Demand for luxury homes skyrockets in Colorado Springs

Dreaming of buying a $1 million mansion in the Pikes Peak region?

Maybe a custom home with exotic hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, a gourmet kitchen, theater room, wine cellar, more bathrooms than bedrooms and majestic views?

Whether you have the cash on hand or would need to get lucky in the lottery, get in line. The demand for luxury properties in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas has gone through the roof — a decorative, slate-tiled roof, of course.

"The demand is high right now, even at that price point," said George Nehme, a real estate agent with the Springs office of upscale brokerage LIV Sotheby's International Realty and Pikes Peak Association of Realtors board chairman. "And the good ones sell very fast."

Springs-area home prices — similar to markets nationwide — have skyrocketed in recent years. In general, a shortage of homes and a buying spree driven by historically low mortgage rates have led to multiple offers, bidding wars and escalating prices, real estate agents and builders have said.

The median price of local single-family homes that sold in August remained at a record high of $450,000 for a third consecutive month, according to a recent Realtors Association report that tracks sales in El Paso, Teller and other Front Range counties.

August's price climbed 18.4% over the same month a year ago; it was the 14th straight month of double-digit gains on a year-over-year basis.

As prices have soared, fewer homes that once were considered to be affordable — those going for $400,000 or less — are available. And, not surprisingly, as the supply of cheaper homes shrinks and prices rise, sales of more expensive homes are on the rise.

But it's not just that prices have gone up that's resulted in increased sales of luxury homes; the properties, say real estate agents and builders, are simply more in demand.

Realtors Association statistics show:

• Five years ago, 1,240, or 85.4%, of 1,452 single-family homes and patio homes sold in August 2016 were priced at $399,999 or less. Last month, 574, or 30.7%, of 1,870 homes sold were in the same price range.

• In August 2016, 83 homes sold in the $500,000 to $799,999 price range or 5.7% of that month's total sales. In August 2021, 574 homes or 30.7% sold between $500,000 and $799,999.

• There were six home sales between $800,000 and $999,999 in August 2016; last month's total was 66. 

• When it comes to $1 million-and-up homes, only seven were sold in August 2016; last month, 43 sales topped the $1 million mark.

• Last month's seven-figure sales is part of a year-long trend. Through the first eight months of 2021, there have been 321 sales of $1 million-and-up homes. For all of 2016, there were just 45.

Why such a strong demand for higher-end homes in the Colorado Springs area, and who can afford them?

Some buyers have come from larger, more expensive metro areas and have sold their equity-laden, million-dollar properties in other markets, Nehme said. They now have large amounts of cash to invest in a posh home when they arrive in the Colorado Springs area, he said. 

"Some of them have made up to a half million dollars in equity in such a short period of time on million-dollar-plus homes," he said. "So, they're bringing that money here because of what we offer — lifestyle, amenities."

Keep reading on The Gazette.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Moving? Here Are 5 of the Best Ways to Unpack, According to an Expert

I often think that packing is the most stressful part of a move. But for those of us (ahem, including yours truly) for whom organization doesn’t come naturally, unpacking can make for an even more hectic experience.

Regardless of whether your packing style is more Marie Kondo or mass chaos, give yourself a bit of grace and know that unpacking and arranging your new home will take a while.

“One day is not enough for you to unpack your entire life into a new space,” says author and organizing expert Mary Carlomagno. Here are some of her best tips that will keep you from feeling too overwhelmed as you get settled into your new space — however long it takes.

Put boxes in their corresponding rooms.

Instead of adding to a towering pile right as you step in the front door of your new home, move the boxes to the rooms or areas where they will eventually be unpacked. (Hopefully you’ve already labeled those boxes so that you’re not putting toiletries in the kitchen and bakeware in the bathroom.) 

Another rule of thumb: if you have an additional room that you didn’t have in your former home, such as a spare bedroom or a dining room, you can store boxes there until you are ready to organize that extra space. Of course, if you’re moving into a studio apartment, Carlomagno says don’t panic. Just pick a corner as a “staging area” for boxes and work from there.

Use the ABC method.

Carlomagno uses an alphabet system to distinguish the urgency for unpacking boxes. “A” indicates items that require frequent touch, like toiletries or a coffee maker or teapot. “B” is for things that should be kept within arm’s reach but might not be needed every day. Then there’s “C,” which is reserved for occasional or seasonal items, like holiday decorations and skis that can remain packed for a bit longer, especially if you’re moving during the summer months.

