In Steamboat Springs, the local botanical gardens are a spectacular place to gather ideas and spend some relaxing time. I found it a great place to bring to you the real estate market update. Great visuals and good real estate information.  Delivering real estate information is often boring. Showing stats and talking about the market is kind of a sleeping subject if you're not into stats or real estate. But delivering the Steamboat real estate update with beautiful video images is a new way to keep peoples attention. I had a great time making this video in such a lovely place. So when in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, don't miss the Yampa River Botanic Park. Regards, Charlie Charlie Dresen Real Estate Associate Broker | Prudential Local Knowledge | Global Exposure | Defining Service 970-8... 06/08/2013

 A Guide to Biking in Steamboat Springs   Steamboat Springs biker Wow, trying to figure out how to write about biking in Steamboat Springs is a little like trying to figure out how to write about, oh, the universe. … where do I begin! In Bike City, USA, there is just so much going on and so many organizations, and trails, and projects, and awards, and memberships -  it’s a little overwhelming. So, here is an introductory guide to finding information on biking in Steamboat Springs. This is in no way complete, it will just easily get you started: Need to get out and ride? Start here at the Steamboat Springs Chamber, I think they do an excellent job in providing a one-stop service for biking. Also Bike Town USA, and pick up the Biking Guide either here, online, or at the Visitor Center. Ne... 06/06/2013

Great Value in Steamboat Springs Real Estate As real estate values start to climb in Steamboat Springs, you can still find a great value in a single family home just outside of town. The Silver Spur area is just 3 miles west  of town and offers a great family orientated neighborhood with running trails, ski trails, and endless playgrounds surrounding the area. The Silver Spur area offer larger lots and larger homes and it's only just minutes from the ski area and local schools.   Watch the Property Video At $180 per square foot or $719,000, this home is a great value. With 5 bedroom and 4 baths, there's plenty of room for large families. This ranch style home is almost 4,000 square feet and is always  filled with an abundance of natural light because  it's always sunny in Steamboat...we... 06/05/2013

This week's report, curtesy of the Steamboat Pilot and Today, contains a hodgepodge of activity from vacant land sales to bank or Freddie, Fannie owned, to new developement units, and condo and single family home resales. Also, this week's report didn't include Thursday, which it usually does, and that could explain a lower weekly total sales dollar volume of $5,889,850. Enjoy, and don't forget to call or email for information on the Steamboat Springs real estate market. Anne Mayberry 970.846.1425 ■ Rural Steamboat Springs #Seller: Harry David and Patricia H. Zabel Trust #Buyer: Roy J. and Lynne A. Cranor #Sale date: May 24, 2013 #Sale price: $1.25 million #Property description: Rural property #■ 2525 Cattle Kate Circle #Seller: Richard S. and Geraldine M. Mills #Buyer: Wiggins Farms LL... 06/02/2013

Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market Report - June Routt County Once Again, many indicators continue to show improvements within the Steamboat real estate market. Pending properties continue to be strong. Sales are increasing each month. And inventory remains low but is creeping up as we head into summer. Date           Pending              Sold 30 days        Inventory 4/1/13 132 38 1574 5/1/13 135 59 1562 Today 131 60 1610 Demand is high for single family homes and townhomes within and Downtown, Fish Creek and the Mountain areas. If priced right, properties are seeing multiple offers at times. Lower priced condos within the same area are also selling well. Prices: As demand increases and properties sell, we're seeing an increase in prices. Some properties within the hot price range an... 06/01/2013

Free Fishing in Colorado     Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) hosts a free fishing event the first full weekend in June.  This weekend, June 1st and 2nd will be free fishing for all ages throughout Colorado for residents and non-residents. By waiving license requirements, CPW hopes the Free Fishing Weekend will encourage more people, especially children, to get out there and experience one of our most popular sports in the state.     And I fish (and fish, and fish...) Regulations Typically, fishing licenses are $26 annually for residents and $56 non-residents. Daily passes are $9. Children under the age of 16 are free; however, a second rod charge may apply which is $5.00. So here is your opportunity to save some money and share the joy of fishing with others. CPW has an interactive fi... 05/29/2013

Life in Steamboat Springs, Colorado Sleeping Giant, Elk River Let me tell you about my day recently: I ran to our local Ace Hardware to get some repair parts for my irrigation system. 60 plus miles later, one $12.00 map, and a quick lunch out, I returned to my project.  A slight case of lack of focus?  Possibly. Happy I make Steamboat my home? Definitely. I ran to Ace. They had my part. Steamboat’s Ace at the Curve always has what I need. But as I was leaving, I just drove straight instead of taking a right…big mistake. I decided spur of the moment to drive up the Elk River to check out the flow. In the next few days the river is expected to reach its peak runoff level. It was roaring!   So, it was quite a pretty day. Dark, stormy clouds were brewing ahead, but the sun was shining behin... 05/28/2013

