IT'S SNOWDOWN! Today begins Snowdown, Durango's crazy celebration of winter. With this years theme of "Ye Olde Snowdown" expect to see the streets and castles of Durango packed with Lords, Miladies, vassals, serfs and knaves.

The next 5 days will be filled with over 60 contests, events, gatherings and silly entertainments for everyone's merry making pleasure.

Highlights of the week include the Snowdown Follies, a very adult spoof of everything and everyone important and Friday's Snowdown Light Parade down Main Avenue.

Saturday, Mary & I together with Re/Max host the Snowdown Chili Cookoff. Contestants will vie for cash and trophies and Red, Green and Vegetarian Chili and Salsa. All four of the local micro-brewers will be there and the Hillstompers band from Alamosa with enteratain (they're a scream.)

If you're visiting town or a local, come by the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall Saturday February 2 at noon. If you're not a local --- you should be!

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DIGGIN' OUT: Whew - what a storm. This morning the sun is bright, the sky is blue. But yesterday we spent the day clearing 17" of snow from the drive and deck.

The Durango Herald reported this morning on the depressed real estate markets across the country. Don't tell that to the three sets of buyers in town looking at our listings. One of the properties is vacant so today will be spent clearing the snow for access.

It's looking like this year will be similar to those past. We are just as busy as in the summer.

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COMMON SENSE PREVAILS (SO FAR)! The Historic Preservation Board became the latest group to weigh in on the future of Durango's sidewalks. Its decision was no different than that reflected by recent public opinion: If it's not broke, don't fix it.

The City of Durango contracted Walzak Design Resources in May to provide design options for city sidewalks. The design options created by Walzak ranged from making property owners pay for sidewalk upgrades as needed to a complete overhaul of Main Avenue that would entail reducing traffic lanes from 4 to 3 and widening the sidewalks.

It appears at this point that the movement to drastically alter the look of our historic downtown is dying a slow death. Durango is unique - let's keep it that way.

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ECONOMY: At the Southwest Business Forum, an annual event sponsored by Fort Lewis College, speakers presented summaries and projections for the national, state and local economies.



Compared to the gloomy national outlook, things are slightly better in Colorado and La Plata County in particular. Luke Miller, co-director of the Fort Lewis Office of Economic Analysis and Business Research, spoke specifically about La Plata County.



La Plata is experiencing its own housing industry crises, as the median price home price for single family and condominium homes dropped by 10 percent after double digit increases since 2003. Miller called the single family statistic a "healthy correction."



One of the most telling factors identified by Miller was a 24 percent drop in La Plata County building permits in 2007. He gave credit to local builders for their foresight in not making the situation worse. In other areas builders just kept building.



Good news for the local La Plata economy - Miller said the tourism industry, in general, is healthy. Traffic is up 7 percent at the Durango-La Plata County Airport and up 2 percent at Mesa Verde National Park, lodgers tax revenues rose 8.9 percent, and Durango Mountain Resort reported 217,000 visits - 6000 more than in 2006. "All of this is very reflective of a healthy economy," Miller said.

Comparing industry, agriculture, employment and retail statistics for La Plata County and Colorado to the national averages Miller said the situation in Colorado is better than much of the nation.

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WHAT A START! So far January has been quite a wonderful hand full. We've had terrific snowfalls. Purgatory is up to a 76" base and the skiing is fabulous. With the construction of the new lodge and condominiums underway its a little difficult to get around but worth it. There's nothing more beautiful than the snow covered San Juans shining in brilliant sunlight backed by a pure blue sky.

We have had buyers in town nearly every day. Our Internet property inquiries and emails are surprisingly strong for this early in the year. We believe our market will continue to be vibrant and strong. People are seeking refuge from city congestion, crime and confusion.

You can be a part of our community. Give us call if we can help. We'll get back to you the minute we get off the slopes.

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WESTWARD HO': CNN.com did a piece on "Why the West is Booming" commenting on an issue we've seen first hand for several years.

Demographers say thousands of Baby Boomers are saying 'no thanks' to the warmth of Florida and Arizona and heading to the Rocky Mountain West.

They're drawn by low crime, fresh air, little traffic and abundant outdoor activities. Although people of all ages like these things, older people tend to be flexible enough in their careers, families and finances to finally kick up their boots on the porch rail.

A significant percentage of our clients are 55+. Southwest Colorado in general and Durango in particular have exactly what they are looking for. Four fantastic seasons, brilliant blue skies, clean air and lots of friendly people.

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CHRISTMAS: It's Christmas Eve. A full moon is rising over the San Juans creating almost daylight conditions reflecting off the pristine snow - a white Christmas.

Mary and I, together with Max and Maggie, wish each of you a wonderful holiday season full of joy and peace. We look forward to serving you in 2008.

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HOME SALES: According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) existing home sales are in an upward trend that should carry into 2008. Their Pending Homes Sales Index is up slightly - with two months of consecutive gains in homes under contract nationally.

Prices are also on the increase in nearly two-thirds of U.S. metro areas, and not just in certain area of the Sunbelt. Prices are up in Gary, Indiana, Binghampton, New York, and Spokane, Washington as well as Corpus Christi, Texas.

