Summit Colorado Resort Blog

Well I thought we escaped the Pine Beetle again this year. Many Colorado mountain towns have been devistated by the beetles and Summit County is no exception. We spray every year and make sure we do everything to maintain our wonderful pines. Last month Deanna and I were discussing how we saw no marks on our trees or any browning on them.

Well my folks decided to visit last weekend and the first thing my Dad said did you see that brown tree in your yard. I was in such shock I almost called him a LIAR! So I rushed to the window and looked out. I could not see the tree and everything looked healthy and green. Dad strolls over as I continue to frantically look for the elusive dead tree. He points up and says look at the top. Sure enough the whole top of the tree was brown.

I love my trees and many are very mature and beautiful. I almost get downright protective of them. I felt the Beatles had violated my space. I cannot imaging my home without their shade and greenery. Luckily I also live in the middle of an Aspen Grove.

So now I have declared all out war on the Pine Beetles. I have sprayed again this year but I am not a particular fan of chemicals but feel it is necessary to help save our trees. Spraying the trees contains a chemical called seven which also can kill bugs that are vital to our forests and waterways.

In my research I have come across a product that we are trying this year called Beetle Block from AG Bio. The research looks promising as they have studies to back up the science.

Beetle Block contains a type of Verbenone, and verbenone is a natural pheromone that beetles emit when the population of a tree has reached a high level. The pheromone is a signal to adult beetles to stay away because the tree cannot support full development of the population that has already infested the tree. Beetles turn away and seek another food source. The verbenone in Beetle Block is an exact mimic of the verbenone naturally produced by beetles.

Beetle Block has been used commercially in Montana, Wyoming, & Idaho by the forest service and other agencies.  This year a couple of our local towns have purchased it for testing on some areas.  If any of you have used the product I would love to hear your results.

One positive note Aspen trees seem to be proliferating where pine trees have been cut or have completely died out. In the comming years Summit County will have a very healthy forest for us and future generations to see.

Check out Ag Bio for more information.

Summit County Colorado area information.

One of the most popular things to do during the summer here in Summit County is to visit a couple of concerts at the Breckenridge Riverwalk Amphitheater. It's a great place to see The Blue River run by as you are watching one of the summer concerts.

This year should be one of the best as the amphitheater has been remodeled. A roof and walls were erected over the existing amphitheatre structure and other improvements were made as well. The project substantially enhances the experience by improving the acoustics, temperature control and lighting within the facility. The unique connection I spoke of to the outside environment has been maintained with six large clear doors that fold open to the Riverwalk Center lawn. Nights can be cool so bring a jacket and blankets if you want to stay warm.

From Local artist at the Blue River Concert series to the famous National Reparatory Orchestra there is music for everyone to enjoy. For a complete schedule list click here.

The NRO is a nonprofit organization that provides an 8 week fellowship program for the most promising young orchestral musicians. Alumni currently perform in virtually every major orchestra in the US and in orchestras world-wide.  Each summer, 89 musicians are chosen in a nationwide audition tour to participate in an intense symphonic orchestral experience.

The NRO performs two full orchestra concerts each week in the Riverwalk Center between mid-June and early-August. In addition, members of the NRO take part in smaller chamber concerts during the festival, and the full orchestra plays at several other locations in the state. Throughout the summer a full range of symphonic literature is performed; the equivalent of a full symphony season!

For a complete summer schedule of the NRO Click here

Have fun and we'll see you at the concerts Jason & Deanna

Breckenridge Colorado Information

Situated on the beachfront of Peak 7 in Breckenridge, Crystal Peak Lodge offers 46 ski-in/ski-out residences just steps from the new seasonal BreckConnect Gondola and the proposed new site of the Independence Super Chari.  Architecturally, the Lodge is rugged yet refined, harmonizing with the natural alpine surroundings of Colorado's most desirable setting. 

Crystal Peak Lodge is designed to reflect the environment around it. Heavy timbers, moss rock and expanses of glass contribute to the building's rugged exterior. Inside, warm wood paneling, high-end fixtures and rich fabrics will welcome homeowners in from the slopes.

Crystal Peak Lodge of Breckenridge is the result of years of careful planning by a selected group of professionals at the forefront of their respective fields.  The execution of Crystal Peak Lodge will reflect the same level of expertise, the same attention to detail and the same commitment to quality.

A limited number of residences are now avalible. Don't miss your chance to own one of the most magnificent ski resort real estate projects today. Contact Jason & Deanna Long The Long Group - Omni Real Estate Co. for further details at 1-800-620-1009 EX 199. Breckenridge Condominiums

Photos are for illustation purposes only and are not a garantee of final product.

