Now is the Time to Sell Your Colorado Springs Home

If your plans include selling your home this year, there is no time like the present when it comes to listing your property, especially with a market such as Colorado Springs and El Paso County are experiencing. Reviewing the latest market data released by the Colorado Association of Realtors® (CAR), will tell you, we are definitely in a strong seller’s market. With conditions anticipated to continue in a similar fashion, listing your home now could pay off with a sale you can be thrilled with.

December, 2016 stats have been released by CAR, and they provide some key insight into one of the main reasons we are in a seller’s market. It’s all about Supply vs Demand. As of the end of 2016, our region had only 1.3 months worth of supply available on the market. In essence, it will take just 1.3 months to sell all the active listings, if no new listings were added. But what does this really mean and does it matter?

Real estate markets with shorter Days on Market (DOM) averages have more buyers seeking property compared to areas with longer DOM averages. El Paso County has been growing in popularity and attracting a greater number of buyers, which is also reflected in the December sales results. We saw an 11.1% increase in the number of sales completed to the year prior, with average sale prices rising by 6/7%, to $290,000 for single-family homes.

Not only is the region growing in desirability for homebuyers, more people are also eager to buy. There is an increasing time crunch which many buyers are now facing. Mortgage interest rates have begun a steady climb upward. Current 30-year fixed mortgages are hovering just below and above 4.00%, and they are expected to continue to rise. While this is still an historically low rate, many homebuyers see the writing on the wall, and are ready to get financing now before the rates go much higher.

The real estate market in Colorado Springs and around El Paso County is a strong one. We have a

variety of economic opportunities which are thriving in our region. These include education and health services, military and community developments, as well as recreational and tourism attractions. These aspects and amenities are bringing more people to our area, and it doesn’t look like there will be a slow-down any time soon.

Listing your home now, as we head into the busy spring season, could help you gain a higher price with a quick turnaround. If you are ready to get started, you will want to know the value of your home. A great way to do this is with our free report, What’s My Home Worth? A few pieces of information is all we need to prepare a market-value estimate and comparison of other houses in your neighborhood. Knowing what homes are selling for nearby will help you establish the best list price for your property.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, connecting with a Realtor® who understands the community and local market, provides you with the ideal resource. This can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process, and the results. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all 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.

El Paso County Public Health Requires OWTS Inspections

If you own a home in El Paso County and plan to sell, there is a required inspection you may need to know about. If your property includes an On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS), or septic tank, El Paso County Public Health (EPCHP) regulations require a timely inspection be completed prior to closing, with a County Acceptance Document of the inspection included as part of the Title transfer paperwork.

Effective since January 1, 2015, these inspections were put in place to help protect both sellers and buyers. The current owner of a property is responsible for having the inspection done. The County has a list of approved, independent contractors who are able to complete an OWTS inspection. The aim of these inspections is to confirm the system is working properly prior to the sale of a property. If there are issues discovered in the process, sellers and buyers are given an opportunity to determine how to proceed with repairs, including which party will be responsible.

As inspection results are only valid for 6 months, getting one done early is not recommended, as you may have to have one done again. Instead, if you have an OWTS on your property, I recommend including the information in the initial disclosures provided during the sale process. A passing inspection will result in an Acceptance Document which is provided by El Paso County Public Health, and to be included within the Title Transference documentation.

If an inspection fails, homeowners typically have 90 days to have any needed repairs completed. Should a serious issue be discovered, the EPCPH will determine the necessary timeframe for repairs to be done. As a seller, if you are dealt with a failing inspection, the sale of your property can still continue. The EPCPH will provide a Conditional Acceptance document so the sale can move forward. In certain cases, repairs may require a permit from El Paso County as well. If needed, proof of permits should also be included with your OWTS Inspection documents.

If for some reason a seller is unable to take care of repairs, a buyer can take on the responsibility of the repairs after the sale has closed, so long as they are done within 90 days of occupying the property. For buyers putting an offer on properties with an OWTS, I recommend including within your buyer contingencies whether you are willing to take on possible repairs, and if so to adjust your purchase prices offer accordingly. Including such items within your contingencies will give you an extra layer of protection.

There is a specific process to be followed when it comes to getting an OWTS inspection done. The best approach is to familiarize yourself with the process by reviewing the information on the EPCPH website, including a list of approved inspectors. Your Realtor® is also an ideal resource to ensure the process is completed properly, that reports are filed and documentation is received by the correct parties, including the Title Company handling your closing. While it is a seller’s responsibility in the end, having a supportive Realtor® who understands the Transfer of Title Inspection regulation, will make the transfer of property less stressful for you.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, connecting with a Realtor® who understands the community and local regulations, provides you with the ideal resource. This can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process, and the results. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all 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.

