15 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s the same number as last week! – check it out.

 Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 66 new listings this week, 15 less than last week!

 Click Here for New Listings

May 11, 2012 – Here are the weekly statistics – Great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparables. Happy Mother’s Day!!

15 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – quite a bit less than last week! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 81 new [...]]]>  

May 11, 2012 – Here are the weekly statistics – Great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparables. Happy Mother’s Day!!

15 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – quite a bit less than last week! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 81 new listings this week, 4 less than last week!

Click Here for New Listings

Bankowned Listings (REO):

Due to continuing interest we are including REO property, which means “Real Estate Owned” in bank-lingo, in other words, bankowned properties, or foreclosed properties after the foreclosure process is completed. The bank/lender now owns the property. They are typically sold at a discount, hence the popularity! Please follow this link to our foreclosure page on our website. It shows all active bankowned and foreclosure listings in the area and is continually updated. Bookmark it and visit it often! Or email us, info@blueribbondurango.com to get set up for automatic email notifications on new bankowned listings!

Click here for Foreclosures & Bankowned Homes in the Durango & Surrounding Areas

And Back by Popular demand – the Market Snapshot – Free and Instant Home Valuations! A cool map based comparable report that shows new listings and sales comparables to your house, for sellers or buyers. Sign up by clicking here. Or go to Durangohousevalues.com. You’ll love it!

If you’d like to see any listings or statistics that we are not covering please don’t hesitate to send an email or post a comment. Maybe you’d like to be alerted to new listings in a specific price range or type. Let us know, we’re here to help.

Sign up to receive automatic emails of new listings by sending me a quick email and letting me know what you’d like to see, claudia@blueribbondurango.com. Have a great weekend! Feel free to call or email me if you’d like to talk about real estate or go to look at properties
–

47 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 36 more than last week – WOW! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 85 new listings this [...]]]> May 4, 2012 – Here are the weekly statistics – Great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparables. Can’t believe we are already in the 1st weekend in May! 

47 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 36 more than last week – WOW! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 85 new listings this week, 16 more than last week!

Click Here for New Listings

Bankowned Listings (REO):

Due to continuing interest we are including REO property, which means “Real Estate Owned” in bank-lingo, in other words, bankowned properties, or foreclosed properties after the foreclosure process is completed. The bank/lender now owns the property. They are typically sold at a discount, hence the popularity! Please follow this link to our foreclosure page on our website. It shows all active bankowned and foreclosure listings in the area and is continually updated. Bookmark it and visit it often! Or email us, info@blueribbondurango.com to get set up for automatic email notifications on new bankowned listings!

Click here for Foreclosures & Bankowned Homes in the Durango & Surrounding Areas

And Back by Popular demand – the Market Snapshot – Free and Instant Home Valuations! A cool map based comparable report that shows new listings and sales comparables to your house, for sellers or buyers. Sign up by clicking here. Or go to Durangohousevalues.com. You’ll love it!

If you’d like to see any listings or statistics that we are not covering please don’t hesitate to send an email or post a comment. Maybe you’d like to be alerted to new listings in a specific price range or type. Let us know, we’re here to help.

Sign up to receive automatic emails of new listings by sending me a quick email and letting me know what you’d like to see, claudia@blueribbondurango.com. Have a great weekend! Feel free to call or email me if you’d like to talk about real estate or go to look at properties
–

11 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 7 less than last week! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 69 new listings this week, 11 [...]]]> April 27, 2012 – Here are the weekly statistics – Great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparables. Enjoy the last weekend of April!

11 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 7 less than last week! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 69 new listings this week, 11 more than last week!

Click Here for New Listings

Bankowned Listings (REO):

Due to continuing interest we are including REO property, which means “Real Estate Owned” in bank-lingo, in other words, bankowned properties, or foreclosed properties after the foreclosure process is completed. The bank/lender now owns the property. They are typically sold at a discount, hence the popularity! Please follow this link to our foreclosure page on our website. It shows all active bankowned and foreclosure listings in the area and is continually updated. Bookmark it and visit it often! Or email us, info@blueribbondurango.com to get set up for automatic email notifications on new bankowned listings!

Click here for Foreclosures & Bankowned Homes in the Durango & Surrounding Areas

And Back by Popular demand – the Market Snapshot – Free and Instant Home Valuations! A cool map based comparable report that shows new listings and sales comparables to your house, for sellers or buyers. Sign up by clicking here. Or go to Durangohousevalues.com. You’ll love it!

If you’d like to see any listings or statistics that we are not covering please don’t hesitate to send an email or post a comment. Maybe you’d like to be alerted to new listings in a specific price range or type. Let us know, we’re here to help.

