Breckenridge Associates
Real Estate

Celebrating a holiday with family and friends in the mountains is something special.  Thanksgiving week kickoffs the holiday season in full-swing.  Along with the holidays, comes the ski season.  So this year, plan your Thanksgiving week in Breckenridge, enjoying the turkey and cranberry sauce, cozying up next to a fire with a mug of apple cider, and some great skiing! A Thanksgiving to Remember... Thanksgiving is late this year, November 28th.  The ski conditions should be pretty nice.  Hopefully the snow god, Ullr, will be friendly this year, providing an abundance of snow.  During the day, hit the slopes early and enjoy some turns while others are watching football and hanging out with the family.  Burning some extra calories on Turkey Day never hurts when it comes to your second helping of turkey, mashed potatoes, and the pumpkin pie!  Breckenridge Ski Resort is going to try and have Peak 9, in addition to Peak 8, open in time for Thanksgi...

UPDATE: This event has been postponed. Please check back for dates in February or March. The 5th annual Breck Snowflake Challenge brings snow sculpting back to its roots and onto the streets of downtown Breckenridge again this December. It's a fun kick-off and warm-up to the International Snow Sculpting Championships event in January. Sculpting sites throughout Main Street and downtown Breckenridge truly come to life over the course of the competition with amazing creations, adding to the beauty and surroundings of our perfect mountain town.    The Breck Snowflake Challenge is produced by Breckenridge Associates Real Estate and the founders of Breckenridge’s International Snow Sculpture Championships as a means to develop a new generation of snow artists. This is a grassroots movement to truly showcase the work of Summit County locals. Three of the artists competing in past Breck Snowflake Challenges have gone on to be members of "Team Breck" at the Int...

Are you trying to decide where you want to ski, and which ski passes to buy for the 2012-2013? We’ve made it a little easier by doing the homework for you. We've compiled each of our local resort's pass options for the season ahead. The countdown is on to opening day with targeted dates set for mid-October and early November. Cheers to a great ski season! Here's all the pass information you need for Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Loveland, Vail and Beaver Creek. Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin - in Colorado) and (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar - in California) Summit Value Pass Adult - $439, Teen - $339, Child - $229 Unlimited access to Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. Limited restrictions at Breckenridge. $50 pass holder tickets available for purchase during blackout dates at Breckenridge. (Most restrictions at Breckenridge are during peak holiday weeks.) Epic 7-Day Pass Adult - ...

Day Five of the Pro Cycling Challenge begins in Breckenridge and a swarm of bikes will cover Main Street, move incredibly fast up the Blue River Valley and climb Hoosier Pass covering 118 miles before crossing the finish line in the Garden of the Gods. If you watch the Tour de France for the scenery, the US Pro Cycling Challenge is your kind of bike race. For seven days at the end of August, the same cyclists who ride Le Tour climb and descend the mountains of Colorado, and on Day 5, cameras will roll above and along with these riders from Breck to Colorado Springs. Great Viewing Ideas for Day 5 Just imagine a line of moving bicycles emphasizing the graceful bend in the Blue River as seen from the hill near Bekkedal. What will they look like from Rocky Point, up on Boreas Pass? Or near the Blue River Town Hall, and as they make that first switchback up the pass in Tordal Estates? As they crest the pass? The road will be closed to traffic for a few minutes, so alternate routes li...

Recreating on Lake Dillon is a must for visitors and locals alike. Lake Dillon is home to two marinas – the Dillon Marina and Frisco Bay Marina. Dillon Reservoir is a multi-use recreation and water-storage facility owned and operated by Denver Water. It is the largest water storage facility in the Denver Water system. Dillon Reservoir’s surface area of 3,233 acres and 26.8 miles of shoreline support many recreational activities. Dillon Marina The Dillon Marina offers slips and storage, with some slip sizes still available for the 2012 summer season. The launch ramp is open 7 days/week, 8:30am-5:30pm (weather permitting).  Sailing lessons are available for beginners and intermediates. Tours and private lessons are also available. Sailboat, speed boat and pontoon daily rentals are available through the marina.  Dillon Marina is home to the Tiki Bar, a lakeside hot spot for après lake, après work and just for fun. Grab some friends and grab some beers in a sw...

