I’m sure we have all heard about the banking crisis and the mortgage industry falling apart across the nation.  Well,  this is not true in every case.  If a bank caters to the local area and doesn’t get extravagant with their lending practices they wouldn’t be in the trouble that they are in currently.  Believe it or not, there still are banks out there that are doing just fine, and they cater to the local area which is very important when looking for a lender. 

Why go to Texas and get a loan for a property up in the mountains in Colorado.  The reason you should not do this is they do not know our market, they may require flood insurance, even if you are not in a flood plain.  They may use their own appraisers vs. local appraisers who know the market.  Then your loan ends up falling apart and you end up with nothing.  There is a great article in the Denver Post that talks about First Bank. This is a good example of good banking practices.

Are you looking for a way to beat the heat!  Come to Summit County, Colorado!  The weather is perfect in the 70’s and sunny during the day and 50’s at night, great sleeping weather.

There is so much to do in the summer time in Summit county.  This weekend is the Dillon Mountain Arts Festival gong on today through Sunday. Also enjoy the Farmer’s markets in Dillon and Frisco going on every Friday from AM-PM.  On Saturday night there is a free concert at the Dillon Amphitheater and fireworks to celebrate Dillon’s 125th anniversary.

Now is a great time to look at properties, Saturday we are having an open house tour and the featured property I am having is in Keystone with views of the golf course. For more information contact Leah at leah@leahbaxter.com or visit my website www.leahbaxter.com to find out what is happening this summer.

Inventory levels are rising in Summit County, Colorado.  Although prices remain steady, we have been noticing about 40% of properties reducing their prices to accomodate the market.

If you are looking for a high end luxury home in Breckenridge, now is the time to buy.  in The Highlands at Breckenridge which is a golf course community located at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Breckenridge, Colorado have a very high inventory level with 62 properties on the market, which is  5 year supply.  This consists of 62 homes on the market in the `Highlands with prices ranging from $1,049,000-$4,000,000.

Inventory levels have increased since the winter in Summit County.  The market here is becoming a little more neutral than a full on Seller’s market.  Now is a good time to buy in Summit County because of the choices.  Some properties have been on the market for more than a few months and perhaps the seller may be a little more negotiable than in prior years when there are not a lot of choice. 

Our market has never experienced a bubble like other areas in the nation.  WE have been consistently growing anywhere between 10-25% appreciation a year.  It has stabilized a little this year due to the economist portraying doom and gloom everywhere.  However, we are not experiencing a decline in prices or do we experience foreclosures here.  Generally if a property is going to foreclosure, it is usually sold or rectified before that even happens.

If you are interested in new projects that are in the planning phase, click here.The following are inventory levels in each town which include condos, duplexes, town homes and single family homes:

Frisco-current inventory 110 properties

Copper Mtn. -current inventory 61 properties

Breckenridge-current inventory 653 properties

Wildernest/Silverthorne- 214 properties

Dillon-130 properties

Keystone-142 properties.

Feel free to contact Leah at 970-389-6367 to help you with your property needs.  www.leahbaxter.com

Summer time is here and this weekend is the kickoff for summer in the rockies.  The Breckenridge Colorado Film Festival started today and is going on through the 8th of June.

Also on June  21st the Colorado Ride the Rockies will be hitting Breckenridge. Breckenridge has so many activities in the summer time as well as the winter.  Many people don’t realize how beautiful the mountains are in the summer until they experience it first hand. 

You can go mountain biking or road biking on the paved bike trails (that don’t have any cars on them)  The National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge plays all summer at the Riverwalk Center and there are wonderful music festivals, farmers markets, kids activities.  You name it  Breckenridge has it. 

If you are looking for a somewhat affordable property to own, I have just the perfect place for you.  It is a studio located right next store to the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center, one block to main street, and in the winter, you can even ski right end of 4 O’Clock run and walk across the street to your inviting Breckenridge, Co studio.  Call Leah Baxter at 970-389-6367 for more information.

