Aspen Updates from Sally Shiekman
I am regularly espousing the deep value of the Aspen, Snowmass, and the Roaring Fork Valley, and it is clear that I am not alone.
It's time to dig out those skis and if you are ready to move closer to the lifts, give me a call.
It's time to dig out those skis and if you are ready to move closer to the lifts, give me a call.
Cheers! To the best ski season ever!
December 22, 2023
As the snow begins to blanket Aspen and Snowmass, excitement and nostalgia fill the air. This isn't just any ski season; it's the beginning of an exhilarating new chapter in my beloved mountain ski areas.This year, Aspen Mountain proudly unveils its Hero's terrain, marking the first significant expansion since the introduction of the Silver Queen Gondola in 1985. This addition brings a vast 153 acres of fresh terrain, including nineteen chutes, three gladed areas, and four new trails. It's a mix that caters to all skiing levels, offering breathtaking views from Independence Pass to the Roaring Fork River. As someone who has skied these slopes since childhood, I can hardly wait to explore every inch of this new terrain.
The excitement continues with Aspen's return to the International Skiing Federation World Cup stage in March 2024. This season, the focus is on the men’s giant slalom and slalom, promising a thrilling showcase of Quick read more or view full article athletic prowess on our legendary slopes. The energy and anticipation around this event are palpable, and it's a privilege to see Aspen play host to such a prestigious global competition again.
Meanwhile, Snowmass has earned its own spotlight, being voted the No. 1 ski resort in the U.S. and Canada in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards. This recurring accolade (voted #2 in 2022) reflects the area's evolution into a ski destination that perfectly combines delightful terrain with a lively après-ski atmosphere. It's a testament to the charm and character of a place that holds so many cherished memories for me.
Beyond the slopes, there are new restaurants, live music, and endless events to enrich your ski experience.
I am filled with a sense of pride and anticipation. Aspen, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands provide endless varieties of terrain, experiences, and memories. This year, more than ever, the region will sparkle in the snow.
If you or someone you know is interested in Aspen, Snowmass and the Roaring Fork Valley real estate, please reach out at 970-948-7530 or Sally@SallyShiekman.com.
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Homeowner Tax Relief is Coming
December 8, 2023
In the wake of Colorado's recent legislative session, Aspen homeowners and everyone in Pitkin County face a landscape of changing property taxes. This is a direct response to the significant increase in property values in the state, with Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley experiencing some of the steepest rises following the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the defeat of Proposition HH, a tax measure aimed at reducing property taxes, Governor Jared Polis convened a special session that led to the creation of Senate Bill 1. This bill offers temporary relief from the surge in property taxes due in 2023. It’s a notable shift from Proposition HH, providing similar relief but funded from the general state fund rather than the TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) surplus money.
The specifics of Senate Bill 1 are particularly relevant to the Roaring Fork Valley. The bill has lowered the state assessment rate and increased the home value deduction when Quick read more or view full article calculating taxes. While this translates to an average saving of about $200 for Colorado homeowners, the impact on Aspen homeowners and the rest of Pitkin County might be more pronounced due to the area's higher property values and unique real estate market dynamics.
Property taxes in Aspen are calculated by considering a home’s valuation, the state assessment rate, and local mill levies, which are taxes set by local districts, including schools and fire departments. The state-level changes mean that the current year's local mill levies are yet to be finalized. The county has promised to release them by January 10, 2024, and also promised that they will not increase by more than 5.5%. This creates some uncertainty in the exact figures for property taxes.
Using previous years' data and projections for the current year, estimates suggest that homeowners in Aspen and wider Pitkin County could see significant savings under Senate Bill 1. The savings could be substantial when considering the adjustments in the state assessment rate and the increase in deductible value.
Local mill levies have not been released, so it is impossible to be precise. But to estimate the potential tax savings, homeowners can start by assessing their property’s valuation minus the new $55,000 state deduction, then apply the new state assessment rate of 6.7%, and finally multiply by the total mill levies for their property. Comparing this with the calculations under the previous assessment rate and lower deduction rate can reveal the extent of savings attributable to Senate Bill 1.
