Your Colorado Springs Life & Home

Lori Thompson
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Your Colorado Springs Life & Home is your go-to podcast for real estate, relocation, and everyday living in beautiful Colorado Springs. Hosted by Lori Thompson—RE/MAX Properties Realtor®, broker, and trusted top producer with over 40 years of experience—this show delivers real talk and expert insight for military families, first-time buyers, seasoned homeowners, and dreamers alike. Whether you're PCSing to Fort Carson, upsizing for a growing family, downsizing for a simpler life, or curious about the market, Lori brings clarity, compassion, and a lifetime of local knowledge to every episode. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Quality Service Certified Platinum agent, and Peak Producers member, she’s handled it all—short sales, market swings, and everything in between. Tune in for practical tips, neighborhood spotlights, market trends, and stories from the front lines of Colorado Springs real estate. From interest rates to granite countertops, Lori’s got answers—and she’s just a call or text away. Your next chapter starts here. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit:  https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com  RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807 

  1. 2D AGO

    From Balloons To Parades: A Newcomer’s Guide To Colorado Springs

    What Local Events Or Attractions Should Newcomers Check Out? Looking for the fastest way to feel at home in Colorado Springs? We walk you through the city’s heartbeat—signature festivals, neighborhood concerts, hidden overlooks, and trailheads where the views and conversations both run long. With stories from the field and practical, step-by-step guidance, we map out how to turn weekends into connection and scenic routines into real community. We start with the essentials: the Labor Day balloon festival that paints the sky at sunrise and sets it aglow at night, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb that sends engines chasing altitude, and the marathon that climbs straight up America’s Mountain. From the Renaissance Festival north of town to the State Fair and Cinco de Mayo in Pueblo, you’ll hear why regional events matter to locals and newcomers alike. Family-friendly picks include Focus on the Family’s visitor center with its three-story slide, plus a lineup of parades—Festival of Lights and Veterans Day—that turn downtown into a warm, walkable tradition. Then we get local. Palmer Park offers a central overlook and trails for every level, dog parks make sunshine a daily habit, and the Manitou Incline rewards grit with sweeping views. Neighborhoods like Wolf Ranch and Banning Lewis Ranch host free open-air concerts with food trucks, perfect for low-stress meetups that become friendships. Whether you crave culture or crave a climb, Colorado Springs meets you where you are: accessible paths for easy strolls, steeper routes for ambition, and a calendar that keeps the community outside and engaged. If you’re new to town, this guide is your shortcut to belonging. Save the dates, pack a chair, bring a thermos, and say hello to the folks next to you. Subscribe for more local insights, share this with a friend who’s moving, and leave a review to tell us the next event or hidden spot we should cover. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    13 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    How Interest Rates Reshape Home Affordability And Strategy

    How Do Rising Interest Rates Affect Home Affordability? The market finally exhaled, and that breath of calm changes everything for buyers and sellers. We sit down with Lori Thompson, a Colorado Springs real estate pro, to unpack how interest rates actually flow through your monthly budget, why a balanced market unlocks negotiation power, and which financing strategies stretch buying power without stretching you too thin. If you’ve been stuck between waiting for “perfect” rates and wanting stability now, this conversation gives you a clear, practical path. Lori walks us through the real drivers of affordability—principal and interest, yes, but also fast-rising homeowners insurance and shifting property taxes. We compare the bidding-war years of waived inspections and wild escalations with today’s landscape of concessions, price reductions, and thoughtful offers. You’ll hear how a 2-1 buydown can create a softer landing in year one and two, why adjustable-rate mortgages can be smart when caps and indexes are understood, and where assumable mortgages can slash payments if you can bridge the cash-to-loan gap. Beyond products and payments, we focus on lifestyle and resilience. Lori asks the questions lenders don’t: Do you still want to eat out, travel, and sleep at night? Would you rather own a bit less house and have more life? We map out long-term planning—how to think about time horizons, what to do if you need to move sooner than planned, and why renting out a home can keep your equity compounding while a tenant pays down the note. Sellers aren’t left out either; we cover realistic pricing, seller-paid buydowns, and how strong concessions can revive buyer affordability. If you’re ready to buy now and refinance later, or you want to negotiate like the market finally favors you, this episode delivers a toolkit you can use today. Subscribe, share this with someone weighing a move, and leave a review to tell us which strategy you’ll try first. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    12 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    Discover Why Colorado Springs Feels Like Home For Families, Military, Retirees, And Remote Workers

