My little stucco house (Colorado Springs, Fountain: crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[orngkat]

Growing up, my family and I would visit various relatives in Colorado Springs who lived in cute little stucco houses. Those memories stuck in my head all these years and now that I am moving there, I am determined to find one of my own. I believe they were located in what would now be the 80903, 05, 07, 09 areas. Any advice is appreciated on what neighborhoods I should look in or avoid to find my stucco house? And yes, I have spoken to a few realtors who advised me not to bother until I have my house here sold and apparently aren't too interested in helping until that happens.

[TCHP]

Cute little stucco houses...you are most likely on track for finding those in the listed zip codes. I'm imagining these to be the post WW2 building boom areas that contain these-most often found in Bonforte, Southgate, western Cragmoor, Audobon, and Knob Hill areas.

Of those, Bonforte will have the highest prices in the most desirable area. Audobon may be next. Cragmoor and Southgate can be mixed and, IMO, the jury is still out on how up and coming these areas are. Cragmoor may see a boost due to its proximity to UCCS and Southgate is near the revitalization program slatted for south Nevada area, but neither are making big leaps in improvements at the moment. Knob Hill is close to the USOTC and the Citadel, but would be at the bottom of my list, however, may have the best pricing.

Not surprised at the response realtors are giving you. Any house in reasonable condition with a reasonable price is only on the market for a few days, if that. You are going to have to be in a position of pulling the trigger almost immediately when you find what you want. As such, I'd recommend familiarizing yourself with each of the above areas, its pros and cons to your wish lists, any lingering issues they may have, crime stats, so on and so forth so you know how to prioritize listings when they come up.

[lovecrowds]

My grandparents and dad grew up in 80903 and 80909.

I do know the little, stucco homes tend to be in 80903. They are mainly 2 or 3 bedroom and 1 bathroom, stucco homes that are about a century old.

The stucco homes seem to from Pikes Peak to Fountain and from Wahsatch to Hancock.

The homes in that area have gone up in the value from the 1980s and 1990s.

Oddly, those little homes in 80903 are nearly as expensive as large, 1960s era homes in 80909.

It is odd because the area is as bad it has ever been but the prices are gone way up.

80909 has larger stucco homes on the west end of the zip code but the east side of the zip-code is mainly large, vinyl sided homes form the 1960s.

[otowi]

80911 Security has several

[coschristi]

Hi! I live in a little stucco house; the same one my husband grew up in that his father bought in 1959!

We live in 80909, more specifically; the Audubon Neighborhood.

There are ALOT of similar houses in this neighborhood.

My husband attended Audubon Elementary, Horace Mann JHS & Wasson HS; if that helps!

[Kar54]

I have a newer stucco home. In fact, my last 3 homes were stucco. I love it.

Where I live in Mountain Shadows, after Waldo Canyon, MOST homeowners rebuilt with stucco. I has increase the appeal of the neighborhood in my opinion.

[orngkat]

Thanks for the info!

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by orngkat

And yes, I have spoken to a few realtors who advised me not to bother until I have my house here sold and apparently aren't too interested in helping until that happens.

That's odd - people get realtors and look at houses to buy before they've sold their current house all the time. Even if you need to sell it before you can buy another house, there is always the option to make an offer contingent on selling your house. It can make things more difficult - the owner can reject your offer based on the contingency, but not always. Granted, if your house isn't even on the market yet, probably no one would accept a contingency for that because it will take to long to sell your house.

Still, at the very least, a good realtor should be eager to establish you as a client - even if you're not ready to buy this second, if they are smart, they'll know you will be buying in the near future and will need a realtor. And when that time comes, are you really going to go with someone who initially blew you off?

[orngkat]

And when that time comes, are you really going to go with someone who initially blew you off?

Nope.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by orngkat

Growing up, my family and I would visit various relatives in Colorado Springs who lived in cute little stucco houses. Those memories stuck in my head all these years and now that I am moving there, I am determined to find one of my own. I believe they were located in what would now be the 80903, 05, 07, 09 areas. Any advice is appreciated on what neighborhoods I should look in or avoid to find my stucco house? And yes, I have spoken to a few realtors who advised me not to bother until I have my house here sold and apparently aren't too interested in helping until that happens.

Don't you mean those memories "stucko" in your head.

All kidding aside, I love those little stucco houses, but I'm happy with my little wooden bungalow. I wish you good luck in your search, both for the house, and a decent realtor.