Rainbow Falls Makes History in El Paso County

Throughout El Paso County, we are fortunate to have retained many significant, historical sites. When we can connect with our past, we can enhance our present and future by being able to explore and experience these places ourselves. This region is full of colorful history. Our natural history has been the backdrop of many historical eras since before Old Colorado City was built. We now have another unique, natural landmark which has been designated an historical site, Rainbow Falls near Manitou Springs.

The Colorado Springs Gazette recently published an article on the latest announcement from the El

Paso County’s board of commissioners, confirming a unanimous vote in favor of naming Rainbow Falls a historic location. This reclassification of this site will provide funding and manpower to return this area to its natural glory. Unfortunately, in the past few years Rainbow Falls has become a place known more for graffiti than for its natural beauty. This is due in large part to the lack of regulated access hours or the presence of security and county employees to manage it. These circumstances will change with the historical site classification.

With the board of commissioners’ vote, local funding and grants to the tune of$500,000 will be provided to repair areas damaged by the Waldo Canyon fire of 2012. Vandalism damages will also be cleaned up. To further preserve the site and prepare it for visitors, improvements to parking and trails around the falls will be completed in 2017. Once the renovation to Rainbow Falls is complete the site will be open to the public and managed by El Paso County staff and volunteers.

02The historical designation of Rainbow Falls will give residents and visitors alike, another beautiful natural site to explore. Within the 5-acre site, there is not only the main waterfall, but also a series of smaller falls that can be accessed downstream. This location has long been held as special, since the time of the first residents here, the Ute Indian Tribe known as the “Sun Mountain People.” The historic Highway 24 Bridge, crosses Fountain Creek near Rainbow Falls, leading visitors into Manitou Springs. Since the bridge was built in 1932, even more people have been drawn to this special place. Soon it will again be available for everyone to enjoy.

El Paso County is full of history and natural beauty. As we protect and preserve our past, we can continue to experience the wonders of this region ourselves, as a community which cares. Whether you are buying or selling your home, connecting with a Realtor® who understands the community, provides you with the ideal local resource. This can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process, and the results. We atSprings LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all 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.

What’s Happening in January Around Colorado Springs

The start of a new year is right around the corner. We will close the door on 2016 and open a new one on New Year’s Eve to welcome 2017. Winter is also in full swing here in the Pike’s Peak region. Colorado living doesn’t slow down with the cold weather or snow. There are still plenty of fun events and exciting things to experience with friends and family throughout January. It’s easy to chase away the winter blues here with so much to do. Check out some ideas below, and have a Happy New Year!

Many of us start the year with new resolutions. If yours is for healthier living, you won’t want to miss the annual Colorado Springs Health Expo, coming Saturday, January 7th. This free expo will be held at the City Auditorium, and will offer not only classes and seminars, but also the chance to visit a variety of exhibitors ready to show off their latest products and services to help you live healthy and feel great.

One of downtown Colorado Springs most popular winter traditions will soon wind down. Skate at the Park is still going on, but only until Monday, January 16th. As the only outdoor skating rink in town, this is an ideal way to enjoy some winter recreation and fun for all ages. The last few skating dates include some special extras, too, such as skating with Team USA members of our Olympic Skating team on January 7th, and Skating with the Air Force hockey team, The Falcons, on January 15th.

If you have ever wanted to experience the spell-bounding, awe-inspiring acrobatic feats of Cirque de Soleil, your chance is here. For five days only, Wednesday, January 18th through Sunday, January 22nd, this world-renowned performance circus will present Ovo at The Broadmoor World Arena. The space will come alive with the busy and colorful life of insects, including a sweet love story, too.

For one last ‘holiday bash’, head over to Manitou Springs on Saturday, January 28th, with your leftover fruit cake, and toss it. The ever-popular Manitou Springs Great Fruit Cake Toss will take place at Memorial Park; it’s family-friendly and free to attend. You can even ‘rent’ a piece of cake if you didn’t get any this year. Find out which local baker will be crowned the Queen or King of Fruitcakes. 2017 marks the 20th year of this fun community event, which also includes a nonperishable food drive for St. Andrews Food Bank.

I love Colorado Springs and am passionate about our community, and my clients. When you are ready to sell, or buy your home, working with a Realtor who is passionate about how they can help you will make the process easier and a pleasure. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all 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 Neighborhood Ratings

Colorado Springs has a lot of great neighborhoods with plenty to offer. The right neighborhood for you will depend on many factors such as commuting, access to goods and services, and whether or not you have children. If you are planning to move to, or within Colorado Springs, I recommend spending time in a variety of locales before you start your home search so you can get a true feel for an area. Researching different neighborhoods can also help narrow down your decision.

