Summit County Real Estate Blog

As we celebrate Labor Day weekend here in our Breckenridge Home, the unmistakable signs of the impending fall season are here, shorter days, colder nights and lower water levels.  As fall approaches in the area of Breckenridge Real Estate, the thoughts of those of us who fish turn to one thing, Big Brown Trout.  It is that time of the year when the Brown Trout spawns and makes their run from local lakes and reservoirs up our local rivers and streams.

Some of the main streams in our area for the big brownies are the South Platte, Colorado and Blue Rivers.  The Platte meanders near Fairplay and Hartsel, with some big brownies coming out of the Spinney Reservior.  The Colorado is still fishing very well for those with access to a float boat.  While here in Summit County, the Blue River has some browns running out off Lake Dillon.

Currently, a favorite forage of the trout is the grasshopper which seems to readily abundant.  Therefore, a hopper dropper rig would seem to be the obvious choice.  In addition, the Kokanee Salmon will soon be running out of the Green Mountain Reservoir.  All in all, it is a great time to be a fisherman in Summit County, Colorado.

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Breckenridge Homes in Wellington Neighborhood

Breckenridge, CO – While the majority of the country has seen a real estate slump that has been a trend for years now, there is a neighborhood of Breckenridge Homes that defies that trend.  Surprisingly, the Wellington Neighborhood has shined during this economic downturn.  Far surpassing other areas of Breckenridge Real Estate, other resort areas and the state.  Here is an eye opener!  There has NEVER been a foreclosure in the Wellington Neighborhood.

That is right.  Not one single solitary Breckenridge foreclosure had taken place in this local community.  Not ever. And in addition to no foreclosures, there is more demand for these units than there is supply.  There have already been over a dozen closing in Wellington Neighborhood in just the past few months.  The reason why I speculate has a lot to do with current mortgage rates and affordability.  The Wellington neighborhood is affordable by design.  It is meant to be “low cost”, local’s housing.  ”Low Cost” is a relative term if you live in Breckenridge.  What is low cost in Breckenridge might buy you a four bedroom colonial in other parts of the country.  Such is the price for living in Paradise.  In addition, mortgage rates are near an all time low, which increases the affordability factor.

In conclusion, while the national media continues to sound the sirens of Housing declines and plunges, the Breckenridge Home market seems to be doing just fine.  At least in the more reasonable local’s housing markets.  Contact Summit Mountain Home for more information on the Wellington Neighborhood.

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Breckenridge , Co – The sale of single family Breckenridge Homes and the surrounding Breckenridge Real Estate market have increased almost 30% from January 1 through June 30, 2010 when compared the the prior year to date.  However, average home prices are down just about 20% when compared to the same period a year ago.  The main reason for the lower prices is the closing of the loophole benefit provided to first time home purchasers.  That popular program, recently ended at the end of June 2010.  Now that the incentive on lower priced homes is over, the average sales price of homes in Breckenridge, and Summit County Real Estate in general, should be on the rise from here on in.  The average home sales price for June 2009 was over one million dollars.  The same period for 2010 was down about 20%.  The inventory of properties in the county is very high, at just over 2600.  For more information on Breckenridge and Summit County Real Estate, let us help you to find the perfect location to call your Summit Mountain Home.

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History and Nature come together as one in Breckenridge Real Estate Area.

Hiking and history are two things that are far from being in short supply here in the area of my Breckenridge Home. And thanks to the fine work of the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, you can participate in guided hikes, walking tours and mine tours.  And the best part is they will teach you all about the history and heritage of Breckenridge Real Estate.

The theme of the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance is “Moving Forward by Looking Back.”  The schedule for these historic interpretive events are as follows:

Guided Hikes:  Cost is $10/person $5/child  $25 for a family of four.

French Gulch Thursdays at 10am.    Iowa Hill Hike Saturdays at 10am.

Walking Tours: Cost is $10/person $5/child  $25 for a family of four.

Historic District Downtown Tour , Tuesday through Sunday at 11 am.

Haunted Tour (schedule to be determined).

Mine Tours: Cost is $10/person $5/child  $25 for a family of four.

Washington Mine : Tuesday through Sunday at 1 p.m..

Lomax Placer Mine: Tuesday through Sunday at 3 p.m..

For more information on happenings in Breckenridge and Summit County contact Summit Mountain Home.

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If you are looking for the ultimate location for your Breckenridge Home, then you have to take a look at and seriously consider the Cottages at Shock Hill.  The Cottages at Shock Hill represent a unique opportunity for the savvy investor to purchase one of the premier locations of Breckenridge Real Estate.  This ski-in / ski-out location has it’s own private gondola station.  And right now, you can still obtain your Summit Mountain Home at The Cottages at Shock Hill at pre-construction prices.

The Cottages at Shock Hill location is the key to it’s value.  Not only does it have it’s own private gondola station, but it is also located in a pristine wildlife environment of Cucumber Gulch, where it is not uncommon to see Moose, Elk, Deer, Beaver, Fox and more.  But while the location is beautiful, scenic, pristine and close to the slopes, it is also only minutes away from all of the amenities that are available on Main Street Breckenridge.  If you would like to take a look at the limited supply of these units, please contact Summit Mountain Home at 970-409-9145, where we specialize in all of Breckenridge Real Estate, from Luxury Ski-in, Ski-out homes to Breckenridge Foreclosures.

