Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog

Many parents specifically ask us to find Colorado Springs real estate within the boundaries of Academy School District 20 for their families.  Academy School District 20 serves the northern and northwest portion of Colorado Springs Colorado real estate.  This includes neighborhoods such as Black Forest, Peregrine, Pine Creek, Cordera, and out towards the Air Force Academy.  Children and youth residing in Colorado Springs CO homes in zip codes 80840, 80908, 80919, 80920, and 80921 may attend the award-winning District 20 schools.

Academy District is a large district that operates five high schools, five middle schools, 18 elementary schools, and a charter school. Most utilize a K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade level configuration.  See list below.

Ranking among the best in Colorado, Academy School District 20 faculty and students consistently receive honors, scholarships, great test scores, and other tributes.  District 20 is recognized throughout the Pikes Peak Region for providing strong basis in core curriculum and the education of the whole person.  To accomplish this, District 20 engages in academics from Shakespeare to science, music to P.E., career-oriented clubs, computer and technology programs, band, special Ed, and talented and gifted programs and other successful programs help to weave a rich foundation for each individual student.

District 20 is unique in that it offers Choice Schools.  Unlike neighborhood schools, choice schools are open to all students in the district.  Their schedule and curriculum vary but all choice schools offer comprehensive and full curriculum programs.

In addition, Academy School District 20 builds cooperative relationships with parents, staff, students, patrons, and the community.  For example, because of strong ties, schools offer special programs such as D.A.R.E., E.S.L., Advanced Placement, vocational and technical trades, science, imagination, journeyman and mentoring.  Volunteering is in style.  Businesses and neighbors may volunteer in classrooms, teach enrichment classes, serve as guest speakers and on committees, work in the library, as chaperones, or driving.  Senior citizens also volunteer in the Grand Friends program and receive tax discounts.

Contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010 to learn how our acclaimed city can work hand in glove to help you achieve your lifetime goals.  Schools in Colorado Springs District 20 include:

Discovery Canyon Campus School Grades PK-12, 1810 Northgate Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 234-1800

Air AcademyHigh School Grades 9-12, 1476 students 551 North Frontage Road West, USAF Academy, CO 80840 (719) 234-2400

Aspen Valley High School Grades 9-12 · 107 students 1450 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-6000

Liberty High School Grades 9-12 · 1457 students 8720 Scarborough Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-2200

Pine Creek High School Public school · Grades 9-12, 10750 Thunder Mountain Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (719) 234-2600

Rampart High School Public school · Grades 9-12 · 1689 students 8250 Lexington Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-2000

The Classical Academy High School Charter school · Grades 9-12, 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Challenger Middle School Grades 6-8, 10215 Lexington Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-3000

Eagleview Middle School Grades 6-8 · 927 students 1325 Vindicator Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 234-3400

Mountain Ridge Middle School Grades 6-8, 9150 Lexington Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-3200

Timberview Middle School Grades 6-8, 8680 Scarborough Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-3600

The Classical Academy Middle School Charter School · Grades 7-8, 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719)

484-0091

Douglass Valley Elementary School Grades K-5, 4610 Douglass Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840 (719) 234-4200

Edith Wolford Elementary School Grades PK-5, 13710 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (719) 234-4300

Mountain View Elementary School Grades K-5, 10095 Lexington Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-4800

Pine Valley Elementary School Grades PK-6, 650 Pine Loop, USAF Academy, CO 80840 (719) 234-4900

Rockrimmon Elementary School Grades K-5, 194 W Mikado Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 234-5200

Woodmen-Roberts Elementary School Grades PK-5, 8365 Orchard Path Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 234-5300

Antelope Trails Elementary School Grades PK-5, 15280 Jessie Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 234-4100

Prairie Hills Elementary School Grades K-5, 8025 Telegraph Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-5100

Foothills Elementary School Public School Grades K-5, 825 Allegheny Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 234-4500

High Plains Elementary School Grades K-5, 2248 Vintage Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-4700

Frontier Elementary School Grades PK-5, 3755 Meadow Ridge Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-4600

