Breckenridge Update

4 Offers on $400K Cabin in Blue River = Plenty of Buyers in Breckenridge!!!!

Yes, You heard me.

  I said there are plenty of buyers in Breckenridge. 

Once a property is priced right there are buyers.  Plenty of them and ALL are getting loans.  The following story is a good example.  It is courtesy of Art Girten of the Girten Land Company (located in Breckenridge and another Realtor I am proud to work with).

The story goes like this:

• August 2008 the cabin above went on the market for $462,900.
• September 2008 the price was dropped to $409,000.
• On December 19, 2008 the priced dropped to $399,000.
• Shortly after that drop the Seller received 4 offers!!!!!!
• Today the property went under contract.

Buyers are ready and waiting to buy!!!!

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
Broker Associate, RE/MAX Breckenridge CO
daniel@YourMountainBroker.com
The Breckenridge real estate blogger

Plenty of Snow Brings Buyers

We have snow.  And plenty of it.  In 13 years of living here this seems like the most snow we have had this early is the season.  Fingers crossed the snow will continue all winter. Good News!!!

Make sure the real estate broker you work with shovels out your for sale sign like we do.  Most signs around here are buried in snow!

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
Broker Associate, RE/MAX Breckenridge
daniel@YourMountainBbroker.com
The Breckenridge real estate blogger

My Glass is 1/2 Full .................................. How about You?

I am sick of it.  Sick and tired of complaints and negative comments about the real estate market.  Hey, I am a realist.  The market is slow.   I convey the truth with a glass that is 1/2 full.  Looking for a 'negative spin'?  No problem - go to a different blog.

Here are 3 reasons why my glass is 1/2 full:

• Interest rates for 30 year fixed mortgages are low, low, low.
• The smartest buyers are contrarians and are buying right now.
• Every single one of my clients in 2008 who applied for a loan got it.

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
daniel@YourMountainBroker.com
The Breckenridge real estate blogger
Broker associate at RE/MAX in Breckenridge, CO

Chuck says, "Slowest November in 20 Years."

Another way to say it is that sales are slow as molasses, Grandma's Molasses to be precise.

So who is "Chuck".  Chuck Leathers is a long time real estate broker in Summit County.  Regularly  he creates a detailed market update.  His most recent update is very informative.  It is a must to review.  Click below my signature and the graphs will become larger.

Below you will see 3 graphs.  The one I find the most revealing is the bottom one which shows the number of sales in November were very, very low.  Have a look for at the blue line which shows 2008 - it is way below the red line which shows 2007.

I'd like to thank Chuck for permission to provide you this info.  You can reach him at: Chuck Leathers Real Estate Co., (888) 485-2300.  His email is ChuckLeathers@Realtor.com.  He is located in Frisco.

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
Daniel@YourMountainBroker.com
Broker Associate, RE/MAX Breckenridge CO
The Breckenridge real estate blogger

Town Manager and Mayor Predict Breck Town Income Down 14% in 2009

Hi,  Everyone that knows me is aware I like to stay connected, to know what is going on and to anticipate what's to come.  That is why when I joined a handful of other residents (the chair with the black jacket was my seat) last Friday for breakfast; Tim Gagen, Breckenridge Town Manager and John Warner, our Mayor, I asked about their forecast for the local economy.  In summary here is what Tim said:

• 2007 was the best year ever for Town revenue
• 2008 was flat (which is actually wonderful)
• 2009 forecasted revenue is 14% below '08
• The Town budget has been trimmed by $5,000,0000

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
daniel@YourMountainBroker.com
The Breckenridge real estate blogger

'Green' Commute 12 Months a Year

We have tons and tons of snow in town.  And that means all the motor scotters and most bikes used to commute around town are stored away.  However snow has never stopped the committed 'green commuters'.   This bike is famous around town.  It is used daily by a very prominent resident.  Here is a hint: you'll see this bike on Ridge St often.

Lots of clients say, "How can you get around on a bike with all the snow."  The answer is obvious ~ studded snow tires!

Be the 1st person to phone me [970-393-3300] and identify the owner and you will win the CD 'Finally' by local musician Jeremy Dion!  Call me today - I am working (I work just about every single weekend).

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300

daniel@YourMountainBroker.com

The Breckenridge real estate blogger.

What is Happening with Real Estate?

That is the question I get from just about everyone I see.  Here is what I say:

• My sales are higher than last year!
• Summit County is a $1 billion market in 2008 (in '07 it was $1.5 billion).
• Sales are always slow this time of the year (historically the slowest month of the year).
• Prices are stable and about the same as they were 18 months ago.

I can tell you one thing: I sure am glad I have a whole bunch of my retirement funds invested in Breckenridge real estate.  Kate, my wife, is a smart one.  About a year ago she demanded I get money out of Wall St. and pay down mortgages.

Stop questioning the market.
Look at the data.
Now is a darn good time to buy Breckenridge real estate.

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
Daniel@YourMountainBroker.com

The Breckenridge real estate blogger.

The Top 10% of Brokers Are Very Confident

 Today the top 70 brokers in the Summit County market has breakfast together in Breckenridge.  The event was put on by Vail Resorts Development Corporation (VRDC) to thank us for selling units they have built over the last couple of years.  In addition they gave us an update on One Ski Hill Place which will be the "center piece" of the redevelopment of the Breckenridge Peak 7 & 8 base areas when completed over the next decade (or so).

Without a doubt the 'feel' around the room was very positive.  When you look ahead at what is on the drawing board for Breckenridge it is impossible not to be positive.  The development has just begun and our "300 pound gorilla" developer, VRDC, has the money and experience to complete their vision.

The top brokers are also the most experienced.  We have been though market ups and downs and we all have clients who love to buy in a slow market as that is when they make the most profit.

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson (970) 393-3300
Daniel@YourMountainBroker.com
The Breckenridge real estate blogger.

Kind of, Well, Sort of, Really.... ONLY in Vail

So..... I was skiing in Vail with some good friends of mine this past Saturday.  I got to the bottom of the gondola at Lionshead around 1pm and I see this crowd of people standing around including a couple of photographers with big cameras.  And who skis up to the crowd a minute later?  The bride and groom.   Cool but it was just way, way too 'showy' for a Breck guy like me. It just seems to appear to be to be more about the photos and 'being seen' then about marriage.  I say yuk, bla, not for me at all. 

Love life, Daniel Webster Johnson  (970) 393-3300
daniel@YourMoutainBroker.com
The Breckenridge real estate blogger.

Winter has Arrived!!!

Early last week in Breckenridge Colorado it appeared the "Indian Summer" just didn't want to leave. With barley any snow on the ground and a limited amount of terrain open on the hill it felt like winter was never going to come. Until.... Thanksgiving weekend it arrived!!! With almost 2 feet of snow falling over the long weekend it finally feels like Winter.

As of today Breckenridge Ski Resort has 35% of terrain open with 10 lifts (which including 6 Chair). For the most up-to-date terrain and snow stats click here.

Below is Yasmin Johnson enjoying some great powder turns on recently opened terrain.

All in all the skiing and weather conditions are perfect up here in Breckenridge!

Love Life,

Yve Johnson,
Assistant to Daniel Webster Johnson
RE/MAX Properties of the Summit
www.YourMountainBroker.com