Make no mistake, however.  Some people want high-quality green vacation homes in Breckenridge and Summit County and can afford state-of-the-art techniques and equipment.  These buyers will pay the higher price for LEED-certified homes.  They will pay for the sturdy construction; better air-conditioning, heating, and insulation; high-tech ventilation, radiation-filtering windows, solar panels, and passive-solar architectural elements.

The truth is that homes with low-energy features cost more up front.  If a builder adds $40,000 worth of solar panels, high-quality insulation and air ducts, and energy-efficient appliances, the features could add $50,000 to the price of the home.  The homeowner can re-coup that money over the course of the mortgage through lower energy bills.  Some people can afford the initial increase; others cannot.

When energy prices were soaring last year homebuilders nationwide went through a phase of adding eco-friendly enhancements, according to the 02-14-09 Associated Press article in Summit Homes & Properties.  These builders were getting onto the green bandwagon.  But with falling oil prices and cash shortages, the pricey low-energy developments are stalling a bit.  People have to cut their budgets somewhere.

As several economic factors changed during 2008, so too did the demand for these impressive green homes.  Some developers saw an initial burst in sales for green homes followed by a weakening in the green market.  The AP article explained that developers such as Scottsdale-based Meritage Homes are reviewing future projects and plans for sustainable communities in areas such as Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado, and Florida. 

As builders move cautiously forward into the green arena, they will be exploring ways to remain environmentally friendly while cutting costs.  Examples include Energy-Star appliances.  If they are building green communities, developers may choose to offer pre-sales to be sure that enough buyers are on board.

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates offers a wealth of information about real estate in the Rocky Mountain region.  The brokers at Breckenridge Associates Real Estate own the business and work together with an uncommon dedication to their clients, the industry, and the community, resulting in decades of top performance in the resort areas.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 or (800) 774-7970 for friendly, professional assistance.

Breckenridge and Summit County real estate have a long-established track record of increasing property values.  And as co-owner of Breckenridge Associates Real Estate Rob Neyland explains, “People are tired of seeing their retirement funds getting trashed and losing a third of their value over the weekend.  In a nutshell, they are looking for the REAL in real estate: something they can own, that they can use, enjoy, and have some control over, and that will increase in value.”   Then, too, with the inevitable build out in an area surrounded by national forests and government-regulated lands, demand will push the values up even more.

As the property ages like a fine wine, there are also significant unique tax advantages in second-home ownership.  Federal tax deductions include mortgage interest, real estate taxes, management and homeowner fees, and utilities.  If the owners choose to rent the property to offset some of the expenses involved, the real estate investment offers the opportunity to defer capital gains.  Utilizing IRS Section 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange, some investors take advantage of the most powerful wealth and estate building tool available to the United States taxpayer.

Another reason property values are increasing is that the ski areas, mountain-base areas, and gondolas are being dramatically improved by Vail Resorts, the owner of Breckenridge Ski Resort.  At the base of Peaks 7 and 8, exclusive new ski-in/ski-out properties are redefining the luxury ski experience.  Developments ranging from slope-side masterpieces to little ski cabins in the woods are catching the attention of buyers worldwide.  There are single family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and some remaining home sites.  The latest option is the fully deeded fractional ownership that offers a family vacation property for under $100,000, available from one month a year to 13 weeks.  

Yes, the financial benefits are extensive.  But people buy in our beautiful mountain resort for the quality of life that they can offer to their families now and down the road.

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.

As the ship of United States economy bows down in the stormy waters, Breckenridge Colorado properties continue to gain value.  Moreover, over a ten-year period Breckenridge real estate has outperformed the Standard & Poor 500, the five-percent return rate, and the average amount for property sales in the U.S.  When looking at the comparative data displayed on a graph, the performance of real estate in Breckenridge is actually astounding.

