From my faithful readers, I've received some more military discount information: The Buckle in Colorado Springs and Pueblo gives a 10% discount to military members. Captain D's also gives a military discount, but you have to be in uniform. Pioneer Sand and Rock - 10% Rocky Mountain Landscape Supply (behind Safeway) - 10% These last two can make a huge difference if you are trying to tame your Pueblo West landscape! One of my Colorado Springs clients, Angela Winterton, has started a blog entitled " Cents & CentsabilitY".   Although Angela lives in the Springs, her information can be helpful for Pueblo residents also! And finally, I'm going to get on my soapbox about the Great Health Care debate.  I was suffering intense pain in my back which then travelled down to my right leg.  My wonde... 01/15/2010

Pueblo West Market Report 2009 vacant residential land   List price: Low $6,000 High $70,000 Average $20,702 Median $17,000 Selling price: $5,5000 High $65,000 Average $17,436 Median $15,000 List/Sold %: Low 29.05%  High $65,000 Average 84.94$ Median 86.04% Price / Acre : Low $3,282  High $87,209 Average $18,035 Median $13,294 Days on the Market: Low 2 High 870 Average 244 Median !59   For a more detailed report by area please contact Dena directly 01/08/2010

Pueblo West Market Report 2009 Residential   List price : Low : $58,750 High: $599,900 Average: $181,753 Median $164,900 Selling prince: Low: 60,000 High $ 599,000 Average $ 176.753 Meidan $160,00 List/ Sold % : Low 65.72%   High 100%  Average 97.64% Median 98.93% Price Sq ft:  Low $34.04 High $223.01 Average $104.02 Median 104.41 Day on Market:  Low 1  High 637  Average 134  Median 105   If you would like a more detailed market report broken out by area feel free to contact Dena directly.     01/08/2010

I'm happy to say goodbye to 2009 which has been a challenging year for home buyers and sellers.  I feel confident that 2010 will be much better.  The First Time Homebuyer $8000 tax credit has been extended into 2010.  There is now a new, $6500 tax credit for move up/down homebuyers.  Mortgage interest rates are still low (although starting to creep upwards).  Most of the foreclosure inventory is off the books and I believe that local home prices have bottomed out and will start to slowly rise. Thanks to all my clients (now friends!) who put their trust in me this year with the purchase or sale of a home. I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and wonderful 2010. Deb 12/31/2009

With Thanksgiving next week, now is a time to reflect on all the positives in our lives.  Studies have shown that people who regularly express gratitude have a higher sense of well-being.   Be grateful for what you have! If you are cooking the big bird and accompaniments this holiday, remember that our higher altitude may require some cooking adjustments.  Liquids evaporate faster, boiling occurs at lower temperatures, and baked goods will rise faster.  You may have to add more liquid, less sugar or less baking powder in baked goods.  Refer to high-altitude directions on packaged products and consult a cookbook for your particular holiday recipe. Two Pueblo West churches are providing free Thanksgiving dinner to all.   The Pueblo West Baptist Church at 180 Croyden Drive (one block south... 11/20/2009

Veterans Day is November 11.  Please say thank you to all the men and women who served or who are currently serving in our Armed Forces. Pueblo Veteran's Day Events Veterans Day Parade:  Pueblo's Veteran's Day Parade will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 beginning at Union Avenue and B Street.  The Veteran's Day Parade is free.  The parade route will follow Union Avenue beginning at B Street and Union Avenue heading down Union Avenue to First Street, left on First Street ending at Greenwood. Veterans Lunch:  The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post No. 5812 will host a free lunch for veterans on Nov. 7 from noon to 3 p.m. All service members are welcome to attend. Family, friends and the public are welcome to enjoy the Veterans lunch for $5. VFW Post No. 5812 is located at 127 E. Spaulding Ave, Pue... 11/06/2009

Can you believe all of this snow and winter weather we've been having?  A little early for me!  However, the snow should be gone to celebrate Halloween on Saturday. Halloween Bash:  The Pueblo West Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Halloween Bash at Lovell Park on Oct. 31 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on ball field No. 1 and is free to all who attend. Participants will receive a treat when they arrive and are invited to participate in carnival games, cake walks and a costume contest, which will begin at 3 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the Halloween Bash will be moved inside to Pueblo West Middle School and will be held from 5-7 p.m. Deb 10/30/2009

