Greenhaven Real Estate and Living in Greenhaven Sites Have Merged

Dear Readers,

For the past few years, GreenhavenRealEstate.net and LivinginGreenhaven.com have been separate sites. We have decided to merge them into one site.

www.GreenhavenRealEstate.net will take you to this main site, and www.LivingInGreenhaven will take you to the Greenhaven
Community section of this site.

I have pulled most recent articles over to this site, and all future Community-Related articles will now be found under the category: Living in Greenhaven. However, if you are looking for Living in Greenhaven articles written prior to November of 2007, you can still find them on the old site (that we will leave up), located at: www.GreenhavenCommunity.Blogspot.com .

Thank you for being a part of our Greenhaven Community!

Sincerely,
Mariana Wagner
Greenhaven Real Estate Agent
Colorado Springs Realtor®
(719) 434-7525

Greenhaven Community Garage Sale DATE CHANGE Saturday, July 12th 2008

The date is official!

The 2^nd Annual Greenhaven Community Garage Sale and Open House Tour will take place on:

• Saturday, July 12, 2008
  
• 8am-Noon
  

We are still putting together the details, but this one is going to be great!

• If you are interested in helping put it together, please contact Mariana: (719) 434-7525
  
• If you are interested in being a featured garage sale, please look for signs on your mailbox, and keep checking back HERE for updates.
  
• If you are selling your home and are interested in having an Open House this day, please have your real estate agent contact:
  Derek or Mariana Wagner – Wagner iTeam - (719) 434-7525
  (If you are thinking of selling your Greenhaven Home, and want it listed in time for this event, please contact the Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Realty (719) 434-7525)
  

We are excited! Are you???

Greenhaven Real Estate Open House Tour – Sunday, May 4th 1-4pm

Looking for a home for sale in Greenhaven?

Check out the Greenhaven Tour of Open Homes
THIS WEEKEND!

Greenhaven Open House Tour

Sunday, May 4^th 1-4pm

Proposed Homes on the Tour:

• 6667 Silverwind Circle (Prudential)
• 6435 Silverwind Circle (Coldwell Banker)
• 7067 Silverwind Circle (ReMax)
• 6624 Abbeywood Drive (Keller Williams)
• 6587 Silverwind Circle (Stuart Scott Ltd.)
• 6915 Silverwind Circle (Liberty Associates)
• 6586 Silverwind Circle (Keller Williams)
• 6652 Euclid Drive (Keller Williams)
  

Snowy Greenhaven

March 13, 2008 (upper) - March 14, 2008 (lower)

We all awoke to a snowy blanket covering the entire neighborhood, today. We are expected to get snowfall for 3 of the next 4 days.

We also had a new home for sale in Greenhaven pop up on the market this morning (3/14/08): 6915 Silverwind Circle - 5 bed 3 bath "Aria" - Listed at $334,000

Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Realty - Greenhaven Real Estate Agent

New K-8 Charter School Near Greenhaven: The Imagine Classical Academy

There is a new charter school opening up near Greenhaven. In fact, it is walking distance to the southeast, in Indigo Ranch at the corner of Dublin and Peterson Road. The new school will be The Imagine Classical Academy, and will be for kids grades K-8.

Their philosophy is: "We use timeless methods to attain a solid foundation of cultural literacy that links to an intellectually globalized world. Classically trained. Culturally literate. Globally prepared."

Their enrollment is: The Imagine Classical Academy is a tuition-free D49 Core-Knowledge public school. They are currently enrolling. Please contact the Principal/Developer, Tina Leone, for enrollment and registration.

Tina Leone – (719) 306-2966 – Tina.Leone@imagineschools.com

Visit their website: www.TicaIndigoRanch.com

Search Homes for Sale in Greenhaven

2nd Annual Greenhaven Community Garage Sale and Open House Tour

It's time to start planning for our 2^nd Annual Greenhaven Community Garage Sale and Open House Tour!

The tentative date for this event is Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 8am – 2pm

In order to have this event be as successful as possible, I need some help from my fellow Greenhaven neighbors.

I would like to have a preliminary meeting sometime in April, to discuss the details of the Garage Sale and Open House Tour.

Specifically, I need people who are interested in the following activities:

• Obtaining local business sponsorships
  
• Signing up neighbors for the garage sale
  
• Finding adequate advertising avenues
  
• Organizing Day-Of-Event activities in the park
  

I will work with real estate agents regarding the open houses, as well as tying up any other loose ends.

