Real Estate Information

US Snowboarding Grand Prix showcases the world’s best snowboarders at copper, Dec. 10-12

Copper Mountain, CO…December 9, 2009…The decks of Copper Mountain's 22-foot Main Vein Superpipe are buzzing with eager athletes ready to show off their new tricks as Copper welcomes the world's best riders to compete for a chance at Olympic glory during the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, Dec. 10-12.

The competition is the first stop of the five competition series and will feature Olympic champions Shaun White (Carlsbad, CA), Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) and Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT), Olympic medalists Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO), JJ Thomas (Golden, CO) and Danny Kass (Portland, OR), along with snowboarding's many elite, as each vies for a spot on the 2010 Olympic halfpipe team. Also in the mix are X Games silver medalist Kevin Pearce (Norwich, VT), Olympian Elena Hight (South Lake Tahoe, CA) and Colorado native, and Copper’s own, Clair Bidez (Minturn, CO).

Competition Schedule (subject to change)

Thurs., Dec. 10

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.              Registration                              Copper Conference Center                   

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.              Media Room Open                    Copper Conference Center

9 - 10:30 a.m.                Women’s HP Practice               Main Vein Superpipe

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.          Women’s Heat #1 Qual.            Main Vein Superpipe

11:30 - 11:45 a.m.          Women’s Heat #2 Practice        Main Vein Superpipe

11:45 - 12:45 p.m.          Women’s Heat #2 Qual.            Main Vein Superpipe

1 – 3 p.m.                     Men’s HP Practice                    Main Vein Superpipe

Fri., Dec. 11

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.              Registration                               Copper Conference Center

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.              Media Room Open                    Copper Conference Center

8:30 - 8:55 a.m.             Men Heat #1 Practice               Main Vein Superpipe

9 - 10:30 a.m.                Men Heat #1 Qualifiers             Main Vein Superpipe

10:30 - 10:55 a.m.          Men Heat #2 Practice               Main Vein Superpipe

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.       Men Heat #2 Qualifiers             Main Vein Superpipe

12:30 - 12:55 p.m.          Men Heat #3 Practice               Main Vein Superpipe

1 - 2:30 p.m.                  Men Heat #3 Qualifiers             Main Vein Superpipe

6 – 8 p.m.                     Exhibition Practice                     Lower Bouncer

Sat., Dec. 12

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.              Registration                               Copper Conference Center

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.              Media Room Open                    Copper Conference Center

10 - 10:50 a.m.              HP Finals Practice                    Main Vein Superpipe    

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.       Men’s/Women’s HP Finals        Main Vein Superpipe

Awards immediately following

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.          Xbox Junior Jam                        Copper Plaza

6:30 – 7 p.m.                 Exhibition practice                     Lower Bouncer

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.          Paul Mitchell Progression Session Nighttime Exhibition               

Awards immediately following

8:45 p.m.                       Free live music by Salem           Lower Bouncer                                                                        

Both the superpipe finals and the nighttime Paul Mitchell Progression Sessions are taking place on Sat., Dec. 12.  The nighttime exhibit, starting at 7 p.m., is a unique event for top pros and spectators consisting of a butter pad, to cliff drop that will allow athletes plenty of air time. Adding to the night will be the musical stylings of Salem, blending jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop, spoken word and Afro-Cuban beats. The Paul Mitchell Progression Sessions, located right near the base area, will provide a very entertaining and intimate experience for spectators. 

December 5-13, 2009  Wassail Days  Colorado small mountain town shopping and wassailing experience.  This event is set to encourage shopping local and presenting a festive atmosphere with select local shops giving away free wassail (old English apple cider)

December 5, 2009  Santa Visits the Frisco Historical Park in the Frisco School House Museum at 11:30.  This is a free event.

December 10, 2009 Tree of Memories Celebration is a great fund raiser and a time to remember those we love in a ceremonial reading of names and tree lighting.

December 12, 2009  Breakfast with Santa Join Santa for an intimate breakfast and a warm reading of The Night Before Christmas.

December 13, 2009  Visits the Frisco Historical Park in the Frisco School House Museum at 11:30.  This is a free event.

For more information contact the Town of Frisco web site at http://www.townoffrisco.com/events/

A nine (yes 9) acre flat parcel in Summit County ready for your new development. They are in the demolishing and burning phase of the existing building. The County is interested in working closely with a savvy developer to create a mixed used (affordable and market value) project with some recreational aspects as well. A day care would be another welcomed addition.  Check out the article from a recent Summit Daily News edition: Summit Daily article

 We have been working closely with the Summit County Planners and have the scoop on what they are interested in seeing on this lot. All conditional on owners approval and sale of the lot. Let us work with you to make this development a great one for Summit County and it’s seasonal and year round residents. Call us or request more information More information on this development

Here are ten tips to help you prepare your home for winter:

1) Furnace Inspection

• Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
• Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
• Consider switching out your thermostat for a programmable thermostat.
• If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.
• Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.