Sign up to receive automatic emails of new listings by sending me a quick email and letting me know what you’d like to see, claudia@blueribbondurango.com. Have a great weekend! Feel free to call or email me if you’d like to talk about real estate or go to look at properties
–

Maybe you’ve noticed the new Real Estate Section of the Durango Herald that comes out on Fridays – it includes an “Agent Spotlight” featuring a different Durango Real Estate Agent every week. We think that’s a fabulous idea to showcase agents and will be featuring Blue Ribbon’s Agents over the next few weeks on [...]]]>  

Maybe you’ve noticed the new Real Estate Section of the Durango Herald that comes out on Fridays – it includes an “Agent Spotlight” featuring a different Durango Real Estate Agent every week. We think that’s a fabulous idea to showcase agents and will be featuring Blue Ribbon’s Agents over the next few weeks on our blog and website here:

AGENT SPOTLIGHT!

Claudia Williams

Blue Ribbon Properties

970  247 8388  *  claudia@blueribbondurango.com

1)      Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Berlin, Germany. I went to a German American High School in Berlin and ended up going to college in the US. I met my husband David at Cornell University. We moved back to Germany for 8 years then moved to Durango after a short stint in the Bay Area. Durango is a wonderful place to raise a family.

2)      What do you like most about living in this area?

I love the lifestyle, the great outdoors, the mountains, the lakes and the rivers. But the best thing about Durango is the weather, it’s always sunny!

3)      What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I enjoy camping, hiking, rafting and playing outdoors with my family and friends. We are also big winter sport enthusiast. I grew up skiing in the Alps and have been an avid snowboarder since college.

4)      How long have you worked in Real Estate?

I’ve worked in Real Estate in Durango for 10 years, 8 years of that as the owner of my own little boutique firm, Blue Ribbon Properties.

5)      What did you do before that?

I have a degree in hotel management and worked for a hotel consulting company in Europe. After that I worked for a venture capital firm overseeing their investments in hospitality and a variety of service companies.

6)      What is your specialty?

I am Durango’s first certified Eco Broker and pride myself on my knowledge of green and sustainable homes.  Secondly, I am in awe of the internet, social media and ever changing new technology – I specialize in providing up to date information on our website and blog.

7)      What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?

The best aspect of my job is that I get to help people make their dreams come true. I’ve been challenged over the past couple of years by the tough market and economy – just like everyone else.  I’ve never been afraid of a good challenge and truly feel that it has made me and my company stronger.

8)      What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in Real Estate?

Well, possibly not the most unusual thing, but certainly unusual – I’ve shown properties to buyer by bicycle. We toured Durango intown homes riding our bikes from home to home. It’s really a great way to experience the neighborhoods and give you a slower and different view of the place. Imagine riding up to your new home on a bicycle. We have Blue Ribbon cruiser bike for our clients to use for free (whether to look at homes or just kick around town). Don’t worry – I won’t make you ride if you don’t want to.

9)      What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?

I few years back I listed and sold a beautiful sustainable, off the grid, custom energy efficient solar home, with a waterfall inside, beautiful Southern views. This home was unique in every way, a small home on large acreage, high quality and high price. All you need is one buyer!

10)   What are the top 3 things that separate you from your competition?

1. I’m the owner and broker of a local, professional, small and independent brokerage – meaning personal service and no politics.
2. I’ve got strong negotiating skills and local knowledge coupled with a background in hospitality management and financial consulting.
3. I’m tech savvy and personable, which helps me get the best deal for my clients in the least stressful matter.

11)  What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?

Find an agent that you feel comfortable with and that you can trust – don’t be afraid to interview several different people, even if that means you’ll have to disappoint the ones you don’t pick. Buying a house may very well be the biggest investment you ever make. You want to be sure to have professional, competent and personal representation.

12)  What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?

Good question – I wish I had an easy answer for that one. I like to think that we are back on the upswing of things but realistically, for our little corner of the world, my best guess is that we will see an increase in volume this year and next but the prices won’t start going up for another year or two. Watch our blog for more insight, this may change from week to week!

13)  Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent?

Choosing a real estate agent is a big decision. I would be sure to interview several agents and find a good match, see who feels right for the job. I’ve got over 10 years of experience in the Durango real estate market, I’m easy going, a good listener, yet a tough negotiator, I get great reviews and have a good work ethic to make your house hunting or selling experience as easy and fun as possible.

