Second Home Sales in Telluride Spike During the Coronavirus Pandemic

There’s never been a better time to hole up in your own log cabin in Telluride, Colorado. 

The tiny San Juan Mountain town continually tops all the big “best US ski town” lists, and it’s not hard to understand why. Maybe it has something to do with the stunning box canyon views, an extensive network of runs on the mountain, five-star culinary scene, or the far more “local” vibe than many other Colorado resort-centered towns. There are no chain restaurants or shops in Telluride and the lift lines are considerably shorter.

Are you convinced you need a second home in this mountain oasis yet? You’re not the only one. 

Stewart Seeligson, a local real estate agent who has worked in the Telluride area for 14 years, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant changes in second home purchasing trends this year. After the initial market freeze ended in May, Telluride homes became even more of a hot commodity than usual. 

“The return of visitors [to Telluride in June] triggered a steep change in demand for the purchase of properties at all price points — this change in demand accelerating past the levels of January and February,” Seeligson said.

Clearly, many are seizing the opportunity to upgrade their work-from-home situation. 

“Most second homeowners are reporting their longest stays ever since purchasing their properties,” Seeligson said.

When looking for properties in Telluride or the nearby sister town of Mountain Village, there are two main categories to choose from: townhouses at the center of the action or more secluded cabins.

The main virtue of a house in town is accessibility. The town is easily walkable and the free gondola connecting Telluride and Mountain Village adds even more pedestrian mobility. 

For example, this 4-bedroom, 5-bath townhouse boasts a prime position right at the base of the gondola for $3.295 million.

On the other hand, the benefit of a home outside of town is the peaceful solitude and potential ski-in, ski-out access.

There are several covetable homes that are both walkable from town while also supplying that sense of seclusion.

This $3.9 million log house is an example of such a unicorn, sitting conveniently near town and at the top of the Meadows ski run.