January 28, 2010
Should you buy or rent?
Emotions, family and personal reasons all come into play in any home buying decision.
No one knows what the future holds for you, your family, your job or your finances. But we can help you understand what you’re going to encounter when you embark on the sometimes-difficult journey toward the American dream of owning a home.
When you get that urge to buy a house, the first thing to do is step back and ask whether it makes more sense to keep renting for a while. If you still want to buy, you need to figure out how much house you can afford.
With all the buzz surrounding the first-time buyer tax credit, many renters are asking themselves “should I buy?” There are many factors that play into this massive decision, and although numerous rent vs buy calculators exist, only you can decide what is right for you at this particular time. It is essential that first-time buyers really think their situation through before they write an offer on one of the many Colorado Springs homes for sale. Home ownership involves much more than sending out a rent check every month. Possibly the largest factor to keep in mind is your time line. Are you willing to stay in a house for four or more years? Selling a home takes time and resources that you may not be willing to invest in the near future. And this is just one of the many factors to think through. All this being said, home ownership is great thing and will bring you freedom, empowerment, and joy. So if you are considering taking advantage of the tax credit, I say go for it! But make sure you ask yourself the tough questions first.
5 Disorder Disasters: Organized! : Organizing : Home & Garden Television
You’ve overcome the biggest obstacle to organization: getting started. But despite your tidiest intentions, life — and clutter — is bound to get in the way. How do you fit staying organized into your schedule without getting stressed?
Betsy Peterson, a professional organizer and the owner of Space and Time, in Oak Ridge, Tenn., says discipline and time management are key. Taking time to stay organized will help calm your nerves, even when dealing with stressful situations, such as party preparations, garage organization, messy kids’ rooms and out-of-control keepsake collections.
Looking for a way to relax more during your evenings and weekends? Maintaining an organized and tidy home will help keep your stress levels down and help you unwind after a long day of work. Not only that, Colorado Springs homes for sale that appear neat and organized will have a head start on getting an offer. Potential buyers will notice if your home is disorganized and cluttered, and they will greatly appreciate being able to see the house for its charms instead of just seeing clutter.
Miramont Castle – Historic Castle Tour, Gardens and Authentic Victorian High Tea
We invite you to join us and experience life as it would have been in Victorian times, from the castle itself where you can view 42 rooms resplendent in authentic Victorian furnishings, to the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room where you can feast on Victorian (and modern day) fare made fresh daily, to the Miramont Gift Shop where you can purchase unique gift items for persons of all ages, to the Victorian Gardens decked in nature’s colors.
Miramont Castle is a beautiful piece of Colorado Springs real estate history. Located in the historic Manitou Springs real estate area, the Miramont Castle dates back to the late 1800’s and adds a valuable piece of historic charm to the Manitou area. The Miramont Castle offers a great way to escape your daily routine with lunch and tea served daily. But this isn’t your everyday lunch break, you’ll be treated to an exquisite array of teas, sandwiches, and, of course….desserts. And just in case Victorian tea parties aren’t your thing, you may be interested in stopping by to visit the ghosts. Yep, that’s right! The Miramont Castle is haunted. Check out their website if you don’t believe me….They have pictures!
Energy Savings Through Window Treatments | Drape Away Drafts | Photos | Windows | This Old House
Even after you’ve weatherstripped and caulked them, windows in older homes can still be drafty. Here’s another line of defense against the chills: window treatments. The right shades, curtains, and even blinds will help retain some portion of the estimated 10 to 30 percent of heat lost through windows in wintertime. Follow our pointers to keep drafts from messing up your comfort zone.
It has been awfully windy in the Colorado Springs real estate area lately. And today’s snow is certainly doing nothing to raise temperatures. If you have drafty windows that don’t want to seal, here is a great solution that not only adds function, but also a nice aesthetic to the inside of your home. Window coverings can provide an excellent source of protection against the cold fronts that frequent our area. And if you are planning on selling your home anytime soon, curtains and shades can improve your homes appearance. And with the proper staging, adding window treatments will not only help you save cash on your heating bills, but will also help you get top dollar for your home. Yet another win-win answer to an energy leakage problem!
American Art Pottery | Van Briggle Pottery & Tile – History
In 1899, when Artus Van Briggle stepped off the train in Colorado Springs he must have felt worlds away from the studios of Paris and the landscapes of Italy where his extraordinary talents had so recently flourished. Here, however, surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the defining moments of his life would occur; the twin destinies of a great artistic triumph and an imminent personal tragedy would unfold, leaving in their wake the dawn of a 100 year artistic legacy – Van Briggle Pottery – an American tradition in art pottery since 1899.
Did you know that Colorado Springs was home to the world famous artist, Artus Van Briggle? Although Van Briggle was an accomplished painter, his primary focus in Colorado was pottery. In fact, if you’ve visited the Downtown Colorado Springs real estate area lately, you may have noticed the strategically placed tiles located along Tejon Street. These tiles are a tribute to Van Briggle and the contributions he made to Colorado Springs. His impact was so great, that tourists still travel from all over the world to hunt his famed works in the Colorado Springs area. Many older homes in downtown Colorado Springs actually feature Van Briggle tiles over door ways and windows. So the next time your house shopping downtown, make sure you ask if the home comes with any Van Briggle originals. You’re next home purchase just might include a piece of art history!
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