Posts Tagged ‘market update’

2010 Market Recap: Telluride’s Market Continues to Show Signs of Recovery

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Year end gross dollar sales in the Telluride Region during 2010 performed 20% above 2009. Sales of $317.6M paced at 92.5% of 2008 which was the partial year of sales production not negatively influenced by the current recession. Numbers of transactions increased 18% and the average price per incident remained stable indicating a stabilizing in value across all market categories.

Telluride real estate market stats update

According to statistics compiled by Telluride Consulting, a total of 103 sales transpired in the Town of Telluride representing total gross dollars of $107.2M. A total of 136 sales occurred in the Town of Mountain Village with gross dollars sales of $148.6M. The remainder of San Miguel County experienced 88 sales totaling $61.9M. The brightest segments of the market occurred with a 67% increase in gross dollar sales of Town of Telluride condominiums, a 55% increase in Mountain Village homes and a 126% increase in the Town of Telluride homes.

There are 15 pending transactions above $2,000,000, and, when coupled with those already closed above that dollar amount YTD, a total of 60 sales / contracts in 2010 is a very healthy increase over only 13 such sales in 2009.

Telluride Market Stats update

Telluride and Mountain Village Condo Sales

This data seems to indicate a strong renewed interest in investment in the Telluride lifestyle with its limited, high quality inventory. As mentioned in prior market updates, the catalyst for stronger sales has been a willingness by some sellers to accept price levels 20% – 30% below the market highs of 2007. Those sellers are not necessarily in “must sell” situations, but are often times seeking liquidity for alternative investments. Investors are gravitating to discounted “Grade A” properties, and seem to be avoiding the limited number of problematic foreclosure and short sale scenarios in the region.

With the gross dollar sales increasing, it is likely that a “bottom” has been reached and sellers will over time resist these deeper discounts and the market will respond with gentle appreciation. Those sellers who have held firm with price structure must remain patient, but oddly have contributed to “setting the bottom” and will influence the rise in future values. Premium properties at significant higher pricing will likely lead the market into a slow, but steady appreciation cycle. With 14 homes and condominiums transacted YTD at an average price of $5,250,000 and with an average PSF of $859, this cycle is likely in motion, given that these sales represent nearly 23% of total sales volume.
We look forward to seeing you in Telluride.

