Watch your Posture and Protect those Knees

The conditions are great in Winter Park! Lots of snow and the temperature remains cold! We want everyone to have a great time on our slopes and to minimize the dreaded ACL injury.

According to statistics from National Ski Association, blown-out knees account for 30 percent of ski injuries, and skiers are 365 times more likely to blow an ACL than the general population.

KNOW WHEN YOU ARE POSITIONED INCORRECTLY - When body position is off-balance to the rear — known as "in the back seat" you are in the compromised position. The hips are below knees, the hands are back, the shoulders are back, and weight is on the back of skis or snowboard. ACL injuries generally occur when the foot is fixed, such as in a ski boot, and the upper bone of the knee keeps twisting, tearing the knee ligament.

Skier should strive for an athletic hip-wide stance. When turning, the knee should align between the foot and hip. Instruction on ACL prevention also suggests to avoid the “Big Move” while falling. While letting the fall happen, try to keep arms and hands forward, feet together. And when down, stay down until reaching a stop.

There are numerous clinics and videos available to help skiers recognize the backseat position and how not to allow the body to get into this potentially knee injurying position. Practice makes perfect.

See you on the slopes at Winter Park or Mary Jane

team "Winter Park Partners"

(excerpts taken from Tonya Binya, Grand County News)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays from team ‘WINTER PARK PARTNERS”! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!

There is a huge storm heading our way and Winter Park is expecting tons of snow this week. Parsenn Bowl just opened this past weekend and with snow on the way there is sure to be some great skiing and riding. So get your boots and skis or boards out and head on up for a happy holiday in Grand County.

See ya on the slopes!
team “WINTER PARK PARTNERS”
Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties

Wells Fargo Cup - Winter Park, Colorado

This weekend the National Center for the Disabled will hold it's annual fundraiser, the Wells Fargo Cup, at the Winter Park Resort. This will be the 33rd year for the event, which stretches from Friday to Sunday.

The weekend festivities include four ski races, live entertainment, ice carving demonstrations and a large silent auction. This event, which includes corporate sponsors, raises over $200,000 annually to support the NSCD, a sports program that offers summer and winter lessons and activities, for disabled athletes and participants.

On Saturday morning, the Frontier Cup Corporate Challenge involves amateurs of all skiing and snowboarding abilities to the slopes in a pro-am style event. Each race team consists of a top disabled athlete and five amateurs.

Saturday afternoon is the Denver Post Celebrity Smackdown, a chance for Denver media personalities, mascots, former Broncos, cheerleaders and surprise celebrities to tackle the slopes where the "best fall" and the "worst dressed" win prizes.

Be sure to make the trip to Grand County and Winter Park to watch or participate in one of our most exciting weekends!

Excerpts taken from Stephanie Miller's article in the Sky-Hi Daily News

Reasons to invest in a Winter Park, Colorado vacation home.

The stock market has been all over the board, and if you’re like most people, your level of investing confidence has dropped as well. Yes, only those with nerves of steel feel good about playing the market right now. And if you’re not one of those hearty souls, you’re at a bit of a loss as to what to do with your nest egg.

A vacation home in the Winter Park area can be a remarkably good investment right now. Stock market woes have always pushed people to look for alternate investments, and real estate is a consistent stronghold. So what makes buying a vacation home so attractive right now? The market has become a buyer’s market and there are great deals to be had with many properties being deeply discounted. Many times we have heard buyers say to us as agents “I’ve been kicking myself for not buying a vacation home back before prices escalated beyond all reason.” If you are looking for a mountain cabin or condo there are a lot of great opportunities. I wouldn’t recommend buying a second home with the expectation of flipping it for a quick buck, but if you hang onto it for a while it should appreciate in value once again. A family getaway can be fun for everyone and a lot less stressful than watching the market highs and lows.

Houses and condos aren’t flying off the shelf, there’s less pressure on you to make a quick decision. You can afford to take your time, do your research, and refine your plan. The interest rates are still low and may get lower as the Federal Reserve tries to shore up the American economy. This is all good news for anyone with good credit who is in the market for a mortgage.
From an individual buyer’s perspective the combination of lots of houses for sale, low prices and falling interest rates is hard to beat.

Call team “Winter Park Partners” to start your search today.

Please make any comments you have and we will respond.

Winter Park Village is First Class

Much to the delight of skiers and boarders, Thanksgiving Weekend brought over 16 inches of snow to Winter Park! In addition to the snow, visitors could wander through the new village with its beautifully brick lined walkways. Both commercial and loft living space are still available in this quaint village. There is a flurry of construction it is full speed ahead. Two more restaurants plus the skating rink will be opened during this ski season. Keep your eye on our blog and we will keep you informed on opening days.

• Lime is a hip American Cantina with fresh Mexican food and hearty margaritas. Once construction is completed, the hours will be 9 AM to 2 AM, seven days a week. http://www.eatalime.com/

• Cheekymonk serves Belgian Beers! This old world atmosphere will have a modern twist. This bistro is situated over the ice skating rink and has divide views. A great place to meet after a day of moguls at the Jane. http://www.thecheekymonk.com/

• The Village Rink will be filled with music and laughter. It is located outside of Zephyr Mountain Lodge and next to the Cheekymonk. Skates will be available for rental. Hours of operation will be from 10 am to 10 pm. For all those who want to have excitement on ice versus powder slopes, this is the place for you!

