07.18.2010
Mark Samuelson
Denver Post Real Estate
With resort sales up, Rendezvous re-launches its popular
ranch-style homes in Winter Park, at appealing new price.
Last year, you couldn't find a builder starting any new models
in mountain resort communities, but this weekend, 70 minutes west
of Denver, Rendezvous is doing just that: bringing new homes
online, ranch-style townhomes with finished walk-outs and attached
garages that were fast sellers in 2006 and 2007, when the mountain
market sizzled.
With temperatures sizzling in Denver, this is a great day to
drive over Berthoud Pass (high in Winter Park today, 76° F) and see
those new, bright, very private ProngHorn townhomes and the new
prices that go with them: From as low as $419,900, with views of
the back ranges, trails and amenities, a free shuttle to the lifts
during winter and just five minutes from Winter Park's shops, bars
and dining.
Rendezvous is making that move because buyers are back in the
market, taking advantage of deals that would never have been
possible two years ago. "Grand County offers the best values in the
mountains, super accessible for Front Range families," says Keith
Neale, president of Colonnade Communities, who saw 27 new homes go
under contract since last fall, eating up practically all
inventory. "These plans are the most popular we've ever offered,
and now they're at much lower prices."
That $419,900 delivers a big mountain home, 1,500 square feet
with a main-floor master and finished walk-out space (most have a
two-car garage). Meanwhile, Rendezvous can show you something for
even less money, for unbelievable size and luxury.
Colonnade has a BigHorn five-bedroom custom home, 4,215 square
feet plus two-car garage, with clerestory windows that glimpse the
aspens, three master suites for you and guests, designer kitchen,
view of Byers Peak, and furnishings/provisions including linens and
tableware. It was priced originally at $1.6 million; but you can
buy a quarter-share at only $399,000.
"It's a perfect alternative for a family that won't use a home
more than three months a year total," says Silvio DeBartolomeis,
vice president at Koelbel and Co., Rendezvous' developer. He'll
take a $2,000 deposit to hold a quarter-reservation while Colonnade
packages your ownership.
You'll also see private Mary's Pond, where I saw a 14-inch trout
leap this week; the Fraser River wandering nearby; picnic
area/trails leading to the National Forest beyond, and the historic
Cozens Ranch Museum beside Rendezvous' Discovery Center, where the
family can tour an original Pony Express site. Take I-70 west past
Idaho Springs to U.S. 40; then west 28 miles, through downtown
Winter Park, another half mile to the Discovery Center on right,
look for the Rendezvous moose.
Mark Samuelson is president of Samuelson & Associates, a
homebuilding/real estate communications firm. You can e-mail him at
mark@samuelsonassoc.com.
You can see all of Mark Samuelson's columns online at
DenverPostHomes.com.
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