If you can help in any way, please contact Mariana Wagner: 719-570-7715

Greenhaven Market Report Available Now

In case you missed it, the January 2008 Greenhaven market report has been posted.

Greenhaven Real Estate Market Report: January 2008

Read Also:
Greenhaven Real Estate Annual Market Report: 2007

In Memory of REALTOR John Arends (1947-2008)

John Arends of ReMax Properties was the real estate agent for many homeowners in Greenhaven, when they bought their new Greenhaven John Laing home in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Sadly, John Arends passed away January 26, 2008 - just 6 days after his 61st birthday.

He is survived by his wife (and REALTOR) Judy, 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren.

If you wish to pay your respects to one of the most influential and well respected REALTORS in Colorado Springs, there will be a memorial service in memory of John Arends:

Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.
Woodmen Valley Chapel
250 E Woodmen Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Greenhaven Neighborhood: 5 Ways to Deal With Not-So-Great Neighbors

We love the Greenhaven neighborhood. One of the BEST things about our neighborhood is the PEOPLE! There are a lot of great people living in Greenhaven.

However, unfortunately, no matter where you live, you may come across a neighbor that is, well, not-so-great. It happens.

We don't always get to choose who we live near, and sometimes 2 personalities or lifestyles just don't mesh. Here are a few tips on dealing with neighbors that may be a little difficult to deal with:

1. Try to talk, in person, to the neighbor regarding the "issue." Maintain your composure. If a neighbor seems to have been offended by something, make sure you apologize for the offense IF, in fact it was something you could have controlled. Or, address a complaint that you have with your neighbor in a non-confrontational way. More times than not, an issue with a neighbor is stemmed from a simple misunderstanding.
   
2. Do NOT argue with your neighbor. Even if you cannot resolve the issue with a conversation, please do not argue. This will only make your living situation more hostile than it needs to be. Sometimes we can't be buddy-buddy with your neighbors, but there is no need to make them enemies.
   
3. Report illegal behavior to the proper authorities. If for some reason you suspect illegal activities, do not try to address the issue yourself. Please contact the proper authorities.
   
4. Do not complain about your neighbor online. All this does is create documented animosity and potentially make homes harder to sell. No one wants to live by a potentially difficult neighbor.
   
5. Be Nice. Regardless of past "issues" – when possible, go out of your way to be nice to your neighbors. Many times one small act of kindness can repair the most difficult of problems. Maybe pick up their empty trash bins if they blew over, shovel snow off of their sidewalk …
   

Here are a few sites that offer some more tips on dealing with difficult neighbors:

http://home.families.com/blog/dealing-with-difficult-neighbors

http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Ego/id/35186

http://www.womenof.com/Articles/ai_2_26_07.asp

Posted By: Mariana Wagner – Greenhaven Real Estate Expert – Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Realty – (719) 570-7715

Vista Ridge High School Has Its Own Website

 

Vista Ridge High School - the new Falcon District 49 High school to the north of the Greenhaven neighborhood finally has its own website. Check it out!

http://d49.org/schools/vrhs/

Snow Removal and Holiday Decorations Guidelines for Greenhaven

Happy New Year!

For your convenience, here are the Stetson Hills/Greenhaven HOA guidelines for snow removal and holiday decorations for Greenhaven:

Holiday Lights:

Holiday Lights can remain up for 30 days before and after the holiday. This means that your Christmas decorations need to be down before the 25^th of January, or you could receive a citation.

Snow Removal:

Per the HOA, "Property owners are responsible for clearing any sidewalks in front of their property within 24 hours of when snow stops falling" to avoid a citation.

(If you are out of town and need your sidewalk/driveway cleared, our son will clear it for $5. Just call us: 570-7715)

The HOA is not responsible for the clearing of the streets, as that is the City of Colorado Springs' job, and they really have no obligation to clear off the residential streets within Greenhaven as they are not primary or secondary roadways.

We wish you all a happy, healthy 2008 filled with laughter and good times!

Sincerely,
Derek and Mariana Wagner – Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Realty – (719) 570-7715
Colorado Springs Real Estate agents and Greenhaven Real Estate experts

Stetson Hills Burglary Alert (12/19/07)

Taken from the Colorado Springs Government Site, December 19, 2007:

Daytime Residential Burglaries in the Stetson Hills Neighborhood

There is currently a burglary pattern occurring throughout the Stetson Hills Division involving residential burglaries between 9AM and 1:30PM on week days.

