Evening Grosbeaks We have 8 guest rooms at the Courtyard Country Inn B & B.  It is very common for places to be named after one of our many 14er's in the valley.  We thought there were enough mountains getting credit so we named our rooms after birds we see on the property.  This pic is taken out the kitchen window so the clarity is not as good as I would like it to be.   11/03/2013

When to...When Not to... Decisions, decisions.  When do you hire someone to do it or try to do it yourself?  When an opportunity arises that allows me to learn something and there are no repercussions from any mistakes I might make... We just built a pergola in our courtyard.   We designed it...never did that before! We dug 2 foot holes for the concrete supports...never did that before! We measured and cut 4x4's to the exact length and used a level to verify we got it right...never did that before! Measured twice and cut once...never did that before! Finished...and its level. But, this decision didn't have any repercussions if I made a mistake. If I was going to make the largest purchase of my lifetime would I try and do it alone?  Not a chance! If I wrecked my automobile...would I try ... 11/02/2013

Early Voting in Custer County, Colorado Custer County residents are receiving their ballots in the mail this year.  Election Day is November 5th and all ballots must be returned by 7:00pm on the 5th. Three positions are available on the local school board. There is a proposal to increase the mill levy for the hospital district. Another ballot issue is Amendment 66 to increase taxes to benefit schools. The last issue is Proposition AA that would if approved would create 2 taxes; one excise tax and the other a sales tax on marijuana. I encourage everyone to vote!     Visit: www.JohnGJohnston.com for an expert in real estate. 10/29/2013

Market Report for Sales July 2013 Custer County, CO Homes 10 home sales ranging in price from $105,000 to $450,000 $105,000     82 Mockingbird Hill     $115,000     46 Willis Circle $120,000     652 Road 182M $170,000     200 County Road 388 $172,500     50 Granada Court $225,000     1147 County Road 389 $245,000     338 Arapaho Road $250,000     1 Inverness Ave. $340,000     796 Knickerbocker Road $450,000     298 Mistletoe Way TOTAL     $2,192,500   Land 12 Sales ranging in price from $1,600 to $65,000 $1,600      48 Elk Lane $5,500      108 Elk Lane  $5,800      73 Kildare Lane $15,000     1867 County Road 389 $18,000     Lot 69 Blumenau Sub 1 $19,900     2330 Electric Ave. $51,500     6020 Oak Grove Circle $55,000     3046 Hwy 96 $60,000     3995 County Road 125 $60,000     620 Prai... 10/27/2013

Kids Halloween Costume Party Thursday, October 31, 2013 (After Main Street Trick-or-Treating) FREE Pizza Party, Drinks and Games (12 and under with an adult) At Mavericks For Local Family Friendly Fun Now Serving Pizza   Let's get out and support our community businesses!  This is the 1st annual so let's make it successful for years to come.   Visit:  www.JohnGJohnston.com for an expert in real estate. 10/26/2013

Halloween Pub Crawl Costume Contest Saturday, October 26th Judging as Follows: 8:30pm  Mavericks 9:30pm Chappys 10:30 Somewhere Saloon Awarding 1st, 2nd and 3rd Places Hundreds in Cash and Prizes! (must be present at ALL locations to qualify for prizes) Brought to you in partnership by these fine Valley businesses: Have a Nice Day Cafe Antler's Liquor Hough Electric Jarrard Stills Green Hermit Firewood The Liquor Cabinet Join the FUN, FOOD & FRIENDS at your local pubs and eateries! Drink Specials and food at all participating locations. Chappys Somewhere Saloon Mavericks (These establishments encourage responsible drinking.  If you are in need of a designated driver, please inquire at any location and we will provide safe travel between pubs and your home.)     Visit:  www.JohnGJohnston... 10/25/2013

Market Report for Sales June 2013 Homes 9 Sales Ranging from $111,300 to $509,000 224 County Road 240        $111,300 20 Vista Drive                  $130,000 307 Third Street               $141,800 6470 County Road 328      $149,000 80 Rocky Ridge Road        $178,000 445 Ernest Ave.               $197,000 655 Lake View Road         $255,000 630 Keepsake Loop          $270,000 71448 Hwy 69                 $509,000 Total Sales                  $1,840,903 (Sales for 2012:  10 homes for $1,319,400)   Vacant Land 13 Sales Ranging from $3,500 to $260,000 896 Domingo Way                            $3,500 187 Angel Road & 18436 Hwy 165     $15,000 1089 Arroyo Ave.                            $22,000 unknown address                            $29,000 Lot 2 Block 8 Tara J                        ... 10/24/2013

Yarn Bombing! National Knitting Week started on October 11, 2013.  Our trees, statues and streetlamps will stay warm as a result of local participants in the celebration started in the Netherlands. The Westcliffe Yarn Bombers are comprised of the Wet Mountain Weavers, the Mountain Purls and the Community United Methodist Church Knitting Group.  They will be displaying homemade scarf's around town on anything that looks like it could use a warming!  Their artistry will be displayed until October 28th. Enjoy! 10/20/2013