Steamboat Springs, Colorado Income Data Living in Steamboat Springs is a dream come true - the natural beauty is something to behold.  Residents of Steamboat Springs, Colorado were in the 91 percentile nationally of adjusted gross income in 2011.  However, you don't have to be rich to live in Steamboat Springs. We have 97 properties within Steamboat priced under $300,000. Steamboat Springs real estate values range broadly, and so too does the income of Routt county. In an article in the Steamboat  Today  by data analyst, Scott Ford, individual income data is showing some interesting trends.  Data was released by various government entities based on our annual IRS tax returns and the latest census of 2011 and sheds light on the health of our local economy. To simplify the report, residen... 05/23/2013

Foreclosures on the Decline in Colorado Time to Celebrate May 16th the Colorado Division of Housing reported a 41 percent decrease in foreclosure filings in Colorado. There were 4,571 foreclosure filings the first quarter of 2013 across the state compared to 7,785 during the same time period last year. Actual foreclosures were down 30.5 percent from first quarter last year. Wow. Foreclosure filings differ from foreclosures. Foreclosure filings are the paperwork; actual sales happen over 100 days later. During this time, borrowers and lenders try to work towards an agreement to bypass foreclosure. This may involve options like short sale or re-financing. We have a supply and demand economy so as the foreclosure supply dwindles, demand for homes increases, thus contributing to increased h... 05/20/2013

Splatz Canvas and Wine, Steamboat Springs, CO There’s a new activity sweeping the country and Steamboat is being swept along with the tide! Check out Splatz Canvas and Wine. Splatz Canvas and Wine is located at 1104 Lincoln Ave, 970-871-7904 If you haven’t heard of these painting studios being opened up across the county, you really should get with it. I didn’t say “you’ve been living under a rock” because that doesn’t seem very polite, but maybe you should get these studious on your radar. These are for men and women, children, artistic folks, totally un-artistic folks, married couples, dating couples, friends, and YOU. They truly are for everyone. I think the picture below helps express how individual these studios can be!   You too can be creative! Steamboat Springs’ very own Splatz ... 05/17/2013

Steamboat Springs Spring Detours   May day Aspen Tree Spring is in the air! With the changing of the seasons come some little life-detours for residents of Steamboat Springs. Here are a few of the unexpected detours: One such change is navigating our bike paths! Walton Creek and the Yampa River run along the “Core Trail” which is our local bike and walking path that runs the length of Steamboat Springs. In the spring, the snow melts and our rivers get higher, and higher, and higher which cause some flooding on our trails. So, in the spring, you need to be prepared for a few detours:   A May day on the bike path Bears come out of hibernation and are hungry in the spring. We no longer can set out our trash cans the night before for pickup. And we no longer bolt into the back yard, we look... 05/14/2013

Today’s New Housing Market, Part 3 of 3: Owners   CNN Money Housing Report CNN Money did a 3 part series on “smart strategies for buyers, sellers and owners” in today’s new market. 6 years after the housing collapse, they have some suggestions on how to adapt to this new housing market. Part 1 was on Selling, Part 2 was on Buying, and now we’ll talk about owners who are not buying or selling. CNN Money recommends: -“Seize the opportunity to refinance.” Take advantage of your increased home value and refinance. Mortgage rates are still phenomenal so shop around because there are a variety of choices out there. -It is easier now to get home equity loans and lines of credit. Well, not easier, you have to fill out a ton of paperwork but the lenders are lending again. Maybe now is the time t... 05/14/2013

Today’s New Housing Market, Part 2 of 3: Buying   CNN Money Housing Report CNN Money just did a 3 part series on “smart strategies for buyers, sellers and owners” in today’s new market. Part 1 was on Selling and now I’ll talk about Buying. I still haven’t found that crystal ball have you? Low mortgage rates, low inventory, more consumer confidence, all this is creating a huge change in Steamboat Springs real estate. According to the CNN Money article, Mark Fleming, CorelLogic’s chief economist is still a little nervous about our housing boom: “Two thousand thirteen and 2014 are going to be transition years” I’m assuming he means that during these years we will be transitioning away from being terrified to cautiously optimistic? Excited? I don’t know but things are looking up and I still... 05/13/2013

