About Colorado Springs' Stetson Hills

Holding an open house is considered a tactic of that “old time Realtor” by the young and techie in the industry, however, there is still a number of buyers that enjoy that casual face to face interaction delivered during an open house; especially if that open house feeds the curiosity of those seeking to explore the potential of a foreclosed property. Current media hype, investment property home shows, and consumer awareness have created a niche for open houses untapped by most Realtors- Foreclosures.

Every neighborhood has them so the options are endless for Realtors to choose good subjects for the open house. Preview the home to make sure it would be a suitable property for visitors. I tend to choose those properties that clearly just need some cosmetic overhauling, with good access, and in areas that have increased activity or unique features that would attract the masses.

There are multiple resources for FREE advertising including Craig list, Facebook, Google +, Twitter, and Linked In (this is where the “old timers” mesh with the tech savvy young’uns). Let the public know it’s a Foreclosed property and watch the curious start to arrive. Invite the neighbors and engage them in the opportunity to find a new owner for the home.

I advertised my most recent endeavor with “Foreclosure Open House Weekend”. The simple addition of foreclosure brought in more visitors than just the mundane ad “open house” My approach was to sit the same property both Saturday and Sunday for short durations letting the Saturday visitors know I’d be back Sunday and asking if they would invite someone they knew that would enjoy viewing a foreclosed property as much as they did. This simple call to action proved to be my best marketing tactic and did in fact bring in Sunday visitors.

Business generated from this weekend included buyers that were actively out looking for homes for sale in the Stetson Hills area as well as several Fort Carson military relocation referrals from the active duty neighbors that dropped in for a visit. Those few minutes of interaction allowed the opportunity to build credibility with my market knowledge for the Stetson Hills area, my experience with military relocation, and introduce my personality building a face to face relationship that could take months on the net. Taking advantage of market trends and consumer interest in foreclosures is a practical method for prospecting for future clients in today’s market place.

When showings are few as they are here currently in Colorado Springs, many agents will try to entice colleagues to view a property by providing some sort of cuisine that would peak the interest of the masses. The intent is to market the home to active agents within the community that might have a potential buyer, to gain feedback from colleagues on condition and price to present to the seller, and to show sellers they are going above and beyond the average agent because quite frankly the opinion of many is that it provides nothing more than free lunches to the masses.

For the newer agents out there, you might ask, "what is a broker open and how are they done?" My suggestion is to visit a few and get ideas on the creativity of fellow agents. Usually in Colorado Springs we have them at lunch and serve either some sort of catered dish (can be costly), a home cooked dish such as today's green chili chicken tortilla casserole with tortilla chips, or a BBQ outdoors. You can have progressive ones with other agents serving parts of a meal and dessert at a couple of homes but I suggest no more than 3. The happy hour opens will usually have wine and cheese platters or beer and chips but I prefer to not have the liability of alcoholic beverages and agents mixed! If the property is not within a mile or two of an office then be prepared to offer drawings for gift cards.

Bring your own supply of plastic silverware, napkins, plates, serving spoons, bottled water, and garbage bags. Have feedback forms ready along with flyers on the home. Everything you bring in- you remove including garbage and leave the home spotless for clients. Start sending out emails and putting up flyers in offices 4 days prior so agents know to leave that time frame open. Be very careful offering items that stain carpets. I visited one that served chocolate chip cookies in a million dollar listing with white carpet- disaster.

Creativity will keep the cost minimal, the interest high, and the goal of getting solid feedback optimum. Be prepared for honest feedback- agents can be brutally honest but then sellers sometimes need to hear it from someone other than their agent. It does have the potential to connect a buyer with a property but more likely the end result will be good honest price change suggestions or staging suggestions.

So are they worth the time, effort, and cost? If showings are few and sellers are cooperative and motivated then I would say yes they are worth the effort. If sellers are testing the market, expressing the deal breaker fixed dollar mentality, selling a vacant home without utilities, or not cooperating with prep suggestions, then I would say it would be time, money, and energy wasted on a no win situation for return on investment for the agent.