This week was the Colorado Association of Realtor's annual convention at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.  The convention is always a great time to meet realtors from across the state, attend continuing education classes, and view what's new at the vendor displays.  It was a little disappointing that so few people attended the convention - out of about 24,000 Colorado realtors, less than 1000 attended the convention.  A sign of the bad economic times I guess.  One interesting thing I did learn at the convention was something that is happening in our own backyard! I met Larry Belkin, President of Encore Communities USA.  His company is developing a master planned community near the Walking Stick Vista Golf Club and Colorado State University-Pueblo.  Walking Stick Vista will be a commun... 10/23/2009

Here are the Pueblo West real estate statistics for 3rd Quarter 2009, 7/1/2009-9/30/2009   1st Quarter 2009 2nd Quarter 2009 3rd Quarter 2009 4th Quarter 2009 Single Family Sold 84 (130) 133 (151) 141(180)   Single Family on Market 313 317 281   Multi-Family Sold 5 (3) 1 (2) 2(1)   Multi-Family on Market 12 13 16   Vacant Lots Sold 14 (42) 19 (53) 19 (20)   Vacant Lots on Market 812 832 835   Of the 141 Single Family Sold, 2 were condo/townhomes. Residential homes sold 3rd quarter by price 14 < $100K44 between $100-150K46 between $150-200K23 between $200-250K14 over $250K Residential homes sold 3rd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location [To describe the Multiple List Service area breakdown, Pueblo West Acreage includes those lots on one acre(+) on the south side of Highway 50, not includin... 10/16/2009

I received the first freeze warning for Pueblo West, effective Midnight tonight through the morning of October 2nd.  Here are some things you might want to do:  1.  Bring in or cover outside potted plants.2.  Harvest any vegetables you may still have in your garden.  Green tomatoes will ripen inside or use green tomatoes in a multitude of yummy recipes you can find online or use my hearty chili recipe below.  Alternatively, you can cover your garden plants.3.  Disconnect your garden hoses from the spigot.4.  Turnoff and drain your sprinkler system.5.  If you own a vacant house, you should check to make sure your heating system has been turned on or take steps to winterize the plumbing system. Green Tomato Chili 1 lb ground beef½ cup chopped onion1 medium-sized green bell pepper, chopped... 10/01/2009

Pueblo West is 40 years old!  Can you believe it?  Stop by the Pueblo West library on Saturday between 10am and 5pm for celebration activities provided by the Pueblo West History Association.  There will be a "virtual tour" of Pueblo West early homes, entertainment provided by the Pueblo West High School choir and the Pueblo SunSational chorus, and light refreshments. Don't forget, the Pueblo 2009 Parade of Homes continues this weekend.  See the latest in building techniques from some of Pueblo 's finest builders.  Especially interesting are the energy conservation innovations.  Tickets are $5.00 at Loaf and Jug. Deb 09/18/2009

Vacant land listings sold Jan - Sept 2009 (52 solds) There are currently (9-16-09) 672 vacant land listings available. List Price: Low 6000 High 70,000 Average 22,623 Median 18,000 Selling Price: Low 5,500 High 65,000 Average 18,905 Median 15,500 List/ Sold %: Low 29.05 High 100 Average 84.51 Median 87, 45 Price/Acre$: Low 3.282.28 High 87,209 Average 20,409.32 Median 15,620.50     09/16/2009

Did you get the post card in the mail for the Nationwide Liquidators auction at 422 S. Tejon Ave on Sat, Aug 15 @ 12pm and Sun, Aug 16 @ 1pm?  Looks like lots of furniture, art, and fine oriental carpets to be auctioned off. I called Nationwide Liquidators and they told me that the house was also going to be auctioned off (which was confirmed by the listing agent).  I got a chance to tour the house and meet the current owners.  Stunningly gorgeous house, with every amenity you can think of:  fantastic views from bluff home site, xeriscaped 2-acre lot, travertine floors, radiant heating in floors, plantation shutters, best-of-the-best kitchen appliances, 2500 bottle wine cellar, and on and on!  This is NOT a distressed sale so don't expect a steal! Don't forget, Tuesday, Aug 18 is voting... 08/14/2009

