NATGEO Picks Durango!

Durango’s affordability and its real-town feel has boosted it onto National Geographic’s list of the top 10 emerging ski towns in North America. The magazine’s list highlights towns that may not have the name recognition of a Vail or Whistler Blackcomb but still pack a stellar ski experience, especially for budget-minded travelers. “These are the locals’ favorites, the up-and-comers. They’re real towns, often cheaper and friendlier than the big dogs – at least for now,” the magazine said. The list highlighted Durango’s wealth of adventure activities, lively downtown and no-hype attitude. Durango Mountain Resort was hailed as a “family and intermediate skier’s dream hill,” while Silverton got a shout out as a perfect playground for skiers and boarders seeking a big-mountain experience. Durango also recently was recognized in Elevation Outdoors Magazine as the best Colorado ski town in the category of big towns, and by TripAdvisor as the top-value ski destination in North America.

Source - The Durango Herald 3/21/2013

If you would like to be a part of our wonderful community we can help. Search the Durango MLS for all Durango real estate properties at:

http://HomesInDurango.com and http://RealEstate-Durango.com

ENTREPRENEUR'S #1

RE/MAX has been named the #1 real estate franchise in Entrepreneurmagazine's 2013 Freanchise 500, based on a comparision of financial strength, stability, growth rate and size.

At No. 158 overall, RE/MAX was ranked: 88 places ahead of the second ranked real estate franchise, Weichert Real Estate 118 places in front of third ranked Realty Excutives 213 slots before Keller Williams 215 and 253 places higher that ERA and Better Homes & Gardens.

Absent from Entrepreneur's rankings are Realogy's two largest franchises, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker.

Other reasons you should chose Re/MAX:

RE/MAX agents had the highest productivity among major agents with major U.S. franchises in the 2012 Real Trends 500 report.

RE/MAX has No. 1 market share in the U.S. and Canada. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

RE/MAX is the most recognized name in real estate.

Visit us at www.HomesInDurango.com to find your special piece of Durango real estate.

IS THE BUYER'S MARKET DONE?

Looking back at 2012 we see that, as the year progressed, so did home sales. The number of La Plata homes sold in the second half of the year exceeded fist half by about 20% and the median price increased 3% topping out at $304,950 by year's end. Overall, 834 properties sold in 2012, 16% more than in 2011.

The Colorado Association of Realtors also released statewide data showing a median price increase of 10% compared to 2011 together with a 15% increase in the number os sales. Sellers appear to be on the sidelines waiting for prices to increase thereby decreasing available inventory. Escalating sales volume, increasing home prices and decreasing inventory can only lead to this conclusion; the buyer's market is rapidly ending.

If Durango real estate is in your future, now is the time to act.

Visit us at www.HomesInDurango.com

IT'S SNOWING!

Finally, a beautiful snowfall just in time for Christmas and the holidays.

The result is that the skiers are flocking to Durango. Last Saturday it seemed like every other car in downtown was from Texas. Welcome Texans - we're glad you're here.

Enjoy our town, enjoy our mountain and while you're at it, enjoy yourselves. In your spare time you can search for Durango real estate at:

HomesInDurango.com

We're #6

WE'RE PICKED AGAIN! Smithsonianmag.com has just selected our Durango as one of their "20 Best Small Towns in America." We come in at #6. Here's the article: 6. Durango, CO All aboard for mountain fun, plus classical tunes and—gasp—vaudeville. It would be a bald-faced lie to say that Durango (pop. 16,900) isn’t devoted above all to outdoor recreation, from mountain biking and black-diamond downhill skiing to Iron-man triathlons, white-water kayaking and rock climbing. But between adventures in the surrounding San Juan Mountains, people celebrate life Western-style in the old railroad and mining town’s lamppost-lined historic district, among art installations along the Animas River greenway, and at the nearby Music in the Mountains festival come July (heavy on the classical offerings, but a bit of pop, too), the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall, and the Henry Strater Theatre, a.k.a. the “Hank,” a showcase for vintage melodrama and vaudeville. Best of all, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, opened in 1882 and now a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, still carries passengers 45 miles into the heart of the high San Juans, pulled by a coal-fired, steam-driven locomotive, with the occasional bluegrass band or cowboy poet onboard for entertainment. -- SS Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-in-America.html#ixzz2D5GgIJFq

Visit our website: www.HomesInDurango.com. It contains lots of information about Durango, schools, activites and real estate in Durango.

Here's Why Durango's Cool

The National Recreational and Parks Association has presented the Durango Parks and Recreation Department with their Gold Medal for cities under 25,000 in population.

Durango was recognized for conservation, development of amenities such as the Animas River Trail, its sustainability and community envolvement.

As a result of 2 designated sales taxes approved by voters in 1999 and 2005, the citgy has developed the river trail, the Durango Community Recreation Center and has preserved 2,639 acres of open space, including 1,128 acres acres acquired since 2005.

Solar panels installed at the Recreation Center have saved 60 metric tons of years emissions. The rec center also uses energy efficent light bulbs to reduce is annual natural gas and electricity consumption by 16 percent. Now that's conservation at work.

