Home Sales up in Mancos, Dolores, and Cortez Colorado!!

Home sales are up!  May thru October was incredibly busy with October having 41 sales from all the realtors!  This is the the best for over 9 years!  Average sales prices for homes are higher and fewer days on market, sure makes for happy sellers.  Low interest rates, and a shortage of affordable homes in Durango helped spur on the increase of sales.  Currently, there is a shortage of homes for sale in the $300-$400k range.  This makes for a perfect time for sellers to list!  Why wait till spring when competition will increase? Need to know what you home is worth?  Call me for a free market analysis.

Here's one of the new happy home owners in Mancos!

The Love of a Dad

How important is the love of a father?  We can't pick our father's here on earth.  Many are just hurt souls and don't know the love of a father.  I have been blessed to be "Daddy's little girl".

From the time I was very small, my Daddy would let me ride on his back up and down the hall.  This led to when I was 3 to going on my first pack trip.  I rode my own horse and when I was tired my Daddy would put me in front of him on his saddle and we'd keep on riding.  My Daddy showed me how to love.  My parents were married for 62 years and never once did I see them fight or raise their voices to each other.  I always knew that my Daddy was there to save me from life's hurts and get me headed straight again.

We all have this kind of Daddy.  God wants us to climb in His lap. God loves us MORE than any person could. Life is way short so please tell the people around you that you love them.  Send a text, go visit them, write them a letter.  It's time to bury the hatchet and remember it's a new day to show we care.   Thank you Daddy God for welcoming my Daddy on earth home!

Absolute Bakery

We are very fortunate to have the Absolute Bakery in downtown Mancos.  If you want to feel connected just come to the bakery.  You will find locals who meet regularly and if you happen to be alone will invite you to their table.  You will have instant friends!

The food is delicious!  Prepared from scratch and using locally grown veggies make it amazing.  My breakfast favorite is "the stack".  Yum!!

The bakery is located in an old 100 year old bank building decorated with all kinds of art from local artists. Debbie Doty who paints lovely scenery and wood carvings by Dave Sipe are my favorites!

Don't forget to grab a cookie, or homemade bread before you leave!  It's a must stop for visitors and locals.

Peaceful living in Mancos!

I am fortunate to help these clients sell this beautiful home.  Tucked in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park this home overlooks the Mancos Valley and is the epitome of peaceful living.  The courtyard is filled with color, vibrant and soothing to our souls. 

 Each day I barely can get on my shoes without my old lab attacking me since she knows its time to go for a walk.  This is my time to breathe in the peace and clean air.  Raising teenagers is tough and taking time to unwind is crucial for me.  Having a balanced life of work and play is way easier in Mancos.  No traffic jams unless you call the occasional cattle drive, one stop light, and always a friendly face to speak with at the coffee shop are just a few of the reasons I love Mancos.  Want to escape the rat race?  I'd love to help!!

Tips on selling your home!

The peak of the selling season may be over, however there are several things a homeowner can do to help their home sell quickly. 

1.  Make your home available for showings.  Too many times do I try to show someone's home and they don't do evening showings or weekends.  If a realtor can get into your home it's not going to sell.  Allow showings anytime between 9am-7pm.  

2.  Declutter and Curb Appeal-  Box up personal items and make the rooms spacious! Clean off counter tops, refrigerator doors, and box up lots of clothes in your closet.  First impressions are huge!  Try to look at your home thru a buyer's eyes.  Does it need paint, de weeding, or fixing broken window?  

3.  Price it right- The first 30 days your home is listed is critical.  This is when you will have the most interest.  Have your realtor do a market analysis so you know what comparable homes are selling for.  

4.  Remove your pets- A barking dog, or seeing cats all over can turn away buyers.  Take them with you when there is a showing, and crack a window for fresh air.  Don't do plug in sprays it might also be an annoying smell to some.

5.  Have good photos-  and lots of them.  Make sure you have interior and exterior photos.  Also photos of the view.  With your listing, make sure one photo is of house plan and survey.  

These are just a few tips.  Please call me to discuss how to sell your home fast and at a great price.

A Positvie Attitude in Mancos

Mancos Middle School Football went undefeated this year! Great example of positive talk, and size isn't always the determining factor. Awesome to watch my son tackle! Great coaches and kids. Want to have your kids exceed? Move to Mancos!!

10 Deadly Mistakes Buyers Make

Thinking of buying a home?  It's so easy to get wrapped up in the excitement and miss some very important things. Other than choosing a spouse this is one of the biggest decisions you will make.  Here's a good article!  http://www.savingtoinvest.com/10-deadly-mistakes-buyers-make-when/.

One of the major mistakes is getting the wrong realtor.  Your realtor should be your trusted advisor.  They look after your best interests and will listen!  I love helping people and if you have questions, I'm here to help!

