After months of discussion and planning, Summit and the Steamboat Springs Association of Realtors Board of Directors announced Friday that the two groups have merged to form Altitude Realtors.
The newly combined association, which took effect on February 2, will serve a core membership of more than 1,000 real estate agents and approximately 1,700 total members.
Additionally, with this merger, Steamboat Springs Realtors will become part of the Summit MLS (Multiple Listing Service). The new association's jurisdiction will include Steamboat Springs and Summit counties, Routt, Lake, Jackson, and Park counties up to Kenosha Pass and the Colorado Trail.
Friday's news release said the decision to merge “was made after extensive discussions between the leadership of both associations, recognizing the potential synergies that could arise from this strategic collaboration.”
“With this alignment of ideas, we will have a stronger voice, lower costs for our members through stronger vendor negotiations, partner with like-minded real estate agents in other counties, and improve our ability to change rapidly.” “It puts us in a better position to work in an environment that's more competitive,” said James Hauser, new president of Altitude Realtors and a Steamboat real estate expert.
The merger stems from the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors' desire for a customized MLS system to accommodate the community's unique resort properties. At the same time, Steamboat Association CEO Ulrich Salzgeber will retire on February 29th after eight years in the role with Steamboat and the previous 19 years as a real estate professional. . Salzgeber's wife Janet recently retired after working at her Steamboat resort for 45 years.
Additionally, the two associations already share a large number of staff members.
Sarah Thorsteinson, CEO of Summit Realtors, which has offices in Dillon, previously worked for the Steamship Association as director of contract government affairs.
“We knew Sarah's work ethic, extensive industry knowledge and ability to motivate those around her,” said Niffy Boob, past SSBR chairman.
Elizabeth Salzgeber, a longtime administrative manager for the Steamboat Association, also works as the membership manager for the Summit Association.
“Summit Realtors' board of directors has focused for several years on partnerships and collaborations with other mountain resort real estate associations due to similar market and community issues,” according to a news release. thing.
Following the retirement of Ulrich Salzgeber, Thorsteinson will lead the newly merged association as CEO. She previously served as CEO of Summit Realtors for nine years. Previously, she served as co-government affairs director for six resort real estate associations in Colorado for seven years.
Since 1972, Summit Realtors has served as the voice of the local real estate industry, providing our members with professional development, business tools, technology resources, market data and political advocacy. This group includes 1,000 primary, secondary, and affiliate members.
Since 1981, the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors has supported the real estate industry and currently has approximately 450 members. Steamboat Association's strategic priorities include community service, education, networking, advocacy, and fiscal solvency and responsibility.