 

River Mountain Lodge right on the slopes in Breckenridge Colorado offers all the luxury and convenience of a condominium with the hotel extras to match. This charming, European-style lodge is located in the heart of Breckenridge, directly across the street from the Four O'Clock ski run and mere steps from Main Street. Easy access to shopping, dining and skiing makes this one of the most desirable locations in Breckenridge.

A current featured listing is: 2 Bed 3 Bath with over 1,000 Sqft of living area. In the River mountain lodge you are in the heart of a true ski town residence with the amenities of a hotel and the privacy of your personal residence. Condos Start in the low $300,000 and up to about $700,000 at the present time.

Amenities include:

•·         Swimming pool (outdoor, heated and open year-round)

•·         Indoor and outdoor hot tubs

•·         Ski shop on site

•·         Bar/lounge

•·         Restaurant in hotel

•·         Parking (free), Parking garage

•·         Ski shuttle service

•·         Meeting rooms (small groups)

•·         Conference rooms

•·         Audio-visual equipment

•·         Business services

•·         24-hour front desk

•·         Safe-deposit box (at front desk)

•·         Fireplace and sitting area in the lobby

•·         Patio

•·         Barbecue grills

•·         Ski storage

•·         Picnic area

•·         Fitness equipment

•·         Concierge services

River Mountain Lodge has proved to be a great investment. Gross rents for the year have been reported from $30,000 to $46,000 depending on the home, its size and location. For more Information about River Mountain Lodge, Breckenridge Condos, or Breckenridge Real Estate contact Jason & Deanna Long, The Long Group - Omni Real Estate Co at 1-800-620-1009 ex 199.

Colorado continued to be the number-one overnight ski destination in the U.S. for 2007 despite increasing competition from other states, according to the report commissioned by the Denver Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Colorado Tourism Office.

Overall statewide numbers broke records - with 28 million Americans making overnight visits to Colorado in 2007, up from 26.9 million in 2006.

Travel spending in the state reached new heights as well, with domestic visitor expenditures reaching a record $9.8 billion in 2007, up 10 percent from 2006.
Colorado was the destination of 20 percent of all domestic overnight ski trips in 2007, down from about 23 percent in 2006, the report found.

The report found a significant drop in the numbers of visitors from the upper  Mid-western states of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. May of which chose closer eastern destinations as they also fared well with snow and the economy and gas prices were also sighted as another possible reason.

The final ski area numbers are to be released in October. However an estimated 12,535,913 skier visits during the 2007-08 ski season. This is the third consecutive season that skier visits have topped more than 12 and a half million and will now rank as the second best season for skier visits on record in the state after the 2006- 2007 record year last year. Early reports show Breckenridge Colorado should continue to retain its title of most visited resort in North America.

We had one heck of a winter as did most of the United States. Deanna and I hope to see you next season!

Breckenridge Real Estate

 

Wow what a great year so far. Summer has finally arrived. The flowers are in full bloom, and Lake Dillon is almost full. By the 4 of July with the current runoff it should be at capacity. I can't wait to see all the sail boats out on the lake for this year's regatta. It should be a blast.

The realignment of the gondola in Keystone is on track and should be ready in time for the 2008-2009 ski season. I have seen some of the future development plans and it looks to be ambitious. This summer there may be some investment opportunities available in older units that will be directly impacted by the new Gondola. The move looks to add additional ski in/out capacity to some of the older buildings.

If it has been awhile since visiting the blog we have some great info about things to do here in summit have a look: http://activerain.com/blogsview/478233/Spring-activities-in-Summit. We update the blog regularly so check back often for the latest updates including monthly real estate numbers for the County.

Well it ceases to amaze me but Summit County Real Estate continues to buck the National trend. I will attach January - April's Colorado resort market index so take a look. As a whole the market remains strong. The major resort markets tend to be somewhat insulated from the housing bubbles that can bless or plague parts of the country. We are still averaging double digit appreciation, however days on market and inventory is up slightly from this time in 2007. We attribute this to tighter lending practices versus the last 3 years. Transaction dollar volume continues to rise as the total number of transactions fall. If any of you read the blog or have received our updates before you'll know this has been the case for several years. We see this in every major resort market, as housing prices increase the total amount of purchases fall.

Summit County new construction remains robust. For the first 4 months of the year we produced nearly a 8% increase over 2007, while nationally new construction was down nearly 21% during the same period. Appreciation is still on the rise with the average single family home selling for $40,000 more than in 2007. Summit County real estate appreciation for the first 5 months of the year increased by 5.5 % while nationally we saw a loss in value of about 5%.with some west coast cities fairing much worse.

