Buying Real Estate in a Small Towns Like Steamboat Spring, Colorado. Beware, the choices are limited. In larger cities, people have hundreds of choices when shopping for real estate. In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the number of homes for sale is much smaller. So once you set your criteria: price, location, style and condition, you don't have many homes to choose from.  When working with out of town buyers, one comment I hear a lot is, "that's not a lot to choose from." If your looking for a home in Steamboat Springs today, you will have a criteria. Priced range Location Style of home Condition Once you establish this criteria, the amount of homes that meets your criteria is going to be a small. So if you're looking for a home in Old Town Steamboat, Fish Creek Falls area, Mountain area,... 05/17/2012

We all want to live longer right?  Living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a healthy environment. There are so many outdoor activities here it's hard not to be healthy. And now, Steamboat Springs can add one more healthy thing to their diet. Coffee. Good coffee is important. Bad coffee might just not be worth drinking. In Steamboat Springs, we have several choices for coffee - some good, some not so good. But at least we have choices. And today, a study was released stating that coffee drinkers are a little more likely to live longer. A recent coffee study has found that drinking coffee might give you more time to . . . drink more coffee.  That's right, the result of this study says that if you drink coffee you will live a bit longer. So for those looking for good coffee in Steamboat S... 05/17/2012

As I noted in a tweet this week and confirmed locally by a Steamboat Springs based bank, mortgage rates reached an all time low.  That number translated to 3.65% conventional 30 year fixed rate in Steamboat Springs....WOW!  If you have good credit, a down payment, a source of income, and a need or desire for housing, don't miss this chance! This week's transactions slowed from the recent pace, but won't remain if new pendings are the indication of greater activity.  Enjoy the weekly report from the Steamboat Pilot. Anne Mayberry     970.846.1425 ■ 26775 El Dorado Drive Seller: Rose Family Partnership Buyer: Robert B. and Tracy L. Stoddard Sale date: May 4, 2012 Sale price: $179,000 Property description: Undeveloped eight-acre Lot 20 in Badger Meadows Filing 2 near Steamboat Lake. Sold f... 05/13/2012

How Real Estate Syndication Sites are Misleading Steamboat Springs Syndication real estate website like Zillow.com, Homes.com, and Trulia.com, are pretty slick real estate websites that offer some cool tools and decent information. In some ways I like these sites. I'm all about providing real estate information. These are very popular real estate websites and have a huge national presence. But these real estate sites are all about revenue. These syndication real estate sites are packed with revenue making advertisements. They are ads for local real estate agents, mortgage, credit scores, cars, you name it, there's a lot of ads within these websites. The problem with these syndication sites is the data they provide is often inaccurate and misleading real estate information. These are nat... 05/12/2012

This past week was another big week for Steamboat Springs and Routt County with $13,912,732 in gross sales and 27 whole ownersip transactions. Approximately one third of the closed transactions were distressed properties. Another $1,058,620 were fractional sales that were not included in the $13.9 million. The Treasurer's office shows the number of forclosure filings, 88, similar to last year at this time. Below are this week's sales as reported by the Steamboat Pilot. Anne Mayberry 970-946-1425 ■ 17825 Routt County Road 29 Seller: Matthew P. and Kimberly A. Anderson Buyer: Good Hope Partners Limited Partners Sale date: April 27, 2012 Sale price: $2.8 million Property description: Two transactions. One involving three single-family homes on 38.2 acres, the newest built in 1980, and anot... 05/06/2012

Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market Report for March 2012 The March numbers came out for the real estate market report this week. Keep in mind these are Steamboat Springs real estate transactions that closed in March, 2012. This means these properties went under contract roughly 30-60 days prior, or in January and February. I monitor the pending sales each months and back in January there were only 77 pending properties. Today there are 143. What this means is that we are just starting to see all these pending sale begin to close. In other words, the future looks a lot brighter than these March numbers. Here's the trends for pending sales the last 5 months: Dec. = 71 Jan. = 77 Feb. = 102 March = 132 April = 143 MARCH 2012 ROUTT REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT.   We had 99 transaction in Marc... 04/30/2012

Absorption Rate Video Blog: A Turning Real Estate Market in Steamboat ABSORPTION RATE – Is the rate at which homes are selling in a specific area. The absorption rate in real estate is the barometer of the market. If absorption rate is up, that mean the real estate is healthy and strong and selling. If absorption rate is down, that mean inventory is high and the real estate market it slow. The Steamboat Springs real estate market is showing some positive signs of improvement. Many of you know, several months ago I committed to making weekly video blogs. I figured people would rather watch a video than read about the Steamboat Springs real estate market. I don't know if this is true, but I'm committed. Would love your feedback on whether this works. Here's my website. It's on the main pa... 04/14/2012

