Pueblo, CO

People are still looking for property despite the current market. I get e-mails and calls for investment / rental property on a regular basis. There are still good deals to be found in Pueblo. With the foreclosure situation people still need good homes and better than average landlords.

About once a month or more I will get a call from a tenant who is being displaced. Not because the tenant wasn't paying rent, but because the landlord wasn't paying the mortgage. Image the surprise when the knock on the door comes and the tenant knows he has a year long lease but is being asked to leave due to no fault of his own.

Now is a great time to buy investment / rental property in Pueblo.

January - June (2008) Market report for Single Family / Site Built homes under $60,000

• Lowest list price $9,900
• Highest list price $60,000
• Lowest actual price $9,900
• Highest actual price $ 61, 650

1. Average price sold $34,472
2. Median price sold $ 33,000

Average list / sold 91.26%

• Lowest sq. ft. $11.15
• Highest sq. ft. $ 36.90

1. Days on the Market Median 86
2. Days on the Market Average 104

Reading, Getting Into College, & Oktoberfest

Have you heard about "The Big Read"?  "The Big Read:  All  Pueblo Reads 2008" is a literary program designed to get everyone in Pueblo County reading and discussing one book at the same time each year.  This year's community book selection is The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.  Amy Tan will actually be in Pueblo at several events this month to help us celebrate.  For more info on Amy Tan events, contact Tabitha.Davis@pueblolibrary.org.

As you probably know, Pueblo West's White Library closed the end of August and will re-open after completion of the expansion project sometime in the early part of next year.  A temporary Drop Stop has been set up in the Roselawn office ( 279 S. Joe Martinez Blvd. , Suite D) where residents can go to drop off library books or pick up books they have on hold. Readers can go online and request books (http://www.pueblolibrary.org/) or call other libraries around town and request books and pick them up at the temporary Drop Stop.  Hours for the Drop Stop are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Thinking about reading makes me think about education which makes me think about my friend Lisa.  Lisa Rogula, just opened her own business, CollegeWi$e.  She provides affordable guidance in the College admission application process, essay review and editing, college and scholarship searches and consultation, and pre-admissions planning for High School students.  If you are a parent or high school student overwhelmed by the process of getting into and paying for college, Lisa's years of College Prep experience will guide you on the right path.  You can reach Lisa at 547-3949 or collegewise@live.com. 

And, still thinking about scholarship, the 2008 Pueblo West Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 4 at Demmler's Landscaping Materials at 97 N. Fabrication Drive .  Tickets are only $5.00 at Demmler's and the Pueblo West Kwik Stop.  The Demmler Foundation uses the money raised to award scholarships for local high school students.   The Alan Polivka All Star Band will play from 6pm until 9pm followed by The Martini Shot playing from 9pm until Midnight.  See you there!

Deb

Deb Jones, ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

http://www.DebJones.com

Mailto:Deb@DebJones.com

Real Estate Assistance in the Pikes Peak Region

The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) had it's monthly meeting tonight at Colorado State University Pueblo. Many, many things were discussed, I thought I'd share some of it with you.

CRES: Increases the awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and energy efficiency technologies.

Reasons to go Solar:

• Walk the Talk
• Be part of the Solution
• Reduce your power bills
• Many financial incentives
• Improved property values
• Lock in energy rates
• Energy Security
• Reduce Vulnerability to the grid
• Environmentally Friendly Power
• Proven Technology
• Life Cycle assessment (pay back)
• Turn Key Systems
• Jobs in your area
• No State Sales tax (Colorado)

Cost examples given for 3 kilowatt systems for an average house were $22,000 but with incentives and tax credit's the first year costs were closer to $7000 with complete payback in under ten years. This example then says that the average PV system will last 20 years. That leaves 10 years of lower utility bills and the possibility of net zero.

.........................

If your Realtor isn't an Ecobroker ask them why not.

......................................

Pueblo extends a warm welcome to Vestas and it's Employees

Know these guys? Well you can enjoy them in Pueblo Colorado. Country girl that I am, BLUEGRASS, is ROOTS and when performed by the ACKERMAN'S you'll be tapp'n your toe right along with the rest of us here at Colorado Western Real Estate.

1946 saw the birth of BLUEGRASS a new musical genre that generated as much excitement as the creation of rock'n roll would just a few years later. Today, led by Aaron Ackeramn, The Ackermans carry that same musical thrill forward into a new century. At a time when most top bluegrass bands are smooth, tight and virtuosic, The Ackermans retain some of the rugged, roughhewn dynamism, and emotional impact of traditional bluegrass to new audiences. From the moment they hit the stage until the moment they leave, the audience is going to be entertained!

On September 19-21, 2008, Pueblo will celebrate the harvest of the Mira Sol Chile as Loaf ‘N Jug convenience stores present the 14th Annual Chile & Frijoles Festival. The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce created the festival as a fun fall event designed to promote the area's agriculture, especially its home-grown chilies and pinto beans, as well as to display the works of many talented artisans and craftsmen. In the past years, the festival has grown from a few thousand people to well over 90,000. The festival will take place in downtown Pueblo, on Union Avenue between 1st and "B" Streets. Festival hours are Friday, 3pm-11pm; Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. If you get to go, don't forget to visit the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.

HINT: If you cannot be here for the real deal, fresh chiles, then visit your market and buy a can of green chilies (whole) and try this, you'll love it.....

Green Chile Quesadilla

• 2 flour tortillas
• 1 roasted green chili, stem, veins and seeds removed
• ½ cup grated mild cheese, cheddar, jack or a fresh Mexican cheese

Place half the cheese on one side of the tortilla. Stretch out the chili to fan over the cheese. Sprinkle the other half of cheese over the pepper. Place the tortilla on top and grill the sandwich for just a minute on each side. Or, place one tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy skillet. On medium heat, toast the quesadilla for a few minutes on each side until the cheese has melted. Serves one.

The Pueblo Parade of Homes Industry Day(2008) went well despite the unusually cool weather. Thanks to Country Wide Home Loans (Diane Van Buskirk, Tammie Stratman, Aarron W, and Brian) who rented the 15+ people who attended a stretch limo from Pure Luxury Limousines.

We managed to see 14 of the 23 houses that were open. Houses ranged from the low $200's to the $900K range.

Some of the main themes were more open kitchens, theater rooms and outdoor living spaces.

IMHO:

OAKWOOD Contruction 1305 Paseo Del Norte had the best presentation, in step with the season $264,900

HARTLAND Homes 345 E. Bahia had the best theater and great house for the money $229,900

MESSNER Homes1060 W. El Nido had the best features including the bamboo floor and other green stuff $ 369,345

COTTAGE INNOVATIONS 1012 Gale was the overall favorite of the people on tour. You could actually see fish jumping in the river from the Master bedroom, living room and kitchen. And the first pet / doggy room I've ever seen in Pueblo $650,000

DOMEGA Homes1015 Olivecrest is a perennial favorite $ 224,950

Thanks Patty B, Nancy B, Greg K, Debbie W, Coach, Barb F, Val W, Shirley VB, and everyone else who shared the day with me. It was a great time.

.............................................................

Ask your agent if they are an Ecobroker and if not, why not?

...................................................................

Pueblo extends a warm welcome to Vestas and their employees - Welcome!