Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Kim Briscoe of Mason Morse Real Estate

Aspen, Colo. — Brian Hazen with Mason Morse Real Estate in Aspen has listed for sale the Starwood estate of Carolyn and Bill Powers, recently featured in The Wall Street Journal in an article by Nancy Keates:

“In a big-money town with big-city cultural aspirations, the abode of Carolyn and Bill Powers fits right in.”

To read the article, click here.

CNBC.com used LuxuryRealEstate.com as a resource for a recent story featuring a slideshow of ‘Famous Family Estates for Sale’. Members featured included: Lion & Davis of South Burlington, Vermont, Hammond Residential Real Estate in Boston, Massachusetts, Pamela Cromey Real Estate in Tuxedo Park, New York, Mason Morse Real Estate in Aspen, Colorado, and Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker Previews International in Beverly Hills, California. All but one of the companies mentioned are members of our network.

(Pictured: Governor Chittenden Homestead)

By: Juliet Chung and Candace Jackson of the Wall Street Journal

Courtesy of: Joshua & Company

Ringo Starr and his wife, Barbara, are asking $4.5 million for their three-bedroom vacation home near Aspen, Colo.

The 70-year-old Beatles drummer, who continues to tour with his All Starr Band, bought the home in 1990. The wood cabin sits on about 16 flat acres in Woody Creek and has frontage on Roaring Fork River. The roughly 3,200-square-foot cabin was built in 1987 and is surrounded by unused horse paddocks.

"It's like a ranch-ette on the Roaring Fork," says Joshua Saslove of Joshua & Co., a Christie's Great Estates affiliate, who represents the sellers. He said his clients have been using the home less frequently in the last few years. Hunter S. Thompson and musician Don Henley have had homes in Woody Creek.

ASPEN,CO – The LuxuryRealEstate.com Board of Regents is pleased to announce the sale of Aspen Lakes Ranch for $24.5 million by our member Mason Morse Real Estate. Brian Hazen, Vice President/Broker Associate of Mason Morse represented the Buyer. The sale represents the highest priced single family home sale in the Aspen/Snowmass market since July of 2009.

"I judge Aspen by its quality of life and whether it's still desirable, and I think the sale gives proof that we are a very, very desirable place, and people are still looking for a good value" said Hazen. Aspen Lakes Ranch has seven bedrooms and 8 1/2 baths. Between the single-family home and the guest house, the property, which sits on 8.9 acres, spans 13,068 square feet and features rare senior water rights, 3 ponds, multiple waterfalls and stunning views. Over the past year, 4 single-family homes in the Aspen area have sold for more than $15 million, Brian Hazen and Mason Morse Real Estate have brokered two of them. 

About Mason Morse Real Estate

Mason Morse Real Estate is an established leader in real estate in Aspen/Snowmass and the Roaring Fork Valley. Established in 1961 with over 70 sales professionals, Mason Morse has been bringing buyers and sellers together for almost fifty years. Mason Morse is the exclusive Regent in Aspen and Snowmass to LuxuryRealEstate.com. Mason Morse has five offices from Aspen to Glenwood, including the Ranch Company recognized as one of the leading ranch real estate sales teams.

About the Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents

The Board of Regents is an exclusive network of the world's most elite luxury real estate brokers, comprised of the most legendary names in the industry selected by Luxury Real Estate CEO John Brian Losh. The Board of Regents is the governing body of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, the worldwide network of luxury real estate brokerage firms. Members of the Board of Regents are marketing experts, providing innovation and unparalleled service to their clients. For more information, visit www.LuxuryRealEstate.com or www.Regents.com.

About LuxuryRealEstate.com

LuxuryRealEstate.com, a 2009 Webby Award Honoree, has been voted ‘Best of the Web’ by Forbes magazine multiple times, praised by the International Herald Tribune, Town & Country, the Wall Street Journal and has been ranked ‘Best Website’ by consumers according to surveys by the Luxury Institute. Since its debut in 1995, LuxuryRealEstate.com has remained the #1 portal for luxury properties on the internet, consistently driving more traffic to member websites and generating more qualified inquiries than any other website. LuxuryRealEstate.com has several times more $1,000,000+ content of any near-peer.

Also known in the industry as the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network, a global collection of the finest luxury real estate brokers in the world, this group of more than 1000 brokerage firms and 95,000 professionals in more than 65 countries collectively sells in excess of $190 billion of real estate annually, with an average sale price of $2,450,000. Members sell homes for record prices and handle transactions of incredible complexity and magnitude with complete discretion. Every member is carefully selected by CEO/Publisher John Brian Losh, one of REALTOR Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People in Real Estate and broker of fine properties and estates through his Seattle-based brokerage firm, Ewing & Clark, Inc.

