White Christmas at Ute Lake and Dos Rios

We're less than 36 hours from Santa's arrival in Quay County, and we're being blessed with an amazingly beautiful snowstorm. Thinking you might like to see how gorgeous Ute Lake is during the holidays, I took my camera (and my coat and my gloves and my hiking boots and a warm cap) and went out to Dos Rios.

The team at Ute Lake Premier Properties wants to take this opportunity to wish all of you and your's the very Merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Buddy's Fishing Guide - This Week

Our friend Buddy brought in a new fishing guide for this week - as you might imagine, the water temp at Ute Lake is considerably colder than when you were here in July or September, but we still have some activity. We're all looking forward to the holidays, and hoping you and your's are keeping warm and healthy.

Here's Buddy's report and advice this week:

Constant cold weather for the last two weeks has dropped water temperatures on Ute Reservior into the high to mid 40 degree range. The general trend is for the fish to move deeper as water temps continue to drop, although some good fish are still being caught at mid depths. You must be persistent in looking for fish and trust your electronics!

Largemouth Bass: deeper trees (25 - 40') at the mouth of covers near the main river channel. Cast large chrome spoons and count down to the tops of the trees or vertical jig large spoons or blade baits over the tops of trees. The bite will just feel heavy on the line. Set the hook - it might be a fish or a snag. One note: I did catch two largemouths in 5' of water on broken rock near deep water very late in the sunny afternoon. The rock warms a few degrees to attract the bass. lure was a 1/8 ounce white Marabou jig. fishing like tihs can be very hit and miss now.

Walleye, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Channel Catfish: These can all be found together or in close proximity of each other now. I caught Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Channel Cat at 26' in one area and I caught the same plus White Bass at 54' in another area. Try white or chartreuse slab spoons or bladebaits. The bite will just be a heavy feeling on the line.

Thanks Buddy for updating us on what's happening on and under the water this week! We always appreciate the info you bring us.

Let It Snow!!!

Despite the fact that we're all lovers of Ute Lake and water sports, we certainly enjoy seeing snow. We're lucky to live in a place where we get all four seasons, and we definitely got WINTER today. Nice, slow, big-flaked snow. Take a look!

It's All About the Kitchen!

On occasion, we want to take the time to pass along homeowner/seller advice we find elsewhere. We’re continually studying the best ways to increase the value of your home so that you'll experience optimal returns in any future sale. Over the next two or three posts, we’ll explore some of the most efficient strategies for a home remodel, and what types of remodeling jobs translate into the highest returns for your money when you sell.
The looming question of, “When will we began to see a rise in prices on home sales, and have we hit the bottom?”, is what we all ask as homeowners, and those of us that are trying to sell want to know how we can distinguish our homes from others, and how large of an investment is worth sinking into a home in a buyer’s market.
When we ask what homeowners who are looking to sell their homes can do to maximize their selling prices in this down economy, the experts all seem to have the same answer, “It's all about the kitchen!”
In today’s markets, kitchens and master bathrooms are the big selling points in any house. An updated kitchen will separate your home from others on the market that haven't been remodeled.
But how profitable is it to update your kitchen in this market? A kitchen remodel can be expensive and is almost always a major inconvenience for a home owner. However, it can also be very rewarding with a great return on the homeowner’s investment. If your home is up against comparable homes and their kitchen has all of the bells and whistles, you home will suffer by comparison, and you’re likely to lose a sale.
Typically, kitchen remodeling will give you one of the highest home remodeling returns, at about 80-100% return on your investment. When weighing options for a remodel, the kitchen is always a good place to start to aid with the sell of your home.
There’s the possibility that a major remodel is not necessary. Minor changes can be just as effective and small enhancements can play upon some of the already positive features in your existing kitchen. If you have solid countertops, think about adding a backslash. If your linoleum is dated and scuffed, consider changing it to wood laminate. Are your appliances unmatched and older models? Are the hinges and knobs on your cabinets unattractive and out of date? Making even these small modifications will make your kitchen more appealing to buyers in today’s competitive market.
If you’re in the market for a small or large remodel, e-mail or give us a call. We have the names of several reputable contractors, and would be happy to discuss with you our thoughts on making your house as marketable as possible.
More later!

New Listing at Ute Lake!

Happy Holidays! We hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Take a minute to read our prior posts - we're excited to have Buddy's Fishing Report in our blog this week.

We have a new listing at Ute Lake - a nice home on a corner lot. The home has a new deck and has been beautifully maintained. With 1540 square feet, three bedrooms and two baths, as well as a storage shed and carport, you'll want to take time to take a look at this property. The sellers are even leaving most of the furnishings! Take a look at the website - located at 703 540 Loop and listed at $124,900. Give us a call if you'd like to buy a great lake home ready for your weekend retreats!