Two online resources, AreaVibes.com, a neighborhood comparison and review website, and HomeSnacks.com, an online cultural data sharing site, have rated Colorado Spring’s main neighborhoods. While the lists are the same, the ranking was different for each, which reflects the diverse data and algorithms used by each. The bigger picture of comparing different ranking resources provides a more detailed look at each neighborhood.

AreaVibes lists livability rankings by neighborhoods using key categories of data. The categories covered include housing, employment, amenities, cost of living, education, crime rates, and the weather. Overall, Colorado Springs has a livability score of 74. Five area neighborhoods were rated higher due to different results within the categories tracked. Northgate is listed as the top neighborhood in Colorado Springs, with a score of 79, and is listed as the 8^th best neighborhood in the state. Housing, Amenities, Crime and Employment categories were scored as A- to A+. What keeps this from being a 90+ livability score is the higher cost of living and pending school information for the education category.

AreaVibe has ranked Colorado Springs neighborhoods as follows:

Northgate
Northwest Colorado Springs
Southwest Colorado Springs
Old Colorado City
Briargate
West Colorado Springs
Northeast Colorado Springs
East Colorado Springs
Central Colorado City
Powers

HomeSnack takes a different approach to rating neighborhoods. Keeping their research to

neighborhoods with over 1,000 people, and using data from the Bureau of Labor, Census Bureau and local crime data, 5 categories were used. Low unemployment rates, low crime stats, high population rates, high home prices, and high income. Analyzing the data compiled, a Neighborhood Index was created to rate each area. In this listing, Southwest Colorado Springs was the top-rated neighborhood. With a population of over 8,500 residents, unemployment is at 2.8%, and home values average more than $500,000. The crime rate is really low as well, with approximately 1,160 crimes per 100,000 people being estimated. This is almost half as much as the 2014 national crime rate according to the FBI.

HomeSnack has ranked Colorado Springs neighborhoods as follows:

Southwest Colorado Springs
Old Colorado City
Northgate
Briargate
Northwest Colorado Springs
Central Colorado City
East Colorado Springs
Northeast Colorado Springs
Powers
West Colorado Springs

When it is time to buy a home, you want to find the neighborhood which is best for you. Doing some research beforehand can help make the decision easier. Connecting with a local Realtor® who knows Colorado Springs neighborhoods can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process, too. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call Kathy Stenberg at (719) 963-4867 or email her at springslifestyles@gmail.com. You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.

Children’s Hospital Gets Home of its Own in Colorado Springs

Long-time residents and new families moving to Colorado Springs have a new resource on the way when it comes to pediatric care. Children’s Hospital Colorado has at long last broken ground on a new facility right here in Colorado Springs. As the Gazette recently reported, after sharing space with UCHealth Memorial Hospital System for 15

years, this stellar pediatric care organization will have a home of its own.

Come 2018, the new children’s hospital will include surgery and pediatric care rooms alongside an emergency center, exam rooms, neonatal intensive care unit and operating space. Of noted distinction will be specialized rooms to care for children dealing with major health issues such as cancer, blood disorders and behavioral health concerns. As a research hospital, there will also be sleep study rooms in the new facility. Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the nation’s top health care providers for children, and this new complex shows just how invested in the community they are.

There is more to this new hospital than helping children; our local economy will get a boost through new jobs from the ground up including in construction, healthcare, hospitality and information technology. A major complex such as the Children’s Hospital will serve as a strong community hub with positive impacts felt across the region. Colorado Springs is joining 80 other major metro areas in the United States to provide a pediatric hospital for its residents--great news for anyone living here. The new hospital will be located on the North Campus of UCHealth Memorial Hospital, situated offLong-time residents and new families moving to Colorado Springs have a new resource on the way when it comes to pediatric care. Children’s Hospital Colorado has at long last broken ground on a new facility right here in Colorado Springs. As the Gazette recently reported, after sharing space with UCHealth Memorial Hospital System for 15 years, this stellar pediatric care organization will have a home of its own.

There is more to this new hospital than helping children; our local economy will get a boost through new jobs from the ground up including in construction, healthcare, hospitality and information technology. A major complex such as the Children’s Hospital will serve as a strong community hub with positive impacts felt across the region. Colorado Springs is joining 80 other major metro areas in the United States to provide a pediatric hospital for its residents--great news for anyone living here. The new hospital will be located on the North Campus of UCHealth Memorial Hospital, situated off Highway 21.

