Vail, CO. – Vail Real Estate in Eagle County is selling at a brisk pace this year and it looks like we will finish 2015 with record setting sales for the first time since the pre-recession days of 2007.  In addition, larger inventories of quality properties have been listed most recently for sale and for the first since 2008 newly built condominiums, town homes and duplex projects are again being developed and released for sale.

Here are the Eagle County sales statistics through September 2015 assembled by our local title insurance company, Land Title Guarantee Company of Vail.

Vail Valley Real Estate Sales Trends and Statistics September 2015

Land Title has been serving clients and customers in the Vail Valley and is the most active title insurance company in Eagle County and surrounding Rocky Mountain region.

Here is Trevor Thelke’s, analyst at Land Title summary of Eagle County Real Estate Sales Trends and Statistics for September 2015:

“The 3rd quarter ended with the best month of the year in both total dollar volume and the number of transactions. Both of these year-to-date numbers are 30% higher in 2015 than 2014: sales volume of $229,528,778 vs $148,315,026; and transaction numbers of 236 vs 188.

The areas with the most transactions for September were in the down-valley market: Eagle with 30, and Gypsum with 25. Eagle and Gypsum transaction numbers were followed by Avon with 16 sales; and Arrowhead, East Vail and Edwards, each with 14 sales.
Arrowhead’s 14 sales produced the greatest sales volume in the county with $36.6M, and bringing the average transaction price to over $2.5M. Arrowhead had 15.52% of the total sales volume for Eagle County in September.

The commercial sector has also been increasing in activity with 111 sales through September, 2015. The last time Eagle County had more than 111 commercial sales in an entire year was 2009 when there was 116 commercial sales.

Vail Village boasted the single highest priced home sold in September, selling at $10.9M, $2,039 per foot.”

National Real Estate Sales Trends and Statistics

Nationally, sales of existing homes through the first seven months of 2015 increased over 2 percent and are on course for record sales and home value increase in 2015.   Sales still remain at the highest pace since 2007, however since August, we have seen a drop off in activity and increased values.  This may just be a lull and given good weather in November and December, we should see 2015 finish out strong.

Vail Valley Real Estate, Inc. assists buyers and sellers with their real estate needs throughout Eagle County.  With over 50 years of collective real estate experience and 25 years of living and working in the Vail Valley, our agents and brokers are here to assist you with all of your high country real estate needs.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to request additional information in the form below; or to receive quarterly sales reports from the Vail Valley.

If you are considering selling your mountain home, here are some great strategies for making more when it sells.  Here are 10 great ways to put more money in your pocket before you list, during the negotiations and at the closing table.

1.  Create spring, summer and winter curb appeal.  One good snowstorm after the Town’s snowplows come through can greatly decrease the buyer’s desire to view a home even if its the nicest property on the block.  Keep the driveway plowed and pathways to the house shoveled in the winter.  Lined paths and drives with flowers and plantings makes all the difference in the summer.  Make sure your Realtor is checking on the home before showings.

2.  Offer off street parking for buyers looking at the home.  If you are selling a ski condominium, make sure your guests have access to private underground parking vs. the public lobby; as well as, any other exclusive owner amenities like exercise rooms, pools and hot tubs.

3.  Create an inviting and open sense of entry where guests will enter your home.  De-clutter the front entry and create an inviting feel for prospective purchasers who will be touring your property. Neutralize odors, enhance pleasing scents make seeing the home an painless process for buyers.

4.  Remove clutter in corners and closets and limit the number of personal items and pictures on display throughout your home.   This gives buyers the ability to envision their own family using your property and creates ownership interest.  Clean the refrigerator, stove, and other major appliances; don’t forget to circulate the ice.  Touch up, paint and update when necessary before listing the property.

5.  List your home when property inventory is low and prices are appreciating.  Property Inventory in the Vail Valley is currently at an all time low and we have seen rapid appreciation in most areas this year.  This is a good time to consider listing your home for sale, no matter the season.

6.  Negotiate your listing commission and closing costs up front and check on the different listing options available.  Vail Valley Real Estate, Inc. offers some of the most competitive commission rates in the Valley.  But most certainly, list your property with a Realtor; statistics say they will bring 20% more than a FSBO.  Don’t be mislead by sensational print advertising being a must and a reason to pay high commission rates.  Most homes in the Vail Valley sell themselves with appropriate attention to detail and online marketing. 

7.  Offer a home warranty to your potential Buyers.  This gives your buyers more confidence when making an offer and keeps them from being overly critical at inspection time.

8.  Have your broker run a rental analysis to figure out the income that can be generated on a short term and long term rental basis.  This is good information for buyers who are looking to offset their second homeownership costs.

9.  Considering selling your property furnished or partially furnished.  Buyers of second homes are more inclined to buy a home that is nicely furnished and they can use right away, especially when it during the ski season.  Also, it is sometimes more costly to move a home’s contents a long distance than any remaining value of the furniture itself.

10.  Have Vail Valley Real Estate, Inc. prepare a complimentary property valuation, marketing plan and ready for market criteria for your mountain home.  Contact us at 970-331-1110 or request a free online home valuation here.  Its “TWO EASY” steps.