National Geographic's World's 25 Best Ski Towns - Congrats Steamboat Springs National Geographic put the feelers out for the "25 World's best ski towns."  Now I assume they are not talking about  the 25 best ski areas. That might something completely different. Ski Towns are something, as Aaron Teasdale put's it: "Just what makes a classic ski town? It starts, naturally, with skiing and snowboarding so good they attract people like youth-bestowing fountains. Then add an inviting mountain burg steeped in ski heritage, amenities, and culture. These are the 25 best. For insider tips, we asked local luminaries where to stay, play, and party, whether you're on a budget or indulging." Steamboat Springs voted World's Best 25 Ski Town I'm not too surprised Steamboat Springs made the list. After... 04/13/2012

Great Happy Hour at the Rusted Porch in Steamboat Springs! At four hours (but who's counting?) Steamboat Springs’ longest happy hour at the Rusted Porch is attracting both Steamboat Springs locals and visitors alike. The prices are great and the food is even better. While not brand new in Steamboat Springs, The Rusted Porch opened late in 2011, this Steamboat Springs restaurant is definitely gaining a loyal following. Could it be the variety of  happy hour sliders that are scrumptious and start at $1.29? Or perhaps it’s the great beer and mixed drinks…no check that, it’s the fantastic bartender, Tenille, who makes the mixed drinks. While she’s way too young to remember the Captain and Tenille (c’mon, if you’re over 45 you too probably remember Muskrat Love), she welcomes the Captain and... 04/12/2012

Real Estate is picking up. But this blog is not about that. It's about the cost to heat your home. The cost to heating a home can be very costly. Especially in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where the temperatures can drop to negative figures for days on end during the winter. So if you're looking to buy real estate in Steamboat Springs, pay special attention to how the home is heated. This issue is often overlooked, but you can afford more home if it's heated with natural gas.  Given the glut of natural gas these days, it's matters even more.  If the home you're looking to buy is heated with natural gas, your heating cost will be a lot lower then if it's heated with oil, propane or electricity. Cost per month of heating a home: •  Propane  = $226 per month •  Natural gas = $79 per month I... 04/11/2012

Tier 2 Sports Teams in Budget Trouble at Steamboat Springs High School  Steamboat Springs is located in a beautiful valley far enough away from metropolitan areas that it’s safe to say no one moves here with any delusions of being able to make a quick trip to the mall, or Costco or Target for that matter. Every once in a while living in your corner of paradise can be a negative, and that seems to be the case with the Steamboat Springs High School athletic budget. As budget money everywhere is cut and/or re-allocated, the reality has hit Steamboat Springs High School that the cost of shuttling athletes across the state to compete might be too much to field many of the teams next year. Steamboat Today Photo by John F. Russell Safe are the “Tier 1” Steamboat Springs’ high school sports tha... 04/10/2012

The Glass is Half Full in Steamboat Springs - Building Permits Up It’s been a while here in Steamboat Springs since we’ve had good news on the building permit front, but the first quarter of 2012 finally brought some good news to the Steamboat Springs' real estate market and undoubtedly to the local construction, Steamboat architects and interior design industries as well. Photo from SteamboatHomeFinder.com So just how good is the news? $4.8 million good with the addition of two Steamboat Springs' building permits in March for single family homes with a combined valuation of $2.42M. Keep in mind that permit values are always less than the final cost of a home. For comparison, since I know some people are wondering how a ski resort town like Steamboat Springs could “only have” new buildi... 04/09/2012

Easter Holiday Steamboat Springs Style Easter in Steamboat Springs won’t be a white one this year, but that doesn’t mean the Steamboat Ski Mountain won’t be hopping (yep, pun intended) with activity. Some people will be skiing the limited open terrain. If I planned a ski trip here and I wasn’t used to (or ‘spoiled by’ like us Steamboat locals) the “champagne powder” we’re known for, I’d probably ski some as well. Not this weekend though – there will be plenty of other things to do in the sunny mid 60’s weather Steamboat Springs’ is forecasted to have this holiday weekend. The summer toys are coming out of locals’ garages and being rented by visitors in lieu of ski gear. Bikes are making an early appearance in Steamboat Springs this year! Rabbit Ears Pass - Steamboat Springs Easter holid... 04/05/2012