Our website activity remains strong and we are constantly receiving inquiries from individuals seeking information about Durango and our real estate. People want to live here and as home sales improve around the country our real estate economy will only get stronger.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Durango area - now is the time!

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FICO: J.R. Spies with The Mortgage Link has provided this information about FICO scoring:

It is important to note that raising your FICO credit score is a bit like losing weight. It takes time and there is no quick fix. In fact, quick fix efforts can backfire. The best advise is to manage credit responsible over time.

What's in your credit score:

35% = Payment History
30% = Amounts Owed
15% = Length of Credit
10% = New Credit
10% = Types of Credit Used

* Pay our bills on time
* Keep Credit Balances at less than 30%
* Don't Close out your accounts
* Get New Credit if you don't have any
* Don't get new credit if you are new to credit
* Keep at least 3 to 4 active accounts
* Have a good credit mix (Mortgage, Auto, Installment, Revolving)

The importance of any factor depends on the overall information in your credit report.

Note:

Pay your credit on TIME! Recent late on $200 credit card is much worse than a $3,000 collection paid 3 years ago.

It is better to have some five accounts at less than 30% balance than to have 1 account at 100% balance.

It is better to have 5 credit cards with 50% balances than to have no accounts at all.

It is better to have recent inquiries and new accounts than to have no credit at all.

It is better to keep the credit you have and slowly add new accounts than to radically add 4 or 5 new accounts. New accounts will lower your average account age.

The FICO scores read types of credit and give a higher weight to the more important type of credit - Mortgage, Auto, Installment and Revolving.

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MAGIC: Saturday a large herd of elk, I counted 80 - 90 animals, spent the day lounging in the #8 fairway along Trimble Lane. Every car slowed to view these magnificent animals but no one stopped to alarm them even though they were only 50 feet from the road.

Later in the day, about 7:00, I was on the deck grilling hamburgers. A light snow was falling, mulit-colored Christmas lights lined the deck railing and ice cycles hung from the roof. In the distance you could hear the elk moving. Cooing, chirping and squealing (elk are very vocal) the entire herd slowly meandered closely past. In the dark their eyes sparkled, reflecting the Christmas lights like fireflies in a eerie procession. Then they were gone and left was the muffled silence of a snow fall.

Special animals, special times, magical memories- why we live in the beautiful San Juans.

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A $3 MILLION CONDO? In Breckenridge One Ski Hill Place, a 90 unit development at the base of Peak 8, is about to raise the bar for luxury.

The first 15 of the 90 units will be released December 8 with the asking price of the first four penthouses of $2.67 million. The price per square foot will range from $963 to $1,385.

We were in Breckenridge last August and with all due respect to the fine citizens of Breckenridge - ARE YOU NUTS?

Breckenridge is crowded, over built and bumper to bumper traffic. Plus, the Ski Area Citizen's Coalition in its annual environmental scorecard gave the ski area an "F."

Our little corner of Colorado may not have the glitz of the Aspens, Steamboats, Snowmasses and Breckenridges but we wouldn't trade our little western town and open spaces for any of them.

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HEY DUDE! Thanks to a prolonged snowstorm that dumped almost 3 feet of wonderful white powder Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort was able to open Sunday with its annual benefit day. Upwards of 3,000 skiers and snowboarders packed the area with this year's proceeds going to the Durango Winter Sports Foundation and Durango Nature Studies.

Lifts 1 and 2 are running and most of the front side is open, nearly 100 acres. Purgatory hopes the back side will be open next week. We love the back side and can't wait until its open.

Meanwhile, here in the valley, the sun is shining, the sky is brilliant blue, temps in the low 40's. Life is good in the beautiful San Juans.

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SNOW REPORT FROM DMR!!! If you haven't heard, Purgatory is about to get a ton of snow! The forecast is calling for 19-33 inches before the weekend is done. We are anxiously awaiting the storm and will determine opening day based on the accumulation today and tomorrow. If the snow piles up, as it is predicted to, we are hoping to get the lifts turning on Sunday, December 2nd with the 15th annual Benefit Day. Please keep checking our website or call our Snow Report at 970-247-9000 ext 1 for daily updates. The storm is moving into the area right now and light snowflakes have begun to fall at the resort. Today we are expecting 3-5 inches of accumulation. The bulk of the storm is expected to land tonight and tomorrow with 10-15 inches possible tonight and another 6-12 inches predicted through Saturday night. There is also a slight chance of snow on Sunday. Keep doing your snow dance and watch the accumulation pile up!

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BUILT GREEN: The Durango area's biggest development received one of Colorado's top honors recently.

Tierra Vision Homes was presented with the "Built Green Builder of the Year" award at the annual Home Builders Meeting in Denver for its work at the Three Springs Development. Tierra Vision Homes is a subsidiary of the Tierra Group, a Southern Ute company, which is behind the 2000-plus unit development east of Durango in Grandview.

When complete, Three Springs will be comprised of five neighborhoods networked into each other and will contain upwards of 2,000 homes and a mix of commercial development. The project is centered around the new Mercy Regional Medical Center.

Congratulations guys!

