Last year, you couldn’t find a builder starting any new models in mountain resort communities…but this weekend, 70 minutes west of Denver, Rendezvous is doing just that: bringing new homes on line, ranch-style townhomes with finished walk-outs and attached garages that were fast sellers in 2006 and 2007, when the mountain market sizzled.

Silvio DeBartolomeis of Koelbel and Company shows off large ranch-style resort townhomes with garages and walk-out lower levels, the first home starts in Grand County.

With temperatures sizzling in Denver, this is a great day to drive over Berthoud Pass (high in Winter Park today, 76 F) and see those new, bright, very private ProngHorn townhomes and the new prices that go with them: From as low as $419,900, with views of the back ranges, trails and amenities, a free shuttle to the lifts during winter, just five minutes from Winter Park’s shops, bars and dining.

Rendezvous is making that move because buyers are back in the market, taking advantage of deals that would never have been possible two years ago. “Grand County offers the best values in the mountains, super accessible for Front Range families,” says Keith Neale, president of Colonnade Communities, who saw 27 new homes go under contract since last fall, eating up practically all inventory. “These plans are the most popular we’ve ever offered, and now they’re at much lower prices.”

That $419,900 delivers a big mountain home, 1,500 square feet with a main-floor master and finished walk-out space (most have a 2-car garage). Meanwhile, Rendezvous can show you something for even less money, for unbelievable size and luxury.

Colonnade has a BigHorn 5-bedroom custom home, 4,215 feet plus 2-car garage, with clerestory windows that glimpse the aspens, three master suites for you and guests, designer kitchen, view of Byers Peak, and furnishings/provisions including linens and tableware. It was priced originally at $1.6 million; but you can buy a quarter-share at only $399,000. “It’s a perfect alternative for a family that won’t use a home more than three months a year total,” says Silvio DeBartolomeis, vice president at Koelbel and Company, Rendezvous’ developer. He’ll take a $2,000 deposit to hold a quarter-reservation while Colonnade packages your ownership.

You’ll also see private Mary’s Pond, where I saw a 14-inch trout leap this week; the Fraser River wandering nearby; picnic area/trails leading to the National Forest beyond, and the historic Cozens Ranch Museum beside Rendezvous’ Discovery Center, where the family can tour an original Pony Express site. Take I-70 west past Idaho Springs to U.S. 40; then west 28 miles, through downtown Winter Park, another half mile to the Discovery Center on right, look for the Rendezvous moose.
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If you go…

WHERE: Ranch-style townhomes with finished walk-out lower levels & attached garages at Rendezvous, resort community in Winter Park. Quarter-shares on new luxury custom home. Take I-70 west past Idaho Springs to U.S. 40; west on 40 28 mi. to Winter Park; continue through downtown, another half mi. to Discovery Center, look for the moose.

PRICE: From $419,900; luxury-home quarters $399,000
WHEN: Today and daily, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE: 970-726-8200 WEB: RendezvousColorado.com

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 1:53 am and is filed under Mountain Lifestyles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.