Mary Jane is Open!

Followed by 9 inches the past few days. Just in time for the Holidays!

We hope to see you on the slopes!

Please contact us for all your Real Estate needs!
Irene Jans, Neil Jans, Suzy Robbins
Team Winter Park Partners
winterparkpartners@cbmp.com
(970)722-1225

What's happening at the Winter Park Base Village

This winter, we have three great additions to the Village at Winter Park.

The Back Bowl: Serving delicious homemade soups and grilled cheese sandwiches. The extraordinary grilled cheese sandwiches are made with handmade artisan breads with no preservatives and both muenster and cheddar cheeses: Be sure to check out this yummy addition to the Village!

Winter P’arcade: Kids of all ages will enjoy the new Arcade, now open with the latest video games.

Coming soon, Grand Adventures will open their new location in the Village, housing snowmobile trips and snowcat rides up Jones Pass, where guests can experience a real backcountry adventure!

Please contact us for all your Real Estate Needs!
Irene Jans, Neil Jans, Suzy Robbins
Team Winter Park Partners
winterparkpartners@cbmp.com
(970)722-1225

The Ski Train is Back! NOT!

ON HOLD AGAIN!
Opening Day is December 27, 2009 through March 28, 2010

You can purchase a seat in the spectacular dome car for $94, including a continental breakfast on the trip up to Winter Park, après-ski snacks, on the way back, and non-alcoholic beverages. Or our club car ticket includes the same snacks and beverages for $79. Right now, the lowest price ticket is our Early Bird coach seat for $34, which must be purchased prior to Christmas, and for travel by February 7, 2010.

Or purchase the ten ride ticket for $290, that's only $29 per trip. They are also selling a limited number of season passes for $600, and if you ride all 47 trips, the cost averages out to less than $15 per trip. The ten-ride and season pass must be purchased prior to Christmas.

Call us for all your Real Estate Needs!
Winter Park Partners
Irene Jans, Suzy Robbins, Neil Jans
866-538-8666

Opening Day is Tomorrow 11/18/2009!

This season Winter Park Resort and Denver Water have partnered to fill the clouds with snow-making magic in the form of silver iodide.

As a result, the snowfall is expected to increase 10% to 15%!

The project is slated to take place during the months of November, December and January!

The following diagram gives you an idea of how the process works:

For those of us who are environmentally conscious:
The quantities of iodide present in runoff due to cloud seeding equates to less iodine that what is found in salt on food, according to report on cloud seeding during the 2008 Arizona Weather Modification Conference. There is also more silver exposure found in tooth fillings, and there have been no human effects from cloud seeding found in 40 years of research, the report reads.

Do your snow dance!!!
Winter Park Partners
Your Winter Park area real estate agents
866-538-8666

Winter Park Ski Area Opens Next Week!

Winter Park Resort Opens for the 70th Season!

Wax those boards ... the snow guns are preparing for opening day on Wednesday, November 18th.

We will see you on the slopes!

Winter Park Partners
Your Winter Park area real estate agents
866-538-8666

The Worst Is Over...

Taken from REALTOR Magazine....

"According to federal officials at a financial conference at Vanderbilt University...THE WORST OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IS OVER!!!!

Frank Nothaft, the chief economist for Freddie Mac, said houseing sales have just about hit bottom and a third of home sales are now foreclosed properties.

New York Fed chief William Dudley complained that the programs the government has put in place are being undermined by public perception that they are unfair to average taxpayers and that has made some potential investors fearful that they would be the focus of public outrange if they profit from the programs."

The Grand County/Winter Park real estate market is heavy with inventory with some very motivated sellers. There are some good deals for buyers willing to take the plunge into a great ski resort and recreation community.

Grand County's Fraser Fire Station Remodel

We all appreciate the hard work and potentially life threatening situations that our firefighters put themselves into. The Fraser fire station has had up upgrades including the installation of a fire-sprinkler system, new windows and new living suites. The district also hopes to remodel the kitchen, baths and expand the excercise room. Stop by and say "Thank you" to those serving the community!

