Housing News Digest, January 20

Housing industry headed north
After five rough years for the construction industry and the housing market, small glimmers of hope arise from the ashes of the Great Recession.

With low interest rates, a housing glut and 448 homes sold last year, Teller County is experiencing the trickle-down effect of the nation’s housing market on the move. “If we continue to sell what we did last year, we’ll knock this housing situation down considerably,” said Carl Andersen, of Andersen Enterprises in Woodland Park. “Those are very encouraging numbers. So I do think Teller County is on the verge of a slow moderate recovery in the housing market.”

Grower Linked To Listeria Fined On Migrant Housing
The federal agency said Eric Jensen, owner of Jensen Farms, of Holly, rented migrant workers unsanitary, overcrowded rooms at a motel he owns. Inspectors said many rooms lacked beds, laundry facilities and smoke detectors. Jensen faces $4,250 in civil penalties.

The fine was not linked to the outbreak.

Housing authority will get $13K from town for project

The Windsor Housing Authority will receive $13,000 from the Town of Windsor with the possibility of more fee waivers to come.

During last Monday night's town board work session, board members said they'd like to see a resolution at the next regular meeting approving the WHA's request for $13,000 from the town to create organizational policies to enhance management operations and efficiencies.

Tough economy doesn’t stop Porter Homes
Circumstances, hard work and perhaps a bit of divine providence have led Nate Porter with Porter Homes down an interesting career path.

He came to Grand Junction as a baseball player for Mesa State College, as Colorado Mesa University was known in 1999. By the time he graduated in 2002, he was ready to take a break from education and told an acquaintance he wanted to build custom log homes.

Colorado Real Estate Commission pulls property manager’s license
The Colorado Real Estate Commission yanked the real estate license of a Fort Collins property manager after an investigation found the manager allegedly mishandled rent money owed to property owners, the Colorado Division of Real Estate said Thursday.

The commission voted unanimously to suspend the real estate license of Sherry Jefcoat, also known as Sherry Eichman. She runs Legend Real Estate Services LLC of Fort Collins.