Southwest Colorado News

Something Pretty DOWP is Here in Pagosa

I take my coffee and grab a seat. Before me sits a bright-eyed, curly-haired, handsome young man. He’s full of energy and ambition, and I can already tell he has the kind, considerate nature of a Pagosa Local. I have the pleasure of talking to Julian Caler, the co-founder of DOWP a snowboard group. 

As soon as he starts talking about his snowboards, I don’t have to do anything to urge him on. From the beginning, his passion comes through with every word. 

For five years now, Caler has been teaming up David Yerton. They design custom-made, one of a kind snowboards right here in Pagosa Springs. They build the brand around the energy and culture of snowboarders. The duo is funny and edgy and always ready to take on the next adventure. 

For Caler, snowboarding has always been a passion. It’s something that helps him relax and get away from stressful days. But designing snowboards is something he had to get talked into. 

It was David Yerton who talked Caler into designing and selling unique snowboards. Caler took a ski and snowboard business class in Steamboat Springs. He learned a few marketable skills and landed several internships in major companies. But after a company wanted him to move to New York City, he returned home to Pagosa Springs. 

That’s when Yerton convinced Caler that they should create their own boards. The ski and snowboard industry is one that’s hard to get into. So Yerton and Caler knew they would have to carve their niche to get a foothold in the market. 

They succeeded. Their boards are one of a kind from the design to the build to the backstory. Though Caler says their business isn’t enough to cover all the bills yet, it’s slowly but steadily growing and gaining a following. 

 What Makes DOWP Unique? 

They’re committed to creating high-quality homemade products. It sets them ahead of the pack, and their attention to detail shows. 

Yerton provides snowboard designs. But he’s been doodling them since he was ten. In the team’s first meetings he brought sketches and designs from over a decade go. His signature was always DOWP, and the duo knew they would stick to it for their company name. 

They make the boards from bamboo. This keeps the board light for the rider. But it also makes them more flexible, and more resilient than boards from other materials. 

To make the boards even better, they apply a polyurethane coat as a liquid. It dries as part of the bamboo board. Other boards have the polyurethane coat glued to the board. DOWP’s method makes the boards more flexible, more durable, and more resilient. 

But they also have a unique shape. Caler told me about two unique designs, for his boards. The first is square edges. At first, they were looking to create a unique-looking board. 

But when they tested the product, they found out the square edges gave the boarder better grip on the snow. This comes in handy when the rider goes to land a jump or another stunt. 

Other boards have a unique beavertail design. It’s designed to look like the mammal’s big flat tail. The beavertail design makes it easier to stay on top of fresh powder. The tail sinks in the back, giving the board more air over powder. The concept originated from a similar style on surfboards. But it applies to snowboards too, so the team ran with it. 

Each design is unique and full of personality. One design has Bigfoot eating a chocolate bar. Presumably, he tied the Boy Scouts behind him to the tree. 

Another depicts a bear sitting next to a roaring campfire. The smoke depicts a battle against the night sky. 

These boards have some of the coolest designs I’ve ever seen, and you’ll love them too. (Check out more cool styles on their Instagram here.)

Each board is a limited edition masterpiece. Once a snowboard sells out, they don’t make more. DOWP wants to see people who love their current board come back for a newer version, and ideally start a collection of DOWP snowboards. 

If you have a particular design you want on a snowboard, DOWP can make it happen for you. 

Why Pagosa Springs

Caler has lived in Pagosa since he was a kid. He moved away for a while going into college in Steamboat Springs. “It was more like two years of skiing and internships than college,” he tells me. 

But he didn’t like being away from this unique mountain town for long. Pagosa Springs is home for him. After a few years, he moved back and intends to stay. 

We talked for a while about how unique and special Pagosa Springs is. From its mountain views to rural ranches, Pagosa Springs calls to people from all over the world. There’s no other town like it. 

While Pagosa is a tourist town, it doesn’t feel like a tourist hot spot. Tourism is the industry, and yet, Pagosa Springs still keeps its own small-town culture. 

And Caler is a perfect example of its friendliness. I mentioned I drove my scooter to meet with him (in the rain) and without hesitating he let me know he’d be happy to give me a ride. 