Signs of a Market Rebound

Although we wish we had a crystal ball to know when the market will turn, there are a couple of signs that we all should be watching for according to NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun.

-Number of people filing for unemployment drops
-Bank Balance sheets stop showing losses
-Home prices stabilize
-Companies begin hiring temp worker
-Consumer confidence rebounds

These of course are general signs for the nation. Many areas including second home locations have not been hit as hard as the metro areas. It is still a great time to buy and we all know to buy low and sell high! Some sellers are extremely motivated to sell while others are quite content to enjoy their property while they own it and are not desperate to sell.

Call team "Winter Park Partners" today and we can help in your search
855-538-8666

Building Wealth through Home Ownership

According to the National Association of Realtors, home values appreciate 4.5 annually on average. Today, we are seeing large fluctuations but in certain areas, sales price is fairly flat.

Most of us put as little down in cash as possible. The amount of cash buyers put into their home determines their return on equity, which is the total return on the cash they initially invested. So the return on equity can be astronomical....if you buy at the right time. BUY LOW and SELL HIGH.

The real estate market is ripe for buyers!

Call team "Winter Park Partners" 866-538-8666
Let us show you all the great units that are available.

Top 10 Highest Taxed States-Colorado is not included

Good news for us Coloradans- According to the National Association of Realtors Newsletter dated April 3, 2009, we are not in the top 10 highest taxed states!

"Top 10 Most Heavily Taxed States
It’s April, so people’s thoughts are turning to taxes, and where they live makes a big difference in how much they pay.

Here are the 10 states with the highest taxes, including property, individual income, sales, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, motor vehicles, hunting and fishing, motor fuels, death and gift taxes, as well as insurance premiums. The per capita tax was derived by adding up all the taxes and dividing the total by the number of citizens.

1. Vermont, $3,861
2. Hawaii, $3,856
3. Connecticut, $3,596
4. Minnesota, $3,203
5. New Jersey, $3,024
6. New York, $3,019
7. Massachusetts, $2,953
8. Washington, $2,553
9. Wyoming, $2,357
10. Pennsylvania, $2,223

Source: Forbes, Matt Woolsey (03/30/2009)"

Another great reason to live and play in Winter Park CO

Call team "Winter Park Partners"
866-538-8666

Grand County Health

The 9 Health Fair is known for its no or low charge screenings and will be back in Grand County servicing residents from Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, Granby, Grand Lake and Kremmling. Choose the closest location.

Kremmling- April 4 at West Grand High School

Granby- April 18 at Granby Elementary

Fraser - April 25 at Fraser Elementary

For more information go to http://9healthfair.org

Only you can maintain your health.

See you at the blood draw!

Winter Park Partners
Your Winter Park area real estate agents
866-538-8666

Potential Skate Park Expansion in Winter Park

Winter Park leaders are hoping to double the size of the current Hideaway Skate Park located in the heart of Winter Park CO. The park was officially opened 2 summers ago and has attracted the young and the young at heart. The park has been such a success that the Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District has been offering lessons.

To see the proposed design of the skate park, go the the Town of Winter Park Website at www.wpgov.com.

For all your Winter Park Realestate Needs, call
team "Winter Park Partners"
866-538-8666

2009-2010 Winter Park Ski Pass Available

Rocky Mountain Super Pass+ is available for next years ski season! For a limited time, you can buy the pass for $399 and have unlimited skiing at Winter Park and if you want a change in scenery, you can ski unlimited at Copper Mountain and 6 days at Steamboat! To lock in this price, you will prepay $49. Go to www.skicolorado.com or call 1-800-977-SNOW.

Looking to buy or sell realestate?

Call team "Winter Park Partners" at 1-866-538-8666

Fun in Grand County-Winter Park Resort

Come to Grand County for some spring fun!..
April 4th and 5th
Spring Blast Party presented by Snickers!

