"2012 was characterized by a slow first six months of the year due to lack of snow, a sputtering national economy, Euro financial woes and pre-election paralysis. Contrary to years 2009 - 2011 which experienced strong first halves only to fizzle out later in the year, 2012 sales started slowly in the first half, gained strength in the 3rd Quarter 2012 based on solidifying Aspen single family home sales and surged towards the Q4 year end. "

"December 2012 was the best performing December in total dollar sales for Aspen and Snowmass Village combined since Dec. 2006; it was also the best single performing month in total dollar and unit sales for Aspen and Snowmass Village combined since Oct. 2007. Capital gains, gift and estate tax changes planned for 2013 likely fueled a number of these transactions before the end of the year and trumped the uncertainty caused by the fiscal cliff debate."

State of the Aspen Market, Q3 2012 Excerpt: "The 3rd Quarter 2012 proved to be remarkably strong in general but especially in the sales of Aspen single family homes. While Aspen total dollar sales account for 83% of the entire Aspen and Snowmass Village dollars combined, Aspen single family homes sales account for a whopping 56% of the total combined market dollars. Sales of Aspen homes were up 46% in dollar volume and 22% in unit sales for the 3rd Quarter over the same period last year. Single family home pricing pressure appears to have eased through the 3rd Quarter 2012: median prices, generally a more accurate indicator of pricing trends as average prices can be skewed disproportionately by very high or low sold prices, are up marginally, 3% , to $3.8M in Q3 2012 versus $3.7M last year same time; single family home price per sq ft increased +13% to $1,013 sf in Q3 2012 from $899 sf same time last year arresting the downward trend of the past 4 years. Both metrics median prices and price per sq ft can be seen as positive signs of home price stabilization."