As the snow has melted away the phone calls have been coming in regarding investors desiring to sell their investment lots.  Hence, this blog will delve into lot tactics.  We have seen slow lot sales over the course of the winter, which is typical and everyone is waiting to see how the summer and fall sales will proceed.  Here are a few items to consider in maximizing your return on a lot investment.

             -BE PATIENT  With increasing inventory and diminishing demand you have to be willing to ride the real estate cycle out.  Within the complex cycles are mini cycles, hence certain subdivisions are apt to be more desirable areas this summer, and may be slower next.  Thus, one needs to be willing to take a reasonable profit and purchase a lot, perhaps with an IRS 1031 Exchange that is in a slower subdivision waiting for it to rise.

             -BUY SMART  Remember that everyone follows the emotional frivolity during an upward moving market, but savvy buyers take advantage of a softer market realizing the buyer is king.  The most successful real estate investors have known this for years and typical do the inverse of the masses.  They buy when markets are soft, and sell when markets are hot.  Many of you will nod with this notion, however few will execute.  Thus, today's market offers the potential for outstanding buys.

Success will ultimately occur for those investors that show the patient and prowess lacked by the emotional masses.

Creede: www.creede.com

South Fork: www.southfork.org

Sports & Recreation Fishing

Wolf Creek Anglers www.wolfcreekanglers.com

South Fork Anglers  www.southforkanglers.com

Cottonwood Cove www.cottonwoodcove.com

Gold Medal Waters of the Rio Grande http://www.southfork.org/activities/southfork/fishing.php

Rafting

Mountain Man Tours  www.mountainmantours.com

Cottonwood Cove   www.cottonwoodcove.com

Golfing

Rio Grande Club  www.riograndeclub.com

Cattails Golf Course  www.alamosacattails.com

4 Wheeling & Jeep Rentals

Cottonwood Cove  www.cottonwoodcove.com

Four Wheeling  www.southfork.org/activities/southfork/4wheeling.html

ATVRentals

Twin Pines www.coloradodirectory.com/twinpinerentals

Hiking

http://www.southfork.org/activities/southfork/hiking.html

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/co/hik_rio2.htmwww.trails.com/city-trails.asp?keyword=Creede&state=COwww.fourteenernet.com/creede/recreation/todo.asp

Skiing & Snowboarding

Wolf Creek Ski Area www.wolfcreekski.com

Doc's Outdoor Sports  www.docsoutdoor.com

Snowmobiling & Snowmobile Rentals

Snowmobile Trails www.southfork.org/activities/full/snow.php

Twin Pines  www.coloradodirectory.com/twinpinerentals

Lodging in Creede

4UR Ranch www.4urranch.com

Antlers Rio Grande Lodge & RV  www.antlerslodge.com

Blessings Inn www.blessingsinn.com

Broad Acres Ranch  www.broadacresranch.com

Bruce�s Snowshoe Lodge and B&B www.snowshoelodge.net

Cascada Cabins  www.cascadagrill.com

Club at the Cliffs  www.clubatcliffs.com

Cottonwood Cove Lodge www.cottonwoodcove.com

CreedeHotel www.creedehotel.com

Lost Trail Ranch www.lost-trail.com

Mountain Views at river's EdgeRV Resort www.mountainviewsrv.com

Oleo Ranch www.oleoranch.com

Wason Ranch  www.wasonranch.com

Lodging in South Fork

Allington Inn & Suites  www.allingtoninn.com

Alpine Accents  www.alpineaccents.net

Apple Dumpling B&B  www.appledumplingbandb.com

Arbor House Inn B&B  www.arborhouseinnco.com

AspenRidge RV  www.aspenridgecolorado.co

Chinook Lodge & RV  www.chinooklodge.net

Cottonwood Cove  www.cottonwoodcove.com

Foothills Lodge  www.foothillslodgeandcabins.com

Grandview Cabins & RV  www.grandview.com

Lazy Bear Cabins  www.lazybearcabins.com

Rainbow Lodge & RV www.rainbowsouthfork.biz

Riverbend Resort & RV riverbend-resort.com

South Fork Campground  www.southforkcampground.com

South Fork Lodge & RV  www.coloradodirectory.com/southforklodge

Spruce Lodge & RV  www.sprucelodges.com

The Inn Motel  www.innsouthfork.com 

Ute Bluff Lodge & RV  www.uteblufflodge.com

Wolf Creek Ranch  www.wolfcreekranchco.com

Other Information

Colorado Division of Wildlife  www.wildlife.state.co.us

Snow Report  www.wolfcreekski.com/snow.asp

One can quickly ascertain that markets all across the country have continued to soften in recent months.   Hence, I get clients asking how they can help improve the chances of their homes selling.   Here are a few obvious, but yet important things to keep in mind during 2008's market.

