Monica McCarthy - HomeSmart Preferred Realty

Monica McCarthy - HomeSmart Preferred Realty Looking to buy or sell a home in Salida or surrounding areas? Monica can help with your Chaffee County, CO real estate needs.

Your Resource for Chaffee County Real Estate

Think you have to wait until spring to buy a home? Think again. 🏡There’s a common belief that spring is the time to buy—...
09/03/2026

Think you have to wait until spring to buy a home? Think again. 🏡

There’s a common belief that spring is the time to buy—but the truth is, there isn’t one perfect season or one perfect market for everyone.

The right time to buy depends on your finances, your goals, the homes available, and what’s actually happening in the market.

In Chaffee County, understanding the local numbers and having a clear strategy can be much more valuable than simply waiting for a certain time of year.

So instead of asking, “Is now the right time to buy?” a better question might be:

“Is now the right time for me?”

If buying a home in Salida or the surrounding Chaffee County area is on your mind, I’d be happy to help you understand what the current market means for your specific situation.

📩: [email protected]

09/02/2026

July 2026 Chaffee County Market Update

Quick summary of what's happening in the local market this month:

Inventory stayed high at 334 active listings, even though new listings dropped 20% from last month. Buyer activity picked up, with 54 homes closed, up 59% from last year. Homes are taking longer to sell though, median days on market jumped to 40 from 17 last month.

On price, the county median held flat year over year at $742K. But that number hides a split: Salida is down 22% year over year while Buena Vista is up 2%, a full reversal from last month.

Overall, still a buyer favorable market, but demand is picking back up, so that leverage may not last.

Curious how this applies to your situation? Send me a message.
📩: [email protected] .../.

Buena Vista just flipped from -18% to +2% in one month. Salida went the other direction, down to -22%. Same county, same...
09/01/2026

Buena Vista just flipped from -18% to +2% in one month. Salida went the other direction, down to -22%. Same county, same 30 days, opposite stories. 📊

In this month's Chaffee County market update, I break down:
🏡 Inventory: 334 active listings, holding near the year's high
📈 Buyer demand: closings up 59% YoY
⏳ Days on market: jumped to 40 days
💰 Price: Salida and Buena Vista are telling two very different stories

Bottom line: this is still a buyer-favorable market overall, but the window may not stay open long as demand picks up.

Thinking about buying or selling in Chaffee County?

These numbers play out differently depending on your specific town, even your specific street. Send me a message and I'll help you figure out exactly where you stand.

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to move quickly in a competitive market.We m...
08/28/2026

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to move quickly in a competitive market.

We moved quickly when the right house came on the market, worked through the details of the offer, and stayed on top of everything from start to finish. Sometimes it’s the little things you don’t think about that can make a big difference, and I’m so happy those details helped save them money and get the outcome they were hoping for.

But honestly, the best part is knowing they felt supported and understood along the way.

Thank you so much for trusting me with such an important milestone and for taking the time to share such incredibly kind words.

It was truly a pleasure helping you find your home in Salida! ❤️

08/27/2026

We sit at 7,000ft so yeah, we get all four seasons. It's cold, but honestly not the brutal mountain town winter people picture... and it's not that different from Denver either.

Here's the fun part: storms roll in and coat the whole mountain, but the snow melts quick down in the valley. So on a lot of winter days you can bike through downtown in the morning and ski the peak that same afternoon. 🚵‍♀️⛷️

That mix of real seasons, manageable winters, and easy access to the mountains is a huge part of why this town feels different from anywhere else in Colorado. It's a small town with big mountain energy!

Two things Salida does really well: getting outside and finding a good excuse to grab something delicious afterward. Bik...
08/26/2026

Two things Salida does really well: getting outside and finding a good excuse to grab something delicious afterward. Biker & Baker combines both.

Whether you’re stopping in after a bike ride, meeting up with a friend, or just craving something good, this is one of those local spots that feels right at home in Salida.

And let’s be honest, a weekend bike ride followed by a pastry sounds like a pretty great day to me. 😉

If you haven’t been to Biker & Baker yet, add it to your list!

Have you been? What’s your favorite thing to get? 👇

🏔️ Wake up under the pines, walk to trail access, be downtown in minutes.This one hits different. A custom-built retreat...
08/24/2026

🏔️ Wake up under the pines, walk to trail access, be downtown in minutes.

This one hits different. A custom-built retreat outside Salida, wrapped in mature aspens and ponderosas, with public land practically at your back door. Room to spread out — main living space, a finished lower level, and not one but two garage setups (including a bonus workshop for the builders/makers out there). Plus a flex studio over the garage that could be a guest pad, creative space, or workout room.
If you've been chasing that Colorado dream where solitude and community actually coexist, this is worth a look.

Watch the FULL VIDEO TOUR on YouTube! https://tinyurl.com/salidamountainhome

📍 Salida / Chaffee County, CO
📩: [email protected]

08/22/2026

Okay, real talk. What are the actual best trails around Salida?

Honestly, there's no single answer because we've got so many good options it almost feels unfair to other towns. But generally speaking, you've got the whole trail system right off Highway 50, stuff like Frontside, Sand Dunes, Rise-N-Shine, and The Methodist. All of it is hike and bike friendly, so whether you're on two feet or two wheels, you're covered.

The views alone make it worth lacing up. Snow capped peaks, the whole valley stretched out below you, that classic Colorado backdrop that never really gets old no matter how many times you've seen it.

If you want the full list, the Salida Mountain Trails website has everything mapped out (and honestly, shoutout to them, they put in something like 4,500 volunteer hours a year keeping these trails in shape). Or just pull up AllTrails and pick whatever fits your mood that day.

Either way, you really can't go wrong out here 🏔️

Sometimes finding home starts with finding your people.One of the things that makes Salida special is how quickly a new ...
08/21/2026

Sometimes finding home starts with finding your people.

One of the things that makes Salida special is how quickly a new experience can turn into a connection.

You join a group ride and meet someone new. You show up for a community event and recognize a familiar face. You strike up a conversation after a morning on the trail.

And slowly, those little moments add up.

That’s what I love about Salida. Community here isn’t something you have to search too hard for. It often happens naturally when you get involved and share the things you love with other people.

Because finding a home is about more than four walls and a great view.

It’s about finding a place where you feel like you belong.

08/20/2026

Okay but where do Salida locals ACTUALLY shop? 👀

I get asked this more than you'd think. So here's the real answer, no fluff.

Groceries? Safeway, Natural Grocers, and Walmart have you covered for the everyday stuff. Nothing fancy, just the basics done right.

But the fun part is downtown. It's genuinely bustling, little boutiques, art galleries, shops you actually want to wander into (not just walk past). And once summer hits, our farmers market turns into this whole scene... local vendors, handmade goods, even clothes. It's a Saturday morning ritual for half the town.

Living here means you're never far from something worth browsing. That's kind of the point.

Thinking about Salida or just curious what life here really looks like?

Don't be a stranger! 📩 Message me: [email protected]

Address

112 F Street
Salida, CO
81201

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15126357338

Website

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