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Westcliffe, CO Real Estate News

By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO Weather on January 09, 2014   Westcliffe, CO is starting her day at 11° with beautiful sunny skies. We expect her to warm up to the upper 30's with overcast skies coming in around noon. 11° is also the over-night low for our hamlet. Our 4 seasons are only one reason people find us to be the perfect place to live. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
When Do You Make Money in Real Estate? Whether you are buying gold, investing in stocks, mutual funds or real estate...everyone has an opinion about how to make money. I have an opinion but mine is a professional opinion. You make your money when you buy it! Example:  In one neighborhood there are five homes for sale.  Let's say they were all built around 2005-2007 by the same builder and there are minor variations in the homes; color of carpet, fixtures...maybe an upgrade package for $4,000.  The average sales price was $300,000. Now, 7-8 years later sellers are putting their homes on the market. Basically, they are listed around $350,000.  If you were lucky and bought your $300,000 home for $250,000 you can sell it for $290,000 and make a profit!  Everyone else would loose money at th...
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO:  365 Things to Do!  #5 Entertainment District! The town (hamlet) of Westcliffe is working on creating an Entertainment District. We hope before summer starts to have this fun and exciting opportunity available for everyone to enjoy. Basically, we are discussing creating an area in our town (hamlet) that will allow people to enjoy walking (no vehicles allowed) around just as you would in a park.  The area would be a large portion of our downtown area where we have several fine restaurants, pubs and fun places to be entertained like Cliff Lanes (our bowling alley). The district would be from Adams Blvd on the west end to the corner of Main and 3rd Street on the east side.  Vehicle traffic would still be allowed to other popular places like the grocery store. The town is al...
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO Weather on January 08, 2014 Currently, we have temperatures in the mid teens with 15° recorded at the Courtyard Country Inn B & B. The overnight low was 15° recorded at 2:25am. We are expecting highs to be in the upper 30's and today should be mostly cloudy. Wednesday should be another gorgeous day in the Wet Mountain Valley. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO:  365 Things to Do!  #4 Parades! Center:  Lily and Cody are leading Mo in one of our Wigglebutt Parades! Westcliffe, CO is a hamlet known for parades...for just about any reason!   Memorial Day 4th of July Rodeo  Labor Day Christmas You will find firetrucks, military, floats, horses, dogs, walkers for many organizations and a few people left over to watch!  For a small town of 500 people we can pack a lot of fun into the old-time pastime of watching a good parade! Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO Weather on January 07, 2014 Westcliffe. CO is looking at 10° this morning at 7:10am.  The overnight low was 6°. We expect a sunny day (UPDATE: mostly cloudy) with temperatures reaching the mid 40's by afternoon. This picture was taken looking east at a beautiful sunrise.  In the foreground is the Courtyard Country Inn B & B.  Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO:  365 Things to Do!  #3 There are many beautiful drives around Custer County.  One of the prettiest and most scenic is a 10 mile drive along County Road 358. Seven miles driving through the national forest followed by open ranch land with massive views. Add to that you might be the only vehicle on the road! Directions:  From Westcliffe travel 16 miles east on Hwy. 96.  About 100 yards before coming to Hwy. 165 is a turn to the right.  It appears to be a driveway...but look close.  There is a County Road sign:  CR 358. Many times I have been the only tracks in the snow.   From the end of the road you can turn either left or right.  Either is worth it. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe CO January 06, 2014  7:15am Westcliffe, CO enjoyed an overnight low of -9°! Currently the temperature is -3° with an expected high around 40°.  Temps should warm up fast today with little wind.  The mountain areas are experiencing higher temperatures than areas like Colorado Springs or Pueblo.  Although many areas canceled school today because of the weather Custer County schools are on schedule. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO:  365 Things to Do!  #2 Bishop's Castle In 1959 a 15 year old, Jim Bishop, bought a 2 1/2 acre property for $450.00.  Fifty+ years later sits a monument to a man's desire.  Click on Bishop's Castle to view this incredible accomplishment.   To get there from the hamlet of Westcliffe, CO you will drive 16 miles east on Hwy 96.  Turn right (south) on Hwy 165 and the castle is approximately 13 miles south on the right.
