Warning! Danger! The Trees are Dying!

This photo is of the Colorado River headwaters as it pours out of the Rocky Mountains, just south and west of the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was taken in the summer of 2005. It's a beautiful scene, but if you look closely, you notice the dead trees.

The trees are Lodge Pole pine trees that have been infected with the Pine Bark Beetle. These little pests are destroying all the trees in the Rocky Mountains. And they are moving to destroy what's left. Very large swaths of the trees across the mountains are dead and brown. When the beetles are done with the trees, the very dead, dry branches hang down, as evidenced by the trees on the left in the foreground. They look so sad with the dead drooping branches, like they cried themselves to death.

It's been impossible to stop these bugs. Many people have their trees sprayed with insecticides, but that only slows the beetles down; it doesn't kill them. And the dead trees are, of course, a fire hazzard, and must be taken down.

In this photo, taken a couple of years later, the dead trees appear gray. The brown trees from the previous photo, will turn gray with time.

This is an upclose view of the damage the bettles can cause. The yellow trees are Aspens turning in the fall. And just this week, I heard that the Aspen trees are beginning to die off. They have a 20 year live span and many are just dying.

We, as a state, national, and as a global community, have lost a great deal to these beetles. The trees are a large part of the eco system. They add oxygen to the air, and filter out harmful particles. The face of the Rocky Mountains have changed, and will not be the same in my life time. The loss of the beautiful trees that make the Rockies so remarkable have changed the face of the mountains, permanently.

The positive note to all of this is that the Forestry Services tells us that the die off of all these trees will produce a more diverse vegetation, and help to protect the forest against the beetles next invasion.

October 2009, Stats for the Woodmoor neighborhood in Monument, CO,

The Issue with Chinese Drywall

Chinese drywall was imported to the US during the peak building years of 2004 and 2007. Over 100,000 homes, in 20 states, were built with this product. The drywall contains a sulfurous product, that gives off the odor of a burning match. Over time, it turns copper pipes black, rots wiring, and plumbing, and destroys the air conditioning condenser.

The Issue with Living with Chinese Drywall
More importantly, this product is harmful to people living within those walls. Many have reported that the odor is causing headaches, and respiratory problems. Numerous people have move out of their new homes, only to have to pay for another home or apartment to live in.

The Issue with the Mortgage Lenders and Chinese Drywall
These displaced folks cannot afford rent on an apartment, and the mortgage on their new home. And, pleas for aid from the mortgage lender are being declined. The cost of replacing all the drywall in the home can reach $80,000 to $100,000. Is this the beginning of more mortgage lender problems? How many people will just walk away from their homes, leaving the industry in another downfall?

The Issue with the Courts and Chinese Drywall
As of right now, there are court cases pending to for home owners hoping to resolve this problem. Many of the new home builders are taking it upon themselves to replace the defective drywall. But many are not, and the courts will start trying those cases in January of 2010.

The Issue with Our Economy and Chinese Drywall
This issue has the potential of causing another run of foreclosures and bankruptcies. The state of Louisiana has begun using their $5 million in federal housing money to assist homeowners with replacing the offensive drywall. Senator Bill Nelson (Dem-FL) is introducing a bill to provide the same type of assistance for Florida residents.

Where will this go? How will we deal with this large problem on top of our small recovery of the last year? Are you seeing the effects of Chinese drywall in your market?

Speechless Sunday

Understanding the Bidding War with a REO

The recent experience of a bidding war with a bank owned property (REO) has brought to my attention the fact that as much as we write about short sales, forecloures, and bank owned properties, we're just not getting the word out to our clients.

With that in mind, here are some important facts that we need to know; that we need to pass along to our buyers; that the general public needs to know prior to becoming involved with a REO purchase.

1. Writng an offer on a property with your Realtor(r) does not constitute a contract! You must have signatures from both the seller and the buyer on the contract for it to be binding.
2. A verbal counter offer is excellent to have, but not binding. It must be followed up with that all important contract, signed by both parties.
3. Very Important: Until the bank returns your offer with their counter, and they will always counter using their documents, you are not under contract, and
4. They have the right to accept any other offer that is submitted

And this is how the bidding war begins. The bank is now holding two offers, that are just about identical, which is just a coincidence, we hope. They can't decide which one to accept, so they issue a "Highest and Best" request.

