Colorado Fall Colors

There is nothing quite like a Colorado indian summer day. Yesterday I spent some time on Monarch Pass and took a few photographs of the changing aspen. The colors this year range from brilliant yellow to reds and oranges. I recommend getting into the high country this weekend. Take a walk on Marshall Pass, visit the historic ghost town of St. Elmo, soak in the Salida Hot Springs Pool and eat in one of our many restaurants. Now is a perfect time to look into Salida Real Estate.

Wes Hill

Broker/Owner

Wes Hill & Associates

719-221-2041

wes@weshillrealestate.com

Mortgage Rates "WOW"

When the local Mortgage Loan Officer sends you an updated residential mortgage rate sheet with the tagline, "WOW!" you know the rates are something special.

If you are thinking about buying a home, the time is NOW! Check these out: 40 year fixed: 4.25%, 30 year fixed: 3.75%, 15 year fixed: 3.00%. For more information on how to take advantage of these rates by working with local lenders, or to start your housing search now, get in touch - I'd love to work with you!

K. Hale Chamblee

Broker Associates

Direct: 719-221-4637

Email: Hale@WesHillRealEstate.com

Cottonwood Meadows: Absolute Auction 9/30/11

The court ordered Absolute Auction of Cottonwood Meadows will be held at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Buena Vista on September 30th at 4:00 p.m. Don't miss your chance to purchase a 274 acre ranch, or a portion thereof, bordering one of the last great Colorado Rocky Mountain towns.

This property had extensive planning for residential and commercial development. With its close proximity to the town of Buena Vista and long paved frontage road on Crossman Avenue (CR 350), this ranch makes a great investment for the future growth this area will likely see.

The property will be offered in parcels, any combination and in its entirety.

Summer and winter sports activities are close at hand with Aspen 62 miles to the west, Copper Mountain, Vail and Breckenridge 58-78 miles to the north. Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area and the San Isabel National Forest are only minutes from this property. The unspoiled trout waters of Cottonwood Creek tumble through the meadows, cottonwood and aspen groves before spilling into the Arkansas River.

This ranch holds some of the most senior water rights in the region - dating back to the 1860's. Lush meadows, fertile fields, two houses, long paved road frontage and 3/4 miles to downtown Buena Vista, make this an incredible investment opportunity.

If you are interested in bidding at the auction, we recommend you work with a broker actively licensed in the State of Colorado (Oh wait, that's me) and in order to participate you will need to properly register (I can help) by 12 noon on September 29th. If you would like, previews and inspections can be arranged prior to auction. Need not be present to participate.

For more information on this incredible investment opportunity, and how to participate, please contact me at 719.221.4637 or send email to hale@weshillrealestate.com

K. Hale Chamblee
Broker/Associate
Direct 719.221.4637
email Hale@WesHillRealEstate.com

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

On Tuesday, the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge began in Salida. The world's top male cyclists rode from Salida to Mount Crested Butte in a scant 4 hours, 29 minutes, and change. A first time event, as well as, a first for Salida in terms of an event of this magnitude, and I didn't kow quite what to expect. How many people would there be? Would they - riders, crew, fans, etc. - treat our town with respect? How would they treat me? Would I be able to get to work? What would the vibe be like? How excited would people be? How would we show our spirit? The answers to all of these questions and more? The vibe was great. People from all walks of life were excited to be here. Crews, from volunteer to event staff, were professional and efficient. Law enforcement was present and unimposing. Mountain bikes, fixies, cruisers, and penny farthings were all present. Local musicians plucked and played together. Community, civic participation, spontaneous human and human-powered-machine interaction were all there. Take note of the shot of the "Victoria" sign at the race start, taken by Jeff Gross of Getty Images. What a great place to live, Salida, we're not just in the Heart of the Rockies, we are the Heart of the Rockies!