Join us for some spring fun at Winter Park Resort for all sorts of skiing fun and live music right at the base village!

As the ski season comes to a close it's time to celebrate to coming spring season!

Check out all of the great real estate deals while you're in town!

Mortgage Rage Drops- Great deals in Winter Park

According to National Association of Realtors (NAR) during the week of March 19, Mortgage Rates Drop Below 5%

Freddie Mac reports a drop in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.98 percent during the week ended March 19 from 5.03 percent the prior year, marking the lowest rate since 4.96 percent in mid-January.

Experts say rates could fall further in response to the Federal Reserve's announcement that it will add $1.2 trillion to the economy to alleviate the credit crisis.

This is great news as your Winter Park real estate is getting more affordable. With the low interest rates and motivated sellers and high inventory, Buyers are in the drivers seat when purchasing property....today.

Come on up to Winter Park or visit our website www.winterparkpartners.com and start your dream search. Interested in Condos, Townhouses, Single Family Homes or Vacant Lande. You will be surprised what you can get.

Team Winter Park Partners
Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties
866-538-8666

Finally Some Good News on Housing Starts!

What another day for the market. New housing starts were released and according to Reuters, new starts surged 22% in February which is the largest in 18 years. Could this be a positive step from the stimulus plan? It is too early to tell!

Stores like Home Depot and Lowes are helped the Dow Jones make a strong gain. Here in Winter Park, the "remodel" business is doing fairly well. Sellers are sprucing up their units so that their unit will shine over the competition.

Total inventory has dropped in in the last month in Grand County which is another positive sign. Maybe we are on the path for recovery! Stay tuned.

Winter Park Partners
Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties
Winter Park CO

Affordable New Condos in Winter Park/Fraser Area

Imagine after a hard day of skiing powder at Winter Park and Mary Jane or getting ready to cook the trout that you just caught in the Fraser River or Lake Granby, coming home to your mountain retreat at Sterling Pointe. Drive into your own private garage and walk directly into your unit. Who cares if there was a snow storm brewing as you and your car will be snow-free in the morning.

Relax in your low maintenance condo and leisurely cook that trout in your wonderfully appointed kitchen-slab granite counter tops, black or stainless appliances, tiled or slated flooring. You have an abundance of cabinets so you can easily keep your kitchen gadgets hidden.

If you are by yourself, you can dine at the granite counter top by the kitchen or if you are having a dinner party, enjoy the meal at the dining table. You can probably get a view of Byers Peak, Winter Park ski area, or the majestic continental divide if it is still light outside.

After dinner, turn on the toasty gas fireplace and have a sip of wine. There is plenty of room to have all your friends over.

These two bedroom, 2 full bath units, come with individual garages. Each unit also has room for a washer and dryer. From the cementatious siding to graceful rooflines, the Wintergreen developers designed the units with low maintenance in mind.

There are currently 3 floorplans to choose from and they range from 1095-1322 sq ft (not including the garage). Prices start at $279,000.00. Now is the time to buy your mountain real estate with some lenders quoting interest rates at a low of 4.75% for 30 years! (Obviously rates will vary daily and are dependent upon buyers credit)

Ground Floor model is complete and the top floor models should be ready within a month. Come on up to Winter Park and pick out your own brand new unit.

For more information, go to www.sterlingpointe.com or call Pattie, Irene or Margaret at 866-538-8666.

Winter Park Partners
866-538-8666

Stimulus Package- What's in it for You

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to jump start our economy. Will it work? Only time will tell. All of the details have not been hammered out, so watch this blog and as information gets dispersed, we will post it. But always talk to your accountant as to the most current interpretation of the tax incentives and if they apply to you. How does this affect the home buyer?

Targeted Incentives for New Home Buyers
If you are a first-time home buyer who purchases a new or existing home on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009, you may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8000.00. The credit phases out for individuals with incomes of $75,000.00or more and married couples filing jointly with an income of $150,000.00 or more. Furthermore, you (and your spouse) must not have owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to purchasing the home.

