Michael Latousek at Douglas Elliman

ASPEN INSIDER

September 2025

 

FROM FALL COLORS TO RECORD-BREAKING SALES

Colorado's highest peaks are dusted with their first snow of the season, with traces appearing on Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak, and Capitol Peak last week. While I'm already dreaming of what looks to be a promising ski season ahead, we're currently in the sweet spot of September—perfect hiking weather and spectacular fall colors peaking around late September and early October thanks to recent rains slowing the aspen trees' transformation.


This seasonal transition mirrors our real estate market's continued evolution, highlighted by last week's $300 million Little Lake Lodge listing—now the most expensive home in America, which makes my St. Benedict's Monastery listing look like a relative bargain at $150 million! With luxury properties commanding $4–$7K+ per square foot, Aspen leads the nation in residential pricing, driven by our estimated 80+ billionaire property owners.


Low inventory and strong demand continue to define our market, with upcoming land use restrictions expected to further limit new construction and favor existing larger homes. While global economic headwinds pose concerns, Aspen's world-class appeal keeps growing—four local restaurants just earned Michelin Guide recognition. Aspen real estate has delivered consistent value for long-term investors, providing both the immediate enjoyment of world-class amenities in an unparalleled natural setting and proven appreciation over time. Despite potential short-term volatility, the fundamentals—limited supply, high-net-worth demand, and Aspen's unique lifestyle—support continued long-term strength.


Aspen remains a lucrative market, but one where informed decisions drive results. Whether you're considering selling to capitalize on ski season demand, timing a purchase just right, or evaluating your existing portfolio's performance, the nuances of today's market require personalized strategy. Let's discuss what these trends mean specifically for your real estate goals. Contact me to explore how current market conditions align with your timeline and objectives.

 

MY FEATURED LISTINGS

Flying Dog Ranch West

FLYING DOG RANCH WEST

Carbondale, CO

1625 Prince Creek Rd.
229 Acres 
Senior Water Rights

3 Residences

$21,900,000

View Details

Read Mansion Global Article

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Flying Dog Ranch West, a 229-acre working cattle ranch near Carbondale, Colorado, offers a rare combination of agricultural heritage and mountain luxury. Located just minutes from downtown Carbondale and 30 miles from Aspen, the property features 180 acres of irrigated farmland, a quarter-mile of Crystal River frontage, and coveted senior water rights dating to the 1880s. The ranch includes three homes (ranging from a historic 19th-century cabin to a four-bedroom main residence), an event barn, artist's studio with forge, and greenhouse. With approvals already in place for additional construction and its proximity to Mount Sopris in the scenic Roaring Fork Valley, this property represents both a working ranch and family compound opportunity in one of Colorado's most desirable regions.

Co-listed with Gabe Molnar (Douglas Elliman), Michael Shook and Joe Risi (both of Home Waters Real Estate Group)

 
Snowmass Monastery

1012 MONASTERY RD.

Snowmass, CO

Monastery and Retreat Center 3,720 Acres

$150,000,000

View Details

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Property Brochure

Located in the pristine Capitol Creek Valley just 30 minutes outside Aspen, St. Benedict's Monastery represents the largest holding in the immediate Snowmass/Aspen area. The property sits in a picturesque ranching valley surrounded by the lofty peaks of the Elk Mountain Range. Known for its peace and privacy, Trappist monks have lived and managed this idyllic ranch for over 68 years. Wildlife and cattle have co-existed for years, and the ranch and adjoining protected lands have retained the same natural habitat and rural characteristics today as they did when the monks first arrived. Three creeks meander through the ranch for more than five miles and irrigated meadows hold historic water rights. This is an excellent opportunity for conservation and hunting, as the property sits in Colorado Game Management Unit 43. This exquisite and tranquil land is the perfect backdrop for hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more.

Co-listed with Kenneth Mirr and the Mirr Ranch Group.

 
902-904 Sopris Creek Rd

902/904 SOPRIS CREEK ROAD

Basalt, CO

Triple M Ranch

23.59 Acres

5 Beds | 6 Baths | 5,746 SF

$10,995,000

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Situated on almost 24 pristine acres in the picturesque Emma agricultural valley, Triple M Ranch represents the pinnacle of Colorado mountain living. This gated estate showcases breathtaking views of Mt. Sopris and sweeping vistas toward Missouri Heights, all while maintaining complete privacy and tranquility behind its own private bridge entrance. The property's crown jewel—a stunning 5,000-square-foot Scandinavian-inspired main residence—is currently under construction with completion scheduled for December 2025, offering buyers the rare opportunity to customize their dream home to perfection. This exceptional ranch also includes an equestrian/recreation facility and a 1 bedroom CDU.