____
–
Claudia Williams
Owner/Ecobroker/Exchangor
Blue Ribbon Properties, 835 Main Ave #214, Durango, CO 81301

970 247 8388 (office), 970 749 3555 (cell), 970 247 8360 (fax), claudia@blueribbondurango.com

Connect with Claudia on facebook, buzztown, twitter, linked in and my blog articles

Be sure to LIKE Blue Ribbon Properties on Facebook!

Check out the New Market Snapshot to monitor the value of your home and get current local market conditions

In honor of Earthday I’m sharing these 5 low cost easy tips to go greener at home, from Realtor.com:

5 low-cost things you can do to go greener at home By Dena Kouremetis

When that certain lovable Muppet Kermit the Frog sang “It isn’t Easy Being Green” so [...]]]> It is Easy to Be Green

In honor of Earthday I’m sharing these 5 low cost easy tips to go greener at home, from Realtor.com:

5 low-cost things you can do to go greener at home
By Dena Kouremetis

When that certain lovable Muppet Kermit the Frog sang “It isn’t Easy Being Green” so long ago, chances are pretty good that he wasn’t referring to how easy it is to help the environment.
Helping the world go greener can begin with you. Anything from purchasing the right appliances to changing out a light bulb can make a huge difference to both the world around you and even your pocketbook in the long run.

1. Reaching for the “stars”
What is already in place in your home that could be a drain on energy? Is it that old refrigerator in the garage? Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one older appliance (such as your trusty old fridge) can cost you as much as $150 more per year than an energy-efficient model?
Here’s a sobering thought — if just 10 homeowners replaced their older appliances with EnergyStar®-qualified ones, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. Plan a budget to slowly replace all your “energy hog” appliances with new energy saving models and you’ll thank yourself later on.

2. How hot is hot and how cold is cold?
Turning down the thermostat in cold weather and inching it up during the warm months can save as much as 3-5 percent for each degree adjustment. In fact, as much as 60 percent of your energy bill may be heating and cooling related. Programmable thermostats can make the most prudent adjustments automatically during any 24-hour period but are grossly underused, according to Ron McClure. of the Pleasant Hill, Calif.-based California Home Energy & Comfort Solutions, a company that sends inspectors to perform energy “audits” for homeowners or buyers.
“About six out of ten households already have programmable thermostats but don’t use the automatic (programmable) function on them,” says McClure, “The first thing they do on a cold morning is head to the thermostat to warm up the place and by the time they are comfortable they head out the door without another thought..” he relates. Even if you remember to shut your heat off before you leave the house, however, McClure goes on to say that it costs more to reheat your home than to maintain the temperature with a properly programmed thermostat.
Other low-cost energy saving tasks to look into:

Get some new clothes for your hot water heater by placing an insulating jacket around it (usually costs under $20) and outfit your pipes for even less.
HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) changes can contribute even more – something as simple as cleaning your furnace’s air filter monthly during heavy usage times can make a big difference.
Shade your east and west facing windows to prevent the most brutal heat intrusion during summer months. And if your house doesn’t already possess dual-pane energy-efficient windows, why not start replacing those windows slowly, but start with those that receive the most intense sun exposure first?
Saving heat generating activities such as dishwashers and cooking until the evening hours can help you ease up on cooling costs as well as your local energy grid.
Using ceiling fans to move air on low speeds (even if TV reality remodeling shows think they’re not fashionable) can permit you to push the thermostat in either direction, providing more circulation of either cool or warm air.

3. Water, water everywhere but not a drop to waste
You may love the forceful flow of water at your faucets, toilets and showerheads, but did you know that installing aerators on them could cut your annual water consumption by more than half?
And then there is the commode… Toilets installed 15 years ago use more than twice the amount of water than the newer low-flow models. Even if you have older toilets, however, you can adjust your float valves to permit a lower water flow into the tank.
4. Going into the light
Replacing your incandescent light bulbs with the EnergyStar®-rated compact fluorescent variety all over the house can save you $100 per year, according to the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), a voluntary partnership between leaders of the homebuilding, product manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries. They calculate that if every family in the U.S. did this, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by one trillion pounds.
True — buying new bulbs does take an initial investment, but even a recent ad by Starbucks in The New York Times that said if every person who received the newspaper switched one light bulb to a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, it would be the equivalent of taking 89,000 cars off the road.
5. Filling in the gaps
Have you bothered to look around your attic space to see if all areas contain insulation? According to PATH, even a small area with limited or no insulation — or even insulation that has been damaged or compressed — can significantly decrease overall effectiveness. The U.S. Department of Energy says that adding insulation to the attic is relatively easy and very cost effective. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation. If it is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 6 inches of cellulose), you could probably benefit by adding more. Most U.S. homes should have between R-22 and R-49 insulation in the attic.
An “energy audit” may cost you anywhere from $159 to $359, according to McClure, but PATH figures that you can recoup the cost of the inspection in about a year by implementing the recommendations the audits can provide. Try PATH for a list of inspectors in your area.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

For more real estate tips, green or not, go to realtor.com: http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/green-your-home/

For information and tips on Durango Real Estate contact you favorite Blue Ribbon Real Estate Agent. 970 247 8388. Stay tuned for Agent Spotlights (like the ones in the Durango Herald Real Estate section) on each of our agents starting next week.