Tax Relief- a Little More Money in your Pocket
Most wage earners will qualify for a 6.2% tax credit, up to $400.00 for a single tax filer and $800.00 for a married couple filing jointly for 2009 and 2010. The credit phases out for individuals with an income of $75,000.00 and married couples with income of $150,000.00 or more.

Home ownership is still one of the great long term investments. It is critical to work with an experienced Realtor who truly knows the value of the property. In our Winter Park market, location, location, location is still for long term appreciation. Winter Park Resort will continue to have great snow and skiers/boarders will still love the thrill of the mountain during and after this economic situation.

For additional Winter Park real estate information contact Winter Park Partners.

866-538-8666
www.winterparkpartners.com

9 tips for homebuyers and sellers in 2009

In residential real estate, 2009 arrives much the same way that 2008 did: via a rocky road with deepening potholes. While more homebuyers are swooping in and picking up great deals, and sales are slowly increasing in many markets, the ongoing excess inventory of foreclosed homes continues to depress the market.

While potential buyers are getting very low mortgage rates, they also are facing much tighter credit standards and demands for significantly larger down payments. And we haven't even started absorbing the financial fallout from adjustable-rate mortgages, slated to ratchet up in 2009.

No one can really say quite when this downward spiral will cease. If former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and current Chairman Ben Bernanke were surprised by the depth of this housing crisis, who among us can accurately make the call?

There is growing sentiment out there that this darkness directly precedes a new dawn. A late-2008 consensus survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land Institute, based on input from more than 600 industry experts, projects the U.S. residential market should start rebounding appreciably in 2010.

But what about now? Well, this new economy has added some wrinkles to home buying and home selling strategies, while reintroducing some of those old-school favorites like sound fundamental fiscal practices. So here are nine tips for homebuyers and nine for sellers to help them survive and hopefully thrive in the transition year of 2009.

By Steve McLinden • Bankrate.com

Stimulis Bill and Treasury Announcements

According to the National Association of Realtors:

The new stimulis bill will do the following to our real estate related transaction:

1) the loan limits will be raised to $727,000 in high cost areas, 2) the tax credit will be raised to $8,000 with NO payback [a true credit], 3) interest rates have come down 125-150 basis points, and 4) the bill has over $50 billion in it for foreclosure mitigation, with Geitners Treasury plan signaling that the second half of TARP and TALF will be used to mitigate foreclosures through a government guarantee, drive down interest rates by buying another $200-300 billion of mortgage paper from the GSES's thereby freeing them up to do the same with new mortgages, and Fannie has just agreed to lift the cap of 4 investment properties eligible for loans and raise it to 10.

None of fully understand exactly where this will lead us, but those changes may help some of us to move forward a bit more easily!

WELCOME BACK TO WINTER PARK

The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce has launched a new campaign to stimulate our local economy. “Welcome Back to Winter Park” is a promotion that features great deals at over 60 participating businesses and an opportunity to win great prizes, including a $10,000 Grand Prize. Guests and locals can get involved and enter many times in order to increase their chances to win.

Now every time you visit Welcome Back Participating Merchants, you can get great deals at shops, restaurants and lodging all over town. Plus, you can earn secret codes that enter you to win $10,000 in cold hard cash. The more you visit, the more chances you earn. You can even earn one free entry simply by stopping by the Visitor Center in downtown Winter Park and mentioning you saw this offer on the website. www.WelcomeBacktoWP.com

The program is being promoted on five Front Range radio stations, through direct mail and internet advertising. There are also appearances by our “Welcome Wagon” at a variety of Denver locations. These appearances are used to distribute area information and sign folks up for the giveaway.

While you are in Winter Park if you have interest in any Real Estate be sure to stop into Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties and ask for team "Winter Park Partners." We will be happy to talk with you about our market and available Real Estate opportunities.

