8-14-2025 E-bike Daydreams, Cold Creeks, and a Septic Plot Twist

Personal Life

This weekend started with me choosing sneakers over s’mores. The family rolled out to camp Friday and Saturday while I stayed back to door knock in Evergreen near Elk Meadow for buyers who want to be close to trails and even closer to family. With music in my pocket and a list in hand, I met some lovely neighbors and, halfway through, started daydreaming about an e-bike. Around here, the homes can sit a good stretch apart, so an e-bike sounds like the perfect blend of cardio, conversation, and not arriving at the next driveway out of breath. Would you try door knocking by e-bike, or is that where you draw the line between practical and a little too extra?

Once I made my rounds, I joined Tag and the kids at our campsite near the Wigwam Trailhead. Tag said we would have cell service. We did, in theory. In practice, I took a couple of scenic drives to coax bars onto the screen. Sterling had one mission, water time. We hunted down Wigwam Creek, which turned out to be crystal clear and very cold. He still had a blast. It was less lazy river, more hop in, yelp, laugh, repeat. As the sun went down, we watched a few headlamps inch down a nearby cliff face around 9 pm. We were not sure what the plan was, but they made it down safely, and my heart rate eventually returned to normal.

Dinner was brats and beans that tasted like a five-star meal after a day outside. Our pop-up camper is the unsung hero of our weekends, cozy enough that I sleep like a baby. The next morning we took a slow drive, soaked up the quiet, then pointed the car toward home.

Back in town, Sterling got great news. One of his best friends who had moved away has moved back. We are already two sleepovers in, which tells you everything you need to know about how excited he is. With another friend leaving earlier this summer, this reunion feels like a gift. Meanwhile, we are gearing up for back-to-school. Bridger is excited for high school, and I am having that familiar parent moment where you look at your kid and think, when did that happen. Time can feel like a sprint and a stroll on the same day, so I am practicing presence wherever I can find it, in a creek, in a car line, in a quiet cup of coffee before the house wakes up.

 

Real Estate Life

Work this week came with plot twists. One listing went under contract, another terminated, then the under-contract one almost unraveled before the buyers changed their minds at the last minute. The home that is moving forward is in Alma, about fifteen minutes from the base of Breckenridge, which makes it a great way to be near world-class skiing while paying Park County taxes. The wobble came from the septic system. It is functioning, and once risers are installed it will pass inspection, but the buyers got spooked by advice that pointed toward an unnecessary replacement.

I called Brown Septic and Engineering in Lake George and spoke with Tommy, the owner. He has been at this for about forty years and reminded me that a well-maintained septic can last a very long time. The keys are regular pumping, hosing down the interior after pumping, and not sending oils or other non-decomposing things down the drain or toilet. It was a good reset. The goal is a fair outcome for both parties, to address legitimate concerns and avoid repairs that are not needed, especially for my seller.

Market-wise, things are still a little weird and a little slow in spots, which tracks with the week before school starts. Families are focused on school supplies and schedules. Showings can dip, and some buyers hit pause for a minute. If you are selling, patience is a strategy, not a personality trait. Present the home clean and bright, price with the data, communicate early and often, and be ready for serious buyers who are out there precisely because they need to move, not because they are browsing.

If you are buying, these next couple of weeks can be a sweet spot. There is often less competition and more room to negotiate. Have your pre-approval tight, plan for inspections with realistic timelines, and be flexible where you can. Small concessions on dates or inclusions can unlock big wins.

One more thought, especially for my Evergreen folks. I have buyers who want to be near Elk Meadow, under one million, not too big and not too small, open layout, and space for a glass studio. If you are quietly thinking about a move, would a private conversation help you decide what comes next? I am happy to talk through timing, prep, and pricing so you can make a calm, confident plan.

Presence is the theme at home and at work. Deals wobble, then steady. Kids grow, then surprise you by being ready for the next step. The best days usually include both a little grit and a good laugh.

If you could change one thing about your home before the holidays, what would it be, a better layout for gatherings, a quieter office, or simply a shorter commute to the places you love?