Sharp Seller and Buyer! One of my most difficult sales occurred with two FSBO's and a serious buyer wanting to purchase two properties from different sellers with a simultaneous closing. One seller owned the home my buyer wanted to purchase.  I had sold the seller the home 5 years previously and they informed me they were interested in selling but not listing it with anyone.  (They understood the problems associated with not listing in the MLS.) The other seller owned 320 acres they wanted to sell and I sold it all in 4 different sales.  The first buyer walked off 200+ acres they wanted to buy.  We are down to the last 60 acres the seller owned and my buyer wanted it plus the home...but not one without the other. The home sale was not too complicated a transaction and no major problems ... 10/19/2013

Full Moon Over Hope Lutheran Church & Westcliff School Museum Some mornings are just too good to miss! This photo is taken with the Hope Lutheran Church and the Westcliff School Museum.  One of our town parks is to the left in this pic and there were about a dozen deer enjoying the morning too.  Why the letter 'e' is missing from the name Westcliffe is unknown. 10/19/2013

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning! After years of drought and uncertainty, we are beginning to breath easier with bountiful moisture. Northern Colorado was hammered with flooding while we received generous rainfalls each and every day.  Last night we were forecast 2-4" of snow.  It started around nightfall and continued almost all night.  Oh, what a surprise we got! 10/16/2013

...and then the clouds broke Living in paradise you expect every morning to bring a new day with changing views of our beautiful scenery. Some days we will wake up to a cloud cover in town but the mountains will be peering above them.  From a distance town has disappeared in the clouds with the mountains shining above. Tomorrow, we expect to see snow covered peaks as we are due to receive 4-8"! Enjoy your day 10/15/2013

Perspective! Recently, I have read some great blogs presenting opinions on just about everything.  I learned a long time ago I don't know anything but I do have a lot of opinions! I remember a story from the 5th grade.  The teacher told us a story and asked us to answer a question.  She explained there was not a right or wrong answer.  She just asked us to answer a question. Here's the story and question:  You are on a small boat with your mother, wife and child.  The boat capsizes and you are only able to save one person.  Who are you going to save, your mother, wife or child?  Remember, there is no right or wrong answer.  80% of the class answered their wife and the other 20% said their child...(remember, we are 5th graders).  No one mentioned their mother.  Everyone felt the elderly ... 10/06/2013

Elk Elk are common in this neck of the woods.  You can go out in the evening and see 100+ elk doing what they do...living life. It is amazing that people take vacations to view what we see daily. Why do people work 40+ hours a week to spend a week enjoying what we see daily?  I work 40++ hours a week and still enjoy seeing wildlife on almost a daily basis. Tell me again, "You're saving for what?" Oh, nevermind!         10/03/2013

Sunset in Paradise! I take so many pics of this beautiful area that it is hard to determine when to post one. With all that is happening around the state, country and world I guess we never have enough to smile about.  I only wish you could smell the clean crisp mountain air and feel the cool breeze. 10/01/2013

17th Annual Art for the Sangres Presenting Sponsor:  A Painted View Ranch Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 A Painted View Ranch 3115 County Road 160 Westcliffe, CO   Open Viewing: 1-5 p.m. Art Sale & Reception:  5-8 p.m. Admission $50 per person A benefit fine art sale and reception for San Isabel Land Protection Trust To buy tickets: www.artforthesangres.com artforthesangres@sanisabel.org 719 783.3018   09/27/2013

Lucky Day! Sometimes...it just don't get no better...enjoy the day! 09/02/2013

My Apologies I started in 2001 with 5 agents working for me when I opened my own real estate business.  In less than 3 years I realized I had no desire to be the biggest real estate company in my area (and I wasn't).  I admit I have ego problems but being the biggest was not one of them. However, I did want to be the best!  OK, ego again.  Let's say I really want to be the best at what I do...or the best I can be. PROBLEM:  I'M JUST ONE PERSON. I have a wife, family, business, clients, I'm a Town Trustee....the list goes on.  (Let's clarify: wife comes first!)  I do about 200 market analysis a year. Now I'm involved in a play this next weekend (acting debut) and rehersals...you know the story. NEXT PROBLEM:  PERSONAL TIME. I love to run and work-out, play golf and ride motorcycles.  I t... 09/02/2013

August 24, 2013 Meet-up If you ever want to host a meet-up with ActiveRainers...the 1st person on the 'invite list' is Sondra Meyers!  She defines the term "class act"!  Her talents with a camera would (will) make Richard Yates drool with envy.   Our meet-up started with the grand tour of our property.  That included the 2 local terrorist (Cody and Charlie) we have trained to greet visitors.  Sondra spend some time taking photos of our property...and here's hoping we get some back to use for advertising purposes!!! Sondra has a good head on her shoulders and will be an asset to any clients that have to good fortune to work with her. At the end of our meet-up I shot a video to use as warfare with Brad MacKenzie but Sondra is just too classy for Brad!   08/27/2013

  Our Meetup in Westcliffe, CO on Saturday may have not been the best attended Meetup.  However, it was probably held in the most amazing, beautiful, and charming location.    John Johnston opted to host the Meetup at the Courtyard Country Inn Bed & Breakfast in Westcliffe.   My poor camera went into sensory overload because there were too many things that I wanted to photograph.   Since John and his wonderful wife Mo own the Courtyard Country Inn B&B, hopefully they won’t mind if I spend my time on this post gushing about their courtyard.    The drive into Westcliffe from Colorado Springs was nice.  It entailed gentle winding roads, awe inspiring rock formations, majestic pine trees, lush green grass and patches of cheerful sunflowers.  The next thing I knew was that I was driving into... 08/25/2013