Durango Real Estate Thoughts & Information

Revival of the owner carry or seller financing is definitely in our future. Owner carry loans were virtually non existent during the credit friendly years when you could get a first, second and third loan with adjustable rates on one or all of the above (and why not make a no-doc loan on top of all that) and a home would appreciate over night. If there were ever any financial problems, the house could..(read more)

Pricing listing these days can be very tricky. The old guidelines have changed to some extent. It was easier in the "old" market when homes were appreciating rapidly. You would look at the most recent comps of other sold properties; take that information and try and interpret value from there. If you were wrong and priced too high, in some cases, the market might..(read more)

Well even in this new real estate market I put blogging on the back burner. I know I shouldn't. This is the time that people have the most questions and have to stop and think about their choices a little more carefully. I saw the other day for the first time the stock market drop significantly and the interest rates rise. So, borrowed money is now more expensive and hard dollars are worth..(read more)

We'll there are surprises around every corner when your in the wilderness. Surprises like bears, elk, turkey, or even just a simple wild flower. You don't really expect to find surprises in your yard. Every now and again you will here a story in Durango about a mountain lion sighting in someone’s yard or the more common (sad sight) of a garbage bear on the hunt for irresponsible home owners'..(read more)

A suprisingly busy first day for the Farmer's market this year at the First National Bank of Durango's parking lot (May 19th). Their were even some tasty greens on the tables. Our two newfoundlands had a great time along with us as we enjoyed walking around and looking at all of the (mostly edible) goodies.(comment)

Aspens...where do I start... If you plant aspens in your yard, be prepared for a bit of education and a bit of heart ache as well. You would think thatt these trees are hearty alpine tree ready for anything that nature throws its way. The opposite is true...at least in my yard. Ever spring I dig up the dead aspens, cut down the dying/diseased ones and hope that the healthy ones don't blow..(read more)

Well, it has been a long saga after Bayfield realized that their building was out-pacing their ability to effectively treat the sewer water. Bayfield imposed a building moratorium and it looked like that builder would not be able to pick up their hammers again until 2008. Now, with a patch work plan in place to reduce high volume sewer contributors and fast track an expansion effort, the..(read more)

I of course have been following very closely what is happening with sub-prime loan defaults. It hasn't affected the Durango market in a devistating way. Our foreclosure rate is at a 10 year low. I assume that is due to the fact that prices are still appreciating enough to keep some people out of hot water locally and becasue of people moving to Durango for a lifestyle improvment drive demand..(read more)

We have both been busy this year wrapping up another great year in Real Estate and getting ready for next year which we hope will be a much "greener" year. By "green" I mean more knowlegable about  highly efficient homes and programs that support that technology! We are both working on our Eco-Broker designation which will mean that we will have much more knowlege about high..(read more)

Many people have learned their lessons with to-good-to-be-true loans that are out there and if they haven’t learned yet…they will.   Lenders have recently been put under the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and on or after January 1, 2007, all mortgage brokers conducting business in this state must be registered with the Division of Real Estate pursuant to HB06-1161...(read more)