In the long term, real estate values throughout all of Summit County are steadily climbing.  There have only been one or two periods of leveling off in the past ten years, depending on the area of Summit County being charted.  The most difficult year was 2002 after the September 11 attacks upon the nation.  During the majority of this decade, property values realized double-digit appreciation.

In contrast, the average return on money invested ten years ago in the stock market did not even keep up with the 5-percent conservative investments.  It increased in value just over 110 percent of the original investment—including reinvested dividends.  Dollars invested in real estate at market value since 1998 (without rental income) increased over 175 percent in the U.S. market and over 275 percent in the local resort market.

With 25-percent annual increases in property values, our quaint Victorian Town of Breck stood out in the crowd during the period of 2005-2008.  Today, we find that resort real estate is emerging as one of the safest, most secure tools for building wealth that is available in our nation.  Due to the continuing turmoil in the national economy, the projected slowdown of appreciation rates for 2009 turns this year into a rare opportunity for buyers.  Prices are right for investing in the next 10-year cycle.  It will help your ship move into calmer waters.

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates offers a wealth of information about real estate in the Rocky Mountain region.  The brokers at Breckenridge Associates Real Estate own the business and work together with an uncommon dedication to their clients, the industry, and the community resulting in top performance in the resort areas for decades.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly, professional assistance.

Real-estate buyers continue to value the Breckenridge and Summit County region as a world-class destination—even while cruising through the choppy waters of the current U.S. economy.  Their confidence is boosted by the determination of Vail Resorts to move forward with continuous multi-million-dollar resort improvements including expanding terrain, updating lifts, and adding amenities to their Breckenridge and Keystone resorts.

Now is the best time to buy a home in Breckenridge, to move up, and to invest in a place with great rental potential.  Thanks to the normal market correction and to the erratic state of the United States economy, inventory levels are beginning to fall and prices may start increasing.  And here’s why. 

The economic downturn has affected buyers in Summit County far less than other areas of America.  Almost three quarters of property owners here are absentee owners who can afford to invest here, to hold on to their properties, and who desire resort services and amenities that complement their lifestyles. 

Our resort market has therefore seen steady price appreciation for decades.  During a typical correction in the market like we saw in 2001 and see now, prices level off.   Some 2007 prices have carried into 2008 and 2009 but these corrections usually only last 12-24 months.

We do not have large numbers of owners affected by subprime loans but we do have some sellers who are in financial need or who need to sell and they are willing to haggle.

In recent years, inventory levels have been up 50 to 70 percent after builders and developers furiously constructed a variety of new homes and condominium developments to keep up with the increasing demand for resort properties.  This existing inventory offers buyers a great selection. 

However, available inventory has started to decline and declining inventory is one of the first signs that real estate is recovering.  Sales, expired listings, and properties removed from the market reduce the inventory which usually causes prices to increase again.

With many people being fed up with the stock market, and real estate continuing to be a stable long-term investment, buyers may soon find competition for the great values.  Those buyers willing to move now will find the best selection and best prices.

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.

One big reason to buy family vacation homes in Summit County—Colorado’s playground—is for the variety of intergenerational recreational activities that everyone in the family will enjoy.  Starting at the Breckenridge Nordic Center or the Frisco Nordic Center, residents and guests can interchange cross-country skis for snowshoes.  Both centers are accessible via the free shuttle route.

Breckenridge Nordic Center, located at the clubhouse of the Breckenridge Golf Course, offers 16 kilometers of snowshoeing on scenic nature trails.  Great conditions extend from the lower Beaver Meadows to The Colorado.  Snowshoe tours are offered daily.  By advanced reservation, there are also special moonlight snowshoe tours at night.  At times, a last-minute walk in can be accommodated.  Snowshoe tours are also available at the Frisco Nordic Center by reservation only. 

During January, the Tour the Summit by Ski or Snowshoe festival invites the entire community out for a ski or snowshoe 10 kilometer run from Breck to Friso.   The fun event benefits Friends of the Dillon Ranger District.  Participants include everyone from babies, children, youth, and young professionals, to the “middle aged” and seniors to centurions.