There are several lofts still available above the commercial space in the Village. Picture you and your family in a cozy loft perched above the village. The views of the mountains as well as the visitors strolling by will keep you entertained on those non ski days.

Call us for additional information.

Team " Winter Park Partners" of Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties

866-538-8666

Avoiding Lawsuits in Rental Property Leasing

By: Barbara Nichols

Rental property tenants are unpredictable. I have had to deal with everything from the desperate tenant whose business was failing and decided to grow marijuana as an alternative business to the tenant who tries to make repairs and makes the problem considerably worse.

We can’t prevent what is unexpected and sometimes can’t prevent the expected, but we can do a great deal to assure that when it happens we will be in a better legal position to deal with it.

The Importance of the Rental Property Agreement

A comprehensive rental agreement is extremely important. It should include at the minimum:

The start and end dates of the term of the lease
The means of lease extension and lease termination
The circumstances under which the property owner may enter the property
Responsibility for repairs and maintenance
Penalties for non-payment of rent
Renovations or alterations to the property allowed or not allowed to be made by the tenant
Ownership and removal of renovations at the end of the lease or if the tenant must be evicted
Notice for termination or eviction of the tenant
Numbers and names of persons, or companies on the lease
What business is to be conducted at the property, excluding all others
Deposits and their application or circumstances for refunding
Insurance coverage and requirements
The stated condition of all contents at the time of the lease and their required condition at termination.
Lease amount, payment terms, conditions for modification of rent

Forms and Documentation are Key

The lease form should be properly composed by an attorney or modified from a standard form provided from a reputable source, such as an Association of Realtors®, or Commercial rental organization. Separate forms might deal with property condition, insurance requirements, building rules and regulations, parking issues, and neighborhood issues (such as noise late at night). Commercial properties in or near residential neighborhoods must take neighbors into consideration or face problems the property owner will have to deal with for many years. Neighbors have a long memory.

Any problem that does arise should be documented with the date it occurred, what happened to cause the problem and who was called about the problem or sent a letter. Also note what happened to resolve the complaint, if it could be resolved. Do not let a problem linger or ignore it as it has a tendency to grow. A tenant may later claim the owner did not seem to have a concern with the issue over some period of time and only now is complaining about it. Contact an attorney for advice early on for any serious issue. Following appropriate legal procedure can shorten the time to resolve the matter.

Some Hot Tips for Contracts

Never permit the tenant to modify, remodel, repair, redecorate or change anything without the owner’s express written consent, and print this statement in boldface type in the contract.
Make sure that there is a clause in the contract to allow the owner or the owner’s representative to enter the property at least once a month even if it is to check the smoke detectors. if I had done this I would have seen those marijuana plants!

Be wary of the tenant who pays in cash. In the contract insist on a check drawn from the tenant’s bank. This will facilitate collecting on a court order to recover funds, since you will know the bank and the account number of the tenant.

Be sure the owner’s insurance policy on the property is properly written to cover the property with the tenant and the tenant’s business. Also, require the tenant to obtain, and maintain adequate contents insurance on their property. Both the owner and tenant should have adequate liability coverage in case someone is injured or assaulted at the property.

If You Have to Go to Court

On several occasions I have found myself in court trying to collect on back rent or property damage. Because I was prepared with a solid contract and documentation I am glad to report I was able to collect every time, with the exception of the marijuana grower who skipped town. I saved myself considerable legal expense and money, if not aggravation. Tenant evictions can be lengthy in California. Even with proper procedures owners should plan on
possibly a six month ordeal. In one case regarding a client’s property, I showed up with the sheriff who had to usher the tenant off the property. He was in the act of moving and loading the moving van. I felt compelled to warn the moving company to collect via cash or a cashier’s check to avoid getting a bum check from this deadbeat.

Zoning, trip-and-Falls, Security Issues

In one case a commercial tenant failed to check zoning before signing the lease and discovered the space they rented would not allow a fitness center. Tenants or their guests have suffered injuries or assaults called “acts of third parties” and sued the owner. In one case, the employee of the tenant parked in a handicapped space during a rain storm. He stepped out of the car on crutches only to fall and suffer further injury. The downspout from the roof gutter drained directly into the parking space! Owners and their property managers must be vigilant to eliminate hazardous conditions and provide well lighted and secure premises.

Agent Representation

If a real estate agent or property management company is acting on behalf of the property owner, a detailed written agreement should be used covering the agent’s responsibilities. The property management company might also request to be named as an additional insured under the property owner’s liability insurance.

Get Ready For Winter!!!!

Winter time brings us lots of fun in Winter Park...skiing, sledding, skating, snowshoeing and lots more!

Those of us who live here are diligently preparing for all of that snow! Here are a few things you might want to think of...

