Gateway Land & Development

Yearly Archives: 2015

Annual Meeting of the Summer Tire Club

The weather is always changing along Interstate 70 and the weekend congestion in both summer and winter is constant.  The Department of Transportation will enforce some new tire rules this winter  to help ease the heavy traffic and accidents.  Code 15 means that all passenger vehicles must have either full-blown snow tires, tires with a mud/snow designation or have four-wheel drive in order to proceed on the highway.  All tires must have at least one-eighth inch of tread.  During severe storms, the Department of Transportation will call for Code 16, which means every vehicle on the highway will have to have tire chains or a device call an Auto Sock. An Auto Sock is the easy to use textile cover designed to help vehicles get traction on snow and ice.

When the state officials make the calls about Code 15 and Code 16, motorists can be fined from $130 to $650 for not having the proper equipment especially if they block the roadway. For every minute a lane is closed it requires about five minutes to clear traffic. In the past, drivers thought the chain law only applied to truck drivers, now it applies to all passenger vehicles too.

In addition to the new tire laws to help ease traffic along Interstate 70, the state is rolling out a new express lane for eastbound traffic back to Denver.  The express lane will be used on high-traffic days and motorists will pay a sliding toll rate to use the lane.  The tolls start at $3.00 and go up to $30.00 depending on the demand.  This is the first time in the nation something like this has been tried.  It will be interesting to see where the price point falls being that it is demand-based.

Classy Aggie of the Day

https://twitter.com/AggieUpdate has chosen to honor me as their “Classy Aggie of the Day”. This came as a fabulous surprise this morning as I checked my twitter account. It is always a privilege to be recognized by fellow Aggies.

Greg Peterson 970-331-1333          https://twitter.com/MountianHomes          https://www.facebook.com/petersonvailproperties/?ref=hl          www.vailhomes.land

 

 

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Selling Secret #10: Pricing it right
Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. You’ll be stampeded by buyers with multiple bids — even in the worst markets — and they’ll bid up the price over what it’s worth. It takes real courage and most sellers just don’t want to risk it, but it’s the single best strategy to sell a home in today’s market.

Selling Secret #9: Half-empty closets
Storage is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Take half the stuff out of your closets then neatly organize what’s left in there. Buyers will snoop, so be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy.

Selling Secret #8: Light it up
Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what you have to do make your house bright and cheery – it will make it more sellable.

Selling Secret #7: Play the agent field
A secret sale killer is hiring the wrong broker. Make sure you have a broker who is totally informed. They must constantly monitor the multiple listing service (MLS), know what properties are going on the market and know the comps in your neighborhood. Find a broker who embraces technology – a tech-savvy one has many tools to get your house sold.

Selling Secret #6: Conceal the critters
You might think a cuddly dog would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you’d be wrong. Not everybody is a dog- or cat-lover. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have tufts of pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give buyers the impression that your house is not clean. If you’re planning an open house, send the critters to a pet hotel for the day.

Selling Secret #5: Don’t over-upgrade
Quick fixes before selling always pay off. Mammoth makeovers, not so much. You probably won’t get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market. Instead, do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. Get a new fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some inexpensive new ones. Replace door handles, cabinet hardware, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets and clean the grout.

Selling Secret #4: Take the home out of your house
One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal stuff in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. Get rid of a third of your stuff – put it in storage. This includes family photos, memorabilia collections and personal keepsakes. Consider hiring a home stager to maximize the full potential of your home. Staging simply means arranging your furniture to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space.

Selling Secret #3: The kitchen comes first
You’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops where a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy one fancy stainless steel appliance. Why one? Because when people see one high-end appliance they think all the rest are expensive too and it updates the kitchen.

Selling Secret #2: Always be ready to show
Your house needs to be “show-ready” at all times – you never know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to be available whenever they want to come see the place and it has to be in tip-top shape. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher cleaned out, the bathrooms sparkling and make sure there are no dust bunnies in the corners. It’s a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold.

