Do you know who can fix that in Red Feather Lakes? Red Feather sellers and buyers often ask me, “Who do you know that can fix ‘this or that’ or “who would you recommend?”  Most often I have a name of a local tradesman or professional who can assist them.  If I don’t know, you can bet money that one of my associates at Ponderosa Realty will!   The other day, my (out of town)  buyer called to say he needed a snow bar for his metal roof  in order to protect a newly installed vent pipe from  breaking again; he wanted it installed right away because snow was predicted for the following day.   I gave a shout-out to my peeps at Ponderosa Realty for help on this one and low and behold, my associate’s husband just happened to have a snow bar and could go up that morning and install it.     My S.... 04/11/2013

“A Day in the Mountains will always soothe your city soul”   Mary Douglas, your Mountain Broker-Associate and REALTOR® United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, CO www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net 800-531-2195 I specialize in the Red Feather Lakes area, Fox Acres, Crystal Lakes and Glacier View Meadows Subdivisions, if you are interested in buying or selling your mountain home, please give me a call, I’m here to help you. The information contained in Mary’s blog is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and the opinions and views expressed in these articles are solely those of the author. I write about my area in Colorado; Law, Custom & Procedure vary from State to State and even within the State.   REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL.  Always consult with your LOCAL Real Estate Professio... 04/10/2013

  5 ways to start off on the wrong foot when buying a home in Red Feather Lakes   1.)    Drive up on the spur of the moment and expect to see every house on your list.    By giving your agent some time to make the showing appointments you have a better chance of seeing everything you would like to see.  In a perfect world, we could reach every agent/office in a split second and sellers would be on notice 24/7 to vacate for a showing…but that is not always the case.  It’s disappointing when we can’t get in to see all of the homes due to short notice.    2.)    Assume that you already know everything about the property and the market because you found the listings on the internet.  You “show yourself” the vacant lots and decide to write an offer on one of them before asking any questions.... 03/31/2013

Do we really need a survey in Red Feather Lakes? In Colorado, the buyer can choose if they want to get a survey -  most often for residential properties, it might only be an Improvement Location Certificate (ILC), but you can choose to get a different kind of survey, too. There’s a paragraph in the Colorado Real Estate contract that addresses the survey/ILC. It’s at this point, when writing up their offer, that buyers often look at me and say, “Do we really need a survey, Mary?” Well, call me silly, but I think it’s a good thing to know that your cabin/home is actually on the property that you are buying, in the Village of Red Feather, particularly.  (2) It’s good to know that the road is really at your property line and there’s not a parcel in between that would prevent you from crossi... 11/07/2012

When a home has been on the market for a long period of time, buyers wonder “Why hasn’t it sold? What’s wrong with it?”  I’ve heard that question many times from buyers while showing properties in and around Red Feather Lakes.   A man called the office last week and apparently had fallen in love with photos of one of our listings- he’s at least 1000 miles or more away, has never seen the property and wanted to know: “Why hasn’t it sold? What’s wrong with it?” I have to tell you, first he asked for another agent, but since she wasn’t in, he thought maybe “I could help him”.  This happens quite frequently and is the subject of another post altogether. Now, agents must disclose all known material facts, but I’m not the listing agent on the home he was calling about. I have no actual knowl... 10/17/2012

Red Feather Lakes, CO and Crystal Lakes  Real Estate-Third Quarter 2012   When comparing sales of residential property in Red Feather Lakes, CO and Crystal Lakes to the 3rd quarter of 2011 it looks like this year is only slightly better in sales volume.  We have quite a few sales pending so we’ll have to wait until December to see how the year stacks up. In Red Feather Lakes and nearby Livermore, average days on the market were longer, while average and median prices were higher.  However, Crystal Lakes residential sales are trending with lower average and median prices. Averages don’t necessarily reflect an increase or decrease in value…because a large sale will throw the averages off.   Median is the “middle line” with ½ selling above and the other ½ selling below. I’ve broken out Cry... 10/05/2012

Fox Acres Real Estate Market Snapshot, Red Feather Lakes, CO   Dribbler, according to golfinity.com, is golf slang for a shot that travels only a few feet, usually without leaving the ground. The real estate market in Fox Acres might look like a “dribbler” but another slang term-“four-jack” could be applied.    "Four-jack:   To take four putts on a hole. When asked how he four-jacked a hole at the Masters, Steve Ballesteros replied, 'I miss. I miss. I miss. I make.' "  Compared to previous years, (all misses) just look at the Fox Acres sold numbers so far in 2012:   These are sales reported in the MLS, any auction property sales or private sales that were not listed in the MLS are not reflected.   Current Market info: Fox Acres is a gated Mountain Community in Red Feather Lakes where yo... 09/20/2012