Regards,

TD Smith and Chris Sommers

Telluride Association of Realtors Market Update- March 2010

Friday, March 5th, 2010
It appears things might start turning around in the national real estate world. Altos Research reported on December 28, 2009 that “Inventory in the resale market continues its steady decline after peaking in the fall of 2008, and while new sellers entering the market are pricing at consistently lower levels, indicating general market weakness, the percentage of
sellers with price reductions is also falling, indicating that sellers who have been on the market are feeling more confident of receiving their ask price.” In the West, particularly, Lawrence Yun, National Associa- tion of Realtors chief economist,
stated in a February 11, 2010 NAR press release, “Markets in the West, such as San Francisco, San Jose and Denver are showing double-digit price increases, and other markets like San Diego and Anaheim have begun to firm up.” On a local level, Telluride and its sur- rounding areas are hanging in there, and while still certainly feeling the effects of the econom- ic downturn, are hopefully beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. According to data compiled by the Telluride Association of Realtors*, 2009, overall, didn’t fare as well as 2008, ($310 million in total dollar volume dis- bursed over 283 transactions in 2008, com- pared to $222 million in total dollar volume disbursed over 281 transactions in 2009), but the year ended on a good note as the fourth quarter of 2009 topped out at $88 million in total dollar volume. While this pales in com- parison to the $149 million from 2007, it’s a drastic (87%) increase from the $47 million in 2008. The 2009 third and fourth quarters com-
bined were also slightly more impressive than those from 2008, with $142 million in 2009, compared to $137 million in 2008.
OCTOBERFEST!
October was the heavy hitter in 2009 with $43 million in total dollar volume and 43 total sales. These were the largest figures by far between January and December 2009, and also the highest since April of 2008. Again, $47 million in total dollar volume is still sig- nificantly lower than dollar volumes found in the pre-recession surge (2004-2007), but it isn’t that far off from figures found earlier in the decade, between 2001 and 2003. That $47 million was higher than any month in 2001 and 2002, as well as higher than all but two months in 2003. More importantly, the almost-$50-million figure is a sign that the market has potential in the months ahead. Sales that contributed to October’s total included four $2-plus million condos (three in Telluride and one in Mountain Village), a $7- plus million ranch in the Dolores River area, a $3.4 million home in Telluride, and two $2- plus million homes in Mountain Village.
‘TIS THE SEASON
November and December 2009 were also notably higher in terms of total dollar volume than the same months in 2008. November 2009 totaled $16 million (220% higher than the $5 million in November 2008) and December 2009 totaled $28 million (40% higher than the $20 million in December 2008).
As for monthly breakdowns for the third and fourth quarters of 2009, they were as follows:
Month
July August September October November December
Total $ Volume Sales
$19 million 19 $17 million 28 $18 million 31 $43 million 43 $16 million 25 $28 million 30
Telluride region finishes with a strong fourth quarter and skier numbers build confidence
STILL A GREAT TIME TO BUY
According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate on a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.92 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 from 5.16 percent in the third quarter; it was 5.86 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. And right now in Telluride, there are some great deals out there, according to TAR president Teddy Errico. “Certain properties are definitely holding their value…trading at $900-plus a square foot, where people are still paying top dollar,” he explains. “But there are also values we haven’t seen since the start of the decade.” Errico added that buyers who don’t mind putting a little work into some- thing, or aren’t entirely particular, and simply want to be a part of Telluride, are likely to find opportunities in every facet of the market (condo, home, land, frac- tional). “There is a variety of product,” he says, “and combined with low interest rates, living this lifestyle, and the fact that this area has inherent value, it’s a good time to buy…to invest and take that step. Down the road, you’ll be so happy.”
GOOD NEWS FOR SKI RESORTS
Anyone who has been following the trends and media coverage knows that the overall news for ski resort real estate mar- kets hasn’t been too favorable. While resort markets tend to be those able to maintain stability and remain unaffected by economic waves, they haven’t fared as well this time around. According to a December 15, 2009 post from SkiResortMarkets.com, “That’s not the case in 2009. Currently these markets are suf- fering in the economic downturn just like markets elsewhere.” The upshot, however, is that people are still skiing. On February 20, 2010, an article entitled “Ski Resorts Thrive, Despite Recession Pain,” by Phyllis Korkki appeared in the New York Times. Korkki wrote, “Even in 2009, as most industries were in a recessionary trough, ski resort revenue rose 2.3% from the year before, IbisWorld says. Revenue for 2010 is forecast to rise almost 6%, to $2.72 bil- lion.” Telluride opened Revelation Bowl, as well as other new terrain and resort addi- tions in 2009. This brought people coming as numbers (roughly 419,000) were up from 2008 and on par with other recent years.** And that is certainly a good thing for real estate as oftentimes, the best way to lure interested buyers in a ski resort market, is to first get them here to ski.

It appears things might start turning around in the national real estate world. Altos Research reported on December 28, 2009 that “Inventory in the resale market continues its steady decline after peaking in the fall of 2008, and while new sellers entering the market are pricing at consistently lower levels, indicating general market weakness, the percentage of sellers with price reductions is also falling, indicating that sellers who have been on the market are feeling more confident of receiving their ask price.” In the West, particularly, Lawrence Yun, National Associa- tion of Realtors chief economist, stated in a February 11, 2010 NAR press release, “Markets in the West, such as San Francisco, San Jose and Denver are showing double-digit price increases, and other markets like San Diego and Anaheim have begun to firm up.”

On a local level, Telluride and its surrounding areas are hanging in there, and while still certainly feeling the effects of the economic downturn, are hopefully beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. According to data compiled by the Telluride Association of Realtors*, 2009, overall, didn’t fare as well as 2008, ($310 million in total dollar volume disbursed over 283 transactions in 2008, compared to $222 million in total dollar volume disbursed over 281 transactions in 2009), but the year ended on a good note as the fourth quarter of 2009 topped out at $88 million in total dollar volume. While this pales in com- parison to the $149 million from 2007, it’s a drastic (87%) increase from the $47 million in 2008. The 2009 third and fourth quarters combined were also slightly more impressive than those from 2008, with $142 million in 2009, compared to $137 million in 2008.

OCTOBERFEST!

October was the heavy hitter in 2009 with $43 million in total dollar volume and 43 total sales. These were the largest figures by far between January and December 2009, and also the highest since April of 2008. Again, $47 million in total dollar volume is still sig- nificantly lower than dollar volumes found in the pre-recession surge (2004-2007), but it isn’t that far off from figures found earlier in the decade, between 2001 and 2003. That $47 million was higher than any month in 2001 and 2002, as well as higher than all but two months in 2003. More importantly, the almost-$50-million figure is a sign that the market has potential in the months ahead. Sales that contributed to October’s total included four $2-plus million condos (three in Telluride and one in Mountain Village), a $7- plus million ranch in the Dolores River area, a $3.4 million home in Telluride, and two $2- plus million homes in Mountain Village.

