Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood cul-de-sac off Fish Creek Falls Road you’ll find this beautiful home with exceptional finishes throughout.  Start with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and three levels of rustic panache and you’ve found your ideal family home.  On the main level you’ll have a kitchen to die for, with stainless steel Viking appliances, a large island, beverage refrigerator to chill your favorite bottle and open access to the living and dining areas.  The impressive living room boasts spectacular log beam woodwork, a stone fireplace to gather around, grandiose chandelier and lots of windows for exceptional natural light.  Tucked to the side is a marvelous office that makes work from home a true delight.  The master bedroom looks out to a superb rock garden, has a walk-in closet, flat screen TV and a lavish master bathroom.  The hand-crafted, decorative wood banister staircase leads to 3 upstairs bedrooms and a spacious loft ready for whatever your desire.  The downstairs is a true escape, with a large family room that includes a built-in entertainment center and guest bedroom.  Adjacent to that is an oversized 2-car garage with an in-home gym area, lots of space for staging your gear and seemingly endless storage running the length of the home.  Cap it off with completely unobstructed views of the Ski Area from the large, wrap-around deck and your home search ends here!

Presenting a luxurious 4 bedroom fully furnished townhome offering turn-key ownership.  With a lodge feel and custom log accents throughout, this is a true gem just a few blocks from the ski mountain base.  The main living area includes fine leather seating, gas fireplace, vaulted ceilings, a wall of windows for brilliant evening sunsets and a large and open outdoor deck.  The adjacent dining area comes outfitted with a granite marble table and comfortable seating for the entire group.  The deluxe kitchen is equipped with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and stunning wood floor.  An open and convenient loft provides a quaint spot for reading or office area and the adjacent master suite has a romantic fireplace and oversized jetted tub.  The lower level of the townhome has two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.  An excellent choice for either a second home or investment property, the complex amenities include an outdoor heated pool, two hot tubs and seasonal shuttle making this a true Colorado escape!

Give it a test drive and see what you think!  Just like flipping the pages of your favorite magazine but without the paper cuts.  ENJOY!

The best real estate deals are to be had when the inventory is highest (which it is now) and the competition amongst buyers is low.  These factors support the fact that this is a good time to buy.

In the heart of Creek Ranch you’ll find this majestic log home with exquisite finishing touches around every corner.  This 6 bedroom property on almost 12 acres spans over 5,800 square feet and includes a glorious main house and detached barn with finished caretaker’s unit.  The entrance of the home greets you with a quaint covered porch and grand entry.  The living room is flourished with cathedral ceilings, craftsman styled rock fireplace, log beam adornments, picture windows to die for and a walkout deck with soothing hot tub.  The adjacent den area is perfect for television, sipping brandy or curling up with a classic novel.  Through the western styled saloon doors you’ll find an impeccable kitchen with slab granite countertops, pendant lighting, Viking appliances and breakfast seating for the entire group.  A formal dining room lends well for candlelit dinners and endless mountain views.  The main floor master suite is pure ecstasy with large accent beams, walk-in closet and a lavish bathroom that includes a marble vanity, jetted soaking tub and steam bath with multiple adjusting shower heads.  The upstairs leads to a landing with built-in bookshelves and gas fireplace along with two spacious bedrooms.  The downstairs family room is an entertainment hot spot with audio/visual console and wet bar.  The focal point of the home is the outdoor living space created around a large fireplace, covered deck, wood crafted seating and boundless views.  The barn consists of 4 horse stalls, tack room and hayloft designating this as a foremost homestead in the Yampa Valley.

Located in one of Steamboat's growing commercial areas sits a pristine 0.99 acre parcel ready and waiting to build. With existing plans by Tom Dover of Dover Construction and Development, outlining 12 live/work units, this Copper Ridge Business Park investment opportunity won't last long. This lot sits in a quiet location within the business park and borders open space, which is often hard to find when planning for live/work development. The parcel has great access for commercial entities and sits on a slightly higher elevation than the rest of the park, which affords views that might otherwise be obstructed. For buyers looking at commercially zoned land with great potential, this is a must see!

Many people made their way to the ski hill to watch the events unfold in the thick of the excitement and alongside past olympians like Billy Kidd.  The cow bells were ringing and the fans were cheering as if we were ringside right there with our team. 

As our hometown heroes took the silver, they went down in history as the first American team to earn a medal in nordic combined at an Olympics.  The local mantra as of late has been that "It takes a community to raise an Olympian" and yesterday I felt that sentiment strongly.

Here's the full story from the Steamboat TODAY!

Towards the private end of the property you’ll find this furnished 3 bedroom corner unit at the Lodge at Steamboat.  Sunny and bright for a glorious open feel, this condominium sits on the first floor just steps away from the pool, hot tubs and tennis.  The kitchen features a very workable layout with breakfast seating and Whirlpool appliances.  The adjacent living room is accented with wood beam trusses, brick fireplace, Hunter Douglas window coverings and two walkout, covered patios.  Each bedroom has its own private bathroom which is wonderful for hosting family or guests.  The Lodge sits just 200 yards from the gondola and offers concierge & luggage service, private shuttles, daily housekeeping, complimentary ski valet & storage and on-site business center. 