Way to go Breckenridge! In a recent Forbes Magazine article, Breckenridge scores a perfect 10. Read the top 10 reasons to visit Breckenridge in the Forbes Magazine article.

The Annual Breck Snowflake Challenge is underway and while we don't have pictures yet to share for this year's event - since it's just getting going - we can share some in-progress photos below from a previous year's contest. (We'll post photos of completed snow sculptures and the winning teams in our January ENewsletter.) We are always impressed with the sculptures our local talent brings to the table. Take the time to stroll Main Street later this week and cheer on the snow artists as they tackle the elements to create their own snow art masterpieces. Last year's record early season snowstorms helped create the perfect canvas for the sculptors, while this year the artists have to work a little harder to find large amounts of snow. It's all part of the challenge and fun and we're sure our sculptors will not disappoint. If you can't stroll through town this week (finished sculptures will be completed and judged on December 16), be sure to check bac...

Everyone loves Santa and Santa's helpers too. That's why in the winter wonderland of Breckenridge, we gathered Santa and lots of his helpers together to kick off the holiday season with us. Along with town's Lighting of Breckenridge, a mad dash of Santas ensued down Main Street. It can only help with preparation for Christmas Eve, right? We had over 125 Santas participate and have the video to prove it. What a nice and jolly way to kick off the holidays! Breckenridge's "Running of the Santas" Video: In Breckenridge we're busy "decking the halls" in preparation for Santa's arrival and hope you're doing the same. What traditions do you share with your family for the holidays? A really fun resource for tracking Santa and his route is Track Santa With Norad . Not only can you and the kids see his Christmas route, but they have a new kids game on their website every day until Christmas. Another fantastic interactive resource is Portable N...

Now that the snow has melted and we've switching gears to summer, it's the perfect time to spruce up your yard and make it beautiful to enjoy outside in the warmer months. We've compiled a few tips to enhance the look of your landscaping and help create great curb appeal for your mountain home. 1. Spring Clean Up - A tidy driveway, walk way and entrance give a feeling of care and maintenance. Remove clutter around the outside of your home. 2. Add Color - Add colorful pots and hanging baskets with beautiful annuals to make your home look cheerful and inviting. 3. Add Fragrance - Choose plants and flowers with pleasing, sweet and soft aromas. Local nurseries can help you select beautiful smelling flowers that will do well in our climate. 4. Remove Dead Trees and/or Stumps - The recent pine beetle epidemic has left many lots with dead trees or unsightly remnants of those infested trees. Either flush cut and cover or grind the obvious stumps in the focus area around th...

It’s hard to believe this epic snow year is winding down and coming to a close. We hope you’re able to get out there and make a few more turns before the end of the season. It doesn’t get much better than a warm spring bluebird ski day in the mountains. In honor of an incredible, snowy ski season, Summit County ski resorts know how to throw the best end-of-year party with lots of live (and mostly FREE) music. Check out some of the music on tap in April at our local ski resorts below. Breckenridge Ski Resort It’s Spring Fever in Breckenridge with a hot line-up of concerts throughout April. Get to the base area at Peak 8 from 3-5pm Saturday and Sunday afternoons in April for the Bud Light Concert Series’ free concerts, with live bands performing on the specially-constructed Bud Light stage. And if you’re looking for even more live music, there’s more to be found on select evenings throughout the month at the Riverwalk Performing Arts Center from 5:30-7pm. Saturday, April 9 3-5pm, B...

