Moving Scams you don't want to Experience

This is the busiest time of year for sellers and buyers relocating. Whether you're selling a home or just moving to a new rental, make sure you've covered your bases so you don't end up getting scammed by a moving company. Check out the full story:
http://rismedia.com/2009-06-29/home-buyer-beware-3-little-known-moving-scams/

Manitou Springs is a great vacation destination and voted Top 10 in America's Coolest Small Towns

Manitou Springs sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains just on the edge of Colorado Springs and it's definitely one of those places you have to visit to appreciate. It has a rich history, a wonder diverse group of residents, and an eclectic mix of historic homes and buildings. Recently, it was voted one of the Top 10 in America's Coolest Small Towns by Budget Travel. Give me a call if you're headed this way and I'll make sure to give you the scoop on the best places to eat, stay, and see. I'm a native of Colorado Springs and would love to help you enjoy our wonderful State!

To Do, To See, To Eat, To Play

Every year I look forward to seeing The Best of Colorado Springs published by The Gazette. Basically, it's a collection of both reader reviews and critic reviews of everything you can think of in Colorado Springs. The major categories include: Dining, City Life, Arts & Entertainment, Shopping, Family Life, and Sports & Leisure. You can find everthing from "The Best Crossing Guard" to "Best Place for a Sweet 16 Birthday Party". Check it out - there's lots of great info, some hilarious categories, and you'll find out about places you didn't even know existed!

Find THE BEST of the Springs
downtown colorado springs

20/20 takes sides on Real Estate

If you happened to catch the latest edition of 20/20 on ABC, you saw the segment on real estate. It was a collection of all things real estate, from bad neighbors and finding bombshells in the front yard or your new home, to discussions about what makes a real estate agent worth the money. Well, I don't know if discussions is the right word - it was pretty one sided. It was more of the producers of 20/20 trying to push an agenda of getting home buyers and sellers to boycott using agents and trying to convince the public they could do this on their own and save lots of money. The truth is, you can do it on your own. But it's just like the fact that you pay movers to move you stuff. Why? It's not that you can't do it, but you don't want the headaches and hassle of handling it yourself and it's worth the money to NOT do it yourself. Plus, when you hire a real estate agent, you're hiring someone who understands the paperwork, market, and laws that you're not familiar with and probably don't have time to learn. Why would you want to be personally liable if something gets screwed up with the deal? That's why agents have the training and expertise. Anyway, I was disappointed with the 20/20 special, but I suppose everyone's profession is picked on at one time or another. I think the thing that disappointed me the most was the generalizations they made about "all Realtors being dishonest" and "only in it for the money and the sale". I'll be the first to admit, there are definitely those agents out there, but how dare them label us all that way! I pride myself on my honesty and integrity so that was hard to hear.
All that said, I hope you'll seriously consider using an agent when you are thinking of selling your home. At very least, interview some agents and see what they have to offer. And, as always, I would love to be the one to help you.