Your CORE Advisor Blog

New Salvation Army Store

Montrose Colorado

Opens February 2010.

The lease is signed and move in and setup has begun!

Salvation Army Store Plans Grand Opening of its new Montrose Colorado Store location at

1210 N. Townsend Unit E, Montrose,  Colorado 81401

in February of 2010. 

This location is on the NE Corner of San Juan Ave and N

Townsend Ave.  

(For locals this was most recently “Stone Mountain Flooring” and before that for you old timers who have been around Montrose forever… the Old Vurls Farm Supply and Hardware Store…  Wow that takes me back.)

They have quadrupled their size (almost 18,000 SF) from their old location on S 1st and anticipate being able to offer not only a better selection of clothing, furniture and household goods but hopefully with time they plan to bring additional services for the community. 

Plus the entire store and space will just feel more freindly and open with better lighting and elbow room.  Be sure you check it out no once but throughout the year as I am sure the store will evolve and improve on an incremental level with time as it adapts to its new larger space.

Stop by and see the new store, (Say hi to Eric or Dan if they are there), pick up something you need or don’t need and know that you are helping the community.  Or better yet make a donation of time, money or something you don’t need and help out.

Many of you saw the Bell-Ringers for the Salvation Army in front of local stores recently around Christmas and all of these people were volunteers many Realtors, trying to pitch in. 

The Salvation Army is a great organization that helps many people in need.  Please stop by and congratulate them on their new location at

1210 N. Townsend Unit E, Montrose,  Colorado 81401

Let them know you appreciate them being here to help the community!

Their Phone Number is (970) 249-3891

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

The link above is to the USA Salvation Army Website - currently when viewed it is showing me pictures from the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and talking about their relief efforts and fundraising. 

This is exactly how Salvation Army responds to disasters around the USA and around the Globe.  They are an International Non Profit Organization.

Similar to Good Will and in disaster releaf to the Red Cross all of these organizations and thousands of other smaller ones help to make the world a better place.

Here is a direct link to make an online donation for the Haiti Relief Fund.  Please donate if you can.

https://secure20.salvationarmy.org/pages/makeDonation/usa/makeDonation.jsf

Thank You and God Bless!

Chris

www.SoldCORE.com

Hello, if you don’t know my name is Chris Ormsbee. 

I am a Realtor working for Century 21 Action Realty in Montrose Colorado. 

We/I am located at 1245 E Main St and our office phone number is (970) 249-7777 (lucky sevens)… I have a partner too.  Her name is Diane Haynes so feel free to call her too… (970) 596-3521.  Our Team name is “The Montrose Gold Team”  and we have the website www.MontroseGoldTeam.com but I just checked and it is “parked” at GoDaddy… still… oops… Gotta fix that (put it on the todo list).  Will probably point it to www.SoldCORE.com my original website, which does point to this blog under the button on the right. 

BTW SoldCORE is kindof underconstruction as well.  If you want to search properties in the area, check out www.C21ActionRealty.com it has the IDX service all hooked up.  I am going to try to offload this to the office site soon from my site (its on the todo list…) 

Today is my Birthday!  Yeah I officially cleared another year!  Still breathing!  Still not perfect (but its a goal to keep getting better all the time - like fine wine, scotch or whiskey!) I am now 46 and have been selling Real Estate for over 4 years now.  Wow! 

On bad days, I Often I wonder why I picked this profession (the pay has been less than great lately), but deep down I know why… I love Real Estate, I love learning, I love variety, and I love people in general.  I especially like helping people. 

I hope my blog (this blog) helps people, including myself.  It provides a means for me to share what I know and what I want to know, with more than one person at a time (more efficient).  I have recently become addicted to Facebook and had a stint on twitter (that I need to revive as well).  I am trying to embrace social media in an attempt to educate as well as drum up business and I suppose make my life more fulfilling in general.

So here are other ways to keep up with me:

Facebook  - Name:  Chris Ormsbee  Web address:  http://profile.to/chrisormsbee

I kind of over twitterized and have several accounts (don’t think I have touched any since March sorry guys…)  but I had flavors of interest I was trying to use… think they all still work.  And I will follow you back eventually I need a tool here too.

Twitter 1 - ChrisOrmsbee - To be or not to be an internet marketer!  (to peddle real estate and whatever I can believe in and make money off of).

Twitter 2 - ProfRealEstate - Professional Real Estate (”dude” I guess!)

Twitter 3 - YourCoreAdvisor - To tie into and brand with this blog (I hope!)

