Steamboat is ready for your next visit

I just wanted you to know that we have been working hard here in Steamboat to prepare for your visit over the holidays. We are now open top to bottom but will benefit from the next couple of storms to fill things in and be fully ready. I personally spent some quality time making an intense effort to stabilize the snow pack using my experience to find that vulnerable untouched powder no matter where it may be. We have gotten about 2.5 ft since Thanksgiving day so the trend is going our way. It looks like they are starting to get resolution on this week’s weather and so far it looks good. The next storm is expected Monday through Thursday followed by one more Sunday according to the National Weather service. A Winter Weather Advisory has already been posted for Monday night so let's hope that gets upgraded :) For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat Christmas Trees

In Steamboat we have an abundance of perfect Christmas trees conveniently located in my favorite ski runs. Mother Nature has been kind enough to decorate them perfectly for us. Want to celebrate the holidays with us this year?

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Local's Opening Days

The Steamboat Ski Area "Offically opened on it's traditional day before Thanksgiving start date but it is never quite official for locals until the top of the mountain opens. This year it came on Friday for the Gondola and Saturday for the Storm Peak lift and Closets to Twilight. I was fortunate enough to be there for both an got some great powder as is almost always the case when they open the top. There was 11 inches on Thursday night along with the YTD snowfall especially on the runs with some shelter or northern aspects (those were SWEET).

The base up top in the trees was better than I expected at the small cost of not sinking in as much since it had consolidated before the last storm (but that makes for a better base). I don’t think I hit anything despite not really worrying about my skis and my overall where the powder leads me style of skiing. Storm Peak face was as nice as you ever see it and Heavenly Daze was great but some of the groomers could use more coverage. Most of that will be cured by some more snowmaking. Friday I was the 2^nd person down north facing Ted’s ridge on the lower mtn and got high calf to high thigh powder otherwise it was high calf to mid-thigh in the trees with a few upside surprises. Saturday I was able to outfox most of the other powder hounds to get 5 runs from Closets to Twilight where I crossed few tracks and found more than a few face shots.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Are the Banks still lending money to buy in Steamboat?

You wouldn't think it but I get this question all of the time and the answer is yes. The stats show us that 8-15 families per week are buying in Steamboat and while volume is lower than last year average prices are up. That said there are a few deals to be found we are just fortunate to be in a market that is more stable than average due to our relative value for a mtn resort, little if any sub-prime exposure along with much more capable and conservative buyers that can make their mortgage payment.

The percentage of cash deals continues to increase just like Income needs to be documented but every loan application a client of mine or the broker who brought a buyer to one of my listings has done this year has been approved. To be honest the loans and closings have been some of the smoothest I have seen with anything from an immigrant fast food manager, to an unmarried couple with limited credit to jumbo loans. and things in between. The major change is that you need to go to a mortgage person that works for a bank vs. a typical broker who is on their own. The broker at the bank will still most often shop multiple wholesale lenders like traditional mortgage brokers did. The difference is the wholesalers feel better about working with someone that is responsible to a bank since many of the marginal loans in the 5 markets that most of the national mortgage issues are in were done by unaffiliated brokers. Most mortgage brokers were very honest but this was one of the steps that was taken to tighten up this system.

With the state of the economy and a the chance to pick the property of their choice at a discount buyers wanting to upgrade or make Steamboat a part of their lifestyle are taking advantage of the buyers market to fulfill their goals. These are not people ignoring reality but sophisticated people who are taking this break to purchase exactly what they want at a good price with the time to make a considered decision. If you would like to learn more or find a great mortgage broker let me know and I will give you thoughtful guidance. For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.