Mariana Wagner

About Colorado Springs Category

Colorado Springs Has A ‘TUDE! – Altitude, That Is (Dealing With Altitude Sickness)

The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection works with a lot of people looking to relocate to Colorado Springs. One of the biggest propblems that people face when they move here is altitude sickness.

Colorado Springs Elevation

Colorado Springs is one of the “highest” cities in the United States – perched at an altitude of 6,035 above sea level -755 feet above Colorado’s “Mile High” city of Denver (5,280 feet). In fact, when in Denver, travel to our city is referred to as “heading UP to the ‘Springs” even though we are south of them.

“At high altitudes, less oxygen is brought into the body with each breath, reducing the flow of oxygen into the brain.” – International Society for Mountain Medicine (So much for calling me an “air head”…)

Did you know ..
Colorado Springs is home to the Olympic Training Center. The “high altitude training” for our athletes is very beneficial. See, if an athlete can beat a record at THIS altitude, they will be phenomenal at lower elevations. In fact, where I may get a bit winded after a long walk here, I can walk for hours, effortlessly, when I visit my Mom in Portland, Oregon.

Although high altitude causes Coloradoans to use more calories and burn fat faster, there are some less than desirable side effects of altitude to those who move to and visit us in our homeland…

Altitude Sickness

Between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level, about 1 in 4 people will experience mild altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness, and it strikes these folks within about 12 hours of arriving at high altitude. In fact, it is so common, that if someone feels ill when at a high altitude, it is safe to assume it is just altitude sickness unless proven otherwise.

Some symptoms of altitude sickness include:

• Headache
• Shortness of Breath (Hyperventilation)
• Fatigue
• Dry Throat
• Increased Urination
• Awaking Frequently at Night

There are ways that altitude sickness can be avoided both before you arrive and while you are here.

Avoid Altitude Sickness

Before traveling to Colorado Springs (or other cities above 5,000 feet):

• Get plenty of sleep – The altitude will make you tired.
• Exercise more – You will need to be in pretty good shape to expect to be active at all while in Colorado Springs.
• Plan your trip - Allow yourself time to acclimate
• Please Remember: If you have had altitude sickness before, you will get it again.

*People suffering from lung problems (like Emphysema) or heart problems MUST consult with a doctor before traveling to high altitudes, as symptoms could be fatal. However, it must be noted that fatal reactions to altitude have never been recorded in Colorado Springs.*

While in Colorado Springs:

• Drink plenty of water – You will need the extra hydration and oxygen.
• Avoid tobacco – The list goes on…
• Avoid salty food - You will already be working to stay hydrated.
• Drink one glass of water for every glass of alcohol that you drink – Trust me on this one. (Hint: Visitors to our altitude make for cheap dates.)
• Avoid strenuous activity in the first couple days – Give your body some time to acclimate. Visit our mountain-side zoo (and check out our new baby gorilla, or hand-feed our 19 giraffes…), but do it later in your trip, as it is quite a hike!

Stay below 7,000 feet for the first couple days - Save your trip (via foot, car or Cog Railroad) to the top of Pikes Peak (14,110 feet) for the end of your trip.

Alleviate Altitude Sickness

Now, no matter how much planning you may do, altitude sickness can still occur. In these cases, the best ways to alleviate the symptoms are:

• Take some ibuprofen
• Relax
• Stay away from alcohol
• Drink a lot of water
• DO NOT go any higher in elevation until the symptoms disappear

These precautions apply to elevations between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. Symptoms are known to be worse, as the altitude increases. Check out the International Society for Mountain Medicine regarding precautions to take if your travel plans include any Colorado’s beautiful ski towns.

Moving to Colorado Springs? Please consider hiring a moving company. You will be in no shape to unload a truck when you first arrive. Or, arrive a couple days early and stay at a hotel or with family. This will give you a few needed days before you have to unpack.

One you are here, you will agree: The thin air is a minor price to pay for all the magnificent beauty that the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado Springs has to offer.

*Original Post By Mariana Wagner 2/21/07

November 20th, 2008 by Mariana Wagner | Leave A Comment

Broadmoor Brownstones For Sale – Information and Sale History

Broadmoor Brownstones

The Broadmoor real estate market offers NEW Broadmoor Brownstones town home living on the southeast corner of Lake Avenue and Lake Circle – directly across the street from the Broadmoor Hotel and Golf Course.

These homes beautifully line Lake Circle and overlook the historical and luxurious Broadmoor Hotel.

Broadmoor Brownstones - General Information

These Broadmoor Brownstones were built between 2005-2006 by the M.A. Mortenson Company and resemble the early 1900′s style brownstone homes that you find in the mature cities of New York and San Francisco. There are 19 homes and each one boasts about 4,500 square feet of living space and about 500 square feet of decks and balconies for entertaining. They have 2 large bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and an attached 3-car garage accessible from the rear of the home.