Clean and check all of your gutters
Clean debris from the roof
Replace damaged shingles and check your heat cables
Disconnect your garden hoses and drain outside faucets
Sweep the chimney flue, clean chimney cap
Stock up on firewood

Once all of your "chores" are done, you and your family can enjoy all that Winter Park and the fun packed Fraser Valley/Grand County has to offer. There are new lifts, new shops, a new ice skating pond and a whole new base village!!!

New Adventure Park outside of Winter Park and Fraser

Ellie and Daisy’s Adventure Park LLC was approved by the Grand County Commissioners with a one year special use permit. The GCBOC will review the special use permit after the first year to consider the continuation of the operations. If there are no significant problems or issues the Adventure Park should be able to continue its business.


The park will consist of a Tubing Hill, Ice Skating Rink and Snow Scoots. The developer of the park is the same developer of Cozens Meadow Subdivision in Fraser. They want to provide more activities for the youth in the area and for all the visitors who come to the valley to ski Winter Park.


For several years there were snow scoots in the meadow between Winter Park and Fraser, but those went away a couple of years ago. That activity has been missed by many locals and visitors who come to our area. The new snow scoots will be more environmentally friendly with 4 stroke engines, which are more quite and less emissions into the atmosphere.


The new tubing hill in the Adventure Park will be installing “magic carpets” to move the riders up the hill, similar to what the Winter Park ski area uses in their beginner areas in Sorenson Park and Discovery Park. Those are a much safer way to transport the visitors.


On high-use days it is predicted that they will attract approximately 250 participants. The Adventure Park’s accommodations this winter will include a modular facility with bathrooms, with running water. Once the facility has had a successful year and gained their permanent permitting they will proceed with constructing the permanent facilities.


So don't forget when you make it up to Winter Park for a fabulous ski trip or just the weekend be sure to venture over to Fraser to check it out!

Improving the Habitat for our Animal Friends along the Fraser River

For those passing on Highway 40, between Fraser and Tabernash, on the stretch which is lovingly known by the locals as the Fraser Flats, you can see large excavation equipment moving dirt. Great news! Rendezvous Colorado (a strategic partner with Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties), Devil's Thumb Ranch and the Middle Park Land Trust have partnered to increase a 600 foot section of the Fraser River to 1300 feet and to create 3 new acres of wetlands. The relatively shallow and wide river will become deeper and narrower with an adundance of fishing holes and pools. Great Fishing will become Fantastic Fishing! New wildlife should flourish quickly and all of this is within minutes of Winter Park. Most of the work should be completed by November.

Another great reason to see what Grand County has to offer. World class skiing, hiking, biking, fishing and wild life watching.....

Call or email Winter Park Partners for your Winter Park..Fraser..Tabernash .. Granby.. Grand Lake property needs.

1-866-538-8666
www.winterparkpartners.com

New Changes at Winter Park Ski Resort

Winter Park is entering into its 69th ski season of continual operations. This season will open November 19th with many new additions. New condos, Founders Point & Fraser Crossing, located at the base of Winter Park have been completed and are ready for occupancy during the ski season. There are still some great units in the inventory if you have an interest in owning at the base village at Winter Park. There are also fourteen high-end living areas called The Lofts, located right in the village, which also has some units available for purchase. An open cabriolet to move people from the parking lot by the Vintage to the base village at Winter Park is almost completed and will be running all winter. The new village parking garage is completed for those who chose to park in closer.

“Village at Winter Park Resort” a new epicenter that covers approximately 30,000 square feet of additional commercial space with new restaurants, retail and high end living areas will give all skiers and visitors the opportunity for improved experiences, whether they are day visitors or destinations visitors. A scenic pond rests between The Village at Winter Park Resort and Zephyr Mountain Lodge, giving guest a great place to linger or even ice skate.

In the last 5 years there have been many improvements on the Winter Park Resort’s terrain. Four new chairlifts, terrain expansions in the Eagle Wind and Parsenn Bowl areas; a newly renovated Club Car restaurant and Snoasis Lodge will surely enhance every skier or riders experience.

So if Winter Park is a place you have never been to, or if it has been a long time since you have experienced the great skiing and boarding here, you need to come and check it out.

Time To Buy in WINTER PARK, COLORADO

As winter approaches in the Colorado Rockies, it's time to think about finding your own "mountain get-away" in Winter Park, Colorado! It's time to build family memories sitting around the fire, planning tomorrow's ski adventure on some of Colorado's finest ski slopes!

There is plenty to choose from in Winter Park....we've got homes and condos in every price range. There are ski in/ski out condos and homes that range from modest to the best that money can buy.

The inventory is plentiful and many sellers are ready to bargain to get their property sold.

The activity is high as many families decide to make a creative choice with their investment dollars.

Please contact us if you'd like to see exactly what's available for you to consider.

Penny Wise, Pound Foolish - Buying in the Winter Park Area

All markets go up and down, and when buying or selling property, it is possible for both parties to win......as long as you are patient. Many fortunes have been made in the real estate market. Savvy buyers become savvy sellers. We have all heard the phrase "buy low and sell high" and now is the time to buy! This year, Winter Park has a higher than average inventory which creates property that is on the market longer than normal. Savvy sellers know that to sell their property, it must be priced correctly for this years market, versus last years market. This means that they may not make as much profit if they would have sold last year, but profit is profit.