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PURGATORY: Durango Mountain Resort got some big press this month. Ski Magazine selected Purgatory as one of the "Seven Great Mountains to Ski With Your Kids" in the November 2007 issue. One of only two resorts selected from Colorado, Purgatory was hailed for its "rolling steps that are roller coaster fun, but never intimidating."

The resort was pinpointed as being a great location for kids because of the family-friendly atmosphere of both the resort and the town of Durango. "With the one-two combo of town and resort, families find great skiing, comfortable digs ans an authentically Western experience," wrote the magazine. Ski also cited Mesa Verde and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad as excellent side vacations for families.

Purgatory is scheduled to begin the 2007-08 winter season December 1 with the 15th annual Benefit Day. The day features $15 lift tickets with all proceeds going to Durango Nature Studies and the Durango Winter Sports Foundation.

Purgatory's Benefit Day as raised more than $200,000 for local non-profit organizations in La Plata County since 1993. Previous benefactors include Trails 2000, Durango Discovery Museum and the Durango Arts Center.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING: The Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County has renewed its intergovernmental agreement it the Durango City Council, but the accord did not come without controversy.

Three years ago, the RHA signed agreements with La Plata County, Durango and Ignacio. Beginning in 2008, the agreements must be renewed annually. At Tuesday's council meeting the RHA asked councilors to renew the agreement as the Board of County Commissioners and Ignacio Town Board had done in recent weeks.

The City Council's vote, however, was not unanimous. Councilor Leigh Meigs voted against renewal of the agreement. She said she is disappointed in the progress of affordable housing efforts and the lack of guidance in creating a policy and an ordinance for affordable housing in the community.

Let's see -- we have an anti-growth Board of County Commissioners with its new land use code and plus an anti-growth City Council both extolling the need for affordable housing. It all sounds like political bull-hockey to me.

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EMPLOYMENT: The national unemployment rate for the month of September 2007 was 4.7 percent, which is up .1 percent from the month of August.

The State unemployment for the month of August, 2007 was 3.6 percent, which is down .2 percent from the month of July. This rate is 1.1 percent lower than the national average.

La Plata County boasts an unemployment rate for the month of August 2007 of 2.6 percent, which is down .1 percent from the month of July. This rate is 2.1 percent lower than the national average and 1 percent lower than the state average.

Our economy is strong, the real estate market remains good. If your thinking about a move to Durango, now is a terrific time. Give us call!

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING: City councilors and developers hope the Three Springs development in Grandview will be a model for a future affordable housing policy in Durango.

To comply with the original agreement, Three Springs must provide 52 attainable units for the first two phases. The developers fulfilled the requirement for affordable units for at least the first two phases by donating land for the 63 unit Mercy Housing PinonTerrace development adjacent to Mercy Regional Medical Hospital.

"Affordable" unites are defined as being affordable for households earning as much as 80 percent of the area median income or AMI. "Attainable" unites are those which are affordable to households earning between 80 and 125 percent of AMI.

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ROOF HEALTH: Winter weather can be harsh on roof systems. Making sure the roof drainage system is in good shape now will help minimize problems in a winter storm and prevent leaks.

In most cases, metal or plastic gutters are hung along the eave of the roof and carry the water to downspouts, which discharge the water at ground level. The downspouts must be large enough to handle all the water collected by the gutters in a reasonable time period. At least one downspout is usually needed for each 25-30 feet of gutter length.

Gutters must be sloped toward the downspouts for proper flow. The downspouts should be piped away from the house foundation to prevent water accumulation and eventual seepage into the foundation. If underground lines are present, be certain to keep them unclogged and flowing. Gutters and downspouts also help reduce erosion along the foundation and protect steps and walkways from unwanted water (and ice) buildup.

Regular cleaning of gutters and downspouts, especially after the fall, is essential. A major cause of roof drainage failure is blockage due to leaves, twigs and sediment buildup. Also, coating of gutter interiors and sealing of seams may be needed in some cases to prolong their useful life and prevent leakage.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue.

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STATISTICS: The Durango Area Association of Realtors just completed its statistics for the 3rd quarter of 2007.

The total number of residential home sales for In-Town Durango increased slightly by 1%
compared to the same period in 2006, while In-Town Bayfield saw a decrease in units sold of 20%.

Average days on market for In-Town Durango increased by 1% to 133 days as compared to the
same period in 2006 and In-Town Bayfield decreased 17% to 115 days.

The condo/town home market experienced a 30% decrease in the number of units sold in both the Durango and Resort markets over the same period last year. The median price decreased for Durango units to $230,000 with average days on market of 90 days down from 239 same quarter last year.

The Resort market experienced a 30% decrease in the median price to $177,750 with
average days on market increase of 85% to 283 days.

The median price for a La Plata County country home stayed consistent at $379,450 in comparison to the previous quarter. This is an increase of 11% from the same period in 2006. The number of units sold is down slightly while total volume increased 3%.

While our market has slowed, it is important to note that only the condominium market has experienced a draw-back in prices; understandable due to the rapid price appreciation over the last two years and the number of units available.

Compared to the major real estate markets across the country our little piece of the world 1s doing quiet well.

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