The Colorado Springs real estate market is blessed to be a part of the 300+ days a year of sunshine that Colorado gets. Sunshine is not only increases the seritonin levels in the brain - making us happier, but it can also make rooms in houses look larger too!

Effective use of sunny windows can actually make a home look and feel larger. If you have a small room, open the curtains and let the sunshine in. Sunlight is an especially great ally if you are looking to sell your home in Colorado Springs.

For a great example of how sunlight can affect the perceived size of a home, check out this video of the "Penguin House" - designed by Japanese designer Yasuhiro Yamashita, in Tokyo:

Thank you GeeksAreSexy for finding this video for us!

Never underestimate the power of sunlight!

Read more »

Is Colorado facing a recession? Not likely ... according to a recent USA Today article, only a few states are facing a "recession" and most see it as linked to the housing market:

"That's mainly because a marked contraction in housing is leading the overall economy down this time. Housing had been instrumental in boosting many regions, particularly the Southwest, in recent years. During the housing expansion, job growth in related industries flourished, and consumers tapped their growing home equity to buy everything from cars to couches. But in many parts of the country, housing never boomed, so now there's not likely to be a corresponding bust. And a number of other elements of the economy are still doing well, helping to keep some regional economies above water."

Read more »

According to a recent KKTV News Report, there is "talk" about a new ski resort on Pikes Peak.

Pikes Peak (the beautiful mountain between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park) used to offer a few ski runs on the North side (1939-1984) but " but trail maintenance was costly and snow was sparse at times" which caused the runs to be closed down. 

Harvey Carter is the man behind the idea of openeing up a Pikes Peak Ski Resort. He owns 320 acres on the west side of Pikes Peak that gets "about 10-12 feet of fresh powder every year" and he has already cut out 6 trails, according to the News report.

In order for Pikes Peak to really become a ski resort, several things will ahve to fall into place. First, the U.S Forest Service would have to approve widening the current one-lane dirt road to allow for more traffic. Second, Mr. Carter would have to sell the land to a developer. Finally, and most importantly, Teller County Commissioners would have to okay the plan before any building could start.

I don't know about you, but I am excited about the possibility of having a few ski runs so close to home. You?

(Thank you Fred McCathron for the post idea!)

Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Clients' Choice Realty, specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate.

Contrary to popular belief, Colorado is STILL NOT #1 in foreclosures. We actually ranked #5 in 2006, which, although it is still a bit high, is MUCH better than the #1 status that we held for quite awhile. (However, we DID nudge up a bit from our #8 status in October 2006...)

According to the recent RealtyTrac foreclosure MAP, the states with the highest foreclosure rates in 2006 were:

1. Nevada
2. Michigan
3. Florida
4. California
5. Colorado

The map (here) looks like the Colorado Springs Real Estate market is better than other real estate markets in the front range.

Read more »

When you live in Colorado Springs, you will notice that we do not have an over abundance of water.

Colorado Springs is known for its breath-taking Rocky Mountain scenery, outdoor activities, Evangelical Christians and high-altitude sports. We are not known for our abundance of water.

We are pretty much a high desert. A "high desert" is a place that is over 2,000 feet above sea level and receives less than 10 inches of precipitation a year. Colorado Springs is over 6,000 feet above sea level and receives only about 15 inches of precipitation a year. But, we are blessed with over 250 days of sunshine a year. I guess it is give and take.

But, if we do not have a lot of water within our city, where does the water we use come from?

Read more »