Florissant, CO

Whenever I get a request to do a closing in Florissant, Colorado, I think of that saying: 'It's not just a job. It's an adventure.'

For starters, Florissant, Colorado isn't actually a city. You won't find paved streets with traffic lights. There are no neighborhoods with rows of houses and kids playing on the sidewalks, or people walking their dogs.

No. Florissant isn't a city. It's wilderness. Instead of streets, avenues, and boulevards, you have county roads. And they aren't laid out in a grid. They twist and wind. As you may have guessed, not all of the roads are asphalt. They're mostly dirt roads.

And Florissant isn't the kind of place where you want to have car troubles. There are no gas stations every mile. You might consider calling AAA, if you're able to get a call through to them. There are many areas where there is no cell phone coverage. You're on your own.

I did a closing a couple of weeks ago in Florissant. For that closing I took CR1 (County Road 1).

There is another road -- Lower Twin Rocks Road (CR 42).

It intersects with CR1 and provides a bit of shortcut if you're driving from Colorado Springs. That's the road I took to get to the closing I had yesterday. Both roads are paved and in pretty good condition.

It's a good idea to have a GPS. I used to shun the devices, thinking that I could find any location with a map. But now I can't imagine owning a car without one. And I can't imagine trying to find my way through Florissant at night without a GPS.

It's a beautiful area of Colorado with a lot of spectacular scenery. I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I can say that I know my way around Florissant like I do Colorado Springs. But I've reached a point where I feel comfortable accepting an assignment to do a closing there.

I have a confession to make. A few years ago I had a closing assignment in Florissant, Colorado. On the way there I took a wrong turn and had a hard time finding the borrower's home. It didn't help that he lived far off the beaten path, and that there was no cell phone coverage so that I could call him and get directions. I finally located him through trial and error.

Actually, just about everyone in Florissant lives far off the beaten path. Florissant, Colorado isn't a city. It's more like an area. Wilderness, to be exact.

Things have changed a lot since that closing in Florissant. It can still be a challenge finding some of the locations there, but I have a better attitude about going to remote places ever since I bought a Garmin GPS for my Palm Treo. GPS is something that every notary signing agent and mobile notary should have. It's really amazing how this device can find locations. I had a closing last week in Elizabeth, Colorado. The GPS got me there with no problem.

But would it find locations in Florissant?

I had a chance to find out. I got a call to do a closing last Friday in Florissant. I was able to locate the borrower with no problem. As I turned onto the road where she lived, the GPS announced: 'Arriving at destination.' And sure enough, there was the house. I could have gotten there in the dark.

So I'm feeling a lot more positive about accepting closing assignments to Florissant. I'm more familiar with the roads than before, and I have the peace of mind that I have a GPS to get me there. If you have a need for a closer in Florissant, Colorado, give me a call. I'll be glad to go there.

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This is County Road 1 (CR1) -- the road that I took. If you're on Highway 24, you'll see the Thunderbird Bar & Grill -- a landmark that you can't miss. That's where to make the turn if you want to visit the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

I could have also taken Lower Twin Rocks Road. Perhaps I'll do that someday when I'm feeling a bit more adventurous.

From: Pikes Peak Association of Realtors

Finding the Right Home

With all the choices in today's market, how do you go about finding the right home? It seems the more research you do, the more alternatives you discover.

It's important to visualize your needs and plan ahead. "Know what you want in a home, what's important to you, and what you can live without," Brian Lloyd, Broker associate of the Wegwood Properties says. "Many of us start out with a champagne taste and a beer pocketbook, so it's important to be realistic," He adds.

Where and what you buy will affect you for as long as you live in the house. "Get your priorities in order before you start looking or even talk to a real estate broker or sales associates," Lloyd says.

For first-time home buyers this is a new experience, so it's especially important to do your homework. If you currently own a home, you know exactly what's lacking. You may need another bedroom or bathroom, or a good school nearby.

First, decide where you want to live. A big part of the answer hinges on where and how you earn a living. If your job requires a lot of reading or is quite stressful, public transportation may offer valuable time to sit quietly. "Regardless, you should practice the commute in rush hour before you make a commitment. A seemingly quiet road can transform into gridlock during peak hours," Lloyd cautions.

People with children have other major considerations: school and safety. If you plan to send your children to private schools, you can live where you want assuming you can easily arrange transportation. On the other hand, a lavish public school system may indicate high local real estate taxes. Check them out.

Obviously, lifestyle is an important consideration. People who frequently dine out, go dancing and attend the theater probably belong in the city or a close-in suburb. "In other words, make sure you're in close proximity to the things that matter most," Lloyd says.

It used to be that homes came in a limited variety, but today, you have many choices. In addition to the traditional single-family home, you can buy a townhouse, condominium or apartment condominium or co-op.

In planned unit developments (PUDs), you can find almost any combination. In condos and other such communities, make sure the rules and regulations, as well as the by-laws, match your lifestyle. This type of housing is great for people who want to own their own space without being responsible for mowing the lawn or repairing the roof; a management company handles that.

On the other hand, you'll pay fees for these services. "In addition to checking the documents and financial soundness of the homeowner's association, you must determine if the monthly fees are worth the services and additional amenities such as a swimming pool or exercise room," Lloyd explains.

Affordability can be a factor not only in the type of housing, but whether it's new or an existing home. Old houses often have fine woodwork or interesting nooks and crannies not normally found in new homes. They generally sit on landscaped lots with mature trees and grown bushes.

New homes may cost more, but you can make many more decisions on amenities, colors, carpeting and fixtures. "Make sure you're dealing with a reputable builder, and have an attorney review all documents, Lloyd says.

Selecting a real estate professional is an important first step in beginning your search. "Ask for personal recommendations to find an individual who is knowledgeable about the neighborhood and has access to the local Multiple Listing Service," Lloyd says. Make sure you feel confident about his or her knowledge and skills, and understand the business relationship that you have established between you.

Brian Lloyd is one of more than 40,000 members of the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, who have attained the ABR®, Accredited Buyer Representative, designation. As the world's largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer, REBAC is "The Voice for Buyer Representation," with more than 44,000 active real estate professional members of the organization throughout the world.

Contact Brian Lloyd Today to help you find your next dream property

719-243-4057

Colorado Real Estate