Colorado Springs Real Estate Facts & Fun

The opportunity to own a part of history doesn't come along every day. With Victorian architecture and design in Colorado this is especially the case.   This beauty stands alone as an original pioneer home built in the late 1880's and one of the first in Colorado Springs.  Rich with beauty, history and location it is a rare find.

 

 

The "Hazel House" as it is affectionally named, is a work of art as you walk by it from the outside and through it with history & original work throughout.    1880's wallpaper from Janeway and Carpenter (a  famous turn of the century textile and paper designer) was found throughout  the kitchen and can still be seen in the house. Other bits have been steamed off and donated to  the Colorado College (CC) Art Department for their works on paper teaching  collection.  CC students found the  wallpapers in a number of historic collections including the Cooper Hewitt  Design Museum in New York.

 

This two story beauty includes hand made Queen Anne windows, a small Van Briggle coal burning  fireplace and two upstairs bedrooms, one with a small south facing bay window.  The family that built the addition to the house had a young daughter named Hazel whose grammar and penmanship homework was found in the attic space  during the 2001 renovation. 

 

 

An owner from the 1950's stopped by during a visit to Colorado Springs in honor of her husband at the Fort Carson 50th Anniversary World War Two Commemoration Ceremonies. She shared fond memories of living here with her new baby and enjoyed a tour of the house bringing back long ago memories.

An incredible craftsman is also a former owner and he built and operated his first woodworking  studio in the back garage.  He continues to live in Colorado Springs and is a master and teacher at Colorado College.

 

The house's most notorious owner was Norman Lee an entrepreneur and pilot who was responsible for the  first airplane vehicle crash in aviation history.  His plane, which he  flying low over the downtown area to drop pamphlets, crashed into a Cadillac  on Cascade Avenue and killed the driver Richard Ragan, a local salesman.   Lee survived the crash and was "kept under surveillance at his home,  416 E. Cache La Poudre Street" by Colorado Police Chief H.D.  Harper.

Although currently for sale, it is with pride and sadness for the owner who not only put enormous effort and resources into renovating the Hazel house but wanted to keep the integrity and history of the original house.  With the original windows (extremely rare)  still in place the potential for possible inclusion on the State Historic Register exists.

For buyers who love Victorians and want something where a lot of the work has already been completed this maybe the house for you.  Work done includes:


·      Gas Boiler and all new copper radiant heat 2000

·      New T-Lock  Roof and plywood decking 2000

·      Kitchen  Remodel and all new electrical (including updated box and city hookup!)  2001

·     Upstairs renovation 2001-2003

·    New structural framing with vaulted  ceiling

·    R30 insulation throughout

·    Updated electrical

·    3/4 bath with Italian  glass tile

·    Rebuilt bay window seat

·    Hard wired fire alarms and separate bedroom  breakers for safety

·      Whole house fan 2004

·      Deck and  sliding door 2004

·      Waterwise landscaping (flagstone in front and  back, astro turf and rock wall seating in back) 2004-6

·      New water  service to outside of house on each side 2005

·      New Water  Heater , whole house water filter, and cold water temperature add back for house supply 2005

 

Call for availability and status as this will not last long.  $178,500 w 2 bedroom, 2 baths and detached artist studio.

This week I have had several conversations with a friend who was trying to do a loan modification. I am not a lender so all I can do is listen and refer to people and places that I think might be helpful.  What got my attention is that this person is a great example of "American Joe" who does not have a finance, lending or real estate background.  In our conversation I discovered that he is being scammed by some company out there charging a large upfront fee for a possible modification but no guarantees.   When talking to companies some will say the fee is for an attorney.  That is different than pre-analysis of a loan modification charge.

There is not a charge to check if your loan can be modified.  If you use the HUD backed Housing Counseling Agencies to do it it costs nothing.  This is an example of what tax dollars pay for.

What is sad and frustrating to me is that regulated industries here in Colorado (real estate, mortgage, insurance, etc.) are doing our best and companies like this that are supposedly helping consumers are not and do not have to be regulated.  They are not lenders.  Beware as a home owner that 

Here are some websites to use to get more information and/or you can call your attorney for answers on your particular situation.  

HUD - Predatory Lending

HUD Approved Counseling Agencies in Colorado

I am sure there are more but felt it is important to raise the issue and add to resources as we go.

 

 

 

 

 

With the Colorado weather offering plenty of days to be outside finding a house that offers a trail right out your door is a rarity. Here is a great new listing that is in a great location in Pinon Valley.

Every once in a while a property comes along with so much to offer it is a challenge on where to start.  Here is a 400 acre ranch less than 1.5 hours to Colorado Springs.  The ranch itself is framed by a split rail fence on the front, an old covered wagon sitting out front to remind you where you come from and a mountain on the backside where, as the fireside stories would have it, lookouts kept an eye out for indians, outlaws and the like.  

 

The old red barn, now refurbished, is listed on the State Historic Register and been home to over 10 years of barn dances, weddings, family reunions and of course a well indoctrinated John Deere Tractor.  400 acres includes rolling meadows where horses love to graze, deep forest of granddaddy ponderosa pine, a stunning ravine with the St. Charles River running through it for fishing & fun.

 

 

 The log cabin was originally built in Tennessee during the Civil War era.  Torn down and rebuilt here it commands a great location on the ranch and brings the authentic West to life with the old muzzleloader hanging over the door.  

 

 

The farm house near the barn has been updated & an oversize garage added to it for storage as well as three additional bathrooms for the farmhouse.  

 

 

The Caretakers home up on the hill overlooks the ranch and provides a beautiful home for caretakers or personal use.  Water rights are being sold with the ranch as well as the opportunity to do a Conservation Easement if desired.  At $2.5 mm it is a rarity and worth the trip.

 

 

 

Colorado Springs is often described as an outdoor lifestyle mecca.  With Pikes Peak, one of the 14,000 foot peaks right out the door of this brand new townhome access to hiking and the outdoors could not be better.  The living room offers large windows bringing the outside in and a corner fireplace for just when you want it.

 

With the kitchen open to the living room and leading into the dining room the flow is ideal for entertaining and ease.  The bar offers plenty of counter space with access for dining as well.

 

The kitchen itself leaves nothing behind.  The wood floors are wide planked and appliances are stainless steel with a gas stove.  Upgraded cabinets, granite countertops and lighting gives the kitchen beauty in its own right. 

 

The master bathroom is a 5 piece luxury with a huge walk in closet.  (Actually three of the four bedrooms all have walk in closets).  The master bath's separate vanities give plenty of space for everyone.

 

The power room on the main level continues the theme of upgraded cabinets, mirror and lighting found throughout the townhouse.  One of three baths available.

Looking at the open floor plan from the living room shows the custom stair rail and the dining room in the distance with sliding glass doors onto a balcony with mountain views surrounding you.

 

At $329,900 what a fantastic find at the base of Pikes Peak.  4 bedrooms, 3 baths, central air and an oversized 2 car garage. the covered parking in front of the garage has tongue in groove wood ceilings bringing the beauty from within outside.  With over 3,000 square feet there is plenty of space & storage. 

 

 

Location is an easy word to write but sometimes hard to communicate. Terrific Northwest home on cul-de-sac with mountain views, tremendous access to streets and highways for Colorado Springs/Denver commute and recreation right out your door with two parks within walking distance.