When You Hurt Yourself Buying Something...Anything How much expertise do you demonstrate when you make a purchase of something...anything that the price is negotiable? If you walk into an auto dealership to purchase a new/used vehicle and start looking at expensive models you have clued the dealership into what your price range probably is for a purchase.  If you are looking at $35,000-$40,000 cars they will assume you can afford that price range. You change your mind and want to see a $25,000 model.  You want to make a deal on the less expensive vehicle.  Why should they deal if they know you could afford more?  You gave yourself away when you started looking! If you walk into a real estate office and start talking to an agent about $300,000-$400,000 homes you have clued that agent wha... 12/22/2013

Full Moon Over Westcliffe, CO Above is the full moon over Jess Price Park.  The tree with the blue lights is in memory of a beautiful girl, Courtney Curtis. This picture is from the corner of 4th and Main Street looking west.  The little hamlet of Westcliffe, CO sits in the Wet Mountain Valley at the base of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains.     12/17/2013

Thinking About Selling Your Home or Land?   Call 719 783.4644 For a FREE Market Analysis Saving You Time and Money!   It is very common for sellers to wait until after the start of the new year thinking the real estate market isn't doing anything now. Ninety-five percent of sellers think that and sellers that offer their properties now are ahead of the game.  Do you want to be 1 of 5 homes for sale or 1 of 30 homes for sale? FREE Market Analysis 12/09/2013

Addiction! Hi, my name is John, and I'm an addict!   I'm addicted to mass advertising media bombshells. "The Real Thing" "Golden Arches"  "Built Tough" "Keeps Your Engine Running Like New" ...and who can forget "New and Improved" How do we educate and teach the public how real estate works?   Name recognition makes people feel comfortable. Need an oil change?  Jiffy Lube or WalMart are names people trust. It might be that person's 1st day on the job that is actually doing your oil change.   You can't fail...money back guarantee...warranty...satisfaction guaranteed! How do we compete? Eyeball to eyeball. If you are eating a hamburger from one of the big chain stores...it doesn't matter what city you are in...it is going to taste the same. But, if you are asking for service...not a produc... 11/30/2013

What a Wonderful Experience We all have our favorite go-to lenders, appraisers, other agents to work with, home inspectors, surveyors...the list goes on.  Even when the buyer told me they wanted to use a certain lender I encouraged them to shop around and I offered to provide a list of lenders that know how to get a contract to the closing table. One recent buyer picked his own lender.  After 3 weeks that lender didn't work out (qualified buyer).  He picked another lender completely disregarding my suggestions.  He emailed me contact info for the lender.  The first day the 'specialist' and I exchanged info. I forwarded the contract and counteroffer to her.  She emailed me asking for signatures on some pages.  I explained  to her the original contract offer was countered and the last pag... 11/20/2013

Those Nameless Mentors or Life Moments Throughout life I have met people that in a few moments or seconds created a life-long memory.  They are nameless but not forgotten. I remember back in the 70's the gentleman in the bar at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff Springs, Canada.  I was in my 20's and a traveling salesman.  My day was finished and time for a drink.  He was probably in his 50's and ready for a drink while waiting for his wife. A casual conversation lasted about 2 minutes and we exchanged backgrounds ~ he was an oilman from Houston, TX.  I commented I envied him for his lifestyle. He looked at me and said something I will never forget.  "We are sitting in the same room having a drink, breathing the same air, you have everything I have.  The rest doesn't matter.  Thank you, s... 11/18/2013

  This House is worth $499,000       Save Time ~ Save Money    Spend 5 minutes with an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent   The listing agent’s thinking $650,000.   The Owner’s thinking $599,000. You’re thinking $550,000. We’re thinking $490,000. Maybe you should think about calling us! Representing People ~ Not Property If you are thinking about purchasing a home  ~ Think of one reason why you wouldn't use an  Exclusive Buyer's Agent   11/17/2013

Why I Love Real Estate? The reason we want to do something and the reason we still do it often are not the same.  We get married for one reason and we are still married for another...maybe! I got into real estate on a whim.  I had bought a 2nd home in Colorado and went to dinner with the Realtor around Christmas time. After dinner she asked when was I going to move to Colorado and what was I going to do.  Well, I had no intentions of moving but joking said I would sell real estate.  She offered to give me all her listings as she wanted to retire.  My eyes lite up.  I got a license and the short story is she didn't give me her listings! So, that is why I started in real estate.  I started with a company that sold a lot of 35 acre vacant lots.  My 1st dozen sales were easy. Then one day a... 11/17/2013

November Storm Coming In The forecast said 4" - 8" of new snow might happen this evening.  Currently, we are enjoying 52° but the wind is blowing. The beauty of Fall is we might get snow for this evening but tomorrow will be sunny and warm temperatures.  With the current temperatures the new snow will melt fast from the highways. So, expect tomorrow we will enjoy another beautiful day of snow-capped mountains. There are many locations around our county that you can see for well over 100 miles.  We can see Pike's Peak, the Collegiate Peaks to the NW and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for miles.  From our deck we can see 60-70 miles.  How far can you see? This picture is taken from the end of Main Street.   11/15/2013

