I am writing to let my neighbors and the general pubic know that my wife and I are pleased with our investment in Suncadia. We think that the Suncadia Management Team has done a superior job managing the resort through the last several years of devastating economy. They have made cuts, made adjustments, let employees go and they still have maintained the class of the resort. We are pleased with our investment in this beautiful development. The people on the Management Team have been responsive to us when we needed help. We like our neighbors. Suncadia is a warm, welcoming place. You should want to be part of it today. There are always problems in every plan and you can't please all of the people all of the time. We want to thank the Suncadia Management Team for all they have done to make Suncadia a great place to live, visit and play.

It is so refreshing to read a positive comment! You are able to see beyond the "bumps in the road". It is owners like you that will make Suncadia a success in the long run.

Great to hear people are happy, it's getting better!

Just too bad they will not pay, or can't afford to pay, their required county taxes. The clock is ticking. Two years now unpaid maybe? Three is the limit. Tick, tick, tick...

And I am not awae of any bank jumping in to save the day. But hey, as long as everyone is happy.

Does anyone know where the so-called refiance of the entire reosrt is at? Pretty queit these days.

Dave- "awae"? "refiance"? "queit"? I know..you are fumbling with your typing because you are so upset. I wouldn't want to presume you are just ignorant. Chill. We will be good neighbors to you for a long time.

“Also Happy”, if your greatest worries about Suncadia are a couple typo’s from me on my previous post (which I admit I should have reviewed my spelling before posting), then you must be smoking something pretty good. I have spoken with very few people in the upper county that have a positive outlook on Suncadia’s near term future prospects, and I have spoken with quite a few. Some have indicated that bankruptcy might be the best option and produce more beneficial results for property owners within the resort.

It seems your only response and concern is to attack me and ignore the fact regarding the two years worth of unpaid county real estate taxes and the fact that so far the banks have been unwilling to refinance Suncadia. Do you not believe these statements to be true?

“We will be good neighbors to you for a long time.”

When you say “we”, do you mean “we” as the resort and that you are employed with Suncadia or somehow authorized to speak for them, which is how it comes across? Or do you mean “we”, as an individual property owner? If as an individual property owner, I have no beef with individual property owners who are carrying much of the expense burden to keep the resort going – I too am a property owner within the resort. My beef is with the resort owners/management and how it has been poorly managed.

First I will apologize for my snide tone. I assumed you were speaking as a disgruntled long-term resident from outside the Suncadia neighborhoods, of which there are many. I shouldn't be upset with them for expressing their opinions either, but masquerading as owners chaps my hide. We are Suncadia owners as you are. (My "we" being people like you and I!) I have been watching (and hoping to purchase at a discount) some of the properties that make the annual "tax foreclosure sale". http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/treasurer/foreclosures.asp
Approximately 95% of ALL properties listed get brought current in the 2 days prior to the actual sale, including the FEW in Suncadia. I am a glass half full kind of person, so I would assume that would happen if a bunch of the developer owned/common area taxes come close to the 3 year deadline. I don't know how far in arrears they are, nor how refinance/new developer is progressing. I would be interested in seeing this if you can provide some links/research. I think alot of confusion/anger/etc gets exacerbated by just throwing around things that people believe to be true without proof. Thank you for joining the conversation here, and I apologize again for being critical of your typing and my tone. Civility wins.

Apology accepted “Also Happy”.

My post was meant more as a warning to potential buyers that there are still serious problems at the resort. I doubt new clients are informed of the problems when contemplating buyer a lot within the resort.

Those of us that have already purchased can only hope the problems get resolved in a positive manner, but I certainly do not like the resort owners resorting to tactics that puts more of the financial responsibility onto the individual property owners by removing all of the resort properties from paying their monthly association dues – and yes, I know the CC&R’s allow them to do this.

I have owned property in the county since 1987 and was a big supporter of the proposed resort long before any dirt was ever moved and before it was named Mountain Star. I bought one of the first Mountain Star lots available that closed in 2003. The following year we sold it and bought another lot in the new named Suncadia resort. So I definitely had faith in the resort at the beginning.

Here is a little research and facts for you:

February 6, 2011 - I checked just five Roslyn Lodge LLC/Suncadia LLC properties and found that the back taxes and interest are unpaid for 2009 and 2010. The totals owed for just these five properties equal over $700,000. And although I will admit, I did pick some of the highest value properties in the resort for this example, I am more than positive the trend continues throughout all valuations of the properties owned by these Roslyn Lodge LLC, Suncadia LLC and Tumble Creek Golf LLC.

Suncadia Lodge Services Unit (#953383) owes in taxes and interest: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/taxsifterpublic/t-treasurer.asp?pid=953383

2009 = $104,334
2010 = $89,850

Suncadia Lodge Parking Unit (#953384) owes in taxes and interest: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/taxsifterpublic/t-treasurer.asp?pid=953384

2009 = $74,868
2010 = $64,475

Swim/Fitness Center (#955998) owes in taxes and interest: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/taxsifterpublic/t-treasurer.asp?pid=955998

2009 = $105,680
2010 = $91,053

Clubhouse plus 94 acres of golf facilities (#11862) owes in taxes and interest: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/taxsifterpublic/t-treasurer.asp?pid=11862

2009 = $51,978
2010 = $35,065

215 acres in Cle Elum Urban Growth Area (#11850) owes in taxes and interest: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/taxsifterpublic/t-treasurer.asp?pid=11850

2009 = $99,163
2010 = $91, 768

We shall see if they are successful with the restructure of their financing. If not, this could be the year of change for the resort.

