Do the Right Thing.

Jay McGillicuddy Recently wrote an interesting post The Cost of Not Believing. In my comment to Jay and to Moni, I asked what can Realtors do to give our CMA's creditably? Why would a seller ask me to list their house at a significantly lower price than other Realtors have suggested? Even if it is based on reality.

                                  A mostly true story, the names have been changed for obvious reasons.

Joy Joyful called me and asked me to come over and look at her house. I knew that the house was currently listed with Realtor Iown the Biggest Agency in Town. So I went over to see a lovely, well maintained and interesting house. Joy Joyful is an artist and the house pleasantly reflected her spirit and talent. She also has 2 exotic, illegal in town, pets. Joy told me that if Iown didn't sell the house by the expiration on the listing she would give me a call and give me the listing.

So time goes by and Joy gives me a call. I know how much the house was listed at with Iown, but I do a CMA because it is my responsibility to be informed about a house I'm about to list. Much to my surprise Joy decides to raise the price by approx 7% above the last price. I explained that the world knew that she was asking less just days before and by raising the price she might get much lower offers. It didn't matter - her price was based on numerology. I'm OK with that and who am I to argue with numerology, lets see what happens.

Two weeks or so go by and I get a call from a Realtor who is from out of town. Ruby Realtor is using her brothers cell phone because her service isn't working over 5 states, as announced on the radio. Ruby asks to see the house. I have no choice but to tell her to go knock on the door of Joy and explain who she is and why she is there. See Joy has to be home for every showing because of her exotic pets and Joy has the same not operating cell phone service as Ruby.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. ( remember Goober?) Ruby Realtor writes a full price offer and she knows that just weeks before the house was listed for less. The house appraises, figures are calculated and prorated, we close. OH and one more little hang up, the exotic pets needed raw meat, and various deer parts were found in the back yard. But Ruby Realtor from out of town was OK with that too!

So in conclusion: because it's happened to most of us - Why would a potential seller ask you to list their house based on your reality based CMA?

More and more professionals are going green. It doesn't seem to matter what your profession everyone is trying to improve not only their business's but the quality of their own lives. You can't turn around, drive down the street, turn on the TV or pick up reading material without somebody suggesting we get back to basics, do the right thing, or 10 easy steps to save energy.

We can do the natural thing in our food, laundry, offices and homes. We can make the right decision by cutting down our driving or by driving the right vehicle. Even our representatives in Washington are trying to catch the green wave.

Listen folks in my opinion this isn't a fad, not going away tomorrow. Earth Day wasn't started this year, and TV environmentalists aren't a new thing. Ever really listen to a John Denver song? Remember Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom? I used to think Jacques Cousteau was the coolest thing and enjoy his sons programs now on PBS.

Do the Right Thing and learn more about the green movement. If you need some help visit www.ecobroker.com and read more about my Ecobroker experience at My-Ecobroker-Certification part #1.   If you contact Ecobroker tell them Dena sent you.

123 Never Mind Rd, Fremont County Colorado   MLS # nevergoingtohappen  Priced to sell.

Fixer upper, with natural ventilation. This space is perfect for those not afraid of a challenge. Not for the faint of heart, bring your hammer and nails. Conveniently located for commuting to Super Max, just avoid the fence and barbed wire. Naturally landscaped, deer and antelope to help with the weeds. Contact your local banker for loan and appraisal requirements.

Not everyone is comfortable visiting a cemetery, but you can learn a lot from them. Cemeteries are a little piece of history and a reflection on the immediate area. The headstones will tell you when the area was first settled, sometimes occupations, and how large families are. The New Hope Cemetery and Chapel is located just outside of Wetmore Colorado. Just off of Shilom Road that runs almost parallel to highway #96.

Controversy breeds comments, this is one trick in blogging. But funny thing happened on Active Rain, I'm not trying to be controversial! But I do tend to blog along my merry way thinking that what I say is correct. In my own way I think I'm always "doing the right thing."

In one of my last posts  I wrote away because I was happy to be found as a result of an old blog done months ago. In this new blog I wrote that we should blog and sell what we know and I incorporated my Ecobroker designation.

Well I forgot a social rule, there are two sides of a coin. Inevitably somebody is going to disagree with me. Just because I think there are better ways to build homes, better ways to live our lives doesn't mean I'm right. The comedian George Carlin talks about environmentalism and how the earth will shake off anything it doesn't want. Who am I to say George is wrong and I am right?

"When someone asks you, A penny for your thoughts, and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny?" George Carlin

So my conclusion to all of this is that I'm going to keep doing what I think is right. Some may not agree and I respect that, I'd like to agree to disagree.

"Peoples minds are changed through observation and not through argument." Will Rogers

Tucked away in the Wet Mountains is the small town of Rosita. Once part of the silver and gold boom of Colorado, today an expanding residential area that's a little out of the way. Rosita is approx 15 miles from WestCliffe and 15 miles from Wetmore. But if you want expansive views, privacy and the ability to see the stars at night or animal watch during the day this is the place you want to be. The Sangre de Cristo mountain range can frame your windows with the right planning.

This property off of Good Hope Drive was well worth the drive today dispite the late spring snow shower this morning.

I'd like to welcome Lonetta Parsons to Active Rain, she is the newest member of Colorado Western Real Estate. Lonetta is a new real estate salesperson. She has been a licensed title examiner for years. And Lonetta is fifth generation from LaVeta Colorado. She has deep, deep roots in the Cuchara, LaVeta, Walsenburg area. She one of those people who knows everybody, is related to so many. And Lonetta is going to start showing you unbelievable pictures of the area. The area Lonetta covers is one that really represents the beauty of Colorado.

Pueblo is Hot! Sales in the first three months in Pueblo and Pueblo West home sales were strong.

Pueblo Homes January - March

• 351 homes sold
• Median price $96,500
• Average price $115,879
• list vs sold 96.48% median
• list vs sold 97.69% average

• 143 homes sold
• Median price $172,000
• Average price $ 186,463
• list vs sold 100% median
• list vs sold 99.38% average

Pueblo homes Active 961

• Median $122,900  $99.64 sq.ft.
• Average $ 163,318  $106,88 sq.ft.

Pueblo West Homes Active 364

• Median $209,900 $126 sq.ft.
• Average $242,524 $130.80

Pueblo West Active land parcels  555

• Median $ 27,00
• Average $ 55,176

Pueblo West land sales January - March 2007  sold parcels 103  (Not divided by area)

• Median $19,500 list vs sold 92.05 % DOM 120
• Average $28,025 list vs sold 90.43%  DOM 152

Colorado Western Real Estate agents went to visit North Star homes in Colorado Springs today. Located in the bend of I 25 and easy to find off the new Nevada exit. Steve Edwards gave us the tour, and explained to us how modular homes fit the needs of so many people. And the choices given the clients make these truly custom homes. North Star is delivering these homes all over the state. When these houses are made in a controlled environment there is less waste and the surrounding area where the house is to be located is preserved far better than a traditional site built home.