Pioneer Elementary School Grades K-5 , 3663 Woodland Hills Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 234-5000

Explorer Elementary School Grades PK-5, 4190 Bardot Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-4400

The Classical Academy Charter Charter School Grades K-6, 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 484-0081

Academy Endeavour Elementary School Public School Grades PK-5, 3475 Hampton Park Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-5600

Academy International Elementary School Public School Grades PK-5, 8550 Charity, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 234-4000

The DaVinci Academy School Grades K-5, 1335 Bridle Oak Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 234-5400

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Since the mid 1990s, the annual foreclosure filings for Colorado Springs homes in El Paso County, Colorado have been steadily increasing.  Granted, we do have more residents today and more developed Colorado Springs real estate, bringing additional mortgages into play.  Qualified buyers can find some nice deals for Colorado Springs CO real estate because of rampant foreclosures.

The number of foreclosure filings for homes in El Paso County reached a record 5,470 in 2009.  In 1995, there were only 435 foreclosure filings.  Recent statistics offer a bit of hope that trends are improving, however.  One stat revealed that during the first half of 2010, Colorado Springs homeowners in El Paso County improved 10 percent compared to First Half 2009.

A foreclosure filing by a lender begins the process leading to repossession of the Colorado Springs property.  Fortunately, an increasing number of struggling homeowners are finding ways to keep their homes and avoid the completion of the foreclosure process.  The government is pressuring lenders to work with these borrowers to lower payments.  In addition, government programs are able to help some property owners weather the storms in the economy.  Even so, there are not options for the unemployed who are in over their heads.

El Paso County processed 2,420 foreclosure filings for First Half 2010.  Tom Mowle, El Paso County Public Trustee explained current trends to The Gazette in a July 25, 2010 article where he states that his office averaged 14-15 filings per day during the first two weeks of July 2010.  That represents the lowest rate since late 2008.  Mowle reminds us that the rate is still excessively high when compared to the foreclosure-filing rates of the 1990s.

High numbers of short sales and bank-owned foreclosed properties are watering down property values.  In the Pike’s Peak region, the median single-family home prices in June reached $205,000.  That is actually up five percent from last year and the highest since July 2008 when median prices peaked at $223,950.

There is definitely an uneasy feeling that does not seem to go away with these small changes in the real estate market.  Few real estate agents feel comfortable with the weak recovery of the construction and building and real estate industries, either.  For a long time, those industries used the number of building permits issued for a temperature gauge and that reading is not so stable today.  In June, the number of building permits issued (128) was down from the 2009-2010 peak of 166 in February 2010.  It may not be all so bad though, as 798 permits issued in the First Half 2010 signified a 53.4 percent increase over First Half 2009.

We will claim our victories one by one but are not willing to put on rose-colored glasses.  Some buyers will be out shopping for those new homes with enticing price tags.  They just cannot resist the incredibly low interest rates available today.  That is very good news for all of us.

Contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010 to learn how our acclaimed city can work hand in glove to help you achieve your lifetime goals.

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Buyers looking to move up to high-end Colorado Springs homes may find the second half of 2010 to be the right time.  Inventories of Colorado Springs real estate are increasing.  A special report by RE/MAX Properties in Colorado Springs based on current trends revealed that it would take a year and a half to sell the supply of homes priced from $500,000 to $749,000.  At the current rate, it will also take five years to sell the Colorado Springs Colorado homes priced $1 million and up.

Interested buyers definitely have choices for better prices of existing upscale Colorado Springs CO real estate.  That is in contrast to the first half of 2010 when prices of existing homes rose.  At that time, we saw more new-home construction.  In addition, foreclosure filings, which always drive down the prices, were not as prevalent during the first half of 2010.

After two years of significant improvements in the local real estate forecast, several factors are responsible for holding down prices:

1. After seeing market improvements, more sellers put their properties on the selling block.
2. Banks are approving short sales and putting an increasing number of REO properties on the market.
3. After over two years, the government’s homebuyer tax credit of $6,500 to $8,000 expired on April 30, greatly reducing the incentive for buyers to get involved now.
4. It is harder to qualify for a mortgage these days, so there are fewer buyers.