Homes in Stetson Hills are in the Powers Area in Colorado Springs

Search for Homes in Stetson Hills

Zip Code: 80922

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Single Family Homes in Stetson Hills were primarily built from 1994 to 2010, with an average age built in the 2000. The majority of the houses are 2-stories and ranches, 2-3 baths, with 2-3 car attached garages. Average square footage is between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet.

The Stetson Hills market continues to be a BUYERS/NEUTRAL Market, as there is currently a 6 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a "NEUTRAL MARKET".

Here's a quick summary of the 2010 Real Estate Market for Stetson Hills

• Pricing decreased by 4% from 2010 to 2009
• Number of homes sold decreased by 14% from 2010 to 2009
• Days on Market decreased by 15% from 2010 to 2009
• Price per FINISHED square feet increased by 4% from 2010 to 2009.
• Pricing per square footage has decreased in 2011.

The area is located in Powers area of Colorado Springs, East of Powers, South of Stetson Hills Blvd, North of Barnes Road, West of Marksheffel.

The school District is District 49 ; and the majority of students go to Springs Ranch, Grade School, Skyview Junior High and Sandcreek High School. The neighborhood is close to the Powers Corridor and Security Service Field, Sandstone Park, Pring Range Park.

This Colorado Springs Real Estate report contains information on Single Family homes in Stetson Hills.

This information is taken from the Pikes Peak Realtor Services Corp and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Kathy Torline, Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent, An Expert You Can Trust 719-2887-1049 KTorline@msn.com

Selling Real Estate in the Colorado Springs area, including Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com, www.KathyTorline.com

Homes in Stetson Hills are in the Powers Area in Colorado Springs

Search for Homes in Stetson Hills

Zip Code 80922

Single Family Homes in Stetson Hills were primarily built from 1994 to 2010, with an average age built in the 2000. The majority of the houses are 2-stories and ranches, 2-3 baths, with 2-3 car attached garages. Average square footage is between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet.

The Stetson Hills housing market continues to be a NEUTRAL Market, as there is currently a 4.1 month of supply of homes on the market. A 6 month supply of houses on the market is considered a "NEUTRAL MARKET". Sales units were down 14% from 2010 to 2009, and pricing was down 4% from 2010 to 2009.

The area is located in Powers area Colorado Springs, East of Powers, South of Stetson Hills Blvd, North of Barnes Road, West of Marksheffel. The school District is District 49; and the majority of students go to Skyview Junior High and Sand Creek High School. The neighborhood is close to the Powers Shopping Corridor.

There is also a townhome complex in the area, Palomino Ranch. They were built in 2007 and the HOA's are appx. $129.00. Prices currently range from $115,000 to $160,000.

This Colorado Springs Real Estate report contains information on Single Family homes in Powers.

This information is taken from the Pikes Peak Realtor Services Corp and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent, An Expert You Can Trust

Selling Real Estate in the Colorado Springs area, including Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com, www.KathyTorline.com

 Colorado SpringsHousing Market Report for Powers Area, Single Family Homes

 Includes Homes in Springs Ranch, Stetson Hills, Ridgeview at Stetson Hills

Search for Homes in Powers Area

Zip Codes:   80915, 80951, 80923, 80922

Homes in Colorado Springs Powers area continue to be a BUYERS/NEUTRAL Market, as there is currently a 5.25  month of supply of homes on the market.   A 6 month supply of houses on the market is typically considered a "NEUTRAL MARKET". 

• Number of Homes in Powers area in Colorado Springs sold are down 13% in 2010 than in 2009, but are down substantially from 2005, when 1533 homes were sold.
• Average pricing continues to see downward pressure, currently down 1% from 2010 to 2009.  

Recap of 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004

This Colorado Springs Real Estate report contains information on Single Family homes in Powers.

This information is taken from the Pikes Peak Realtor Services Corp and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent, An Expert You Can Trust

Selling Real Estate in the Colorado Springs area, including Monument,  Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

  www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com, www.KathyTorline.com