Crystal Mountain Realty Newsletter

In September 2012, a Wall Street Journal article said, “A word for those who have been waiting for the housing market to hit bottom. Thud.” It seems this is the thud being heard ‘round the country.

Whereas buyers were ruling the market not long ago, times have changed and some of those coming late to the party are finding prices trending upward and the selection of properties shrinking. At year end 2012 only 5.6% of the privately owned properties at Crystal Mountain are currently on the market ,whereas in spring 2009 over 14% of the properties were listed for sale. The shrinking inventory is indicative of the market’s recovery and that pattern is being seen throughout the region.

National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun was recently quoted as saying, "The housing market is steadily recovering with consistent increases in both home sales and median prices. More buyers are taking advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions."

Interest rates remain at record lows, and year-to-date, Crystal Mountain Realty’s average price per transaction is up only slightly from last year. However, the trend here, like elsewhere, is undeniable. Prices are finally headed up.

It’s easy to get paralyzed by the fear of not buying at the very bottom. Until prices begin trending upward, however, it’s hard to know you’re there. Did you hear the Thud? Every indicator says that the market has bottomed out. There may never be a perfect time to invest in property, and only after the fact can one really judge the wisdom of a purchase decision. Yet, life rockets ahead, sometimes it seems at breakneck speed. Kids grow up and the opportunities for making those family memories slip away.

If you’d like to understand the benefits of ownership and explore the range of available options, just contact a Crystal Mountain Realty team member. There’s no pressure, no hype, no canned presentations and no obligations—just helpful information and fresh, free popcorn. To view current listings, click here.

• Because Crystal Mountain offers a top-notch property management program

• Because it’s delightful to arrive and have your Crystal Mountain residence, clean, stocked and ready for you

• Because it’s even better to walk out the door on departure day without any responsibility for cleaning up and buttoning down

• Because you never have to mow, plow, stain, fix or hassle over maintenance of any sort

• Because demand for accommodations is strong and the revenues generated through rental can substantially offset many of your ownership expenses

Crystal Mountain’s professional property management program is available to the owners of most property types at Crystal. If you’d like to know more about the benefits of Crystal Mountain Resort’s Property Management program, be sure to talk with a member of the resort’s Property Management team. Your REALTOR® can put you in touch.

What could be better than waking up every day in the place you love to play? That’s how it is for Crystal Mountain Realty team members, Karyn Thorr, Jay White & Nancy Mullen Call. They work hard and they play hard.

In fact, year-to-date through October 2012, the Crystal Mountain Realty office, with just 3 sales people, was the TOP office in the Traverse Area Association of Realtors in terms of closed sales for the Benzie/Manistee County areas. And when they’re not busy with the business of real estate at Crystal Mountain and the surrounding area, you’re likely to find them on the slopes, the trails, or the golf course.

The Crystal Mountain Realty office is staffed seven days a week during most times of the year, and the agents utilize a team approach to selling which assures your needs will always be met promptly and efficiently. For information, call 800-968-2911 or email Karyn (karynthorr@crystalmountain.com), Jay (jaywhite@crystalmountain.com) or Nancy (nancycall@crystalmountain.com).

Remember…if there’s a particular property type you’re interested in at the resort or in the surrounding area, a Crystal Mountain Realty team member can see to it that you receive automatic email notification when a property meeting your specific criteria becomes available for sale or sees a price change.

If you’d appreciate being on First Alert status, just contact Karyn, Jay or Nancy click here.

Whether your passion is skiing, golfing, swimming, playing tennis, working out at the fitness center or relaxing at the Spa, a Four Seasons Club membership offers the perfect way to make the very most of your ownership experience at the Mountain.

Most listed properties include a Four Seasons Club ski/golf membership for you and your family! Ask a Crystal Mountain Realty team member for complete details.

The Crystal Mountain Realty website is transitioning from one that provides information about resort real estate to one that features information about ALL properties listed throughout the greater Grand Traverse region.

With a quick click of your mouse you can now explore every property listed through the Traverse Area Association of Realtors. The Crystal Mountain Realty team members are able to help you with detailed information regarding any of these area listings, and they can set up showings for properties you might wish to see. For up to the minute information about properties for sale around the region, be sure to visit the expanded web site: www.crystalmountain.com/real-estate/home

What does it mean to live, work & play in Michigan? These short video and music segments are wonderful reminders of all the reasons to love and appreciate this fabulous state of ours. Dorothy can have Kansas. We’ll take the big lakes, the giant dunes, the vineyards, the amazing variety of fresh local foods, the industrious and entrepreneurial people, and the tantalizing patchwork of cultures that is Michigan.

The links below will take you to the video sites, where you’ll  be poignantly reminded why so many of us will never escape the gravitational pull of Pure Michigan.

www.michiganadvantage.org/why-michigan and www.michigan.org/kid-rock-new-song-detroit-michigan

View our awards and accolades! Located in the heart of Benzie County, Crystal Mountain is the Midwest's premier four seaon family resort featuring some of the finest accommodations northern Michigan has to offer: 36 holes of championship golf, 45 downhill slopes, 40km of cross-country trails, the award-winning Crystal Spa, the Michigan Legacy Art Park, and IACC approved conference facilities.