5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy A Vacation Home

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Just imagine: You’re sitting on the porch of your Steamboat Springs vacation home, overlooking the beautiful mountains of Colorado, with a warm hot chocolate in your hand. You’ve managed to escape the daily work grind, turning off your cell phone and computer, for a relaxing week with your family and friends. While this may sound like a dream, it doesn’t have to be!

When you own a vacation home, you always have a comfortable and relaxing place to retreat to. While it may seem like very few people have second homes, this is actually not the case. According to a 2014 National Association of Realtor’s Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, vacation home sales accounted for nearly 13 percent of all transactions in 2013. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the U.S. Census Bureau data also confirms that there are eight million vacation homes and 43.7 million investment units in the United States.

As you start your search for the perfect vacation home, there are a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself. Let’s take a look at some of these questions below.

Where Are You Looking to Buy?

Whether you’re looking for a vacation home near the mountains or by the beach, it’s important to choose a destination that you know you will love. According to the NAR, more than 80 percent of vacation homebuyers choose locations within driving distance of where they live, with roughly half of all owners opting for properties within 50 miles of their primary residence. If you plan on visiting your vacation home frequently, the proximity to your primary home can be extremely important.

How Often Do You Plan On Using the Property?

Did you know that most American workers average between three to six weeks of vacation time each year? If you’re thinking about buying a vacation home, you’ll want to ask yourself how often you plan on visiting the property. If you plan on visiting your vacation home once a year, you may want to consider fractional ownership and whole ownership.

At The Porches of Steamboat, we’re proud to offer fractional ownership options to people looking for a vacation home in Steamboat Springs. When you invest in fractional ownership of one of our luxury homes, you automatically become a member of our Private Residence Club, where you can enjoy unparalleled amenities and peace of mind without having to wholly own your own high-quality vacation home. Your Private Residence Club ownership guarantees you a minimum of six weeks of vacation time each year at our community.

Do You See Yourself Retiring There?

Some people who invest in vacation properties do so because they see themselves retiring there. If you absolutely know where you’d like to retire, and you have the financial means to afford a vacation property, buying a vacation property may be an excellent choice for you.

Is the Property Easy to Maintain?

As you may already know, some properties are easier to maintain than others. If you’re looking for a vacation home that offers five-star housekeeping and maintenance staff in Steamboat Springs, look no further than The Porches of Steamboat. In addition to our housekeeping and maintenance services, we also offer our residents private shuttle transportation to simplify their lives. Whether you need a lift to the ski resort, popular restaurants downtown, or any other local destination, we’ve got you covered!

What Amenities Are You Looking For in a Vacation Home?

When it comes to your vacation home, you only want the best. As you start your homebuying adventure, there are certain amenities that you should always keep an eye out for. While many people can stage a home to make it look great, always remember that once their belongings are taken away, only the house will remain. Some important amenities to keep in mind include:

Kitchen Appliances

Did you know that one of the most expensive rooms in a home is the kitchen? If you love spending time in the kitchen preparing meals for family and friends, you’ll want to make the kitchen appliances of your vacation home are in good working condition. At The Proches, you can rest assured all of your appliances will be working efficiently.

Private Gyms & Spas

If you love to work out, you may be looking for a vacation home that offers a private gym. Like most homebuyers, luxury shoppers are always looking for homes with great amenities and features that suit their unique needs and lifestyle. After all, it’s much easier to get an hour workout in when the gym is just down the street!

At The Porches of Steamboat, we’re proud to offer a variety of high-end amenities to our homeowners. We offer a state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with Nautilus workout equipment, as well as a heated all-season swimming pool and steam room. If you’re interested in learning more about our amenities, click here. As always, if you have any questions about our luxury vacation homes, contact us today!