How does Breckenridge CO real estate captivate outdoors enthusiasts?  Skiers, hikers, and golfers are fascinated by the quaint Victorian village of Breckenridge nestled into the absolute beauty of the Rocky Mountains.  And, “No heat, no bugs, no humidity!”

Summit County is the right place to fulfill all three desires of second-home shoppers.  The prevailing second-home buyers are predominantly baby boomers in their peak earning years.  They want:

     1)    Vacation homes for family use
     2)    Investment properties that will increase in value
     3)    Places to retire.

When they fall in love on annual vacations, people begin to percolate the idea of investing in second homes for future family vacations.  Why not invest in a home, condo, or fractional in an attractive resort that continues to keep its value and charm?  Some people jump in right away, investing now for a later family vacation home or even retirement.  Others poke around for a few seasons looking for bargains.  With today’s low interest rates and good prices, there are plenty of bargains available right now.

Over the past 15 years, resort real estate in Summit County has maintained an average 12.1 percent annual appreciation rate.  With only 20 percent of the property in Summit County privately owned, the area is approaching build out which will trigger rising property values.  Then, too, growing population along the Front Range is feeding the demand for vacation homes in the Rocky Mountains.

Over the next decade, millions of baby boomers will be driving the second-home market to record sales by investing in vacation homes and investment properties.  Most boomers will purchase family vacation getaways to enhance quality of life.  According to an article entitled, “Many Happy Returns” published in our Breckenridge Associates Newsletter, the aging population is “determined to remain active and challenged, and to find discovery and personal reward.” 

Second homes in our resorts are known to help families to interact in meaningful ways.  They become the centerpieces of family gatherings and traditions.  [To be continued]

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates offers a wealth of information about real estate in the Rocky Mountains.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly, professional assistance.

Buyers who come looking for vacation real estate in Breckenridge during this week, January 13-16, can watch how the blocks of snow are built and even join in the fun helping the Town of Breckenridge to make it happen.

T blank canvases of snow that are carefully planted around the Riverwalk Center and Blue River Plaza will be turned into awe-inspiring snow sculptures by the teams of artisans.  Each four-person team carves a unique sculpture into its twenty ton block of snow.  Using no power tools—only creativity and hands—the sculptors form their masterpieces before thousands of spectators.

Sculpting begins January 20 and ends, usually with a flurry of all-night finishing touches, on Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m.  As judges observe the emerging designs, spectators may also voice their opinions by voting.  On January 25, a panel of artists awards the top three teams on the basis of theme, style, and technique.  They will also announce the winners of the awards for People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice, and Artists’ Choice.

Another interesting element of the event is the exhibit at the Snow Sculpture Headquarters in Riverwalk Center.  The stories from the last two decades of Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships will be displayed.  Everyone can learn about the roots of the event, the competitors, the beauty and fun that the Championships bring to this historic village.  They began as a tribute to the God of Snow during the annual January Ullr Fest and grew into an international event.

The event leaves a spectacular Ice Village at the Riverwalk Center.  Glowing statues remain on display, weather permitting, until February 1.  At that time, they disappear during the night.

The teams selected to participate in this competition include Team Bulgaria, Team Canada Ontario, Team Canada Yukon, Team Canada U.S., Team China, Team German, Team Mexico, Team Netherlands, Team Spain, Team Switzerland, Team U.S. Alaska, Team U.S. Breckenridge, Team U.S. Loveland, Team Minnesota, Team Vermont, and Team Wyoming.

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates is a long-time resident and Realtor and may share her own stories about the snow sculpting competitions in town.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly professional real-estate assistance in the Rocky Mountain area.