Whether in business or life, I believe good fortune more often than not is derived from hard work rather than dumb luck. Opportunity might present itself; but you need to be in the room to greet it. I have enjoyed a great deal of relative success in a down real estate market, although the true beneficiaries of my success have been my buyers and sellers. SDS Real Estate continues to make inroads in the Aspen real estate market by being well prepared and diligent through all aspects of the real estate process. Whether marketing one of our listings or discovering the appropriate property for a buyer.
On a personal note, my 10-year old daughter, Tatum, will be playing the part of Yente in the upcoming Jayne Gottlieb performance of Fiddler on The Roof--beating out many Aspen "yentes" for the part. Eight-month old Remi is now a crawling machine! Clare is balancing Yente's homework and extracurricular activities with the little "Remster's" inclination to explore. My downtown Aspen corner office is teasing me with snow-covered peaks of Aspen Mountain, so it won't be long!
"Diligence is the mother of good fortune." - Benjamin Disraeli
"Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with good planning." - Thomas Alva Edison |
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This month's chart includes a trend line for 2010 showing a slight increase in sales from January. We are told by Land Title Guarantee that although September sales showed a 22% decrease in dollar volume, October appears to be much stronger. This is significant, as historically the greatest number of closings occur at the end of the winter season-March and April and at the end of the summer season-September and October. Whether October closings will be significant enough to make up for a dismal September remains to be seen. We were disappointed in July sales, which were lower than any July prior to 2003.
Overall, Pitkin County sales year to date show an increase of 5% in dollar volume, with an average home sale price dropping 13% in 2010 to $4,285,673 from all of 2009. Continued downward pressure on our market is being placed by the abundance of inventory and periodic foreclosures, which only creates terrific buying opportunities for those who have waited on the sidelines. With historically low interest rates, now is the time to add a mountain property to your portfolio. |
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Rentals Galore
Looking for a short- or long-term rental? SDS has a rental department to help you with all your needs. Let us know if you have a property to rent or need accommodations. We're here to help! Just let us know your requirements, whether it's shown on our website or not, we'll do our best to find something suitable for you. Call 970-925-6063.
How Green is Your Home?
According to Colorado Energy News, the energy-efficiency and renewable energy features of Colorado homes will soon be factored into a home's valuation as part of a new initiative led by the Governor's Energy Office (GEO). The initiative, which includes leaders in the real estate, lending and appraising industries and energy efficient experts, will add energy and related "green" features to various multiple listing services (MLS) across the state. Aspen already has incorporated these fields into its MLS.
Longest Ski Season
This coming ski season will be unseasonably long, stretching out over 151 days from Thursday, November 25th when Aspen Mountain and the Snowmass Ski Area open until Sunday, April 24, when Aspen Highlands closes. The late closing date is thanks to Easter Sunday falling very late in 2011. |
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Aspen Silver Cloud
For a full online tour of this newly completed estate, click here. Location, luxury, legacy--This private, brand new, 6-bedroom, 9+ bath downtown home has it all! Impeccably designed by John Galambos, with interior furnishings and finishes by Donna Guerra, you be proud to add this property to your portfolio. Multiple master suites, junior suites, and an incredible wine room with intimate dining. $22,000,000 furnished and with no transfer tax. Find out more»
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Seven Lakes Ranch
Seven Lakes is the ultimate legacy property and one of the premiere contiguous pristine ranches with water in the entire West. Famed golfer, Greg Norman, assembled the 11,600+ acre ranch from several properties including the Seven Lakes Lodge, Pollard and Dry Creek Ranches. Enjoy unparalleled fly fishing, private hunting, skeet shooting, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, biking and skiing. $55,000,000.
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Majestic White Horse Springs
Dreaming of building your own legacy estate? Panoramic views and all-day sunshine are enjoyed from this 7.91-acre property convenient to both Aspen and Snowmass Village. Zoning allows a barn and horses in addition to a new home with caretaker quarters. Owner will consider a trade plus cash for an Aspen or Snowmass Village home. Price includes architectural plans. $2,750,000.
Find out more»
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Dramatic Red Mountain
Dramatic, new and exceptional 6-bedroom legacy estate on an easily accessible Red Mountain lot with waterfall feature. Designed by renowned local architect, Charles Cunniffe, the property features the finest materials, workmanship, and design. The 180-degree views span the Continental Divide and Independence Pass down to Mount Sopris, including downtown Aspen. $19,950,000.00.
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Elkhorn Ranch
Located minutes from Aspen and homesteaded in 1885, the Elkhorn Ranch is a 385-acre legacy property offering complete privacy and solitude, spectacular views, wide open meadows, abundant wildlife, cascading streams, historic cabins, and extensive senior water rights. In place are approvals vested for 20 years for up to 10,250 above-grade residential square feet and 19,900 square feet of agricultural buildings. $9,750,000. Call us for details. |
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SDS Real Estate, Inc. has added Melanie Muss to our team. As one of the developers of the Twenty Four townhomes at River Valley Ranch, which you've seen in our past newsletters, we are pleased to welcome her as our newest broker associate. Melanie has a long family history of both development and real estate sales in Florida and New York.
It is my pleasure to share with you that I represented the buyer of Pitkin County's most expensive sale to date in 2010, a legacy estate in West Buttermilk. Details regarding the property were written up on the front pages of both the Aspen Daily News and Aspen Times. If you're dreaming of a legacy estate, we've featured several in the body of this newsletter for your consideration.
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River Valley Ranch
This magnificent new custom home on the 14th tee features breathtaking, panoramic and unrestricted views of Mount Sopris from every room. Large windows from expansive walls of glass make this a light and bright home. Top-of-the-line custom finishes and appliances make it stand out. Seven kilowatts of solar panels and two high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems make this a very energy efficient home. Offered at $2,495,000.00. Click here for more info.
Dancing Bear Rentals
Nine brand new 3-bedroom luxury residences at the Dancing Bear are now available. Each spacious condominium features top-of-the-line finishes, gourmet kitchens, wireless Internet, and more. Amenities include private movie theater, fitness center, wine room, game room, ski lockers, complimentary ski concierge, airport transfers and on-demand downtown transportation. Wander downstairs for a dinner at Brexi French Brasserie or head to the slopes. Call our rental manager, Brittanie, at 970-925-6063 for rates and availability. |
Steven Shane, Broker/Owner
Betsy Brownell, Office Manager/Broker Associate
Janine Jacinto Hill, CRB, CRS, GRI/Managing Broker
Brittanie Rockhill, Rental Manager, Broker Associate
Carroll "Rollo" Johnson III, Broker Associate
John McCormick, EcoBroker/Broker Associate
Peggy Scharlin Ben-Hamoo, Broker Associate
Shlomo Ben-Hamoo, Broker Associate
Jan Cooper, GRI, EcoBroker
Mita Forster, Broker Associate
Ellen Torell, CNE, Broker Associate
Melanie Muss, Broker Associate
Rick Fucci, Broker Associate
Kylie Brown, Broker Associate
Stefanie Vanover, GRI, CNE, EcoBroker
Stephanie Lewis, EcoBroker, CNE
Justin Lupow, Broker Associate
Scott Lupow, Broker Associate
Minette Medlin, Broker Associate
Ivan Hass, Broker Associate
Sheryl Goldman, Broker Associate
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