The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection sends out a monthly newsletter “Springs Realty Scoop” to our friends, family and past clients. In each newsletter we have a trivia question, where the winner can win $20 in free Starbucks or have $20 donated in their name to CAMP - Chris A. Matthews Project.

Read More: The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection and CAMP

Well, in this past issue, we asked: “When was Colorado Springs founded?”

Our first reply (and winner) was Kim Matthews (who, incidentally, is the brains and brawn behind CAMP). Her reply was so awesome, I decided to share it here:

“Now this one is a no brainer since I just put together a multi media on the history of Colorado Springs and the Broadmoor Hotel…. which opened, as we know it today…. in 1918…. by Spencer and Julie Penrose

Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 by William J Palmer…. who kept the town alcohol free!!

That is why Penrose built the Broadmoor outside the city limits….. He wanted to serve alcohol and party hard!!  He did ensure however that trolley’s ran from downtown to the Broadmoor Hotel.

Bet you did not know that!!

So my answer is D.  1871″

Thank you, Kim … and Congratulations for Winning!!

Sign Up for Our Free Monthly Newsletter* … Maybe you will be our next winner!
*Send your name and email OR mailing address to realtyscoop@gmail.com and we will get you signed up right away!

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

Okay, actually these are random facts for ALL of the United States, but there are a lot of similarities between both national and Colorado Springs home buyers . These are all statistics from the National Association of Realtors® studies and research…

• Nearly one-quarter of first-time buyers are single females who purchased their first home on a median income of $47,400.
  Are YOU a first time home buyer in Colorado Springs? Check out: Use Your $8000 Tax Credit as a Down Payment on Your Colorado Springs Home Purchase!
  
  
• The typical buyer spent $4,350 on home improvement projects within the first three months of their home purchase.
  A lot of home buyers see “potential” in a home and spend money to “make it their OWN” as soon as they close.

• Repeat buyers typically spend more than first-time home buyers ($5,330 compared to $3,070).
  Many first time home buyers have used up all their “disposable” income just to BUY the home and have little left for “improvements”  whereas more repeat home buyers can use some of the equity they had in their previous home to fix up their new home.

• Twenty-eight percent (28%) of first-time buyers spent less than $1,000 on home improvement projects.

• Buyers who purchased new homes typically spend slightly more than those who purchased previously owned homes.
  Some costs associated with a new home purchase include: landscaping, fencing, window coverings and repainting stark white walls with something more …. warm.

[The last 4 statistics were taken from the article: Did You Know: Cost of Home Improvement by NAR (There is a cool chart in this article, too.)]

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

Over the last month and a half @Mizzle and Friends have raised $488.88 for Mothers Fighting for Others!

For more information on this charity, check out the Mothers Fighting for Others website

These donations came in the form of 2 fundraisers…

Part One

In April, I (@mizzle) announced that I would donate $50 for each celebrity on Twitter who said “@mizzle Rocks”. We had some awesome participation and raised some great awareness for Mothers Fighting for Others… and we raised $400!

Breakdown:

• $50 for all my “personal celebrities” on Twitter … You now who you are …
• $50 for @MoonFrye (Remember Punky Brewster??) who was the first celebrity on Twitter to participate.
• $100 from @toltz_group added to the first donation!
• $50 for @KathyIreland who was the 2nd Celebrity on Twitter to participate … and …
• $50 FROM @KathyIreland who matched my donation!
• $50 (x2) from @AndyKaufman and @PhxREGuy who EACH matched the @KathyIreland Donation

= $400 to help orpahaned children in extreme poverty get the basic necessities they need to live and grow!!

Part Two

Last week I realized that I had only ONE @mizzle sticker left. What does one DO with the last @mizzle sticker? Well, I decided to auction it off to the highest bidder on Twitter, and all $$ to go to #MFFO (Mothers Fighting for Others).

@TonyLazz was the winner with a bid of $88.88!