Our picks for Breckenridge's March Hot List focus on some amazing real estate deals in Breckenridge. Watch the video for our Top 5 picks and view the property detail by clicking the links below. Contact your Breckenridge Associates Broker to learn more about the real estate deals featured here. 1.) 1208 Brooks Hill Drive, Breckenridge Gather your family and enjoy Red Mountain views, your sunny deck and quality finishes including wood floors, granite counters, and stainless steel appliances. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, additional bunk room or office, and walk-out family room with wet bar for entertaining. 1208 Brooks Hill Drive, Breckenridge - $1,039,000 (Just Reduced) 2.) 321 Lakeview Drive, Silverthorne Take in spectacular views of Lake Dillon and Keystone Ski Area from this Mesa Cortina home. 4 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, 2 family rooms, and a double sided gas fireplace. Enjoy a BBQ on your spacious deck, and 2-car garage. Beautiful furnishings included. 321 Lakeview Drive, Silver...

After the economic sluggishness of 2010, it is easy to paint a picture of the local Breckenridge real estate market in a decline. One can certainly find numbers that indicate receding prices and dropping numbers of sales in segments of the local market. However, this tells only part of the story and ignores some other signs pointing toward recovery. As we have wrapped up 2010 and are springing forward well into 2011, there are some clear trends that indicate a gathering strength in our marketplace. In a nutshell, 2010 revealed a dramatic increase in total sales volume, a surge in sales of condos and townhomes, a drop of existing inventory of properties for sale, a jump in sales of vacant land and a clear 4th quarter spike in properties going into contract. Let’s take a closer look. 57% Increase In Total Sales Volume 2010 saw an increase in total sales volume in almost every property category in Breckenridge. Single Family Homes increased $52.8 million from $95.33 million to $148.1...

Recent indicators in ski resort, lodging and local business numbers suggest Breckenridge and Summit County tourism may be recovering in today’s economy, according to a recent Summit Daily News article. Growth in lodging occupancy, retail and restaurant sales tax revenue increases, an outstanding month of December and better than average snowfall have contributed to a successful ski season thus far. Lodging occupancy in Breckenridge jumped 7 percent in 2010, according to Mountain Travel Research Program (MTRiP) and as of March 3, winter season bookings were pacing 4 percent ahead of last year. Restaurant and retail sales tax revenue increased nearly 7 percent. This was the first increase seen in tax revenue in 2 years for these lines of business. December has been cited as the best month in 10 years for Breckenridge restaurants. Although Breckenridge weathered the storm of the recession fairly well to begin with when compared to other ski resort destinations, it is great to see bu...

Yes, it’s cold and snowy outside, but that doesn’t mean the perfect buyer isn’t out there ready to view your property throughout the winter months. While other markets may experience significantly less activity during the winter, Breckenridge and Summit County’s peak visitation is during these cold months. Summer months are typically when we experience the highest number of real estate sales transactions, however we show property to many qualified buyers throughout the busy winter season. With Breckenridge Ski Resort alone sustaining more than 1 million skier visits in a typical winter, there is a definite opportunity to catch the eye of the in-town visitor. Sellers should take the time to consider their home’s Winter Curb Appeal and how inviting their property is during the winter. There is a huge opportunity to have the competitive edge on other sellers in our market by making your property more inviting during the winter season. Following are a few tips to keep in mind to achie...

Are you a buyer waiting on the sidelines for the bottom to hit on real estate pricing? It’s a tough position to be in, knowing when to make the move to buy. But you don’t want to be looking back in a year thinking “That’s when I should have jumped at the opportunity.” like many buyers do – looking back on what was a great buying opportunity. While we can’t guarantee prices won’t fall more in the Breckenridge market, we can say buyers should consider focusing on the broader scope of a real estate purchase with a hard look at what’s happening in our market. Let's take a closer look at what we know in terms of real estate sales combined with what current interest rates actually mean to the bigger picture of the purchase. Here’s what we know: 1.) Breckenridge real estate in 2010 closed with an increase in sales volume, a surge in condo and townhome sales, a drop in inventory and a clear spike in 4th quarter pending real estate sales. 2.) Nationally, single family home prices have...

