Realtor Thursday

A Conversation with Mary Douglas, Broker Associate at United Country Ponderosa Realty in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado.

The Village of Red Feather Lakes is a tiny unincorporated town nestled in the Northern Rocky Mountains about an hour from Fort Collins and 2 hours from Denver International Airport. The Village is surrounded by 600,000 acres of the Roosevelt National Forest and is home to a variety of songbirds, raptors, moose, elk, bear, deer, coyote, mountain lion and bobcat. It’s not unusual to see eagles or moose right in the Village, (the moose might remind you of the opening scene of the old television series Northern Exposure)

Fishing is a favorite pass time in the 8 private lakes that were originally constructed in the 1930’s by the Conservation Corp. There are also several public lakes and campgrounds nearby that draw nature lovers and fisherman to the area; not to mention trailheads for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Approximately 8200 feet in elevation, Red Feather Lakes is a recreation area for all seasons.

It’s not a populated area, tourism and recreation adds to our numbers on a daily basis. Approximately 800 full time residents and according to ZipSkinny.com, approximately 770 part time residents (snowbirds and vacation cabin owners) live in the Village, surrounding mountain subdivisions, ranches and recreational lands within the Red Feather zip code.

The Fourth of July is always a big event in the Village and one of the few times it gets crowded here and there is the occasional traffic jam when the ranchers drive the cows up the County Rd. in the spring and back down in the fall – but that’s minor.

About Our Town

It’s like taking a step back in time as you drive down Main Street; it’s still a dirt and gravel road, occupied with a handful of businesses.

There’s the Post Office, a small antique store, The Trading Post with groceries, sundries and a liquor store, the Hardware Store, a Real Estate office, and a Veterinarian’s clinic.

Restaurants, churches, a medical clinic, hair salon, firehouse, library, ice cream parlor, Hill Top General store, three real estate offices, bait shop and another grocery store off Main Street sum up most of the businesses within the Village. Businesses in the Village provide the daily necessities for the neighboring Livermore zip code residents as well.

The roads in the Village twist and turn around the lakes and huge rock outcroppings where you will also find lodging at the Ramona Lake Cabins or behind the Hilltop General Store – there are B & Bs, guest ranches and vacation cabin rentals available in the area too.

Businesses Going Forward

There is opportunity for new business and growth in the Red Feather Lakes area. The new Sawmill Junction project will breathe new life and excitement to the Village offering new services, businesses and more opportunities for employment. New construction will begin in the spring of 2011. Modest growth and entrepreneurs are needed to insure the continued viability of the town.

Schools and Education

An Elementary School provides an outstanding K-5 education and offers a pre-school program for the little ones. The Forest is almost part of their playground and recently this school was awarded certification for Project Learning Tree’s curriculum.

These mountains are also home to both the Girl Scout’s Magic Sky Ranch and Ben Delatour Boy Scout Camp and the Shambhala Mountain Center. At the Shambhala Mountain Center you will find The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, the largest and most elaborate example of Buddhist sacred architecture in North America.

Standing 108 feet tall, it is a global destination, attracting thousands of visitors a year. The Shambhala Mountain Center offers meditation retreats and many programs presented by world renowned spiritual teachers throughout the year.

What about Real Estate prices and taxes?

A small rustic cabin that could be used as a seasonal cabin or for weekend get-a-ways can easily be acquired for less than $150,000. There is a wide range of homes from the most rustic to a large log home on 35 acres ($400K) to a home located in Fox Acres, an exclusive, private golf course community.($1M)

Presently, 80 parcels of vacant land are available for those who want to build their dream home or small vacation cabin, many of which are suitable for camping and are already setup for your RV.

Property taxes in Larimer County vary greatly. As an example, for a 1600 sf log home on 10 acres, taxes are approximately $1200 per year; a 700 sf cabin could be as low as $360. Vacant land is taxed at a higher rate unless it is used for agricultural purposes or grazing: a 2.5 acre parcel can be taxed around $600 while a 40 acre parcel may be taxed at $13 per year (grazing) up to $2500 per year for non-grazing/non-agricultural.

What buyers should know

The best advice I have for buyers who are new to the Red Feather Lakes area is to keep an open mind and take time to explore different subdivisions and locations in and around the Village. Of course, if you need to finance your purchase, talk to a mortgage broker or banker and get pre-qualified. Knowing what you can afford to buy, or want to spend helps you narrow your search. There’s no need to waste time looking at properties outside of your financial comfort zone.

Be realistic about your expectations and really think about that dream cabin out in the middle of nowhere. For instance, do you want electrical services or will you live off the grid? and who will plow the road during winter?

I work in Red Feather Lakes and live about 12 miles away from the Village. There is nothing I enjoy more than showing prospective buyers around this beautiful place in Colorado. Stunning scenery, wildflowers, a small Village community, abundant wildlife and miles of open space make this area truly unique. In these quiet, peaceful mountains there is something for everyone, far away from a hectic lifestyle; whether it is camping, fishing, hiking, other outdoor activities, or simply a place where you can relax on your deck and take it all in.

It’s a very special place, this Red Feather Lakes, Colorado!

Mary Douglas can be reached by calling Ponderosa Realty Associates at 800-531-2195 or email: mary@redfeatherlakes.com. Be sure to check out her blog. Ponderosa Realty is a locally owned real estate brokerage whose owner has been doing business in these mountains for over 25 years. The affiliation with United Country provides worldwide marketing of all of Ponderosa Realty’s listings. United Country’s Home Mortgage Division, Home Protection Plan and Land Finance Division are extra tools in the toolbox to assist both buyer and seller clients.

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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com