This brought the grand total of @mizzle and friends donations to $488!

MANY THANKS to Tony Lazzari, Randy Toltz, Jay Thompson and Andy Kaufman!

Donate to Mothers Fighting for Others Today!
(Any Amount will help!)

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

Today, Derek and I attended the Dave Ramsey - Total Money Makeover LIVE Event at the Colorado Springs World Arena. If you EVER get the opportunity to see Dave LIVE - DO IT!

Dave Ramsey is one of the best sources of inspiration to do whatever it takes, through Gazelle Intensity, to be debt free.

Live like no one else … so that later you can LIVE like no one else.

Here are 3 of the things that he said about real estate that caught my ear …

• “If you can buy a house, NOW is the time to buy a house - It has not been THIS GOOD of a time to buy a house in over 30 years!” Rates are obnoxiously low and homes are FINALLY affordable again!

[ Search Homes for Sale in Colorado Springs ]

• “I have done plenty of research and have found that 100%  of foreclosures are on homes that have a mortgage!”

• “The best mortgage is the one you never have! But if you MUST take one out, your best option is a 15-Year FIXED and payments should be NO MORE THAN 25% of your Take Home Pay.”

ELP’s - are Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Providers - Professionals who completely understands “What Dave says…” and can help you in your next financial venture. Find a Colorado Springs Real Estate Dave Ramsey ELP to help you in your next home purchase (the right way) … or to help you SELL your home on your way to financial freedom.

Normal is Broke - Be Weird.

We are…

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525

I (@mizzle) am using the POWER of TWITTER to donate up to $1,000  to Mothers Fighting for Others.

Let’s Raise Awareness People!!!

UPDATE –>> April 26, 2009!!

Use the Celebrity List below as a starting point, but ANY CELEBRITY/ FAMOUS PERSON ON TWITTER who replies to me in ANY WAY (meaning that they can say @mizzle [fill in the blank]) - Even if their name is not listed below … NOW QUALIFIES.

How this works:

I will donate $50 to Mothers Fighting for Others for every celebrity famous person on Twitter that says “@mizzle rocks!” up to $1,000. That is just 20 peeps, yo.

“Famous People” must reply to me on Twitter:
@mizzle Rocks!

About Mothers Fighting for Others:

“Mothers Fighting For Others is dedicated to providing orphans and vulnerable children with opportunities their parents would have provided, if they only could; a loving and nurturing environment and a quality education, so they can learn, thrive and achieve their highest potential.

Everyday, children are orphaned into extreme poverty. They are left to fend for themselves, without safe food or clean water and with no hope for a quality education.

Mothers Fighting For Others is dedicated to providing these children with the basic necessities that we provide for our own children. We will give them a roof over their heads, safe food and clean water, and a chance to learn, to grow and to thrive.

We are Mothers Fighting For Others.” - MFFO Website

Projects Include:

Inspire The Child:
Inspire the Child is the future of Mothers Fighting For Others. We want to to continue to grow and continue down a path to help and educate orphans around the world, starting with Kenya. This is just our beginning.

Underwear for Africa:
Underwear for Africa is a ongoing project that seems silly to some but necessary to others. Underwear is something that we take for granted, while others see it as a luxury. We have witnessed it first hand in orphanages and IDP camps, where happy faces meet us as new underwear is passed out.

OMG! What a fantastic organization to support!!

If your name is not on this list - DO NOT FRET! I probably did not know that you were on Twitter - or could not find you. Speak up and I will add you right away!!

