Real estate volume dips while sales under $500,000 rise

All residential transactions sales in July with a price of $500,000 or less encompassed 70% of July’s real estate sales. This reflected an overall average sales price of $529,333 for Eagle County real estate in July.

The main contributor to the under $500,000 sales category were the bank owned sales. Thirty one of the 54 properties that sold in July for under $500,000 had a bank as the seller.

This brings the total number of bank owned properties that have sold in Eagle County through July of 2011 to 162, 23% of our overall market.

The overall dollar volume in July dipped to $48 million, the lowest monthly volume since January, 2009.

July Notables:

• 43% of the overall transactions were in Eagle and Gypsum
• The highest priced property sold was at the Ritz for nearly $3.4 million
• Total transactions for July, 92, is the same number we had in July of last year

These data have been provided courtesy of Land Title

Owning at The Sebastian (Vail Plaza Club) provides the best of all worlds. For visitors to Vail, one can benefit with fully-deeded ownership at a fraction of the cost. Fixed week time, as well as fixed 2 to 4 bedroom condos, gives you the same time every year in the same residence, forever. Whether you enjoy coming to Vail during Christmas, New Year’s, President’s week, Spring Break, or off-peak weeks like January and Summer – there is probably a fractional re-sale for you!

Adding luxury to convenience are the astounding amenities that owners of The Sebastian may enjoy, including:

• Outdoor pool with 4 hot-tubs
• On mountain ski valet (“Base Camp”) – no need to carry your skis, boots, poles
• Daily “tidy” service and mid-week full clean
• Fitness Center
• Room Service
• valet parking
• Full service Spa “Bloom”
• “Frost” après ski bar
• High speed internet access throughout
• Business Center
• Concierge services including grocery shopping for a nominal fee
• Free Shuttle service
• The Market for breakfast, lunch, “to go” meals and a coffee barista
• Block 16 Restaurant offering farm-fresh and organic sit-down meals

Below is a list of the most inspiring fractional club memberships available!

Charming Vail Plaza 2BR/3BA village Flat (own 2 out of 6 available weeks) at The Sebastian
$220,000 (unit 114)

Own 2 February/March weeks in a 2-bedroom Village Flat with lockoff.  Choose 2 weeks between weeks 6-11: February 11th (President’s week) through March 24 (Spring Break). Weeks run Saturday – Saturday therefore dates vary slightly from year-to-year.

Corner unit  3BR/4BA Penthouse available for weeks 10&11: Vail Plaza at The Sebastian
$473,000 (#427)

Enjoy March weeks 10&11 (approx. March 10-24) every year for spring skiing at its best in Vail Colorado at the newly-renovated Sebastian resort. This corner unit penthouse enjoys privacy and huge views to Vail Mountain. Fireplace, two balconies, heated master bath marble floors, slab granite kitchen counters and more define luxury in this gorgeous condo.

Rare 4BR/5BA Vail Plaza village flat for sale: fully-deeded Christmas and March week 11. The Sebastian at its Finest
$610,000 (#121)

2300+ square feet of living space at The Vail Plaza Club/Sebastian Vail Village. Guaranteed Christmas and March week 11 (spring break) every year.

Christmas/New Year’s available at the Vail Plaza Club (Sebastian, Vail Village) in two 3 bedroom penthouse residences. Side-by-side condos, so buy one or both for a total of 6 bedrooms!
$695,000 (each)

Top floor, bi-level penthouse(s) available for three weeks over Christmas and New Year’s in perpetuity! Most popular time to own in Vail, and best rental income. Each condo comes with fireplace, balcony, washer/dryer. Fully-furnished and fully appointed. Don’t miss this rare opportunity!

Gorgeous 2BR Penthouse Available for March week 8&9 (first 2 weeks of March)
$350,000

Own a top floor, rare single-level penthouse in first two weeks of March. Great pre-spring break time of year to be in Vail. Two decks, cathedral ceilings, huge master, third bathroom off large entryway. Fantastic floorplan.

Please note that ownership at the Vail Plaza Club allows you to purchase full membership into the Timbers Resort club, whereby you can trade into any of their worldwide resorts, including:  Tuscany/Italy, Snowmass/Aspen, Cabo San Lucas/Mexico, St. Thomas/US Virgin Islands, Steamboat Spring/Colorado, Scottsdale/AZ, Doonbeg/Ireland, Rancho Santa Fe/CA, Napa Valley, CA.

Also note that Homeowner’s dues are not included in the purchase price, as well as other taxes and closing cost fees.

For more information, such as photos of the property or floorplans of the individual units for sale, please contact Properties of Vail at 970-476-0692 (toll free: 888-476-0692) or by clicking here.

The US military reconsidered the need for a specialized mountain-warfare division in the early 1940′s despite an official declaration of neutrality from World War II. A combination of winter survival, Minnie Dole’s recruitment efforts with the National Ski Patrol and the news of 25,000 ill-prepared Italian troops perishing in the Albanian mountains helped to form the beginnings of the 10th Mountain Division.

The history of the 10th Mountain Division – the famous “soldiers on skis” who trained at Camp Hale, and fought in the Italian mountains during WWII – can be relived at the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum in Vail, Colorado.

For information on lodging in Vail during your stay, please visit properties of vail.

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn – who resides in Vail, CO – returned to the top of the podium in Alberta Canada last week with a victory over Maria Riesch of Germany (and one of Vonn’s best friends). Julia Mancuso was third as six Americans finished inside the top 25.

Vonn crushed the field by nearly a full second, just under an hour before teammate and fellow Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety won the Birds of Prey Giant Slalom in Beaver Creek. It was the first time since 2006 that two Americans won World Cup races on the same day.

Blue Sky Basin opened Friday, bringing Vail Resorts open skiable terrain to 4,308 acres. After surpassing the 100-inch mark for season-to-date snowfall on Monday, November 29 – nearly 7 weeks earlier than last season, Vail currently has the following lifts open:

Avanti Express Lift (32), Wildwood Express (3), Mountaintop Express (4), Riva Bahn (6), Game Creek (7), Born Free (8), Northwoods (11), Gopher Hill (12), Sourdough (14), Little Eagle (15), Vista Bahn (16), Sun Up (17), Eagle Bahn Gondola, Cascade Lift (20), Orient Express (21), Mongolia (22) and Tea Cup (36).

Furthermore, the NEW Chair 5 (Sun Down lift) opened Friday. This replaces the old chair 5 and is a high-speed quad.

If you are coming to Vail to ski this winter, check with Properties of Vail for lodging rates and availability by clicking here!