Is It Better To Buy A Newer Build Or An Older Home In This Market?

If you’ve ever stood in a model home swooning over quartz and clean lines while dreaming about a big backyard for the dog, this conversation was made for you. We take a clear-eyed look at new construction versus older homes in Colorado Springs and map out the real costs, benefits, and lifestyle tradeoffs that matter long after closing day.

We start with the finance piece most buyers overlook: builder incentives. From subsidized interest rates to credits on standing inventory, we explain how preferred-lender deals can lower your payment and why “free money” isn’t free if you’re still on the hook for fencing, landscaping, sprinklers, and window coverings. Then we shift to what older homes do best—larger lots, established streets, lower property taxes—and how metro districts, HOAs, and location shape your total cost of ownership. If you’re wondering whether that big yard or shorter commute is worth it, we give you a simple framework to make the numbers honest.

Maintenance myths get a reality check next. Even brand-new homes need an independent inspection, and we walk through typical warranty layers you can expect from builders. For resales, we cover smart ways to evaluate maintenance history, when a home warranty helps, and how to budget for near-term fixes. Energy efficiency is another make-or-break factor: upcoming furnace standards, high-efficiency upgrades, local thermostat rebates, improved insulation, window replacements, and xeriscaping that respects our high-desert climate while trimming utility costs.

Finally, we tackle value and appreciation without the fluff. School districts and location still drive long-term demand more than age alone, so your best move is aligning the right home with the right area and your timeline. Our closing advice is simple and practical: let your lifestyle and skill set lead. If weekends are for trails, new construction with minimal upkeep might fit. If your heart is in backyard dinners under string lights, an older home with space could be the win.

If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Have questions about neighborhoods, incentives, or inspections? Send them our way and we’ll tackle them on a future episode.

To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit:
https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com
RE/MAX Properties Inc.
Colorado Springs
719-332-1807

What Local Events Or Attractions Should Newcomers Check Out?

Looking for the fastest way to feel at home in Colorado Springs? We walk you through the city’s heartbeat—signature festivals, neighborhood concerts, hidden overlooks, and trailheads where the views and conversations both run long. With stories from the field and practical, step-by-step guidance, we map out how to turn weekends into connection and scenic routines into real community.

We start with the essentials: the Labor Day balloon festival that paints the sky at sunrise and sets it aglow at night, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb that sends engines chasing altitude, and the marathon that climbs straight up America’s Mountain. From the Renaissance Festival north of town to the State Fair and Cinco de Mayo in Pueblo, you’ll hear why regional events matter to locals and newcomers alike. Family-friendly picks include Focus on the Family’s visitor center with its three-story slide, plus a lineup of parades—Festival of Lights and Veterans Day—that turn downtown into a warm, walkable tradition.

Then we get local. Palmer Park offers a central overlook and trails for every level, dog parks make sunshine a daily habit, and the Manitou Incline rewards grit with sweeping views. Neighborhoods like Wolf Ranch and Banning Lewis Ranch host free open-air concerts with food trucks, perfect for low-stress meetups that become friendships. Whether you crave culture or crave a climb, Colorado Springs meets you where you are: accessible paths for easy strolls, steeper routes for ambition, and a calendar that keeps the community outside and engaged.

If you’re new to town, this guide is your shortcut to belonging. Save the dates, pack a chair, bring a thermos, and say hello to the folks next to you. Subscribe for more local insights, share this with a friend who’s moving, and leave a review to tell us the next event or hidden spot we should cover.

To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit:
https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com
RE/MAX Properties Inc.
Colorado Springs
719-332-1807

How Do Rising Interest Rates Affect Home Affordability?

The market finally exhaled, and that breath of calm changes everything for buyers and sellers. We sit down with Lori Thompson, a Colorado Springs real estate pro, to unpack how interest rates actually flow through your monthly budget, why a balanced market unlocks negotiation power, and which financing strategies stretch buying power without stretching you too thin. If you’ve been stuck between waiting for “perfect” rates and wanting stability now, this conversation gives you a clear, practical path.

Lori walks us through the real drivers of affordability—principal and interest, yes, but also fast-rising homeowners insurance and shifting property taxes. We compare the bidding-war years of waived inspections and wild escalations with today’s landscape of concessions, price reductions, and thoughtful offers. You’ll hear how a 2-1 buydown can create a softer landing in year one and two, why adjustable-rate mortgages can be smart when caps and indexes are understood, and where assumable mortgages can slash payments if you can bridge the cash-to-loan gap.

Beyond products and payments, we focus on lifestyle and resilience. Lori asks the questions lenders don’t: Do you still want to eat out, travel, and sleep at night? Would you rather own a bit less house and have more life? We map out long-term planning—how to think about time horizons, what to do if you need to move sooner than planned, and why renting out a home can keep your equity compounding while a tenant pays down the note. Sellers aren’t left out either; we cover realistic pricing, seller-paid buydowns, and how strong concessions can revive buyer affordability.

If you’re ready to buy now and refinance later, or you want to negotiate like the market finally favors you, this episode delivers a toolkit you can use today. Subscribe, share this with someone weighing a move, and leave a review to tell us which strategy you’ll try first.

To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit:
https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com
RE/MAX Properties Inc.
Colorado Springs
719-332-1807