Pre-Approved Twitter Celebrities Famous People:

1. @kirstiealley - Kirstie Alley (OMG. I am seriously entertained by this woman. Seriously.)
2. @THEsaragilbert - Sara Gilbert (my personal favorite person on TV while growing up.)
3. @Alyssa_Milano - Alyssa Milano (My husband would freak to know that “Sam” is on Twitter.)
4. @LangfordPerry - Matthew Perry (If there’s a silence in a room he’ll try to fill it as soon as humanly possible. )
5. @snoopdogg - Snoop Dog (Fo’ Shizzle!)
6. @SarahKSilverman - Sarah Silverman (um. hil-fricken-larious!)
7. @MelissaEGilbert - Melissa Gilbert (Um … Need I say more??)
8. @TonyHawk - Tony Hawk (Only the coolest and best sk8er EVAH!)
9. @Oprah - Oprah Winfrey (She’s new to Twitter… Be kind.)
10. @AplusK - Ashton Kutcher (Dude! Where’s my Twitter Love?)
11. @MrsKutcher - Well, Mrs. Kutcher, duh. (aka Demi Moore)
12. @RealHughJackman - Hugh Jackman (Wolverine, of course!)
13. @AdamSevani - Adam Sevani (This kid can DANCE!!!!)
14. @MileyCyrus - Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana)
15. @LanceArmstrong - Lance Armstrong (Every human’s motivation)
    
16. @the_real_shaq - Shaquille O’Neal (Give the man some ice cream!)
17. @moonfrye - Soleil Moon Frye (aka Punky Brewster) #1 YAY!
    
18. @50cent - 50 Cent (Please don’t piss him off. He scares me. But I <3 him)
19. @DontTryThis - Adam Savage (I want his job.)
20. @MCHammer - MC Hammer (Can’t Touch This)
21. @MariaShriver - Maria Shriver (The gorgeous wife of the Governator…)
22. @Schwarzenegger - The Governator (He’ll be Back … maybe this time with a shorter Twitter handle…)
23. @BritneySpears - Britney Spears (If You Seek Amy)
24. @KingsThings - Larry King (of course)
25. @MarthaStewart - Martha Stewart (Queen of Doilies)
26. @IAmDiddy - Sean P. Diddy Combes (Is he still fishin’?)
27. @RyanSeacrest - Ryan Seacrest (Perfect Hair. Perfect Smile)
28. @JohncMayer - John Mayer (Sandwich artist?)
29. @DaveJMatthews - Dave Matthews (scribbles album art)
    
30. @TheEllenShow Ellen DeGeneres (always makes me laugh!)
31. @JoelMcHale - Joel McHale (How does your shirt taste?)
32. @StephenAtHome - Stephen Colbert (Col-bare?) or is it @StephenTColbert ??
    
33. @Bethenny - Bethenny Frankel (YAY FOOD!)
34. @chrisbrogan - Chris Brogan (New Marketing Labs )
35. @SusanPowter - Susan Powter (Ask her where the insanity stops …)
36. @KathyIreland - self-proclaimed non-celebrity, but qualifies for this nonetheless… W00t!!
37. @scobleizer - Robert Scoble (blogger and technology genius)
    

Folks Listed Here must reply to me on Twitter: ” @mizzle Rocks! ”
(or @mizzle [fill-in-the-blank] if you are not comfortable “endorsing” me. LOL!)

Any other famous person (who I may have missed) who could help SPREAD THE WORD about Mother Fighting for Others … Please speak up!

And, Folks … I invite you to (at the very least) MATCH my donations to this awesome organization as well.

Link Directly to This Page:
www.MizzleRocks.com

Updates:

Our FIRST Response! @moonfrye

Our Second Response was an AWESOME one! @KathyIreland YAY!!

Matching ++ Donations With @mizzle:

MANY THANKS to Randy Toltz, Jay Thompson and Andy Kaufman!

Anyone else want to Match my donations?  Let me know…

Donate Directly To Mothers Fighting for Others

So Far, We Have Raised:
$350 !!

Thanks for reading our Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog!
Posted By: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent - Wagner iTeam
The Wagner iTeam is a power team of Keller Williams Realty,
specializing in Colorado Springs Real Estate and Monument Real Estate
Pictures of Colorado Springs
(719) 434-7525