You still have time to get here for the tradition! Every year, Steamboaters fill a snow covered Main Street for the Diamond Hitch Parade with the high school ski band, horses pulling kids on skis and other unique festivities that accompany Winter Carnival. Saturday night festivities include the “Lighted Man” and fireworks galore on Howelsen Hill. If you have never experienced it, you owe it to yourself to a visit to Steamboat this weekend. Read more about the festivities here.

See you around town!

Hello blogosphere! It has been a while since my last post. Super busy with real estate, new puppy and non-profit work which is all good just no time to update. Friends on the mountain today are reporting a foot of new snow and by the looks of it, I believe them! More snow is predicted. So, if you have plans to come to Steamboat for the holidays, your wishes have come true.  Check in with www.steamboat.com website for the latest in weather and snowfall. In real estate this week there were 14 + closings ranging from some smokin’ deals on lots in Stagecoach for $10k and a bigger ticket item for $3.2m. Pending sales are holding steady and we are poised for an active selling season here. The snow is great, real estate is ready for the taking. I’m here to help! angela@yoursteamboathome.com

Current pending sales are around 110 and over the last 9 days there were 19 closings so things are definitely holding steady as Buyers get that there are incredible opportunities across the board in our resort community. I’m around this fall if you want to come for a visit and check out the offerings. angela@yoursteamboathome.com  The weather is phenomenal and there is plenty to do!

Some recent articles in the Steamboat Pilot & Today:

Routt County real estate transactions for Oct. 1 to 7, 2010

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/oct/10/routt-county-real-estate-transactions-oct-1-7-2010/

On the Market: 23 county units bought  for less than $500,000

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/oct/10/market-23-county-units-bought-less-500000/

3 Stonewood sales close in rapid succession in Steamboat

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/oct/10/3-stonewood-sales-close-rapid-succession-steamboat/

Real Estate transactions for Sept. 24 to 30

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/oct/03/real-estate-transactions-sept-24-30/

2 condo projects in Steamboat land 1st contracts of season

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/oct/03/2-condo-projects-steamboat-land-1st-contracts-seas/

This, taken from my EcoBroker newsletter I thought was worth repeating because sometimes we forget and take for granted our precious resource.

Easy Ways to Save Water at Home

Managing water is a growing concern in the United States. Communities across the country are starting to face challenges regarding water supply and water infrastructure. Launched in 2006, WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored partnership program that seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices..

Save water at home with a few easy fixes:

1. Replace your toilets. If your toilet is from 1992 or earlier, you probably have an inefficient model that uses at least 3.5 gallons per flush. New and improved WaterSense labeled models use less than 1.28 gallons per flush-that generally  60 percent less than their older, less efficient counterparts saving you money each year.

2. Fix a Leaky Faucet. Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year

3. Make it a Full Load. The average washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load. High-efficiency washing machines use less than 28 gallons of water per load. To achieve even greater savings, wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate load size selection on the washing machine.

4. Take a Shower. A full bath tub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons. If you take a bath, stopper the drain immediately and adjust the temperature as you fill the tub. 5. Water Your Yard Wisely. The typical single-family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of their water outdoors for irrigation. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by overwatering.
Install drip irrigation systems which will use between 20 to 50 percent less water than conventional in-ground sprinkler systems. They are also much more efficient than conventional sprinklers because no water is lost to wind, runoff, and evaporation.

Maybe a little gratuitous sharing of an article because I’m quoted, but factual reporting on a luxury development here in Steamboat that I believe in for the quality of craftsmanship, location and how much the homeowners love the base area community.  Stonewood has gone back to pre-construction pricing and the results are tangible. As the real estate market here has shown improvement over that past couple of months, buyers seeking luxury at the Steamboat base are should put Stonewood on the list of things to see.

3 Stonewood sales close in rapid succession in Steamboat

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/oct/10/3-stonewood-sales-close-rapid-succession-steamboat/

Our handy fella Bruce Carta and Land Title provides us with great numbers every month. These are exerpts from his report for August real estate closings. If you would like to see the more comprehensive report, send me an email angela@yoursteamboathome.com and I’ll hook you up. Sales have been brisk this fall amidst crazy mortgage rates and opportunities in Steamboat.

Highlights for the month of August:·        Sales Volume for the month was $46,343,500 that represents a 140% increase over last August 2009.·        Units sold were 271 which is one more unit sold than compared to the month of August 2007.  This represents a 376% increase over the 72 sold last August 2009.·        Timeshares/Fractional units continue to dominate units sold with 207 out of the 271 sales reported for August 2010.·        Once again, the Village at Steamboat leads that market with 202 sales of the 207 Fractional sold for the month.·        Of the 38 Residential Improved Units sold for the month, 28 of those were for $700,000 or less.·        The Mountain Area reported 28 transactions and the Average Residential Price for that area was $654,770.·        There were 9 bank sales in August 2010, totaling $2,876,000 in Gross volume or an average price of $319,566 per unit.·        Of the 282 loans recorded for the month, 150 or 53% of those were part of the Fractional sales.Sales over $1.5M:1.       8/23/2010 $3,000,000 Dakota Ridge Subd Lot 5 aka 35945 Agate Creek Road – 4 Bedroom 6 Bath YOC 2005 – 3,126 SF Living Area on 3.54 AC.  PPSF is $959.69.  This sale is shown in the South Routt Area.2.       8/2/2010 $1,555,000 Stonewood at Eagleridge TH #5 Unit 14 – New – Address not input yet – 4 Brm 3.5 Bath YOC 2009 – 3,890 SF Living Area.  3.       8/12/2010 $1,550,000 Stonewood at Eagleridge TH #4 Unit 20 – 1195 Eagle Glen Drive – 4 Brm 4.5 Bath YOC 2007 – 3,762 SF Living Area. 

