Over my Saturday morning coffee, I was cleaning out my iPhone photo file and came across this sunset photo I took from my office in Vail Village at Solaris last winter. I think I just realized why autumn is my favorite season… because winter comes next!  Cheers to a great weekend everyone.  Get out and enjoy the fall weather, dreaming of the snow that’s on the way! 09/17/2011

It’s Friday, and the pups got to go to work with me today.  A little reward for being such good kids all week long. Maude is beside herself excited to go wherever the heck I’m taking her, work, walk, post office, she doesn’t care.  She’s in the car, and it’s very exciting! Maude sits at attention ready to assist me in making some postcards today.  Zutnik, in the background, is almost asleep upon arrival.   Postcards turned out to be a boring task for Maude, and she is pouting.   Zutnik, has no problem sleeping anywhere in the office.   FINALLY, the fun part of the day!  A walk through Vail Village!  Thank you, thank you, thank you! Have a great weekend everyone! 09/16/2011

Last week I posted the kick-off to Vail Colorado's Oktoberfest which took place in Lionshead: "Oom-Pa-Pa, Oom-Pa-Pa, Oom-Pa-Pa… Who’s ready for beer, brats, accordions, dirndls and lederhosen?  If you answered, Ja Bitte (yes, please!) then it’s time for you to head to the Vail Valley for Oktoberfest 2011!" The festivities continue this weekend in Vail Village. Vail Village Oktoberfest Schedule of Events: Friday, September 16 – Vail Village – 5PM - 10PM 5:00 PM Vail's 2011 Oktoberfest Opens to Public 6:00 PM Helmut Fricker & the Rhinelanders 10:00 PM Oktoberfest Closes for the Day   Saturday, September 17 – Vail Village – 12PM - 10PM 12:00 PM Vail's 2011 Oktoberfest Opens to Public 12:00 - 2:00 PM Helmut Fricker & the Rhinelanders 12:00 - 5:00 PM Kids Area with Entertainer Open 1:00 - 2:... 09/15/2011

How would you Eagle County parents like a Friday night Date Night?  I know, unheard of, right?  Tomorrow, The Vail Church is offering, for a donation to benefit the Argentina Missions Trip, a night of babysitting! Babysitting will be at The Vail Church between 5:30-9:00pm tomorrow, September 16, 2011.  So make plans to see a movie, grab a bite to eat, or just sit in the peace and quiet of your home. You may RSVP to nick@thevailchurch.com   09/15/2011

I volunteer with the Vail Valley Medical Center Volunteer Corps, and also serve as their PR liaison to our local media.  Recently I featured a story here on my blog regarding a recent fundraiser we held, and had submitted the story to our local newspaper, The Vail Daily as well.  They featured the story in their High Altitude Society column.  I am so pleased with the printed article that I just had to share!  I have to send a huge THANK YOU to the Vail Daily for constantly supporting local non-profit groups, and especially the Vail Valley Medical Center Volunteer Corps.  These volunteers put in thousands of hours each year, and hold fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the hospital.  Not only are they a hard-working group, they are wonderful, fun, friendly people too! I’m ... 09/14/2011

The Second Annual Wheels & Wings Show will return to the Vail Valley Jet Center in Gypsum, CO and Vail Village this weekend, September 10 & 11.  Displaying over 230 of the finest cars, aircraft and motorcycles, this year’s event aims to wow the many fans who attend this fun event.  Last year over 8,000 people attended over the two day show, and they are expecting even more this year.  A portion of the proceeds will be awarded to two local charities, Angels in Action and Jack’s Place.   Click here for photos and details of the Wheels and Wings Show If you plan to attend, here are a few pieces of important information, provided by www.vailautoshow.com : Prepare to Attend! Thank you for your interest in the Second Annual Wheels and Wings Show September 10-11, 2011.  We look forward to havi... 09/09/2011

Oom-Pa-Pa, Oom-Pa-Pa, Oom-Pa-Pa… Who’s ready for beer, brats, accordions, dirndls and lederhosen?  If you answered, Ja Bitte (yes, please!) then it’s time for you to head to the Vail Valley for Oktoberfest 2011! The annual Oktoberfest celebration is about to kick off this weekend in Lionshead, September 9-11, and will continue next weekend, September 16-18 in Vail Village.  There will be culinary delights, steins of good German beer, keg tossing contests, and for you folks who’d like to burn off some of those beer calories, there will even be an Oktoberfest Fun Run, 5k or 10k, on September 18. So lace up those dirndls and get ready to join me in dancing to some Oom-Pa music! For a complete schedule of the Oktoberfest events please visit: Vail Oktoberfest Schedule For more details visit:... 09/08/2011

