Summit Association of Realtors Recognizes Bonnie for Realtor and Community Contributions

The Summit Association of Realtors, in the heart of Colorado’s High Country, held their annual Installation Banquet for their incoming Board of Directors last week. At the event, Bonnie Smith Allen, ABR, CIPS, CRB, CRS, GRI, MRE was named 2007 Realtor® of the Year. The award was given in recognition for service and support to the Board of Directors, local, State and National Association members, and for service to the Summit County community. The REALTOR® of the Year Award is given to the member who has shown outstanding leadership, commitment, and skill in the real estate industry. Candidates are judged on contributions to the industry, outstanding qualities, and any additional factors that set the individual apart in the award year. “This honor is voted on by peers and competitors so it is very special to me,” Smith-Allen said.

At the awards ceremony, a video traced the highlights of Bonnie’s life so far, including her Leadership and community service. Bruce F. Wolf, National Association of Realtors Treasurer, and his wife Mary, flew in for the surprise presentation.

Ms. Smith-Allen is Owner and Managing Broker of Exclusive Mountain Retreats Real Estate in Breckenridge, Colorado. She is a member of Luxury Real Estate’s Board of Regents. Bonnie is presently serving the local Board as a State Director, the Colorado Association of Realtors as Vice President, and serves on several National committees. She is a Golden R donor for RPAC on the National level, as well as a member of the NAR President’s Circle. Last year she was one of thirty eight national “Ambassadors” to the New Orleans convention, working for ten months on the effort to raise Realtor consciousness in the aftermath of Katrina. The event gathered 26,000 Realtor attendees, brought $34 million in revenue to the New Orleans community and resulted in 54 homes built in the Gulf Coast region.

This new offering is the most unique opportunity in Breckenridge in a long time

The newest private community of homesites has just released some spectacular offerings this summer! Western Sky Ranch is a private enclave of twenty-one home sites on the northern boundary of the Town of Breckenridge. Just over two miles from Highway 9, but with a feeling of privacy and seclusion, each home site has a private setting with amazing Ski Area & Ten Mile Range views. Parcel sizes range from 3 to 27 acres, with carefully planned building envelopes.

This is one of a very few places where you can ATV or snowmobile from your own property. For such unique estate-sized parcels, these lots provide buried utilities, paved roads and a remote feel with the convenience of World Class skiing and golf less than two miles away. Where else can you enjoy the Jack Nicklaus-designed 27 hole Breckenridge Golf Course or a major ski resort all within a mile or two of your mountain residence site.

Meanwhile, the convenience of Main Street shopping and dining are just two miles away as well. Take in a play at the Backstage Theatre, dine on the deck at Relish or have a cold frosty beer at Burke an Riley’s Pub- just a few diversions- IF you ever want to leave the beauty of the spectacular mountain views from your piece of paradise.

Lot prices begin at $595,000. Call us today to have the opportunity to secure the spot for your perfect mountain retreat.

Western Resort Towns, Boston, New York, and Denver continue strong in the Luxury market segment

Sales of luxury homes continue to outperform the rest of the market in many key locations, according to David Leonhardt from The New York Times.

Several causes seem to be in evidence including the fact that higher income buyers continue to experience strong income gains and a rising stock market, and foreign investors have more buying power with the continued decline of the dollar against other global currencies. Additionally, the increasing interest rates affect lower and middle income families on a larger scale, while many upscale buyers rely more on cash.

Cities including Boston, New York City, San Jose, Calif., Seattle Denver, and Houston have posted year to date luxury numbers comparable to 2005, a boom year. Other key markets appear to be trending in that direction as well.

Numbers in the second home resort market continue to rise as well, with record appreciation increases and record sales in places like Breckenridge, Colorado, Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Park City, Utah.

All of these are continued reasons to engage a local Realtor© to track the specifics of the market you are considering. With up to date information and a Realtor to guide you through the history of the market, you will maximize your long term investment potential.

Along with partner, Rodney Allen, Bonnie finishes the new RSPS certification and shares information with real estate professionals from all over the world.

Last week I attended the 4^th National Association of Realtors Resort Symposium held this year in Vail, Colorado. Realtors from all over the United States and real estate professionals from all over the world attended to discuss issues and share marketing, management and technology ideas. The previous three symposiums have been held in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Hawaii.