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Breckenridge, Co – So most people know that Breckenridge is a mecca for outdoors sports such as skiing, fishing and cycling to name a few.  However, ever since I decided to make Breckenridge Home, I have discovered that Breckenridge is also a mecca for the arts.  First of all there is a wealth of galleries and street art festivals that contain the works of world renowned artists.  In addition, there is the Riverwalk Center which brings us world-class music, The Breckenridge Theatre which provides top notch plays and the Speakeasy, which brings up first rate movies.  Add to that Breckenridge Filmfest which is one of the longest running film festivals in the country and you can see why many choose to live in Breckenridge Real Estate because of the Arts.

However, as far as the arts in Breckenridge are concerned, I would like to talk to you about a new kid on the block, The Imagination Express.  The Imagination Express is a new series that is fun, affordable and is geared towards children.  Tickets for a single show at the door are only $5.00.  A single ticket, season pass to all events is only $35.00 and a family of four pass is $115.00 for all performances.

All shows take place at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, Colorado.

This schedule of shows is presented by Summit Mountain Home as follows:

2 PM Shows:

June 22 NRO Music of America

July 6 Bike Stunt Extravaganza

July 20 Birds of Prey

August 3 Jack and the Beanstalk

6:30 Pm Shows:

August 22 Golden Dragon Acrobats

June 29 Ben Rudnick and Friends

July 13 Salida Circus and Western Roundup (Fund Raiser for Carriage House)

August 18 Cinderella’s Magical Wishes

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Town Party at my Breckenridge Home

The Breckenridge Town Party was tonight and a fun time was had by all.  There was a great turnout for the free party and the weather was amazing.  And the sense of community is just another reason I call Breckenridge Home. The entire party, including the concert was free to all, including those who own Breckenridge Real Estate.

Early on, there was a good turnout of families enjoying the cook out.  Later on, the crowd grew for the headline band, Hot Buttered Rum, which were actually quite good and of the Jam Band Genre.  And the best part is that the concert was free.

In addition, the Town of Breckenridge did an awesome job of trying make this a more economically friendly event.  In an effort to improve the sustainability of our town, there was a large emphasis on recycling.  In addition, there was Free Valet Parking for bicycles.  I took advantage and rode the townie to the event.  The free valet parking was awesome and not only helped with the anticipated crowded parking, but also reduced the carbon footprint of the event.  The town picture was also taken at this event and was taken from the crane shown below.

Free Valet Parking Breckenridge

For more information on anything Breckenridge, contact Summit Mountain Home (click here).

Crane for Breckenridge Town Picture

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Snowy Day out the window of my Breckenridge Home

Breckenridge, Co – There is the old adage that April showers bring May Flowers.  Well that may be the case buy here is a picture taken from the window of my Breckenridge Home.  This picture was taken this past Sunday on June 13th.  I was supposed to go for a long bike ride, but when I woke up and this view out my window, I decided to change my plans for the day.  But for those of you who were thinking of buying Breckenridge Real Estate, don’t be concerned.  The snow was melted by mid-morning.

Summers here in Breckenridge are actually quite amazing.  If you are out and about town and you hear a local say, “I came for the skiing, but stayed because of the summers” it is true.  Other than the occasional snow or hail, the weather in Breckenridge for June, July and August is mostly sunny, with temperatures in the seventies and the everyday chance of a late day thunderstorm or perhaps thunder snow.  The key to any summer activities that are long, is to start early.  Especially if you are considering hiking of our peaks in the Ten Mile Range or perhaps one of our local “14′ers” such as Quandary, Grays or Torreys.

Like the saying goes here in the High County, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change”.  But most of the summer it changes for the better and is an oasis from the sweltering heat in Denver, the Front Range and the Western Slope.  For more information on anything happening in Breckenridge or Summit County, Colorado you can contact us at Summit Mountain Home, your leader in Summit County Real Estate.

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Single Track near my Breckenridge Home

Breckenridge, Co – Breckenridge was awarded for being one of the more bike friendly towns in America.  Breckenridge has been named a BFC or Bike Friendly Community.  Myself, who rides a bike and calls Breckenridge Home, as well as the many others who cycle and won Breckenridge Real Estate, already knew that Breckenridge was cycle friendly.  That is one of the many reasons why we live here.  But it is nice to hear from a national organization, that is impartial and recognized the efforts that our Breckenridge community has made to make this such a great place to live and to ride bikes.  The President of the LAB (League of American Bicyclists) stated that it is obvious that Breckenridge as a community has made improvements that add to the quality of life for it’s residents on a long term basis.  Some of the particulars that caught the attention of LAB officials were safe routes to schools and school programs, bike signage and improvements in same, accommodations routinely made in streets for bikes, ease of access to paved bike path and single track trails in the woods, Bike to Work Promotions and the level of participation by the community.  One of the added benefits is the easing of fossil fuel use and parking congestion because of bike use by residents.  The community has come together to not only make Breckenridge Bike Friendly, but more Eco-Conscious.

One of the new improvements, that is being completed as we speak, is the addition of bike lane striping on Main Street, Breckenridge.  And it is not only the local government that is encouraging residents to cycle.  The Riverwalk Center has now added a Bike Concierge service to it’s events to ease parking and fossil fuel use.  And the best part of it, is that it is FREE!  Yes, FREE parking in Breckenridge!  Now, if they could find a way to have free parking if you ride your bike to the gondola in the winter, then I think we would move up from Silver status by the LAB, to Gold status.  That would be so amazing to see lots of people riding their bikes to the gondola in the winter and getting to park for free!  Perhaps we should petition Vail Resorts for Free Bike Parking?

Steve DePalma is a long time resident of Breckenridge and an avid cyclist.  If you would like to learn more about outdoor activities or Summit County Real Estate, give us a call at 970-409-9145.

Bike Path Bridge over Blue River near my Breckenridge Home

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