The Jack Nicklaus signature course at Red Ledges just seems get better every time we play it. In 2010 and 2011 Golfweek Magazine ranked it as “Best of State” and we think it is certainly in the top 3. There were no major changes made on the course last year. The reworking of several of the greens that was done a few years ago to make those greens more receptive and hold shots has paid off. The bent grass greens have had a couple of growing seasons since the alterations and they are rolling true and holding good shots.

Red Ledges, one of Park City Real Estate’s premier golf communities, sold 48 properties in the in the past 12 months. For the same time period last year there were 36 sales. This shows a very healthy improvement. Part of what we see as very encouraging (for Park City’s golf community market) is that 10 lots were sold to smaller builders who intend to break ground on spec homes. New homes being built and in the planning stages is yet another sign that the Park City Real Estate market is turning the corner. Another positive indicator that Red Ledges is healthy is that a new neighborhood is breaking ground. It is called Mountain View. Mountain View will offer 4 models that will be priced in the $500,000 to $700,000 range. Red Ledges is differentiating itself in Park City’s golf market by offering homes in more price ranges than the other golf communities. With a few lots still available for under $200,000 and single family homes starting in the $500,000 range Red Ledges has with increased their pool of buyers compared to the other Golf communities. Golf or lifestyle memberships are currently included in developer sales but we expect that to come to an end soon.

Red Ledges amenity package now includes the Jack Nicklaus 18 hole championship signature course, a comprehensive practice facility, the Jim McLean Golf School, the Cliff Drysdale Tennis academy, a golf shop, and swimming pool and equestrian programs. The most exciting news is that they will be breaking ground on the Clubhouse next month. The current goal is to have all of the planned amenities in place in the next 5 years.

For more Red Ledges real estate information or for a tour of the community and facilities contact a realty professional with the YouInParkCity.com Group at (888)968-4672.

Glenwild is without a doubt one of the best golf courses in Utah and a premier Park City real esate area; in 2006 the course was rated as “Best in State” by Golf Digest and it has remained at the top of lists ever since. It should, without a doubt, be on your list if you are considering a second home in one of Park City’s golf communities. Located only 20 minutes from downtown Park City or Salt Lake City it should also be a consideration for families wanting to live in Park City who commute to Salt Lake. The par 71 championship course was designed by Tom Fazio and plays up to 7451 yards from the tips but with four tee boxes there is enough variation in yardage for players of all abilities to enjoy the experience. Last summer the greens, which are perfectly manicured, stimp as high as 12.

Now to Glenwild real estate. Of the 200 luxury homes and home sites at Glenwild there are 12 homes and 12 lots for sale currently. In the past 12 months there were 7 Glenwild homes sold. During this time 20 lots sold. The average price per square foot of the homes sold was $378 while the average for homes for sale is $419 per square foot. The active buyers in the Park City Real Estate market seem to be saying that they are willing endure the building process unless the price of an existing home is very compelling. The YouInParkCity.com group, as a member of the “Builder Services” division of Keller Williams Park City Real Estate works with many of the Park City builders and has access to a wealth of information regarding building trends and costs and what buyers are saying makes a lot of sense. At the builder service practice group we leverage these contacts and information to help ensure the design build process goes smoothly for our clients.

What makes Glenwild unique among Park City’s 5 golf communities, in our opinion, is that it offers a more intimate setting than most of the other golf developments which are substantially larger. The amenities which, in addition to golf, include an exceptional trails system, state of the art spa, spacious swimming pool, tennis courts, an elegant clubhouse and an inviting restaurant are sized to accommodate the limited membership. Glenwild is also the only gated golf community in Park City to offer memberships to people that don’t own property in the community.

There are currently 36 of the 325 memberships available. The price for a golf membership is $75,000 with annual dues running $12,000. Social memberships are also available for $15,000 with annual dues costing $6,000.

For more information about the real estate opportunities and how the Glenwild community may fit your lifestyle contact a local realty expert with YouInParkCity.com at (888)968-4672.

Golf in and around Park City, UT is near and dear to the YouInParkCity.com group so with the days getting longer and the golf season fast approaching; it is time to take a look at the past 12 months in the five amazing private Park City golf communities. The communities of Glenwild, Promontory, Red Ledges, Tuhaye and Victory Ranch are home to some of the top courses in the state; all of the courses have received national recognition. Which course ranks where is a matter of opinion but in terms of layout and condition they are all exceptional. The courses are all relatively young and are only improving.

