Board of Realtors priced out of Aspen

Even real estate businesses get priced out of Aspen.

The Aspen Board of Realtors has relocated 20 miles downvalley in Basalt.

The association traded the longtime headquarters it rented at the Aspen Airport Business Center for a spacious new office it bought in Basalt.

"We thought we'd be real estate owners ourselves," said Brynne Kristan, executive vice president of the Aspen Board of Realtors.

The association for real estate agents promotes professionalism in the business, organizes continuing education classes and tracks sales by members. It was founded in 1972 and is supported by members' dues.

No name change is being contemplated despite the relocation. The office opened at its new home in June. A grand opening is expected later this year.

The association is one of scores of businesses that have relocated downvalley over the last decade or so. For many, it makes more business sense to buy downvalley than it does to rent upvalley. High commercial prices in the Aspen area make it difficult for many businesses to purchase office space there.

And who better than a batch of Realtors to recognize a good property deal when they see one?

Scott Condon's e-mail address is scondon@aspentimes.com