Are you ready for Winter?

The last several days has been cold and rainy in Mancos.  We now have our first snow in the mountains. People are saying we are going to get lots of snow this Winter.  Are you prepared?  The next week weather should be wonderful to get ready.  Got good tires?  Got yard picked up? Got wood or propane tank filled?  Here's a good list to help!  Winter Preparation, Winter Preparation Checklist - Bob Vila

$215,000 for intown Mancos home!!

Fall Colors!

What a wonderful weekend hiking and enjoying the fall colors.  This picture was taken at Trout Lake by Telluride, Colorado.  Hope you can get out and enjoy this great weather!  This is just one of the reasons why I love calling this place home.  I'd love to help you fall in love too.

Hometown

How many towns meet for dinner and line the street??  We do!!  Mancos, Colorado is a great place to live!!

Great deals on homes in Mancos area!

Helping 1st time home buyers: Is lender a good fit?

This past week I have had the privilege of helping two 1st time home buyers.  Both wanted to be close to Durango for work but couldn't afford anything in that market.  After looking at several homes, Ben found the perfect home where he can live in the country, and have some critters.  Going thru the process of a VA loan, was tedious and he learned to have patience.  Got a great home with no down payment.

Stephanie found a home in downtown Mancos, which will fit perfectly since it's close to Phil's World, a favorite mountain bike trail for her.  Stephanie's loan was with a bank out of the area.  The process was very stressful and very little communication between the bank and her.  Even though she wanted to switch banks, the appraisal had already been done and starting with a new bank would require a new appraisal.  We finally closed, however the process could have been way better.  She did a get a home with only a 3% down payment.

Lesson learned is to always speak with 2 different lenders and ask valuable questions.  How long will the process take? After the appraisal is in, how long will it take underwriting to approve?  Do you have a local representative? Compare different loan options and interest rates.  If you don't understand something, ask questions.  Ask for referrals of buyers in your area.  

I highly recommend Alpine Bank in Durango and Dolores State Bank, which has a branch in Mancos, Cortez and Dolores.  Having a lender that you can see face to face sure helps ease much of the stress.

Mancos River not affected by the mine spill in the Animas River

While the mine spill in Silverton, Colorado has had huge affects on the Animas River, the San Juan, and  Lake Powell, we are very thankful that our river is safe! Mancos is located 30 miles west of Durango and is not in the same watershed.  

Colorado mountains are full of old mines so we need to count our blessings.  What can we learn by this disaster?  How can we seal old mines?  My heart goes out to everyone affected  by the Animas River.

Mancos Days!!!

Woo Hoo!!  Mancos Days this weekend!  The fun starts Thursday evening with the Farmer's Market and then Friday is for the kiddos!  Put them in the parade with horses, bikes, or wagons!  After the parade lots of games for the kids-three legged race, gunny sack, and greased pole are just a few of them!  Then in the afternoon kids and fish the river for free!  Yes, we are getting it stocked!  Let them dance the night away by my office at the corner of Grand and Mesa!

On Saturday the grand parade starts at 10am then head to the park for arts and craft vendors and food while listening to music.

Hope to see ya around town this weekend!!

Time to escape the rat race!!

Are you tired of your busy, hectic life?  Here's a great video on why Mancos, Colorado is a great place to live! Clean air, no traffic jams (except a few cattle drives), innovative schools, and great people!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!  July 3, 2015

I am fortunate to live in a country where people are willing to fight for our freedom.  May we always remember the people who sacrificed their lives.  I'm blessed to live in Mancos where there is no crime, great schools, fresh air, and no traffic!  I am thankful that I am able to raise my children here.   I will be enjoying the weekend in the mountains with the kiddos: hiking, sitting around the campfire, and star gazing.  Live today like it's your last so be sure to tell the people around you that you love them!!

Green Grass!

May 28, 2015
Summer is here, school is out and families are moving.

 I have been fortunate to help several first time home buyers buy homes here in the Mancos Valley.  What a wonderful experience!!  Mancos has been such a great place for me and  my 3 kids. I'm happy to share it.

Being a single parent of three: 19, 17 and 13 definitely has it's challenges but is full of smiles too.  I've recently been taking a car load of boys to the rec center in Cortez so they can play basketball while I get in some exercise too.  My daughter finished her 1st year in college and is now in Costa Rica on a mission trip helping with tutoring.  I just wished I could have squished into the suitcase.

For the month of May we have gotten oven 3 inches of rain and weather has been cool.  Jackson Lake is now 70% full and hasn't been that full in years!  Farmers are happy.  With all this rain, the grass is green and growing high.

If you are thinking about moving, I'd love to help.  Just give me a call!

How's the Real Estate Market in SW Colorado??