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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)
Contract Offers, Counteroffers, Verbals and Written You have an offer on a property.  Your client has written the check for the earnest money. You present the offer and check to the listing agent. The seller counters the offer. If a counteroffer is accepted I am happy for my client to sign it and we are under contract. But, if my client does not accept the counteroffer I prefer to work with the other agent with verbal exchanges.  If the objections are just price and maybe a date or two verbals are fine with me.  Obviously, if we have 10 Additional Provisions putting it in writing until those are resolved works best.  It is very common that  I would know the other agent plus the buyer and seller live somewhere else (or at least the buyer lives elsewhere). I like for contracts to be clean...
Comments 37
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
A Tale of Two Title Companies, It Was the Best...  No, this isn't my story but I am asking for yours. Have you ever closed with different companies? Why? Was it problematic? Do you compare companies for your clients?  What do you compare above price? My understanding if two companies are used the problems are worked out by the title companies, not the buyer, seller or their agents. A tale of two title companies, it was the best...
Comments 9
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Local restaurant with 5 tables full of locals ~ all sellers, agents or town drunks. Table One SELLER #1  "Hey Bubba, when you gonna show my house?" Table Three THEIR AGENT (Bubba)  "Next year, probably." Table One SELLER #1  "Better hurry, Dudette at Table 5 gets my listing next." Table Three  THEIR AGENT (Bubba)  "Hey, Dudette, want it now?" Table Five  DUDETTE  "No hurry, I've already got the Listing Contact written and I don't want to have to change the date.  You keep it." Bar  TOWN DRUNK  "Hell, give it to me, I'll sell it." Table One  SELLER #1  "Dude, you had my listing 2 years ago." Bar  TOWN DRUNK  "I'm gonna show it tomorrow." Table Two  SELLER #2  "Hey John (that's me!), when you gonna sell my place?" Table Three JOHN (remember me?)  "Tell you the same thing I told Bubba #2, ...
Comments 9
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
A pat on the back in Westcliffe, CO made my day yesterday. Doing what we all do everyday and I notice a couple getting out of the vehicle in front of my office. Nothing unusual as there are several businesses within walking distance. They looked familiar...again not unusual...small town and everyone knows everyone. They walk through our gate and I recognize them as a couple from out of state that bought a home about 3 months ago for their retirement. My memory flashed back to our negotiations when we made a Counteroffer on price. (BUYER'S MARKET!) We gave the sellers 4 days to accept our offer and waited...and waited... The husband called me after day 2 thinking they should just go ahead and take the previous offer as they might loose this one waiting...and waiting. I encouraged them to...
Comments 8
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Real estate prices and inflation...anything in common? Scenario:  You paid $100,000 for your new home in 1990.  It drops in value 1% every year (so does everybody's).  What is it worth today?  Is there any logic to this?  Why would you want anything to depreciate in value? If you paid $100,000 in 1990 and so did your neighbor, you home values today are comparable.  You each dropped in value.  Think about if you buy at a high price and sell high...you're even.  If you buy low, sell low, ditto.  If you buy low and sell high, you've made money.  But, did you?  If you sold high, the other prices are high.  Obviously, no one want to buy high and sell low. Benefits:  If prices are low, we sell more properties.  There are more buyers.  INFLATION: NOT All prices are relevant!  A home is back to...
Comments 4
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Non-Profit Organizations in the Wet Mountain Valley You will find Custer County, Colorado to be home to more Non-Frofit Organizations than you have time to volunteer.  This is where neighbor helping neighbor is a way of life, not a luxury! We consider the Wet Mountain Valley to be Paradise. Non Profit • 4H Foundation • All Aboard Westcliffe • Animal Advocates of Colorado, Inc. • Cliffs Commercial District • Cross D Bar Recreation Foundation • Custer 2020, Inc. dba Club America WMV • Custer County Affordable Housing • Custer County Cares About Cancer • Custer County Clinic • Custer County Community Sharing Center • Custer County Conservation District • Custer County Historical & Genealogical Society • Custer County Lions of the Sangres • Custer County Merchants and Chamber of Commerce •...
Comments 9
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Procuring cause and buyer agency can become a problem for brokers if... Scenario:  A buyer meets with an agent to look at properties.  Assume the agent explained to some detail working relationships and assume the buyer is still clueless. After the agent shows 3 or 4 homes the agent shows (the degree of showing is not discussed for this blog) one of their listings with another explanation of relationships.  Now, the buyer is paying more attention because they just realized this agent can't represent them but has to be neutral. So, the buyer looks for a buyer's agent.  They knock on my door and explain the situation.  My position is I will only work with them if they dismiss the other agent explaining why.  I will confirm with the other agent and sign the buyers to a contract to hire me....
Comments 10
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Did we create our own public relations problem when a listing agent could work for both sides?  I don't know when this practice started or who started it but could this be the #1 problem real estate agents have concerning our public image?  Is this why buyers still call the agent with the sign in the yard?   Have we put our ability/desire to be honest and fair above integrity?  Can the system be changed and how do we start the change? Would we be perceived as more professional if we made the change? What do you perceive to be the biggest PR problem in our industry? Could the change be started by simply adding a rider to the "For Sale" sign to call YOUR Realtor? How would this change marketing? Did we create our own public relations problem when a listing agent could work for both sides?  
