If you have been thinking about building a home in Frisco,
you need to know that the town recently has enacted a new “green” building code. The code mandates sustainable building methods, and encourages builders and homeowners to do more than the minimum requirements. It is very similar to the International Energy Conservation Code. The Summit County Building Department, with jurisdiction over all parts of the county not considered to be in the towns themselves, is in the process of changing their code to a very similar one.

Just what are green building methods? I attended a meeting this week that was intended to let us all know just that. Among other things…..

A subdivsion with cabins and homes in Frisco is called Bill’s Ranch. 
I often hear from people who would love to buy a little Frisco cabin.  They like them because they are cute and funky and just the kind of place people remember spending time in as a kid.  They also assume they will be cheap.  That is far from the […]

What upgrades will make you money when you sell your condo in Frisco,
your home in the Reserve at Frisco or your townhome in Waterdance? A client of mine is currently making some upgrades to his Frisco duplex, and he is concentrating on the kitchen. Kitchen and bath upgrades will almost always make your money back and may even increase the price you can ask. It is worthwhile to add granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Replacing cabinets is a big project, but if the home is older than 15 or 20 years you may need to do that too. Perhaps a coat of paint and new knobs will be enough, but not in high end properties. Appropriate upgrades will help your Frisco property sell faster, and closer to the top of its price range. Overdoing in the lower price ranges may……

In Summit County, home owners are busy in the summer
getting all our home maintenance and landscaping jobs done in just three short months. In spring, we get outside, walk around the house and realize that it might be time to paint it again. Now is a good time to prepare, deciding not only what color to use, but what product to use. My husband recently retired after being a painting contractor for a number of years, and over time, I picked up a thing or to from him. We have had a discussion or two about what “paint” means. To him, paint is a product and he won’t use it on the outside of a house at this altitude. To me, it is a process. You paint your house, even if you are using a stain to do it. I think most people use the words interchangeably, but be sure you know which it is that you want when you go to the paint store or hire someone to “paint” your house.

Our high altitude makes a difference in the paint or stain that you use on your Colorado home, as the UV rays…..

Real estate in Silverthorne, Frisco, Breckenridge and the rest of Summit County is still pretty darn good.
It is not as strong as it was, but relative to other parts of the country, our market is very good! Vacation home Buyers who pay cash or have good credit scores still can buy. This spring and summer should be a good time to do so, as I think prices will plateau, given the current economic climate.

A Realtor friend of mine recently noted that she saw a “disconnect” between Buyers and Sellers, meaning that Sellers see their property in Silverthorne or elsewhere in Summit County as being worth more than it actually is. Buyers see it as worth less than it should sell for. I have noticed the same thing and I liked the way she put it. I think the disconnect is because we are coming off a couple of really good years where property values appreciated in leaps and bounds. People were able to price much higher than the last comparable sale and get it, as Buyers were ready, willing and able to buy. Today they are willing, but not so ready, and often, not able. In the past, Buyers thought it was okay to stretch to make the purchase, and lenders cooperated with interest only or stated income (no verification) loans. Those loans are now a thing of the past.

For the most part, Sellers have yet to realize what the market is like today, and sometimes it takes several……