What really makes the difference in making money in the real estate market? Stay in for the long haul and only buy what you can afford.

-Don't nickel and dime the buyer or seller. Although it will make you feel good for the short term, saving 1% will not make the difference if it is the right property.

-Don't think you can time the market for short term flipping. This is a high risk venture and many "wanna be" investors are currently caught in this dilemma and can't sell their property as quickly as they thought they could. Buy property that you can afford for the long haul and make sure you are buying into the best location, location, location possible.

-Don't think that you can time the market. Period. Even the very best property in the very best location will fluctuate in value. Don't be afraid to buy because you think the value has not bottomed out or not sell because you don't think the value has topped out. Even the very best economists can't predict this.

Team "Winter Park Partners" can help with you with your Winter Park area property purchase by supplying you information so that you can make in informed decision.

Call or email us with your real estate needs.

www.winterparkpartners.com
1-866-538-8666

It’s a Buyer’s market in Grand County

Well it’s hard to believe that ski season is right around the corner. Well actually, the mountain peaks are covered with snow from our 1st fall snowfall. Yes, we had snow in the town of Winter Park this past Friday. So I guess ski season really is right around the corner.

So if you love the mountains and love Winter Park and Mary Jane and don’t already own a mountain property or are just looking for an investment this could be the right time to buy. With inventory high we are seeing Sellers selling at reduced prices. In fact our team just closed a single family home that closed over $90,000 off of the asking price. Talk about a deal. In August we had 200 new listings hit the MLS so there is a lot to choose from.

Enjoy what is left of fall and feel free to call us with any of your real estate needs!

1031 Exchange Facts....to use with your Winter Park real estate

This is great information to use when you're thinking about tax savings moves for your Winter Park property!!!...

This is compliments of Kennen Cohen of ASSET PRESERVATION

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 121 permits a taxpayer to exclude gain in the amount of $250,000 or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly on the sale of the a principal residence. A residence is a principal residence if the taxpayer has owned and used the residence as the taxpayer's residence for any two (2) years during the five year period ending on the date the residence is sold. The Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008, signed by President Bush on July 30, 2008, amends §121 and may reduce the exclusion available to taxpayers who initially acquired the principal residence in a §1031 tax deferred exchange or used the property as a rental property before converting the rental property into a principal residence. As of January 1, 2009, the exclusion must be allocated between the period the principal residence was used as an investment property or second home, and the period of time the residence was used as the taxpayer's principal residence. Any portion of the exclusion amount that is allocable to the period the property is not used as the taxpayer’s principal residence is eliminated.

How does this change affect §1031 tax deferred exchange planning? Suppose a single taxpayer exchanges into a rental property which is rented for four (4) years, and then moves into this former property and lives in it for two (2) years as a principal residence. The taxpayer then sells the principal residence and realizes $300,000 of gain. Under prior tax law, the taxpayer would be eligible for the full $250,000 exclusion and would pay tax on the $50,000 remainder. Under the new law, the exclusion would have to be prorated as follows (Note: This example does not take into account deprecation taken after May 1997, which is taxable at 25%).

• Two-thirds (4 out of 6 years) of the gain, or $200,000, would be ineligible for the $250,000 exclusion.
• One-third (2 out of 6 years) of the gain, or $100,000, is eligible for the exclusion. [This example was changed to show that the allocation formula takes into account years before the 5 year lookback period in §121(a).]

Non-qualified use prior to January 1, 2009 is not taken into account in the allocation for the non-qualified use period (but is taken into account for the ownership period). Suppose the taxpayer had exchanged into the property in 2007, and rented for 3 years until 2010 prior to the conversion to a principal residence. If the taxpayer sold the residence in 2013, after three years as a principal residence, only the 2009 rental period would be considered in the allocation for the non-qualified use. Thus, only one-sixth (1 out of 6 years) of the gain would be ineligible for §121 tax exclusion.

In general, the allocation rules only apply to time periods prior to the conversion into a principal residence and not to time periods after the conversion out of principal residence use. Accordingly, if a single taxpayer converts a principal residence into a rental property and never moves back in, and otherwise meets the two out of five year relinquished under §121, the taxpayer is eligible for the full $250,000 exclusion when the rental property is sold. This rule only applies to non-qualified use periods within the 5 year lookback period of §121 after the last date the property was used as a principal residence. Therefore, if the taxpayer used the property as a principal residence in year one and year two, then rented the property for years three and four, and then used it as a principal residence in year five, the allocation rules would apply and only three-fifths (3 out of 5 years) of the gain would be eligible

New Village Cabriolet to Open by Ski Season at the Winter Park Base

Winter Park Resort broke ground this summer on the new Village Cabriolet!

The Cabriolet (aslo know as an open air gondola) will provide free transportation between the Vintage Hotel and the new base village at Winter Park. Dropping pasangers off in the new Base Village where they will be able to experience the new Winter Park once they step on the Cabriolet.