Ski in / ski out convenience is the name of the game when you own this furnished 1 bedroom Storm Meadows condominium.  The recent interior remodel enhancements that make this unit so special include slate tile flooring, new oak cabinets, new doors & paint, tile shower surround and crown moulding.  The living room and covered deck lend way to sublime views with the Ski Area directly in front and below, while the Flat Tops smile in the distance.  A lock-off owner’s closet and entry hall storage give you room to stash your gear before it’s time to get cozy by the warm moss rock fireplace after a day of fun on the slopes.  A quick elevator ride to the ground level leads to unparalleled ski trail access that’s hard to beat.

Tucked away as one of the most peaceful units within the Timberline at Trappeur’s Crossing resort, this 4 bedroom condominium shines with appeal.  This furnished end unit has fantastic natural light that pours through the large windows you’ll find in every room.  The kitchen is open to the dining area and living room which delightfully accommodates mingling with family or guests while whipping up some food.  The living room is as cozy as it gets with overstuffed leather seating, a gas fireplace with timber accents and walkout, covered deck.  The bedrooms are appointed with sleeping for 8 and the pull out couch makes hosting your guests a breeze.  The resort offers premier amenities such as an indoor/outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, fitness center, tennis, guest lounge and private, on-call winter shuttles.  Whether you’re looking for rental income or a place to call home, you’ll absolutely love owning this magnificent unit at Timberline. 

Endless possibilities await you on this 35-acre property located only 15 minutes from Steamboat Springs. Along with the amazing views of the Ski Area and Catamount Lake, this property highlights a barn approximately 6,000 square feet and a 7-car garage.  This garage offers plenty of space for farm machinery and storage.  The spacious barn features a shop with a 3/4 bath, upstairs storage and heated floors that continue into the bay area, outfitted with utility hook-ups suitable for RV storage. Adjoining the bay area you’ll find two horse stalls along with a tack room and wash area.  This property also features a functional 1,147 sq ft home to utilize while building your dream home.

The Eagleridge Lodge stands as a premier lodging property in Steamboat Springs and this 2 bedroom unit within is no exception.  With direct views of the ski area and mountain peaks, this residence has almost 1,000 square feet including a warm and inviting living room, impeccable kitchen and cozy dining area.  Furnished with true mountain distinction, the finer points include granite countertops, leather seating, masonry fireplace with split timber mantel and entry cubby perfect for stripping off your ski coat.  The covered deck overlooks the pool while other property amenities include private on-call shuttle service, indoor hot tub, fitness room, ski storage and on-site concierge.  This is a gem of a property that you’ll enjoy for years to come.  

Your team's dedication, knowledge, and drive are what help to make Prudential Real Estate an acknowledged industry leader, and we look forward to recognizing your outstanding achievements at Sales Convention 2010 from March 7-9, 2010 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.

Chairman's Circle - Gold:  The 2009 Chairman's Circle - Gold is awarded to Individual Sales Professionals or Sales Professional Teams that have achieved a minimum of $280,000 GCI or 70 Residential Units. As a Chairman's Circle - Gold award winner you are in the top 2% of Sales Professionals/Teams in the Prudential Real Estate network.

It really comes down to a huge "THANK YOU" to the wonderful clients we've had the pleasure of serving in the last year.  This award must truly be shared with all of you.

And it’s not just one group or organization responsible for making this happen.  It’s been an entire community effort over the duration of our storied history.  That’s why we take time out before the Winter Games in Vancouver to host a community-wide send off for all of the Olympians headed to Canada.

 The event takes place this Friday, February 5th.  The event includes:

• A video presentation of past and present Steamboat Olympians on a giant screen
• Fireworks, of course (we just love the explosives in this town!)
• Live musical entertainment
• Lighting of the town’s own 15-foot tall Winter Games Caldron (this will burn on the lawn of the downtown Courthouse throughout the entire Olympics)

So consider this your official invitation to join our community, including numerous past Olympians, as we celebrate our Olympic heritage that spans all skiing disciplines.  Come be a part of history as we send off Steamboat’s next generation of Winter Olympians!

And if you go, please stop by the new Prudential office located on the street level of The Olympian building (5^th & Yampa).  We’re hosting a party from 4:30-6:30pm to showcase the Olympic spirit of our new location.  Historical items have graciously been donated by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum to add a charm and charisma you just won’t find anywhere else.  This party is by invitation only so if you are interested, please give Cam a call.  We’ll get you on the list!