In the past 12 months there have been 149 sales plus 35 pending sales in Glenwild, Promontory, Red Ledges, Tuhaye and Victory Ranch combined. This number includes vacant land, single family homes and condos. For the same time a year ago total sales were 127 properties. Both years had approximately two dozen distressed sales. Current distressed inventory makes up less than 5% of the current available inventory.

The more than 15% rise in sales has been accompanied by an increase in prices with the average selling price of vacant lots up by nearly 30%. Market indicators for Park City area real estate are very strong and this bodes well for the private golf course communities in Park City as well. In the next few weeks we here at YouInParkCity.com will break down the real estate sales for the past year and review the upcoming and ongoing improvements being made at each of the five private golf course communities in the area.

All of the local Park City area public golf courses are already open and the private courses will be open by Memorial Day. For specifics on a particular golf course community homes in Park City, UT contact the YouInParkCity.com Group at (888)968-4672.

The third quarter of 2012 has slipped by and fall is in the air in Park City, Utah. Real estate sales for the area are changing focus a bit from single family residential to vacation second homes and condominiums more focused toward winter sports.

Year versus year sales data for Park City real estate shows a market gaining strength. Single family home sales so far for the year are up 6% versus the first three quarters of 2011 and condominium sales in Park City have seen a 10% increase.

Sales comparisons for the most recent quarter show condominium sales rising quickly in Park City. Sales of condominiums for the third quarter were up by nearly 25% from the same time period last year. This increase represents nearly the total difference in sales when comparing the quarters. A large portion of this was a bulk sale at the Newpark Hotel. When excluding this bulk sale, sales were still up by over 10%. Also of note in Park City condominium sales is the fact that the median price of the condominiums sold is that the median sales price was up over 10%. The median sales price of $315,000 ($340,000 excluding the bulk sale) would indicate that over half of the sales are condominiums that would be classified as vacation rentals.

Single family home sales by contrast have seen a decline in their median sales price ($705,000 in Q-3 of 2012 versus $750,000 for Q-3 of 2011).

The impact of distressed sales fell again this past quarter with only 25 sales that were bank owned properties. This was down from 38 for the same quarter last year; a 35% decrease. Competition in purchasing bank owned homes and condominiums in Park City continues to be fierce; most experience multiple offers, sales prices above asking price and almost all end in a cash purchase sales.

Real estate sales in Park City, UT are location specific and many factors specific to location should be considered when determining which area or subdivision is best for you. Contact a Park City realty professional with YouInParkCity.com at (888)968-4672 for more information.

This data has been derived from sales statistics as posted on the Park City Board of Realtors MLS using only statistics involving single family homes, condominiums, and vacant land in the greater Park City areas (1-23). Data is considered accurate, but not guaranteed.

The Park City Heights development has started work.

What is the Park City Heights Development? It is a Master Planned Development near the corner of Highway 40 and State Road 248. The Quinn’s Junction area commonly referred to as the ‘back door’ into Park City, UT. The development when completed will cover 239 acres and have nearly 240 residences.

The location is just behind the much disputed film studio that was approved earlier this year. Unlike the film studio, this master planned development worked with the city and has met all of their guidelines regarding density, impacts, etc. Because there aren’t any neighborhoods nearby, the public was largely silent during discussions about the new neighborhood. I expect that there will be more of an uproar now that the construction process has started and as the impacts become more visible.

The original Master Plan was a collaboration between Park City and The Boyer Company (which is currently developing the Tech Center at the other entrance to Park City (Highway 80 and State Road 224). The construction of the development has since been transferred to Ivory Homes (one of Utah’s largest builders). Ivory homes is known for entry level home communities throughout the state, but has also recently added some higher end product in the Red Ledges Community in Heber City just south of Park City, UT. Over 70% of the development will be open space. The community will have a 3000’ community center/ club house as well as 15000’ of community garden space. Trails, both paved and dirt will run through the community and connect to other trails in Park City.