Selling Secret #1: The first impression is the only impression
No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. But, when you’re selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies.

If you or a friend is thinking about listing your home for sell, give me a call at 970-331-1333 for more tips and suggestions to make your home as inviting as possible for potential home buyers.

This entry was posted in Beaver Creek Homes for Sale, Beaver Creek Luxury Home, Beaver Creek Property, Beaver Creek Real Estate, Beaver Creek Ski Home, Colorado Homes, Colorado Property, Cordillera, Cordillera Valley Club, Eagle, Lake Creek, Luxury Home, Luxury Real Estate, Mountain Star, New Property Assessments For Vail Real Estate, Real Estate Market Data, Singletree, ski Vail, Strawberry Park, Vail, Vail Golf Property, Vail Home, Vail Homes for Sale, Vail Luxury Property, Vail Property, Vail Real Estate, Vail Valley real estate, Vail Valley Trends and Statistics, Vail Village, West Vail, Wildridge and tagged , , , , , , on by .

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Imagine yourself on top of the mountain looking down upon the ski slopes of one of the world’s premier ski resorts, Beaver Creek, CO. Now, imagine yourself doing looking down on the slopes of Beaver Creek from your living room, knowing you are mere steps from the the getting either on or off the slopes. There is a certain “It” factor about the freedom of leaving and arriving to your house on skis not to mention the freedom of not having to deal with ski lockers, parking, or the lines at the base of the mountain. Your friends will be envious.

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You can have all of this and so much more. There are houses that offer this and so much more in Beaver Creek and Strawberry Park. These houses are just sitting here waiting for you. Don’t just imagine yourself in one these highly sought after magnificent home, Put yourself in one and know the feeling of enjoying that cup of coffee from the convenience of your home watching people ski by just feet from your property line.

If this is something your interested in, give me a call and I will help you make this dream your new reality. 

Greg Peterson (970) 331-1333

Beaver Creek, CO

Racers assemble today for training runs on the Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek, attracting crowds, some locals, sponsors, and camera crews for this weekend’s coverage.

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World Cup races signal the beginning of ski season here in Vail and Beaver Creek, with both mountains now open to all.

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Good Snow on the Mountain.  I got my pass but I’m working since and nursing a patella.  The bus on the way in from East Vail was busy, mostly still locals about 50/50 skiing or heading to work or a little bit of both.  Come see us or call or text or email to check out the available property.  Some areas in the Valley are back to 2007-8 prices and above but most are not. If you are going to use it long term and can afford it, it’s always a good time to buy.  It’s a beautiful day in Colorado, Bob

Bob Essin, 970-376-4484, vailbob@Comcast.net, GatewaytoVail.com

 

When searching for a new canine companion, it’s easy to fall for the energy and adorableness of a puppy. But remember, youth comes with challenges—chewing, housebreaking and obedience training.

If you’re looking for a well-mannered mutt that still has a lot of love to give, consider taking home an older dog. In honor of Adopt a Senior Pet Month, which encourages the adoption of dogs age 7 or older each November, we’re sharing 10 reasons senior pets make wonderful additions to the family. Tracey Stewart, wife of comedian Jon Stewart and well-known animal lover, shares 10 tips from her new book Do Unto Animals.

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She says many senior pets were raised in loving homes and have since lost their guardians due to divorce, illness, or death—none of which changed the love between them and their guardians. Seniors are simply looking to share their loving nature with a new family.

1. They come with few surprises. There’s no need to wonder how big they will grow, how often they will need to be groomed, or what their personality will be like. What you see is what you get!

2. Bye-bye, potty-training manuals! Seniors are likely to have already been house-trained—or if they haven’t been, they are physically and mentally ready to pick it up in no time.

3. It’s nice to say things just once. Seniors have been around humans long enough to understand our language. They often know what we are asking or can quickly learn to do as we ask. You can teach an old dog new tricks, and fast!

4. They fit right in. A senior dog or cat has been around the block a few times and has come into contact with many other dogs, cats, and people. Seniors usually know what it takes to effortlessly fit in with a family and can do it with ease.