Courtesy of Joshua & Co.

By Juliet Chung of The Wall Street Journal

Music-industry veteran Tommy Mottola is asking $27.5 million for his 324-acre ranch near Aspen, Colo.

The former chairman and chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment—who has worked with artists including Bruce Springsteen, his former wife Mariah Carey and Billy Joel—bought the property for $14.7 million in 2003. With a child starting school and other homes in Palm Beach, Greenwich, Conn., and New York, Mr. Mottola says he's selling because he's spending less time on the ranch these days.

Please click here to continue reading

Courtesy of Tim Estin of Mason Morse Real Estate

An article appeared in the Denver Post today titled, "Builder Applies Green Vision to Aspen" about a new home for sale in Aspen called the "Vision House", a state of the art, industry endorsed green-built, sustainable designed single family home.  'It is a beautiful home, and the green elements are impressive but with a green-built home, what kind of premium are buyers willing to pay?' asked Tim Estin, an Aspen broker who recently visited the property." The article was thin on substance and this post hopes to add to a discussion on the economic value of green built features to a potential buyer.

Description: Vision House MLS 115741 (Link valid for 30 days until 07/06/10) - 101 Byers Court, Aspen, CO: Built 2010, 6 bedrooms/6.6 bath, 6,682 sq ft, 3-car garage, big open space and mountain views. Ask Price: $13,995,000. The property is located on the edge of White Horse Springs open space off McLain Flats Rd. The list broker's description, "Aspen's first and only luxury LEED Gold home...Built on a two and a half acre building site with adjoining acres of open space. Stunning views of the four ski mountains and the continental divide. Additional features: Kolbe and Kolbe Windows, NanaWall Window, Solar Photo Voltaic system, GeoExchange System, Solar thermal Hot Water, Radiant Floor Heat, Re-Circulation Loop and Motion Sensor Activation for hot water, Concrete roof tiles, Beetle Kill Siding, Acoustic Floor Mats, LED lights, Lite Touch Lighting Controls, Whole House Control System, American Clay plaster walls and No and Low VOC paints. " (Photos and description courtesy of Wendy Lucas Real Estate).

While the house buying process can be extremely subjective, there are many obvious environmental and self-sustaining positives for green building.  But how can these be quantified from a cost/benefit perspective for prospective buyers in order to justify paying more for a green home than a traditionally built one? Some benefits to an owner that I believe could be measured, at least hypothetically, by a developer or builder are:
 

•  State and county tax incentives and/or credits for building green? for green features?
•  Mortgage incentives?
•  What is the cost benefit to a green home owner for selling unused energy "back to the grid"?
•  "Net zero": the Aspen Vision House is apparently net zero, meaning it can operate totally 'off the grid"...what's the savings to a   homeowner for this aside from not being subject to energy cost fluctuations and the fact that the house is self-sustaining?
•  As the market for "green" home building and methods steadily expands, doesn't it follow that their costs will just as steadily, or perhaps exponentially, decrease? 

I received an email this morning from Connie O'Murray, RPA, LEED AP, Green Globes Professional and Vice President/GM of Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. in Denver.  Were it not for Connie's note, I most likely would not be posting this entry as I know little about the topic but I think it's an interesting discussion.

She writes, "I read with interest the article in today's Denver Post about the Aspen Vision House. Your comments about pricing such an animal intrigued me, as we have been facing the same challenges in commercial leasing and investment sales. What we have found in this side of the industry is that sustainability features are becoming the norm, rather than the exception, in our clients' expectations...But, for the most part, they don't want to pay extra for them. It will be interesting to see how residential real estate evolves, but I suspect that the premium that a buyer will pay for green features will be small, unless the motivation for the acquisition is for other than environmental reasons.

I hesitate to comment too much on this, as residential real estate isn't my forte, but I'm fairly knowledgeable on environmental sustainability, so I'll speak to it the best I can.

I think that the questions you posed are right on target. Many of the incentives out there benefit the builder of new construction or a homeowner that renovates an existing residence. In other words, the financial benefits are realized when the features are installed. Most utility companies and governmental agencies have incentives/rebates available. The Colorado Governor's Energy Office, as well as the EPA (Energy Star) and USGBC all have a wealth of information on their websites.