It was a dynamic group with lots of old friends from NAR Leadership and Luxury Real Estate, and new friends from all points in attendance. Highlights included finishing the coursework for the new Resort and Second Home Property Specialist certification. This new program from the National Association of Realtors provides specialized training for resort and second home markets all over the globe. It also provided an opportunity to catch up with realtors from all over to discuss their changing marketplaces.

The common thread seems to be that only a handful of primary markets are experiencing a real downturn or at least a slowdown. Most of the resort markets were hot, hot, hot, with escalating prices and values, consistent appreciation, and plenty of activity.

One of the most interesting statistics that was noted was that last year, 39% of home sales were second home and resort properties! With the baby boomers still coming of age over the next decade, this shows no sign of changing anytime soon.

Thus, it’s a great time to invest in mountain property, and Breckenridge and Summit County are still a relative value. Call us if you’d like the specifics on a Rocky mountain investment. Both Rodney and Bonnie hold the CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) Designation which means they are among an elite group of professionals who have completed a course of study in International real estate investment and have demonstrated a proven track record in working with International buyers and sellers. As always, our network of international associates can assist you with your investments anywhere in the world. Give us a call and we can help! 

Summit County Investment trends echo trends of the US Luxury Market.

The Wall Street Journal reports that popular luxury homes these days include lots of specialized spaces for their owners. Rooms like wine cellars, craft rooms, media or home theatre rooms, separate double baths for master suites, and walk in pantries are among the amenities noted in many high-end homes. Many of the newer homes often have a sunroom or family room instead of a formal dining room as well.

These trends seem to be echoed in many of our luxury category of mountain homes. More of the newer upscale homes have wine cellars, elaborate theatres with graduated seating, open dining areas which create a warm gathering atmosphere, and plenty of “escape spaces” so that family members have space for privacy during their mountain playtime.

Another current trend is the escalation of investment into “cocktail ranches” where the acreage and peaceful surroundings provide time away from the hustle and bustle of the mainstream tourist visitors. These ranches provide a great entry into the mountain community without the upkeep or hassle of a full-blown working ranch.

With all indicators showing today’s busy entrepreneurs and executives savoring their downtime, these trends show no sign of slowing. Call us today to find the right property to fit your busy lifestyle and invest in your piece of paradise. Don’t forget that, with our network of professional affiliates, we can assist you in investing in real estate all over the globe.

A brief update on market conditions in Summit County Colorado ski  & investment properties

Well, 2007 is shaping up to be an amazing market for top end luxury properties in Summit County, Colorado! In the $2.5 million and up category, there were only nine properties sold in 2005, while in 2006 only four sold. This year sales are already at three and selling season is just starting. Prices are also reaching $550-600 per square foot in some cases, which is breaking all records.

In addition, days on market numbers are going down too. Since good land is getting scarce, buyers are realizing that some of the new homes and resales are a great option. It is still critical that the home is priced properly and a good lot and floor plan are essential. That said, those homes that meet these criteria are selling through.

The local Summit County market has rarely seen any fall off through the last fifteen or twenty years. It tends to run with the stock market, so when the market is strong, so is the real estate market. Don’t be misled by naysayers who talk about the soft market conditions in other parts of the country! Our market is booming. Come talk to us about investing in your Colorado dream house.

At Mid Year meetings for the National Association of Realtors, realtors and leadership meet with legislators on Capitol Hill

I write this today from the National Association of Realtors Mid-Year Meetings in Washington D.C. Realtors from all over the country converge this week on our seat of government for meetings with various leadership committees, as well as to meet with legislators from their respective states on Capitol Hill.

 When I first attended this week of meetings, I was struck by the commitment level of our government officials and saw them in a totally different light. After all, here they are working at their jobs- they are not engaged in the process of running for office. The dynamics are different and their focus is clear. It was a revelation. I came back and made the commitment to the Realtor organization to financially support our Realtors Political Action Committee and to become more involved and informed.

Last night on 60 Minutes, I was distressed to see a very one-sided segment on Realtors by Leslie Stahl. She focused primarily on the monetary aspects of the Realtor debate, without giving justice or understanding or even a cursory discussion about service, consumer protection, or ethical standards of representation.

Some of you reading this and watching that segment will undoubtedly be other Realtors, some will be real estate practitioners, and some will be members of the public. So, this got me thinking….