The city has collaborated with community groups such as Trails 2000 and the Durango Winter Sports Association to develop more than 100 miles of natural surface trails and to improve skiing conditions at Chapman Hill.

We're proud of our community and can help you be a part of it. Visit us at:

www.HomesInDurango.com or

www.RealEstate-Durango.com

3rd QUARTER STATS ARE IN!

3rd QUARTER MLS STATS

Looking back on the past quarter the big news is the decline in the number of homes available on the market. During the summer months there were 18% fewer homes on the market in La Plata County. We consider this to be a healthy trend. During the recession our housing inventory was very high. As the number of homes sold has increased (up 15% from the prior year)combined with the decrease in supply, the market is moving to stability. Influenced by record low interest rates and low prices, the number of buyers for primary homes is increasing. In addition, investors are back. The median price continues to decline; but with demand rising and supply declining, the median price will eventually firm and the move upward.

Search for Durango real estate at www.HomesInDurango.com and www.RealEstate-Durango.com

IT ALL STARTS HERE

The 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, the world's largest and most significant international race (after the Tour de France), comes to Durango August 20, 2012. Some 20,000 visitors, including media from throughout the world, are expected to arrive in advance to support the elite atheletes who will race for seven days and 683 miles through the Rockies at elevations higher than they've ever had to endure. Durango is the Grand Depart, or the overall start, of the prestigious seven-stage race. The race will be aired live in 200 countries around the world with NBC covering the event. RE/MAX LLC, with its world headquarters based in Denver, has signed on as an offical sponsor of the race through Colorado. Ed Andersson, our co-owner at RE/MAX Pinnacle recongized the significance of the event and pushed, promoted and pressed RE/MAX LLC to jump on board and they have in a big way. RE/MAX will be represented at each stage of the event with booths, banners and other promotions. We will be receiving the equivalent of 30 minutes of internation TV exposure for Durango and, of course, RE/MAX Pinnacle. I bet a lot of folks are going to be adding a visit to Durango to their "bucket list."

http://HomesInDurango.com

http://RealEstate-Durango.com

Chocolate

WE'RE DOING OUR PART! Chocolate lovers in Japan will soon be able to buy Durango made chocolate. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, base here in Durango, has rolled out plans to expansion into Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong and China. Under a license agreement the company's Hong Kong based partner will open 10 Rocky Mountain Chocolate stores in Japan over the next year. The company will also open test stores in Hong Kong and Shanghai later this year. Taiwan and South Korea locations are possibilities on the horizon as well. What a sweet way to contribute to the reduction of the trade deficit.

Visit us for information about Durango CO real estate.

www.HomesInDurango.com

www.RealEstate-Durango.com

WE'RE #1

Policom, an independent economic research firm specializing in local and state economies, did an analysis that ranked Durango No. 1 out of 576 micropolitan areas studied.

A micropolitan area contains a population of 50,000 or less.

Data used for the study included not just Durango, but all of La Plata County.

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://realestate-durango.com

SALES UP - PRICES DOWN

The number of La Plata County homes sold in the first three months of 2012 increased compared with the same period last year, while prices have continued to fall, according to the latest local real-estate statistics. The report from the Durango Area Realtors Association showed the median home prices declined in most parts of the county compared with the first quarter of 2011. Durango condos and Bayfield in-town homes saw a price drop of a bit more than 10 percent while prices on resort condos dropped 38 percent from $250,000 to $155,000. Prices increased for Durango in-town homes, Bayfield county homes and undeveloped land. In Durango, the median price for a home was $329,950 for the first quarter of 2012, a 1.52 percent increase compared with the same period in 2011. In Bayfield, the median home went for $171,000, a 10.66 percent decline from the first three months of 2011. Across the board, the number of homes sold last quarter was up compared with the same period in 2011. Homes sales in Durango and Bayfield as well as Durango country homes increased 60 percent or more. Countywide, the number of properties sold increased by an average of 27 percent compared with the first quarter last year. It appears that historically low interest combined with depressed Durango housing prices are enticing buyers back into the market. We've seen an increase in 2nd home buyers; mainly from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. As the Phoenix market rebounds, this segment of our market will continue to improve. If you're thinking of purchasing a home in Durango - NOW IS THE TIME!

DURANGO'S IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT!

Durango was once know as "the worst-dressed resort town in America" and Durangoans proudly embraced the tag.

However in 2011 Durango was seemingly a constant presence in the national spotlight receiving accolades for more than our style. Here's a summary:

* Best Places to Live 2001 and Best Place to Put Your Outdoor Life First - Men's Journal

* Top Micropolitan Area in the US - Politicom

* Top Western Towns - True West Magazine

* Top 200 Towns in the US - Outdoor Life Magazine

* Top Ten "Life is Better Here" - Outside Magazine

* Colorado's Secret Stashes - Ski Magazine

* Durango selected as the start of the prestigious US Pro Cycling Challenge

In other good news; It's never been more affordable to own a Durango property. Down the road, people will be grateful they chose to buy now.

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://realestate-durango.com

BEST ON BOTH SIDES - RE/MAX RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARDS FOR BOTH BUYER AND SELLER SATISFACTION.