Qualified buyers today can go to the head of the class, taking advantage of record low interest rates and jumbo loan increases to reel in a dream home in Colorado Springs.  The more properties on the market, the more benefit to the qualified buyer.

Nonetheless, given the economic forecast in America, some qualified buyers may be nervous about making the leap or committing to larger payments.  Companies are still laying-off employees at an uncomfortable rate and small businesses are edgy.  Fortunately, our local economy includes a strong government sector that looks to be the last to downsize.

On Sunday, July 25, 2010, Rich Laden’s article in the Gazette showed a new home under construction in Black Forest.  He referred to the sentiment of experts, saying, “There’s a glut of high-end homes on the market that will likely continue or get worse this year.”  Laden also quoted Brian Maecker of RE/MAX Advantage of Colorado Springs, “Prices are flat, and even dropping again.”

That means Ready, Set, Go if you are looking for a very nice home in a very nice community.  Contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010 to learn how our acclaimed city can work hand in glove to help you achieve your lifetime goals.

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Moving once or 20 times?  No worries.  Respect for military families relocating to Colorado Springs CO homes spurs Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Real Estate to walk the extra mile on their behalf.  In July 2010, after purchasing a beautiful home in Colorado Springs, a client triumphantly explained.  “Ann provides a military rebate that is second to none.  Her sense of patriotism and appreciation for the service of those serving in the military sets her heads and shoulders above her peers in the Colorado Springs real estate business.”  [See Colorado Springs Military Rebate Program.]

“During our 24+ years in the military and 12+ years in the corporate world, we have relocated 20 times.  By a wide margin, Ann is simply the best realty professional in the marketplace.  She possesses the utmost integrity and sense of purpose in all that she does….She has gone far beyond what is normally expected of a realtor and has provided exemplary support for all the details of relocating our family to Colorado Springs.”

A second reason to call upon Ann Heiring’s skills as a professional realtor is to be sure to take advantage of the Home Buyer Tax Credit, if possible.  Military families returning from active duty receive an extension for the Home Buyer Tax Credits offered in 2010.  It is $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat homebuyers.

Qualified service members ordered on official extended duty must have a binding sales contract in place on or before April 30, 2011.  The property must close by June 30, 2011.  Official extended duty refers to uniformed members of the U.S. military outside of the United States for at least 90 days beginning January 1, 2009 and ending before May 1, 2010.

There is another exception for persons who must return to the States for medical reasons before completing at least 90 days of qualified official extended duty may qualify for a one-year extension.  The rest of our citizens must have a binding sales contract in place on or before April 30, 2010 and closed by September 30, 2010.

Another benefit for military personnel is the Exemption from Tax Credit Recapture Rules.  Normally, if a homebuyer does not use a principal residence personally within three years of the initial purchase, the IRS could capture any tax-credit monies paid out.  Qualified service members are exempt, however.

Contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010 to learn how our acclaimed city can work hand in glove to help you achieve your lifetime goals.

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The friendly community of Woodland Park is less than 20 miles west of central Colorado Springs real estate.  Woodland Park real estate is beautiful.  Home to 7,500 residents, Woodland Park is the largest city in Teller County and serves as the central hub for smaller surrounding neighborhoods.  Woodland Park is near all of the educational and cultural amenities located in metropolitan Colorado Springs CO real estate.

Expect to find vacation Colorado Springs Colorado homes in and around the resort-like area of Woodland Park, along with fulltime retreats for artisans and recreationists and even commuting professionals who seek out an excellent mountain lifestyle.