Now that Labor Day Weekend is behind us, we can start thinking about…. drumroll…winter sports!  Wow, can it really be that time of year again?  Even though the trees haven’t started to change color, we always start to dream of snow, ice and winter sport fun this time of year, anxiously waiting the next big season here in the Vail Valley. If you and your family like to ice skate, then you’ll be happy to hear the Dobson Ice Arena in Vail is hosting an Open House tomorrow from 4:30-6:30.  This is a great way to learn more about the arena, as well as the youth programs being offered.  Read below for details: DOBSON ICE ARENA HOSTS BACK-TO-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 7 Free Skating and Pizza for Everyone, Plus Giveaways (Vail)-The Vail Recreation District (VRD) is inviting the community to an op... 09/06/2011

Are you in Vail, CO this weekend for Labor Day?  If you are, you should plan to attend the Gourmet on the Gore!  Taking place right in the heart of Vail Village, September 4-6, this very popular food and drink tasting will satisfy all your culinary delights.  This event is FREE, so head to the Village and taste some of the finest foods, beers, wine and spirits from the Vail Valley.   The event is open to all ages, though you must be 21 to drink alcoholic beverages. For more information, please visit www.gourmetongore.com   Enjoy!   09/03/2011

 Vail Rotary Duck Race Colorado's Duck Race! Presented by the Marketplace on Meadow Drive Held Labor Day Weekend Sunday, September 4, 2011, at 2:00 PM. Please click below to purchase a Duck, or two, or two DOZEN!  This a great time in Vail and the dollars raised are for a great cause.  So join in the fun and get your ducks ready to swim!   The Race Ducks are adopted for $5/duck 13,000+ ducks are adopted each year Grand prizes: first - $3,000 cash, second - $2,000, and third - $1,000. Activities for children Food, beverages, and live music Action, fun….attendance over 10,000 people Vail Rotary Club supports: Scholarships for kids to study and gain skills Colorado non-profits Children's Health and Dental Initiative Ambassadorial and Peace scholarships Rotary Youth Leadership Award Rotary ... 09/01/2011

  Tomorrow is the big day in Vail Village!  The USA Pro Cycling Challenge will hit the streets of Vail for Stage 3 of the race, the time trial.  The Town of Vail is expecting 25,000 people to attend the event.  With that many people in the streets of Vail attending this huge event, here are a few tips provided by our local Vail Daily newspaper to help you enjoy the event:   -         There will be a FREE BUS SHUTTLE from the West Beaver Creek Parking Lot running every 30 minutes from 9a.m. to 6p.m.  And the first 2,000 riders will get a free cowbell!   -         There will be road closures in East Vail from 11am-4pm, so plan ahead if you live there, are staying there, or plan to view the race from there.    -         Bring your cowbells, flags, and cheering voices and cheer on your favo... 08/24/2011

Happy Friday everyone!  Is everyone ready for the weekend?  If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the Vail Valley this weekend, here are just a few of the fun events you could participate in and visit during your stay.  Start tonight with FAC at the top of Vail Mountain! Be sure to pick up a copy of the Vail Daily for further details! Friday, August 5 FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) Top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, Lionshead FAC at the Westin at the base of Beaver Creek Vail International Dance Festival   Saturday, August 6 Absolute Auction, Arrowhead Property Edwards Farmers’ Market Minturn Market Jazz at Vail Square 6-8pm, Lionshead, Tommy Igoe Sextet performing Free Family Saturday Afternoon Club 3-6pm, Lionshead Beaver Creek Art Festival 10am-5pm Bec Tri 2011, 400m swim, 15k bike, 5k run/... 08/05/2011

  Vail, CO Furniture Auction  Net Proceeds benefit Local Vail, CO Valley Charities     If you or clients are looking for new furniture, this auction is for you!  The furniture was donated by a Beaver Creek, Colorado homeowner and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate client.  ALL BRAND NEW FURNITURE, ACCESSORIES, BEDDING, DISHES, ART AND MORE!  You will be able to purchase these items at a fraction of the retail cost!   The Basics:  When:  Tuesday August, 2nd from 2pm – 6pm  Where:  Donovan Pavilion in West Vail  Why:  To benefit the following local charities – The Youth Foundation, Samaritan Center and Mountains of Love   Important Items to Know:  Silent Auction is 2pm – 4pm (BIDDING CLOSES AT 4PM) Live Auction starts at 4:00pm  We will accept cash, checks, Mastercard, or VISA.  Checks m... 07/27/2011

