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.
Carbondale leads the nation in home appreciation
October 10, 2024
As a realtor for over three decades in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, I’ve witnessed many changes in the local real estate landscape. One of this region's most remarkable growth stories has been in Carbondale, Colorado. What was once a quiet agricultural and mining town has become a booming hub for second-home owners, remote workers, and families seeking a laid-back mountain lifestyle.According to a recent Forbes article, Carbondale’s growth over the past two decades is phenomenal. From 2004 to 2024, the median home value in Carbondale skyrocketed from $256,998 to over $1.44 million—a five-and-a-half-fold increase. This growth rate far outpaces the national median, which saw a 111.7% rise during the same period, as the U.S. median home value more than doubled from $170,603 to $361,676. These numbers highlight Carbondale’s standing as one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, which leads the Forbes list. Also on that list are Rifle, Colorado, at #13, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado at #19. Even little-known Boone, Colorado, with a population of 306, made the list of 20 cities with the most significant home value appreciation over the last 20 years.
Carbondale's transformation is closely tied to its proximity to Aspen. As Aspen grew, so did the surrounding towns, with Carbondale benefiting immensely from being just down the road. Once considered a "bedroom community" for Aspen workers and second-home owners, Carbondale has developed its own identity. Its artsy, eco-conscious vibe and strong sense of community make it a magnet for those seeking a mountain lifestyle without Aspen’s sky-high price tag.
What’s driving this growth? Carbondale has successfully balanced development with sustainability. Many buyers are drawn to the region for its outdoor amenities, thriving cultural scene, high quality of life and stunning views of Mt. Sopris. The town’s rise in home values reflects not just demand but also the influx of new services and amenities, and a strong tourism sector that has evolved in recent years.
For families and professionals, Carbondale offers excellent schools, a rich cultural heritage, and endless recreation opportunities. While its real estate market is proliferating, it still offers relative value compared to Aspen. Owner-occupied households in Carbondale have a median income of $133,333. While the town's median income of $92,083 is below what you might expect for an area with such high property values, it underscores the diversity of people who call it home.
If you’ve been considering Carbondale as a place to invest or relocate, now is a great time. With its rapid appreciation and growing appeal, Carbondale is no longer just a hidden gem—it's a thriving town with a bright future. I’ve been fortunate to work with buyers and sellers throughout this region for decades, and I’m always here to help guide you through your next real estate move.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about Carbondale or the Roaring Fork Valley market. With Carbondale’s upward trajectory, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore your options in this flourishing community.
Testimonials
Read moreThe 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 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!!!
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Sally is the best. We have worked with her twice. Accept no substitute!
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 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 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 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.
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!
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!
I 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.
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.
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