We’re really liking the newly opened Frisco Adventure Park Tubing Hill. Not only is it easy to access from anywhere in Summit County, but it has 600-foot tubing lanes, open Thursday – Monday this winter and until 8pm and is fun for all ages. Some tips: reservations recommended. Call 970.669.2558. Or, visit the Frisco Adventure Park website for more information, including directions and pricing. Save $5 this season by clicking on the Parents Handbook link and printing the coupon. Click here for the latest news about Breckenridge Real Estate .

It was another beautiful display of snow art following the International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge late January, where 15 teams from around the globe got together to shape their 12 foot tall blocks of snow into a walking gallery of beautiful snow sculptures. This year, the art display was even kicked up a notch with new LED lighting, showing off the great detail of the sculptures after sunset. "Team Budweiser" responsible for the Budweiser Sponsor's Gateway piece (shown below) had some familiar Breckenridge Associates Real Estate faces - Rob Neyland, Ron Shelton and Tom Day. They, along with team members - Aaron Kriss, Amanda Kriss Sara Thomas and Tim Schwander worked to create the beautiful Budweiser piece, featuring the famed clydesdale horses. "Team Budweiser" : Rob Neyland, Ron Shelton & Tom Day (of Breckenridge Associates Real Estate) plus Aaron Kriss, Amanda Kriss, Sara Thomas and Tim Schwander: Budweiser Gateway sculpture (abo...

Our picks for Breckenridge's February Hot List focus on some amazing real estate deals in Breckenridge. Watch the video for our Top 5 picks and view the property detail by clicking the links below. Contact your Breckenridge Associates Broker to learn more about the real estate deals featured here. 1.) 112 Beavers Drive, Breckenridge is a bank-owned awesome deal. 6 bedrooms, 5 baths and a 4-car garage. Ski-in/ski-out in Breckenridge with more than 7,000 square feet of living space and is very competitively priced. 112 Beavers Drive, Breckenridge - $2,249,000 2.) Crystal Peak Lodge #7501, Breckenridge is a 4-bedroom penthouse located in the newly completed Crystal Peak Lodge at the base of Peak 7 in Breckenridge. Amazing views of the Ten Mile Range of Breckenridge. This unit was originally priced at $2,995,000 and has now been discounted 40%. Fully furnished and a great value for a ski-in/ski-out Breckenridge property. Crystal Peak Lodge #7501, Breckenridge - $1,799,000 3....

150 Single Family Breckenridge properties sold in 2010 with 23 pending in early January 2011 The sold stats show foundations with some framing of $120,000 in Quandary and up to $3,590,000 in Summit Estates, a higher end luxury estate neighborhood. 190 Condominium Breckenridge properties sold in 2010 with 17 pending in early January 2011 • Keep in mind 6 of these were the Water House properties – new construction sales located at Base 9 of the Breckenridge Ski Resort and offered at a special 40% developer discount. The sold stats show prices start as low as $80,000 for a small one bedroom 1960’s Breckenridge Quandary condo and up to $2,690,000 for One Ski Hill Place, a new construction luxury slope side property. 60 Duplex/Townhome Breckenridge properties sold in 2010 with 15 pending in early January 2011 The sold stats show prices ranging from $194,000 in Gibson Heights (deed restricted) up to $1,775,000 for a Shock Hill Condo/Townhome next to the Gondola. Land sales show 58...

Snow and ice can wreak havoc on roofs in our extreme winter climate if not properly maintained. Snow accumulation as we’ve experienced already this season causes heavy snow loads on rooftops, which can lead to leaking and result in an unplanned home repair. Poorly installed or malfunctioning roof heating elements can result in ice dams, which also require immediate attention to prevent damage to your home. You can avoid these scenarios by hiring a company to help to keep your property’s roof in shape during the winter season, whether as a one time evaluation and solution of a problem or contracted monthly throughout the winter months. Heating elements, such as heat tape, need to be strategically applied to the roof and vary from home to home due to architecture, where the sun faces the property among other factors. Ma Greene, a long time local snow and ice removal company, will evaluate and troubleshoot the home before recommending the best solution to address removal. We want you ...