Claudia Williams is Durango’s first Eco Broker, certified and trained to assist in buying and selling green and energy efficient  homes.

Remember our Cruiser Bike Giveaway on May 1st! One of our lucky Facebook fans will walk away with a brandnew bike. To like Blue Ribbon Properties on Facebook click here: FB.com/blueribbonproperties

17 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 15 more than last week, wow! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 46 [...]]]> April 13, 2012 – Here’s your Durango Real Estate Statistics and Weekly Update! Great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparables.

17 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 15 more than last week, wow! – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 46 new listings this week.

Click Here for New Listings

Bankowned Listings (REO):

Due to continuing interest we are including REO property, which means “Real Estate Owned” in bank-lingo, in other words, bankowned properties, or foreclosed properties after the foreclosure process is completed. The bank/lender now owns the property. They are typically sold at a discount, hence the popularity! Please follow this link to our foreclosure page on our website. It shows all active bankowned and foreclosure listings in the area and is continually updated. Bookmark it and visit it often! Or email us, info@blueribbondurango.com to get set up for automatic email notifications on new bankowned listings!

Click here for Foreclosures & Bankowned Homes in the Durango & Surrounding Areas

And Back by Popular demand – the Market Snapshot – Free and Instant Home Valuations! A cool map based comparable report that shows new listings and sales comparables to your house, for sellers or buyers. Sign up by clicking here. Or go to Durangohousevalues.com. You’ll love it!

If you’d like to see any listings or statistics that we are not covering please don’t hesitate to send an email or post a comment. Maybe you’d like to be alerted to new listings in a specific price range or type. Let us know, we’re here to help.

Sign up to receive automatic emails of new listings by sending me a quick email and letting me know what you’d like to see, claudia@blueribbondurango.com.
Have a great weekend! Feel free to call or email me if you’d like to talk about real estate or go to look at properties

–

Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather we are having! Happy Spring!

19 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 3 more than last week – check [...]]]> March 30, 2012 – Here’s your Durango Real Estate Statistics and Weekly Update! Great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparables.

Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather we are having! Happy Spring!

19 properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week – that’s 3 more than last week – check it out.

Click Here for Sold Listings

There are 75 new listings this week. That is 3 more listings than last week! Wow!

Click Here for New Listings

Bankowned Listings (REO):

Due to continuing interest we are including REO property, which means “Real Estate Owned” in bank-lingo, in other words, bankowned properties, or foreclosed properties after the foreclosure process is completed. The bank/lender now owns the property. They are typically sold at a discount, hence the popularity! Please follow this link to our foreclosure page on our website. It shows all active bankowned and foreclosure listings in the area and is continually updated. Bookmark it and visit it often! Or email us, info@blueribbondurango.com to get set up for automatic email notifications on new bankowned listings!

Click here for Foreclosures & Bankowned Homes in the Durango & Surrounding Areas

And Back by Popular demand – the Market Snapshot – Free and Instant Home Valuations! A cool map based comparable report that shows new listings and sales comparables to your house, for sellers or buyers. Sign up by clicking here. Or go to Durangohousevalues.com. You’ll love it!

If you’d like to see any listings or statistics that we are not covering please don’t hesitate to send an email or post a comment. Maybe you’d like to be alerted to new listings in a specific price range or type. Let us know, we’re here to help.

Sign up to receive automatic emails of new listings by sending me a quick email and letting me know what you’d like to see, claudia@blueribbondurango.com.
Have a great weekend! Feel free to call or email me if you’d like to talk about real estate or go to look at properties!

___

Claudia Williams Owner/Ecobroker/Exchangor

Blue Ribbon Properties, 835 Main Ave #214, Durango, CO 81301

970 247 8388 (office), 970 749 3555 (cell), 970 247 8360 (fax), claudia@blueribbondurango.com

Be sure to LIKE Blue Ribbon Properties on Facebook!

Disclaimer – these links and information are based on the Durango local multi listing service. While all information is deemed accurate there are no guarantees. Does not include for sale by owners or foreclosure properties that are not listed on the MLS.