Comments 67
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
The Historic Alpine Lodge Restaurant and Lounge in Westcliffe, CO is featuring for Valentine's Day a 6 course dinner special for $29.95 A 6 course dinner will feature:   Beef Wellington (8 oz. Filet/Medallions) Seafood Wellington (Crab, Lobster, Shrimp) Chicken Wellington (8 oz. Chicken Breast) Open 5:00 - 8:00pm  Reservations requested and appreciated 719 783-2660
Comments 3
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Valentine's Week Happening's in Westcliffe, CO Just some of the events, entertainment and restaurants:    Jayme Stone performs live at the Jones Theater on February 10th, 4:00pm   719 783-9709 Historic Alpine Lodge offers Valentine's Weekend Specials Thursday - Sunday   719 783-2660 Westcliffe Wine Mine will be open 4-8pm on Valentine's Day   719 783-2490 Salty Pine Floral & Boutique has roses and more available for delivery   719 783-9393 Maverick's offers a Surf & Turf Valentine Dinner for 2  $40.00  February 16th is Karaoke   719 783-3333 Schlabach's Marketplace will have daily specials for your Valentine's Party   719 783-9010 Rancher's Roost Cafe will have Specials all day Valentine's Day   719 783-2147 Courtyard Country Inn Bed & Breakfast offers a 10% discount and a bottle of win...
Comments 7
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Mission: Wolf A nature center and sanctuary for wolves and horses. Meeting a live wolf is something you will never forget, and often instills respect for wolves and other wildlife. www.missionwolf.com   This is my wife, Mo making out with a wolf. She had no fear since she says she is married to a wolf! The rest of the tribe is our family enjoying time with the wolves. I thought I would blog this today since we have a guest at our bed and breakfast here to photograph Mission: Wolf. We are so fortunate to live in an area with abundant wildlife. We are surrounded by nature and that demands a new respect for this earth.   If you are looking to live in paradise I will be happy to show you what we have to offer. Come visit for a day or a lifetime.
Comments 8
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
New temp email addresses for us. WestcliffeCO@gmail.com for John G. Johnston & Associates  WestcliffeCO2@gmail.com for Mo (my wife) and the Courtyard Country Inn   As many of you know iHouseweb had a catastrophic disaster last week. Their servers crashed via corruption over and over. They are the host for 2 websites for us; one real estate and the other our bed and breakfast. Our websites are back up and running; although not totally correct. Their email service is still down. :( I will transfer our email accounts to gmail as soon as I can contact iHouseweb to update my registration info.   In the meantime, please use the above addresses.  They will probably stay in use.   Sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused in your scheduled reading for enjoyment and education! BUMMER! BUM...
Comments 27
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
In Concert Presents Jayme Stone "Room of Wonders" at the Jones Theater Music Inspired by Folk Dances from Around the World Banjo, Guitar, Violin & Bass   Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 4:00pm Jones Theater. 119 Main Street, Westcliffe, CO Tickets at Candy's Coffee or at the Door www.inconcertwestcliffe.com
Comments 12
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
  Props; cell phones, websites, texting, iPads, assistants...a broom?   All offer us a means to communicate with other people. We get instant communication via cell phones as opposed to waiting to get back to the office to get a message from the receptionist. Our website allows potential clients to view our offerings without waiting for snail mail. Texting keeps us in touch when we are unavailable in meeting or places we don't want the phone to interrupt us. iPads allow us instant communication when we are 'in the field'. Assistants do all the 'little things' that allow us to spend more time directly with our clients.   A broom? WTH? Simple, a $20.00 push broom from Ace Hardware allows me more time face to face than all the other gadgets mentioned above.   I've got a cell phone and use ...
Comments 18
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
I walked outside to feed the strays this morning only to see the most beautiful moon over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  Immediately, I went for the iPhone and less than a minute later the moon was dropping behind some clouds.  Have I ever said we live in paradise?  For my blind friends I will make the pic LARGE!
Comments 8
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
This house is worth $499,000   The listing agent is thinking $650,000   The owner is thinking $599,000   You're thinking $550,000   We're thinking $495,000     Maybe you should think about calling us! Representing People ~ Not Property Save Time ~ Save Money The agent with the sign in the yard doesn't work for you!
Comments 7
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
  How do you show real estate? I have always enjoyed when a listing agent wants to show a home. Someday, I will video a presentation, as most are amusing!   OK, my clients and I knock on the door and the listing agent is there to greet us with their friendly smile. (If you don't have a friendly smile you are in the wrong profession!) After introductions and casual conversation the agent STARTS the tour!   1. Please notice the top of the line genuine bought in Asia from a camel herder one of a kind (fill in the item here...carpet, appliances, woodwork, fixtures) that is worth a kibillion yaks.      1a. They forgot to mention this is the living room so they point out what room we are in.   2. The kitchen...repeat everything said in item 1 stressing you can't buy this stuff anymore!   2a. ...
Comments 51
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Westcliffe, CO is known for several sculptures around town and this is one of my favorite.  It is just across the street from my office so I can look out the window and enjoy it.  The mailbox has Westcliffe CO on it.  The book is a Sears and Roebuck catalog.  His boots are next to the mailbox and I'm sure that is the best cigar money can buy!  
Comments 2
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
The Custer County Drama Club presents In the Burning Darkness by Antonio Buero-Vallejo At the Jones Theater Tickets $5.00 students;                                                                                              Thursday - Saturday, $7.00 adults                                                                                                           January 17 - 19  7:30pm For season ticket information call Lissa Miller at 783-4936  Jones Theater website
Comments 2
By John G. Johnston, An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO
(John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC)
Blackie showed up in the Spring of 2012 with her sister, Spookie.  Spookie has since left but Blackie is here for 2 meals a day, and an occasional scratching!             These are a couple trying to check in to the B & B across the street. Turned away for not having a reservation (HEY!  They're not Indians)               ...and that's the way it was Work at something you enjoy and worthy of your time and talent.
Comments 6
Westcliffe, CO Real Estate Professionals