For the purchaser or owner of a green home, the primary benefits will be in the reduced cost of operating the home by virtue of reduced energy consumption, credits to homeowner insurance, etc. Xcel Energy, for instance, is implementing a new rate structure that penalizes higher consumption through a tiered rate structure. I think we'll start seeing more of this. If residential is anything at all like commercial, the challenge after purchasing a green property is to ensure that the operations of the home are consistent with it's design, or it won't perform up to its original projections. For instance, if the home has a programmable heating and cooling system but the homeowner doesn't program it, then the full benefit of the design won't be realized.

Coincidentally, I just learned through the WSJ of a site that allows you to enter a home's data and get "scored" on the overall energy efficiency of the home.  www.microsoft-hohm.com. Your readers may find it useful and I would be interested in seeing how the Aspen Vision House scores using this system.

Another reason to "go green", by the way, is to avoid governmental mandates by voluntarily implementing energy saving measures. Anyway, I hope you find my comments helpful." Connie O'Murray, RPA, LEED AP

There is another twist as well – The real reason green is hard to “quantify” is the relative youth of the industry and incentive programs. For example, its hard to convince a buyer that energy star appliances, geothermal and a solar system will provide an economic benefit over the long term (10 – 20 years) unless you have a commitment from a local energy company or long term national polices (which there aren’t). If local governments made it a mandate that energy could be sold back to the grid for x dollars per kilowatt for x number of years, then the whole project would be much easier to value. This could turn out to be an income generating piece to the project. But…..it seems  impossible to get that kind of a commitment from a local energy company much less national policy programs, so the whole industry is still a little……fragmented, I guess.

By Tim Estin mba, gri Broker Associate, Mason Morse Real Estate – Aspen

If you missed these, here are some recent Aspen real estate article links (archived in the Aspen Real Estate Archives Section of www.EstinAspen.com):

* Mar 10-16, 2010, Snowmass Sun, “Looking for Positives in Snowmass Real Estate”

* March 8, 2010 ADN: “Fractionals Down, Residential Real Estate Sales Up Slightly in Jan & Feb”

* March 4, 2010 ADN: “Aspen Survey Shows Rising Confidence in Local Real Estate & Business”

For Prospective Buyers: There is a common refrain in the market right now which goes something like this, “Sellers are facing the end of the season and looking at a big gap of non-activity during the off-season and continued uncertainty regarding the reality of a budding national and local economic recovery. It would seem these sellers would be a lot more motivated now to get a deal done than have to hang onto inventory (and carrying costs) through the off-season and face an uncertain summer.”

This is especially true in Snowmass where activity will come to an abrupt end when the ski mountain closes, and in all reality, won’t pick up again until next winter 2010/2011. Winter is the selling season in Snowmass Village: summer is very quiet.

There’s a feeling that once – or if ? – sellers make it through the spring without selling, they’ll feel stronger – they made it through the worst – and therefore perhaps more emboldened to hold to their prices this summer…” . Without meaning this to sound like ‘brokerspeak’, the suggestion is that the best time for a buyer to strike may be now. But…then again … there’s also sentiment saying that “prices could still go lower” but there does seem to be almost universal local concurrence that the big price hits have already been factored into the marketplace and that more price decreases may be incremental, not significant.

Here is this past week, March 7 – 14, 2010, Aspen and Snowmass Village real estate sales activity for all property types over $250,000 excluding fractionals. For other weekly period activity, see Tim Estin’s regular weekly blog posts on “Aspen Snowmass Real Estate Activity”.

Ø Closed (0): There were no closings this past week.

Ø Under Contract/Pending (6): MLS#’s 111639, 113338,109509, 114703, 111770, 104357, Link will expire in 30 days. Valid until4/13/2010. Breakdown: (2) Aspen single family homes – Red Mountain and West End, (1) Old Snowmass home, (1) Aspen condo, (1) Aspen Highlands condo and (1) Aspen/Cemetery Ln Duplex.