Do Real Estate Agents Need Leadership Skills?  Do Bears Poop in the Woods?  Are you thinking "why would I need leadership skills in real estate?" We're self employed. The business of real estate ain't easy. It can be a never ending roller-coaster of emotions. A non-stop drive to deliver on clients ever-changing expectations. Throw in there the financial uncertainty of being a real estate agent. Yes, real estate agents need leadership skills. I just read an interesting article on Inc.com regarding the six things “adaptive strategic leaders” do well. As I pondered these qualities in reference to Managing Broker/Owner core competencies, I quickly broadened my point of reference to include us Real Estate Agents. Why? Because we are self-employed, we all run our own businesses and need to le... 04/04/2012

What' Trending? Something That's Steamboat Springs Real Estate Friendly! Second home owners are common in Steamboat Springs, and the real estate market in Steamboat Springs thrives on Vacation and Investment Home Buyers seeing the advantages of owning property in Ski Town USA®. The National Association of Realtors 2012 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, reported that sales of investment and vacation homes jumped in 2011 to a combined share that reached its highest level since 2005. Specifically: Investment Home sales increased 64.5% in 2011 vs. 2010 Vacation Home sales increased 7.0% in 2011 vs. 2010 Investment Home sales share of all 2011 transactions rose to 27% from 17% in 2010 Vacation Home sales share of all 2011 transactions rose to 11% from 10% in 2010 41% of Investment ... 04/03/2012

Steamboat Springs Ski Mountain Closing Terrain Due to Warm Weather Steamboat Springs was sunny and almost balmy for most of March. So it’s not surprising that the Steamboat ski area announced today that it’s closing down a good portion of the Steamboat ski mountain due to deteriorating snow conditions. The open areas of the Steamboat ski mountain as of Monday, April 2nd include: 59 trails (from 136 open as of April 1st) 976 acres of skiing (about 33% of the mountain) 7 lifts All the food & beverage outlets located where ski terrain is still open Retail shops and restaurants at the base of the Steamboat ski mountain Steamboat’s ski passes have been reduced to $79 as a result of the closures and conditions. The Steamboat ski area is still planning to stay open through the scheduled April ... 04/02/2012

Video Blog: Real Estate Updates and One BIG Trout A few months ago I committed to making Steamboat Springs Video Blogs once a week. I even had my home page website re-designed to post these weekly video blogs. For the most part it's real estate updates and my perspective of the real estate market. But there's so much more to buying and selling real estate than just the home. The location and area is a huge part of what helps create the value in real estate. And a home is Steamboat Springs, Colorado is an amazing place to live.  Some of my better real estate video blogs have been: Helpful tip on selecting a listing agent.  Just a market update with my dog catching a Frisbee. So this video blog today showcases just one of the reasons why Steamboat Springs is a great place to live or spend... 03/30/2012

Seek and You'll Find a Silver Lining in January's Case-Shiller Price Indices The clouds are still hovering, but you can find a silver lining in the Case-Shiller January Home Price Indices Report because while home prices are still falling in most metropolitan areas, they are falling at a slower pace. Bloomberg News donned their rose colored glasses as well in one of their Case-Shiller articles pointing out that while we indeed have a long way to go, property values are beginning to steady, and the outlook is a little less negative. As reported in the Huffington Post today, February’s consumer confidence numbers were the highest in over a year, and the just released March consumer confidence data is on par with February’s showing consumers’ resilience and upbeat outlook despite economic ... 03/27/2012

Many here in ActiveRain have been talking about the shifting of their local real estate markets.  That talk is about the transition between going from a "Buyer's Market" to a "Seller's Market." Steamboat Springs’ real estate market set the bar high in January with $42.6M+ in sales that included one large $17.6M sale of the Yampa Tailwaters property. So while February ’12 solidly beat February ’11 by 6.7%, at just under $22.5M, February sales might seem a little anti-climatic. But looking at the pending Steamboat Springs sales on the books, I too have to echo other ActiveRain bloggers.  I'm not saying we're a Seller's Market, but things are improving for Steamboat Springs real estate.  Here’s a snapshot of how pending sales are trending upward and should yield healthy numbers in the next... 03/25/2012

Steamboat Springs February Report Mixed, But Pendings Are Bright Spot The bar was set high in the Steamboat Springs’ real estate market in January with $42.6M+ in sales that included one large $17.6M sale of the Yampa Tailwaters property. February ’12 sales numbers, at just under $22.5M, solidly beat February ’11 by 6.7%, but the results might seem a little anti-climatic. To find the icing on the cake we need to look at the number of Pending Steamboat Springs Sales on the books. Here’s a snapshot of how pending sales are trending upward and should yield healthy numbers in the next two months as these sales close: January 1, 2012: 71 Pending Sales February 1, 2012: 77 Pending Sales March 1, 2012: 102 Pending Sales March 21, 2012: 121 Pending Sales  Other good news from an economic supply... 03/23/2012