In the eyes of Dave Liniger, the two massive J.D. Power & Associates trophies displayed at RE/MAX World Headquarters in Denver are there for one reason: Because RE/MAX has the best agents.

"From the very start, RE/MAX was designed as the home of the industry's top producers," the RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder says. "Our system appeals to people who view real estate as a profession, not a part time job."

In Overall Satisfaction amoung Sellers, RE/MAX was the lone brand to score five out of five. RE/MAX was five out of five amoung Buyers as well.

These awards confirm what Mary & I have always known - the RE/MAX brand soars "Above the Crowd."

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://RealEstate-Durango.com
Durango Real Estate

WE'RE #1

Policom, an independent economic research firm specializing in local and state economies, did an analysis that ranked Durango No. 1 out of 576 micropolitan areas studied.

A micropolitan area has a population of 50,000 or less.

Data used for the study included not just Durango, but all of La Plata County.

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://RealEstate-Durango.com

Zillow Home Value Index

More Durango Home Values

http://HomesInDurango.com

http://RealEstate-Durango.com

http://RealEstate-Durango.com


IT'S SNOWING!

...and it's beautiful.

http://HomesInDurango.com

GOIN'GREEN:

As reported in the Durango Herald, Durango has been recognized by the EPA as a "Green Power Community" for the collective efforts of its residents who buy electricity produced from renewable sources.

Durango ranked 12th in the nation for green electricity use, with 7.3 percent of all electricity consumption coming from green sources, according to a new release from the city and La Plata County Electric Association. In case you missed it that's TWELFTH IN THE NATION!!

Life in our little corner of Colorado just gets better and better and SNOWDOWN is only weeks away. This year's theme is "Life's a Beach". I bet the electric consumption soars as the heaters kick in.

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://RealEstate-Durango.com

WE'RE #1

For the 2nd time in the last 5 years the Fort Lewis Men's soccer team is the NCAA Division II National Champion. That's NATIONAL CHAMPION!!! Forget the Broncos. Forget the Nuggets. Forget the Rockies and Avs. These guys belong to us. It was wonderful to see the community support the team. The championship game was televised and carried in the restaurants and local bars. Locals cheered and celebrated with a parade down Main Aveunue when the team arrived back from Florida. This "feel good" happening is only the latest example of what makes our small corner of Colorado a special place.

"National Champions" - now that's cool!

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://RealEstate-Durango.com

TAX CREDITS:

"Last night the Senate voted cloture on a bill that includes the extension of the first time home buyer tax credit.

While this is not the final vote, it effectively seals the deal on the plan to extend the $8000 first time buyer credit through April 30th and expand said credit to move-up buyers on a smaller ($6500) scale.

A few weeks ago the Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement at the IRS, Linda E. Stiff, testified before Congress that between January 2009 and September 2009 the IRS has processed claims from more than 1.5 million individuals or families who have purchased homes....Now granted, the extension is also an expansion, giving some move up buyers $6500 more in purchasing power, but that's only up to the income cap of $150,000 for single filers and $225,000 for joint filers...again, covering an awful lot of Americans, but not everyone. Contracts must be signed by April 30th and, yes, they can close by June 30th."**

**Quoted from Diana Olick - CNBC Real Estate Reporter

http://RealEstate-Durango.com
http://HomesInDurango.com

Press Release


Charles and Mary Rigby Selected as Leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States

Durango, CO, September, 2009: Charles and Mary Rigby, leading providers of real estate services, today announced that they have been selected by Goldline Research as leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States for 2009. The list of leading Real Estate Professionals of the Western United States is scheduled to be published in the September 21st issue of Forbes Magazine.

“To be selected to this list of top real estate professionals is very gratifying,” said the Rigbys. They added, “The real estate business is about more than houses. It’s the people inside the house that we focus on. That’s why we place such an emphasis on understanding our client’s goals, needs and expectations. Our clients deserve only the best – we work to give them exactly that!”

“Those selected provide extensive client service that exceeds the industry standard,” said Dana Mahoney, Analyst, Goldline Research. “We believe that they are setting the benchmarks for the industry as a whole.”

Goldline Research recently completed its annual evaluation of real estate professionals in the Western United States. The Goldline Research study was conducted from July 2009 through mid-August 2009. The Western United States encompasses a nineteen state region that stretches from Texas to North Dakota and west to the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and Alaska.

About Charles and Mary Rigby
As one of the area’s leading real estate teams, Charles combines his more than 25 years in the title insurance business with Mary’s nearly three decades of experience as a Realtor. Together they provide each and every one of their clients with a simply unparalleled level of knowledge and service they can depend on.

About Goldline Research
Goldline Research is a leading marketing and information services company. Goldline Research’s mission is to empower consumer choice by identifying leading professional services providers. Goldline Research has evaluated professional services firms and providers throughout the United States using a rigorous, proprietary research methodology. The company has helped thousands of consumers find high quality service providers. Goldline Research was recently named to the 2009 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing privately-held companies. Founded in 2004, Goldline Research is headquartered in Novato, California. For more information, please visit www.goldlineresearch.com.

http://HomesInDurango.com
http://RealEstate-Durango.com