It’s April in the Rockies, which means that our local mountains have closed down for the season, but not after one last great snowstorm on closing weekend! Now, there’s a shift in the air: golf season is officially kicking off, and the golfers are itching with excitement as the fairways begin to green up.
In This Newsletter:
- This month, I’m excited to share a new podcast episode featuring longtime local Tom Apple, who dives into the fascinating history of the golf boom in Vail and what makes our mountain courses so special.
- We’re also taking an in-depth look at real estate activity in our coveted golf course communities — in the 40 mile stretch of the Vail Valley — so whether you’re a golfer, investor, or both, you’ll want to check it out.
- On the real estate side, it’s been an exciting stretch with strong market movement, new listings, and continued demand in some of the valley’s most desirable neighborhoods.
Before we dive into the meat of the newsletter, I also wanted to share some information on the new Siena Valley Club golf community (formerly Brightwater) in which I received after attending an invitation only presentation by the developer.
Siena Valley Club’s (”SVC”) Golf and Ski Membership conveys with the purchase of every home. Siena Valley Club lives comfortably close to both important transportation assets and the wonders of the Vail Valley and White River National Forest. But what makes SVC special is the serene and spacious valley. Delight in our breathtaking ridges, scenic lakes, diverse and intimate wildlife and inspiring creek. The private club members enjoy a Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, private ski lounge at Beaver Creek, lakehouse, curated social gatherings, events cabin, miles of trails, 9 lakes, and hundreds of acres of pristine rocky mountain open space. We invite you to learn more and join us on our epic adventure.
For more details or information on the available homes (currently starting at $4,150,000), call me to discuss! You can reach me at (970) 471-5233.
Whether you’re dreaming of morning tee times, après-ski views, or your next mountain home, I hope this edition brings value and inspiration. As always, I’m here to help you navigate every step of your real estate journey.
New Episode: Fore The Love Of Vail: Exploring Vail’s Golf Boom
Having been involved in the opening and development of many of these courses, Tom Apple’s stories are rich with history, humor, and iconic moments. He dives into his interactions with golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and unforgettable encounters with President Gerald Ford, President Bill Clinton, and other notable names who helped shape the region’s golfing identity.
🎙️ In this episode:
– The early days of golf in the Vail Valley
– Behind-the-scenes of course development and design
– Memorable rounds with U.S. Presidents and pro golfers
– How the Vail golf community evolved into what it is today
The podcast is available on various platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the video version on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss these engaging new episodes and more to come!
As golf season tees off in the Vail Valley, our renowned golf course communities are once again in the spotlight — not just for their scenic fairways and world-class amenities, but for their dynamic real estate activity. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just love the vibe of golf-adjacent living, this guide will help you navigate the market with confidence.
We’re going to take a look at three different segments:
- What Happened In 2024
- A Historical Look At The Last 5 Years
- Buyer Behavior Trends In The Last 5 Years
1. A Look At 2024
Looking at the various neighborhoods in 2024, Beaver Creek saw the largest number of transaction volume at 75 sales with an average sold price of $3,940,157 after an average of 80 days on the market.
When we look at the ratio of sales to new inventory listed during the year, Red Sky Ranch prevails with sales being 113% of new inventory brought to market.
The fastest selling golf community in 2024 was Arrowhead with an average days on market of just 26. The median sold home here is a 4-bedroom, 4-bath, 3,008 square foot residence with an average sold price of $4,039,991. The majority of Arrowhead buyers paid in cash – 80% in fact.
Surprisingly, the neighborhood with the highest average sale prices was Cordillera Valley Club (CVC) – their average sold price was $6,890,000. Interestingly, all five sales in CVC were cash buyers, but the average list price to sale price ratio was among the lowest reported at 95%. Closely behind CVC is Vail Golf Course with an average sale price of $5,777,739 and Red Sky Ranch with an average sale price of $5,677,500.