The Park City Heights community is slated for 160 market rate cottages and single family homes plus 28 deed restricted townhomes and 41 other deed restricted (affordable) units. Questions about the need or possible overbuilding of the deed restricted or workforce housing components of developments like this have been prevalent with the downturn in the economy. These 79 units will have the added benefit of being within the city limits.

Future residents in the area will have great access to the Quinn’s Junction recreational amenities (Park City’s Ice Arena, soccer and ball fields, the dog park as well as Round Valley Trails and the Rail Trail. The area will though add traffic to the already congested roads in front of the Tri-school area on SR248. This new construction will also have effects on real estate sales and values in the Prospector area as well as the new construction developments in the Jordanelle area (Black Rock Ridge, Parks Edge, and the Retreat at Jordanelle).

For more information about Park City Heights and its impacts on the Park City Real Estate Market contact a Park City Real Estate professional with YouInParkCity.com at (888)968-4672.

Are we entering a Seller’s Market in Park City, UT?

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the median sales price for single family homes in Salt Lake County rose last quarter for the first time in 5 years. Will Park City real estate see similar statistics soon?

National statistics are beginning to show strength and there are many reports indicating prices on the rise (similar to the reports from Salt Lake City). Park City and other resort communities tend to lag the national indicators as people must feel comfortable with their primary home before purchasing secondary homes and condominiums.

Sales statistics so far for the year have been flat with the previous year in terms of volume and again this last period showed a slight decline in the median sales price for single family homes in Park City. The decline was not even across all areas and some areas experienced an increase in median sales prices. Inventory levels are having an impact on sales in most areas and especially in the lower price points in all neighborhoods.

Recent Park City area home sales statistics report that inventory levels are at a five year low. This lack of inventory shows very prominently in the lower price levels in all neighborhoods and also can be seen in the lack of REO product. For example, single family homes in Park City under $500K that aren’t considered cabin properties actively for sale numbers under 50 while over 100 such homes have sold in the past 12 months. A look at the Promontory area shows 14 home sales (non-“cabins”) in the past 12 months under $1.5M and only 9 active non-cabin listings offered at under $1.5M.

Park City Home Sales and Inventory

The lack of inventory is causing multiple offer situations in many situations as well as frustration on buyer’s sides trying to purchase a deal.

Lower inventory levels and lower prices will not last long as the demand will begin to force prices up.

As mentioned above, sales statistics and inventory levels vary between Park City neighborhoods and price ranges. Contact YouInParkCity.com for specifics about the price point and neighborhood matters most to you (888)968-4672.

Two appraisals of the same Park City home result with a large dollar discrepancy.

A buying client of the YouInParkCity.com Group was set to purchase a home and was paying cash. Even though it was technically unnecessary, we felt that an appraisal of the home would be good for everyone’s peace of mind ensuring that the second home they were buying was a good value. With the cash purchase, we were on a short timeline and our first choice of local Park City appraisers was on vacation. We asked around and got a few good recommendations for another qualified local appraiser.

The buyers asked that the appraisal be made without the appraiser knowing the contract price of the home. The appraisal came back at approximately 10% below the agreed upon purchase price. Upon getting the appraisal, the Sellers agreed to pay for another appraisal (feeling that this one was incorrect).

For the second appraisal, the Sellers gave the appraiser (another respected local Park City appraiser) a copy of the Purchase Contract. This time the home appraised at the contracted purchase price (10% above the previous appraisal).

We asked both appraisers about their findings. Both stood behind their appraisal values for the home but there were some interesting differences.

Most of the homes used as the comparable sales were the same. In looking at the two appraisals and the adjustments made for the same subject property values of the same item were very different. While one gave a $2500 adjustment for A/C, the other valued it at $5000. A fireplace was valued by one appraiser at $4000 while the other valued it at $2500. One placed a dollar value on the hot tub while the other considered it personal property not attached to the home and gave it no value. The largest discrepancy between the two appraisals was the adjustment for size; one gave a $30/sq ft adjustment versus a similar home (same number of beds, baths, kitchen, etc.) while the other valued the added space at $70/sq ft. This difference was magnified by the 100 sq ft difference between the two measurements stated in the appraisals.

Which one of the appraisals was correct? As it is with most things, it depends upon which side of the transaction you are on. I believe that the value lies somewhere in-between.

A look at Park City home and condominium sales in the first quarter plus some interesting resort news.

