"The big difference between this quarter and the same period last year is the significant increase in lower end sales under $1M, the lack of big ticket (+$10M) sales and a gaping hole of inactivity in the $5-10M sales range. The increase in lower end sales indicates a widening of Aspens real estate recovery base no longer limited to exclusively headline capturing high-end purchases." Tim estin, The Estin Report: Q1 2013 State of the Aspen Market

By Tim Estin mba, gri | Previews Specialist | 970.920.7387 | Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Aspen released April 20, 2013 v9.4

Click image or link to exec. summary and full report pdf

The report documents sales and market activity for the 1st Quarter 2013 (Jan. 1 - Mar. 31) for the upper Roaring Fork Valley - Aspen, Snowmass Village, Woody [...]

"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."