Several subdivisions offer Woodland Park homes at various price points.  Paradise Estates, Ridgewood, Tranquil Acres, Columbine Village Townhomes, and Spruce Haven are under $150,000.  Homes in Eagle Pines I, Forest Edge Park, Gray Horse Ranch, Holiday Hills, Mountain View Park, Sunnywood Manor, Woodland Valley, Westwood Lakes, and R & D range from $150,000 to $650,000.  Exclusive properties in Catamount, Trout Creek, Woodland Park, Woodland Valley Ranch, and Flying Cloud may run $650,000 to $1.5 million and more.

Referred to as “the city above the clouds,” Woodland Park sets at an elevation of 8,500 feet on the edge of the Colorado Front Range.  Panoramic views of deep blue skies, lush aspen, spruce, and pine forests of Pikes Peak National Forest and the Rampart Range are soothing.  The fresh air seems to hit the right spot for golfers, hikers, and mountain bikers.  People also fish at Manitou Lake and in the Rampart Range Reservoir.

There are several parks, picnic areas, sports fields at Meadow Wood Park, Lions Park, Memorial Park, and Bergstrom Park.  Winter sports abound with ice-skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing replacing summer hikes.  An hour and a half into the mountains, residents and guests will find world-class ski resorts at Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone.

Since the beginning of settlement in Woodland Park homes in 1891, the resort town has sustained a vibrant local economy.  For decades, logging and sawmills helped the tourist industry.  Visitors enjoy the shopping, galleries, restaurants, Bed & Breakfast establishments, as well as RV parks and campgrounds.

For more information, contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010.

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Colorado homes in the beautiful mountain community of Manitou Springs are traditionally considered health investment properties.  Manitou Springs real estate is located west of metropolitan Colorado Springs homes on the edge of Pike National Forest.  It sits about 6,000 feet above sea level at the foot of Pike’s Peak.
Manitou Springs is home for 5,000 residents who appreciate a top-quality lifestyle.

Hospitality is second nature to residents of Manitou Springs Colorado homes.  The unique historic community attracts tourists to its natural mineral waters.  Travelers are welcome to the National Historic District, exceptional fine dining, cafes, and nationally famous restaurants, cozy B&B establishments, quaint motels, and friendly campgrounds, and variety of art galleries.

Manitou Springs was sacred to native tribes who worshipped Manitou, the “spirit” of the waters.  After visiting the springs in 1868, founder of Colorado Springs General William Jackson Palmer and English physician Dr. William Bell envisioned a health spa.  The men proclaimed the virtues of fresh mountain air, mineral waters, and natural beauty for the healing of diseases as serious as tuberculosis.  Settlers moved in droves to the gentle valley and many people invested in vacation cabins and second homes in Manitou Springs, leaving behind a variety of Victorian homes still standing.

For 150 years, the community thrived around the popular mineral-water fountains that feed off the snowmelt from Pike’s Peak.  Guided tours tell the fascinating stories of the past.   Today, there are 25 in the downtown area alone.  Widely recognized for their healing attributes, “spirit” waters are shipped also around the world.

The town retains the look of an old mining town with houses built up the hillsides.  Residents of the historic community recently re-envisioned a rebirth, building on the past and welcoming new businesses and citizens of the future.  Several areas of town are updated and new year-round activities and events are appearing on the calendar.  The street design, sidewalks, streetscape, and parks are being redressed with an artistic touch.

The area is a getaway even for fulltime residents.  Joining the artisans are a wide mix of professionals, blue collar workers, and the self-employed who enjoy the vast reaches of hiking and biking trails, natural attractions, and easy access to world-class ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains—all not too far from the services and amenities of the big city.
For more information, contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010.

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Colorado Springs Real Estate for Military Personnel

Military installations are located near Colorado Springs real estate in the north, south, and east parts of the city. A strong military presence in Colorado Springs is important to both the United States and the city. Colorado Springs homes are available for Army and Air Force families at several price points.

In the northern part of Colorado Springs CO real estate are several newer master-planned communities including Black Forest, Cordera, Wolf Ranch and Flying Horse, offering recreation centers, spas, tennis courts and a golf course, served by Academy District 20 Schools, which is one of the top rated districts in Colorado.