A pamphlet was left in our offices this week outlining some interesting points about Steamboat 700.  Here are some quick bullets I pulled from that information:

• The crux of the Steamboat 700 plan is to centralize growth into “urban centers” to protect open space and prevent sprawl.  Building up to 2000 units in a central location has arguably less overall impact than the same number of units scattered throughout the valley.
• Steamboat 700 will be developed in phases.  If there isn’t an immediate demand for all 2000 proposed units, then some will simply not break ground.  The risk falls entirely on the shoulders of Steamboat 700.
• Steamboat 700 will be built as “Revenue Neutral” meaning that tax revenues from the new community will pay for city services.  Therefore, no new or increased taxes will be placed on Steamboat citizens or businesses.
• What are the traffic impacts?  Steamboat 700 claims to mitigate traffic congestion in town by providing jobs, services, shopping and schools on the west end of Steamboat.  They intend to subsidize enhanced transit service and create extensive biking and walking trails.  They have also committed $16 million for US40 widening improvements.
• New homes will be initially offered in such a price range as to create a balanced mix of housing types.  There are 14 proposed housing types ranging in price from $180,000 to $1.2 million, including condos as well as large lot homes.

For more information about Referendum A and Steamboat 700, the Good-4-Steamboat organization can be found at:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/G4Steamboat

Twitter: www.twitter.com/good4steamboat

Email:  info@good4steamboat.com

Phone: 970-870-0244

The tax credit will be handed over to taxpayers who reside within the boundaries of the Steamboat Springs School District.  The method by which the credits will come is through a credit on the future mill levy.  Next year’s mill levy credit will equal 4.104 mills which equates to a reduction of $32.67 in property tax for every $100,000 in assessed value for residential Steamboat springs homes.  For non-residential property, the credit will equate to $119.02 savings for every $100,000 in assessed value.

The over-collection of property tax occurred as a result of statewide waiver elections that allowed individual school districts to retain and expend all revenue collected from any source.  This was in opposition to the limitations set forth by TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights).  A recent decision handed down from the Colorado Supreme Court upheld the legality of the 2007 state Senate bill allowing school districts to collect revenues that exceed limitations set forth by TABOR.  But because Steamboat voted on a variance to this bill, which contained more limited language as to how our school district could retain revenues, we weren’t exempt from the TABOR limit.

At next Monday’s school board meeting, the Steamboat Springs District Finance Director is expected to recommend the board to certify the 2009 levy of 11.55 mills, down from last year’s rate of 21.922 mills.

Much anticipation has been looming for the grand opening of the newest addition to Steamboat Springs real estate offerings.  After 2 years of construction, the project is now prepared to close on its first 100 sales.  The official opening for overnight guests will happen January 9^th, but the general public will get a first glimpse of the plaza area tomorrow. 

Giving Gondola Square an entirely new look, gone are the stairs to a lower level parking lot and Kids Vacation Center.  This gives the mountain base a completely new entrance point with pavers and a heated walkway.  The other exciting enhancement to the base area is the Wildhorse Gondola that transports guests from the Wildhorse development to the plaza of One Steamboat Place.  This adds a completely new transportation method for people looking to access Gondola Square from Wildhorse Meadows.  The new Wildhorse Gondola is expected to be fully operational in February. 

One Steamboat Place has also announced some of its retail tenants who will be opening their doors this winter.  Amongst the exciting new businesses is Fleischer Sport, a new ski shop.  Owned and operated by Chad Fleischer, an Olympic downhiller, the store can be found at the commercial space just steps from the gondola unloading area.  Other retail neighbors in the new project include the new Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School ticket office, Surefoot ski boot & fitting shop and a new restaurant, Truffle Pig, opening in July.   

Especially in light of the price drops we've seen over the last year and sluggish property sales in most areas, home owners are viewing remodeling as a way to add value.  When looking at spending money on a property someone is ultimately trying to sell, the question often asked is "How much of this will I get back?"  It can be difficult to convince a seller to spend additional money on upgrades for a property they are simply trying get out of.  But both small and large remodeling jobs can go a long way towards attracting buyers in this competitive environment.

So are home improvement projects in Steamboat going to recoup the same percentage of investment as other parts of the country?  With the priorities of your typical Steamboat Springs resident or 2^nd home owner varying slightly from those of Midwest America or elsewhere, the answer is most likely no.  But improvements made to the common areas of the home (i.e. the kitchen or bathrooms) often hold a consistently high importance amongst potential buyers no matter what the ultimate use of the property might be.  Take a look at the 2008 National Averages as reported by Remodeling Magazine in conjunction with the National Association of Realtors:

So why does remodeling pay off in the end?  There are a few reasons to note.  First, home owners who remodel their home are essentially making buyers' lives easier and providing a service at the same time.  Many buyers don't want to hassle with the time, effort and money it will take to remodel or upgrade for themselves.  It's often easier to convince a prospective buyer to act when a home is in "move-in ready" condition or close.

The second reason remodeling is a good strategy is because it often helps avoid the negotiation strategy of pecking away at the asking price by harping on the imperfections of a home.  Quite simply, if you reduce the number of imperfections ahead of time you reduce the number of objections a potential buyer can raise as a tactic to lower the price.  This often leads to an ultimately higher closing price and more money in the seller's pocket.

Despite what a home owner's motivation might be for pursuing a remodeling project, the reality is that a person's home is still one of the best places to invest money.  Over time, the dollars spent on upgrading one's home often recoup double-digit percentage returns over the long run.  Not a bad option when we look at what the stock market has historically had to offer (with far more stress).