SW Colorado Real Estate News
November La Plata County Real Estate Numbers
November La Plata County Real Estate Results are in, and we have good news! This November saw a higher number of real estate transactions than any year since before 2009! We expected a more solid November than last year, but it is certainly exciting to see such strong results, especially so late in the year. Year to date, we are at a 1,052 total transactions compared to 1,018 last year at this time. By these numbers, it appears that...
Understanding Property Taxes
As the election nears, much national focus has been placed on our presidential candidates. However, some very important local measures will be on the ballot this year, and some of them directly impact property taxes. While we will not use this blog as a platform to give our opinions on the various measures, it is important to note that city progress is made through these items. Some of the items include improvements for roads and...
September 2016 Market Trends for La Plata County
La Plata County Residential Sales – Sept. 2016 Experience the Wells Group Difference with Jim Wotkyns Real Estate Linked below you will find the La Plata County residential sales update for September 2016. Also included is a brief update about how Colorado recently legalizing rainwater catchment on private property affects your water bill, and keeps water in our gardens and lawns. September 2016 La Plata County Residential Sales...
Real estate – a part of our lives
Real estate is very interesting in the respect that it is something that everyone has an opinion about and always has something to say about it. Much like politics, sports and religion, it can spark a conversation by just asking, “How’s the market?” Without real estate to talk about, the world would be far less interesting. If our language didn’t have real estate vocabulary, the world would be a little less colorful. Without real...
Outside-the-box to Sell Your Condo
As you know, the real estate market is more competitive than ever and there are hundreds of condos for sale in Durango so it’s safe to assume that you have poured over article after article, advice column after advice column citing the best ways to sell your condo. These posts typically have the same information. For example, they will suggest getting a good agent that knows the condo market to really work for you, or hiring a...
The Power of Google and Real Estate
Have you ever thought about Google and the power of searching for real estate over the internet? One of the crucial elements to successful real estate marketing in today’s world is the relevance and placement of search results in Google. Why is this important? Imagine you are looking to purchase a home or property in La Plata County, but you are not familiar with Durango or its surrounding area. Your first thought may be to Google to...
July La Plata County Real Estate Numbers
The numbers are out! We are seven months into the year, and all things considered, the local real estate market is strong and steady. With 125 total residential sales for the month of July, we see an exact even number compared to last July of 2015. Typically, July is one of our top months in terms of closings, so this is an excellent pace marker. Year to date, we are at 628 total sales, compared to 640 last year at this time. This...
Summer Home Maintenance Repairs and Tips
It’s the middle of summer already, and along with summer vacations and BBQs outside comes the reality that our weather is perfect for home maintenance. In a place like Colorado, summer may be the best time to undergo any large repairs or renovations on a home, and it may also be the best time for smaller projects or repairs. Naturally, we have to think about snow and short days come fall and winter, so take advantage of our nice days...
La Plata County July CAR Numbers
This week, we have the latest real estate numbers for La Plata County for the month of July. The attached charts show a detailed breakdown of several market segments in La Plata County, showing La Plata County as a whole, Durango In Town, Durango Rural, Bayfield In Town, Bayfield Rural, Ignacio In Town, Ignacio Rural, and Durango Mountain Area. These charts indicate the statistics and key metrics for single family homes and...
Most Frequently Asked Questions for Real Estate Agents
Those who are planning on buying or selling a home often want to enjoy a smooth and successful process. Real estate agents provide a long list of benefits that can protect the client and complete the transaction in a shorter period of time. If you are planning on hiring a real estate agent, there are a number of questions that you should ask your real estate agent. Here is a list of FAQs that are usually asked from realtors in Irvine....
Technology and Real Estate
It’s no secret we live in an age of interconnectivity. With the internet, social media, instant communication, and more, technology has changed many aspects of our lives, including how we conduct business. Years ago, effective marketing and advertising for a real estate business primarily included newspaper advertisements, flyers, direct mail pieces, and other tangible items. In today’s world, effective business marketing must both...
2016 Real Estate Forecast – The Wells Group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2QwtrTKyvQ&feature=youtu.be The Wells Group has hosted yet another successful Real Estate Forecast at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The presentation was filled with an ample amount of insight, and data gathered to follow trends into the upcoming year in Real Estate. A great recap of one of the best years in La Plata Count’s real estate record! The presenters summed up the...
Reduce your Property Taxes by means of “Conjunctive Use”
County Assessors refer to Conjunctive Use, also known as Parcels of Land with Residential Use, as “parcels of land, under common ownership, that are contiguous to land used for a residence and used as an integral part of a residence, are classified as residential property. The primary residential parcel must conform to the definition of residential real property as defined in CRS 39-1-102 (14.5)” A physical inspection by the County...
Local Reports from Colorado Association of REALTORS
This week, we have the latest real estate numbers for La Plata County for the month of February. The attached charts show a detailed breakdown of several market segments in La Plata County, showing La Plata County as a whole, Durango In Town, Durango Rural, Bayfield In Town, Bayfield Rural, Ignacio In Town, Ignacio Rural, and Durango Mountain Area. These charts indicate the statistics and key metrics for single family homes and...
La Plata County Residential Sales for February
February has come and gone, and we have our final residential real estate numbers and results for the month. This is such a short month; it is hard to believe it is over! With 50 total sales, we are slightly behind January’s total of 55 sales. It is also slightly behind February of last year by 7 sales. Year to date, we have 105 sales this year, vs. 111 sales at this time in 2015. So, while this year is slightly lower, the totals...
MOVE for Hunger
Here is a great concept to help our local community! As you may be aware, many people throw out a good deal of “stuff” when they move. Unfortunately, a lot of this “stuff” is food that could be delivered to a family in need, or local food bank/soup kitchen, rather than be thrown away. That’s where MOVE for Hunger [501 (c) 3 non-profit] can help. They work with real estate firms and relocation companies around the world to collect...
PET POWER RISING – “In the Dog House” has a new meaning
Traditionally, real estate Brokers advised pet-owners to put away their pet’s belongings in preparation of a showing, but the new trend is showing that pets have become a plus in marketing a home. Pet power is on the rise! According to the Jan/Feb 2016 edition of REALTORMAG, currently 65% of households own a pet, which is up from 56% in 1988. A record-breaking 79 million U.S. households now own a pet and 83% of pet-owners consider...
WE’VE BEEN NAMED AGAIN!
Durango, CO has been named one of the top 10 cities in the U.S. with perfect weather. We came in 5th. 1. Los Angeles, CA 2. Honolulu, HI 3. Galveston, TX 4. Kill Devil Hills, NC 5. DURANGO, CO 6. Key West, FL 7. Wilmington, DE 8. Athens, GA 9. San Francisco, CA 10. Baton Rouge, LA If you would like to own a piece of paradise, we can help. www.HomesInDurango.com Like us on Facebook Durango Real...
GOOD NEWS FOR CONDO BUYERS!
According to Knight Kiplinger we’ve got easier financing coming on condominiums. Most condo buyers cannot obtain FHA financing because the FHA cannot extend a loan to a buyer for a unit in a condo complex unless at least half of the units are owner occupied. Kiplinger says Congress seems inclined to lower that threshold, making more buildings eligible. This would be a boon for first time buyers and condo sellers. Let us guide...
Five Steps For Success In Buying Real Estate
The new year is underway, and perhaps this is the year you have been considering the purchase of a home. Without a doubt, this is one of life’s biggest and most exciting purchases. It’s the “American Dream” to own a home, generally a solid investment, and offers stability to you and your family in the way of a place to live. While there are many positive benefits, it may be easy to feel overwhelmed with the process, and even where to...