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

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:

A song from the Pink Floyd, The Wall Album…

But also a real question to you my reader.

It seems many of my blog comments are from other bloggers trying to get back links and they are generic flattering one liners, or questions that really don’t make sense in their context.

So prove your existence to me please!

If there are any real people out there, please post a “comment ” in the form of a “Real” Real Estate Question here that you are burning to know about, I will get material  by researching and answering your questions in a post and I will know I am not wasting my time and energy. 

Please do your part and give some “Go Juice” or encouragement to Your CORE Advisor.

Thanks in advance.  Chris Ormsbee

And don’t forget you can call us too.

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.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009

The State of Colorado has passed a new law that goes into effect July 1, 2009.  It basically requires the seller of a residential property, to ensure that a Carbon Monoxide Detector be placed within 15 feet of the entrance to each bedroom.

Every law is open for interpretation.  Thats what Lawyers and Judges are for.  Still it seems it is probably easiest to just try to comply with this law by installing these items in your home prior to selling it.  Or preferably sooner for your safety.

A quick search on google for combination carbon monoxide smoke detector, yielded 283,000+ results and seems from a glance that the units might be found as cheaply as $21.99, average around $40.00 and cost upwards of $100 at some locations.  So shop around a bit.  If I get time, I will share my findings as I need to get new smoke detectors for my house anyway…

This law will be required to be disclosed on new listing contracts and will likely jam up a closing or two along the way.   So be aware, be prepared and prevent this problem from stopping or delaying your sale.

The law is also know as the:

Here is the most pertinent excerpt (as I saw it):

Carbon monoxide alarms in single-family dwellings - rules.

 http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/8CA7AA87F3BED22D8725753700718548?open&file=1091_enr.pdf

Hope this helps you and your family be safe and informed for your next real estate transaction.

Hello everyone. Chris Ormsbee here.  I once again find myself apologizing for falling short of my own expectations.  Still not posting efficiently, briefly, succinctly or often enough.  I am working on it though.  I also noticed a comment about someone having trouble with hooking me up for their RSS feed.  First of all thanks for wanting my posts!  Second, I did a quick test and it seemed to work, but I am not sure if it might be a privilege issue or what, (more…)

Santa Claus and the Holidays

Just a quick note to express my apologies about not posting over the holidays.  It was a great break… I had a lot of extra family in town and we had great Christmas and New Years.  I have been busy working though.  I am trying to complete a list building course and some other marketing courses focused on the Internet… all to improve my Real Estate Business for my clients.  Well and to make a living of course…

I think technology and the Internet is the waive of the future for Real Estate.  It is basically already here, but it is a confusing sea of information for all sides. 

For Realtors it is hard to figure out which tools are best…

Which tools/sites are the most cost effective, most effective in results, etc.  They all tie together, yet most of the systems are scattered about and it can be difficult to integrate and maintain them.  There are more and more service providers that are supposed to be making our jobs easier, but they all overlap and have holes in them as far as I am concerned.

Franchise providers like Century 21, Remax, Coldwell Banker, ERA, Keller Williams, etc. all try to get their agents to use their branded solutions and products.  This is good and bad.  They are trying to further their brand and keep their agents locked into their systems.  If they have good systems and they work, the agent won’t want to change… Problem is they aren’t always keeping up with the new technology.

In the end most if not all Realtors use multiple systems… and fortunately there are more syndicator type sites that allow us to post once and they push it out to the syndicated partner sites….

For Home Buyers and Sellers it is just as confusing… 

Where should you begin on the internet for your search to buy or sell?  

I would be interested in your comments here as consumers or what you think is best.

They claim that Realtor.com is still the leading home buying search site.  I’m not sure but they have revamped and improved their interface. 

Still this is a sub-feed from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service - usually a proprietary system for only realtors and affiliates).  In otherwords a Realtor has to flag the listing to go out there to Realtor.com. 

The same is true for IDX (Internet Data Exchange), the Realtor has to mark in the MLS that the listing should go out to IDX (with or without an address) so all the other Realtors with their own branded searching sites can find the properties…

To add to the Confusion…

We have problems of data duplication and obsolescense.

Realtors in their effort to be sure their listings get exposure, add them to all kinds of other sites that people might search.  In many cases this involves the Realtor re-entering the information… (e.g. sq ft, beds, baths, price, etc.)  Some of this stuff doesn’t change, but some does, like price (at least in this market 2008/2009), taxes (usually go up each year), association dues (can change), maybe it actually sells… you get the point. 

So say the Realtor forgets to update all the sites, well then you get what Computer Geeks & Database Guys call “data duplication” with “update or information anomalies”. 

To further complicate this problem…

There are companies that are mining the data from other sites, repackaging the data and driving traffic to their sites, in order to generate leads that they turn around and sell to Realtors usually for a large one time fee, some do referral fees, others charge monthly.  

The real problem for the buyer lies in…

How reliable is their data?  The answer is “I don’t know it just depends”.

I think the best answer is still to shop around… however you like, but when you get serious, call a Realtor.  If you find a Realtor establish a relationship with them and keep using them.  They will make or save you time and money. 

If you are stubborn and want to “Do it Yourself” at least try to get to the base source of the data to make sure what you see is Reality and not some Web 2.0 artifact. 

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It snowed in Montrose yesterday and last night.  Roads are icy.  I predict it will clear by 3:00PM Today.  Well see.

This is a view from our front door looking east down Main St.

First Snow in Montrose Colorado, Main St Looking East