Once in place the Winter Park Resort bus shuttle for this particular route will no longer be utilized. People will be encouraged to park at the Vintage Hotel.

The Cabriolet will have the capacity to run 2,800 passangers per hour along with all of their equipment. Completion is scheduled for late Octover so be sure to stop by and ride the newest addition to the Village at Winter Park.

Choices, Choices, Choices- Countertops

You are ready to purchase or remodel your mountain getaway in Winter Park. One of the decisions to make is what type of countertop should you select? With so many material selections and price points, not to mention color choices, no wonder it is confusing. While no material is perfect for every application, we can simplify the material selections.

The old standby is Formica. It was the hottest material is the 1950's for countertops and now comes is a variety of colors. This man made material is prone to staining and scratching. It's updated cousin is laminate which not only comes in a plethora of colors, but also in varying textures. Although laminates resists stains and heat damage, it can be easily scratched. Prices range from $10-$30/sq ft.

Wood countertops come in and out of style. There are a variety of wood types available from light to dark colors like white oak to walnut and exotic woods such as tigerwood, teak and highly renewable sources like bamboo. Wood is typically used as an accent countertop. Wood must be maintained and since it is porous, cleanliness is a major concern. Wood is heat resistant. Because wood is soft, scratches can be easily removed, however, most homeowners prefer to keep the scratches and imperfections as it adds character and charm to their home. Wood countertops range from $35-$100/sq ft.

Countertops made of manufactured tile or porcelain are very very heat resistant and come in every imaginable color from solids to natural looking stone and granite. Although these ceramic materials are very hard and non porous (especially if glazed), they can chip. Clients must maintain the grout as grout can easily stain. Ceramic tiles come in various sizes, but typical dimensions are 4", 6" and 12" tiles. Costs range from $10-$30/sq ft.

Granite countertops are still the most popular choice for high end homes. Granite can be purchased in typical tile sizes or be custom cut for your counter tops. Granite is very durable and can take the heat. All natural materials should be periodically sealed. Granite is typically polished to a brilliant finish, but new textures trends include "leathered" and "antique". Edge finishes, such as bull nosing can dramatically increase the price. There are a variety of colors including black, green, blue and red and combinations of every hue. Patterns vary from solids to abstract. Costs range from $50-$200/sq ft.

There are a number of solid surface man made materials. Some contain 99% natural materials such as quartz and some contain 99% man made materials that look natural. These solid surface materials also come in a variety of colors and are typically custom sized to your kitchen needs. These easy to clean materials are non porous and manufacturers tout their cleanliness. Prices range from $75-150/ sq ft.

What should use choose? Your budget, style and usage will guide you. Mixing materials and colors is a trend that many designers are incorporating into kitchens. You may decide to use natural stone in high visiblity and high use areas and mandmade materials in low use and low visibility areas. Choose what you like and are comfortable with.

If in doubt, contact a certified and qualified designer. There are several here in Winter Park that can help guide you.

Winter Park Second Home Market

Buying a second home is not just for the extreme wealthy anymore. According to the National Association of Realtors 35% of the over all National Market is Resort and Second Home Properties.

The prospect of buying a second home can be an exciting one. A “home away from home” offers a person the opportunity to escape for the weekend or a vacation with family in a relaxing, less stressful environment than they are accustomed to in their daily lives. Splitting their time between two residences is a very attractive lifestyle for many. Others are looking for a place they eventually want to retire to.

More people choose the location of their second home based on where they truly want to live because it is a spot that is near and dear to their heart. A first home might have been purchased in a particular area due to financial consideration, proximity to school and work. But a second home is usually a place they long to be for the leisure time and the activities that they enjoy.

A second home is considered an investment due to the fact that it provides a tax break, much like a mortgage-interest tax deduction. It is also a way to diversify asset out of stocks. If the homeowner should decide to rent the property instead of live in it themselves, they will not only collect extra income, but may also be able to deduct depreciation. One should always consult their accountant on these advantages.

Winter Park and Grand County offers a lot of choices for folks who would like to invest in a second home in the mountains. There is a property for almost any pocket book. If you have never been to Grand County and enjoyed the beauty of wide open spaces and the multitude of out door activities you need to come take a look!

TRADE IN YOUR OLD CONDO!!!!!

Sterling Pointe, one of Grand County's newest developments is now offering a TRADE IN - STEP UP program!

An overview...

• Go under contract to purchase a two or three bedroom condo, with attached garage
• List your old condo with a Grand County realtor
• If the condo sells prior to completion of your Sterling Pointe condo, you use that money for your purchase.
• If your old condo doesn't sell prior to buying your Sterling Pointe condo, the developers of Sterling Pointe will purchase your condo and you move forward on your brand new Sterling Pointe condo!

It's simple and assures that you can get out of the old condo prior to moving forward on Sterling Pointe!

Contact Team, Winter Park Partners for more details or to schedule an appointment to see the finishes, floor plans and what all of the excitement is about!!!