These burglaries may involve two Black males who appear to drive a Cadillac with purple metallic paint. The men will knock on front doors to determine if anyone is at home and if no one answers, the door is kicked in.

Residents are asked to be aware of suspicious persons or vehicles in their neighborhoods and report that suspicious activity by calling 911. If you have additional information regarding this crime pattern please call the contact person below.

Sgt Todd Drennan 444-3170 DRENNANTO@CI.COLOSPGS.CO.US

Top 5 Things I Love About Living in Greenhaven

1. The Park. The Greenhaven Park has been such a lifesaver for us, as we have 2 children who LOVE it there! And? That is a whole lot of grassy areas that I don't have to mow! And the pavilion has been home to MANY parties and BBQ's - such great memories!
   
2. The View. I love driving into the neighborhood (from Roxford) and seeing that beautiful mountain in the distance.
   
3. My Neighbors. I have never lived in a neighborhood where so many people were so friendly and willing to chat or help dig out snow bound neighbors!
   
4. My House. John Laing's "base" options were so much better than the other builders that we visited. Even though we did go a little overboard on upgrades, we could have walked in without any upgrades and had an excellent home. (And I love my outdoor fireplace!)
   
5. The Holiday Spirit. Whether it is Halloween or Christmas, I love walking (or driving) around Greenhaven and seeing everyone's Holiday Spirit!

Posted By: Mariana Wagner – Greenhaven Resident and Realtor®

More Pictures of Vista Ridge High School

Here are some pictures that I took from the North (looking South and SW) of the new Vista Ridge High School - to the North of Greenhaven. (November 28, 2007)

Note the majestic Pikes Peak backdrop and unique rounded design of the school.

Pictures By: Mariana Wagner - Greenhaven Resident and Realtor

Letter From the Niles Family Regarding Their Mold Issue

Preface: We were able to briefly speak with Stacy Niles regarding the issue that she is having with John Laing Homes and the mold that her family has found in their new home. We asked her to explain her situation to us so that we could share it with the rest of our neighbors, here on this site. It is important to note that this may be a serious situation for these homeowners, but (so far) it seems to be isolated to this particular home. If you notice any kind of excess moisture and/or mold in your home, please get it inspected, tested and treated immediately. Here is the unedited letter and photographs that Stacy and Kevin Niles shared with us:

Derek and Mariana Wagner as well as all Greenhaven residents,

We greatly appreciate your concern and support. I am sure that if you have not seen our truck then you have heard some stories about it. This has been a very long journey for us, and an exhausting one at that. We are not first time John Laing Homeowners. In fact we loved our first John Laing Home so much when we moved back to Colorado from Arizona last year we did not even consider other builders. We actually picked our lot and floor plan while in Arizona without even seeing it, that was the confidence we had in John Laing Homes. Since then our confidence has turned into a nightmare.

On September 26, 2006 we closed on what we thought was our dream home. We planned to raise our three children here. We were so certain this was the home for us, that we purchased almost $80,000 in upgrades. We chose to have the entire main level done with hardwood floors. Once you do over a certain square footage of hardwood flooring John Laing Homes installs a free humidifier onto your furnace. The purpose of the humidifier is to add moisture to the air in your home to avoid damage to your floors. It is our belief that the humidifier was defective from day one. Our "House to Home" paperwork states the humidifier needed to be "adjusted" because of the amount of water draining out of it. We were instructed to keep the humidifier set around 30%.

The next several months we were beginning to notice extreme amounts of moisture on all of the windows, walls and floors. In the mornings we would have to clean up puddles of water off of the floors. Moisture had built up on the windows and then had dripped down onto the floors. One morning in December we found ourselves, literally, frozen inside. All of the doors and windows we covered in ice, inside the house! It was also around this time that a gas leak was detected on our furnace (the same one the humidifier was installed on) and the City of Colorado Springs "red tagged" our furnace and shut it down. They told all of us to sleep upstairs because of the carbon monoxide. John Laing Homes not only replaced but also upgraded (at no cost to us) our furnace to a Lennox. Before long the new upgraded furnace would not work. It turned out that a wire from the furnace to the humidifier had shorted out and blew a fuse in the new furnace. To me all of these issues were beginning to point to the humidifier.