Summertime in the Rockies has finally arrived!  The snow has melted and the Dillon reservoir has thawed.  The marinas are open for sailing, motor boats, pontoons, kayaking.  So what are you waiting for?  Come on up to the mountains and enjoy the summer time.  Frisco is hosting Run the Rockies this weekend , it is a Half Marathon which is 75% downhill and the Ten Mile Creek 10K is 100% downhill. Both start at Copper Mountain and finish in downtown Frisco!!

Next weekend is the The Annual Colorado Barbecue on Frisco’s main Street.The Frisco BBQ Challenge has something for everyone from live entertainment to pig races and is open to the public. So plan your vacation for a summer getaway that will create memories for a lifetime.

If you are interested in a property in Frisco, I have a great Frisco, Colorado duplex for sale located 2 blocks off of Main street.  Avoid the I-70 traffic and relax over the summer.  If you are interested in buying any other properties in Summit County, I would be happy to help you with that.  Contact Leah at 970-389-6367.

Summit County is not experiencing the over abundance in inventory and low sales that the news media is portraying in other parts of the country.  In fact, we currently have $3 million  dollars in pending sales and currently  have inventory levels of 4-5% for sale.    This is normal in comparison to last year at this time.

Summer is just around the corner and that is our busy season here, so if you are thinking of buying, now is a good time. Mortgage rates are at 6% for a fixed 30 year loan. Search the MLS for free.  If you would like help on your property search, please contact Leah Baxter at leah@leahbaxter.com or 970-389-6367 direct.

In the quaint mountain town of Frisco, Colorado spring has finally arrived!!!! Frisco is in the center of Summit County and is a wonderful small town with world class restaurants.  The snow if finally melting and I’m sure many of the locals as well as myself are thrilled.  Even though it has been an epic season for skiing and riding and other snow sports, we are definitely ready for biking, hiking, camping, fishing, boating, etc.

On May 17th, the town of Frisco will host the annual town clean up day followed by a BBQ at Walter Byron park.  The Marina Season Opener is scheduled for May 24th at the Frisco Bay.

Frisco is located 1 hr/minutes from the west side of Denver.  It is convenient to Copper Mtn. (5 minutes), Breckenridge, Keystone, Loveland, and 25 minutes to Vail.  It is a charming town with world class restaurants, local shops, bike paths that will take you all over Summit County, and a great marina to go sailing and boating.

If you are interested in property in Frisco, check out this beautiful duplex that has awesome views of Mt. Royal.  For any more property information in Frisco or Summit County please contact  leah@leahbaxter.com  or search the MLS for free on my website www.leahbaxter.com.

Keystone is in the preliminary plans of a huge redevelopment of the Mountain House base area.  The Keystone Citizens League who represent property owners at the resort, is in full support of the plan.The Mountain House base area is the original base area for Keystone, so it is definitely up for redevelopment

The development plans would include total improvement which would cover 88.4 acres. Out of the 88.4 acres 48.4 would be slated for redevelopment and the other 40 acres would be designated for recreational trails, public transit, open space, wetlands and interpretive  facilities.

The area that houses the existing cafeteria, ski school, and ticket offices would  also be redeveloped.  Vail Resorts would be in charge of this redevelopment process.

  Now would be a good time to purchase real estate in Keystone.  If you are looking for a nice large two bedroom property that overlooks the golf course in Keystone, click here.

For more information on properties in Keystone or Summit county please contact leah@leahbaxter.com.  or check out my website www.leahbaxter.com to search the MLS for free.

Even though the calendar says April, in Summit County it is more like the middle of winter.

Skiing and riding are still fantastic, I skied in a foot of powder on Monday.  April is a great time to come out to Summit County.  The restaurants are having specials, ski areas have discounted lift tickets if you buy on-line.  You can also get reduced lodging specials.

It is snowing again today. This weekend there is a great  fun race fundraiser at A-Basin.  Registration is at 7:AM and there will be great prizes for everyone.  It is supposed to be a warm weekend. 

APRIL 3, 2008