Twitter 4 - ProForeclosure - (Trying to niche in on foreclosures - but a lot more money is to be made investing in foreclosures, than as a Realtor… Takes lots of time with a lot of uncertainty of return, still I know a lot about the process and how to deal with the various issues… and help people in this situation)

So follow me or be my friend there!  I am pretty friendly, but sometimes strange (especially my sense of humor), and I am definitely opinionated and most of you will probably not agree with all of them (but thats cool).

Other social sites to come (once cloning is a reality or I find a tool to integrate better across the sites to share my thoughts and ideas…)  Or if someone gives me a personal geek for my Bday!  haha (did you know I used to be a geek [I have a BS in Computer Science from CSU 1986], so I like it.  I just don’t have enough waking hours to do it all).

So here it is! 

I was never big on New Years Resolutions so I am going to do a

Birthday Resolution…

As we get older “regularity” can be a problem for some, so I am going to try to dedicate some time on a regular basis to tweeting, sharing my thoughts on facebook and posting here.   My goal is 8 hours per week as follows (2 hours for blog posts, 2 hours for tweeting, 4 hours for facebook (cut back from about 16 now), and 2 hours for other social media (TBD).   I am going to post this “Schedule” on my wall. in an effort to make it a reality.   And of course about 40-50 hrs/week straight up real estate dealing.  The rest is mine, and my kid’s and my girl friend’s…   Its a lofty goal and so often we just jump when a client calls (so it kills our schedules), but I am going to try real hard to be more regular as I age…

Your job is to send buyers and sellers to me, or if thats you call us!

Also please make helpful suggestions (like how to stop the viagra spammer comments) and where you think I should focus (for your benefit).   BTW Diane is less than convinced that this Social Media is worthwhile - so please feel free to drop her an email to convince her otherwise (NO SPAM PLEASE).  She can be emailed at: DianeHaynes@C21ActionRealty.com

I can be emailed at ChrisOrmsbee@SoldCORE.com

Thanks in Advance!  Chris

Diane Haynes and Chris Ormsbee

From where I am sitting, I am still seeing a relatively high number of foreclosures in our area.   I think our market tends to lag the general market by about a year to 18 months. 

Some predict a further mushrooming of this effect as many banks have been waiting to test the water and see what is coming next.

Montrose Colorado is a beautiful place to live and was growing at a good pace and is still expected to double in size over the next 10-20 years. 2 Years ago this was easy to believe.  Now I think it will be pushing clear to the 20 year mark, unless the money supply situation straightens itself out.

Banks supposedly have money to lend (hundreds of millions of it financed off the tax payers backs).  But Banks are not lending as much as they want to because of new regulations and policies enforced by underwriters to ensure safer loans.  Whether you are for or against this doesn’t really matter. Tight lending it is stopping people from buying and selling homes, that would of otherwise been bought rather than rented.

At the same time Credit Card companies are squeezing already strapped people (including me), by cutting their credit limits down and raising interest rates.  Eliminating peoples “Cushion” or “Float” Capital.  This is particularly important for the small business owner with one or two employees who’s cash fluctuates with jobs as they come and go or pay or delay… 

This means people like Realtors and small contractors who rely on credit to finance their business are unable to finance their business and are tapping into any savings or reserves they may have.    They are probably losing out on some jobs because of this lack of available credit.

Many also do not understand that once their credit limit is cut, if their balance exceeds 50 % of the allowable credit, then it docks their credit score, possibly preventing them from getting a home loan.

The credit crunch is real and its affecting hundreds of millions of people and guess who is making money off of it… The banks, the same banks that got us into this mess.  I know there are thousands of “preachers” out there who support that everyone have a “strong” or even entirely cash position and boy wouldn’t that be nice, but Credit is a lot like a drug, they get you hooked and used to using it and then when they cut you off you are in real trouble.  Its unfortunate that they are using the current housing crisis as a time to try to make more money off the backs of the struggling American and that they have overtightened the money supply for home loans.

Montrose Colorado really didn’t have a foreclosure problem, until the money supply dried up.  This stopped construction and caused lots of layoffs and for people like Realtors, their income was halfed, quartered or even eliminated, leaving the them with a deficit.

I personally had a sizable chunk of savings and available credit for “down times”, but it has been eroded and used up and I can’t just force people to use me or to even decide to buy a house. 

I have never worked harder and been paid less in my life.