Guess what?  Seufer Brother's Nursery is back in Pueblo West and here to stay (In a previous blog I reported their departure from Pueblo West).  They are located at their former location on 1087 E Holiday Drive (East of/behind Pueblo West Safeway), co-located with new property owner Rocky Mountain Landscape Materials.  The nursery offers a great (and reasonably priced) selection of locally grown trees and shrubs.  Nan Black is also back and can provide advice and assistance on the best plants for our dry, windy, high desert terrain. I have been training for the 60 mile Breast Cancer 3-day walk to be held in Denver 28-30 August.  I am happy to report that I've lost 10 lbs and hopefully will be ready (although I can't believe I'll be walking that far in just 3 days).  Last year I walked t... 08/07/2009

Yesterday I stopped in at Yes! Solar Solutions on 609 E. Enterprise Drive #120 in Pueblo West and spoke with General Manager, J.D. Johnson.  Yes! Solar Solutions has been open for about three weeks and was profiled in the Pueblo West View last week (see: http://www.pueblowestview.com/business/1248328800/2).  Yes! Solar Solutions offers integrated Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric solutions to homeowners and small businesses. Part of Yes! Solar Solutions' mission is to educate the community on the advantages of using alternative energy.  Yes! Solar Solutions has been working with local home builders to encourage having newly built homes "prepped" for current or future installation of solar electric power and the Pueblo Regional Building Department to establish local building codes for sol... 07/31/2009

Here are the Pueblo West real estate statistics for 2nd Quarter 2009, 4/1/2009-6/30/2009 Property Type 1st Quarter 2009 2nd Quarter 2009 Single Family Sold 84 (130) 133 (151) Single Family on Market 313 317 Multi-Family Sold 5 (3) 1 (2) Multi-Family on Market 12 13 Vacant Lots Sold 14 (42) 19 (53) Vacant Lots on Market 812 832 (note:  numbers in parenthesis are 2008 figures) Residential homes sold 2nd quarter by price (all 132 homes sold were single family-no townhomes/condos/patio homes) 10 < $100K 45 - between $100-150K 50 - between $150-200K 11 - between $200-250K 17 - over $250K Residential homes sold 2nd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location 42 - Pueblo West Acreage (south of Highway 50) 30 - Pueblo West East (south of Highway 50, smaller lots) 15 - Pueblo West Golf Course  4 - Puebl... 07/20/2009

                                                                           Recently I participated in the Pueblo West "wet" parade. It was so much fun and I had a great time. There was lots and lots of food and a ton of people who came threw, estimated at 50,000. Although we were chased out by rain one of the thrills came later in the evening. A double rainbow photographed from highway 50 and Swallows Road. More on the Pueblo West "wet" parade: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1141404/wet-and-wild-in-pueblo-west     07/05/2009

This year I was invited to participate in the vendor section of the Pueblo West "wet" parade. This is a parade where those sitting on the side lines are warned they are going to get wet. A more appropriate word would be drown! What a blast!!!!!!!!!! Special thanks to Lynette from Colorado Western Real Estate and Pam from Home Depot for their assistance and company. And thanks to Shelley the Rag Lady for getting me into the event just under the wire. I'd like to send out a special hi to those who came up to me and told me you read my blogs and follow me on the internet. 07/05/2009

Some important Colorado laws go into effect on July 1st. House Bill 1091 requires Carbon Monoxide detectors in all single family and multi-family homes offered for sale, transfer, or rent.  Any residential real property containing a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage will be required to have a carbon monoxide alarm properly installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping.   See HB-1091 for the details. House Bill 1109 expands the protection given to home owners under the Foreclosure Protection Act. The only action taken in the bill is to revise the definition of a "Residence in foreclosure" to include a residence that is "occupied as the home owner's principal place of residence and is encumbered by a residential mortgage ... 06/26/2009

May Day - I love this time of year!  My lilacs may actually bloom this year (if there are no late frosts), the trees are budding out, the perennials are coming back, and my front lawn needs to be mowed. The proposed 4-day school week was voted down by School District 70.  Although Pueblo West kids have been saved from longer school days, the budget shortfall still needs to be resolved.  Some tough choices will have to be made. If you are a home buyer who has been sitting on the fence, it's time to make the move to purchase.  We are at the "perfect storm" for home purchasing, interest rates are at historic lows, the price of homes in this area has (in my humble opinion) just about reached bottom, and our government will pay first-time homebuyers up to $8000 in the form of a tax credit if... 05/01/2009