Focus on one room at a time.

After you’ve cleaned the space, it’s time to start unpacking. The kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms are typically the most important spaces to organize first, but organizing the rest of your space depends on your needs.

Carlomagno advises that you take it slow, taking it box by box and focusing on one room at a time. “The reason that people are overwhelmed by organizing and stay disorganized and throw their hands up in the air is because they try to do much at one time,” she says. 

Skip the storage unit.

Carlomagno’s philosophy about getting a storage unit is a simple one: “Don’t do that.”

Well, she’ll give you a pass if you’re downsizing a mansion’s worth of valuable antiques and art and need time to figure out what to do with it all. But if we’re talking about unused fitness equipment, clothing that no longer fits, or household items that are worn out or even broken, then sell them or get rid of them. 

“The key is to edit your stuff before you leave,” Carlomagno says, noting that paying money for storage is just “shipping off your decision [to keep something or not] to another location.”

Enlist the help of a super-organized friend.

If you know someone who’s incredibly organized, Carlomagno says they’ll likely be dying to get into your apartment to help out. So go ahead, ask them for help unpacking. “It’s always a fantastic thing to do with your bossiest friend,” she says. 

There’s no shame in asking for help, and unless you’re an expert like Carlomagno, there’s no shame in taking more (or much more) than a weekend to get yourself organized.

“Release the idea of the finish line and start putting in place little things you can do every day to get you there,” she says.

Read more.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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So You Want to Paint Your House Black?

Seven things to think about according to the pros.

Painting the exterior of your house black may seem pretty dramatic—and it is—but black is actually a neutral, and a hardworking one. “If your house is lacking in architecture or character, black can make it more interesting,” says interior designer and HGTV host Brian Patrick Flynn. “If it’s rich in detail, black will bring those details out.” As L.A.- and Miami-based designer Travis London—who is set to release his own paint line—puts it, a black exterior can bring new life to an old house. That’s one reason Bay Area designer Nicole Hollis took her 1870s San Francisco Italianate house from beige to black, and Miley Cyrus chose black for her 1950s clapboard Southern California home. But you needn’t be a professional (or a pop star) to pull it off. We asked a few experts what to think about before going to the dark side.

Where should I start?

There are two decisions to make first, Flynn says. “You’re either painting every single surface the same shade of black—the sides, doors, trim—or, if you’re more nervous, you might choose to paint the sides charcoal, but the trim and door black,” he says. “The eye goes to the door and trim first, so it ends up having the same effect as if you’ve gone all black, but without having to take the full plunge.”

Are all blacks the same?

They are not. Blacks come in various hues with subtle nuances that will impact the end result. “A warm black with red undertones will create a vastly different look and feel from a cool black with inky blue undertones,” says Melissa Lee, the founder and creative director of New York City design firm Bespoke Only, who recently used Benjamin Moore’s Soot on a solarium at a country house in Connecticut. Depending on the strength and direction of the sun on your house, or the influence of the trees or landscaping, a black could actually read purple, brown, or gray.

Flynn suggests painting a few different swatches—three or four—onto the front of the house as well as onto whatever area gets the most light. “And then check your swatches three different times a day: in the morning, at noon, and just after sunset,” he says, noting that among his several favorite shades of black, Sherwin Williams’s Tricorn Black is his go-to for greatest versatility, no matter the light.

What will the neighbors think?

“Neighbors are always offended by anything, but if you honor the architecture and the setting you can’t go wrong,” says Boston designer Sarah Trumbore. (Or as London puts it, “Who cares?”) The only settings Flynn thinks black could be inappropriate for are “remarkably hot places like the desert or, like, Florida,” he says. “But if you live in a city, even if all the houses are close together, or in a wooded area, black can look incredible in the mix. Last summer, I painted a house black in Portland, Maine, and it stood out so much that some of the neighbors did it too.”

Can black work with any style house?

Because black is a neutral, it can work with nearly all building types, London says (with the possible exception of a coastal home, Flynn adds). But the shade you choose matters: Lee says that a cooler hue of black works best on a cabin surrounded by a forested landscape, while a saturated black is better suited to modern architecture. Alternatively, a warm, rich black works well with more traditional styles, like a Colonial or Georgian.

