Eagle County Real Estate: Market shift brings new hope for buyers
By Rick Messmer and Larry Agneberg
Buyers looking for homes in Eagle County have newfound hope with the recent summer selling season real estate market shift. Active residential listings have more than doubled over the past two months, from 150 to 376, with 75 new listings in the past week. Buyers now have more options, which typically means less competition, though homes that are priced right, in the right condition and neighborhood are still seeing multiple offers.
Interest Rates
While the rise in interest rates has some concerned, it’s important to keep in mind that even at 5.5%, we’re at the national average. This number got skewed with the artificially low drop in rates during the Pandemic, so this is more of a market correction. The good news is there are contract negotiation options to lower this rate.
Buyers can also work with their broker and ask sellers to assist in buying down the mortgage rate as long as their lender will allow seller concessions. This process allows buyers to get down to the 4% range and away from the 5.75-6% rates currently being quoted from lenders. This can save the buyer a significant amount of money over the course of the loan.
Interest rates seem to have less impact on luxury/resort market buyer. These buyers still have access to cash and does better with real estate than sitting in a bank account. Cash offers are still king. Some buyers continue to make cash offers knowing they can get their loans prior to closing on the property.
Pricing
We are still a little too close to know for certain, but there are indicators that the top of the market will prove to have been in March or April, so sellers must be careful about their pricing. Shooting for the moon on pricing right now may cost sellers time and money in the long run. Yes, special, and unique properties will still, and always, garner the highest prices, even in this changing market. However, if the property is similar to the one down the street, the idea of pricing the subject home 10% higher than the last sale may get sellers in trouble.
What it means for Sellers
While it’s still a little early to know if we have hit the height of the market, we’re not likely to see the kind of increases we have experienced over the past two years. The real estate market shift is really more neighborhood and property dependent. When a property shows up at the right price, sellers are still seeing multiple offers. Buyers are also gravitating toward properties that are updated and move-in ready vs. taking on the construction, supply chain delays, and costs associated with a remodel.
Gone are the days of ”it doesn’t matter what condition your home is in, it will sell.” If there are deferred maintenance items with your home, it’s important these get addressed. They will come up in inspections and with more options available, buyers have more negotiating power.
With buyers having more choices, sellers need to be cognizant on price relative to condition, location, and market value. The smart seller will work with their broker to price it right, and let the buyers dictate top market value. If there are multiple price reductions within a given segment of the market, buyers are more likely to wait and watch sellers negotiate against themselves with price reductions. The seller that gets to the appropriate price first, in this market, will sell before the others.
Rick Messmer and Larry Agneberg are 20- and 40-year Vail Valley residents and award-winning broker associates with locally owned Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties. Their achievements have them both earning the Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award, bestowed upon the top half of 1% of all broker associates nationwide. Messmer specializes in down valley real estate including serving as managing broker for the Eagle office and partner in the Messmer Group. Agneberg is with the company’s Vail-Lionshead office, specializing in the resort/luxury market. They can be reached at rick@bhhsvail.net or 970-376-0041 or larry@keytovail.com or 970-376-7100.
61 Avondale Lane, Avon
Located at 61 Avondale Lane, #401, in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, this coveted, fully furnished Market Square, 3,049 sq. ft., 4/bed/5 bath penthouse is just an elevator ride away for easy access to the ski slopes, shops, and dining, as well as the Vilar Performing Arts Center. An open air, vaulted ceiling great/living room makes it ideally suited for entertaining, along with two fireplaces and decks for true mountain living enjoyment. Listed by Elizabeth Sullivan with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties. The residence sold for $5.210M in May 2022.
4673 Eaglebend Dr., Avon
This 1,553 sq. ft., 4 bed/2 bath single-family, split-level home, located at 4673 Eaglebend Drive in Avon offers a central location next to the Eagle River and quiet cul-de-sac street. A spacious outdoor deck, fenced-in back yard, fire pit, raised garden beds, and terraced landscaping add to the home’s mountain lifestyle amenities. Listed by Rick Messmer and Jennie Longville May with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties and The Messmer Group. The home sold for $1.2M in June 2022 amidst the real estate market shift.
548 S. Frontage Rd W., Vail
Located at 548 S. Frontage Rd. W #205 in Vail, this Westwind residence is just steps away from the Eagle Bahn gondola in Lionshead with views of Vail Mountain. The 3 bed/3 bath, 1,532 sq. ft. European-inspired residence features an elegant open-air kitchen and two master suites with king-size beds and ensuite baths. Added amenities include outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, underground parking, and ski locker room. Listed by Timm Kluender with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties for $2.8M.
2367 Eagle Ranch Rd., Eagle
Backing up to Brush Creek, this 5 bed/6 bath, 5,533 sq. ft. custom-built, energy-efficient home captures a contemporary version of the idyllic red barn ranch days. Located at 2367 Eagle Ranch Road in Eagle, the private residence features a spacious open floorplan for the living and kitchen areas, main floor master bedroom suite, media room, and expansive patio area that looks out onto open space. Listed by Rick Messmer and Jennie Longville May with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties and The Messmer Group. The home sold for $2.03M in June 2022.