There is a glut of inventory on our market and many prices have not fallen yet to where I feel they will actually be purchased.   Most shoppers are looking for a 50 cent on the dollar deal…  Few exist.  Those that do are offered from “motivated” banks, but they usually require a great deal of repair and fix up, so this usually cuts out the first time home buyer and focuses on the investor.

Then President Obama decides that we will incent or attempt to force banks to do Loan Modifications with their borrowers, but the process is extreamly slow, uncharted territory and many are getting ripped off by shisters advertising on the radio, internet or otherwise that they will take care of everything and they are not, the people still get foreclosed out.  Others upon ill advice of attorneys or other counselors or spinners are suggesting to people to miss a payment to begin negotiations.  While this kinda makes sense it is just increasing the problem and it screws ones credit up BAD for about two years.  This is basically the same as a short sale on your credit based on my understanding. 

If you are going to do a Loan Modification, either do it yourself or call the state hotlines first.  Get references for companies from real people (preferably in your area and trust me its worth your time particularly if you REALLY want to keep your home).   Ensure that the hired negotiator will take no upfront moneys from you.  They only get paid when they get the Loan Modification with the exception of a small fee (under $150).  If they want more upfront money be very careful and require joint notification of each submittal and call the bank yourself to follow up with it.

Of course you can always call a Realtor for advice!  Ask a few questions to see if they know what they are talking about and if your not convinced, try another.

You can reach me at (970) 209-0252. 

Thanks Chris

Here is a couple photos driving down Main Street in Montrose.   (I was going to post a whole series but ran out of time and had this saved in drafts since June…)  But as Arnold Schwarzenegger, said in “The Terminator”  “Ill be back”

I often like to use photos to capture for rent signs and phone numbers, for sale signs, FSBO signs, etc.  One brilliant teacher’s program I bought (whom unfortunately I forget which one so I can’t give credit right now) also suggested taking a small (8×12) white board and writing the address on the white board in large print and then holding it up to take the photo of the property or house.  This way you have all the pertinent information and as “they” say “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

Anyway, while I don’t claim to be a professional photographer, I like to shoot lots of digital photos and hope to get lucky and sometimes it works, but for informational purposes, like what does the street look like, town etc. I think the drive by shootings (of photos) are often sufficient. 

I even shoot through the windshield as you will see (reflections) or hold my camera up through the sunroof, so cut me a little slack on the quality or composition, we can call them informational photos…

Great Property & Location for Restaurant/Bar

Drive by shooting of McDonalds on Main St Montrose

Looking West on Corner of Main and Locust

The Red Barn Restaurant - Good Food & Good Times!

Century 21 Action Realty (My Office) Corner of Main and San Juan Ave

Dominos Pizza at NE Corner Main and Nevada

Half of the Coffee Trader (Sorry) at Main and Junction

Old Hallmark Building NW Corner Main and Cascade

Thats all for now!

Montrose is a high desert mountain valley… So how is it so green and beautiful here. Largely the water in this valley comes from the Gunnison River and is diverted from the Black Canyon through the Gunnison Tunnel… This was built back in 1909 and this year in 2009 Montrose is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of this amazing engineering feat!

Here is Marc Catlin - Manager of the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users talking about it:

Here is a nice little video showing photos from when the tunnel was first constructed:

The easy answer is the sky!  The rain, snow, hail and sleet… But mostly snow because it is the convenient method of storage mother nature provides… From there it gets a little tricky…

On the eastern slope (or east side of the Continental Divide) much of it is diverted through tunnels from the Western Slope to the Eastern Slope…

Check out this video about Transmountain Diversion:

My partner in Real Estate just asked me what the unemployment rate in Montrose was.  So of course I googled it.  Here are the results as of 8-19-09. 

Here is a link to the site and I threw in the State of Colorado and the USA broad measurement for comparison.

http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=usunemployment&met=unemployment_rate&idim=county:CN080850&idim=state:ST080000&tdim=true

Looks like we are tracking at 8.5% as of Jun, got as low as 8.4% in May and had hit a high of 9.4% in March (all of 2009).

My advise based on this is make sure you have a job here before you move here or anywhere for that matter…

HURRY HURRY…. YOU ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!  GET YOUR $8,000 WHILE YOU CAN.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU QUALIFY:

BASICALLY - from a very simplistic high level:

If you  and your spouse have not owned a home (personal residence) in the last three years or deducted home mortgage interest, then you are probably eligible to get a $8,000 Tax credit for the purchase of a primary residence by Dec 1, 2009.  