2) Get the Fireplace Ready

• Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
• If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
• Buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
• Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
• Check the mortar between bricks and tuckpoint, if necessary.

3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows

• Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
• Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
• Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.
• If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields.
• Switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them.

4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

• If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
• Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home.
• Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
• Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.
• Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment

• Drain gas from lawnmowers.
• Service or tune-up snow blowers.
• Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
• Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.
• Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.

6) Check Foundations

• Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
• Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
• Tuckpoint or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
• Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.
• Secure crawlspace entrances.

7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Some cities require a smoke detector in every room.
• Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
• Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

8) Prevent Plumbing Freezes

• Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
• Drain all garden hoses.
• Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
• Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
• If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces

• Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
• Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
• Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
• Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
• Don't automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard.
• Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.

10) Prepare an Emergency Kit

• Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
• Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.
• Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
• Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
• Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.

Before you start your house hunting in earnest, the real estate professional with whom you are working likely will "prequalify" you to determine a price range you can afford.  Prequalification is a necessary part of the home buying process that helps save you time and money.

Don't be shy or withhold information about your income or credit status. Your real estate professional isn't trying to pry. Rather, he or she must know all details related to your ability to obtain a mortgage.

By candidly discussing your financial situation, you'll give the agent the information necessary to show you homes you can afford.  If you don't open up, you are placing the real estate professional in the role of a tour guide, not someone who can help you find a home within your budget. You'll wind up wasting your time and that of the seller.

Once you have signed a contract to purchase a home, you must choose a lending institution or mortgage company from which to obtain your home loan. Your loan application will request financial data including your place of employment, assets, and liabilities (including recurring debts such as credit card bills and car payments).

Here are two important tips on loan qualification:  1) Do not borrow the down payment without disclosing the loan, submit fake letters-of-credit or gift letters, or make secret financial arrangements. 2) Accurately list your income and assets, all debts and the approximate amounts you owe.

You'll most likely be charged a credit report fee by the lender, which will cover the cost of having your credit history examined. Credit reporting agencies compile credit reports on consumers, including bill payment history, as well as whether you have been sued or filed for bankruptcy among other information.

Federal credit reporting laws do not give you the right to inspect the actual credit report at the reporting agency or to receive an exact duplicate of the report. But, you are entitled to a summary containing the sources of the report's information. 

If your ability to obtain a mortgage is adversely affected by the credit report, you have the right to challenge its accuracy and seek corrections.

The credit report is part of the information the lender uses to determine if you qualify for a loan. It is not a mechanism to prevent you from buying. Remember, lenders want to make loans, not turn them down.

For more information on this please go to...www.YourSummitRealEstate.com or www.GetYourSummitHome.com, or we are just a phone call away at 970.368.7000.

Glancing at the Multi List Inventory this morning it was interesting to discover that we currently have only 1597 listings for sale in all of Summit County!  That number includes all property types, from single family, to townhouses, duplexes and condominiums and vacant land.  Inventory typically is about 2000-2500 listings.  This just might be an ideal time for you to purchase your home in Summit County, before our market shifts back to a sellers’ market.

Happy Thanksgiving  to All! 

Did you know that America is recycling nearly 33 percent of its waste?….While it’s good not to waste, it’s even better to have waste that doesn’t go to waste.

Here are some …let’s start with

A: Aerosol cans: they can usually be recycled with other cans, as long as you pull off the the plastic cap and empty the canister completely.

B:  Backpacks:  The American Birding Association accepts donated back packs, which its scientist use while tracking Neotropical birds (www.american birding.org)

      Batteries:  Recycling batteries keeps hazardous metals out of landfills.  Many store, like Radio Shack and Office Depot accept reusable ones, as doer the Rechargeable Batter Recycling Corporation (www.rbrc.org/call2recycle)  Car batteries contain lead and cannot go in landfills, because toxic metal can leach into groundwater, but almost any retailer seller them will also recycle them.

      Beach balls: they may be made of plastic, but there aren’t enough beach ball being thrown away to make them a profitable item to recycle.  If a beach ball is still usable, donate it to a thrift store or a children’s hospital.

     Books:  Hard covers are too rigid to recycle, so we ask people to remove the cover and recycle just the pages.  In many areas, paperbacks can be tossed in with other paper.  Your local library may accept books in good condition as well.

Stay tuned for recycle hints for “C” and “D”!

Do you ever wonder what is causing you to feel as if a Mack truck has hit you?  Well, here are some tips to help you identify what ails you.  Below are descriptions of the 5 most common respiratory infections.