Deadman Fire Tower, Red Feather Lakes, CO A few weeks ago, we decided to drive up to the Deadman Fire Tower one Monday with the grandkids.  Now, there are 2 things wrong with going on a Monday – the first one being that the tower is not open and we couldn’t climb the stairs to the top. The second “problem”, according to our grandson is that the Wandering Moose in the Village is closed on Monday’s and you can’t stop in and get a piece of pie. Truthfully, I don’t even know if they have pie but he’s convinced that they do! But, Monday was our day to spend with the grandkids, so we made the best of it- even without getting to the top of the tower and with a picnic lunch, instead of pie. The view from the ground was a little hazy because of wildfires in nearby states- but it was pretty spec... 08/27/2012

Labor Day Weekend Red Feather Lakes, CO   Labor Day weekend is always a fun time in Red Feather Lakes and this year will be no exception! The annual “Fire Days” Celebration kicks off with the Parade of Fire Equipment at the Dowdy Campground, there’s a Craft Sale, Bake Sale, Food, Face Painting, Fire truck rides and Bands! and more!!!    Here’s the line-up for the Labor Day Weekend: Courtesy of RFL  Property Owners Association   Saturday, Sept. 1,  8:45-10 AM, Parade, Dowdy Campground   9 AM - 4 PM, Craft Show & Bake Sale, Fire Barn   9 AM - 4 PM, Historic Robinson Cabin is open   10 AM - 2PM, Hot Dogs, Bounce House & Face Painting, RFL Park   10:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Fire Truck Rides   11:00 AM - 1 PM Med Evac Flight Crew   11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, BBQ Lunch, POA Building   1:30 - 2 PM, Parade, C... 08/26/2012

I have a new client who selected me to find her home… Please email or call me if you know this dog! . . . .   It all started when my friend and associate, Terri called the office yesterday to say there were 2 Bull Moose over at Shagwa Lake.  I hopped in the car and drove right over because I don’t get these chances very often.    At first the moose were “hiding” in the willows and even though I caught more than a glimpse, I wasn’t satisfied.  So, I told Terri I was going to drive around the lake and try to get a better look.    When I came back around the lake they had moved out into the open! Sure, I had noticed the little dog walking in the road, but I was far more interested in the moose.    I was snapping away and suddenly the dog leapt through my open driver side window and landed ... 08/15/2012

Glacier View Meadows and Red Feather Lakes, Colorado Weather Last Friday it snowed and it snowed …and it snowed a lot!  “They” say it’s unusual for us to get this much snow in February! There is something quite peaceful about being snowed in, but after one day of it, it’s great to get out of the house and drive. So far, my travels have only been up and down the Red Feather Lakes Rd. to the office.   It’s a nice drive and I think the land covered in snow and our beautiful cerulean blue skies are so pretty.   Winter provides Glacier View Meadows and Red Feather Lakes residents many opportunities to enjoy outdoor sports like ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and riding snowmobiles.  Many of those activities are almost right outside our back door!  You can ice skate, go tubing... 02/08/2012

Happy Puppy New Year!  From Red Feather Lakes, CO   We got a new puppy on New Year’s Eve! Her adoption was through A Puppy’s Voice,* in Fort Collins.   A puppy brings so many gifts!  It's been a wonderful way to start off the New Year for her and for us! I hope your New Year will be filled with “puppy stuff” too, like: Unconditional love, boundless energy, learning and growth, determination, playfulness, joyful adventure and peaceful quiet moments. I wish you all these things and more- I hope 2012 will be kind to you and may you have a "Happy Puppy sort- of New Year”!   *"A Puppy's Voice is non-profit organization which rescues homeless and abandoned dogs and puppies from high kill shelters. With the help of our committed volunteers, foster homes, donators and local veterinarian we are ... 01/11/2012

Fox Acres- One of Colorado's Hidden Golf Gems- About an hour drive northwest of Ft. Collins is one of my favorite summer getaways, Red Feather Lakes a prime camping hot spot for northern Coloradoans for decades, and as popular as Red Feather Lakes is to many of its regular visitors, very few are aware of one of Colorado's really hidden gems, Fox Acres. Fox Acres may be one of Colorado’s best kept secrets. I personally stumbled upon the course while camping nearly 30 years ago, while taking my motorcycle for a spin I came across this beautiful grassy knoll, it really seemed out of place. I really believed I had found heaven on earth. I hopped off my bike and started walking up the grass just when a golf ball rolled up to me feet and a ranger came scurrying up behind me, not a Park Ranger... 12/06/2011

Red Feather Lakes Historical Society will hold their annual GREENING OF RED FEATHER festivities on the weekend of December 3 and 4, 2011.    The Craft Fair will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday.   All Events take place in the POA Building, Fire Barn and Library in the Village of Red Feather Lakes, 23 miles west of Highway 287 off of County Road 74E. (Look for the sign to the Village and turn right off of County Rd. 74E)This HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE will highlight craft booths offering hand-crafted items, clothing, paintings, carvings, photography, jewelry and home-baked goodies, Library events and much more.   LIBRARY EVENTS include a children’s craft table (11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) and a Silent Auction.    SANTA will be there from 11:00a.m. Until 2:00 p.m. on... 11/27/2011