These changes are critical for the real estate market in Aspen and Pitkin County. They provide short-term relief from the rising property taxes accompanying the area's booming real estate market. Homeowners and potential buyers should consider these changes in their financial planning and investment strategies, as they represent a significant factor in the overall cost of owning property in this high-demand area.
As the situation evolves with the certification of new mill levies and further market developments, staying informed and understanding the implications of these legislative changes will be crucial for Aspen, Snowmass, and Roaring Fork Valley homeowners in navigating the real estate markets and managing their property investments effectively.
If you or someone you know would like to put my Mountains of Experience to work for you, please call me at 970-948-7530 or email at Sally@SallyShiekman.com. Read Less
After the defeat of Proposition HH, a tax measure aimed at reducing property taxes, Governor Jared Polis convened a special session that led to the creation of Senate Bill 1. This bill offers temporary relief from the surge in property taxes due in 2023. It’s a notable shift from Proposition HH, providing similar relief but funded from the general state fund rather than the TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) surplus money.The specifics of Senate Bill 1 are particularly relevant to the Roaring Fork Valley. The bill has lowered the state assessment rate and increased the home value deduction when Quick read more or view full article calculating taxes. While this translates to an average saving of about $200 for Colorado homeowners, the impact on Aspen homeowners and the rest of Pitkin County might be more pronounced due to the area's higher property values and unique real estate market dynamics.
Property taxes in Aspen are calculated by considering a home’s valuation, the state assessment rate, and local mill levies, which are taxes set by local districts, including schools and fire departments. The state-level changes mean that the current year's local mill levies are yet to be finalized. The county has promised to release them by January 10, 2024, and also promised that they will not increase by more than 5.5%. This creates some uncertainty in the exact figures for property taxes.
Using previous years' data and projections for the current year, estimates suggest that homeowners in Aspen and wider Pitkin County could see significant savings under Senate Bill 1. The savings could be substantial when considering the adjustments in the state assessment rate and the increase in deductible value.
Local mill levies have not been released, so it is impossible to be precise. But to estimate the potential tax savings, homeowners can start by assessing their property’s valuation minus the new $55,000 state deduction, then apply the new state assessment rate of 6.7%, and finally multiply by the total mill levies for their property. Comparing this with the calculations under the previous assessment rate and lower deduction rate can reveal the extent of savings attributable to Senate Bill 1.
These changes are critical for the real estate market in Aspen and Pitkin County. They provide short-term relief from the rising property taxes accompanying the area's booming real estate market. Homeowners and potential buyers should consider these changes in their financial planning and investment strategies, as they represent a significant factor in the overall cost of owning property in this high-demand area.
As the situation evolves with the certification of new mill levies and further market developments, staying informed and understanding the implications of these legislative changes will be crucial for Aspen, Snowmass, and Roaring Fork Valley homeowners in navigating the real estate markets and managing their property investments effectively.
If you or someone you know would like to put my Mountains of Experience to work for you, please call me at 970-948-7530 or email at Sally@SallyShiekman.com. Read Less
Testimonials
Read moreI highly recommend Sally Shiekman as a realtor. She was always available to answer any questions I had and was on top of every deadline in the contract. I am a busy mortgage lender and so I appreciate Sally’s attention to detail, integrity and genuine concern.
Sally brokered both sides of our first home purchase this last fall. We felt that Sally always had our best interest in mind, carefully and thoughtfully explained the unknown to us (as novices) and took the time to help make this monumental life moment easy for us. Furthermore, her services didn't stop after we closed, she still checks in to ensure we are comfortable and settled in. She is a wonderful resource to connect with regardless of your home purchase needs. We are forever thankful the Sally Shiekman was our real estate agent and in our corner, thank you!!!
We feel that Sally is always looking out for our best interests. She has a great knowledge of the market, is diligent, honest and has integrity. We would not consider making another move with out Sally’s help. She is the best!
Sally is the best. We have worked with her twice. Accept no substitute!