The common cold causes mild symptoms that include tiredness, stuffy nose, sore throat, and headache.  The drainage is usually clear and runny during the first few days and a bit yellow or green for a few more days.  Generally, you will feel much better in about 5 days, although the drainage and coughing may last up to two weeks.  If symptoms persist longer or become more severe, it could be another type of infection.

Influenza (the flu) is more severe than a common cold, but produces man of the same symptoms.  Some of the additional symptoms include muscle aches, fatigue, a high fever and a bad cough.  See WebMD for more information - http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/default.htm.

Swine flu (H1N1) is turning into a major pandemic.  It has similar symptoms to the regular flu but might include vomiting and diarrhea.  If you have any flu symptoms this year, go to your doctor and get tested.  See WebMDs swine flu guide - http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/swine-flu/default.htm and the Center for Disease Controls swine flu update - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Strep throat is a serious bacterial infection that requires antibiotics.  Symptoms include sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing.  It does not include any of the nasal symptoms that accompany the common cold.  See - http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/strep-throat-topic-overview for more information.

Acute bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes.  A cough that produces phlegm is a sure sign.  It can take up to a month to clear up.  See - http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/acute-bronchitis-topic-overview for more information.

Pneumonia is the most serious of the common respiratory infections.  It attacks the lining of the lungs.  The symptoms are severe coughing, high fever, and weakness.  In addition, phlegm may be bloody, thick, and green or brown.  See - http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-topic-overview for more information.

Now that you are armed with the information to help you identify what type of infection you may have, you will hopefully be back on the road to recovery much faster.

Summit High School Girls Rugby team wins the State Championship.  For the second year in a row and 3 out of the last 4 years the Summit Tigers Girls Rugby team has brought home the State Championship trophy.  After an undefeated season, allowing only 7 points to be scored against them and averaging over 60 points a game it was not a big surprise that the girls came away with a 49-0 win.  Amazing offense headed by a national team player and several regional players it helped seal the game but the unsung defense and front line played all year to with such determination and grit as to only allow 7 points scored against them all year.  The JV team fought for a first place win against an older and bigger Chaparral team and were not able to meet the challenge but finished second in the bowl bracket.  This speaks well for the program for the next several years.  Our hats go off to all the girls and the coaches for a stellar season.

Learning the Lessons of the Past

 It's often said, "What's Past is Prologue."  In real estate, the past can indeed determine the future, when buyers choose to restore or preserve a historic property.  Opportunities abound for those wanting to purchase a historic home, but so do questions about the soundness of the investment.

Before making an investment in history that potential home buyers consider these questions:

• What regulations govern local historic buildings and districts?
• Does the house need extensive restoration?
• Are original or substitute materials available for repairs?
• Are craftsmen who are knowledgeable about historical materials and building systems available?
• How will the house be appraised?

Knowing what to look for is an important first step. Potential buyers should understand that there are significant differences between a historic house and a new one.  Before purchasing a historic home, consumers will want to research just how much restoration is needed and how much the restoration will cost. That includes, of course, uncovering any possible environmental problems not typically found in new construction such as the presence of asbestos or lead paint.

Knowledge of any structural problem and the time and money needed to fix it should not only influence the decision of whether to buy, but also how much to offer. In some cases, the seller may be required to undertake some of the work as part of the purchase agreement.

Yet the advantages of owning a historic house often outweigh the work that goes into finding and securing one. There is a rewarding sense of history in the unique detailing and meticulous craftsmanship found in historic homes as well as the satisfaction of restoration. 

There may also be financial benefits for a historic home owner.  Those benefits range from reductions in property taxes and adjustments to assessed value, to state income tax credits and property tax freezes for qualified rehabilitation and restorations.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation reports that 37 states and the District of Columbia have laws that provide individuals with incentives for owning historic properties. 

Not every old home is historic. A historic house is an example of the cultural or physical development of a community, state, or the nation due to its architecture or association with an important historical figure or event. 

If a home does qualify as a historic property, then it may be listed individually or as part of a historic district. The listing of a building or district in the National Park Service's "National Register of Historic Places" provides public recognition of its importance, but will not interfere with an owner's right to alter, sell, or determine how an individual property may be used. 

A local or state government housing preservation organization usually will assist owners who want to pursue a historic designation.  However, even if the historic building meets the designation criteria, it will not be listed if the majority of property owners in a district object for whatever reason. In this case, the building is put on an "eligible" list should the objections be overcome in the future.

For more information on historical properties, contact the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers  or to find a historic real estate specialist, log onto  http://www.ncshpo.org/ .  For a list of professional real estate buyer representatives, please give our office a call at 970.368.7000 or go to www.YourSummitRealEstate.com  and ask for a member of the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, Inc.