Disclaimer: The statements made in The Estin Report and on Tim Estin’s Aspen real estate blog represent the opinions of the author, not Mason Morse Real Estate, and should not be relied upon exclusively to make real estate decisions. A potential buyer and/or seller is advised to make an independent investigation of the market and of each property before deciding to purchase or to sell. To the extent the statements made herein report facts or conclusions taken from other sources, the information is believed by the author to be reliable, however, the author makes no guarantee concerning the accuracy of the facts and conclusions reported herein. Information concerning particular real estate opportunities can be requested from Tim Estin at 970.920.7387 or at testin@masonmorse.com. The Estin Report is copyrighted 2010 and all rights reserved. Use is permitted subject to the following attribution:”The Estin Report: State of the Aspen Market, By Tim Estin, mba, gri, www.EstinAspen.com”

By Tim Estin of Mason Morse Real Estate

On 12/24/09, Colorado Public Radio interviewed Aspen real estate broker and blogger Tim Estin about recent trends in one of the wealthiest markets in the country. To listen to interview, click link: "Aspen Real Estate Goes Through Peaks and Valleys" .. (See CO Public Radio Dec. '09 schedule). This posting is derived from notes in preparation for that interview by Tim Estin mba, gri - Broker Associate/Mason Morse Real Estate Aspen.

National Economy

- Stock market UP +; National confidence UP +

- Not as scary as we thought it was. In Aspen, buyers are still spending a lot for the quality of product they’re getting

- Lots of good news, may be at or near bottom… Likely to be choppy moving forward

- Heard on news the other day markets have vastly improved in LA, SF and Las Vegas: over 50% of the inventory has been cleared out.

- Signs every month that market and conditions are improving

Aspen: Current Data

In Aspen, there’s been an uptick in sales activity due to an increase in marketplace confidence and comparatively from where prices have been. More negotiations are going on, less of a standoff between sellers and buyers, and prices are adjusting.

3 of last 4 months (July, Aug, Oct) were better than 2008, ending a string of 21 months of year over year declines (Pitkin co/Land Title)

Aspen single family home avg price year-to-date (YTD) is basically unchanged from 2008 at $6.1M. But the averages have been skewed by some very high priced and notable sales in 2009 (esp. $43M Willoughby Way, Red Mountain Aspen home sale)

Aspen residential sales Aug 1- Nov 30th (these 4 mos compared to same period 2008)

• Closed sales transactions +26%

• Under contracts +94% (MLS)…under contracts/Pending are an indicator of future activity

This yr sales high end sales stats:

• $7.5M and above: 23 sales in 09 YTD; 28 last year

$8M+ and above, this year 19, 25 last year;

• $9M and above, 15 this year, 17 last year.

Aspen still has sellers who want to sell in this market, and some are still happy – content? – if they bought before the peak and are relieved to have negotiating room and be able to sell.

Average sales price are “holding” but new expensive property sales have distorted the average and median prices.

The Aspen average home sale price:

2008 = $6.2M

2009= $6.1M

But values are dropping as witnessed with Median price stats.

Median prices: (better indicator because averages get so skewed by very high priced sales)

2008 = $5.8M

2009 = $4.76M (-18%)

Market wide volume and dollar sales decrease (Land Title):

2007 = $2.2B

2008 = $1.3B (-50%)

2009 = $1.07B (-18%)

There has been significant listing price erosion led by builder/developers who want out of brand new properties at approximate range of $800-$1100 sq. ft.

But in Aspen, buyers are still spending a lot for the quality of product they’re getting

What’s Selling?

Anything new, recently remodeled totally pressed out, and great values. Fundamentally, buyers are looking for value. How do they judge value? It’s a combination of BEST QUALITY AT THE BEST PRICE …high quality, high grade properties, A-Grade stuff, AAA locations. These are selling at strong numbers or at great deals.

In this buyers market, shoppers are looking for quality and value. For middle of the road properties, it’s been difficult and really tough. Pricing correctly is the single most important element to a successful listing. If one doesn't have to sell, don't; if one does, be realistic...do not be as the 11/23/09 New York Observer article stated, "The Last Swaggerers: Hearty Bunch of Sellers Price Like it 2007".

Foreclosures

We still have foreclosures: this year in Pitkin County = 105 vs 35 last year. It is the most in 24 years according to a recent Aspen Times article. ..(the average is 40 per year). A big question mark is how deep the pool of distressed sellers is. National media indicates high end distress and foreclosures is a growing problem monthly (See 01/03/10 Denver Post and see 12/18/09 WSJ and 12/29/09 WSJ in the Aspen Real Estate Archives Section on this site), even as the lower end appears to be recovering albeit at vastly lower prices. The downturn is more severe than any we have ever experienced in our lifetimes.

Fractionals: Residences at the Little Nell (RLN) and Dancing Bear (DB)

RLN has been unfairly judged by their immediate and unsurpassed sales success out of the gate, when they started selling in summer 2006. By Sept 2009, they were 98% sold out, an unbelievable success. Offering prices doubled. Then fall 2009 hit and contracted buyers bailed.