I received your gift card, and want to express my appreciation. Quite a nice surprise! Also to acknowledge all your help with our transactions and rentals over the past few years. It turns out that, directly and including the new Tahoe home, you were involved with five different properties we have had owned over the years. (And you have seen Owl Meadows as well, making six.) Which is quite a few for small time investors. You got us out of the properties we needed to get out of, and into one that was just fine for as long as we needed it. Then out again, as we moved on. We hope to see you on our next Aspen visit. And we will toast you at Valenti’s!
Sally is a true professional. Her open manner, honesty and knowledge of the real estate market are outstanding. I would highly recommend her to any potential buyer or seller in the valley.
Sally worked with us to understand our needs, out architectural preferences, and our financial capabilities. She patiently showed us properties from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, and we fell in love with our house in Carbondale.
Sally was very professional, persistent without pressuring, and handled all details necessary to complete the sale. When it came time to sell that property and purchase another, although both my husband and I had become good friends with many other local realtors, we both felt strongly that Sally should be our listing and buying agent.
I want to thank you for all the work you did to sell my Aspen condo. Now that I have worked with you as a buyer and a seller, I am definitely impressed with your professionalism. I know that you are busy, but you are very organized and thorough so that your clients get excellent service. I think the hardest part of any real estate deal is negotiating a contract and getting that contract to closing. I appreciate you helping me get a full price contract with only minor contingencies, and then following each deadline so that nothing fell through the cracks.
Sally is a consummate professional who knows her market and takes great pride in being thorough, direct, and positive. I was particularly impressed with her ability to balance patience with execution, given the property we were selling was quite old. I also appreciated the frankness around expectations, and I am sure that pace of closure for our sale agreement in a matter of days, was due to her. If you want to best, she is it.
Sally and her team were such a pleasure to work with. When deciding to sell our home, she gave some excellent advice on what we could do to improve how it shows without any pressure to do so. She’s a realist who tells it as it is and we very much appreciated that. She gave great advice when we asked for it, and led us to a surprise free closing on a timeline that worked best for us. If we are back in the roaring fork valley again, Sally will be our first call!
Sally was there with guidance throughout the process of purchasing our home in Snowmass Village. She is knowledgeable about the markets from Aspen to down-valley. We definitely recommend Sally for anyone who is looking for a real estate professional.
I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the fantastic job you did in helping me find a home. I had been through the process several times before, and my experiences have been mixed. However, after working with Sally, I believe I have truly seen someone who wants to consistently provide the absolute best service for their client. Sally’s professionalism, concern for my specific needs, and consistency in following-up on every detail went beyond my expectations.
Sally was so good to work with during our entire home buying process. We know we took a lot of her time getting to know the market and what was available. I can't say enough good things about her and her interactions with us. Her communication was so very helpful, and she always followed up. She either responded immediately to calls, texts, and emails or let us know when she could get back to us. We highly recommend using Sally.
Sally always carefully explained each part of the selling/buying process, answered every question patiently, and was completely honest about the possible outcome(s) of the entire event. Buying/selling a home is an emotional and exciting time; Sally has the ability to keep things calm while retaining that important sense of excitement.
Through Sally’s efforts our transactions went through without any problems and we received the highest sales price for a unit of our size in the complex. Sally is a true professional in all respects and provided us with top quality service. She made the process easy and painless. Should we ever require a real estate broker in the future, you can be sure we will call Sally.
The most important thing that Sally did for us was to make us comfortable with the experience. She answered all of our novice questions and understood that we were truly starting from the beginning. She showed us a wide range of property so that we had a full view of the valley real estate market.
Sally recently helped my wife and I to purchase a building site in the Missouri Heights area. Sally made the purchase a great experience; she showed us much of what the valley had to offer over a several days time frame. Sally presented us with information on what was currently on the market. We have since purchase a property and are already projecting an increase in value. Sally has kept in touch since the purchase providing valuable information.
Sally Shiekman has acted as my real estate broker in 4 different transactions. Her professional manner, close attention to the market and new additions to it, attention to detail, and willingness to do what it takes to find the perfect buyer and/or property make her an exceptional broker.
Sally went above and beyond to at first find us a home to suit our needs and finally to sell our home in a timely manner… Sally guided us through all of the details of our sale and was a terrific advocate for us in the process. We wouldn’t consider using anyone else in the future.
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