Caler wants to see Pagosa grow, and he’d love to see DOWP grow as a part of it. But even if it doesn’t Caler says it’s something he knows he’ll always have. 

When he’s stressed, he can go work on a new snowboard and test it out on the slopes. He admits running and managing the business can get hard sometimes. But its also something he loves. When things get tricky, his passion helps him push through. 

No matter how big it grows, he wants to keep DOWP snowboards local. While he thinks it would be great for DOWP to get big enough to export production, he plans to keep his business here. 

How Can I Get a DOWP Snowboard?

You don’t have to be a local to love DOWP. These boards are great for anyone who loves to get into the mountains and into the snow, even for a few days a year. DOWP snowboards are a Pagosa treasure with a unique Pagosa Springs story behind them. 

Right now, boards run between $300 to $600. Prices are sure to go up soon. To get your hands on a snowboard of your own, contact DOWP a snowboard group on their site or via Instagram. 

Written by Juliara Baeten, Staff Writer for Pagosa Source Real Estate Advisors

The Neon Mallard: Build Friendships in the Coolest Lounge in Pagosa Springs

The goal was to “create a space that was different than anything else.” Annie DeMille and her husband, Tony hit their goal right on the nose. They’re the owners of the new bar the Neon Mallard. 

The Neon Mallard’s unique design starts with its black-painted exterior and outdoor fire-pit. Once inside, green textured bar stools and bird-inspired decor catch the eye. The Neon Mallard is different from anything else. 

When you first step foot in the door, it feels almost as if you’ve stepped back in time. It’s as if you’re off to the roaring ’20s, with darker lighting and a chic loungey atmosphere. There’s not a tv screen in sight. It feels like you’ve found a space where you can escape the pressures of the outside world. 

And that’s the goal behind the Neon Mallard. It’s designed to be a place to hang out with old friends and meet new ones. 

An Eclectic Avian Touch for Decor

On top of that, Annie and Tony created an eclectic, unique appeal to the bar. Each piece is handpicked from antique stores across the country. Between the Neon Mallard and the Nightingale Inn, they decided to go with bird-themed names, and included a bit of avian-related decor in the bar. 

They even picked many pieces out of their own home to get the feel right, and each piece is one of a kind. While I sat, we talked about an odd, holographic pheasant all in coppertone. We talked about a massive painting behind me. Two eagles seemed to be fighting to pluck a duck out of the ocean. It doesn’t make sense, we all agree, but it’s super cool nonetheless. 

Some friends have even donated their own pieces to the bar. Annie and Tony collect pieces from across the country, but here in Pagosa too. They think it’s likely they’ll have adopted pieces that once belonged to long-time residents. 

They’re not through decorating yet. Since every single piece is handpicked, Annie and Tony have high standards of what does and doesn’t go in the bar. They still want to add decor to the restrooms and rotate the art to accommodate new pieces. 

They hope that even regulars will notice new pieces popping up. Hopefully, they’ll provoke you to get up and take a closer look. 

Tony built the liquor shelves and the bar top behind the bar from timbers pulled out the inn’s renovations. Parts of the old inn dated back to the 1890s. The timber to build it would have come from Pagosa’s surrounding mountains. It’s possible the boards now holding a liquor shelf date back as far.

All this adds to the bar’s nature that’s distinctly unique, but equally Pagosa Springs. 

The Neon Mallard and Pagosa Springs

Annie and Tony bought the inn and slated it for renovations last November. They opened up the bar about a month ago on 13 September. It was a rush to get all the renovations done before snowfall, and they’re pleased with the progress. 

Annie grew up in Pagosa Springs and lived in Hawaii and California for about ten years each. She and Tony met in California, and eventually, Pagosa called Annie home. Tony fell in love with the place too. 

When they planned the Neon Mallard, they wanted a space that was their own. It didn’t matter that it didn’t necessarily match the ideas of what a bar should like. Despite being unique and pretty different than the rest of Pagosa, they’ve had a lot of positive feedback. 

They hope that by opening up something different, they might inspire others to do the same. The Neon Mallard is something that’s a part of Pagosa but also strays a bit from what people usually expect. There’s a lot of room for Pagosa to grow and innovate. Annie and Tony hope people follow their unique dreams, goals, and ideas for Pagosa Springs. 

