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Summertime is here. Cool mornings, hot afternoons and occasional thunderstorms. Along with that come lots of vacationers. They are here to see the wonders of the Rocky Mountains, here in the heart of 14er-land; however, they are not looking at properties the way they have in the past.
This year, again, the numbers are way down and the trend line is flat. The good news is that the inventory is huge; the interest rates are way down; and on any particular property you might be able to fashion a great deal. I think by autumn, we’ll see the real estate activity start to pick up with 2011 supporting a come-back. It’s just a matter of waiting for buyers, because the beauty, vitality and value of our valley has not changed.
I’m itching to get the climbing season underway. This past week was a great week weather-wise, but it has been raining all weekend. When the weather breaks, the first thing I need to do is to take a day or so and inspect the portion of the Continental Divide Trail that I have adopted. That is about 8 miles all above 12,000 feet, although a small portion is not yet complete. Once that is done, Casco Peak is the first on the climbing list. I got up high enough last week to spot the route, but the south ridge was still snow covered; however, that should be pretty much snow free now. Once I get that done, there is a long list to take me through the summer. So many peaks…so little summer! (Here in the Sawatch Range there are about 130 peaks 13,000 feet or higher) Casco Peak - 13,908 feet
What an up and down weather season it has been the last few months. Every time there is a warm-up, there has been a quick cool-down. After the coldest winter ever here in Buena Vista and the last four seasons averaging below normal, one wonders if there will be summer. But there are indications that nature is on track.
Yesterday started out on a bitter-sweet note. My friend and colleague, who helped raise Central Colorado Regional Airport from a low point to national recognition, left to become the Airport Manager at Hays, KS….good for them…not so much for us. After parting it was time for a hike and some fresh air. Just as I was getting to the top of Midland Hill, there they were…dozens of Pasque flowers. Every season they are the first to pop up in the mountains…a sure sign that all is well!
May is here as it probably is everywhere, but this year I’m not sure that Spring came with it to Buena Vista. It seems as though it should be warmer and the grass greener. Where are the flowers…or is it too early for them? The real attention-getter is the bright, white mountains pasted on the so-Colorado blue sky. There is still a lot of snow sitting up there, which is good for Colorado’s water supply and those of us who like to snowshoe, so I guess this is really not so much a complaint about Spring as much as an observation of what seems different this year. Any way you look at it, Buena Vista is a beautiful site!
I have long believed that continuing education in real estate will pay off in the long run. I used to teach and have always enjoyed taking classes and expanding my knowledge envelope. While I certainly don’t remember everything from every day of class that I have had, I do remember key items that are important and always know where I can get the details. In the past few years I have picked up a designation or certification just about every year, so I can have a raft of initials after my name, but rarely put them there because no one knows what they mean and it probably doesn’t matter anyway.
About a week ago I received a call, followed by an e-mail, from a member of a family who was looking for a second home with the idea of it being a extended-family get-a-way. Last night I met with them. It is a great family and I had a great time guiding them through a process to help them develop some direction. Now there are certainly a raft of brokers around here that could have done this…but I had been chosen because the family noticed that I had my Resort and Second-home Property Specialist certification…RSPS…and they were looking for a second home, so they called. I appreciate that.
Following the coldest Winter and coldest February on record, there is a feel of Springtime in Buena Vista. Keep in mind that March and April can be big snow months here, but those snows come and then melt here in the valley, but do add mightily to the snow pack, so important for Colorado’s summer water. Beyond that, there is a feeling of excitement in the business community that there is a good year ahead. Certainly in real estate there has been an early flurry of activity during typically slow February. As I check with other brokers around town, all are upbeat.
Now that we are getting into March, spring-breaks will be coming along and that usually notches up the activity in the real estate market. Spring skiers, road-trippers and beauty-seekers will be passing through our valley and will be awed. Even if not planning to buy real estate, tourists will make sure to pick up a real estate guide to take home; it just happens in Colorado mountain towns…and we love it. We are ready with a great inventory and I look forward to assisting new buyers find their dream property. I’m getting excited!
It appears as though life has returned to the real estate market in Buena Vista and Chaffee County. After a couple years of low sales we are all hoping for great improvement. With February nearly half over, there have been two sales in the county over half a million and there are seven more under contract. It has been a while since there has been substantial upper-end market activity.Â
At the lower end there is an marked increase in the number of folks looking, even if writing offers is lagging a bit. The reason I mention all this is that in mid-February activity is often quite slow, so to see this increase at this time of year is a treat and raises hopes that sales will pick up this year. I’m sure it will be a while before we reach the level of 2007, but a gradual increase in property sales will be appreciated. We certainly have a great property inventory and whatever happens, the Upper Arkansas Valley will always be a great place to live and play!
The data is in and it looks as though real estate property sales in Chaffee County are headed upward! The numbers for 2009 are about half of what they were in 2007 and the data shows that the worst sales months were in late 2008 and early 2009.
Within the graph there is an obvious annual cycle and a 12-month trailing-average trendline indicates that sales numbers have hit bottom and are trending upward. Since winter and early spring is the softest sales period, it will likely take into May before we know how business is going to be. Keep in mind that current times have established a new normal and growth will be slow and steady over the next years. The good news is Buena Vista is still a gem in the Rockies and the desire to be here has not diminished!
I was sitting here in the kitchen this morning looking out the window and the thought came to me that the view reminded me of Switzerland. Then I realized, this view that I see everyday, is really my Buena Vista view. The sky was clear Colorado blue; the air was a crisp 11 degrees; the new snow on Mt. Princeton just made that massif stand out as if it were pasted on the sky. One is just compelled to stare.
There are days when there is not enough hustle and bustle here in this town for me, but when I stop and look at the surroundings, I am always awed at the majesty of this valley. There are other impressive views that I have seen in my travels, but these are particularly so. I finally realized that views here are different because I have hiked the trails and climbed the peaks and know the back country. Elsewhere, a view is a view, but each one here has a memory or two for me.
If ever there was a little town, nestled in a valley, surrounded by snow covered peaks, that made you think of a Colorado Christmas, Buena Vista could be the one.
Here in Buena Vista we are getting to the lazy time of year in real estate. Everyone seems pretty much otherwise focused during the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years day. But there are always surprises! There are those folks who do not rush around during the holiday, but live leisurely…and often end up here in the mountains to enjoy what is naturally here. Once in a while they find real estate that speaks to them. Needless to say, that can make the holidays merry for a lot of people.
I have one of those properties listed. It has been on the market too long. It is one of those upper-end homes that is the epitome of comfort, energy thoughtfulness, careful layout and attention to detail. The price has been reduced over the year, largely due to market changes. This house is nestled in the trees, but offers great views and from inside one continually appreciates the outside. If you are ready for an opportunity to purchase yourself a gift that will give back for years to come…here it is.
For an information sheet, click on the picture and for a virtual tour of the property, click here  .
Happy holidays…and feel free to call me!
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Welcome! Buena Vista, at 8,000 feet, sits in the Upper Arkansas Valley surrounded by 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. This area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and is a second-home or retirement community for those who love the beauty and high-country adventure. I invite you to pay us a visit.
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