Durango Real Estate Sales Figures

Our office just recently conducted a computer search of all residential sales from January 1 through September 15 for both this year and last year. The specific area researched was Durango, CO residential real estate for both in- town and country homes. We then divided up the transactions in $100,000 bands. $100 to $200; $200 to $300; $300 to $400 etc. Everthing over $1,000,000 was considered one band.

The interesting thing was every band from $500k and up showed an increase in the number of units sold this year compared to last year. However, every band under $500k showed a decrease in the number of units sold. My opinion of the results shows me that the lower priced home buyer is more interest rate sensitive than the higher priced buyer.

Speaking of interest rates, it has been very interesting to see them coming down again. A month or so ago they had risen to 6.825%. Today we are seeing them back in the 6.125 to 6.25% range. These are very good rates and with sellers being a bit anxious due to "the bubble is going to burst" news that Wall Street is spouting...that makes for a good time for buyers.

To take a look at Durango Colorado real estate listings, please check out my web site at http://www.BuyDurango.com
Not only does the site have all of the Durango MLS listings, but there are over 450 pages of in depth information on our area.

COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER

In January 2002, the City of Durango opened the Community Recreation Center (Rec Center). There are so many areas in which the people can benefit from the use of the Rec Center. The aquatics area, with its two story water slide is great entertainment for kids of all ages. The kiddie area has a rubber bottom with built in water guns, slides other stuff that attracts the children. Want to get in good shape?...Then the adult-only lap pool may be just perfect for you. There is also a whirlpool tub that is great for relaxation and relief of aching muscles.

The rock climbing wall provides hours of fun for children and adults that look for a challenge. The three tract climbing wall also provides a bit of competition to see who can reach the top first.

Upstairs, the Rec Center is full of workout equipment for those who enjoy physical fitness. They have trainers on staff to provide fitness routines based on individual needs. Aerobic equipment…stationary bikes, recumbent bikes, step masters, rowing machines, ellipticals, etc…all have a great view of the numerous TV’s with individual earphone hookups. If you enjoy free-weights, there is an entire section for that as well with plenty of mirrors. There is a running track around the basketball and volley ball courts, where 13 laps equals one mile. In addition, there are 2 racketball/handball courts to get your heart a beating.

Think you are in pretty good shape? Sign up for a spin class and I can just about guarantee that you will leave with your tongue dragging. Durango has been called home to numerous Olympic athletes, so the workouts can be pretty intense.

There is a childcare room that is used for babysitting while parents are making use of the facilities. And the after school program includes many different activities for kids. The Rec Center is located next door to the Senior High School and within walking distance of Miller Jr. High and Needham Elementary. When school is out for certain holidays or teacher work days, there are all day programs available.

The Rec Center also has several meeting rooms that can be reserved at a minimal cost. These rooms can be used for birthday parties, office meetings, retreats, educational classes, etc.

There are a variety of passes/memberships that can be purchased. There are day passes, three month, six month, and annual memberships. These passes/memberships can be purchased for an individual or a family and are extremely well priced as this is a subsidized service to the community.

If you are considering Durango area real estate, this area benefit is certainly a feather in the cap of Durango. This article was contributed by Denise Nuss, Closing Coordinator for Team Lorenz

Fun Things To Do With Kids In Durango

Durango is a family-oriented community. There are several child-friendly places and activities that are lots of fun for the entire family. There is fun to be had in all of Durango’s wonderful seasons.
In the Winter, there is always skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, building snowmen and snowball fights. At the end of January, there are the Annual Snowdown festivities. With Snowdown there are many activities for children to participate in, such as the dog & cat show, snow games at Chapman Hill, face painting and more, which the children love.
In the Spring, when the snow is melting, the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping, Durango starts to come alive again. There are many parks and playground areas that are great for picnics and barbeques, with lots of fun for the kiddos.
Summertime in Durango is a time for family outings. There are a plethora of places to go for camping, biking, hiking, four wheeling and exploring. There are also a few lakes in the area for swimming, water-skiing, and boating. The Animas River runs through the center of Durango and is a wonderful place to take the kids fishing, rafting or tubing. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail Road is also a spectacular outing for the entire family.
In the Fall when school starts, there are a variety of activities for kids to participate in. There are sports, girl scouts/boy scouts, dance classes, 4-H, etc. For Halloween, the Durango Mall has trick-or-treating, games and costume contests for kids of all ages.
In any season, Durango also has the Community Recreation Center with swimming, rock climbing, and more for kids to have fun doing. Durango is an all around great place to have fun with Children.
Contributed by Denise Nuss Transaction Coordinator for Team Lorenz

More Than Continuing Ed

This past week, along with another colleague from The Wells Group, I attended an all day educational conference in downtown Denver. Put on by Howard Brinton, one of the nation's leading real estate educational companies, the 4 modules were taught by Howard Brinton Stars. Each Star is selected by Howard and must be a leading broker in his or her market place. There are about 300 in the nation.

Topics covered were: How to improve your business planning; How to help your sellers in this changing market; What is the latest in real estate technology; How to help buyers when the interest rates have been on the rise. John and I both felt it was probably the best one-day seminar either of us had attended.

It is seminars like this that help our Team serve you...the buying and selling public...with all of your real estate needs.

Effects of Oil and Gas on Taxes

As many of you know, La Plata County sits on one of the largest natural gas discoveries in the US. It is coal bed methane gas. Approximately 4,000 feet below the surface lies a huge bed of coal that runs from Durango all the way to Albuquerque. Various gas companies are tapping into the methane gas locked inside the coal. La Plata County is easily the largest producer of natural gas in the State.

The benefit of this production is felt by the local taxpayer by a reduction in our local property taxes. This past week Craig Larson, La Plata County's assessor, released figures indicating that 66% of the general county taxes will be paid by the oil and gas industry. Considering the fact that this gas field is estimated to last about 35 to 40 more years, Durango property owners can feel pretty darn good about the future of low property taxes. This is just another benefit of owning Durango real estate.