Fact: they are almost 50% sold out now. The project opened opened in Feb 2009. The fractional industry in general forecasts selling out within18-24 months after opening, so many regard the RLN sales as still a success, but regretably it falls short of unrealistic expectations when compared to their sales boom of 2006-2008.

The product has always been about LIFESTYLE, not investment. It got skewed towards the investment side as offering prices increased, something a lot of buyers chose to overlook in past 3 years of wild “paper appreciation”. One thing is clear: if one wants to enjoy/own perhaps the ultimate Aspen ski-in/ski-out luxury experience, RLN and Dancing Bear (an in-town boutique experience that is a lower cost alternative to RLN but without ski-in/out) are the way to go.

Owners reputedly love the RLN product: its location at the ski epicenter of the “world” and level of service and amenities are simply unmatched and incomparable. Yes, I am a fan, financing for their product is now available. Call or email me directly for info, 970-920-7387.

Total Aspen Snowmass Fractional Statistics (Land Title)

- Oct 2009 = +101% to $11.9M from Oct 2008

- 2009 YTD = total fractional dollar sales are $173.8M, +314% from same time last year.

- Units Sold = 246 sold units, + 27% over same time 2008.

Future: where are we headed?

2010 is likely to be similar to 2009. I am cautiously optimistic: There will be some great deals, there will be some properties selling for very big $ numbers, importantly the number of transactions are increasing.

We know that in all price ranges we may not have reached bottom and that it cuts across the board and depends on the property, seller circumstances, motivations, etc.

Aspen is like a lot of places throughout the country. The real estate values and economy were not immune to global and national declines, Yes, some businesses failed but new ones are coming in here. We have new restaurants art galleries and retailers opening regularly.

But Aspen is NOT just about Real Estate: we are a four season destination resort offering unmatched recreational, arts and cultural amenities and that's what's going to pull us through all this.

Aspen Ski Co is a private family owned company that continues to invest in the quality of the ski experience. It’s put in approx.$130MM in past 6 yrs in capital improvements. This year it’s maintaining the same level of guest services as last year (staffing and hours of operation on or near mountain).

Even though inventory of properties for sale has swelled, there is still relatively little product available in Pitkin County. 92% of the land surrounding us is publically owned( USFS, BLM, Open Space and conserved land).

Bottom line: there’s only one Aspen - think sports, arts and culture offerings: short term, yes there are challenges and businesses will be choppy because as mentioned, we have found we are not immune from national and global economic events as previously thought. Aspen offers a small town community with world class amenities within a highly restrictive zoning environment that for the past 40 years has has successfully protected its unique beauty and historic charm. There is every reason to believe that in an over-crowded and somewhat homogenous resort fair, Aspen's unique attributes will be in ever-increasing demand in the future.

Buyer Opportunities

1. The best deals are on properties in which there is significant financial stress on sellers. These are new development projects, spec homes, property owners who bought at peak and may be highly leveraged, where loan pressure is motivating a sale. Buyers are looking for quality at the best price and these new build and remodel projects being sold by motivated sellers represent excellent quality at historically reduced prices.

Read: The Estin Report interview in 11/16/09 Aspen Daily News

2. Ability to obtain beautiful and unique homes seldom available. This is an uncommon period in which buyers can obtain Grade AAA properties in stellar locations - the Best Properties - and/or with unique circumstances that cannot be reproduced and are irreplaceable due to changes in Pitkin County land use codes.

3. Window for Buyers: Great Quality/Great Price = Great “Deals” will be gone before one knows it...by the time one does, it's too late.

There is a “window” of opportunity for buyers to purchase quality and uniqueness at the best price = Great Values. But the inventory of buyer opportunities suggested above are finite and limited. When they’re gone, they’re gone and buyers will have less high quality choices. Even though prices may still be down, the quality of what is available will be less. The Great Quality/Great Price =Great “Deals” will be gone.

For those market timers, one will not know or see the turn in the market until it has already occurred.

Why Care about Aspen Real Estate?

Aspen real estate is probably more interesting from a human interest point of view than real estate specific interest. Of course it’s always interesting to hear about the wealthy and what’s happening on their lives. It makes most regular mortals feel better, I guess.