If we had to pick out what stood out most about the first quarter of 2012 in Park City, the weather might be the first thing to talk about. Winter just never seemed to take hold this season; snowfall totals for the year were less than half of last year.

The lack of snowfall seems to have affected the locals much more than the tourists. Most locals will tell you that they hardly skied or snowboarded at all this past year and yet Park City Mountain Resort reported that ticket sales for the season were down by just 4%. Similarly the lodging occupancy totals for the year so far are off by only 3%. This is a tribute to area snowmakers and groomers who did an amazing job at area resorts.

Park City area real estate sales for the first quarter of the year were relatively flat compared with the first quarter home sales of 2011. Single family home sales in the greater Park City area registered 81 (down from 100 in the 2011 period) with the median price falling to $692K. Condominium sales saw a slight boost with 131 sales and a median price of $402K up from 121 and $381K for the same period last year. Building lots saw a sharp decline but prices were way up as the number of distressed sales have fallen. Distressed inventory (bank REO and Short Sales) made up less than 20% of the sales and are currently under 9% of the active real estate inventory in Park City.

As we move into the summer season (which has come about quickly with the low snowpack from the winter and current 70 degree weather), real estate in Park City is experiencing a decline in available inventory and deals are getting tougher to find.

For in depth information on buying or selling in a particular segment of the Park City real estate market contact a realty professional with the YouInParkCity.com group at (888)968-4672 or email info@YouInParkCity.com.

Real Estate sales in Deer Valley, Utah for the current year.

We here at the YouInParkCity.com group keep a constant eye on what is going on in Park City real estate through a consistent watch of the Park City MLS, regular open house attendance, talking with other agents and monitoring what our clients and local visitors tell us among other things. A recent post indicating that Deer Valley sales were on an uptick caught our eye. Here is a summary of what we found to be true:

Current Park City MLS data shows that there have been 40 sales of homes condominiums and vacant land in Deer Valley since the first of the year. This number is almost identical to the real estate sales for the same period for last year. The average sales price is down a bit at just under $2 million, but the median sales price (half above and half below) is off by nearly $1M. So, thus far in 2012, half of the real estate sales in Deer Valley have been for less than $1M. While we are still seeing movement in the luxury market with sales at the Montage and St Regis Deer Crest hotel residences, real estate sales of above $2M in Deer Valley are currently off by 25% from this time last year. The 16 current pending sales represent a possible upward movement if they make it through to closed sales.

Overall the Deer Valley real estate market is a somewhat mixed bag with pockets of strengths and weaknesses but overall fairly stable in relation to last year. For an in-depth analysis of the portion of the Deer Valley or Park City real estate market that interests you contact a realty professional with YouInParkCity.com at (888)968-4672.

How much off the list price can I expect to pay for Park City Real Estate?

We live in a time when everyone wants a deal and consequently people don’t want to pay the asking price for just about anything. Discounts flood our email in-boxes, coupons fill the mail and newspapers are delivery vehicles for weekly sale circulars. It has gotten to the point that we readily know that full price isn’t what we’ll pay in the end.

There are of course some exceptions; we know the price of an iPad will be the same wherever we buy it and there won’t be any discounts, and we don’t wait to go to Starbucks until the coffee is on sale.

What about houses and condominiums in Park City, UT? Are people paying full price or is everything on sale?

Over the past 90 days there have been 228 sales registered across the Park City MLS. Of these sales, 36 recorded at or above the asking price. Over 15% of the sales were full price or more. Moreover over half of the transactions recorded with a sales price of 95% or more of the asking price. In terms of a retail sale, a 5% off banner wouldn’t turn any heads. What happened to the big discounts? Only 39 of the 228 real estate sales in Park City were discounted by more than 10%.

This isn’t necessarily an indication that people are willing to pay full price, but rather that people are willing to pay for value. If full price is less than a comparable recent home sale and/or if the home or condo is better than other options or part of a limited supply, asking price can be a good value or deal.

Interestingly, not all of the sales that were not discounted moved quickly. Nearly half of the sales that show 5% or less discounting from their original price had been on the market for over 90 days.

Your YouInParkCity.com Group real estate professional can help you determine if a Park City or Deer Valley home or condominium is “on sale” and a value in our current market. Call us at (888)968-4672 or email info@youinparkcity.com to discuss current area home values.