...and Then She Screamed! Contract date for home was early April with closing June 30th  $200,000+ cash   My buyer and I had worked together before Seller was building new home so we understood closing might be delayed a few days Last week of May seller's agent informed us new construction was not on time I advised other agent to write amendment to change closing day No amendment Other agent advised me the contract also stated TBD for closing date and she didn't have to amend it June 30th and no contact with seller's agent Contact with seller's agent asking for July 8th for closing FINE...send me an amendment Don't have to...contract states TBD and she will determine when Seller's agent schedules July 15th for closing...no amendments 10:00 am confirmed for closing Notified problems with... 11/14/2013

Who Do You Want to Talk To? In a disclosure form published by the Colorado Real Estate Commission they list working relationships.  This form is required to be disclosed to every client/customer before any real estate is discussed.  One agency relationship is Seller's Agent; "A seller's agent (or listing agent) works solely on behalf of the seller to promote the interests of the seller with the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity.  The agent negotiates on behalf of and acts as an advocate for the seller....  (if you are a seller, hire this person) Now, if you are a buyer...what do you want to say to this person? If you were charged with a crime do you want to speak to the Prosecutor?  They work for the government.  Their job is to prosecute you.  Don't you think you should hire some... 11/12/2013

Listings, Pictures, Valuables and Crime We an agent takes a listing their objective is to sell the home. They want to present the home as attractive as possible. Their pictures and description should make a potential buyer want to call for an appointment. But, what are you taking pictures of; the kitchen with new appliances, the family room with lots of media equipment, the master bedroom with jewelry displayed, the living room with fine paintings?  The list goes on. What are your showing instructions and are they available to the general public?  Do you advertise the owners are part-time? When you take a new client out (walk-ins) do you ask for ID to copy for the office? Has anyone ever had a client that really was a thief?  Did they go back and vandalize the home after you showed it. ... 11/11/2013

Salute!     11/10/2013

Event Coordinator Needed for Westcliffe, CO Our community is an up and coming center for music, art and events.  We are in search of your expertise.  We know what we want to achieve but your professionalism will help us determine how to get there.  We are considering hiring someone. We currently have a several successful music festivals: High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival  Wet Mountain Western Jubilee In Concert  Feedstore Amphitheater Concerts High Peaks Music Festival Added to our great music we have excellent artists, photographers, craftsman, museums, galleries and events: http://www.sangresartguild.org/ Our non-profit organizations share our pride of this community: http://www.wmvcf.org/home.asp This blog is only to start a dialogue.  We do not have a formal committee for h... 11/10/2013

The Agent with the Sign in the Yard Does NOT Work for You If you are a buyer and looking for real estate the last thing you want to do is call the agent with the sign in the yard. Honest agents with a sign in the yard will tell you the same thing. An agent that puts a real estate sign in someone's yard has a contract with the seller to sell their property.  They have a responsibility to the seller to help them get their asking price, on their terms and any other conditions in favor of the seller.  If the agent is the seller's agent they have more responsibility to provide fiduciary duty, loyalty, confidentiality and good faith to their client. If they are not the seller's agent they are a transaction broker (state laws vary) which allows them to be a third party to any contract negotiat... 11/09/2013

Market Report for Sales August 2013 Homes 13 Homes ranging in price from $55,000 to $338,000 $55,000        1007 County Raod 132 $75,000        5997 County Road 125 $101,500      510 Drunk Horse Lane $110,000      307 Second Street $110,000      215 Konn Road $115,000      308 County Road 297 $150,000      1005 Rito Alto Ave. $175,000      1365 Givvs Drive $185,000      147 Bull Domingo Lane $189,000      1138 Vista de Aspen Road $215,000      42 Granada Court $222,000      116 Alvarado Road $338,000      805 Desperado Drive TOTAL    $1,855,500   Land   8 Properties ranging in price from $15,000 to $55,000 $15,000     1532 Hull Ave. $16,000     116 Beneaton Lane $19,500     114 Jerry Drive $25,000     326 Della Fox Lane $25,000     Lot 194 Centennial Ranch $44,500     419 Rosita Drive $... 11/08/2013

Westcliffe, CO is Biker Friendly Whatever your mode of transportation: bicycle, motorcycle, car or truck,  Westcliffe, CO is an outstanding destination.  You will find just getting here worth the trip.  The scenery on Frontier Pathways is some of the most spectacular in Colorado. For motorcyclists the number of take-your-breathe away rides will range from just part of a day to all day.  A 2 hour loop can start in Canon City traveling west along Hwy 50.  Much of that trip will have you enjoying the twists and turns along the Arkansas River before starting the ascent on Hwy 69 at Texas Creek to the Wet Mountain Valley and the quaint hamlet of Westcliffe, CO. In Westcliffe you will be welcomed up and down Main Street.  A couple of places where you will find friendly faces and good food (no... 11/07/2013

Certified Wildlife Habitat in Westcliffe, CO This is the sign on our gate as you approach the Courtyard Country Inn B & B in Westcliffe, CO. Our visitors have included foxes, deer, skunks , pheasants, bears (in the alleyway), and Chico!  Chico is no longer with us but he greeted guests for several years.  RIP my friend!     11/06/2013

Election Day in Westcliffe, CO 2013       We have about 3-4 inches of new snow on the ground with more expected later today.  When the mountains make their appearance it should be spectacular.  Since the weather has been warm the roads clear fast.  It was 26° this morning but it really feels pleasant.  The lack of wind makes the difference. 11/05/2013

Nosy Neighbors! Sometimes you just gotta stand your ground!  Ever have one of those confrontational moments when you don't know what is going to happen next? This young feller got in my face but I think we had a meeting of the minds and no one flew off the handle.  I think we developed a mutual respect. 11/03/2013