Whirlwind Road Trip Across 4 States and Colorado is Still The Prettiest! My husband, Craig and I decided to take a quick vacation.  We could have been like normal people and booked an airplane ticket to Las Vegas and back, but no.....  I had the wild idea to drive and take in the scenery. 766 miles each way was a lot of ground to cover in four days.  Luckily we had a good mystery on CD that kept us entertained for part of the way.  The rest of the time, he was stuck with just spending time with me. We went through four states on the way there and four states on the way back.  Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.  There were parts of Utah that were scenic and nice to look at but the rest of the trip was - YAWN - boring.  Coming home, we stopped and took some pictures at the summit of Vail... 07/24/2011

Hola,En estos dias he recibido muchas llamadas y correos de clientes que han escuchado que hay buenas rebajas en propiedades fraccionales y de tiempo compartido en Vail y Beaver Creek, CO y quieren que les envie las listas de precios de dichas REVENTAS. Decidi ir publicando en estos dias todas las listas de todas las propiedades fraccionales y de tiempo compartido que estan a la VENTA a precios REBAJADOS en Vail y Beaver Creek, CO.Para aquellos de mis clientes Internacionales que han estado analizando el potencial de comprar una venta fraccional en su sitio preferido de esqui en Colorado- les comento; es de los MEJORES momentos para hacer dicha inversion. Por que es el momento para invertir en fraccionales especificamente en 'Resorts' de esqui en Colorado? Pues les comento:#1. Muchos d... 07/23/2011

This is “Miss Maude”.  My husband and I rescued her 10 years ago from a crowded, hot shelter in Savannah, GA.  She’s been an incredible companion, and I just wanted to share this photo I took of her while we were hiking together over the weekend.  She is a true Southern Lady, but look at her totally rocking the mountains of Colorado and lovin’ it!    07/19/2011

It was another beautiful weekend in the mountains of Vail, Colorado!  I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy the sunshine a bit.  It was my husband’s birthday on Saturday so we headed out to Piney Lake, north of Vail for a lovely afternoon hike.     We had fun, but I think our dogs had the most fun.  Cheers to a great week everyone! 07/18/2011

Hola,  Como prometido, estare publicando el estado del mercado de bienes raices en 'Vail Valley' Colorado por LAND TITLE - empresa de titulo de Colorado. Las Propiedades a venta por $500,000 o menos significaron el 57% de todas las transacciones en mayo y el 54% del año completo a la fecha de hoy. Han habido 227 transacciones de menos de $500.000 dólares del año hasta la fecha a mayo, de las cuales 92 han sido las ventas del banco. Eagle County (Vail y Beaver Creek CO) también tuvo ocho transacciones con un precio de venta de $4 millones o más en mayo. Las mayores ventas residenciales se vendieron en Vail, un Chalet en Lodge at Vail venta por US $ 12,5 millones, y una venta de la propiedad $ 8,15 millones en las afueras de Vail. Con una combinación de las numerosas propiedades de menos ... 07/18/2011

Nearly one year ago, I made the move to Slifer Smith & Frampton’s newest office in the all-new Solaris building in Vail Village.  I never would have thought this area could grow so much in just one year.  Today’s headline in the local Vail Daily reads:         Vail Village is one of the most beautiful, fun, exciting, active places I’ve ever been.  And to be a part of the new “Center of Vail” is absolutely exhilarating.  Each day, I walk past Yeti’s Grind coffee shop and the North Face store on the way to my office.  There are always people buzzing about, fly fishermen practicing on the lawn, people walking their dogs, riding bikes, going for morning runs… it’s such a great place!     I encourage you, if you are in the Village, to please stop by my Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Off... 07/15/2011

If you are considering listing your home in the Vail Valley, or currently have your home on the market, here are a few tips to hopefully direct traffic to your property, produce an offer, and a lead to a successful closing.   1.      PRICING – In this market, if a property is not priced relevant to recent sales, it won’t be seen by buyers.  Buyers are more educated than ever on the market; recent sales, what’s available, and what they can buy if their ideal neighborhood is lacking the property combined with the price they desire.   2.     STAGING – Ideally, you want to sell your home quickly and for top-dollar.  We hope that a potential buyer will walk in your home and fall in love with it instantly.  This is hard to do if they can’t see past all of your things.  While your home is lis... 07/14/2011