If you are considering a move to Colorado Springs, you now have another excellent amenity to look forward to. If you are in the market to sell your home, the new Children’s Hospital will add value to your home. Buying or selling, connecting with a local Realtor® who knows the community well, can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call Kathy

No More ‘No Man’s Land’ Between Colorado Springs & Manitou Springs

Colorado Springs is growing and improving. Our region extends to Manitou Springs our ‘sister city’ nearby. These two communities complement one another, offering residents and visitors different options when it comes to work, play and everyday living. Being only a few miles away from the Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs has been growing alongside us. Yet there has long been an area between our two towns, a ‘No Man’s Land’, consisting of a stretch of nothing but the roadway surrounded by the countryside.

According to an article recently published by the Gazette, soon there will no longer be a ‘No Man’s Land’ between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. The approval process has begun for a big improvement projectcurrently underway to bring new vitality through better community access between Manitou and Colorado Avenues, known to locals as ‘No Man’s Land’. Earlier this month, the Pike’s Peak Rural Transportation Authoritysigned off on the contract for the construction project. The next step to occur will be the approval from El Paso County, Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. Once approved, this long anticipated project will be underway.

Assuming approvals come through, project work is estimated to begin this winter, and to be completed sometime in 2018. Highlights will include bike paths, landscaped sidewalks and modern lighting. For those already familiar with the Midland Trail bike route, you can also take heart; this new project will extend the trail through the entire corridor between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. With the addition of more pedestrian and cycle friendly features, enjoyment of the natural beauty which stretches between our two towns will be more accessible.

There are also plans to reroute a part of Fountain Creek, over which the Midland Trail runs. There

is asection prone to flooding with heavy rains. The rerouting of the creek is aimed to better handle larger amounts of water from storms. Drivers should note that the road shall be going from a 4-lane route to a 3-lane route, thereby providing the space needed for all these improvements.

These changes are expected to bring new life to this area between our communities. With new connections, we can expect new opportunities. When you are ready to buy, or sell your home, connecting with a local Realtor® who knows the community well can make a big difference in how happy you are with the process. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all 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.

Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Autumn Yard Care

Yard care takes on a new focus in autumn. Now is the time to prepare your property for the cold of winter. If you are planning to sell your home, good lawn and landscape maintenance will also go a long way towards enhancing your home’s curb appeal. I found a wonderful website, Plantalk Colorado, which provides a lot of detail on a wide range of landscaping care topics. Check out some suggestions below to get your yard and garden ready for the season.

While lawns don’t need to be watered as often now, if you have not aerated your yard in a while, it is something worth considering. Aeration, which results in holes poked into your lawn, will help your yard absorb more storm water, and protect it from becoming over-saturated. This loosening of your soil will also make it easier for nutrients to reach plant and grass roots.

You may be tempted to fully prune your trees and bushes, but that is better done during late winter

and early spring. Instead, focus on removing dead or broken branches and limbs only. If you have a vegetable garden, fall clean-up will help prevent insect or disease infiltration in the spring. Composting leaves not only provides fresh nutrients for your soil, many a home buyer appreciate properties with a compost bin already in place.

Landscaped areas and flower beds should be winterized as well. Weeding thoroughly will help keep insects away, while a layer of mulch will help insulate plants. Trim back any overgrown perennials and remove old flower blossoms and seed pods. Known as deadheading, this is not needed

to help your plants survive the winter cold, but leaving dead flowers around could keep your yard and garden from looking its best.

Lawn and garden care with winter in mind is a great way to increase your home’s curb appeal, which can make a big difference in attracting potential buyers. When you are ready to sell your home, working with a Realtor who is passionate about what they can do for you, will make a big difference too. We at Springs LifeStyles Real Estate are here to help you with all 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.

November Events in Colorado Springs

November is always a month to remember. We honor our fallen heroes on Veterans Day and connect with family and friends for a feast to please at Thanksgiving. There are plenty of memories to be made this time of year around Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. Check out the list below for some November happenings you and your family can enjoy.

November 11^th- 13^th brings us the 29^th Annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival. Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute, the popular event features short films, documentaries, narratives and animation which present aspects of our world from women’s perspectives. Films will be screened throughout the weekend at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Get into the holiday spirit on Saturday, November 19^th at the Holiday Expo. This expo is free, but

as a fundraiser, folks are asked to bring a new, packaged toy for Christmas Unlimited. Shop for holiday gifts from local businesses, meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy live music and even a fashion show.

During the long holiday weekend, continue your attitude of gratitude at the Thanksgiving Wildlife Wetland Walk. Take a stroll with a Fountain Creek Nature Center naturalist as you and the

family enjoy a scavenger hunt and some arts and crafts together. The walk is being held on Saturday, November 26^th, and tickets are required as space is limited.

These are just a few of the vast number of exciting and fun events you can find in and around Colorado Springs. You may think with winter closing in there is not much to do here, but that is not so. There are also a variety of benefit events going on this month to help others in the community, while having some fun. I encourage you to check out more Colorado Springs events at Visit Colorado Springs.

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 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, 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.