Grand County Parade of Homes

The 5th annual Grand County Parade of Homes is set to take over Grand County August 2, 3, 9 and 10. This year’s tour will open up the doors to at least two dozen single and multi-family homes.

This is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of real mountain living in Grand County and see what some of the best builders the County has to offer. The Parade of Homes has something for everyone, whether it is touring these beautiful mountain properties or just enjoying all the fun family activities the town of Winter Park has to offer.

For more information please visit: http://www.grandcountyparadeofhomes.com/.

Tank Free Water Heater- Use in Winter Park

What is all the hype about tankless (tank free) water heaters? Should you install one in your Winter Park home?

According to the Office of Energy and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating is the third-largest expense in most homes after heating or air conditioning and operating major appliances. Energy required for hot water is approximately 14-25% of the homes expense. Many homeowners, builders and now architects are looking at ways to reduce this expense.

A standard hot water tank heats the water resevoir 24 hours a day while a tankless unit only activates when hot water is needed. So instead of using energy to keep a tank of water heated at all times, a tankless system only pulls energy when the consumer wants hot water. It is estimated that you will see a 25% annual savings compared to using a 40 gallon tank.

The critical factor in purchasing a tankless system is to make sure that it is sized correctly for your needs. Even if the system is pushed past its limits, the system will supply hot water to multiple sources simultaneously, but at a reduced flow rate. This is in contrast to a hot water tank in that once the tank is emptied, it must be refilled and reheated which is a lengthy process.

Savvy, forward green-thinking homebuyers are going to demand this technology in their homes. Architects are being educated on the use of the tankless systems and their benefits. The unit must be placed in a central location of the home so that the water lines will have a relatively short run. Short run water lines will improve efficiency. In large square footage homes, it is common to see several tankless systems through out the house. Because these units have a small footprint and secondary benefit is more usable space.

In general, initial installation is about the same cost as a traditional hot water tank system. However, on a retrofit, it is more costly to replace a hot water tank with a tankless system.

With increasing energy prices, we are sure to see more tankless installations for hot water in Winter Park.

Bear ordinance for the town of Winter Park?

There has been an increasing number of bear complaints within the town limits of Winter Park. The complaints involve bears tearing through trash. There has been eight complaints to the Winter Park police department so far this year.

In an effort to stop hungry bears from tearing through garbage within the town limits, Winter Park Town Council gave its qualified approval (4-3) at its Tuesday meeting to a proposed ordinance that would ban the feeding of wildlife including new rules on trash disposal. Before the ordinance goes into effect, it must go through a public hearing and receive the trustees’ approval during a second reading scheduled at the council’s next meeting on July 15.

The purpose for the ordinance is to “protect and maintain wildlife in the town of Winter Park and surrounding areas and to minimize the risk of dangerous interaction between humans and wildlife.” The ordinance states that feeding wildlife is prohibited. No person shall “intentionally or unintentionally” feed wildlife on private or public property in Winter Park. Bird feeders are allowed, but between the dates of April 15 to Nov. 15, “all bird feeders must be suspended on a cable or other devise so bears can not reach them. The area below the feeders also would have to be kept free from the “accumulation of seed debris.”If this proposal is passed residents will have to place their trash in either wildlife-resistant refuse containers, wildlife-proof refuse containers, or keep it inside containers within their homes, garage or a wildlife-resistant enclosure “at all times.” Residents with curbside pick-up would have to set out their approved trash containers outside after 6 a.m. on the day it gets picked up, and remove the containers the same day by 7 p.m.

So we will see what happens at the meeting on July 15th.

Good News! Metro Denver Home Prices Rise in April!

According to a report on June 24th from the S&P/Case Shiller Home Price Indices, home prices in Metro Denver rose in April from March. April’s 0.8% monthly gain was the first month-over month gain in Denver since August.

Could we be on the turnaround? Denver was one of the 1st housing markets impacted by the decline of the real estate market due to the collapse of the subprime lending industry. So we can only hope that we will be one of the 1st to pull out. The Denver real estate market has all of the ingredients to turn around in 2008. Families, singles and companies continue to relocate to Colorado. Why wouldn’t you want to move to Colorado with at least 300 days of sunshine per year and don’t forget all of the fun and exciting activities there are to do here.

Here in Grand County it continues to be a Buyer’s market so this is the perfect opportunity to find your mountain getaway or dream home. Winter Park is still one of the only affordable mountain towns in Colorado and with gas prices on the rise we are the closest ski resort to the Denver area. There is also a lot of excitement with the development of the new base village at Winter Park. Grand County is growing up and we are excited about all the new changes!

Take Precautions for Lead Base Paint

Take Precautions for Lead Base Paint.

Winter Park and Fraser Colorado started building condos for ski rentals back in the early 1960’s and 1970’s. Many of these units are still very popular rentals, homes or second homes for owners or guests. When ever a unit built before 1978 is sold there are Lead Base Paint Disclosure forms that are required by Federal Law for Realtors to provide to the new buyers. In most situations these units have been remodeled over the years and have been painted a few times. So the likely hood of direct exposure is minimal, but it is a potential hazard that buyers need to be aware of.

Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. Lead is both a highly toxic metal and, in the past, component of many products found in and around our homes, including paint, water pipes and gasoline. In fact, old lead based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure in the US today. According to the EPA, most homes built before 1960 contain heavily-leaded paint. Over 80% of all homes built in the US before 1978 contain at least some lead-based paint on the interior or exterior.

Lead-based paint is not usually a hazard if it remains in good condition. But if the paint has deteriorated over the years, or you’re attempting to remove this paint without proper precautions, you can unwittingly expose yourself to serious health hazards. Just what type of health hazards are we talking about? The consequences of lead exposure range from serious to life-threatening for people and pets. Lead affects practically all systems within the body, and at high levels it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can adversely affect the brain, central nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys. The effects of lead exposure on the unborn and young children is especially severe, and can include delays in physical and mental development, lower IQ levels, shortened attention spans, and behavioral problems.

Airborne lead enters our bodies when we breathe or swallow lead particles. Thus, harmful exposure to lead can be created when lead-based paint is improperly removed from surfaces by dry scraping, sanding, or open-flame burning. These actions create lead dust. Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard by spreading even more lead dust around the house. Lead paint in good condition is usually not a problem except in places where painted surfaces rub against each other and create dust.

Beginning in April 2010, Federal Law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Anyone living in a home or condo that is built before 1978 should contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 1-800-424-5323 or visit their website (epa.gov) for more detailed information about lead in and around your home.

(The above information was provided by Tiger Home Inspections.)

Winter Park Resort real estate

In this day of high gasoline prices, we're all looking for ways to economize on our vacation get-aways.
Winter Park Resort is the closest major resort to the Denver metro area. There are no tunnels to travel through and experience bumper to bumper traffic. A mere 90 miles from downtown Denver this major Colorado ski resort is a short drive and a world away from the hectic everyday life!
Skiing, mountain biking, hiking, alpine slide, several first class golf courses and much more promise to keep you entertained for your weekend or week long get-away.
Real estate continues to bubble along as folks realize that this is a very well kept secret...Winter Park and the Grand County experience are close by and less than a tank of gas away.

Winter Park and Fraser Decide not to Pursue Merger

Winter Park and Fraser will not merge into one town…..for now.

Although, there are some great financial benefits with a merger, the leadership of both Winter Park and Fraser concluded that the timing was just not right. Winter Park Mayor Jim Myers stated “when the time comes, it will be a very natural consolidation, however, this could take five to ten years”.

Some residents do like having two separate towns with distinctive personalities, budgets and leaders, while others believe that the financial benefits of consolidation are worth losing some individual character of each town.

This saga will continue

Remodeling Projects to Raise the Value of Your Home

If you are like most homeowners, you probably view your home as your most important investment. Diligent homeowners often treat their homes like stock portfolios or savings accounts and always try to add value to their properties. While there are many ways to increase the value of a home, one of the most utilized methods for homeowners is the remodeling project. However, despite the remodeling successes of many homeowners, remodeling a home is not always a guarantee of added value or increased interest from potential buyers. Hence, homeowners may want to take care in how they renovate their homes, especially when there is volatility in their local housing markets. With that in mind, there are few remodeling projects that are more likely to add value to a home and allow the homeowner to recoup the costs when selling.

Based on numerous studies of the real estate market, here are the best remodeling projects to increase the value of your home and generate the most interest from prospective buyers:

· Kitchen – As one of the most used rooms in any home, upgrades made to the kitchen are always appealing to prospective buyers. Studies show, however, that the homeowners earn the most value when performing modest upgrades including new cabinets, countertops, floors and well-priced appliances. Hence, homeowners often don’t need to worry about including luxury products when remodeling the kitchen.

· Bathroom – In many cases, remodeling an existing bathroom can raise the value of the home as much as any other project. As bathrooms can typically be remodeled very affordably, this has long been a favorite project of homeowners looking to increase the value of their homes. Though the eventual recouped value seems to be contingent on region, most homeowners who remodeled existing bathrooms experienced better return on their investment than those that added new bathrooms to their homes.

· Windows – Though not as visible as remodeled kitchens or bathrooms, there are few remodeling projects that improve the overall quality of a home better than new windows. For instance, smart home buyers will recognize that new windows will not only make the home more comfortable and attractive, but will also save on heating and cooling costs.

· Siding – Though new siding and other exterior improvements may not be possible or necessary for some homeowners, no other remodeling project generates a better response from prospective buyers. Nationwide, the value recouped by homeowners that installed new siding is matched only by successful kitchen remodeling projects.

On the other hand, there are also some remodeling projects that may not provide the best value for homeowners. Real estate experts typically point to expensive additions – such as home theatres, swimming pools and wine cellars – as the riskiest remodeling projects. The key to determining if such luxurious projects will add sufficient value to the home and allow the homeowner to recoup the value lies in assessing what is right for the neighborhood. For instance, a home with two bathrooms could gain significant value when a new bathroom is added if all the surrounding properties have three or more bathrooms. Likewise, if you reside in a region where swimming pools are an expected luxury – such as the desert southwest – prospective homebuyers probably won’t see your addition as an unnecessary liability.