1.  Make sure your home is organized and clean.  Buyers don't want to try and visualize what your home looks like underneath all that clutter and dirt.  Buyers have a difficult time visualizing things so don't let your disorganized home be the reason it doesn't sell.  People can expand on this principle through staging (i.e. table settings etc.)

 2.  Consider Owner Carry.  Most people cringe at the idea of carrying a note, but carrying a note with 20%-30% down over a year or two isn't a bad way to go in this market.  You earn interest, and there is a lot of incentive for the buyer to pay their note with the vested equity in the down payment.

 3.  Be realistic about a selling price.  Every seller wants top dollar for their home, and every buyer wants the deal of the decade.  Look at yourself in the mirror and ask the question; Am I going to be realistic about the price for my home or not?  If you want the booming market price that is great, but expect to have your home on the market for years, not months.  Remember, this is a buyer(s) market so they have the upper hand in the old supply and demand game.

 4.  Finally, be patient.  Slower Buyer(s) markets take time for properties to move.  Expect your home to have a longer absorption rate.  Plan ahead when considering listing your property.  List before you have to sell, and take a solid offer when it comes.  Plan your financial objectives with your home years in advance, not months in advance. If you will plan ahead and remember to be patient you will be fine in this slower market rather than driving yourself crazy and your agent crazy.

Interest rates have stabilized, as the Fed tries to stimulate spending in the real estate markets.  Nationally we are seeing market after market turning into havens for buyers seeking values.  Creede has held up well under these conditions, however we are now viewing this market as a Buyer's market instead of a Seller's market at this time.  Prices are not falling at alarming rates, but the savvy investor can find buys in Creede, CO.

Properties to consider purchasing in this market include smaller cabins/homes that you can lease out as short-term rentals or long-term rentals.  Hence, you are buying properties with built-in equity and helping reduce holding costs through capital generated through rent revenue. 

 A Point to Ponder:

Everyone scrambles to buy in a rising market, but the wise investor takes advantage of a falling market realizing emotions and the fickleness of humanity are always predisposed to change at any moment.

Call us if you a ready to find those solid investments in Today's market.

Welcome to Willow Creek Realty.  We are located in the heart of the beautiful Colorado mountains.  Here you find serenity with alpine forests, open meadows, snow-capped peaks, the mighty Rio Grande River, and an abundance of wildlife.

We specialize in mountain property in Creede and South Fork.  Whether you desire remote hunting property, investment property, or that perfect piece of land in paradise to build on, we're sure we can meet your needs.  Willow Creek Realty IS your expert for homes, vacant land and commercial real estate in southwestern Colorado! 

Creede, Colorado "The Essence of the Rockies"

Creede and Mineral County have so much to offer.  The county consist of 96% National Forest Lands and features two wilderness areas-the Weminuche and LaGarita Wilderness Areas along with the Continental Divide and Colorado Trails.  Within the Rio Grande National Forest you will find the unique Wheeler Geologic Area.  The Rio Grande River and several streams offer an unparalleled fly fishing experience.  The Bachelor Historic Loop Tour takes you through Creede's silver mining district and ghost towns.  Don't forget to explore downtown Creede, which offers historic buildings, art galleries, delightful restaurants, the Creede Historical Museum, the Underground Mining Museum and the nationally acclaimed Creede Repertory Theatre.  Follow the Silver Thread Scenic Byway that links Lake City to Creede and Creede to South Fork.

South Fork, Colorado "A Mountain Oasis"

You can gently cast your fly rod on the Rio Grande River or the South Fork River, shred the slopes at Wolf Creek Ski Area, or enjoy a round of golf at the pristine Rio Grande Club.  South Fork offers a variety of real estate, including mountain, horse, golf course or river property.  Whatever your real estate desire might be-we have it!

Click on the link below to see a current view of the Creede area!