Bill's Real Estate Blog - News to Use!

Great news from Theresa Anderson from CB&T Mortgage! 15-year mortgages below 4% are available right now.  If you're thinking of refinancing, down-sizing, or finally moving to that perfect home, now is the time. See more information on my blog, and as always, call me with any questions!

Looking for a new home? This weekend, June 4th and 5th, is the Nationwide Open House. More than 300 state and local REALTOR® associations are participating, and the Pikes Peak Area REALTOR® Association is included. Our Colorado Springs and Falcon Avalar Real Estate Solutions offices will be holding an open house at many of our current listings, and we would love to have you come visit.

On Friday and Saturday, June 3rd and 4th, from 8 am to 4 pm, is the Indigo Ranch at Ridgeview community-wide garage sale.  Follow the signs you'll see in the area of Stetson Hills and Peterson, for some great treasure-hunting.

Beginning in June is the free concert series in Wolf Ranch. The concerts are held on Wednesday evenings (6-8 pm) at Gateway Park, located at the corner of Research and Tutt. They are open to the public.  Take advantage of the warm summer evenings and the quality entertainment. The June line-up includes:
June 8th:   Redraw the Farm
June 15th: Double McGuffin*
June 22nd: Jim Adam Band
June 29th: "Flute Daddy" with Joseph Liberti*

*Presented in conjunction with Pikes Peak Jazz & Swing Society.

Have you seen the Thunderbirds practicing this week?  I never get tired of watching them.  They're here for the Air Force Academy Graduation on Wednesday, May 25th.  I suggest a great place to watch the ceremonial fly-over would be from the Western Museum of Mining and Industry. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show.  A $5 donation to the museum is suggested and appreciated.  The address of the museum is 225 North Gate Blvd. You can call 719-488-0880 for more information.

Be sure to take in the Memorial Day weekend Territory Days, happening in Old Colorado City, May 28th-30th.  There will be a free shuttle from Coronado High School and the rock Ledge Ranch.  Admission is free.  There will be beer gardens, food stands, various vendors, Wild West Gunfighters, a petting zoo, pony ride, and kids' zone, live music and more!  To see show times for the various live shows, go to www.shopoldcoloradocity.com.

A "QR Code" is the short name for "Quick Response Code," and is showing up in newspapers, television commercials and print advertisements.  Perhaps you saw the newspaper insert this week from Ted's Montana Grill with a QR code that will take you to the $5-off coupon. These codes can be scanned with a smart phone application (aka "app") called a "QR Reader." The reader scans the code and launches the appropriate web site geared specifically to provide the information on the mobile device. These reader apps are available free for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry.

Home Depot is linking plant information and gardening tips. Some magazines launch bonus recipes. We're using them to quickly deliver property data and pictures to smart phone users who are looking for a new home. More than 90% of potential home-buyers use the internet to help them with their home search, and we strive to serve our clients with the latest technology.

Try it out! If you have a QR Code Reader on your smart phone, scan this QR code to view an example of how we market our clients' homes. If you don't have a reader, text H7963 to 85377 to get a return text with the same link.  Let us know what you think!

Bill & Judy

What a terrific time of the year to get out and take advantage of area activities.  Just a few upcoming Colorado Springs area events are:

Sky Sox Baseball
Sunday, May 15th @ 1:05: Get a team poster and 50-cent hot dogs!
Monday, May 16th @ 6:05: Kids eat free.
Tuesday, May 17th @ 6:05: $2 Tuesday sponsored by Perkins Motors

The United States Air Force Academy Band presents their "Let Freedom Ring" concert in celebration of Armed Forces Week.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
7:30 pm at the Pikes Peak Center
190 S. Cascade Avenue
Free tickets are available at the Pikes Peak Center and World Arena Box Offices.  Call 719.556.9950 for more information.

Styx in Concert
Thursday, May 19, 2011
8 pm at the Pikes Peak Center
190 S. Cascade Avenue
Tickets range from $50 to $75, call 520.76469 or go to pikespeakcenter.com.

The "Run to the Shrine" 5k and 10k event will benefit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Register at cmzoo.org/run or at the Colorado Running Company at 833 N. Tejon St., or 9275 N. Union Blvd., Ste. 120. Call 719.633.9925, x. 114, with questions.

28th Annual Woodcarving & Woodworking Show, Sale & Competition
Saturday, May 21, 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday, May 22, 10 am - 4 pm
Colorado Springs Shrine Club
6 South 33rd Street
$3 Admission, Children under 12 are free with an adult.

Let's Move Together Arthritis Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation
Sunday, May 22, 2011
9:00 am, America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs
Call 800.475.6447 x. 229 for more information.

Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus
June 9-12, 2011
World Arena
3185 Venetucci Blvd.
Call 576.2626 or go to ticketswest.com.

Rocky Mountain Kids Fun Fest
Saturday, June 11, 2001 10 am - 2 pm
Acadia Park, downtown Colorado Springs
Meet Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog, splash in the Uncle Wilber Fountain, enjoy live entertainment and have tons of fun!

Jerry Seinfeld
July 15, 2011   7 pm
Pikes Peak Center
190 S. Cascade Avenue
Tickets range from $65-$81, call 520.7469 or go to pikespeakcenter.com.