my “old” blog was somewhat like deleting an old friend out of your address book….you know you haven’t talked to that person in a long time, and all attempts to reconnect have failed because you’ve both grown in different directions…and yet….it’s somehow strange to completely erase them from you life. Well…that’s how I felt with this blog. Isn’t that weird?

Anyway - it’s done and it’s time to move forward! I hope you accompany me on that journey!

Real Estate: Buyer and Seller Tips for 2008

If you’re planning on buying or selling a home in 2008, check out the article “8 Moves for Home Buyers, Sellers in ‘08” by Yahoo Finance. While I don’t agree with everything stated (i.e. “…My blanket advice for Would-be Sellers: Stay Put.”) some of the tips are worth reading; like what is Market-value, don’t sell your home as is, simplify and neutralize on the Seller’s side.

On the Buyer’s side, not banking on further market drops is a good idea. While it may happen - it also may not and you could loose out on a great market. However, take some of the other tips with a grain of salt. For example Number 7 - per article using your buying leverage, and asking the sellers agent when the seller boughtthe home, how much he paid for it etc - is a definete No-no. No self-respecting sellers agent will give you this information - the Sellers Agent works for the Seller - NOT the Buyer. If you must know - ask your own agent. In addition, regardless of the type of market we’re in - a Sellers Agent does not have to disclose this type of information, nor would it be in his clients (the Sellers) best interest.

Same goes for Number 8 - asking for contingencies. Here in Colorado, you already have a variety of Contingencies, which would “allow” you to cancel the contract and have your Earnest Money returned to you. But to try “…working in as much legal wiggle room as you can to back out without risking your earnest money should things go sour or another opportunity arise” is not in your best interest as a Buyer. (It’s a different story if you’re an Investor - talk to your agent about that!)  But always keep in mind - before making an offer - be sure it’s what you want. It’s always easier to get into a contract, than out of a contract.

For great additional Information, check out the following posts:

Selling your Colorado Springs Home - by Mariana Wagner

The best time to buy and sell Real Estate in Colorado Springs - by Mariana Wagner

From “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz” to simply “Colorado Highlands Buzz”! Why make changes?

This blog is a continuation of the previous blog “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz”. I have made changes in my professional life - and decided that the focus of this blog should change as well, from Real Estate related, to anything Colorado Springs related; Quality of Life, Entertainment, News, Recreation, Events, Networking and more.

That’s how “Colorado Highlands Buzz” was ‘born’.

To see all previous posts, please view “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz“. Thanks.

Quick FYI - over time I will add some of the previous posts to this blog, as long as I feel that they meet the new “guidelines”.

From “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz” to simply “Colorado Highlands Buzz”! Why make changes?

FYI: I will be moving this blog “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz” over to “Colorado Highlands Buzz”.

This URL (www.ColoradoHighlandsRealtyBuzz.com) will continue to be active, however - the main URL will be (www.ColoradoHighlandsBuzz.com). Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you there!

When I started this blog, I was working as an active Realtor in Colorado Springs. Since then, I made some changes - from Realtor to Consultant for small business owners. This is something I had done “on the side” for some time now – but after it became more and more full time – I decided to make the leap into Consulting. Helping other’s achieve their goals is still the underlying motivation, except it changed from Homes to Business.

I now help business owners – in my capacity as a consultant - to build an online presence, a cohesive marketing program and become better networkers, in one-on-one sessions, as well as teaching classes about these topics.  (Contact me if you or your company is interested. Thanks.)

Therefore, my focus, and the focus of this blog, have shifted somewhat. It no longer resides strictly on the Real Estate side of things but more on the general side of” Anything Colorado Springs”;  i.e. Quality of Life, Entertainment, Families, Recreation, Events, Sports, News, etc.

I am looking forward to continuing my conversation with you via this blog.  Feel free to comment, share ideas, ask questions, or share your own experiences.