To the east lies the Powers corridor, offering newer as well as brand new Colorado Springs homes as well – located north of the Colorado Springs airport, which is operated in partnership with Peterson Air Force Base. Stetson Hills to the north along with Springs Ranch also are golf course communities with easy access to shopping and restaurants.
To the south homes near Fort Carson are found in Fountain Valley, which is an area in growth with several brand new neighborhoods being built, all within a 10-15 minute drive to Ft. Carson.

Fort Carson, the largest military installation in the area, is home to the 4th Infantry Division and the second and third battalions of the 10th Special Forces Group. Training for armor, infantry, and aviation takes place at Fort Carson.

Peterson Air Force Base carries on missile defense operations and development. Peterson is headquarters to the Air Force Space Command, Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Army Strategic Command, and US Northern Command. Activities at Peterson are also linked to the missile defense system.

Schriever Air Force Base is home to the 50th Space Wing, Space Warfare Center, and 576th Flight Test Squadron. In addition, Schriever is the site of the modern GPS Master Control and Operations Center and the U.S. Naval Observatory Alternate Master Clock.

NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain Air Station house portions of the missile defense system.

The United States Air Force Academy and its landmark Academy Chapel are located in the northern reaches of the city where most of the city’s growth has taken place in the past ten years.

The first military base opened in 1942 shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Named for Kit Carson, Camp Carson trained and housed troops preparing for World War II. Shortly afterwards, the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport opened as a training base for heavy bombers. The airport was renamed Peterson Field. Ten years later, Peterson into a full-fledged base for the Air Force to use during the Korean War and President Dwight D. Eisenhower selected Colorado Springs over 300 sites to build the Air Force Academy.

By the mid 1960s during the Cold War, the main facility of NORAD was established at Cheyenne Mountain, increasing the military presence in the city. Falcon Air Force Base (now called Schriever Air Force Base), was founded in 1983 with the purpose of building missile defense and satellite control.

Contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010 to learn about perfect homes for military staff and special discounts for military personnel.

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In 2010, residents of Colorado Springs homes took a bow once again. This year, the National League of Cities in Washington D.C. bestowed honors for our Everybody Welcome: A Celebration of Culture and Diversity. In 2008, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine judged Colorado Springs real estate as one of 10 Best Places to Live, Work and Play.

MONEY Magazine goaded people to relocate to homes in Colorado Springs by ranking the city No. 1 Best Big City in 2006. The CNN affiliate also found us to be “Best Places to Live & Launch.” [To find out exactly why, click here for our Featured Listings of Colorado Springs CO homes for sale.]

The list goes on and on. Men’s Fitness Magazine found residents of real estate in Colorado Springs to be living in the “Fittest City in America” and Men’s Health Magazine chimed in with a “Best Cities for Dogs” award. Forbes agreed, calling The Springs “America’s Most Pet-Friendly City.”

The Springs continually hits the “Best” lists. Kiplinger’s heaped on the accolades. Beginning with Pikes Peak, the site of the inspiration “for purple mountain majesty” in the song, America the Beautiful, and on to unusual red rocks at the Garden of the Gods—our community is filled with inviting views and adventures. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Fine Arts Center, Cog Railway up Pikes Peak, Old Colorado City, lovely old neighborhoods, and exquisite new home developments provide an unmistakable character.

Our “creative class” nurture educational, scientific, and artistic subcultures. The Air Force Academy and military bases provide stability and interest. Rocky Mountain skiing is just an hour away. For a “smaller, second-tier city, The Springs offers an impressive amount of diversity of amenities,” quoting one of the researchers for Kiplinger.

Our beautiful city is one of the “1,000 Places to See Before You Die!” With population growth, income growth, job growth, and job quality ranking high, some are choosing to see it often by purchasing vacation homes, retirement homes, or primary residences in the area. Contact Ann Heiring of RE/MAX Advantage, Inc. at (719) 440-1010 to learn about how our acclaimed city can work hand in glove to help you achieve your lifetime goals.

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Colorado Springs Area Photo Slide Show

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