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe CO January 05, 2014  7:20am   -11° Good Morning Westcliffe, CO Westcliffe received about 2" of fresh snow on Saturday. The temperatures will probably not get above the teens for Sunday. Please take care of your pets and provide shelter, food and water. It should be a beautiful day in Westcliffe, CO but extremely cold temperatures. Enjoy your day!  
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, Colorado; 365 Things to Do!  #1 From the Westcliffe Town Park, also known as Memorial Park, we have a walking, hiking, jogging trail that extends to the town park in Silver Cliff. The trail is 1.5 miles in length from park to park and there are extensions if you would like to add distance to that. From the Westcliffe Town Park:  The corner of 4th Street and Powell you travel east following the white stripes on Powell St. Two blocks and you cross Hwy 69 onto a very nice trail.  About 100 yards the trail turns to the right and crosses Hermit Road behind the Shell/Subway.  You will turn east (left) and about another 100 yards you will stay to the right and the trail follows Hermit Road. The formal trail ends at the Silver Cliff Town Park.  Round trip is 3 miles.  From Westcliff...
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO January 04, 2014  7:15am   Winter Storm approaches but we don't expect much. They predict 1"-3" for the Wet Mountain Valley and Westcliffe, CO.   Another 4"-8" in expected in the Wet Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. At 7:15am the temperature in Westcliffe was 25° with temperatures not rising very much above that today. The next 3 days the temperature may not get above the freezing mark. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO January 03, 2014 This morning we woke up to clear skies and 16°. Today should be sunny and warm temperatures with the high around the upper 40's. Tomorrow brings a cold spell for 4 days with temperatures probably not above the freezing mark.  There is a chance of snow on Saturday with 1"-3" expected. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Good Morning Westcliffe, Colorado   Westcliffe, Colorado woke up to a brisk 8° this morning with beautiful clear skies.  Our forecast is for the temperatures to reach the mid 40's today.  Tomorrow will bring even warmer temperatures.  A serious cold front arrives on Saturday with several days of very cold temperatures. Enjoy your day!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Part 2 Soon, new rules and regulations will go into effect providing consumers with better information about mortgages.   The website below will help you find a housing counselor near the 81252 zip code.  The distances are as the crow flies.  The closest location is in Canon City. This service is designed to help a home buyer understand their mortgage including mortgage loan terms.   http://www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau This new set of regulations will affect our business and the industry.  Most real estate agents are not even aware of this or how it will effect their business. Please take the time to browse this site and watch some of the videos. You can submit your email address for updates from this website.   http://www.consumerfinance.gov/mortgage-rules-at-a-glance/
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO New Year's Day 2014   We woke up to snow showers and socked in by the clouds.  As the morning progressed the sky started to clear and the mountains came and went with the passing clouds. They say by this afternoon we will see a clear sky and warm temperatures. HAPPY NEW YEAR ACTIVE RAIN!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Sunday Morning December 29, 2013 Westcliffe, Colorado   We woke up to about an inch of new snow.  The mountains are beautiful and the air is crisp. We had guests last night and one service I like to do is brush off their car windows for them. We learned a long time ago to give more than someone expects...it makes for smiles!
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Buying a Home in Westcliffe, Custer County, Colorado The home buying process varies as you travel around the country. The number of variables is too numerous for this blog.  I will concentrate on my market; Westcliffe, Custer County, Colorado. Most buyers come from out of town and many are from out of state.  It is always interesting to ask how they found us.  We have a saying "if you are lucky enough to live in Westcliffe, you are lucky enough". The Custer County Planning and Zoning Office publishes a 50 page booklet designed to provide a newcomer with all the information they didn't even know to ask.  This is an excellent read before you come here as it will provide you with good questions to ask your Buyer's Agent. Let's assume you are looking for an office to start your search.  Not...
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By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Buying a Home So you have decided to buy a home, maybe your first or fifth, but you a ready to at least start looking... First step.  Most buyers today start on the internet and wind up on a internet site like Realtor.com, Homes.com, Trulia.com or Zillow.com.  That's OK.  But, one of the problems with those sites is the information is often wrong!  I say wrong...I mean the information is not current.  The home listed for sale may have sold several months ago.  That is frustrating for buyers. I'm hoping they find a way to improve their service or their reputation will suffer for it. Second step.  Contacting someone about a listing.  Usually, most buyers simply call the phone number for the agent with the sign in the yard or on the internet.  BIG MISTAKE!  Why?  They work for the seller a...
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