by: Joanne Hanson from the Mountain Living Blog

About two-thirds of second homes in Summit County are bought by people from the Front Range. Many live in Boulder and the nearby towns. As traffic gets worse on Sunday afternoons, more people consider the option of staying later and leaving after dinner, or going home on Monday morning. Or, better yet, spending more time in Breckenridge or Frisco during the week and staying in Boulder on the weekends! A second home in the mountains gives many options, but what will it cost? Surprisingly, not as much as you would think. Here are the top 7 reasons to be in Summit County, together with a few examples of prices.

1. Quiet Mountain Living. The Blue River area south of Breckenridge is the quintessential mountain location; it is secluded and peaceful. With mostly single family homes ranging from $424,000 to $3.7M, it is no more than 8 miles away from Breckenridge, and most lots are 1/2 acre and heavily wooded. Breckenridge Ski Resort is the closest ski area while Fairplay and Park County with lots of fishing and hunting are just over Hoosier Pass.

2. Alpine Skiing. Walk to the lifts from your condo at Keystone, Copper Mountain or Breckenridge. Serious skiers want to be right there, and they can buy a studio condo for as little as $179,900 at Keystone, or a deluxe new 4 bedroom condo at the base of Peak 8 in Breckenridge for $2.4M. There are a wide variety of prices and condos available, with those that require shuttles to the ski slopes generally being less expensive. Copper condo prices range from $220,000 to $1,199,000.

3. Starry Skies, unhindered by the lights of the city, are found north of Silverthorne, towards the town of Heeney and Green Mountain Reservoir. If you want acreage, horses and lots of privacy, 20 to 35 acre parcels with large homes can be found scattered among the farmland and ranches. The Blue River runs the length of the valley from Lake Dillon to the reservoir and a few homes are on the river. Others are up on the hills with great views of either the Williams Fork Range or the Gore Range. Prices for this much land with a home are generally in the millions, and a parcel of land alone starts at $289,000 and goes to $1,500,000.

4. Activities and Fun Times. Athletes are in the right place in Summit County. From mountain biking to nordic and alpine skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, river rafting, it is all here. Silverthorne is a great central location with easy access to all ski areas, bike paths and the Silverthorne recreation center. Prices start at $139,000 for a studio; townhomes can be had for $315,000 to $669,000 and many homes around the Three Peaks golf course sell in the multi-millions.

5. Picturesque Towns. Frisco has many summer events and festivals and most homeowners love to walk to them, with drinking and dining all nearby as well. A 2 bedroom condo near Main Street in Frisco is in the $315,000 to $795,000 price range, with other homes and condos that are a few blocks away starting at as little as $309,900. Breckenridge has the added advantage of having condos close to both the ski lifts and the towns, although the town gets a bit more crowded sometimes than Frisco does.

6. Relaxed Pace of Life. Views of the Lake and the Ten Mile Range can be seen from most parts of Dillon. The bike path provides easy access for riders and walkers, and sailors like the proximity of the docks at the Marina. The Tiki Bar at the Dillon Marina is the summer hangout for locals and visitors alike. An entry level condo can be found for $140,000 and single family homes are available for $429,900 and up.

7. Family Memories. Second homes give families a special gathering place for holidays and special times, making cherished memories. Increasingly, it is hard to get all the kids and grandkids together, but many of our clients find that a Summit County home is the place to do it.

Need more information on the lifestyle or the real estate opportunities? Call Joanne at 888-666-0844 and tell her that Osman has friends who need to know more. Or check out the Mountain Living Blog and Summit County real estate website for further details.

images: Joanne Hanson

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