But what happens in Aspen is certainly important for the Roaring Fork Valley …ripples in the pond theory: what happens here creates waves as one travels down-valley. The closer to Aspen, the higher the real estate prices, the greater the economic impacts. A lot of people who work in Aspen or own businesses here live outside the immediate area, so their jobs and businesses and livelihood depend on the Aspen economy.

Other than that, probably no reason for the national media to really care. But they do. Our market is watched, and people do appear to be paying attention.

Disclaimer: The statements made in The Estin Report represent the opinions of the author and should not be relied upon to make real estate decisions. Information concerning particular real estate opportunities can be requested from Tim Estin at 970.920.7387 or at testin@masonmorse.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . A potential buyer is advised to make an independent investigation of the market and of each property before deciding to purchase. To the extent the statements made herein report facts or conclusions taken from other sources, the information is believed by the author to be reliable. However, the author makes no guarantee concerning the accuracy of the facts and conclusions reported herein. For reproduction use of any parts of The Estin Report, the author requests direct attribution to him as, "By Tim Estin, The Estin Report, at www.EstinAspen.com" or please contact him directly. All rights are reserved and the articles and blog posts are copyrighted.

By Kim Briscoe of Mason Morse Real Estate

Aspen, Colorado. Mason Morse Real Estate announces some exciting changes to reposition the company for the future. In 48 years, Mason Morse has evolved with the ever-present changes in the Roaring Fork Valley, changes within the industry, changes within the economy, and within the organization. Today, Mason Morse faces another opportunity to evolve and better serve the people and communities in which we all live.

Bob Starodoj, Owner/CEO of Mason Morse Real Estate announced internal changes and the appointment of a new team to lead Mason Morse Real Estate. The new leadership team for Mason Morse is comprised of Will Herndon, President, John Wendt III, Employing and Managing Broker, and Kim Briscoe, Vice President of Marketing.

“After almost 5 years of working with these individuals on the Mason Morse leadership team, I am confident in their ability,” said Bob Starodoj, CEO of Mason Morse Real Estate. “This team is experienced, passionate, and dedicated. Collectively, they will position this company for the future.”

This leaner organization will enable Mason Morse to be a stronger, more responsive and more financially sound organization while staying true to their mission and core values, supporting clients, and remaining visible in the communities.

Mason Morse Real Estate is an established leader in real estate in the Roaring Fork Valley. Established in 1961 with over 70 sales professionals, Mason Morse has been bringing buyers and sellers together for almost fifty years. Mason Morse is the exclusive Regent in Aspen and Snowmass to LuxuryRealEstate.com. Mason Morse has five offices from Aspen to Glenwood, including the Ranch Company recognized as one of the leading ranch real estate sales teams.

Kim Briscoe of Mason Morse

Brian Hazen, Vice President with Mason Morse Real Estate announced today the $15.6 million sale of the Estate at Independence Pass located just three miles east of Aspen. This sophisticated five bedroom, five and one-half mountain estate commands stunning views from Independence Pass to Aspen Mountain. The nearly six wooded acres include the adjacent building site with approvals, fully landscaped, beautiful grounds with five ponds, meandering streams and soothing waterfalls to create a peaceful, tranquil setting. The sophisticated architectural design with quality finishes include custom stonework, mahogany walls and floors, West African Sapele wood, Spanish Onyx and European marble.

“The Estate at Independence Pass represented a remarkable country estate opportunity minutes east of Aspen city limits,” said listing agent Brian Hazen, Vice President/Broker Associate of Mason Morse. “It shows Aspen continues to be highly desirable for exceptional properties to discerning buyers worldwide.”

Brian Hazen specializes in marketing luxury homes and townhomes, building sites, ranches and an emphasis on rare, luxury country estates. He is highly regarded in the industry and is consistently recognized as a top producer, and has sold over three-quarters of a billion dollars in the Aspen/Snowmass market. Brian was recently appointed to the Executive Committee to the Board of Regents. He spends much of his time giving back to the community, and is active in many local charities and organizations such as St. Mary’s Church, Aspen Education Foundation, Aspen Junior Golf, Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet, Aspen Youth Center, among others.

Mason Morse Real Estate is an established leader in real estate in the Roaring Fork Valley. Established in 1961 with over 70 sales professionals, Mason Morse has been bringing buyers and sellers together for almost fifty years. Mason Morse has been selected the exclusive representative in Aspen and Snowmass to lead the Network as a member of the Board Of Regents, the governing body of LuxuryRealEstate.com & Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate. Mason Morse has five offices from Aspen to Glenwood, including the Ranch Company recognized as one of the leading ranch real estate sales teams.