Soon we began to notice a dark discoloration of the hardwood floors around the doors, we submitted a warranty request and they told us it was normal. Then we noticed very large cracks around the windows, again I submitted a warranty request and they told me it was a homeowner responsibility, saying "over time the caulking with dry out and shrink" and we (the homeowner) would need to re-caulk it. At this point we had only been in the house for maybe 6 months so to hear that was a shock, to say the least. I decided to document what I had found so I began going one by one to the windows in the house taking pictures of the cracks surrounding the windows. That is when I discovered the mold. I was stunned. How could this be in my new house? So again I submitted a warranty request and that is when it started to go downhill.

We began dealing with Jeff Lamphere, Senior Customer Care Manager and eventually dealt with Zane Wilkerson, Vice President, Customer Care. To our shock not only were they denying any responsibility for the mold they actually blamed us. Stating the following reasons for the high humidity. This is from a letter dated April 26, 2007:

Evidence indicates that the humidity level inside the home is higher than most homes due to:

1. Family lifestyle
2. Family members
3. Indoor Water fountains (2)
4. Indoor plants
5. Indoor pet

So here is our response:

1. We are no different from any other family
2. There is a total of 5, myself, my husband and our 3 children
3. These fountains are very small indoor fountains
4. All of the plants in my home are fake
5. We own a 15 lb. Jack Russell Terrier

Now we have been through "arbitration", Zane Wilkerson and John Laing Homes were generous enough to provide this at no cost to us. It was months later; in fact right after the arbitrator received his check from John Laing Homes that he ruled they were not responsible. Plus, what we received for "arbitration" was a general contractor, not a formal arbitration hearing. We have consulted with an attorney and they are willing to take our case after we provide them with evidence from an Industrial Hygienist. Well, this is not cheap, the cost is $500 for an inspection and two mold samples. Well, as the mother 3 young boys and myself and my husband as full time students, we do not have $500 sitting around. We believe John Laing Homes knows that the vast majority of people do not have the time or money to fight them. However, we also know that it is our job to fight for what we believe is right.

Kevin W. Niles and Stacy L. Niles - 7002 Silverwind Circle - Colorado Springs, CO 80923
(719) 597-4439 or (719) 510-2121

I know this letter is long and please understand there is much more to tell. If you would like to speak with us further you can reach us at the above numbers and address. Please take some time to look at the photos as well. And Fox 21 news will be airing a story on us sometime within the next week or two.

Sincerely, Kevin W. Niles and Stacy L. Niles

Mold in Greenhaven John Laing Homes and Unhappy Homeowners?

We have all seen the truck that belongs to a John Laing homeowner, and I am waiting for the opportunity to speak with them regarding their issue with mold in their John Laing Greenhaven home. I also know that there was a FOX News crew cruising the streets of Greenhaven, talking with some residents about their satisfaction with their John Laing Home.

Personally, I am more than a little concerned. Not only am I a John Laing homeowner in Greenhaven, but I am also a REALTOR® that sells hundreds of new homes in Colorado Springs – several of which are John Laing homes. I need to know exactly what is going on.

First and foremost, I am worried that there is a home in Greenhaven, that was professionally tested for toxic mold… and mold was found. (Or, I hope that it was professionally tested by a licensed and certified EPA approved testing facility. Was it? I won't know until I speak with the affected homeowner…) Also, I am concerned that the family is still living in a home where this mold was found. True toxic mold can cause a multitude of irreversible health issues and the first step in avoiding these issues is to move out of the home that has this mold. I feel for this family and hope that measures were taken to correct this problem and that nothing irreversible has occurred.

In August, several D-49 schools were found to contain mold, and this had to be remediated. Mold is actually very common in many parts of Colorado Springs, especially in newer construction where homes can be improperly ventilated. Derek and I had a serious run-in with toxic mold a few years back, and are well aware of all the damage it can wreck on a human and on a property. Read Our Story Here: Our Colorado Springs Real Estate MOLD Story

However, I also understand that (apparently) John Laing did nothing to help these folks? I guess it depends on the exact reason why the mold occurred and if the liability really did rest on the shoulder of the builder. Unfortunately, post-built environmental issues are usually not a builders' responsibility. Although, I do not know the specifics and am not an attorney of any sort, so my observations are just that: observations based on past experience. However, if it WAS builder responsibility, then John Laing should step up and right these wrongs, regardless of the red tape that will need to be sorted through…

*UPDATE* We just spoke with the homeowner and are expecting some more information from them that we can post, here.

Read Also: Colorado Springs Real Estate Issues: Mold - Part Two (The Facts)

Second, I am concerned about the overall satisfaction of the homeowners in Greenhaven. I know from both personal and professional experiences that there are always unhappy homeowners in every neighborhood. I guess Greenhaven is no exception.