We spend a great deal of time talking about the “branding” of the Realtor “R.” I am a member of the Colorado Association of Realtors’ Public Relations committee which runs media campaigns across the state which ask, “Why use a Realtor?”  I am also a member of the National Association of Realtors’ Communications Committee which oversees our publications and the national advertising which also says, “Make sure your agent is a Realtor.”

There are many reasons to choose a Realtor given in these media vignettes. Perhaps the most compelling reason to choose a Realtor is this: Realtors are here in Washington D.C. and in their State governments, and their local Town meetings and City Councils fighting every day for private property rights for each and every American. We represent everyone- not just the big developers, but the “little guy”- the first time home buyer who is struggling to save enough money to put a down payment on his or her first property. We help every American realize the American dream of home ownership!

Many things in our country affect the way our citizens function on a daily basis. Your Realtor does not pretend to cure cancer, set the price of oil, or negotiate trade agreements to lower food costs. However, your Realtor and 1,350,000 members of our Association represent you every day in the battle to get ahead in your daily life by supporting your right to YOUR piece of the pie- your home.
So, why am I a Realtor? Because, at the end of the day, I believe in being part of something bigger than myself. I believe that as a part of the largest trade association in this country comprised of independent business owners who compete with each other every day, I can make a real difference. I invite you, as we near our 100^th anniversary of the National Association of Realtors to recognize, as I do, that Realtors directly affect the quality of life for millions of Americans every day. To me, that makes all the difference.

Real estate in the Breckenridge and Summit County market is a hot commodity but still a real value in comparison to other resort markets.

Don’t believe everything you read in the media about soft real estate markets! The Summit County market is HOT, HOT, HOT! Presently, since it’s spring, traditionally the time when there are the most listings, there are only 264 residential listings in Breckenridge, for example. Of those, 109 are over $1 million, 50 are over $2 million and 11 are over $3 million. That’s a very dramatic change from the past few years and the lowest inventory we’ve seen in years.

Summit County is on the move. After watching markets in Park City Utah, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Sun Valley Idaho and Whistler BC zoom with prices out of sight, Summit County real estate is definitely coming on. However, it’s still a relative bargain compared to other resort markets, with reasonable prices per square foot and plenty of choices. There’s even some buildable land available, unlike places like Aspen where newly issued building permits are few and far between, or Tahoe where “tear downs” can cost several million dollars.

With resort markets traditionally strong, and a steady long term equity appreciation, Summit County offers a wonderful array of investment and second home opportunities.

Bonnie Smith-Allen attends Luxury Real Estate Annual Spring Conference in Florida Joining Leading Luxury Real Estate Brokers from all over the world.

Bonnie Smith-Allen of Exclusive Mountain Retreats attended the 5th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring conference held April 22-24 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Other leading luxury real estate brokers from all over the world met to discuss referrals, marketing ideas and client service during the three day event. Attendees included brokers from Dubai, Costa Rica, and Germany as well as coast to coast in the United States.

"It’s a valuable resource," said Smith-Allen, "since I can now assist my clients by referring them to a broker virtually anywhere in the world who will have the same standards of excellence and knowledge that they have come to expect from Exclusive Mountain Retreats."

Bonnie has been a member of this elite group for the past seven years and has been a guest speaker for several previous conferences. Bonnie is also a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), a designation that demonstrates proven expertise in the business of international real estate.

Summer weather and real estate trends are hot!

Breckenridge has been experiencing the very best of summer weather this year. With an early wet Spring and now the intense warm dry, wild flowers are gorgeous! It’s the best time of the year for hiking or mountain biking in the morning and looking for that afternoon shower later in the day.

The real estate market is hot, too. Record appreciation shows no sign of abating. A two bedroom condo with a loft in Pine Ridge was listed today for $700,000- a new record for that complex. Properties at the lower end of the market are flying "off the shelves."

With the opening of the new gondola, of course, properties in the north end of the downtown "core" are enjoying significant interest.  There are so many things to enjoy in mid-summer from symphony music with the National Repertory Orchestra and the Breckenridge Music Institute to George Winston at the tent. Genuine Jazz has been relocated back to July with the usual floating stage and evening nightclub participants. The Breckenridge Arts district is in full swing and there is a wonderful community theatre, The Backstage, which offers amazing talent and diversity.

In short, come take a look at summer activities and real estate and learn first hand what the locals know- we came here for the winter and stayed for the summer!