I was reading Barrons over the weekend and love the section on gadget of the week.   I thought it was so neat, that this weeks gadget is the Digital Schusser by Vail Resorts Epic Mix software app.   This thing tracks how many runs you take, what mountains you ski, how many feet you skiied.   Vail resorts is moving to get rid of all paper passes and put these radio frequency readers which let you download this app to your phone and then track all this information.   The coolest thing, if you are trying to find someone on the slopes, the software can help find them.   You can also sync this to your social media sites, just another reason to come and ski Vail…

While people are very familiar with Vail and Beaver Creek, some of the hidden gems that are in this Valley are less well known and one of those is Bellyache.   The amazing thing about this place is that it is located only about a 15 minute drive from Beaver Creek, has an amazing golf course 3 minutes away and yet you are nestled in the mountains among the wildlife and feel a world away from some of the more commercial aspects.   We love this place.   Take a look and see what you think

 2751 Bellyache Ridge Rd

February 2010, Eagle County, Colorado, Residential Sold Properties on Map

If problems viewing the below information, please go to this website to view in full screen: http://www.batchgeo.com/map/1ba044b2d5372dd501423816581ea22c

Gypsum Creek Golf Course

Cotton Ranch Golf Course not only has a new owner, but a new name.    It is now the Gypsum Creek Golf Course, owned by the Town of Gypsum.

The Town of Gypsum has  announced their Season Pass pricing and it is definitely the most affordable golf in Eagle County, Colorado.   If you are buying a pass at the Gypsum  Creek Golf Course  in 2010, you can be considered a “resident” if you live in Eagle County, Pitkin County or Garfield County.   If you buy the  Resident Pass before March 31st, a single can have golf and a cart everyday for $1,360.   A family of up to 5 can have the same pass for $2,890.

The old members of Cotton Ranch Golf Club paid up to $37,000 for a membership and $300 a month all year, plus about $20 a person for a cart.   This is quite a savings for everyone who has been playing at Cotton Ranch.

Affordable golf at the Gypsum Creek Golf Course is going to help the real estate sales at Cotton Ranch and Sky Legend, as well as help the Town of Gypsum continue to be  one of the premiere places to live in Western Eagle County.

For information on real estate sales at Cotton Ranch or anywhere in Eagle County, call or email Joan Harned or Barbara Hogoboom at Team Black Bear with Keller Williams Mountain Properties:  970-337-7777,  info@teamblackbear.com.

Here  is a sampling of homes & vacant lots available in Cotton Ranch & Sky Legend. Simply click on the photo to see the virtual tour of the property.

To view all available properties in the Vail (Eagle County, Colorado) MLS, please visit our website:  http://www.teamblackbear.com/PropertySearch.cfm

Cascade Village Attraction

There is no doubt that even in less than perfect economic times, people still appreciate and want the best.   Vail has held on with continued growth and sales, even though somewhat slowed, in our present market.

Our listing in the Westhaven condominium complex had  more showings per week than most of our other 30 listing all put together and is now under contract!   Buyers still understand the value of owning a place in Vail since it is  a premiere ski resort, and now  sought after  summer resort  as well.

The Westhaven in the Cascade Village is a particularly great value, as it is just a couple years old and has all the amenities from your own bike/ski storage and boot dryers to access to the Cascade Sports Center and room service; and it’s brand new with all of the luxury finishes!    Cascade Village  has it’s own connecting chair lift to Vail Mountain which is a fabulous feature.

For more information on Westhaven units, Cascade Village and Vail in general, call or email Joan or Barb at Team Black Bear with Keller Williams Mountain Properties:   970-337-7777 or email info@teamblackbear.com

ARROWHEAD RESORT vs SANDESTIN RESORT

I have the great pleasure of living and selling real estate in the Vail Valley, as well as owning a lovely townhome in Sandestin, Florida.   Stepping back and looking at the two locations, it becomes clear why families and soon-to-be seniors love Arrowhead Ski and Golf Resort just as the same age groups are attracted to Sandestin in the panhandle of northwestern Florida.

Both Arrowhead and Sandestin have golf available and complimentary shuttle service to get you anywhere you want to go.   The fact that Arrowhead and Sandestin are both gated communities gives that all important sense of security  that is so appreciated by parents and grandparents.   And finally, being able to bike to the clubs, walk to dinner and having that sense of community all make both Arrowhead and Sandestin sought after locations.