"Highest and Best" request is a one-time shot for you to obtain this property. So, give it your best offer. Here's what you need to do:

1. Clean up your offer by
   b. Removing all seller concessions
   c. Tightening up your closing date
   d. Changing your finanacing to conventional, (it's easier to fund)
   e. And bringing your very best monetary offer
2. Then, wait to hear back from the bank

If you have done everything in your power to make your bid your "Highest and Best," you might just get the home! However, if your offer was beaten by another, it's sad to say, but your desire for the home just wasn't as great as the desire of the other party.

 Here's cute little video about the bank owned purchase process...

In Memoriam - Junko Brackin

My Dear Friend...you will be missed.

Biography

Junko Kawada Brackin
Jan. 19, 1949 - Oct. 6, 2009

Junko Kawada Brackin was born on January 19, 1949 in Tokyo, Japan to Koichi and Sachi Kawada. Junko married André P. Brackin in November of 1986 in Coronado, California. Junko also was a devoted mother and treasured by her son John P. Witkowski, daughter Ann Witkowski, grandson Leopold Singh, and her extended
family in Virginia.

Junko was a talented potter and bamboo basket maker, and was happiest when making art. Junko loved the natural world and could turn the simplest things she found into her art. She participated in many organizations including
Colorado Basketry Guild, The Clay Center Studio, Commonwheel Artist's Cooperative, the Colorado Springs Pottery Co-Op, and enjoyed taking classes at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. Junko loved animals, and enjoyed raising her
chickens and cows at her home in Calhan, Colorado with Andre.

Junko was preceded in death by her mother, Sachi. In addition to her husband, children, and grandchild in the U.S., she is survived in Japan by Koichi Kawada (father), Hideharu Kawada (brother), Daisuke Kawada (brother), and Kumi Kawada
(sister).

Junko was a unique individual, with a kind and gentle soul. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

Do You Need to Live Near a Base in Colorado Springs?

Are you military? Or contractor? And need to live near one of our bases in Colorado Springs? There are several cities and neighborhoods closeby that are very nices area to live in. Here's some data to help you determind what area would be suit your needs.

The City of Fountain

√  It was designated Millinnium City and 2002 All American City
√  It's the furthest south in our greater metropolian area, and has the mildest climate in our region
√  Travel to Ft. Carson, and Peterson AFB is 10 miles, and total commute time is about 15 minutes. Schriever AFB is 16 miles, and 33 minutes drive time. (Add more time for incliment weather.)
√  The school district is Fountain District 8

The City of Widefield

√  The city is 5 miles north of Fountain, and 10 miles south of Colorado Springs. It's 14 miles, and 29 minutes to Schriever AFB. Ft. Carson and Peterson AFB is 5 miles and 6 minutes commute away
√  The city's school district is Widefield District 3

The City of Security

√ The city is located about 5 miles south of Colorado Springs, and 4 miles away with a 6 minute drive to Ft. Carson and Peterson AFB. Schriever AFB is 20 miles away and a 30 minute drive.
√  The city's school district is Widefield District 3

 The Neighborhood of Stratmoor Hills

√  Stratmoor Hills lies in the Colorado Spring City Limits. It's in the southwest area of the city, and very close to Ft. Carson, with approx. a 5 minute commute. And 10 minutes to Peterson AFB. Schriever AFB is approx. another 15 minutes beyond.
√  Harrison School District 2 is the local school district.

The Neighborhood of Cimarron Hills

√  Cimarron Hills is in the southeast area of Colorado Springs. The commute to Peterson AFB is just minutes, and Ft. Carson is about 15 minutes. Cimarron Hills is the closest neighborhood to Schreiver AFB, with a commute time of 10.
√  Colorado Springs School District 11 serves this neighborhood.

These are well developed areas, and each with neighborhoods. Shopping centers, gas stations, convenience and grocery stores are readily accessible. Schools and city services are readily available and Colorado Springs has one of the finest libraries in the country; rated in the top 10.

Here's data showing all currenly actives homes on the market. Also, shown are sold homes for this year and sold homes for last year. Homes in these areas sell for approx. 97% of list price.