CBMM Shines

Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Shines as Aspen Surges

Featured in the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Blog March 14, 2021

"Clearly word got out: Aspen is the place to be during the pandemic."

The ski lifts are open. New urban galleries, restaurants and more world-class brands are popping up in town. Mountain retreats with land and square footage are selling almost as fast as they’re listed. Welcome to Aspen, 2020’s hottest destination for the affluent.

In 2020, there was a 103% increase in the sale of large estates, trophy residences and “escape houses” that offer luxury buyers privacy, access to the outdoors throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, which includes Aspen. There were nine sales of properties larger than 100 acres last year, compared to just three in 2019. Properties between 35 and 100 acres increased 93% from 29 sold in 2019 to 56 sold in 2020. Among the 35100 acre sales, the average price per acre and price per sale increased 40% and 45%, respectively. And don’t let the number of transactions fool you. This smalltown region packs a punch: it recorded $3.3 billion in sales volume with an average sales price of $4.8 million for only 675 transactions in all of 2020. (Source: Aspen/ Glenwood MLS for Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties.) Clearly word got out: Aspen is the place to be during the pandemic. With six offices, 115 agents and a 40-mile footprint spanning from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, Coldwell Banker Mason Morse felt the buying frenzy like no one else. “Our transaction volume was up 89% over 2019,” says Will Herndon, president of Coldwell Banker Mason Morse. “Our transaction sides were also up 28% year-over-year. Of course, a major factor was COVID-19, driving the wealth to resort communities like Aspen. But the area has always been sought-after for its serenity, outdoor recreation and culture.”

her best year yet after closing over $475 million in 2020 sales volume following a staggering week in December when she closed nearly $75 million in sales for just Despite its boutique status, Coldwell Banker Mason three Aspen properties. She now officially ranks No. 1 Morse has always been a dominant force in the region’s in sales within the entire Coldwell Banker® network. high-net-worth market. Herndon also hit his recruiting stride this year, luring The firm’s legacy in the three top producers in the first quarter of 2021 from a Roaring Fork Valley spans major luxury competitor. The recruiting blitz started over six decades and with Maureen Stapleton, a well-known and respected enjoys a reputation as a Aspen/Snowmass luxury real estate agent for over 30 family-owned business years who has no shortage of extraordinary multi-milfounded on the principles lion-dollar listings on her résumé. Jeff Pogliano, a of integrity, collaboration, 20-year Aspen real estate veteran who has over $200 service, success and sta- million in career sales, soon followed. Then came bility, Herndon tell us. Aspen native Ryan Smalls, another top luxury proHowever, 2020 brought an ducer who closed $96 million last year. These moves explosion of new energy were generally regarded as extraordinary in an equally previously unseen. extraordinary year. One of the firm’s marquee agents, Carrie Wells, recorded Read the full article at: http://bit.ly/CBMM-Shines