Best Food and Drinks at the Neon Mallard

The food and drinks seem to match the same high-quality standards as the bar’s unique decor. In part, Annie and Tony wanted to thank Cliff and the rest of their staff for that. Having things flow smoothly, only happens with great people on board. 

The Neon Mallard strays away from your typical bar food, but they don’t disappoint. It surprised the staff that the cheeseboard was such a big hit. They also offer a Charcuterie Plate. It has salami, prosciutto, and other meats with baguette and assorted crackers. 

Or, appease your sweet tooth with New York cheesecake or a flourless chocolate torte. 

The Neon Mallard also features a handful of specialty cocktails. Look for drinks like The Chocolate Raspberry to a special Pagosa Pina Colada. Let’s not forget the Neon Mallard won second place for best Margarita in Pagosa Springs at the Chile Cha Cha fest. 

Even if you’re not a drinker, Cliff can still whip up something for you. He enjoys coming up with creative mocktails – alcohol-free. 

The menu changes seasonally, and the fall foods and drinks are on their way, so keep an eye out. 

And while the Neon Mallard is primarily a place to relax and socialize, a few events are coming up. First, the Neon Mallard is planning a rocking Halloween party. Then they’ll be putting together a fundraiser for Pagosa Springs to host a skijoring event. 

So ask if anything cool is coming up because there likely is. 

Neon Mallard – For Locals, Friends, and Friends-To-Be

As the Neon Mallard starts to find its groove, Annie and Tony plan to adjust the bar to the people that fill it. If they see they need more group seating, and fewer tables for couples, they’ll make more adjustments. If they realize they need more space, well, there’s always another wall they can knock down to create more room. 

The Neon Mallard is truly a must-see destination in Pagosa. It’s a great place to regroup after a busy day, to relax and recount your adventures. Share a pint or the second-best margarita in town. 

It’s a place where the locals go to catch up and run into friends – somewhere besides the grocery store. So when you visit the Neon Mallard, you’re always likely to run into old friends or make a few new ones. 

Want to be part of the Pagosa Springs community? Check out available Pagosa Springs real estate. 

Article written by Juliara Baeten, Staff Writer for Pagosa Source

Due to an oversight, an earlier amendment to the Archuleta County Land Use Code created an unintended negative consequence- that is, technically it made short term rental activity within many parts of the county a violation of the code. At the time the code was amended, it was in response to issues related to multiple cabins being placed within small acreage tracts in the county. Now, however, in subdivisions which do not have restrictions on short term rentals, a handful of disgruntled property owners have come to the Planning Department to insist they prosecute their fellow property owners that are using their homes to generate short term rental income. Some individual subdivisions have chosen to amend their Declarations to restrict rentals, (Echo Canyon Ranch and Lost Valley of the San Juans for example.) They made these changes in compliance with the governance documents of their subdivision, with a required majority vote of owners. In some subdivisions where a handful of owners have not been successful in convincing the necessary majority of its members to restrict short term rentals, they have asked the County Planning Director to step in and threaten owners with fines of $500-$1,000 plus $100 per day for failure to comply with the Land Use Code. This was not the intention of the County and they have agreed to address this unintended consequence.

Pagosa Springs’ and all of Southwest Colorado’s economy is based on tourism—that is an indisputable fact. It is not a self-sustaining retirement community—plain and simple. Our visitors come here to enjoy the friendly, safe and fun mountain environment that many of us have chosen to call home. In ever-increasing numbers, visitors are choosing to stay in private cabins, homes and condominiums rather than motel rooms. This is especially the case for a growing number of families, and not just in the mountains of Colorado, but worldwide.

The growth of Airbnb and VRBO (a subsidiary of Orbitz) is phenomenal and is expected to continue for decades. Pagosa Springs has a shortage of commercial lodging units, especially since the Pagosa Lodge went dark in early 2017. Without the extra rooms provided by private owners offering short-term rentals, we would be turning folks away during summer months, at Christmas and Spring Break.