    What Makes Colorado Springs A Great Place To Live? Thinking about a life framed by mountain views, easy trails, and a community that actually shows up for one another? We sit down with longtime local and top-producing realtor Lori Thompson to map out Colorado Springs in practical, human terms—where to live, how to live, and why it feels like home for so many. From Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Garden of the Gods to suburban hubs with parks, pools, and weekly concerts, Lori breaks down neighborhoods by lifestyle rather than hype, so you can match your daily rhythms to the right street. We explore how a strong military presence shapes both culture and the housing market—with genuine appreciation for service, frequent relocations that keep inventory moving, and civil service roles that make post-military life viable. Lori shares clear guidance on timing a move, navigating VA loans, and choosing areas near bases, schools, or nightlife. She also spotlights year-round perks: low humidity, quick-melting snow, and those famous Pikes Peak sunrises that make 300 days of sunshine feel like a personal invitation. Whether you’re a remote worker hunting for quiet views, a retiree seeking light winters, or a family that wants fields, splash pads, and music nights, the Springs offers frictionless access to what you love. Growth has been real—Powers Boulevard evolved from a dirt road to a six-lane artery lined with commerce—but the city’s soul remains grounded in outdoor access, friendly neighborhoods, and small joys like genuinely tasty tap water. You’ll hear concrete relocation tips, from choosing Black Forest for acreage and trees to picking downtown or the lower west side for energy and evenings out. And yes, there’s great golf. If you’re weighing a move, this conversation is your shortcut: a candid blueprint from a local who answers her phone and knows how to translate lifestyle into an address. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s PCS-ing or relocating, and leave a quick review with your top Colorado Springs must-see. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    11 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    How School Choice and Open Enrollment Shapes Colorado Springs Real Estate

    What Can You Tell Us About School Choice? The home you choose and the education your child receives don’t have to be the same decision. We unpack how Colorado Springs families use open enrollment, charter schools, and magnet programs to match learning styles, schedules, and budgets without being boxed in by a single attendance zone. With Lori Thompson—RE/MAX Properties veteran, top producer, and current school board president—we explore the real mechanics of choice: capacity limits, transportation trade-offs, and how a school’s focus can shape your daily routine. We break down the differences between charter, magnet, and neighborhood schools, clarifying a common myth: charters are public and tuition-free. From classical education that emphasizes cursive and memorization to American history and civics programs, from IB pathways and STEM labs to hands-on building trades that construct a real house each year, the menu is wide. Lori shares how families can leverage these options to find the right fit for unique learners, including supports many districts offer for homeschoolers and students with dyslexia. Along the way, we connect the dots between top-rated districts, property values, and the practical workarounds when your budget and dream school don’t align. Timing matters too. Application windows, waitlists, and varying start dates can complicate midyear moves, especially for military families. Lori lays out a simple approach: define your child’s needs, shortlist programs, confirm availability, and understand transport before you start touring homes. When parents lead with the right questions, the right neighborhood often reveals itself. If this conversation helps you map your next move, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s relocating, and leave a quick review. Questions about schools or neighborhoods in Colorado Springs? Call or text Lori at 719-332-1807—yes, she’ll really respond. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    11 min

  5. 10/29/2025

    Lori Thompson Explains Short Sales Vs Foreclosures

    How Do Short Sales And Foreclosures Work? Deals on distressed homes are real—but only if you know how to navigate the maze. We break down short sales and foreclosures in plain language, showing where timelines stretch, where lenders draw hard lines, and where smart preparation turns a risky bet into a confident purchase. First, we clarify the fundamental difference: a short sale is a home on the path to foreclosure that still needs lender approval to accept less than the mortgage balance, while a foreclosure is already bank-owned. From there, we map realistic timelines, why lowball offers often fail, and how lender valuations shape negotiation power. You’ll hear how winterization affects inspections, why buyers might pay to unwinterize and rewinterize, and how FHA and VA standards can derail a deal if key safety items aren’t addressed. Then we get practical. We walk through must-do inspections—full home, roof assessment, sewer scope, and more—and explain why spending upfront saves thousands later. We share red flags for REO listings, how to manage utility activation, and when an “as is” stance is negotiable. For sellers in hardship, we compare the credit impact of a well-executed short sale to the long tail of a foreclosure, including potential deficiency judgments and the possibility of a 1099 for forgiven debt. Throughout, we highlight how an experienced realtor streamlines paperwork, sets expectations, and navigates bank processes that can overwhelm even seasoned buyers and sellers. If you’re weighing patience against price, this conversation equips you to choose with eyes open. Subscribe for more real-world guidance on Colorado Springs real estate, share this episode with someone considering a distressed purchase, and leave a review with your top question—we might feature it next. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    11 min

  6. 10/03/2025

    Relocating in Retirement: Finding Your Forever Home

    What Should Retirees Consider Before Relocating? What happens when the retirement relocation dream meets reality? Spoiler alert: grandkids change everything! In this enlightening conversation, REMAX Properties broker Lori Thompson unpacks the essential considerations for retirees contemplating a move. Drawing from decades of experience helping both military families and civilians find their forever homes, Lori reveals that while grandchildren often become the deciding factor for many retirees, practical considerations still demand attention. Thinking beyond today's needs proves crucial when selecting a retirement property. Those stairs might be manageable now, but how will they feel in five years? That stunning mountain retreat might offer peaceful solitude, but how far is it from medical care? Lori addresses these forward-thinking questions while emphasizing the importance of long-term affordability—examining not just purchase prices but ongoing costs like property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees that can make or break a retirement budget. The discussion takes a humorous turn when exploring what happens when couples disagree about where to relocate. Lori's sage advice? "When all else fails, agree with her." But seriously, resolving location differences before moving prevents years of potential discontent. Whether you're planning retirement relocation or just contemplating future possibilities, this episode offers practical wisdom for making choices you won't regret. Ready to explore retirement relocation options in Colorado Springs? Connect with Lori Thompson at 719-332-1807 or visit online—because your lifetime realtor actually answers her phone! To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    8 min