Broadmoor Brownstones – HOA and Management Company Information

• Broadmoor Brownstone Association HOA
• Management Advantage: 719.473.5000

Broadmoor Brownstones - Amenities

• Broadmoor Golf Club Membership Opportunities
• Absentee Homeowner Program
• Private Elevators
• Concierge Services
• Security Monitoring
• Pick up and Drop off Airport Shuttles
• Dry Cleaning, Laundry and Tailoring Services

Broadmoor Brownstones – Pricing and Sale Information

Due to the high demand for these luxurious and unique properties, many of these Broadmoor Brownstones sold before hitting the MLS. However, some homes were listed in the MLS and reflect the following:

• In 2006, 4 homes sold between $1,900,000 and $2,670,000
• In 2007, 1 home sold for $2,175,000
• There are currently 4 Broadmoor Brownstones for sale, priced from $2 Million – $2,590,000

View All Broadmoor Brownstones for Sale

For additional information on the Broadmoor Brownstones, or to set a private showing of one of these available homes, please contact the Wagner iTeam: 719.434.7525

November 12th, 2008 by Mariana Wagner | Leave A Comment

Manitou Springs Homes: The Haunted Briarhurst Manor on Ghost Hunters LIVE This Halloween

What is your favorite haunted location? On Friday, October 31, you will have a chance to vote. After thousands of entries, our own Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs, CO has been picked as one of three finalists on Sci Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters.  If it wins, TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), will come out to Colorado and investigate our historical location. Tammila Wright, Keller Williams real estate agent and resident of Manitou Springs, submitted the location and will appear on the Ghost Hunter’s LIVE event at Fort Delaware on Friday night where you will be able to vote by text message or online during the 7 hour long event which starts at 5pm MST.

“After spending so much time in the Briarhurst Manor and experiencing unexplained occurrences, they knew it would be a good candidate for “The Great American Ghost Hunt” contest. ‘I had heard stories all my life and then I was experiencing things for myself’” – Erick Wright

Check out the Haunted Briarhurst website

Tammila and her husband, Erick, have very intimate knowledge of the Briarhurst as generations of their families have lived in the area. Tammila was recently interviewed by Pilgrim Films for the segment on Friday and stated that:

“We are History Geeks that don’t mind exploiting the “night” life of a property to get visitors interested in its history. It truly helps when the place is truly haunted like the Big “B”. – Tammila Wright

The interview will talk a little about the history of the Briarhurst and the unusual occurrences that made it a finalist. She has set up a website, Haunted Briarhurst, for more information about the historic building.

Read the Briarhurst Ghost Stories

Do you want to own a bit of Manitou Springs history and a reported haunted landmark? You can!

The Briarhurst Manor is For Sale for a mere $7mil!

Tammila is the head of our Keller Williams Hope Commercial Division and is the listing agent for the property.  She isn’t worried about the “haunted house” reports hurting the sale of the property, in fact, it might help. TAPS has also investigated the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park several times and because of them and other ghost hunting teams, their hotel remains full most of the year and their business has tripled.

Read about the History of the Briarhurst Manor

Looking to buy a Historic Home in Manitou Springs, but can’t afford the Briarhurst Manor?

There are many other properties in Manitou Springs for sale. The Wagner iTeam has two properties for sale in downtown Manitou. Tammila is co-listing with us on a Manitou Springs historic Victorian 4,700sq home at 102 Navajo Ave which has been used as Bed and Breakfast (The Keepsake Inn).

We also have another great home for sale in Manitou Springs at 833 Shoshone Pl which has that Manitou charm, but with modern conveniences and gorgeous views! Both are conveniently located just blocks off Manitou Ave.

Search All Homes for Sale in Manitou Springs

Make Sure You Check Out and VOTE FOR the Briarhurst Manor on
“Ghost Hunters Live” Event on the Sci-Fi Channel at 5pm this Halloween!

WATCH THE Sci-Fi Briarhurst VIDEO

This article was written by:
Kristen Senn – Wagner iTeam Military Relocation Specialist and Listing Manager

**All images taken by permission from HauntedBriarhurst.com

October 30th, 2008 by Mariana Wagner | 3 Comments »

Colorado Springs Blogs – Fine Arts Center and Colorado Springs Arts Blogs

The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection is a local, Colorado Springs blog. Now, Colorado Springs is not a huge metropolis with a bunch of bloggers, so when I DO find other local Colorado Springs blogs … I check them out.

Recently, I came across a couple great Colorado Springs Art blogs.

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Blog

Taken from Fine Arts Center Blog: “The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is a place for artistic discovery and entertainment, featuring a world-class museum, theatre company and arts school with exhibitions, productions and learning experiences for young and old.”

Colorado Springs Arts Blog – Gazette

This is the Gazette’s Arts Blog. Contributors include: Brian, Warren Epstein, Brian, Mark Arnest

Other Colorado Springs Arts Sites (non-blog):

• Pikes Peak Center
• Colorado Artists Guild
• The Colorado Springs Art Guild
• Colorado Springs Art Schools and Colleges

October 29th, 2008 by Mariana Wagner | 1 Comment »

Rockrimmon Townhomes Go Up in Flames

The NW Colorado Springs neighborhood of Rockrimmon awoke late last night (early this morning) when 8 town homes in the Residence Townhomes caught fire. Arson is believed to be the cause and a suspect has been detained. One person was found dead (questionable circumstances) in the fiery remains, but everyone else appears to have escaped.

Some friends of ours recently moved to The Residence and here is a snippet from a recent email that they just sent out, regarding the experience and the community efforts following the fire:

“Both of us were completely amazed at how our community came together over this ordeal. We left thinking our home was a complete loss, especially when driving past about an hour later and the fire was at least five stories high. We could not see past the front units and had no idea if our home was burning as well. The interior of our house smells like smoke, but luckily we were at the very back of the complex, quite a ways away from the large section of homes that burned down.” (Lisa S.)

For information on how you can help the people who were displaced by this tragic fire, please contact the local Pikes Peak Red Cross: (719) 632-3563

Read More:

• One Found Dead, 8 Townhouses Lost in Fire – Denver News
• Fire destroys 8 Rockrimmon townhomes; body found in rubble – Colorado Springs Gazette

Posted By: Mariana Wagner – Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent

October 27th, 2008 by Mariana Wagner | Leave A Comment