About La Plata County, CO

This is the last car, what I call the observation car of the Durango-Silverton train in Colorado. I had ridden this train the previous day, December 26th and December 27th I was just an observer, chasing the train from Durango to Rockwood, Colorado.

This 2-8-2 Narrow Gauge engine looks awesome against the beautiful blue sky, white snow and yellow cars.

This picture was taken from a bridge near Hermosa, Colorado.

Here was the picture from the other side of the bridge. They also use this train for the Polar Express twice a night for part of December.

Hope your holidays were wonderful & I wish you a fantastic 2010!

Liz Flint, Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty, liz.flint@hotmail.com, 832-816-8066

WE HAVE A NEW LEADER!

Aaron Miller, formerly a broker associate in our office, has purchased Re/Max Western Realty from Terry & Diane Sadler. Aaron is our new Broker/Owner. Aaron has lived in the Durango area for 20+ years and brings a wealth of both real estate knowledge and business management to the office.

Mary & I have been impressed with Aaron during the years we've known him. He's bright, articulate and, most of all, enthusiastic and hard working. His innovative ideas will be a boon to our office and create an environment allowing us to better serve our clients and the community.

Congratulations Aaron!

http://HomesInDurango.com

Press Release

Charles and Mary Rigby Selected as Leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States

Durango, CO, September, 2009: Charles and Mary Rigby, leading providers of real estate services, today announced that they have been selected by Goldline Research as leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States for 2009. The list of leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States is scheduled to be published in the September 21st issue of Forbes Magazine.

"To be selected to this list of top real estate professionals is very gratifying," said the Rigbys. They added, "The real estate business is about more than houses. It's the people inside the house that we focus on. That's why we place such an emphasis on understanding our client's goals, needs and expectations. Our clients deserve only the best - we work to give them exactly that!"

"Those selected provide extensive client service that exceeds the industry standard," said Dana Mahoney, Analyst, Goldline Research. "We believe that they are setting the benchmarks for the industry as a whole."

Goldline Research recently completed its annual evaluation of real estate professionals in the Western United States. The Goldline Research study was conducted from July 2009 through mid-August 2009. The Western United States encompasses a nineteen state region that stretches from Texas to North Dakota and west to the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and Alaska.

About Charles and Mary Rigby

As one of the area's leading real estate teams, Charles combines his more than 25 years in the title insurance business with Mary's nearly three decades of experience as a Realtor. Together they provide each and every one of their clients with a simply unparalleled level of knowledge and service they can depend on.

About Goldline Research

Goldline Research is a leading marketing and information services company. Goldline Research's mission is to empower consumer choice by identifying leading professional services providers. Goldline Research has evaluated professional services firms and providers throughout the United States using a rigorous, proprietary research methodology. The company has helped thousands of consumers find high quality service providers. Goldline Research was recently named to the 2009 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing privately-held companies. Founded in 2004, Goldline Research is headquartered in Novato, California. For more information, please visit www.goldlineresearch.com.

One of the most important things to families relocating to an area are the schools. Data released last Friday shows fairly strong academic performance in both Durango and Bayfield while Ignacio lagged behind. The Colorado Student Assessment Program, a series of tests given to children in grades three through 10 each fall, form the backbone of how the state measures public schools performance. In both the Durango School District and the Bayfield School District 97 percent of 10th graders kept up with reading standards. The statewide average was 93 percent. Our schools measure up.

While important, school statistics are not the only measurement of the suitability of a community for raising a family. In small towns it seems that youth programs are a larger part of the overall lifestyle. Young people and their achievements are recognized. Last week, for example, the La Plata County Fair featured 4-H and FFA exhibitors. The Durango Herald's Friday front page was a photo and article of the sheep competition. Saturday's front page was a photo and article on the market swine grand champion and Sunday's front page was the market beef grand champion. We're talking FRONT PAGE. Our youth are important.

In a small community the kids get coverage. When the Durango swim team competes, it's news. Football, basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer - girls and boys, its all supported by the community. Whatever the activity, from sports to high school theater and musicals, our kids are recognized and supported. A "good education" is more than just school stats.

http://HomesInDurango.com

Fear of overpaying for property is common these days, not just in rural mountain communities like Durango but for real estate in Colorado and nation wide. If you are like every other potential buyer out there right now you are likely frozen because you are concerned that you will pay too much and the market might drop. Here are 5 reasons for why now is a good time to buy:

1. Waiting for the right time can be expensive. Some buyers would have more equity today, despite falling prices, if they had bought when they were first considering it, instead of continuing to pay rent.

2. Financing is fickle. Some people who were highly qualified last year can’t find financing this year because the credit market has tightened or their personal financial situation now makes them an undesirable borrower.

3. Interest rates are headed up. If prices decline by another 10 percent, but interest rates increase by 1 percentage point, the monthly payment will be the same.

4. If you are a 1st time homebuyer or haven't owned a home in the past 3 years you can qualify for the $8000 tax credit. It expires at the end of 2009.

5. Real estate moves in cycles up and down, we are definitely at the bottom right now. As soon as is starts moving up again everyone will buy and you will see lots of competing offers, driving prices up again. Now is a great time to negotiate with sellers and take advantage of good deals. As long as you keep in mind not to pay more than say 20% below the 2007 price you really can't go wrong. Durango prices are stable and have been, it's a small market and will remain popular. We can help you identify the right property for you. Don't wait. It's time to buy real estate in Durango to get a great deal. This week alone I got 3 properties under contract and bought one investment property for my own account. I figure this is the time to build my retirement fund. Volume is up and more and more seller's are ready to be reasonable or just plain old desperate.

-- Claudia Williams Owner/Ecobroker/Exchangor Blue Ribbon Properties 835 Main Ave #214 Durango, CO 81301 970 247 8388 (office) 970 749 3555 (cell) 970 247 8360 (fax) www.blueribbondurango.com Check out my blog The Scoop on Durango Real Estate www.blueribbondurango.com/blog