Why this post? I promised to be as transparent as possible – and I figured if I’m changing the name of this blog from “Colorado Highlands Realty Buzz” to “Colorado Highlands Buzz” – I should at least explain why.

To see some of my Consultant “Activities”, check:

Colorado Highlands Group

Colorado Springs Connected

 

Inman News - the latest in Real Estate

Are you trying to keep up with “What’s happening?” in Real Estate? Check out the site of Iman News for the latest in Real Estate, Lending and Technology!

Colorado Housing Market

If you have lived in Colorado Springs for a while, you’ve experienced the increase in housing prices. A couple of month ago, the Housing Report was published by the U.S. Census Bureau. It seems a bit behind the times, considering it’s titled “Who could afford to buy a home in 2002″, however, it shows the overall trend the market was going in.

In addition, if you’re just interested in facts about Colorado and/or Colorado Springs, from Employement to the latest Census, Economic Indicators to maps, check out http://www.census.gov/.

Meet Colorado Springs - The Pixel Place

Do you own a digital Camera? Do you ever use it? If you do – you know how quickly you can shoot 20, 30, or more pictures. After all – it’s just on the card. But then what? Are you going to save it on your computer forever? Or are you actually going to print some of those pictures?  If that’s your plan – forget printing them at home – there’s a place for you to go, have some fun and save on that ink and paper while you’re at it.  It’s called “Pixel Place” and it’s located on North Academy – 6406 N. Academy to be exact.

You can print pictures from your digital media – any way you’d like them. From Wallet Size to Wall paper size, color, black and white, sepia, cards and invitations etc. You can even have them (the pictures) look like paintings or something by Andy Warhol. Your imagination sets the limits. And best of all – no more buying expensive photo paper and using up all your ink, no more standing in line, with someone “peeking” over your shoulder while you’re trying to crop your pictures just right. This place has a coffee bar, (You have got to try the “Turtle Coffee” – ask Jerry – he’s the owner  - for it, he’ll know what you’re looking for.) tables to lounge and chat, several touch screens to design your pictures, even a photo studio to take pictures right there (with Green Screen Technology!).

And once you’re done, it won’t break your bank! And if you’re really looking to impress, give a gift or just have a nice display piece  – you can have your pictures framed right there.  Jerry will help you find the perfect frame.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Happy Valentines Day

Wishing Everyone a Happy Valentines Day!

Hoping it’s sweet and wonderful - unlike Valentines Beginnings! Considering the ‘assumed’ History of Valentines, it wasn’t “all roses” ….

As for the Beginning - it’s not quite certain, what the truly started Valentines Day Celebration. You seem to have a couple choices - Valentine the Priest or a Celebration of Spring.

Either way, by the Middle Ages - Valentines Day became popular, not necessarily in todays form, but it seemed to have been the start of what we celebrate today.

If we celebrate….do YOU?

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group

What’s your Mission?

I have talked to many a small Business Owner and most of us agreed, that a written Business plan is an absolute must. So I started thinking about this concept a little bit more. If we all agree that a written plan can help us get to where we want to be, because we have a “road map” available to us, why don’t we have a plan for our personal life? A road map to grow as a person.

After checking around a bit, I found the Franklin Covey Mission Statement Builder, which works great to write a personal mission statement. (Yes, it can be used for your Business as well….)

I found that for me, this is the “way to go”. It helps me focus on what I personally want to achieve and gives me a better understanding as to my strengths and weaknesses and what I’m willing to change in order to become a “new and improved version of me”.

If you have some time, see for yourself, and maybe it’ll turn out to be of value and just the little bit of “extra” that was missing.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group

The Springs is making new Connections

According to an article by KGET.com, Colorado Springs is reaching out - to the West Coast that is. With new direct flights offered by ExpressJet Airlines, to the Los Angeles-Ontario area, San Diego and Sacramento.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Information brought to you by the Colorado Highlands Group