As you can see Summit County not only is a great place to be but we continue to outperform the rest of the US. Land to build on is still available for your dream home especially in the Highlands just north of Breckenridge and a new development in Silverthorne called Anglers Mountain Ranch. There are a couple of great values on vacant land if you're interested e-mail us and I'll send them over to you. We are still projected for total build out in the next 5-9 years. Frisco is rapidly approaching build out with only 7 lots currently available.

We'll we hope to see you this summer and if you're in the area give us a call (1-800-624-1009 ex 199) we'd love to hear from you. We are in the process of revamping our website and would love some feedback on how to improve it and make it a better tool for our friends and clients. As always you can see any Summit County property available on the MLS at Summit County Real Estate MLS

Resort Real Estate Index by County in Colorado

Year-to-Date Gross Volume Summary through April 30th, 2008 closings totalling: $ 2,096,473,239.00

Percent represented by each County

EAGLE (Vail & Beaver Creek)

33%

SUMMIT (Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain & A-basin)

16%

GARFIELD (Glenwood Springs)

15%

PITKIN (Aspen)

24%

ROUTT (Steamboat Springs)

12%

Residential Unit Distribution by Price Point:  2007 Assessment of Actual Value
County	Value:<=1,000,000	$1,000,001 to $3,000,000	$3,000,001 to $5,000,000	Value: >=$5,000,001	Total All $:
Eagle	21,911	5,394	897	466	28,668
Garfield	18,053	353	10	2	18,418
Pitkin	5,921	3,147	1,256	1,117	11,441
Routt	12,761	1,027	82	17	13,887
Summit	24,717	1,595	31	0	26,343
Total All Counties:	83,363	114,151	2,276	1,602	98,757
Source:  County Assessor's Office for Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Routt & Summit.  Improved Residential Only - All Types - as of March 15, 2008
Median Home Price Summary: 2007 vs. 2006
Region/County	October 2007	October 2006	% Previous Year	Change
Northeast	$           258,700.00	$                 255,400.00	101%	1.29%
Midwest	$           164,000.00	$                 166,600.00	98%	-1.56%
South	$           171,400.00	$                 183,700.00	93%	-6.70%
West	$           318,200.00	$                 341,000.00	93%	-6.69%
Eagle County	$           810,000.00	$                 613,500.00	132%	32.03%
Garfield County	$           394,950.00	$                 344,500.00	115%	14.64%
Pitkin County	$         3,700,000.00	$               3,500,000.00	106%	5.71%
Routt County	$           660,000.00	$                 580,000.00	114%	13.79%
Summit County	$           648,750.00	$                 614,450.00	106%	5.58%
U.S.	$           207,800.00	$                 218,900.00	95%	-5.07%
Source:  National Association of Realtors posted via Associated Press: msnbc.msn.com & Data Research Associates.
Information shown is believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.
New Construction Sales Summary: 2007 vs. 2006
# Units/Sites Sold
Region/County	2007	2006	% Previous Year	Change
Eagle County	688	681	101%	1.03%
Garfield County	756	684	111%	10.53%
Pitkin County	296	204	145%	45.10%
Routt County	488	418	117%	16.75%
Summit County	308	286	108%	7.69%
U.S.	774,000	978,336	79%	-20.89%
Source:  Commerce Department, posted via Associated Press: msnbc.msn.com & Data Research Associates.
Information shown is believed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Note: All data contained herein is public record that is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed.

Jason & Deanna are Colorado Resort Real Estate Brokers. We can be contacted at (970) 631-6757 or (970) 485-5357.

You awake to incredible views. From the massive hand-hewn beams that give these homes their warmth and character to the mountains that range away beyond your windows. Life looks better, it is better at the Fairmont Residences on the River in Breckenridge Colorado.

Your home is on the pristine Blue River, renowned for gold medal fly-fishing. Breckenridge offers you the exhilarating pleasures of one of North America's premier ski resorts. Main Street, minutes from home, offeres you an authentic history, rich culture, fine shopping and dining. The Fairmont Residences on the River opens your eyes to the prospect of something even better: a great life.

After a time, the music of the river becomes the soundtrack of your life. The land reveals its ageless secrets. The old pioneer town takes on the aspect of something like a second home. These are amenities you cherish.

There are others, all nearby, from Breckenridge Golf Club to the renowned ski resort. And there will be still more, even closer to home. An on-site lodge. A spa. Elegant spaces for casual dining and entertainment. Gold Medal fly-fishing borders a vast and pristine open space.