What is the Wild West Relay? It’s a 200 mile Relay Race through farmland and forests, across paved and dirt roads starting in Fort Collins and ending in Steamboat Springs, CO.  The runners even run at night under the full moon.  This can be rugged territory, my friends! Approximately 26 miles of the course travels the Red Feather Lakes Rd from the old Forks Restaurant at Hwy 287, past Ponderosa Realty to Chapel in the Pines Church in Red Feather Lakes.  For those of you who don’t know, this road climbs approximately 1000 feet in elevation  is up and down mountains with very few stretches of level land. Talk about challenging! Last year, I thought “these folks are extremely serious runners or just plain crazy!”  ;-] My friend, Debby Meyers is running in the Wild West Relay.   I worked wi... 08/11/2011

First let's start with a few basics to improve your golf swing: 1)  Grip 2)  Posture 3)  Pivot 4)  Coordination 5)  Body Alignment 6)  Fox Acres Mountain Resort Community!   Yes!    FOX ACRES MOUNTAIN RESORT COMMUNITY  in Red Feather Lakes, CO.  (I'll admit, I can't help you with the rest of the list.) and, simply living in Fox Acres won’t improve your swing but certainly getting on the course in just a matter of seconds and playing every day will. The golf balls fly a bit farther here too! At approximately 8300 feet in elevation , the Red Feather Lakes climate is perfect for all summer outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, tennis, fly fishing and of course, working on that swing. Fox Acres’ 18 hole, par 71 championship golf course is challenging and beautiful; punctuated wi... 07/23/2011

There are many bulletin postings throughout the Village of Red Feather Lakes, Crystal Lakes and Glacier View Meadows and I only checked one board today, but this is what I found for Community Events for August and the remainder of July 2011. JULY  20 - Red Feather Lakes Library Event TOUR  the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum in Berthoud and the McCarty Fickel Home. Call the Library for details and Reservations.  RSVP by July 17th - 970-881-2664 JULY  24- 1:00 p.m.   FREE CONCERT                  Archie Ulm - Everything from Bach to Rock- Amazing Yamaha ELX Synthesizer                 Chapel in the Pines Fellowship Hall (donations accepted)   JULY  30 -4:30 p.m.  COME SEE THE LOCAL MED-EVAC  HELICOPTER! Glacier Gals July Picnic at the Mountain Meetin' Place 1417 Green Mountain Dr. ... 07/14/2011

Here a snapshot of activity in the Red Feather Lakes Residential Real Estate Market for the first half of 2011.   18 Properties Sold in the first half of 2011. If the same rate of sales continued through the remainder of the year, Red Feather Lakes presently would have over 4 1/2 years of supply - this is just one of things that keep me up at night. The red line in the bar graph above shows the number of homes on the market in these areas - blue are the number the sold.  Not all areas are represented individually.  If you have a question about your specific property in Red Feather Lakes, please feel free to give me a call. Below you will see the Active Listings as well as those that are under contract. Back up means the property is under contract but the seller will entertain a back up ... 07/14/2011

Here is a snapshot of the Vacant Land Real Estate Market for Red Feather Lakes CO in the first half of 2011.  It's challenging to sell vacant land in the winter.  Often the land is covered in snow, drifts up to your back pockets and let's face it - it's cold! Only 8 parcels of land sold in Red Feather Lakes during the first half of 2011.  If sales  stay the same for the remainder of the year we would have well over 5 years of supply, now that gives me the shivers, too. SOLD STATS: Presently there are 130 Parcels of land available in Red Feather Lakes, CO Average Days on the market - 300   ~  Average Cumulative  Days on the Market 322 94 parcels in Crystal Lakes Subdivision  1.91acre-$17,500   to  19.3 acres $150,000 - 3 sales pending 16 parcels are 35 acres or more from $35,000 to $249,... 07/14/2011

It was Friday morning at 8:37 and the West Lake Campground was already full, I'm not sure about the others but I know it's not any fun drving around looking for a place to camp. It's disappointing to get all packed up and ready to enjoy a weekend of relaxation... Only to see something like this: DON'T GET YOUR Knickers WADERS IN A TWIST: You can get your VERY OWN camping spot in Red Feather Lakes ! Several parcels of land  between 1 acres - 3.5 acres are available in Crystal Lakes- now that's a nice size campsite!  Some already have driveways, turn-a rounds , electricity,  and fire pits.  All you would need to do is pull in and start having fun. When you are a property owner in Crystal Lakes you can get water for your RV/camper, there is a dump station, restaurant and laundry facilities... 06/18/2011