Realtors in Breckenridge, Colorado suggest that home sales are in a flurry as world economics, a new gondola and continuing low interest rates have helped improve attitudes from homebuyers in this premier ski resort town.

"Real estate sales in eight mountain counties - Eagle, Pitkin, Summit, Garfield, Grand, Routt, Gunnison and San Miguel - for the first nine months of the year totaled $4.74 billion, more than the $4.62 billion recorded in sales for all of 2003, and on target to top the all-time high of $5.1 billion in 2000," says Realtor Thomas Driemeyer. "Denver-area buyers have already purchased $13.1 billion in homes so far this year, more than $1 billion more than they did all last year. In November, there were 2,786 homes placed under contract, 34.3 percent more than sold in November 2003.

Driemeyer says, "Colorado resorts recorded nearly 955,000 international skier visits in the 1996-97 season, and resorts are looking for the upcoming season to lure international visitors back, due to the strength of the euro, the British pound and other foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, making skiing in the U.S. a good value. Last year, Breckenridge and Vail both had record numbers of international skiers. Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association, in Vail last month, said there is resurgence in skier-visitor numbers, due to the ski industry's growth in snowboarding. Snowboarding now accounts for 31 percent of the lift tickets sold in the U.S. and 60 percent of the people under age 20 entering winter sports are snowboarders."

Say Realtors Ken and Mary Deshaies, "Recent approvals for the new Skyway Skiway Bridge (giving ski access from the mountain into town) and the in-town gondola bring new excitement and life to this ski resort. Breckenridge is undergoing a new renaissance, with development happening primarily at Peak 8, but significant changes happening in town, as well. Agreements are in place with the Colorado Department of Transportation to route Highway (and most vehicular traffic) around the town core on Park Avenue, leaving Main Street much more pedestrian friendly. RFPs are out for Main Street redevelopment ideas. Redevelopment plans for the ski mountain were approved by the town in 2002, and construction will begin this year. It's truly an exciting time to be here. Prices have also been rising this summer and into the fall and winter."

"This historic mining town and pristine alpine environment has three other ski areas within 20 minutes - Keystone, Copper Mountain & Arapahoe Basin," says Realtor Kim Stevenson. "Lake Dillon is within 15 minutes for boating, sailing and fishing."

Stevenson says, "Breckenridge sales are strong in 2004! Gather your family, and start enjoying Breckenridge now before the real estate prices climb. Ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, and in the summer, biking, hiking, fly fishing, sailing, river rafting, horseback riding, are all offered in this Victorian mountain town."

About the market, Stevenson advises, "Listing inventory is steady on single-family homes, down on condominiums and town homes, and even on building sites. Some prices are climbing over our last high market of 2000. With 80 percent of Summit County being National Forest land, our privately owned land is very limited. It is estimated that Breckenridge & Summit County will reach build out by 2014."

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Published: December 30, 2004

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