Amenities

• Shuttle service
• Pool
• Hot Tubs
• Lodge
• Spa
• Café & Market
• Gold Medal fly-fishing Blue River
• Surrounded by dedicated Open-Space
• Across from the Jack Nicklaus designed, 27-hole Breckenridge Golf Club
• On the town Bike Path
• Minutes to downtown Breckenridge

Interior Features

Vaulted ceilings throughout
Exposed beams
French doors open to flagstone patio doubling the living spaceCurving rock walls provide beauty and privacy
Two master suites
Niches for artwork and sculpture

These exclusive Fairmont Residences on the river in Breckenridge are offered from about 1.1 Million to 1.7 Million.

For more information about Fairmont Residences or Breckenridge Real Esate Contact Jason and Deanna Long - The Long Group at Omni Real Estate Co at 1-800-620-1009 ex 199.

Jason and Deanna Long are Colorado resort real estate specialist operating in Breckenridge Colorado.

Copper Mountain in Summit County Colorado will present its plan to shift about 590 units of yet to be built housing within the resort's base area and add a large condo-hotel project to the mix during a two-day hearing this week in front of the Tenmile Planning Commission.

Copper also wants to eliminate 42,000 square feet of set aside commercial density and relocate another 72,000 square feet of commercial space for shops, restaurants and service facilities to areas that will be closer to current uses and walking paths. The plan anticipates about 1.5 acres of wetlands at the resort to be effected. This has been and can be a deal breaker in the past, but Copper will be restoring an additional 3 acres of wetlands to meet the 2-1 ratio required.

A few key changes have been made since the county commissioners last looked at the master plan amendment in a work session in December 2007. As part of a community benefits package, Copper proposes to redirect part of an existing real estate transfer assessment to community purposes including affordable housing, open space and early childhood care.

The resort currently charges a 1.5 percent real estate transfer assessment on all residential property within the resort. Under the latest proposal, .25 percent of the current assessment would be designated to community purposes which could raise as much as 1 million dollars annually. The assessment fees would apply to all as-yet undeveloped density at Copper. Copper officials are selling the proposal as a balanced and well thought out plan.

The latest version of the plan also speeds up the timing of a proposed employee housing development at East Lake, requiring construction of all the units within 42 months of the effective date of the approval for the base area redevelopment. Under the old plan the employee housing would have been phased in over time. 

A condo-hotel that was originally proposed for a floodplain location along Tenmile Creek would now be relocated to the Union Creek area.

In 2007 Copper officials got the green light from the commission only to be sent back to the drawing board by the County Commissioners. Copper is looking for to get a go ahead from the commission and could then go to the Board of County Commissioners later this summer for final approval.

Copper has been looking to make major changes to the base area plan since 2001, when the resort submitted what was then called a comprehensive development strategy that would have included significant amounts of new density to the resort base area. The Tenmile Planning Commission recommended approval in 2003, but the county commissioners denied the application in July 2004.

For the complete story see the Summit Daily News

Copper Mountain Condos, Copper Mountain Real Estate

Summer in Silverthorne

June 21                                 Almost 2 Mile High flee market

June 25                                 Bike-to-Work Day

June 27                                 DooWop Denny

July 5                                    Danielia Cotton Concert

July 10                                   Ice Cream Social

July 19                                   Skate Over 8000 Feet Competition

August 3                                Beatles Tribute Band "Imagine"

August 29                              DooWop Denny

September 13 & 14                Blue River Festival

September 20                        Almost 2 Mile High Flea Market

Hope to see you all here Jason & Deanna.

Silverthorne Information, Silverthorne Real Estate

 

At the March 26, 2008, Council Meeting, the Silverthorne Town Council approved an agreement to partner with Red Mountain Village, LLC, to provide a mix of affordable and market rate housing on a 51 acre site commonly referred to as the Smith Ranch. The Town is currently negotiating with Red Mountain Village to craft a development agreement which will provide a mix of affordable and attainable market rate housing, all of similar size and design. If a development agreement is agreed to by June 30, 2008, the Town will then negotiate an acceptable planned unit development agreement, as well as an annexation agreement to bring the development within Town limits.

Silverthorne's Town Council has always envisioned this land as an affordable neighborhood for full-time residents, and this agreement secures the property for that purpose. The approved agreement outlines a process by which Red Mountain Village can work in partnership with the Town to bring an affordable housing development to Silverthorne," stated Mayor Dave Koop. Mayor Koop added, "We are looking forward to getting public input on this topic. Once the Town has negotiated an acceptable development agreement, we will begin our development process review which provides many opportunities for public input."

Affordable housing is crucial to the area. Homes and property values contiue to increase in Silverthorne and throughout Summit County. Avalible land is running out as we near total build-out. As this project moves forward Deanna and I believe it will ensure people that work in our community will live in our community.

Silverthorne Real Estate information