There are rumored methods to use this credit as part of the down payment.  I believe this is limited to specific lender programs…  So call your lender.   I will try to dig into this deeper for you.   But the basic plan is buy a home by Dec 1, 2009, then file your return and get to apply the credit of $8,000 - possibly getting a refund check of this $8,000.

HERE IS THE EXCERPT FROM THE www.IRS.GOV WEB SITE

HAPPY HOME BUYING!  

Remember if you are buying or selling in Montrose then call Chris (970) 209-0252 or Diane (970) 596-3521- The MONTROSE GOLD TEAM with CENTURY21 Action Realty, 1245 E Main St.  Montrose, Colorado 81401.

6-4-09 - A FUN NIGHT IN MONTROSE!

I Went to Main in Motion in Montrose Colorado tonight. 

For those of you reading, that are not from Montrose, this is a local special event hosted through the summer  on Thursday evenings where there is live music up and down Main Street in Downtown Montrose and other entertainment, special food booths ranging from Cedar Creek Church’s .10 hot dogs with free pop and water to caterers and local restaurants sharing or selling their treats and yummy food.  

There are other small retail booths or represented causes that range from political to non profit fund raising or volunteer recruiting.   Stores are open late and often offering special deals or discounts to encourage shopping.  Some restaurants offer specials and in many cases their own live music.  

But, the best part of Main in Motion is seeing all the people out and about town.  Its a great place to socialize and see old friends or make new friends.

I think Main in Motion or other programs like it that are designed by communities to liven up areas that might be otherwise “dead” at that time of day or night are great ways to strengthen communities on both a business and a social level.   I saw friends, past and current clients.

Even in a small community it is easy to get caught up in life, work, kids, soccer, school, camps, etc.  and not see friends you would like to see as often as you would like to see them.  This type of thing (socializing at events) gives us a chance to pause and enjoy the fruits of our labor and catch up with old friends…

Montrose is a small community with about 40,000 people in the county according to the US Census Bureau Estimate…   http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=uspopulation&met=population&idim=county:08085

And about 17,000 people within the Montrose City limits according to the City of Montrose Website:

http://www.cityofmontrose.org/index.aspx?nid=255

The Main in Motion event is sponsored by the MAMA group - Montrose Area Merchants Association.

Main in Motion has its own website at: http://www.maininmotion.com/   Check it out and see all the vendors, numbers on how to participate on a merchant/vendor/cause level, etc.

We ended up the evening at the Canyon Creek Bed and Breakfast which has live music on the deck, drinks and catered food next door.  They set up lawn furniture on the front lawn.  It’s always packed. 

Tonight the Cliff Dwellers were playing.  I love these guys but I am biased a lot of them are my friends.  They ROCK, JAM and GROOVE!  Tom Chamberlain a friend since Junior high school and now a local Montrose Architect is the drummer.   Tonight Bobby Morales was also there with his Harmonica as well.  It was a lot of fun.

I highly recommend Main in Motion to locals and visitors to check out how friendly and fun Montrose can be.  So next Thursday evening… Go check it out and eat something delicious and buy something fun or pretty…  Or if you must work, come network, sign up to peddle your wares/services or bring a bunch of business cards. 

If you really want to work… There are also several commercial buildings for sale or rent along Main Street in Montrose.  I do commercial!  Its actually my favorite kind of real estate because it is more numbers based decisions with less emotion.    So if you really want to work, bring your business, your idea or your dream to downtown Montrose.

If your not from Montrose, and don’t plan to come here… check out similar activities and things in your town… They are fun and good for the community!

Of course I need this final shameless sales pitch to justify my time here… If you need to buy or sell a home or if you know someone who does please have them call me… Chris Ormsbee  (970) 209-0252  or my partner Diane Haynes at (970) 596-3521.  We can also refer you to other Realtors around the country.  Realtors can do referrals to generate a little extra cash and help you select a good Realtor in an unknown area.  The way it works is, we help you find a Realtor in the new area and they will share usually 10-25% of their commission with us for sending them the business.  Its like affiliate marketing for Realtors. 

In case you didn’t know Diane and I are both Realtors and Broker Associates licensed by the State of Colorado Real Estate Commission.  We work together as a team for you representing you as either Buyers Agents or Sellers Agents in your transaction.  Two Realtors for the price of one!  You know “they” always say “two heads are better than one.”  Whoever “they” are (my guess is smart Moms and Grandmas).  We believe them and we think you or your friends will benefit from the combined strength of our team.  Give us a call or tell your friends to call.  Our office CENTURY 21 Action Realty is located at 1245 E Main Street and the office number is (970) 249-7777.