Lorraine Sayer Realtor ABR,CDPE,GRI Colorado Springs,CO RE/MAX advantage

To create a memorable adventure this year why not try chopping down your own Christmas tree out of the Pike National Forest here in Colorado while helping the Forest Service thin an overgrown area? To help prevent forest fires the Forest Service maps out an area in the Pike National forest each year that needs thinning and allows cutting of trees up to 6 inches in diameter.

To add to the holiday spirit the Forest Service brings in Smokey the Bear for everyone to meet and to have a chance to get their photo taken with the "bear". This year Smokey is going to be found at the Woodland Park Middle School on December 11^th and 12^th until 2:00 PM.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased Monday through Friday at the U.S. Forest Service office at 601 S. Weber 477-4221 or on site at the Middle School on Saturday December 11^th and Sunday December 12^th until 2:30 PM. All trees must be cut by the 15^th of December.

All trees must be cut by either a handsaw or axe- no chain saws. 4 wheel drive vehicles are required or chains although I would not venture into the forest this time of year without 4 wheel drive.

Some of the varieties found are Douglas-fir, Engleman spruce, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, and Limber pine (Forest Service pamphlet). The Forest Service recommends allowing at least 4 hours for the trip and make sure you leave the area before dark.

For information on how to care for your live tree visit the National Christmas Tree site and for information on where to recycle your tree visit the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority.

Have a safe and happy tree hunt for the holidays!

Sierra Ridge is a trendy subdivision nestled at the junction of Austin Bluffs and Rangewood in Colorado Springs. The area offers a moderate range of homes currently between $249,000 to $315,000 dollars with the average price per square foot at $84.00. Many lots afford a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak

The popularity of Sierra Ridge includes several choices of open floor plan 2 story and ranch models and the affordable active HOA (home owner association). What sets the neighborhood apart from similar niche areas is the conveniently located outdoor pool, tennis courts, and well manicured park providing a hub for community activity during the precious summer season.

In the past six months 6 homes have sold, none of which were a short sale or foreclosed property bucking the current market trends of other distressed areas in the Colorado Springs, El Paso County. At this time, the homes fall under the school boundary for District 11 including the highly sought after Doherty High School.

Adjacent NE Colorado Springs neighborhoods include Dakota Ridge, Norwood, and Sundown. This area of the city developed mainly during the building boom of the mid to late 1990s and continues to be a popular relocation or move up niche.

If you've never read any of Jennifer Allen's blogs or books you are missing out. I for one am an avid follower and have been since she was here in Denver selling the 4 squares downtown. I agree with her approach to real estate. Enough said on that.

So one of her recent posts caught my eye about open houses,Open Houses - Inspiring Visitors to Give You Their Information - Because they WANT to! and I decided to have a bit of fun at my open house Saturday in a popular subdivision, Sierra Ridge, Colorado Springs. Now we all know open houses are a hit or miss item and from previous posts we all know there are VERY strong opinions on both sides of this issue, but I for one enjoy them ( I know I'm weird) and it gives me a chance to get to know the inventory in our area.

This particular home had good sign placement and filled one of my criteria- must be no more than 3 turns from main highways. Rule #1: if they need GPS to find it they probably won't bother. The ROI was going to be there because I spent no money on advertising, forgot to pick up cookies, and had my laptop with me- no print costs.

So now I decided to follow some of Jennifer's advice and just engage in conversation. I left the sign in sheet in the car and didn't "pounce" on incoming guests to grab as much info as possible before they even hit the kitchen. I actually had my space set up in the living room and stayed there while I let the guests peruse the home (it was vacant and I was comfortable letting them wonder). Now here is where it got entertaining. I let them come to me for information on the home and I was prepared as I always try to be. Visitors engaged in lengthy conversation about the area, the local market, other potential homes available, and their needs in housing. Three of the visitors stood there and asked for my information and a card because "I seemed to know a lot about the area!" I repeat they asked for my information and waited until I gave it to them along with being very willing to give their information to me and making a future appointment to chat further about their needs.

Did I have fun putting some of Jennifer's soul in my open house? Yup and I'm glad I have her as one of our AR ambassadors for advice.

Every home has a story and this one is destined for a sad ending. At one time these walls could have reverberate the sounds of laughter, dreams, and aspirations, but now they only hold the grotesque results of yet another owner upon abandoning.

The foreclosure market has escalated behavioral changes in owners that would have been unimaginable in years gone by. The lenders have taken on a Darth Vader persona to the financially strapped emotionally drained that has led to retaliation and outright destructive antics on an increasing level. In some cases the vacant homes have been invaded and destroyed beyond repair leaving a shell of a structure for neighborhoods to endure, but in this case the perpetrator was most likely the owner in one final act of aggression. Typical REO scenarios include finding missing fixtures, appliances, and some cosmetic damage to walls and doors, but the more destructive scenarios include exposing the homes to the elements escalating the inevitable.

This now toxic residence sat for months enduring the summer storms and blowing snows of Colorado through open windows on the main and basement levels. The final chapter is yet to be written but for now the home is infested with mold spores that have permeated into every system and every crack and crevice. Gutting the home appears to be the only salvageable option and one has to wonder if that is even a viable option at this point. Would a more practical and cost effective process involve demolition and treatment of foundation and who's going to pick up the tab?

This time of year families are looking for activities in the Colorado Springs area that are unique and directed towards the upcoming holiday season.  There is no better live performance than the annual play  Scrooge at Woodman Valley Chapel.  For over 9 years the members of the church have mesmerized audiences with the amazing scenery, costumes, and talents of the performers. 

The Dickens favorite will be playing from December 1st through December 12th and tickets can be purchased online at http://www.woodmenvalley.org/index.cfm/pageid/1992/index.html or by calling the office 719-388-5000.  Woodman Valley Chapel is located at 290 E. Woodmen Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919.  The price of tickets $6-$10.

The 2 hour musical engages and captivates the audience with the many scenes changes carried out by the technical volunteers and stage hands while the over 125 actors interact to depict the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge.  This is a fantastic opportunity to share the holiday season with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members in a unique and memorable way. 

Scrooge! The Carol with an Attitude from Woodmen Valley Chapel on Vimeo.