See page 5 and 6 at this link regarding Suncadia Letter of Credit Extension:
http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boc/minutes/2010/2010-11-02-minutes-agenda.pdf

See page 6 and 7 at this link regarding Suncadia Letter of Credit Extension:
http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boc/minutes/2010/2010-09-07-minutes-agenda.pdf

September 2010 article regarding the Letter of Credit titled “Suncadia seeks to extend deadline":
http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_972e59a0-b6b2-11df-9c83-001cc4c03286.html

Thank you Dave both for the links and accepting my humble apology. I knew of the late taxes, and was not as concerned as you are as I look at it as the Developer is just getting a 12% loan. Not necessarily the decision you or I would make, but a business decision. I would guess they are thinking they could get a loan from the bank (or TRY!), or string the County on for 3 years. I wonder whether or not a partial payment would extend out the 3 years! I think the root of the problem is based in the overall US economy, which from my perch is coming back strongly (whole different discussion). I expect in the near future Suncadia will be more active/desirable/etc and will thrive for a long time. I think this thread began with "Ron", "Roslyn", "BW" and even myself being glad we are involved there, and looking forward to good times ahead. For crying out loud there are some that complain about the WIND!! Have a good one! Are you considering selling? I ask this tongue-in-cheek as you appear to be in for the long run...so let's relax and enjoy the ride!

Hi there - I just came across this blog and found it very interesting. I have been following Suncadia for years and almost purchased property about 3 years ago. Here is a question from an outsider who "gets" the vision of SUncadia and would one day like to be a part of it:

What is up with the prices??!!

When the economy was at its peek, I could see that they were going for a very high end resort for only the wealthy - 300K for a studio condo and the like. It priced me out, as it did a number of people I suppose. I cannot blame them for that - they are entitled to try as make as much money as they can. But with the economy way down, and real estate now down for a number of years now, and not likely to bounce back to 2007 levels, what is the justification for keeping both property and especially home prices so high? Do they actually sell at those numbers? It's MUCH more expensive to buy a 1500 sq foot house in Suncadia than almost anywhere here near Seattle or the Eastside.

I just don't get it. Maybe I'm completely missing it, and they are getting buyers. And if so, good for them - again, I have no anomosity. But assuming these properties are not moving, and if Suncadia's finances are as dire as they seem, why do they keep the barriers to entry so elevated? Don't they want to encourage middle class people to consider their resort?

I'd be interested in opinions and comments. Thanks!

Hey Troll...you asked for opinion/comments..here are mine! I am a real estate agent in Seattle area. My family and I have looked at the Suncadia project for many years, and finally purchased. The main part of your question, "why do they keep the barriers to entry so elevated" is what I want to address. It is all a matter of perspective, but I feel you are incorrect in this assumption. In December a condo in the lodge closed for $115k and since the end of September there are 5 either pending or closed for less than $160k. As for your "1500 sq ft" home, they really don't exist. There are some smaller homes near the Inn which are about 1500 sq ft that have sold for between 350k-400k. These are beautifully finished new homes, which in Seattle area would CURRENTLY be 600-800k. These are second homes/vacation spots/etc so it is really unfair to compare Seattle/Eastside vs. Suncadia. My bottom line (sorry I ramble some times) is that NOW is a great time to get the place at Suncadia you have been thinking about for a long time. I agree the developer was too optimistic with original pricing, but they DID sell alot of the properties by doing so. The people who bought early and want out NOW are selling their properties at a huge discount. MOST people (Ron above, myself, etc) are in for the long run, and those joining now will most likely NOT ever see even a drop in their values. If you don't make move now, don't be surprised if things go up in the future, never to return to these levels. Just my opinion, of course! Best to you and yours!

This is an interesting statement coming from a "real estate agent." Seems like I have heard enough from real estate agents trying to get people to buy homes, saying that the price will go up in the future. Sure. I would be cautious in taking advice from anyone who stands to make a profit. I have heard so many real estate agents touting the same old motto. Buy now or forever be priced out of the market-yeah right. I have friends and family who fell for this back in 2007. I think that a more appropriate motto should be to sell now or forever be priced into the market.

Good luck Suncadia.

I want to clarify that the person above with the author name "dave", is not me who had osted further above as the author "Dave", with the D as a cap.

I am also very happy to hear that Suncadia LLC has paid all of the property taxes owed and I posted this information in the Suncadia Resort" section on this forum.

We are looking at homes and lots and would be interested in any recommendations regarding location, etc. I have asked elsewhere for people to tell me if concerns have been resolved.

Also, would like to rent a lovely home Aug 25th for a week or so....

Mimi, we have a lot at Tumble Creek, should you be interested, we have a great start up idea to get you started enjoying Suncadia.

Message to an - I have no way to contact you, so could you please tell me what lot you have?

Mimi, thank you for your reply, as long as you are interested in Suncadia, call Green Realty
talk to my daughter in law, as she owns here in Suncadia, who knows you may find your Dream home. go to http://www.ecobuilding.org/gp/green-pages/greenworks-realty-1 She also owns Lot at TC Orphan Nugget St

Thanks, Good Luck,

an

Mimi,
We should probably take this discussion off-line if you are interested in pursuing. Please feel free to contact me. My husband and I own a very private deep lot adjacent to the ravine on Orphan Nugget Lane (7-33); We currently do not have it on the market but are very willing to discuss selling it. We also own the 5- Star Built Green Home on lot 13 of the Prospector (741 Maple leaf Loop). We are also considering selling this home as well. Please contact me off-line at the following if you wish to discuss more:
brenda@greenworksrealty.com; (425) 785-6286.

freelance writer