‘TIS THE SEASON

November and December 2009 were also notably higher in terms of total dollar volume than the same months in 2008. November 2009 totaled $16 million (220% higher than the $5 million in November 2008) and December 2009 totaled $28 million (40% higher than the $20 million in December 2008).

As for monthly breakdowns for the third and fourth quarters of 2009, they were as follows:

Month            Total $ Volume         Sales

July                  $19million               19
August             $17million              28
September       $18million              31
October            $43million              43
November       $16millon                25
December       $28million              30

Telluride region finishes with a strong fourth quarter and skier numbers build confidence.

STILL A GREAT TIME TO BUY

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate on a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.92 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 from 5.16 percent in the third quarter; it was 5.86 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. And right now in Telluride, there are some great deals out there, according to TAR president Teddy Errico. “Certain properties are definitely holding their value…trading at $900-plus a square foot, where people are still paying top dollar,” he explains. “But there are also values we haven’t seen since the start of the decade.” Errico added that buyers who don’t mind putting a little work into some- thing, or aren’t entirely particular, and simply want to be a part of Telluride, are likely to find opportunities in every facet of the market (condo, home, land, fractional). “There is a variety of product,” he says, “and combined with low interest rates, living this lifestyle, and the fact that this area has inherent value, it’s a good time to buy…to invest and take that step. Down the road, you’ll be so happy.”

GOOD NEWS FOR SKI RESORTS

Anyone who has been following the trends and media coverage knows that the overall news for ski resort real estate mar- kets hasn’t been too favorable. While resort markets tend to be those able to maintain stability and remain unaffected by economic waves, they haven’t fared as well this time around. According to a December 15, 2009 post from SkiResortMarkets.com, “That’s not the case in 2009. Currently these markets are suf- fering in the economic downturn just like markets elsewhere.” The upshot, however, is that people are still skiing. On February 20, 2010, an article entitled “Ski Resorts Thrive, Despite Recession Pain,” by Phyllis Korkki appeared in the New York Times. Korkki wrote, “Even in 2009, as most industries were in a recessionary trough, ski resort revenue rose 2.3% from the year before, IbisWorld says. Revenue for 2010 is forecast to rise almost 6%, to $2.72 bil- lion.” Telluride opened Revelation Bowl, as well as other new terrain and resort addi- tions in 2009. This brought people coming as numbers (roughly 419,000) were up from 2008 and on par with other recent years.** And that is certainly a good thing for real estate as oftentimes, the best way to lure interested buyers in a ski resort market, is to first get them here to ski.

Telluride Real Estate Market Update

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Stream 1Are we in the perfect buyer’s market?

After nearly four decades of Telluride real estate experience, I believe conventional wisdom would say that is the case.  Although we will never know for certain that a bottom has been reached until we look into a rear view mirror, the signs for a thawing in the marketplace are very real. 

  • Nearly 80% of all real estate buyers begin a search through the internet and my inquiry traffic has increased 300% in the past 90 days.
  • Showing appointments have increased dramatically to qualified buyers with renewed confidence in the Telluride market and its lifestyle. 
  • Gross dollar sales increase in the second quarter of 2009 by 10%.
  • Five homes in the Telluride Mountain Village sold in the second quarter at an average of $4,000,000 vs. just one home in the first quarter.
  • Although our most current recession has much greater depth and severity than those I have experienced in the past, historically Telluride has recovered quickly with double digit inflation.

That being said, there are select sellers in the market desirous of liquidity and are willing to discount below market highs in the range of 15 – 25% (2004 – 2005 values) for highly desirable opportunities. While many owners, with excellent staying power who resist discounting, are helping to prop up values, the fact can not be ignored that there are numerous incredible values to be had. A market characterized as one with very limited inventory, where demand for the Telluride lifestyle has always outstripped supply, overall inventory has swelled presenting prospective purchasers with a wide range of attractive alternatives.

I am frequently asked, “Are we at the bottom? Is now the time to cut the best deal?” My response is fairly simple – - If your family desires our lifestyle – - there is never a bad time to invest in Telluride real estate. You can wait a few months and maybe save a few more percentage points, but your investment today is enjoyed immediately and any “wait and see” savings, if realized, will be recovered in the very near term. There is the distinct possibility, according to well documented historical data, that our unique little marketplace will cost a great deal more for those who wait for a home run.

Remember, there are 4,000 pretty happy property owners who are very pleased with the performance of their holdings in Telluride and not so happy with their paper investments.

 Regards,

 TD Smith and Chris Sommers

970.728.1606

TD@tdsmith.com   /   Chris@tdsmith.com