In the fiercely competitive tourism environment, Pagosa Springs would experience very significant negative financial impacts if it were not able to continue to offer a large number of short term rentals. Without the generous and much needed revenues from tourism, it would only be a matter of time before we deteriorated into another Walsenburg or Cuchara. The folks opposed to short term rentals would find the lifestyle they thought they were protecting could not be supported when the majority of the tourism related economic activity disappeared from our community. We must oppose this short-sighted view opposing Short Term Rentals and accept and embrace the fact that we are a tourist destination, dependent on providing a great experience to our visitors, including an appropriate number and variety of lodging choices. A balanced, reality based perspective on this issue is needed.

According to a recent forecast by Zillow chief economist Svenja Gudell, inventory shortages will drive the market in 2018. There is a huge generation entering the housing market and they are not finding the level of inventory and home choices they would prefer. Gudell expects builders to respond to this on a national level by moving from adding density within cities where land costs and zoning laws push home prices out of reach for first time home buyers, to the suburbs where land prices are more reasonable and zoning issues are easier to navigate.

She predicts many first-time home buyers will move to the suburbs, which they have so far resisted, hoping to be able to afford a home within an urban center. Builders will shift some of their focus away from urban center luxury residential projects to capture market share of the pent-up demand among first time home buyers.

Gudell also expects a large number of homeowners to skip the historical trade-up scenario in favor of staying put and remodeling their existing home, making it feel and look brand new. (This should help to further boost the stock prices of Home Depot and Lowes.)

She says Boomers and Millennials will drive home design with wide halls for strollers and wheelchair access (aging boomers) and more “smart home” technology applications.

What does Gudell forecast for home price appreciation during 2018? She expects the current rate which she pegs at 6.9% to drop down to 4.1% next year. What about mortgage interest rates in 2018? Here there seems to be a consensus view that rates will creep higher next year, climbing to between 4.25%-4.75% or slightly higher by year end.

If the stock market and job growth continue to be strong in 2018, we expect demand for vacation homes and condos to increase in mountain resort areas.

Within the Pagosa Springs housing market, there will be more speculative new home building during 2018 as construction lending sources expand and demand within the $250,000-$400,000 continues to be strong.  We also expect the luxury home market to gain further strength and see a reduction in inventory of homes priced above $800,000. Homes prices will rise during 2018, though not at the same level as 2017, but we are projecting prices of existing homes will move toward reducing the 20% gap between the cost of existing homes and the cost of new construction.

Other factors that will come into play next year are the final components of the Federal Tax Reform. Will mortgage interest deductibility be capped at $500,000 for new loans? Will property taxes no longer be deductible? Will there be a limitation on mortgage interest deductibility for vacation homes? What impact will we see from lower income tax rates?  Locally, will there be efforts to curb the growth of VRBO and Airbnb rentals? How will this impact home values? How will the shortage of experienced construction workers impact new home prices in 2018?

Will there be consensus on how serious the local workforce housing shortage is here? Will the town and county come forward with effective solutions and develop the necessary funding or incentives needed to create new below-market rental units? Will the Town of Pagosa Springs follow the lead of the County and look again at eliminating Impact Fees?

There are plenty of variables to analyze and here at Pagosa Source we spend a considerable amount of time each week looking at these and other issues, to provide our clients and customers with the best real estate guidance possible. As residents and/or property owners, we encourage all our readers to be active participants in local government. Your money and your future are at stake.

You can reach Mike Heraty at Mike@PagosaRealEstate.com or by phone at 970 264-7000. You can also explore more on our website http://PagosaRealEstate.com

Overall, 2017 was a strong year for the Pagosa Springs Area real estate economy. There were 878 Closed Sales totaling just under $188 million as compared to 755 and slightly under $147 million for the same period in the prior year. Key measurements for nearly every category are up as compared to the prior year, including the luxury home market, which has been significantly over-supplied and soft for the last five years. Building permits issued in the county and town are up as well, with 146 New Home Permits through November of this year compared to 111 last year, showing strong building activity and good construction employment levels. These measurements compliment the increased sales and lodging tax receipts during 2017.