Most importantly, keep in mind that renovations and remodeling projects may not be as simple as they seem. It is wise to weigh the risks and to consider what is best for the local market before starting any project. If you are unsure what types of remodeling projects would add value in your neighborhood, you may want to consult a real estate agent to get a better understanding of what local buyers are looking for.




The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com today.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Spelling out inclusions and exclusions.....

You have found the perfect property and are ready to have your real estate agent write an offer on it for you.

It is very important to be extremely clear on what is included as well as what items are going to be excluded from the sale. It is not always; what you see is what you get, in real estate. Unless you go out of your way to document your expectations and assumptions and make them known to the seller. This is especially true in recreational properties that are in remote locations.

There was one situation reported where a family purchased a large summer cabin on a mountain lake. While very few people visited the area in the winter, the couple felt they could use the cabin in cold weather because the living room included a fireplace with a new, efficient insert. They were relieved that the getaway could be heated by wood because electricity was extremely expensive in the area. When moving day finally arrived and they began setting boxes in the living room, they noticed the insert was gone.

What happened to the insert? The Buyer's assumed that the insert was a fixture because it was attached to the property. Through their real estate agent they learned that the insert was gone because their offer to purchase had not included a definitive list of items they expected to find when they took possession of the house.

The following paragraph is found in every purchase contract and has come a long way toward clarifying what is typically included in a sale.

"Any of the following personal property located in or on the property is included in this sale: built-in appliances, wall-to-wall carpeting; curtains, drapes and all other window treatments; window and door screens, awnings; storm doors and windows; installed television antennas; ventilating, air conditioning and heating equipment; wood stoves; fireplace inserts; doors; gas logs and gas log lighters; irrigation fixtures and equipment, electric garage door openers; water heaters, installed electrical fixtures; lights and light bulbs; shrubs, plants and trees; hot tubs; and all bathroom and other fixtures."

Though the phrase "and other fixtures" still leaves room for dispute. What are other fixtures? Can they be washing machines attached to the wall by a rubber hose? Not always....


In some cases, the buyer's wishes simply fall through the cracks -- a coveted hand carved door to the den never was included on the fixtures list, so it was not included in the sale and it was carted away by the seller. Stained-glass windows caused a recent problem. The seller assumed they were art and planned to replace them with the common windows stored in the basement. The buyer said the stained-glass was one of the reasons the home was appealing and assumed they came with the house. After shock, resentment and bitterness, the two parties settled on a lower sales price and the seller took the stained glass.

The moral to the story? When in doubt, spell it out!

Your Credit Score Is Important

Now that the mortgage industry is going through another revamping, it's becoming more and more difficult to get a mortgage. It's also more difficult to get a GOOD INTEREST RATE!

In a nutshell, the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be. There are a number of things that you can do to increase that all important number.

#1 PAY OFF YOUR PAST DUE BALANCES - The important balances are those that are past due today or within the past two years. Get them paid off and your credit score will improve.

#2 KEEP SOME CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS OPEN - Your credit score is based upon your credit history. Even if you don't use the card often, keeping it open and paid up will help your score. It's important, also, if you keep a balance on the account that you stay below 30% of your credit limit. If staying below 30% is not possible, consider requesting a higher credit limit on the account.

#3 WATCH FOR ERRORS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT - Yes, sometimes credit reporting agencies make mistakes on individual credit reports or don't have up to date information on balances that are paid. If you notice a mistake, contact the credit bureau and request that they make the necessary changes to your credit report. You will need to prove to them that you did actually pay the amount due. They must rectify the error within 30 days.

These few steps will help to get and keep your credit score higher. Work diligently on these and the next mortgage you apply for will most certainly be lower with your new, higher credit score!!!

Good luck!
Irene Jans
Winter Park Partners, team

Are you ready for a Second Home??

Vacation homes are selling at record rates according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and now is a great time to consider buying that second home, whether for investment or vacation purposes.

A couple of items to keep in mind are:

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION-Imagine your second home near World Class Winter Park Ski Resort where you can ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer! Resort Developer, Intrawest, has begun construction of the new Base Village if you want to be in the middle of winter activity or Sterling Pointe if you want to be close but away from the hustle and bustle.

2. KNOW YOUR TAX LAWS-Always consult your accountant. Vacation homes used primarily by the owners are considered personal residences, enabling you to deduct interest on the mortgage and realize other tax benefits. You may also be entitled to tax benefits when you rent out your second home for a portion of the year.

Step Up to Sterling Pointe

Sterling Pointe is located in the heart of Grand County's Playground! Two and three bedroom condominiums and townhomes priced from the low 300"s. Sterling Pointe offers distinctive mountain lodge style architecture with attached one and two car garages and cozy fireplace.

LIVE THE GRAND COUNTY LIFESTYLE AND BE PART OF THIS NEW AND EXCITING DEVELOPMENT AT STERLING POINTE!

We have released phase 1 and currently have 14 of the condominium style units under contract. For more information visit http://www.sterlingpointellc.com/