Tonight, Steamboat is host to The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council’s Taste of Sustainability Fun-Raiser and Sat is the 5th Green building/ASES Solar home tour.

Don’t miss YVSC’s annual fundraising event featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Fireside Catering, Bistro C.V., Creekside Café, Harwigs, Hazie’s, Freshies and Sweetwater Grill.  Colorado beer and wine are also included with your ticket! Live music and awards recognizing local environmental leaders and volunteers will also highlight the evening.

Support YVSC’s local sustainability programs, such as the Zero Waste Initiative, Youth Education, Green Building and more, by bidding at the silent auction! Must-have items include a Christie II chair, Colorado get-aways, lift tickets, guided fly-fishing, cooking lessons, “stay-cation” at a local resort, original artwork, energy efficiency items for the home, sustainable products, dining, outdoor activity packages, and many others. See an updated list of auction items below. Many more items still to come.

YVSC’s annual green building tour will take place in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society National Solar Tour, which is the largest grassroots solar event in history. Steamboat will be one of 3,200 communities participating in the tour!

The self-guided tour will offer participants the opportunity to see 8 local homes and buildings featuring a variety of sustainable building practices. Come learn about how your neighbors are using solar energy, energy efficiency and other technologies to reduce their monthly utility bills and help tackle climate change. Many of the featured homes are in Steamboat Springs, so attendees are encouraged to ride bikes or walk.

The Tour will finish with a reception at the Steamboat Smokehouse from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Beer and appetizers are included with the $10 Tour ticket.  www.yvsc.org

As fall descends on the valley with the vibrant colors, there is still plenty to do if you’re thinking of heading up to the high country. Octoberwest in Steamboat this weekend if you’re looking for some good food, beer and entertainment.

The event will kickoff Friday night with a cruiser bike parade in Steamboat’s historic downtown leading patrons to restaurants for the Suds & Grub event with beer tastings and food specials. Saturday is packed with entertainment for everyone in the family in a beautiful location, the base of the Steamboat Ski Area. Admission to the event is FREE. Events include:roping a keg barrel, artisan vendors, sample tasty food, refreshing beer and enjoy a great fall day in Steamboat Springs. 2 for 1 activities special in the Coca-Cola Adventure, one Gondola ticket and it’s good both Saturday and Sunday. There is also a Rabbit Run Ultra Marathon race finish after completing a challenging 50-mile run along the Continental Divide trail. Wind of the day with some rockin’ entertainment with headliner The Drew Emmitt Band and opening act 3 Wire band (free).

If you make it up here, connect with me and I can show you some real estate. There are some incredible opportunities up here…don’t miss the ‘boat!

This week is showing definite signs of activity. Several land parcels and lots are under contract as well as a variety of condos, townhomes and single-family properties. Pending sales have been holding steady over 100 for the past few weeks and showings are on the increase in our office.

Everyone is gearing up for Labor Day weekend where there is something for everyone! The Wild West Air Fest, Steamboat Stage Race, Stock Dog Challenge and more. Check out the chamber’s website for more details. The weather has been beautiful so make your plans today!

Here are a few article from the Steamboat Pilot & Today:

Real estate transactions for Aug. 13 to 19, 2010 

http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/aug/22/real-estate-transactions-aug-13-19-2010/

This weekend was one of those weekends that you thank your lucky stars that you decided to jump off and make the move!  I had the great experience of riding some back country trails with my bestest buddies to try to get a glimpe of Lance Armstrong, Dave Wiens and our local mountain biking experts blazing the trail on Ride 4 Yellow/Ride the Divide. Chugging our not-as-fit bodies on the Divide Trail in effort to get the money shot, our efforts were rewarded. About 2/3 of the way up we heard voices behind us, just in time to pull out the cameras and capture the moment.

It’s not every day you get to have Lance Armstrong bid you “good morning” on a backcountry trail. Nor is it every day that you get to see the outpouring of fundraising, emotion and collaboration that many of us witnessed on Sunday.

My friends and I missed the podium speeches with our dear friend Brad Cusenbary getting to introduce Lance because of course we were still making our way up the trail! Brad who has been dealing with a brain tumor knows all too well what the journey can be about and as we heard, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house…or on the lawn as it were. Brad for many years was a competitive cyclist and has been instrumental in bringing us the Tour de Steamboat. This is a road ride which has now focused its fundraising on the Sunshine Kids, an organization geared towards showing kids with cancer a good time including ski trips to Steamboat. The common thread is surreal and yet touches all of us in one way or another.

At lunch, we heard from Linda Armstrong, Lance’s Mom who delievered a compelling speech of her experience with Lance to a room filled of people that were friends, survivors, patients, volunteers, etc. The energy was incredible in that room.

Events like this are just snapshots of how awesome this community is for many of us. People come together, visitors see it and many of us cherish it because we are so damn lucky to be here.