The real estate market is also similar.   Although there are great buys in both markets, the prices have not plummeted like they have in some area with less amenities.   For great opportunities for quality properties in Arrowhead Golf and Ski Resort in Colorado or for information on who to contact in Sandestin Florida, call or email Joan or Barb at 970-337-7777 or email info@teamblackbear.com with Team Black Bear at Keller Williams Mountain Properties.

BEST Property BUYS IN The VAIL VALLEY, Colorado

Where are the best buys in the Vail Valley?   How do you find these properties with value?   Today’s real estate market in Eagle County, Colorado is a moving target.   Everyday brings new opportunities for Buyers.

Vail (including Cascade Village), Beaver Creek, Arrowhead, Edwards, Eagle Ranch and Cotton Ranch in Gypsum  all represent a  buyer’s market.   Even though we are still in a descending market, the wise buyer will note that the decent has slowed … this usually happens near the bottom of the market, which of course signals an upturn in prices.

With the threat of rising interest rates this summer, there is no  better time to buy real estate  in the Vail Valley / Eagle County, Colorado.   Now, to find the best buys, you will need an aggressive &  knowledgeable local Realtor.

Team Black Bear has been helping buyers & sellers with their investment and primary properties; selling real estate in the  Vail Valley, Eagle County & the Western Slope of Colorado  for over 24 years!   TEAM BLACK BEAR  can send you  daily or weekly updates on the property deals currently  available throughout Eagle County.

In Eagle Ranch and Cotton Ranch  some homes and lots  are bank owned or  possible short sales, but many are just highly motivated sellers  with enough equity that they can and will sell for much less than they have put into the property.   This is  often true in Cascade Village in Vail, Arrowhead Ski and Golf resort, Bellyache Ridge/Red Sky Ranch, Eagle Ranch and Cotton Ranch.   When wealthy owners are ready to move on, they have the capability to sell as low as they choose, without ‘bank’ approval.

Please contact Joan or Barb at Team Black Bear TODAY  to get set-up with receiving regular emails containing info on  the best buys in the Vail Valley / Eagle County, Colorado.   TEAM BLACK BEAR: 970-337-7777 or info@teamblackbear.com

Eagle Ranch Update:  There has never been a better time to buy at Eagle Ranch “ prices are back to 2004 levels!

Inventories are down, but many of those still on the market are priced very realistically.   Currently there are 58 properties at Eagle Ranch listed availablein the Vail Valley’s  Multiple Listing Service.   Of these 58 properties, approximately 17 are condos and town-homes and the remainder are single family homes.

The Builder still has unsold units in Aiden™s Meadow which are offered at great prices and with various incentives.   Several single family homes are priced well below cost.

Of the 58 total properties available in Eagle Ranch, 5 are POSSIBLE SHORT SALES.   Often short sales can be acquired for well under the asking price.

Opportunity abounds at Eagle Ranch for first time and move up buyers “ get in the market to take advantage of the first time and move up buyer tax credits.   Whether it is a condo, town-home or single family, make it your goal in 2010 to take advantage of value pricing.   Team Black Bear at Keller Williams Mountain Properties knows the market and can lead you through the process to make your dreams come true at Eagle Ranch!   Contact TEAM BLACK BEAR today: 970-337-7777 or info@teamblackbear.com.

Search all available properties listing in the Vail Valley’s multi-list system: http://www.teamblackbear.com/PropertySearch.cfm

JOAN HARNED Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification

Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR ® Expertise in Distressed Sales

Eagle, CO, January 2010 – Joan Harned with TEAM BLACK BEAR at Keller Williams Mountain Properties has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS ^®offers the SFR certification to REALTORS ^® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures.   For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction.   REALTORS ^®who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for home-ownership, REALTORS ^®believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR ^®who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS ^®stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORS^Ã’ are required to take one core course and three Webinars.  For more information about the SFR certification, visit www.REALTORSFR.org or call 1-877-510-7855.

For more information on Buying or Selling a Distressed Property, contact Joan Harned with TEAM BLACK BEAR at Keller Williams Mountain Properties in Eagle, Colorado: 970-337-7777 or info@teamblackbear.com.