Colorado Springs Real Estate Facts & Fun

Good news continues to come for a development South of Colorado Springs and Pueblo.  Here is an example of a developer not only doing what they say they are going to do but actually taking it a step further.  Lago Vistas is happy to report that the paved road is finally in & completed.

The developers of Lago Vistas noted in their Developers Disclosure that the road through Filing 1 at Lago Vistas would eventually be paved.  The road builder likes the road to cure for a year, minimum, allowing it to settle and also evaluate if there are any tweaks that need to be corrected prior to paving.  With a wet winter and construction (see below) within Lago Vistas going strong it required a longer waiting time on paving.

Lago Vistas developers are happy to announce that the paved road is completed and look forward to hearing from their owners and guests how you like the look of your completed and paved road.

One of the delays in paving the road at Lago Vistas actually started in February of this year. The natural gas line was finally brought to the Colorado City area. With this news, the Lago Vistas developers made the decision that the right thing to do was to make that available to the owners at Lago Vistas.  With the real estate market being down it was a difficult decision but both developers felt it was the right one and negotiations were finalized in May. Work began and the natural gas line now runs throughout Lago Vistas for all owners to access.  With the Pueblo 2010 Parade of Homes coming in September, Cornella Builders is busy completing final touches for their 2nd annual Parade House at Lago Vistas. This year's Parade House, on Parcel 43 is designed as a walk-out basement with windows to take in the views that are everywhere.  Called Monticello, the rendering above is a glimpse of the exterior. Floor plan details on this 1806 square foot home with a walk-out basement. Exceptional views from the great room windows surrounding the fireplace. Granite counter tops in the kitchen. Bay window in dining room. Hardwood throughout living, dining and kitchen. Master has oversized shower and double vanity. Covered trex deck has fabulous views of Greenhorn Mtn. Three car garage. Five acres within Lago Vistas. Horses allowed. Only a short distance off the new pavement (700 feet ?) Property backs to green belt area. Nearing completion. Priced at $329,900. 7275 Reata Court.  For more information about Lago Vistas or available properties click here for the Lago Vistas website.

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath bi-level offers a garden level basement for plenty of sunshine throughout the house. Located on a corner with the Ute Valley Trailhead across the street and walking distance to schools and parks is a huge plus. Neat, clean, updated and well cared for. Nice size fenced yard with raised bed gardens, rear deck with Pikes Peak views for entertaining and an oversized garage giving plenty of room for storage. Kitchen has updated tile floors and new stainless steel refrigerator. All appliances, including washer & dryer stay with the house.

Stop by on Saturday, July 10th from Noon to 3:00 for an open house and see this house for yourself. Be sure to bring your hiking boots to enjoy a hike while you are here.

Kelly Young | Red Rock Realty | 719-226-0126 6255 Pemberton Way, Colorado Springs, CO Incredible house located directly across the street from trail into park for hiking, biking & fun. Mountain views surround you. Nice yard wit 3BR/1+1BA Single Family House offered at $212,000 Year Built 1985 Sq Footage 1,321 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 6,082 sqft HOA/Maint $25 per month DESCRIPTION Great find on this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on the Northwest side of Colorado Springs. Corner lot offers space around you and a gardeners delight with raised beds already established. Deck for entertaining and easy access North and South see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central heat - Fireplace - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Dining room - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Washer - Dryer - Laundry area - inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard     OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES - Across the street from hiking trail into park - Mountain views to the West - Ridgeline views to the East - Corner lot - Fenced yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Front of the house Living Room Bedroom Bedroom Family Room Hiking trail across road Contact info: Kelly Young Red Rock Realty 719-226-0126 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jun 24, 2010, 4:24am PDT

Moving to a new area and finding fun cooking classes, restaurants & gourmet grocery stores/caterers is often the challenge.  There is an incredible caterer and gourmet prepared foods store on the Westside of Colorado Springs that offers treats daily and is starting their Summer School Cooking class next week.  Check out the details below and make sure to call for availability.

There is a great house for sale in Colorado Springs' Northwest area (a 10 minute drive from here) that is having an open house on Saturday, July 10th from Noon to 3:00 pm.  A 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage with a big yard and the Ute Valley Trailhead across the street.  Outdoor entertaining is a great option with views of Pikes Peak and a walk in the park after a great dinner.  Priced at $212,000.  Be sure to check it out for yourself.

Many of us has seen a homeless person at some point in our lives.  What I have found in talking to friends is there is a difference in how people respond.  Some engage and will give them a smile, a conversation or support (money, food, etc.).  Others are uncomfortable and just look away.  

Here in Colorado Springs the number of homeless has significantly increased over the past two years.  For multiple cities, towns and communities in our country we have people and families who are now homeless that have never been before.  The re-occurring question is what to do?  Here is a link to a great article about Arkansas Students and their 3 Bags in 2 Days program for helping homeless people in a productive way.  Perhaps it can be something for all of us?

Manitou Springs, located at the base of Pikes Peak is known for great family activities all year round.  Tomorrow, Saturday, February 13th is the 18th Annual Manitou Carnivale Parade.  With the theme, "Happy Days are Here Again" the line up is a sure bet for a day of fun.   A brief look at the day includes:

10:00 am with a crown and costume making workshop for all ages ~ supplies and materials will be provided and the event is FREE.  

11:00 be sure to head over to Soda Springs park for he Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook Off sponsored by the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce.  $1 samples are available until they are sold out.  Note:  the supply always runs out before the 1 pm parade.

1:00 Carnivale Parade starts ~ with a continued growth each year the 2010 parade is expected to last 1.5 hours.  Note:  there is a free shuttle from parking lots and motels all through town. 

Manitou real estate includes condos, lofts, homes in town and mountain living.  For a quick look and update on what's available click here.

JEssay Says ...: Weather

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.

In a year where we hear a lot about layoffs, downsizing, etc. it was very exciting to hear that the Pikes Peak Library District is breaking ground on a new library.  The High Prairie Branch Library, which will be located in Falcon Colorado, is projected to open next summer. High Prairie will be located at U.S. Highway 24 and Meridian Road.  With 6,000 square-feet, the library will offer meeting rooms as well as great reading material for adults and kids.   

If you happen to bank or see a Farmers State Bank, make a point to go in and thank them for donating the land for the new library.

Falcon Colorado is located 20 minutes Northeast of Colorado Springs near the intersection of Hwy 24 and Woodmen Road.  

Colorado Springs, known for its outdoor activities and recreation is now getting a Rock Climbing Gym downtown. The owners of a Rock Climbing Gym in Monument, 20 minutes North of Colorado Springs, have found a building that meets the unique requirements for this type of business.   With a 45' wall there is plenty of room for novice & experienced climbers to test their skill, incorporate new techniques and have a lot of fun.

Even better, the building will house an outdoor and physical fitness community center with a cafe for meeting before and / or after a ride, climb, etc.  

CityRock, the new gym, located at the corner of Nevada & Kiowa Street, is scheduled to open in mid-December.