Image
ABOUT
LISTINGS
CONTACT

'The most beautiful week of the year'

'The most beautiful
week of the year'

September 25, 2019, my daughter was born at the medical center in Vail. I can’t imagine there’s a better place to have a baby. In addition to a jacuzzi tub and on-demand room service (for Dad, too), the OB suites feature a sprawling, top-floor view of the aspen grove on Vail Mountain.

That day, I said to her, "You’re a pretty lucky kid. Not only were you born in Vail, you were born during the most beautiful week of the year," and that remains true on both counts.

Still plenty of action at The Amp in September 

Still plenty of action at The Amp in September 

Last swings of the season at CCR

Last swings of the season at CCR

Peak foliage can fluctuate, but if you're planning a trip, the last week of September is always the surest bet.

It’s quiet around town. You definitely get an influx of leaf peepers from Denver on the weekends, but for the most part, the locals have the place to themselves. For me, the cooler temps mean longer mountain bike rides and longer shadows on the golf course. It’s also scramble season with dozens of nonprofits hosting charity tournaments, which always lead to camaraderie and celebration during the home stretch of the season.

I’m not going to lie. ... I always get a little sad when the leaves drop in October. But, fortunately in Vail, we have a lot to look forward to with ski season just around the corner. 

I had to pull over to snap this photo of Gore Creek on my way back from an open house in East Vail.

 

VAIL VALLEY MARKET INSIGHT

In September, the Eagle County real estate market saw a 36% increase in pending sales compared to the same month in 2023. While the average sales price declined by 14% year-over-year (YOY), the year-to-date (YTD) average remains roughly flat, signaling resilience in the market.

Breaking the numbers down further, there are notable distinctions between different sectors: the single-family/duplex sector has outpaced other segments, posting a 13% YTD increase in median sales price, whereas the townhouse/condo sector gained only 2%. 

Active listings were up by 15% in September compared to the same time last year, helping feed the 8% YTD increase in total transactions. This rising inventory provides more options for buyers while keeping the market balanced.

Despite these shifts, the sale-to-list price ratio remains steady at 98%, underscoring the importance of making competitive offers. Properties priced at market value are still attracting significant buyer attention.

The increase in inventory, coupled with continued buyer demand, is providing more options for potential buyers without significantly softening prices. Sellers are increasingly pricing their homes accurately, which is reflected in a drop in the median days on market for single-family homes—down to 46 days in September. This suggests properties priced appropriately are moving quickly, and buyers who are ready to act can still find favorable conditions.

As we move into the fall, the Eagle County real estate market continues to show strength, with pending sales and new listings remaining near their peak for the year. Declining interest rates are adding further fuel to the market, making October and November particularly active months as buyers aim to close deals before the start of ski season.

Mintz/VBR stats 

 

TALK OF THE TOWN

Eagle County airport looks to land more airlines and flights

This year, the airport introduced summer flights to Chicago, Houston, winter flights to San Diego, Seattle, and added a locals rebate program for residents.

READ MORE

Winter shows announced at Vilar Performing Arts Center

Winter shows announced at Vilar Performing Arts Center with more expected

The Vilar Performing Arts Center is gearing up for winter with 24 shows announced from December to April, with 40 more expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

READ MORE

New Beaver Creek subdivision receives go-ahead from county

The homes include a mix of single-family, duplex, and triplex units, with floor areas ranging from 3,100 to 4,500 square feet in Beaver Creek.

READ MORE

West Lionshead base village development gets green light

Vail and Vail Resorts will develop West Lionshead with lodging, dining, skier services, and workforce housing, while preserving Booth Heights to protect local wildlife.

READ MORE
 

VALLEY VITTLES

5 Vail Valley restaurants named to Michelin-recommended eateries while Colorado adds a new star

Five Vail Valley restaurants—Sweet Basil, Osaki’s, Mirabelle, Splendido, and Wyld—retained their spots on Michelin's recommended list. These five were also featured in the inaugural 2023 Colorado list, and they remain among the 31 restaurants highlighted in this year's guide.

READ MORE
 

LOCAL LOVE

10th Mountain Whiskey celebrates 10 years with new collaborations

To mark 10 years, 10th Mountain Whiskey created a special collection of bourbon, rye, and single malt. Founder Ryan Thompson reflects on starting the distillery to honor the 10th Mountain Division and support the military.

READ MORE

Food trucks roll into Gypsum, with some help from the town

The intersection of Valley Road and Highway 6 in Gypsum has become a busy spot for food trucks. As more people discover the options, it’s growing in popularity, fostering a sense of community among local customers and vendors alike.

READ MORE
 

IN OTHER NEWS

October surprise: Beaver Creek extends trail network in Bachelor Gulch

Mountain bikers this fall were treated to the surprise development of several new trails on Beaver Creek mountain. More often than not, there are no announcements of forthcoming trails—they just start showing up—and that was the case this year.

The new network runs parallel to the signature Village-to-Village trail, flowing in and out with several bailout points. The new routes are steeper for more advanced riders and should also provide some traffic relief for hikers on Village-to-Village.

October surprise: Beaver Creek extends trail network in Bachelor Gulch

Mountain bikers this fall were treated to the surprise development of several new trails on Beaver Creek mountain. More often than not, there are no announcements of forthcoming trails—they just start showing up—and that was the case this year.

The new network runs parallel to the signature Village-to-Village trail, flowing in and out with several bailout points. The new routes are steeper for more advanced riders and should also provide some traffic relief for hikers on Village-to-Village.

 

SHOP TALK

Is Fed’s interest rate cut a turning point for CO's housing market?

A long-anticipated reduction in federal borrowing rates, impacting everything from mortgages to credit card payments, is viewed as a positive sign for the stagnant housing market.

READ MORE

How to get paid by the power company: Holy Cross' Power+

Power+ boosts energy resilience, reduces peak costs, and earns bill credits by optimizing battery storage during high demand. Save money, support clean energy, and keep your home powered in outages.

READ MORE
 

LOOKING AHEAD

UNDERGROUND SOUND AT THE VPAC

Now - Nov 14: Featuring six diverse performances from across the musical spectrum, Underground Sound Series is all about sharing in the discovery (and re-discovery) of new sounds.

BEAVER CREEK TREE LIGHTING

Nov 24: Beaver Creek kicks off the holidays with a stunning Tree Lighting, featuring ice skating performances and live music. Visit the Holiday Market for Colorado-made goods. 

BIRDS OF PREY WORLD CUP

Dec 6-15.: Ranked as the top destination by athletes and coaches, the Beaver Creek Birds of Prey Ski World Cup is back with an exciting dual-weekend of men’s and women’s racing. 

VAIL YETI HOCKEY

Dec 6 - Jan 3: Catch all the excitement of semi-pro hockey with Vail’s team, the Yeti, as they compete against other teams in the Mountain West Hockey League. 

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS

Jan 9-10: After six months apart, the Infamous Stringdusters reunited to create Toward the Fray. This album, born from self-reflection, showcases their growth as instrumentalists and songwriters

 

FEATURED LISTINGS

1451 Buffehr Creek Road

OFFERED AT

$7,900,000

Vail

116 Thresher Court

OFFERED AT

$2,895,000

Eagle

1650 Fallridge Place

OFFERED AT

$2,395,000

Vail

 
Image

Geoff Mintz

 

Engel & Völkers Vail

 

242 E. Meadow Drive Suite D I Vail I CO 81567

970445780

 

geoff.mintz@evrealestate.com I geoffmintz.evrealestate.com

FA.100103057

Facebook InstagramLinkedIn