The Fox News crew talked with several people and I am just concerned that all they heard was negativity. (Of course, the news thrives on only negativity, so it really does not surprise me…) However, we all live here in Greenhaven and unnecessary bad-press* is only going to hurt us (and our property values) in the long run, so I hope this report gets tempered with a few happy homeowner stories. (*By "bad-press" I am not speaking about the Greenhaven homeowner that is dealing with a mold issue. If there is a mold issue that needs to be dealt with, public awareness is crucial.)

Now, we have been involved (either directly or indirectly) with lawsuits on almost ALL new home builders in Colorado Springs for various reasons. I guess that when hundreds of new homes are being built every year, there is more room for error.

So, I need to ask:

• What can we do, as a community, to fix the issues that are bothering Greenhaven home owners (us)?
  
• What can I do, as your neighborhood real estate agent, to help YOU, the Greenhaven homeowner, be happy (again) with the home that you once fell in love with?
  

I hope to get the scoop on the mold issue in Greenhaven, and I will post their story here, if they let me. I would also love to hear more about you, the Greenhaven homeowner, regarding your experiences (good or bad) with your John Laing Home.

You can email your stories to: GreenhavenCommunity@gmail.com or you can call us directly at: (719) 570-7715

Sincerely, Your Greenhaven Real Estate Agents through thick and thin: Derek and Mariana Wagner – Wagner iTeam

For the record, all of our personal and professional experiences led us to the decision to buy a John Laing home, as they had the best reputation and highest quality of workmanship compared to the dozens of other builders that "threw homes up" in the Colorado Springs new home boom over the past several years. Of course, every builder has its problems – John Laing just had the least amount of "issues" in our experiences. We were also extremely happy with their customer service and how we were taken care of after the sale.

New Neighborhood West of Greenhaven

As if the construction of the new Vista Ridge High School to the North of us isn't entertaining enough ... Just west of our Greenhaven neighborhood, there is some more earth-moving activity ...

We DO know that it is a new residential neighborhood of single family homes. We also know that there is at least a 15 foot shared greenspace between this new neighborhood and the existing homes in Greenhaven.

We also have spoken with one of the people involved in this project, and will post details as we get them.

(Off Topic: Here is a picture I took driving up Dublin Hill the other afternoon ...)

Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Greenhaven Real Estate Specialist - Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Realty
(719) 570-7715

Halloween in Greenhaven - 10/31/07

Halloween in Greenhaven was a BLAST!

There were Trick-Or-Treaters out for hours! We gave out a lot of candy. And our kids? Well, they made out like bandits. (A trip to the dentist may be high on our lists ...)

We walked around most of the neighborhood, and in my opinion, the BEST streets were Thistlewood and Abbeywood. (Although the haunted house on N.Silverwind was awesome!)

Abbeywood was definitely the best "bang for your buck" - This is where the bulk of our kids' candy was found. Thistlewood, as a whole, had the best decorations and most Halloween spirit!

Here are some more Greenhaven Halloween scenes...

Share YOUR Greenhaven Halloween pictures ... GreenhavenCommunity@Gmail.com.
We will post them HERE!

Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Realty - Greenhaven Neighbor and REALTOR
What's for Sale in Greenhaven? Check out the Greenhaven Real Estate website ... or call us: 570-7715

First Snow of the Season: October 21, 2007

SNOW!

Today we all awoke to SNOW on our cars, roof tops, yards, fences ... It is the first snow of the season, and it actually happened when they SAID it would. (Bravo to our weather men.)

You know what this means, my fellow Greenhaven Neighbors...

Now we can "officially" flip that switch on our fireplaces, heat up the crock pot of soup and sip some hot cocoa ... and to think it was 77 degrees yesterday...

Stay warm friends and neighbors!

Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Greenhaven Neighbor and Neighborhood REALTOR

New Falcon High School: Vista Ridge High School

Per Falcon School District 49's Website ...

"High school #3 has a name, mascot and colors!!! Vista Ridge was approved by the Falcon School District 49 Board of Directors, at last night’s board meeting, as the name for High School #3. The mascot is the Wolves and the colors are Columbia Blue and Black. A special “thank you” goes to the teachers, parents, community members and students that worked so diligently to make this decision. GO WOLVES!!!"

Maybe the "Wolves" will make those Coyotes quiet down a bit ... :)