The number of single family home sales are up more than 7.3% for the year with an increase in total dollar volume of over 26%. The Median Selling Price of $339,500 compares to $312,000 for 2016. *

Sales of Luxury Homes also recorded very positive numbers, with 29 Closed Sales posting $43,230,750 in Dollar Volume, an increase of 142 in units sold and a 126% increase in Dollar Volume over 2016**. We see this as a strong vote of confidence for upper-end values and a sign that more affluent buyers are liking the direction the economy is taking, with Wall Street delivering strong returns for investment and retirement accounts during 2017. Our luxury home price points compare very favorably to Durango Area prices and even more “buyer-friendly” when compared to markets along the I-70 Corridor, such as Summit County and the Vail Valley. We are seeing more buying activity coming down from the Front Range due to traffic issues and price pressures in those I-70 Corridor markets.

The number of townhome and condo sales are also up over last year by 9%, with a 12% increase in total dollar sales, while the Median Selling Price remained unchanged at $160,000. The inventory of townhomes and condos listings has decreased as the number of entry level single family homes has declined during 2017. The market saw more first-time home buyers opting to purchase condos and townhomes rather than continuing to rent. As the size of these households grow and income increases, some of these owners will trade their equity up into single family detached homes in the years ahead. This investment creates some forced savings that renting cannot accomplish. Hopefully, the current low interest rate environment will continue during 2018, providing higher levels of affordability to younger and first-time home buyers.

An added bright spot in the market this year is the sales activity in the 35-acre market. Closed Sales are up 100% versus 2016 with 24 tracts sold while the median selling price ($183,500) is up by 36% over 2016. Total Dollar Volume in this category was just over $5,000,000 as compared to $2,000,000 for last year. Historically, many of these buyers will contract for the construction of larger homes within 2-5 years of their purchase which helps to keep our custom homebuilders busy.

What will the Year 2018 look like? Will prices continue to climb? We interest rates remain low? How many new homes will come on the market? Will it still be a good time to sell? Watch for our 2018 Real Estate Forecast right after the holidays!

As always, Mike Heraty is available to answer your real estate questions and to provide details on any part of the market that is of interest. You may reach him at: Mike@PagosaRealEstate.com or by phone at: 970 264-7000. You can also explore more on our website http://PagosaRealEstate.com

* Single family detached stick-built homes. Does not include townhomes, condos and manufactured homes.

**Homes selling at $800,000 or more.

We are half way through the current year and a third of the way into the summer here in Southwest Colorado. The first quarter real estate market data showed significant improvements over the same period of 2016. The figures tallied and analyzed for the first half of 2017 are even more impressive. Total residential closed sales volume hit $75,449,000, an increase of 70% over the $44,465,000 recorded for the same period in the prior year. The total number of homes sold hit 221 for the first six months of this year, as compared to 163 units closed during the first half of 2016, an increase of 36%. We have been very busy from January forward this year, which is unusual.

Prices-

Single Family Stick-Built Detached Homes:

With the increase in sales activity, prices have also moved up. For “Stick-Built” single family detached homes, the average selling price was $183 per square foot during the first half of the year. For the same period in the prior year, the average selling price was $157 per square foot, showing an increase of 16%. The Median Selling Price for this type of home was $325,000, an 11% rise over the first half of 2016.

Condos and Townhomes:

The total sales volume for condos and townhomes for the first half of this year was $7,410,000, an increase of 113% over the first half of 2016. The total number of units sold was up 105%, while interestingly, the average selling price per square foot increased barely 1% at $130,  versus $128 per square foot a year earlier.

What is moving the market?

Several forces are driving prices and buying activity. First, within certain price brackets there is a very limited supply of existing homes available for sale and new home construction has not been able to keep up with demand.  Costs for new home construction have risen as land prices, wages, building materials and soft costs have all increased. The average selling price per square foot for homes built in the last two years has averaged $195, as compared to $178 a year earlier, representing an increase of 9.5%.

Second, mortgage rates have remained relatively low and government-backed loan program qualifying guidelines have eased, though only slightly. Low interest rates, an improving national economy and friendly stock market returns have all worked to improve consumer confidence–an essential ingredient in resort housing market performance.

Third, prices in many other mountain markets have put property ownership out of reach for some buyers and they have found the Pagosa Springs Area to offer a better value, with exceptional outdoor recreational resources in a friendly and safe small-town environment. This pressure has also fueled price appreciation.