 
501 Spring Park Ridge

501 SPRING PARK RIDGE

Missouri Heights, CO

"The Garage Mahal"

44 Acres

2.5 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,862 Sq Ft 2,300 Sq Ft Heated Workshop

$3,295,000

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Bring your toys and horses to this 44 acre, one-of-a-kind playground. Access thru the only exclusive gated area of Missouri Heights (Spring Park Meadows) but without the constraints of an HOA. Enjoy 360 degree views of the entire Elk Mountain range, ski resorts from Aspen to Sunlight, Basalt and Red Table Mountains, and Cottonwood Pass. Ten minutes from supermarkets, restaurants, schools, and public amenities. Hundreds of miles of trails for mountain biking, dirt biking, and horse riding out the front gate. Can this property be replicated anywhere else?

 
 

RECENT SALES

427 Allison Ln

437 ALLISON LN

Basalt

4 Beds | 5 Baths

4,323 Sq Ft

Built 2003 
Remodeled 2007

Sold Price Per/SF: $694

Sales Price: $3,000,000

Days on Market: 519

View Details

Represented Seller

126 W Francis St

126 W. FRANCIS ST.

Aspen – West End

4 Beds | 3 Baths

2,650 Sq Ft

Built 1888
Remodeled 1995

Sold Price Per/SF: $4,906

Sales Price: $13,000,000

Days on Market: 51

View Details

520 W. Smuggler

520 W. SMUGGLER ST

Aspen – West End

4 Beds | 5 Baths

4,017 Sq Ft

Built 2002
Remodeled 2023

Sold Price Per/SF: $3,709

Sales Price: $14,900,000

Days on Market: 63

View Details

Unless otherwise noted, these are recent sales from the Aspen Glenwood MLS, not my listing or buyer.

 

WHY WORK WITH ME?

Unmatched Exposure for Your Home

When it comes time to sell your home, one factor can dramatically impact your success: EXPOSURE. In today's competitive market, Douglas Elliman delivers unrivaled publicity that competing brokerages simply cannot match. By all measures, Douglas Elliman is the leading name in real estate news in Aspen and Snowmass Village.

Public Relations Comparison

By The Numbers – Editorial – January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024

I go above and beyond to maximize your property's value and tell the right story to connect with the right buyers. When you work with me, you can expect the following listing services showcasing your property at its finest:

Digital Marketing
Email Campaigns
Home Staging
Listing Syndication
Market Valuation
Open House Events
Personalized Websites
Pricing & Preparation
Print Advertising
Professional Photos
Promotional Mailers
Public Relations
Social Media Exposure
Videography
Virtual Tours
Recent Awards

Top 1.5%


of Real Estate Professionals in the US*

#2


Colorado Agent by Transactions**

#3


Colorado Agent by Sales Volume**

#5


Colorado Agent by GCI**

*2024 RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand awards; **2024 Douglas Elliman Ellie awards

I truly enjoy making my clients' lifestyle dreams come true and am grateful for your continued trust.
 

MARKET UPDATES

ASPEN

Single Family Homes


Median List Price: $16,100,000

Median List Price per SF: $3,698

Inventory: 112

Townhomes / Condos


Median List Price: $3,995,000

Median List Price per SF: $3,650

Inventory: 65


Single Family Homes

The Aspen single-family home market is gaining momentum after working through earlier inventory challenges. With homes currently listed at a median price of $16.1 million, the market is showing clear signs of recovery—buyer activity is steadily increasing and properties are selling significantly faster than last year, with days on market dropping 37% from 276 to 174 days compared to August 2024.


Year-to-date performance has been impressive, with new listings up 25% and sales up 15% compared to 2024, while median sale prices have climbed 6% to $13 million. At $3,698 per square foot and with 112 homes currently available, the market is in a promising transitional phase where strengthening demand is beginning to absorb excess inventory, setting the stage for potential price appreciation as supply and demand reach better equilibrium.


Adding exceptional prominence to the market, the most expensive residential listing in the United States debuted in Aspen last month—a spectacular 74.1-acre estate priced at $300 million, further cementing Aspen's status as America's premier luxury real estate destination.