What about the front door? And the roof?

You could consider an accent color, Lee says, and really, anything goes. “Like selecting a piece of statement jewelry to go with a classic little black dress,” she says, “You can be adventurous.” Or you could go black all the way, including the front door. “As far as I’m concerned, black is a whole mood,” Flynn says. “There’s no need to paint your front door an interesting color. Black is interesting enough.”

One option he will often consider: Keeping the front door a natural or stained wood—or, at most, painting it a deep forest green. As far as the roof, he opts for black metal or black or dark shingles. “People think a black roof will make the house very hot, but most houses already have dark shingles,” Flynn says. “Keep it in the family.”

Do I need to interview a million painters?

You will want to get two or three different quotes, Flynn says. Some won’t want to take the job, or will try to persuade you to choose a different color. Many painters will charge more for labor because they may need to use a dark primer or more than one coat, and because there’s greater chance for a messier clean up.

What if I hate it?

Painting over a black house is less difficult than one might think, Flynn says. “In four or five years, it’s faded to a dark or medium gray anyway,” he says, noting that fact is also something to consider. If you’re committed to keeping your house super black, you will likely need to repaint more often than you would a lighter house. And, of course, you could start out slowly, going darker in stages by mixing black with green or brown to get something close. “A green or brown paint color cut with 80 or 90 percent black is really very sharp,” Trumbore says.

Still not sure? Visit Architectural Digest for more tips.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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5 Colorado Train Rides Perfect for Leaf-Peeping

Sit back and take in the state’s stunning autumnal foliage.

Nothing against autumnal car rides or hikes, but leaf-peeping deserves your full, undivided attention. This year, keep your eyes on Colorado’s colorful fall foliage—not oncoming traffic or the rock-strewn trail beneath your feet—during one of these five train rides.

Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies To The Red Rocks

The Journey: One-way options from Denver to Moab, Utah (or vice versa)
From the moment you board at Union Station, the staff of the new-in-August Rocky Mountaineer will treat you like a Vanderbilt. First, you’ll chug alongside the Colorado River, its banks lined with golden leaves, toward Glenwood Springs, where you’ll overnight in a partner hotel, such as Hotel Colorado. On day two, the forest gives way to tawny-hued canyons and thin rock spires called hoodoos. Don’t pack a lunch: Hosts serve multicourse meals—like rosemary-crusted pork loin—and describe the sights, like the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel, outside your panorama-windowed passenger car. From $1,250

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

The Journey: One-way (with motor shuttle options) and out-and-back routes between Antonito and Chama, New Mexico, or to the turnaround at Osier Station restaurant
This National Historic Landmark’s vintage cars have long lured Hollywood: The coal-colored engines appeared in Wyatt Earp and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Full- and half-day rides offer you cinematic scenes, too, including a peek down the 800-foot walls of the Toltec Gorge as the train inches along its rim. Snag a glare-free photo of the changing foliage from the open-air gondola car. Half-day trips from $85 per adult, $45 per child; full-day trips from $105 per adult, $55 per child

Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad

The Journey: Out-and-back from Leadville
Visitors ascend about 700 feet into the reds, oranges, and yellows of the aspen-covered upper Arkansas River Valley at a leisurely 10 miles per hour—slow enough for an Instagram-worthy snap-fest on the 2.5-hour trip. Insider tip: At the depot, choose a seat facing town so you’ll be looking toward the valley, rather than turning your head, as you descend. From $42 per adult, $22 per child ages four to 12

Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Journey: Out-and-back from Cripple Creek
The still-active Cripple Creek & Victor Mine is considered the richest in Colorado history—and you’ll steam right up to it on this 45-minute, four-mile trip. Look for wild donkeys, descendants of the hard-working burros that hauled pay dirt out of the tunnels more than 100 years ago. Littles will love the locomotives’ cheerful color schemes, reminiscent of Thomas the Tank Engine and his vibrant cartoon train friends, and get a kick out of the engineer’s long-standing tradition of blowing the whistle in the aptly named Echo Valley. $17 per adult, $12 per child ages three to 12

