Colorado Springs, The Place to Be in 2017

The Colorado Springs area has been experiencing growth over the last few years, and it is expected to continue into 2017. According to an article recently published in the Gazette, this is the forecast announced at the latest Colorado Springs Economic Forum, put on by the University of Colorado Springs. This is great news for our community and residents.

Not only are we strong when it comes to consumer confidence in spending retail dollars, our housing market is strong and healthy, too. It is our strong job market which directly impacts how much we can spend, and in Colorado Springs, there are plenty of jobs. According to data cited in the forecast report by the University of Colorado Springs, 2015 saw more than 8,200 new jobs in our area, almost 50% more than were added in 2014.

The majority of job growth has been centered around construction, healthcare, professional and technical works, as well as within the food industry. This variety of career options and job resources is helping to fuel the continued economic growth for Colorado Springs. For home sellers, this is great news, as homes are in high demand.

For those looking to buy, we have new property developments, as well as older homes available. Our housing market is also one of the more affordable markets for a greater range of incomes. According to a market search on Realtor.com, the median sale price of homes in Colorado Springs is $237,000. Add in that many of our homes have two and three stories, you can often get more house for your dollar, too.

I am excited to see what 2017 will bring for economic growth to Colorado Springs. Our area has a lot to offer, including great jobs and homes. If you are thinking of moving here, this is a wonderful place to live with a variety of work and living opportunities.

When you are ready to buy or sell your home, working with a Realtor® who knows the local market and economy of the community can make a big difference. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867, or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

Newly Built Homes Need a Home Inspection Too

If you are interested in buying a newly built home, there are many benefits to enjoy. From choosing specific amenities and optional features, to starting out with everything brand new throughout your home, being the first owner of a house can be rewarding. But don’t let a newly built home deter you from hiring a home inspector before you sign closing papers. No matter if you buy a new property or older house, a home inspection is always a good idea.

You may think that new homes are inspected before they are sold, and you are correct. However, initial inspections for new construction are typically done by a municipal or government department, such as the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, and not for home buyers. Their focus is on ensuring the building meets the minimum building code requirements.

While these inspections are usually well done, sometimes issues are missed or mistakes are made. Hiring your own home inspector gives you the chance to get that all important “second opinion” with your interests in mind. With your own home inspection report, you also get the extra assurance that you won’t walk into a money pit.

If you are involved in the process of your new home from the beginning, I recommend having two

inspections done if possible. The first should occur to inspect the interior components, the wiring, plumbing and insulation for example. Once the walls are up, a missed error could cost a lot to correct. A final inspection should also be done once your home is completed, and before closing documents are signed. It is also a good idea to include an inspection contingency within your sales contract. This is your extra insurance policy to safeguard your deposit.

Having a home inspection done on a newly built home can make a big difference when it comes to buying the home of your dreams. When you are ready to buy, or sell your home, working with a Realtor® who understands the entire process will make a big difference too. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

Colorado Springs is Home to Big Houses

When it comes to living in Colorado Springs, we like our homes big and full of rooms. At least according to a recent study done by Lawnstarter.com, an online lawn care service provider. As a part of their own blog, Lawnstarter did a study of the nation’s major metro areas in search of which places have the biggest houses and the most rooms. Colorado Springs was ranked 5^th in the country.

Based on data released in the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey of 2015, Our 5^th place ranking shows that 46.3% of homes in Colorado Springs have at least eight rooms. These include kitchens bedrooms, family rooms, and finished basements and recreational rooms per the census report. While many new homes here are built with unfinished basements, many home owners have them finished so they can make the most of the space they have.

Many regions, such as earthquake prone California or the flood prone South, do not typically include

basements in their home construction. The likelihood of a natural disaster causing problems for homes with basements results in their use being impractical. Here in Colorado it is a different story. Our lack of regular natural disasters and climate makes basements an ideal addition to our homes. As a lower cost space to include when it comes to home construction, builders around here love to include them as an extra space option, and home buyers appreciate it too.

With the trend towards open floor plans, the number of rooms overall doesn’t carry that much weight in listing searches, but the square footage does. Here in Colorado Springs, the average home has multiple floors, including basements. Our big homes with several rooms average over 2,000 square feet. If you are looking for plenty of space for your family, you can find it here.

When you are ready to sell or buy your home, working with a Realtor who understands market trends will make a big difference. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

October Events in Colorado Springs

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year here in Colorado Springs. With Autumn comes October. WithOctober here at last, the air is a bit chillier, and there is a buzz of excitement as we prepare for the holiday season to begin. What better way to start the festive season than with some big events and Halloween traditions? Check out the list below for some October happenings you and your family can enjoy in Colorado Springs.

October is Arts Month in the Pikes Peak region; what better way to celebrate artistic vision than to

attend a gala? On Saturday, October 8th, The Resource Exchange presents a Positive Exposure exhibit, “The Spirit of Difference”, by photographer Rick Guidotti. Exquisite and mesmerizing photographs of people from around the world, and nearby, showcase that which makes us humans so incredible.

Enjoy another gala of a different sort on Friday, October, 14th, at Believe, The 4th Annual Benefit Galawith the National Mill Dog Rescue non-profit organization. Since 2007, this organization has worked toward helping,, rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home abandoned puppy mill dogs. Spend an evening dressed to the nines, wine and dine, dance, and make your auction bid, all in support of a great cause.

Want to get in a 5k before winter sets in? Head over to Colorado College on Sunday, October 14th,   for the Tiger Classic 5k walk and run. This popular run has been going on for 28 years now, benefiting the Tiger Pride Fund which supports athletics programs at Colorado Collage. Pre-register and get your own Tiger Classic 5k t-shirt.

There are so many ways to celebrate Halloween,which I especially love since it’s my birthday, too! Halloween is a great holiday to share a birthday with all the candy and parties going on! Whether you have young trick-or-treaters or not, a popular way to get in touch with your ‘darker side' is to get out into nature. Around Colorado Springs, there are a variety of ways you can take a walk on the wild side with plenty of outdoor community events. One annual favorite is Howl O Ween at theColorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. OnSaturday, October 29th, help feed the wolves special pumpkins. Also on the 29th, head over to the Fountain Creek Nature Center and walk the Jack-o-Lantern Trail after you carve a pumpkin of your own. If Trick-or-Treat is part of your Halloween plan, check out Boo at the Zoo at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. This is the perfect place for a family-friendly, wild good time.

I love Colorado Springs and am passionate about our community. When you are ready to sell or buy your home, working with a Realtor who is passionate about what they can do for you will make a big difference. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or you can email me at springslifestyles@gmail.com You can also visit us at ourwebsite for available listings and additional information.