K. Hale Chamblee

Broker Associate

719-221-4637

hale@WesHillRealEstate.com

Colorado Getaway

Have you ever watched Colorado Getaways on Denver's Channel 4? Every week the crew goes to another beautiful place and then shares it with its viewers. Readers, I just happen to own one of the Colorado Getaways and want to sell it. The Alpine Cottage sits on 2 acres in Howard, Colorado. Beautifully landscaped with Stout Creek, large pines and aspens. The fireplace just needs your Bear Rug to warm a winter evening. The peaks known as "Twin Sisters" form the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Wildlife and flowers abound. Take your choice; live in it or rent it. Let me show it to you. Call me, Dale Little, 719.221.0150.

Consensus Among Salida REALTORS: It's a Buyer's Market

New data out after the first quarter of 2011 have Salida Realtors all saying the same thing, "it's a Buyer's Market."

The average sales value of commercial, residential and land properties in Chaffee County decreased during the first quarter of 2011. The average price for any conveyance in the first quarter of 2011 was $187,961, compared to $227,380 in 2010 and $222,245 in 2009. A 9.43% increase in the number of transactions, but a 1.99% decrease in the dollar amount from 2010 suggests there is more market activity (which is a good thing), just at a lower price piont (which favors buyers).

Looking for more data suggesting a Buyer's Market? The dollar amount for transactions is down 49.86% from 2008. If there is a time to buy, this trend suggests it is now.

The drop in the average dollar value of properties sold so far in 2011 is down 17.3% from 2010. This, combined with the increased number of transactions, suggests that sellers are finally willing to meet the market and that could bode well for real estate in 2011. We're all aware that things aren't quite what they used to be, economically speaking, but if the bar gets lowered across the board, and buyers and sellers are coming to agreement, and market activity is up, then maybe less is more.

Lower sales prices mean that home ownership is becoming a reality for a broader cross section of our community. Young couples and growing families are gaining access to homes, as well as the kind of financial and emotional stability offered by ownership. And shouldn't this be a good thing? Shouldn't the future of Salida be able to invest in their own community and familial well-being?

Properties that are doing the best are residential homes with acreage, and personally, I don't find this surprising. Whether folks are purchasing first or second homes, a lot of people move to Salida to get away from it all: for a lower pace, a shift in value systems from urban mainstream, for a little breathing room, fewer neighbors, ad more sustainable livestyle - at least these are a few reasons that I moved ot Salida from the San Frnacisco Bay Area 4 years ago.

For more information on current market trends, or to request information about the area or specific properties, please contact me, Hale at: Hale@WesHillRealEState.com or call (719) 221-4637. Can't wait to hear from you!!

ARKANSAS RIVER CADDIS HATCH:Big Week Ahead for Anglers

The week ahead promises to be a big one for anglers on the Arkansas River. Why? The Annual Caddis Hatch.

The annual hatch was waylaid by cool temperatures at the lower end of Big Horn Sheep Canyon, which stretches from Salida to Canon City, but was anticipated to arrive in Cotopaxi early this week. The current warming trend is expected to bring the hatch to Salida by this weekend, just in time for the annual, Trout Unlimited Caddis Banquet! Held this Saturday, May 7th at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Live auction, dinner, cash bar and raffle specials. For tickets and information call (719) 539-4236.

Fly recommendations for the week ahead include size 16 Olive Caddis Pupae and size 16 Black Foam or Elk Hair Caddis to represent the adults. For mayflies, try 18-20 Barr emerger, RS02 or Juju Baetis for drifting nymph and a Parachute Adams for the adult. The hatches are mainly an afternoon phenomenon, a nymph rig with stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae and midge pupae is recommended for the mornings.

For more information on the local fish haps, or to book a float trip, contact our local fly fishing shop, Ark Anglers. If you're looking for more information on real estate on the Arkansas River, contact me at (719) 221-4637, but if I don't answer right away it is probably because I am learning to tie very small amounts of elk hair to fishhooks.

K. Hale Chamblee

Broker Associate

Direct: 719.221.4637

Email: Hale@WesHillRealEstate.com