Mud Season: A Steamboat Springs, Colorado Lifestyle Video In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, we have 5 seasons. The fifth season being mud season. Now mud season occurs twice a year. Once when the ski area closes and extends into spring. This is a time when the temperatures are on the rise, the snow is melting, and it even rains from time to time. Thus, the ground is wet and muddy. The second time is in late September and into October. This is when the rain comes and before it turns to snow. Even though it's muddy, it's the best time to be in Steamboat Springs. Everything is blooming and the colors are amazing.  Thanks Lynn @ Ciao Gelato. Regards,   Charlie Charlie Dresen Real Estate Associate Broker |Prudential Local Knowledge | Global Exposure| Defining Service 970-846-6435 | SteamboatsM... 05/06/2013

Market Report May 2013 Steamboat Springs  Highest dollar volume in over 5 years for March, 2013. Total sales for March: $55,795,100 (up 46%) Year-to-date sale: $120,966,700 (up 17.23%) See the entire Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market Stats. Routt County: Marabou Ranch sells remaining lots for over $11+ million dollars. The Marabou Ranch Subdivision , one of Colorado's premiere fishing developments, sold last month to an investment group with ties to William Stolz and the Stolz Group out of Georgia. Sales for March: Dollar volume was up 46.5% the month of March compared to last year! However, that is a little misleading because the actual number of transactions was 28% less than the same time last year. We just had  two, high-end, five million dollar sales which threw our numbers off ... 05/01/2013

Do You Know What Mud Season is in Colorado? Okay, if you are planning on living in Steamboat Springs you need to know what mud season is all about.  I believe in educating myself and my clients. When I do this, I end up with happy clients and since I’m all about a long-term relationships, it’s a win-win for everyone. No comment.....   mud (muhd) 1. a fine-grained soft wet deposit that occurs on the ground after rain... 2. Informal slander or defamation Mud season (muhd seez'n) 1. The season that is not winter, spring, summer or fall. Usually found in the high Rockies. 2. Peaceful, quiet season in-between the traditional four season. Mud season in Steamboat Springs is the season when the snow is either coming or going. It’s when the weather isn’t quite spring or fall or winter or summer.... 04/30/2013

Today’s New Housing Market, Part 1 of 3: Selling   CNN Money Housing Report CNN Money just did a 3 part series on “smart strategies for buyers, sellers and owners” in today’s new real estate market. After 6 years of a housing collapse, we are seeing a significant improvement. Maybe we are at the bottom? Maybe we saw the bottom pass several months ago?  If we had a crystal ball, you wouldn’t be reading this and I wouldn’t be writing it. Currently in the Steamboat Springs real estate market, the inventory of homes under $1.5 million is really low. The absorption rate in the Fish Creek Area of Steamboat Springs is just over 2 months - if all things stay the same, that means in two months, all the houses we have to sell in that category should be sold!  Because prices of real estate are bas... 04/27/2013

Free Summer Concert Series 2013-Steamboat Springs Rocks!  Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series at Howelsen Hill Steamboat Rocks! The Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series (the Concert Series) will, as usual, be a lot of fun. The Concert Series was formed in 1990 and supports our community in lots of ways. Everyone is welcome to the free concerts set outside in the summer breeze. Originally, the concerts were on the lawn of the Routt County Court House located in the center of downtown. Now their venues change and most are located on Howelsen Hill Ski Area or Steamboat Springs Ski Area. Typically the concerts are attended by 80% locals and 20% visitors making it a great local event. The Concert Series commitment is to our community and they list the following on the Concer... 04/24/2013

Housing and the Economy   Hill St. Old Town Steamboat Home for Sale There are many indicators that our recovery from the Great Recession is on the upswing and the housing market plays a major role in this. Standard & Poor’s  500 closed recently one point away from the all-time high from October 2007. But that is only interesting to approximately 53% of Americans who are in the stock market. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, this is the lowest number since Gallup started tracking this number.   A  lot of people are not that confident in the stock market . . . another interesting statistic is close to 100% of Americans live inside. I haven’t verified this data but, I’m pretty confident. That is one reason the housing market is such a good indicator of our economy. According to an Associate... 04/22/2013

STOP - Just STOP!  Save Our Bears 100 bears were killed in 2012 - up from 32 in 2011 in just three Colorado Counties. We need to STOP and think and save our bears.  Bear 504 with his new collar -  Photo compliments of Sharon Buroch-Murdo One interaction between a bear and a dumpster can mean a death sentence for that bear. Once a bear finds feed in your birdfeeder or tasty trash, he will learn to come back. It’s a little like finding out that wild raspberries taste good-they will keep looking for them to eat. And bear/human interactions are a losing battle for the bear. Colorado has a one-strike-you’re-out policy. If they can, the Parks and Wildlife department will tag and relocate the “problem” bear  but if it has another interaction with humans the bear will be killed. And  it will be... 04/16/2013