Where are the best values in the current market? Existing upper-end homes ($500,000 and higher) can be purchased today at a significant discount to the cost of new construction. If you are looking for a home in the $200,000-$300,000 price range, you have little bargaining power. There is limited inventory and many qualified buyers. If you want to know what areas are likely to perform the best in the next 1-5 years, drop me an email or contact me at Pagosa Source Real Estate Advisors.

Mike Heraty is Managing Broker and Owner of Pagosa Source Real Estate Advisors. Mike has been active in local real estate for over twenty years. Mike holds a Master of Real Estate Designation (MRE), is a Member of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB), and holds brokerage licenses in Colorado and New Mexico. You can reach him at Mike@pagosarealestate.com or at 970 264-7000. You can also explore more on our website http://pagosarealestate.com

In 2008 and 2009 I was working with one of the best clients I have had in my real estate career. In the summer of 2008 we looked at a large number of residences on acreage with water features and were not able to find the right property. We looked at many listings but most seemed over-priced, or at least they were not what we defined as “good buys”. At the time the real estate market in Southwest Colorado was depressed, in the early stages of the great recession. Still, because we were looking for premium residences with premium features, most Sellers were quite proud of their properties and hopeful that with the high level of buyer traffic during the summer months, if they held out, they would get their price.

At the end of the summer we decided the best approach would be to wait things out. In February we resumed our search. We found many Sellers with greater motivation and a good number willing to look at offers substantially below their listing prices. After ten days of looking we found the right combination of properties and were able to successfully negotiate good prices on each of the three properties he purchased.

Bob is the most financially successful individual I have had the privilege of working with. He started with nothing and built a company which he eventually took public and subsequently sold, generating significant wealth for himself and his shareholders. Because of his strong management and financial research skills, I knew I would learn much working with him, which I did. Bob accurately gauged his purchasing power in the “off-season” would be much greater and the competition among Buyers much lower. I have shared my “Bob Story” with many of my Buyers, suggesting that if they were serious about obtaining a really good value, they should not put off the buying decision until spring or summer. February and March are great months to buy real estate in the mountains.

According to the National Association of Realtors, January and February home prices are 8.45% lower than July and August, two of the most popular homebuying months. The NAR Chief Economist does not expect this spread to remain as great going forward, but still, the savings can be substantial.

Another reason to buy now is that mortgage interest rates are expected to rise further during 2017, possibly by as much as a half a percent. On a loan of $300,000, a half point rise in rates would increase the monthly payment by $88, over 30 years that amounts to an additional $31,680.

Yes, here in the mountains of Southwest Colorado a lot of Sellers will take their homes off the market for the winter, which would make the available inventory look more scarce than it really is. I can research which properties that fit your criteria were taken off the market and whether those Sellers are open to having you look at their home ahead of putting it back in the MLS. You would be surprised at how much further your money goes when buying real estate ahead of the strong selling season.

Market Still Improving Overall.

Looking at the broadest measurement, the market during 2016 was ahead of 2015. Total real estate sales recorded through our local MLS system showed an increase year over year of 8.2% in the number of properties sold. The Total Dollar Volume of $148,515,994 was up just over 6% above 2015.

Single Family Homes

The total sales of single family homes sales ($114,867,448) was up over 16% and the total number of homes sold was up 13% over 2015. So, while the aggregate numbers for single family home sales are quite positive, there was very little increase in the average selling price per square foot. For 2015, homes sold for an average of $164.40, while the average for 2016 was $166, an increase of less than 1%. But, in the years between 2012 and 2015 we saw considerably more value appreciation–in 2012 the Median Price was $ 217,000 and the average selling price per square foot was $120.76 an increase of 37.5% over the last four years, or an average of 9.4% per year. Newly constructed homes sold for an average of $178 during 2016, a slight increase above the average for the prior year.

Condos and Townhomes:

Condo and townhome sales showed real strength during 2016 with volume was up over 25% from 2015, and the total number of units sold up nearly 16%. What is more impressive is the increase in the average selling price per square foot, $138 versus $114, an increase of 21% for the year. In 2012, the average selling price per square foot for condos and townhomes was $91 indicating an increase of 53% or an average of 13% per year. This category of our real estate market has out-performed the single family detached sales by quite a margin. Will this continue to be the case going forward? Possibly.

