John Rebchook is a former Rocky Mountain News reporter with more than 30 years of experience in writing and communications... 
This home in Steamboat Springs is owned by the FDIC and is priced at $1.299 million
The most expensive homes in the nation that Uncle Sam is selling through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. are in the mountain town of Steamboat Springs.
The homes, actually duplexes, with newly lowered prices of $1.299 million and $1.199, respectively, were assets of the failed New Frontier Bank in Greeley, which the FDIC took over on April 10.
The prices of the 5,468-square-foot home at 2662 Alpenglow Way, and the 5,200-square-foot home at 2660 Alpenglow Way, have been slashed about 65 percent when they were first on the market.
Indeed, the prices for each home has been dropped about 35 percent from the original listing prices of $1.9 million for the bigger one and $1.842 million for the smaller one, by the FDIC.
Listing broker Jim Walters of Prudential Steamboat Realty, began working with the builder of the spec homes in 2006, “when everything was selling in in Steamboat Springs. If a duplex lot was listed on the mountain, if it lasted a day it was surprising. We found the lot (for the homes) on our third try.”
The Tuscan-styled h0mes, completed in 2008 , initially were priced at around $3.9 million and $3.4 million. That was a time when homes in Steamboat were selling in the $600 and $700 per square foot price range. Now, they are each priced below $250 per square foot.
“We never saw the prices of an Aspen or a Vail, so Steamboat Springs was considered a bargain,” Walters said.
The home include a three-car and four-car garages, which are relatively rare in Steamboat, he said. They also have a number of green features, such as recycled lumber, energy efficient appliances, energy efficient boilers, and “probably the best blown-in insulation you can buy.” T
The homes also sport cutting edge sound systems, and like many homes in Steamboat, heated driveways. The homes are elevator-ready, with shafts that are currently disguised as closets. Both units have 30-foot tall great-room fireplaces. The smaller east villa will have an outdoor fire pit that will back up to an Aspen grova and a seasonal stream.
The homes are not technically ski-in, ski-out, but are 0.9 of a mile from the Ski Mountain Gondola. They are served by a free ski mountain shuttle.
Walters has been approached by individuals and groups wanting to buy both units, as well as those interested in only one. “We’ve had interest from corporate-type buyers that would use one of the homes as sort of a corporate retreat for clients. It’s pretty much a toss up which way it will go.”
He initially received two calls from people interested in the homes from Texas, and has since has heard from prospective buyers in Florida, Indiana, Illinois and Kansas. He has scheduled a number of tours for potential buyers between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Although they are currently the most expensive homes listed by the FDIC, there are other homes in Steamboat carrying much higher price tags. They are the only homes priced above $1 million owned by the FDIC in Colorado, at this time. There is a home at 651 S. Race St. in Washington Park that was initially listed by the FDIC at $972,400, but now is priced at $850,400.
And the most expensive of the 5,000 or so properties being sold by the FDIC is an office complex in Newport Beach, Calif., priced at $59 million. But according to media reports, that 332,000-square-foot complex was put under contract last month by a Salt Lake City group for $50 million.
Contact John Rebchook at JRCHOOK@gmail.com or 303-945-6865.
"Although they are currently the most expensive homes listed by the FDIC, there are other homes in Steamboat carrying much higher price tags."
Interesting how discounted these FDIC properties are!!
I have found hundreds of other FDIC homes listed all over the country on http://www.FDICListings.com...
Update: http://www.FDICListings.com