Frisco also has free sledding hills, a kid’s log cabin, kick sledding, and children’s tours by pulk sled.  Built specifically for carrying children and cargo, pulk sleds are a growing segment of the cross-country ski experience.  They are much easier and safer than skiing or snowshoeing with a baby in a backpack or a front child-carrier.

The more adventurous can explore two Nordic skier tunnels along a continuous looped trail system or set out for the warming huts at Hallelujah Hut and/or Kathy’s Viewpoint.  There are an infinite number of destinations around the authentic Victorian mining town.  Along the Ten Mile Range to the Continental Divide, discoveries are in store year after year.

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates is a long-time resident in Breck.  She offers a wealth of information and affordable local options.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly, professional real-estate assistance in the Rocky Mountain area.

The Golden Stories of Breckenridge is a growing series of video documentaries about Breckenridge history.  The videos include interviews with historical experts, residents and visitors who have been a part of the last century, as well as direct descendents of the families who lived in early Breckenridge Colorado homes. 

Sponsored by the Town of Breckenridge and produced by local videographer Wendy Wolfe, three videos are available at this time:  The Depression Years, The High Line, and Rest in Peace.

• The Depression Years features stories from three early residents including their colorful and touching memories of the railroad, the dredge boats, the early schools, and recreation in the area.  The stories are woven together with clips of film and photos that help paint a vivid picture of the experiences.
• The High Line features the local narrow-gauge railroad from 1882 to 1937.  Impressive stories of the building of the track over Boreas Pass underscore one of the most daunting accomplishments in railroad history.  Known as the High Line, those who worked it endured long and difficult days, cruel winters, and runaway trains.
• Rest in Peace elaborates on the beautiful Valley Brook Cemetery that was established in 1882.  It is the final resting place for many of the Town’s earliest pioneers whose ornate monuments tell the stories of the Victorian times.  Today the natural sanctuary thrives with wildflowers and wildlife.

The Golden Stories of Breckenridge may be viewed on local television and at the Edwin Carter Museum. The VHS-formatted videos are also available for purchase at the Breckenridge Activity Centers and at Town Hall for $20.

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates is a long-time resident and Realtor.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly professional real-estate assistance in the Rocky Mountain area.

A tribute to the mythical Norse God of Snow, the legendary Main Street Parade is part of the weeklong Ullr events being held January 4-10 near homes in Breckenridge.  Son of Sif and stepson of Thor, the God of Thunder, Ullr is the winter god.  He loves the cold and could be seen traveling over the country on his skis and skates.  It is said that he covered the earth with snow each winter to protect it from harm.

As he skied through the Northern Forests, Ullr was so skilled with the bow that he could beat anyone out for a hunt.  Ullr also glided throughout the land on his great skis for pleasure.  One of his travels brought him to Breckenridge, high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where he decided to settle down.  Taken by the beautiful mountain village, Ullr blessed his new home with some of the finest snow in the world.

And so it is that the people of Breckenridge began in 1963 to hold a Festival every year to repay and honor Ullr, the God of Winter, for his gift of snow.  When Ullr came to town that year, locals went to the Town Council and lobbied to hold “Ullr Dag”, which can be interpreted as Ullr Day.  During the first few years, locals honored Ullr with gold coins, parties, skiing, and more parties. 

As the years passed, they embellished the festivities with the Ullr Ball, the Ullr Bonfire, Snow Sculpting, a Ullr King and Queen, the Ullympics, dating games, and the Ullr Parade.  At times old skis are burned in the bonfire while the parties emblazon the town.  Plan to make it to Comedy Night and/or the Mountain Rotary Club Chilly Chili Cook Off, too.

Jonna Beardsley of Breckenridge Associates is a long-time resident in Breck.  She offers a wealth of information and affordable local options.  Call Jonna at (970) 453-2200 for friendly, professional real-estate assistance in the Rocky Mountain area.