I just wanted to wish all of you a Happy New Year. I hope the coming 2010 year brings you prosperity and good health. Take care and I will see you in a couple of weeks.

Thanks,

Brian

Yes I mean Merry Christmas. I hope you have a Merry one and remember the “Reason for the Season.” Its Jesus’ birthday. He came here for us to have life. Celebrate have fun and be thankful for what you do have. I hope that all of you are happy, healthy and full of good cheer. Have a Merry Christmas

This week Forbes Magazine rated Colorado Springs the 9th Best Bang for the Buck city in the United States. The top city was Omaha NE. This is more good news for our little city. Last week Forbes rated us 14th most likely city to rebound from the housing slump.

I believe Colorado Springs is a good value. In affordable housing, most of our prices hover between $90-$110 per feet. In the heyday it rose to $130-$150 per foot. The one golden thing that has happened with the housing slump is that it’s made housing affordable again. In Colorado Springs you can find decent housing around $100,000. In markets like Florida, Arizona, Las Vegas and California home prices dropped 50-70% from the peak. Now there is value in owning a home.

I also think now is the time to buy and invest in real estate. Many people catch it when its on its way up. Almost always people buy into the frenzy when it’s peaking. Now is the time. We have been at bottom for about 8 months. I think we will stay here for only a couple more months before we start increasing values. Fact is, sales this year in 2009 are equal to 2006 and inventory is down 1800 units. That spells relief and increasing values.

Yes, buy into the fact that Colorado Springs is a good value. Say yes that Colorado Springs is rebounding. Get on board the bus before it passes you by.

Thanks,

Brian

Last week I wrote a blog slamming Doug Bruce and our citizens for not having enough foresight to vote yes on certain amendments and taxes to improve our city’s schools and infra-structure. To be fair, all the blame should not fall there.

One big reason you don’t vote for amendments and extra taxes is because of the history of our city government to waste those funds. I for one voted for 2A, but after reading the fine print it wanted to triple my property taxes. OUCH!! Now who in their right mind could say yes to that? I was probably one of the many who didn’t read it all. There in is the problem.

Our city government has spent their way to serious debt. How many city workers do we need to fix a pot hole? Every time I drive by there is 3 looking and one working. How about that crew fixing the drainage? There is one tractor working while 4 guys in city trucks look on. What about the fire department and police department where there are chiefs and captains supervising chiefs and captains? What about the brass in the other utilities that have 4 supervisors to one employee? I think we have witnessed this.

Another point is like I said last week, run the city like a business. Get business owners not politicians to run the city. In business there is one supervisor to 4 employees not vice versa like the city does. That alone would carve out millions or at least we would run better than we do now.

Again, I believe we all need to have foresight. The blame for the city debt belongs to all if us. We elected them! The amendments will come & go! Everyone needs to adapt. If we don’t, I guarantee we will not remain a top place to live.

Sincerely,


Brian

Did you see the article by Forbes Magazine listing Colorado Springs as the 14th fastest recovering city in America? Do you believe it? Are we really in for a rebound? Well, let’s see!

Forbes online produced a list yesterday that names Colorado Springs the 14th most likely place in America to Rebound. It ranked Omaha NE #1 most likely. It took into account Gross Metropolitan Product (measure of city economy) foreclosures, home prices, and sales rates. They ranked based on statistics compiles through the month of September.

I think this is great news but is it really true? Now that Doug Bruce has gotten his way in raping our city dry, are we really going to be a quality place to live? By voting for his anti tax measures I feel our city is going to dry up and die. You don’t need to look far to see it.

1st check out our infra-structure and roads. Why do we waste money on a bridge overpass at Woodmen & Academy but vote down public transportation? Why are we closing inner city schools and not putting money into educating Dist 11 kids. Today Dist 11 can’t make ends meet and those of you who don’t have kids in school you keep voting down amendments. That is why your home values don’t climb like other areas. How many of you were fooled by Doug Bruce’s amendment for abolishing storm water. Soon, you will figure out when curb gutter and sewer systems don’t work it was your vote that caused it.

People you need to be more long term thinking! You need to look past the slight increase and look at the big picture. No real airport, bad schools, no public transportation, brown grass parks, broken curbs, gutters, sewers, pot holed streets and slow fire and police protection does not make us an appealing place to live. If we are not appealing you won’t get good prices for your homes. People you need to think beyond today and look to tomorrow. If you don’t we certainly won’t be a top place to live.

Thanks,

Brian

Hi Everyone,

In case you didn’t hear the tax credit has been extended with modifications. Courtesy of Lori Sorrels of Bank of America here are the latest guidelines. Call us with your questions.
Tax Credit Bill: For first time homebuyers or those who have not owned within 3 years, the tax credit remains at $8000, with income restrictions maxing out at $125,000 single and $225,000 joint. Current homeowners, those defined as having owned a home for five of the previous 8 years can now also take advantage of a credit, with the slightly lesser amount of $6500, with the same income restrictions. To qualify purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30, 2010. For those in the Armed Forces, persons stationed outside the United States on official duty for 90 days during the period Jan 1, 2009 and before May 1, 2010 will have eligibility extended for binding contracts signed before May 1, 2010 and closed before July 1, 2011. Will let you know when this is signed and law.


Thanks,
Brian
719-593-2963