While the strongest price category for single family homes was $200,000-$300,000, there was plenty of demand for housing priced under $200,000 but a very limited and dwindling supply. A number of those Buyers opted to acquire condos and townhomes as they found themselves priced out of the market for single family detached homes.  So, strong demand for housing under $200,000 moved up the average condo selling price per square foot. We would expect this to continue until the price of existing homes more closely approaches the cost of new construction.

2017 will be an interesting year as the community continues to explore potential solutions to our workforce housing needs and the supply of entry level priced housing continues to shrink. The Town of Pagosa Springs Planning Department is revising its Comprehensive Plan, which will hopefully address the extremely high impact fees levied for new development. We are hopeful the Town Council will not approve the proposed tax-payer funded $7 million 5^th Street Bridge Project while there are so many other worthwhile infrastructure improvement needs. We could see a decision on this by January 3^rd.

We may see a boost in demand for vacation homes if the federal income tax cuts Trump has proposed go into effect providing more household income and higher consumer confidence—two key factors that fuel demand for second homes and tourism spending. The other factor that could come into play is the price of oil. If the economy in the oil industry improves, Pagosa can expect to see a return of more visitors from West Texas which have been a significant element in the second home market in Pagosa Springs over the last thirty years.

Buyer Trends Going Forward:

What are we seeing in terms of trends in second homes? Buyers are looking for less square footage, more energy efficiency, lower maintenance burdens, more storage space, smart-home technologies, lots of natural light and well-appointed kitchens and bath areas.

For more specifics on any part of our local and regional real estate market, give me a call. Also, if you would like more information on what you can do to make your home more appealing to achieve a higher selling price in a shorter period of time, call or email me: Mike Heraty, Managing Broker- Pagosa Source Real Estate Advisors: email: Mike@PagosaRealEstate.com Phone: 970 264-7000.

*Single family homes= detached, site-built residences, excludes multi-family, condos, townhomes, modular and manufactured homes.

A sea change is underway in the leadership of our county and town. Two of the sitting members of the Board of County Commissioners are likely to be gone after the November election. Both Commissioner Lucero and Wadley voted in favor of building a new Justice Center along county owned property on Hot Springs Blvd. at the special meeting on September 19^th. The preliminary cost estimates for a facility at that location are reported to be $28 million. Michael Whiting was the only County Commissioner to raise a concern about cost and how the local tax payers could be expected to vote in favor of such a huge expense. What economic reality were Commissioners Lucero and Wadley operating from? With the deteriorating county roads, future needs of the schools and many other financial priorities it is hard to understand the vote that took place. I expect the new Board of County Commissioners will be more responsive to the taxpayers and develop more creative and sensible solutions to the need for improved facilities for the county.

In the last forty five days, three new Town Council Members have been appointed. Matt deGraaf, Rebecca Anderson and Nicole DeMarco each bring a new and refreshing perspective to Town Council Meetings and governance. They take their positions seriously; they study the agenda packets, they ask intelligent questions and they look at the issues from more than one perspective.

The Town Council has many issues and tasks ahead of it. One of the topics sure to resurface soon is the Mayor’s plan to build a $7 million bridge to the Dawson and Mees undeveloped 27 acre parcel. This  controversial proposal has been put on the back burner while the Town waits for completion of the Economic Impact Study it ordered. I am hopeful the newly seated members of the Town Council will take a very careful and critical review of the report.

I have continually monitored real estate activity in Southwest Colorado, including the average and median selling prices of homes and condominiums, and the rate of sales. I believe it is unlikely a reputable outside consulting firm will find our current market conditions will justify a large scale residential and commercial development, one that would require selling price ranges above $300 per square foot. It is equally doubtful to expect a national hotel chain to build a new hotel project while our present hotel occupancy rates remain below 40%. Mees and Dawson have not prepared a market feasibility study, an absorption rate projection or a construction cost estimate for their “development”, I doubt an outside consultant will able to find economic justification for a taxpayer investment of $7 million for a bridge to their land. How the Mayor and his friends Mees and Dawson could possibly spin things differently remains to be seen. With three news voices and votes on the Town Council, we all hope sensible, rational decisions and direction will prevail.