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

The Journey: Out-and-back from Cañon City
With rugged canyon walls rising 1,000-plus feet overhead, this Arkansas River–adjacent route is a geologic and historical marvel: Two railroad companies skirmished in the 1870s to claim right of passage through the Royal Gorge to Leadville’s silver mines. Modern-day train operators spin tales of those times while you enjoy a scratch-made meal with ingredients largely sourced from Colorado (such as brioche from Denver’s Harvest Moon Baking Company and chicken raised at Red Bird Farms in Englewood) during the 1.5-to-2.5-hour ride. For Oktoberfest-inspired entrées and beers, choose the 12:30 or 3:30 p.m. departure between September 8 and October 21. From $59 per adult, $54 per child

Find more adventures like this on 5280.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Millennials Now Own More Pets Than Boomers. Here Are 7 Dog Breeds Perfect for Folks Born Between 1981 and 1996

Millennials have always had a special relationship with their dogs, from finding the coziest dogs beds to purchasing accessories approved by the queen herself and even including them as integral parts in Halloween festivities.

When it comes to parenting their pets, millennials go all out. And it looks like the enthusiasm isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Over the course of the past year and a half, the pandemic puppy has become a huge trend. Whether it was for companionship—due to the fact that most of us couldn’t see our loved ones for months—or because we were avoiding other responsibilities such as parenting a human child, there’s been a boom in dog adoption, and it seems like millennials are leading the pack.

According to a study conducted by YPulse—a Gen Z and millennial-focused research company—millennials are officially in the top spot when it comes to owning pets, exceeding boomers. YPulse found that 76 percent of 20 to 38-year-olds have a pet, with more than half reporting they have dogs (and 35 percent owning cats). And since millennials currently outnumber boomers, this means majority of the largest living generation has pets in their homes.

But millennials aren’t just adopting pets and then subjecting them to just regular ole kibble and an annual vet’s appointment and calling it a day. This dog-loving generation is also giving their four-legged friends premium care—especially during these trying times. A 2020 study conducted by Rover found that 33 percent of millennials say they’ve spent more on their dog during the pandemic, compared to just 10 percent boomers. The majority of boomers (78 percent) revealed they spent the same amount as they usually do on their dogs.

Thinking about getting a dog, but don’t know where to start? Check out these seven dog breeds ideal for millennials, according to the American Kennel Club.

7 DOG BREEDS PERFECT FOR MILLENNIALS

1. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

Ideal for the millennial who is a workout fanatic, Australian shepherds will never let you exercise by your lonesome. This energetic breed will happily tag along as you go on your daily jog or weekend hike because they require lots of play and exercise themselves.

2. BOSTON TERRIER

New Yorkers and Angelenos, listen up. Averaging 10 to 25 pounds and about 16 inches tall, Boston terriers are the perfect dogs to adopt when you live in a small apartment. The AKC notes that their exercise requirements are pretty minimal, so a nice stroll around the neighborhood will suffice. Plus, they’re pretty quiet and will typically keep to themselves, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing your roomies.

3. DACHSHUND

Small but mighty, these teeny pups are great for apartment dwellers who don’t mind some pitter patter in their homes because they’re moderately active. Known for their adaptable nature, friendly demeanor and spunky personalities, Dachshunds would fit right in whether you’re bringing them into a family with kids or riding solo.

4. SHIBA INU

Sure, they may be a bit stubborn, but hey, isn’t that one of the defining traits of millennials anyways? (We will never not wear skinny jeans!) These highly independent canines may not sit when you want them to sit or fetch when you command them to, but they are known to be on the quiet side and are very attentive to their people.

5. PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI

If their stout legs and little waddles down the hallway don’t put a smile on your face, then their ultra-cuddly personalities certainly will. Corgis are known to be one of the friendliest dog breeds, which makes them a great companion to have when a serious case of dejavirus hits. And unlike Shiba Inus, these guys are super easy to train.

6. BELGIAN MALINOIS

Another choice for the highly athletic millennials out there, Belgian Malinois are all about staying active. Take them for a run on the beach or keep them by your side when training for a marathon, these gentle giants will keep up with ease. Not only are they highly energetic, but they’re the ultimate guard dogs as well. Averaging anywhere between 55 and 66 pounds, these dogs are fiercely loyal and highly protective of their owners.

7. MINIATURE SCHNAUZER

Dog person or not, everyone loves a schnauzer and it’s simply because of their innate charm and amicable personalities. These pups are known for their contagious energy and wild sense of adventure, so feel free to take them with you when you explore a new bucket list destination for your next vacay.

Keep reading on PureWow.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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