  7. 09/26/2025

    Wisdom from a Lifetime Realtor: Lori Thompson's 40 Years in Colorado Springs

    What’s Lori’s Best Advice After 40 Years In Colorado Real Estate?  What separates successful real estate transactions from stressful ones? According to 40-year veteran Lori Thompson, it all comes down to preparation. Drawing from thousands of Colorado Springs home sales, Lori shares her golden rule that applies whether you're buying your first home or selling your fifth: "Be prepared." Buyers need to understand exactly what funds they'll need throughout the entire process—not just the down payment, but inspection costs, appraisal fees, and closing costs. Sellers must recognize that their beloved home might need improvements to appeal to today's market. As Lori memorably puts it, "If they can smell it, we can't sell it." Those cooking odors, smoking residue, or pet smells that you've become nose-blind to? They're costing you thousands. The Colorado Springs market has transformed dramatically during Lori's career, but one truth remains constant: market conditions always change. Today's buyer-friendly inventory levels will shift, just as yesterday's multiple-offer feeding frenzies eventually cooled. Success comes from understanding current conditions and adapting strategies accordingly. Beyond market mechanics, Lori emphasizes that real estate remains deeply emotional—these aren't just transactions but life transitions filled with memories, hopes, and sometimes tears. Finding a realtor who balances practical guidance with emotional intelligence makes all the difference. Looking for your lifetime realtor who answers her phone and genuinely cares? Call or text Lori at 719-332-1807 or visit online. Whether you're PCSing to Colorado Springs or ready for your forever mountain view, Lori's guidance goes beyond closing day—because real estate should be about relationships, not just commission checks. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    11 min

  8. 09/05/2025

    Fixer-Upper or Money Pit? Navigating Distressed Properties

    Should I Consider Buying A Distressed Property? Are you dreaming of buying a fixer-upper that could become your perfect home or a profitable investment? Before you start swinging that sledgehammer, veteran Colorado Springs realtor Lori Thompson has some crucial wisdom to share about the reality of distressed properties. The journey into distressed real estate starts with understanding what "distressed" actually means. As Lori explains, this spectrum ranges from homes needing simple cosmetic updates to properties requiring major structural repairs. Your success depends largely on two factors: your personal skill set and your network of reliable contractors. While some investors come equipped with respirators ready to tackle meth-contaminated properties, others find value in homes that simply need a thorough cleaning, fresh paint, and landscape rehabilitation. The key is knowing where you fall on this spectrum and being honest about your capabilities. Smart buyers know that due diligence is non-negotiable when considering distressed properties. Lori strongly recommends comprehensive home inspections with special attention to big-ticket items like structural integrity ($30,000-$50,000 to fix), sewer line conditions ($15,000-$20,000), and roof quality ($12,000-$20,000). For just $100-$150, having a sewer scope done can save you tens of thousands in unexpected repairs. Financing options exist for those without cash reserves, including the FHA 203k rehab program, though these specialized loans come with specific requirements including using approved contractors. VA loans can still work for properties with minor issues, provided there are no significant health hazards. Looking for the perfect distressed property opportunity? Lori offers this insider tip: "If the property is real pretty and if it blings, that's probably not your best deal." Sometimes the best values are hiding behind terrible listing photos taken by "lazy realtors" on cloudy days with cell phones. These overlooked gems might just be your pathway to building substantial equity. Ready to explore distressed properties with an experienced guide? Call or text Lori Thompson at 719-332-1807 – because distress doesn't have to mean disaster when you've got the right expertise on your side. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit: https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807

    11 min
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About

Your Colorado Springs Life & Home is your go-to podcast for real estate, relocation, and everyday living in beautiful Colorado Springs. Hosted by Lori Thompson—RE/MAX Properties Realtor®, broker, and trusted top producer with over 40 years of experience—this show delivers real talk and expert insight for military families, first-time buyers, seasoned homeowners, and dreamers alike. Whether you're PCSing to Fort Carson, upsizing for a growing family, downsizing for a simpler life, or curious about the market, Lori brings clarity, compassion, and a lifetime of local knowledge to every episode. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Quality Service Certified Platinum agent, and Peak Producers member, she’s handled it all—short sales, market swings, and everything in between. Tune in for practical tips, neighborhood spotlights, market trends, and stories from the front lines of Colorado Springs real estate. From interest rates to granite countertops, Lori’s got answers—and she’s just a call or text away. Your next chapter starts here. To learn more about RE/MAX Properties Inc. visit:  https://www.LoriThompson.REMAX.com  RE/MAX Properties Inc. Colorado Springs 719-332-1807 

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