Remember, while it’s always interesting to deep dive into the stats, it’s equally as important to look at the “micro markets” as well because even within these neighborhoods, prices and availability will vary upon property types, interior finishes and location. That’s where I come in!
HIGHEST PRICED SALES IN THESE GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES IN 2024
- Vail Golf Course – $17,500,000
- Cordillera Valley Club – $9,450,000
- Arrowhead – $9,210,000
- Cordillera Ranch/Divide/Summit – $8,228,000
- Red Sky Ranch – $7,350,000
- Frost Creek – $5,400,000
- Singletree – $4,125,000
- Eagle Ranch – $3,800,000
- Eagle-Vail – $3,675,000
- Cotton Ranch – $1,895,000
The Cash Buyers
Lastly, let’s take a quick look at how these purchases are being financed. While not every sale reported terms to the Vail MLS, here’s a snapshot of the percentage of cash buyers in 2024 within each golf course neighborhood — a helpful indicator of buyer profiles and investment confidence. As a reference point, Redfin approximates that 32.6% of U.S. home purchases in 2024 were made with all cash, marking a three-year low and a decrease from 35.1% in 2023.
2. By The Numbers – The Last 5 Years (2019-2024)
We looked at 11 golf course neighborhoods in the Vail Valley and their market sales over the last 5 years. Here’s a quick summary of the standout trends before we dive into the data:
- Fastest Selling Community: Eagle Ranch led the pack with the shortest average days on market.
- Most Inventory Available: Beaver Creek offered the largest amount of new inventory for buyers.
- Most Competitive Market: Frost Creek tops the list with the highest list-to-sell price ratio — indicating reduced room for negotiation. This is mainly due to minimal inventory especially for rarely available custom homes.
- Most Active Communities (highest number of sales relative to new listings): Red Sky Ranch, Cotton Ranch, and Arrowhead are seeing steady demand and strong turnover of sales as related to new inventory.
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind these trends.
3. Buyer Behavior Trends In The Last 5 Years
Surprisingly, Beaver Creek buyers were opting for smaller properties — the median home sold over the last 5 years is a 3-bedroom, 3-bath residence around 1,800 square feet. While this golf community is known for its expansive legacy estates, this shift suggests buyers may be prioritizing condos and townhomes near the village core and ski access over the larger homes that were trending in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, in more recent years, we’re seeing some buyers looking to upgrade back into the larger, multi-generational homes.
On the flip side, buyers looking for room to roam are heading to Red Sky Ranch and Cordillera. In Red Sky Ranch, the median sold home is a 5-bedroom, 7-bath property spanning 5,600 square feet, while across all four Cordillera neighborhoods, the median is a 5-bedroom, 6-bath home around 5,200 square feet.
So, what does this tell us? In contrast to similar-sized homes in Beaver Creek or Vail, properties in Red Sky and Cordillera are generally newer, set on larger lots, and designed with more modern layouts and finishes. These areas offer more privacy, space, and serenity — ideal for buyers seeking an escape from the buzz of the village hubs. Another common thread? Both communities are gated, which is becoming an increasingly attractive feature for those prioritizing security and tranquility.
Seize the opportunity to create your dream home on this breathtaking south-facing property, offering 360-degree views across more than 5.5 acres of a flat, sun-drenched lot. Just a short stroll from the cherished Big Park trailhead, this property has water, electric, gas, and internet available and is ready for your vision. Enjoy the exceptional neighborhood amenities at the nearby Summit Athletic Facility, featuring a spacious weight room with stunning views, a pool, hot tub, fitness classes, and pickleball courts. The Summit Clubhouse, with its restaurant and golf course, is also within easy reach, as is the Cordillera Trailhead. This vibrant community offers endless activities, including hiking, golfing, biking, fishing and more. Now is the perfect time to prepare for building your ideal home and embracing the lifestyle you love. The price includes a previous soils test and a 2020 survey. View More Details.