Townhomes & Condos

The Aspen townhouse and condo market presents a more cautious narrative, reflecting a period of market recalibration. With a median list price of $3.995 million—approximately one-quarter of single-family home prices—this segment has experienced a pullback in activity, with new listings down 10% and sales declining 6% year-to-date compared to 2024.


Despite reduced transaction volume, price stability remains strong, with median sales prices rising nearly 11% to $3.325 million, indicating sustained buyer confidence in underlying values. The market has shown some deceleration, with properties taking 28% longer to sell at an average of 160 days in August. Currently, 65 properties are available for sale, down 7% from the previous year, suggesting that while buyer urgency has moderated, inventory discipline is helping maintain price integrity in this luxury segment.

 

BASALT

Single Family Homes


Median List Price: $3,600,000

Median List Price per SF: $1,173

Inventory: 36

Townhomes / Condos


Median List Price: $1,375,000

Median List Price per SF: $1,351

Inventory: 49


Single Family Homes:

With a median list price of $3.6 million and current inventory of 36 homes, Basalt's single family home market is showing signs of transitioning from buyer-favorable conditions toward a more balanced state. Sales activity has declined substantially, with sold listings down 40% year-to-date and median sales prices falling 10% to $2.23 million. However, homes are selling significantly faster when they do transact, with days on market dropping to 39 days in August 2025—a 42% improvement from the previous August. Market dynamics suggest a potential turning point, as home sales have been consistently outpacing new inventory additions for several weeks, which could lead to upward pressure on pricing as conditions shift from the current buyer-friendly environment toward a more seller-favorable market.


Townhomes & Condos:

The townhouse and condominium market presents a starkly different picture, demonstrating robust activity and strong price appreciation throughout 2025. With a median list price of $1.375 million and steady inventory of 49 properties, this segment has shown significant momentum. Sales activity has surged dramatically, with sold listings up 74% year-to-date and new listings doubling at 100% year-to-date, driving the median sales price to $1.6 million—a substantial 46% increase from the previous year. While properties are taking moderately longer to sell, with days on market rising to 67 days (up 16% from August 2024 and 65% year-to-date), the overall market fundamentals remain strong. Despite recent price plateauing, the positive sales-to-inventory ratio suggests that upward price momentum may resume if current trends persist, positioning this segment as notably more active and appreciating compared to the single family home market.

 

BEYOND ASPEN

If you're interested in exploring investment opportunities beyond Aspen, I'd be delighted to introduce you to experienced professionals with strong performance histories. I maintain a network of trusted colleagues throughout the United States and internationally whom I can connect you with.

 

EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

At Douglas Elliman, our deep-rooted connection to the equestrian world continues to inspire our approach to exceptional real estate. This Fall 2025 issue celebrates the natural synergy between equestrian culture and luxury living, showcasing compelling stories where world-class horsemanship meets extraordinary properties. Discover Douglas Elliman's curated equestrian portfolio and experience where luxury living and equestrian passion converge.


Browse the Pages

Equestrian Magazine
 

AROUND TOWN

Aspen Literary Festival

ASPEN LITERARY FESTIVAL

Sept. 26–28 | Aspen

The inaugural festival is a three-day celebration of books, writing, and storytellers featuring 40+ authors.

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Golden Leaf Half Marathon

GOLDEN LEAF HALF MARATHON

Sept. 27 | Aspen

This bucket-list race starts in Snowmass and runs through beautiful Aspen groves, finishing in downtown Aspen.

View Details

John Denver Celebration

JOHN DENVER CELEBRATION

Oct. 1–6 | Aspen & Snowmass Village

This annual event celebrates one of the greatest artists and humanitarians of our time with sing-a-longs and concerts.

View Details

 
 
ML

MICHAEL LATOUSEK
Broker Associate | Douglas Elliman

Serving Aspen and the Upper Roaring Fork Valley for 20+ years.

OFFICE: 970.925.8810
MOBILE: 970.618.7768
FAX: 970.925.8821
Michael Latousek
 

Contact me for all of your real estate needs.

I offer complimentary, no obligation property evaluations.

I'm always eager to share the Roaring Fork Valley's many hidden gems with you and your family or friends.

 
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Douglas Elliman Real Estate

630 E HYMAN AVE, STE 101, ASPEN, CO 81611. 970.925.8810. © 2025 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.