5. You can relax! Unlike a puppy or kitten being introduced to a home, a senior animal usually isn’t constantly getting into trouble. You don’t have to puppy-proof or kitten-proof your house for months on end.

6. They enjoy brisk walks and don’t ask for much. Older dogs do not require being taken on three runs daily, and they will tire of playing fetch after a short while! Although they do need exercise, seniors are often fine with a nice walk in the morning, aside from potty breaks.

7. Your favorite new shoes will be safe from doggy damage. With their teething years behind them, destructive chewing is usually a thing of the past.

8. Age is just a number. Age doesn’t always mean health problems and expensive medical bills. Young animals can develop health issues as well, and medical bills are usually par for the course throughout an animal’s life. Each animal is an individual and deserves to be viewed without judgment.

9. They give your heartstrings an extra tug. There is something incredibly powerful about providing sanctuary, love, care,
snuggles, and ultimately peace to a senior pet in his or her final years.

10. Short but sweet time spent together. Kids go off to college, people retire, and situations change. Sometimes we might have a more limited period of time to devote to the care of a special animal. You can still benefit from the companionship of a super senior.

Vail Mountain in winter

Vail Mountain opened today with 1,150 acres, one of the biggest open day with this much terrain in years. The skiers and snowboards started camping out at nightfall last night in an effort to claim first chair of the season at Vail.  The true First Chair award will go to the person that gets to Chair 2 first by way of riding Chair 8.  Vail has replaced Chair 2 Avanti Express to a new six-passenger chair.  The ski conditions are great with Vail receiving 38 inches of snow the month of November with more expected to come today and tonight.  The lifts that opened today were both Gondolas; Gondola One and the Eagle Bahn Gondola, along with Chair 2 Avanti Express, Chair 3 Wildwood Express, Chair 4 Mountain Top Express, Chair 8 Born Free Express, Chair 11 Northwoods, Chair 15 Little Eagle and Chair 7 Game Creek Express.

The last chance for the Epic Pass is available through Sunday, November 22.  The Epic Pass is the best season deal in the industry offering unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City in Utah and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe.  For more details visit:  www.epicpass.com.

 

 

September Real Estate Sales are the best month yet in 2015 so far according to Land Tile Guarantee Company.  Year to date highs of 236 transactions and a dollar volume of $229.5 million.  The strongest transaction numbers were in Eagle and Gypsum with 55 sales.  The $1 million dollar or less make up the majority of the sales.

  • 141 Sales of $500,00 or less were the 76 of the transactions for the month.
  • 15 sales of properties were for $3 million or more.
  • 4 sales consisted of $5 million or more including a home in Vail Village that sold for $10.9 million.

Arrowhead was the neighborhood with the most dollar volume.  There were 14 sales which generated $36.6 million dollars.  New construction seems to be going on in the valley in Eagle and Gypsum.

I hope you find this information informative.  Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or if I may be of assistance to you in helping with any of your real estate needs in the Vail Valley.  I can be reached at:  (970) 401-3011 or email:  betsy@gatewayland.com.  Please visit our website:  www.gatewaytovail.com

 

 

 

 

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Lots of exciting things are going on in my world lately. First and foremost, is a brand new shiny website to help me stay in touch with everyone.

www.vailhomes.land

But don’t worry, my Facebook and Twitter accounts aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And of course they are link to the website, so you can quit worrying about that.

A few of the highlights you will be able to find are featured properties right on the home page as well as neighborhood specific searches for Vail, Beaver Creek, Arrowhead, Cordillera, Bachelor Gulch, Lake Creek, and Wolcott/Red Sky Ranch.

I also invite everyone to check out my page designated to Leverage Global Partners. Leverage allows me access to market properties on a larger national and international scale. Leverage also gives me full access to small boutique Real Estate companies, like Gateway, all over the world to refer you to regardless of where you are looking to buy or sell.

So, next time you or some one you know is looking to buy or sell, give me a call at 970-331-1333.