Economic Stimulus Regarding Real Estate - Passed through House

There has been much information about the Economic Stimulus Package and how it affects realestate. According to NAR, some key provisions as it relates to real estate are summarized below. The United States House of Representatives passed, on a vote of 244-188, HR 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

• Restoration of the 2008 Loan Limits for FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to 25% of median home price up to a limit of $729,750
• Elimination of the repayment provision of the $7,500 first time home buyer tax credit
• Expansion of tax-exempt housing bonds
• Increased funding for the Rural Housing Service program
• Additional funding for neighborhood stabilization activities under the Community Development Block Grant program
• Incentives to promote weatherization and energy efficiency
• Retrofitting federally assisted housing for energy efficiency

The House has also addressed a number of housing issues in legislation revamping the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP). Among the housing provision off interest in the TARP Reform and Accountability Act of 2009, HR 384 are:
• A mortgage buy-down program to reduce rates below current prevailing market rates
• Increased foreclosure prevention and mitigation efforts
• Ensuring liquidity in the residential and commercial mortgage markets
• Streamlining efforts to "unclog" the credit markets and increase the availability of credit to worthy customers.

This still has been signed off by Obama, but it is working through the system!

For all your Winter Park Real Estate needs, contact Winter Park Partners.

Tollfree 866-538-8666
www.winterparkpartners.com

Government Bail-out for Home Owners

Before you file your taxes this year, don't forget about the $7500 tax credit for first-time home buyers, which was enacted by the 2008 American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Act. Designed to help stimulate interest in the housing market, this temporary provision provides a first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) a tax credit of up to $7500 for homes purchased between April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Basically the tax credit, which must be repaid over 15 years, is an interest-free loan from the government to help you offset the costs of home ownership.

But here's the best part. The law allows qualified taxpayers to take the credit against either their 2008 or 2009 taxes. This means, if you qualify, you can buy a house this year before July 1st and receive the credit on the 2008 tax returns you're filling out right now. Imagine having an extra $7500 in cash to pay bills or credit cards or even pay for renovations on your new home. If you choose to utilize the credit on your 2009 returns, your tax professional can help you reduce income tax withholding up to the amount of the credit. This will help you to increase your take-home pay throughout the year to save money for a down payment for a qualified purchase before July 1st.

There are certain income restrictions and rules for repayment, but give us call today to learn more about this valuable government program for first-time home buyers.

(Info provided by Greg Palmer)

Now's the time for Winter Park!!!

The ski slopes at the Winter Park Ski Area are open and full of that great white stuff! There are rooms and condos available for rent at great prices!

Now's the time to come to the closest major resort to the Colorado Front Range, avoid driving in bumper to bumper traffic at the Eisenhower Tunnel and have a blast!

Winter Park real estate is some of the best priced resort real estate in the country and now's the time to be out there looking.

Loan rates are incredible and the inventory is plentiful. Many sellers are ready to wheel and deal on their condos, land and single family homes.

Call one of the Team Winter Park Partners and learn the ins and outs of a great real estate experience! 866-538-8666.

Happy Skiing and great real estate buys lie ahead!

Consumers Remain Confident in Housing

Despite troubles plaguing the housing market and the overall economy, there is some good news in NAR’s 2008 National Housing Pulse survey. As home prices continue to fall in some areas of the country the number of consumers who report having concerns about housing affordability fell to 39%, the lowest level in the past six years. That’s down from 48% last year and a high of 51 percent in 2005.

The survey also finds that a majority of Americans 85% believe buying a home is till a good financial decision, down two percentage points from last year. Two-thirds say now is a good time to buy a home, up nearly 12% from 2007.

In most markets there are some really great buys out there now, and the Winter Park / Fraser Valley has great pricing and good deals. We still remaining as one of the most affordable Ski Resort markets in Colorado.

Call team “Winter Park Partners” to get information and pricing in our area.

Statistic and information provided by CRS and NAR.