Vacation home investing in a resort area

Many of our clients in the Steamboat Springs area want to find properties they will use only part of the year. In a resort area, vacation home investing can be a great way to gain access to a beautiful spot while also making a little money on the deal.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering an investment in a vacation home:

Know the area

Most of our clients who buy vacation homes in Steamboat have been here before, often many times. They know and love the area, which is why they want to own here. For these buyers, the investment property also serves as their home base for their own vacations.

Get real about your budget before you buy a home

Ah, January. It's the time of year when many of us are reeling a bit from holiday bills and starting to think about tax season. As a result, it is a perfect time to review your finances. Plus, if you are thinking about house hunting this year, it pays to get real about your budget before you buy.

Below are a few steps that can help you get a handle on your budget before starting your house hunt:

Why you should buy a home early in 2017

We know, we know: You just made it through the holiday season and you just want to rest a bit. However, it might make sense to buy a home early in 2017 rather than waiting. Here's why:

Interest rates

The Federal Reserve has already raised interest rates slightly for the new year, but the base rate remains low overall. Experts expect further rate increases later this year, so making a move now will help you keep your payment lower.

Get a jump on spring cleaning to prepare your home for sale

If you are thinking about listing your home in 2017, there are things you can do now to prepare your home for sale. Organizing and cleaning now can make the process of listing and showing your home much easier when you are ready to take that leap.

These featured properties in Steamboat Springs will make you want to pack your bags today

If you haven't explored the rest of our website recently, we invite you to do so. We regularly feature special properties in Steamboat Springs, as well as neighborhoods, condos and more.

Featured videos

We often post videos of developments and special listings, and we currently have a few posted for your viewing pleasure. These videos give you just a taste of the truly incredible surroundings we enjoy in Steamboat Springs, as well as each property's unique features.

This video for the Wildhorse development shows off some of our best winter assets:

View additional property videos here.

Enjoying the holidays in Steamboat

You know those Christmas card scenes with the snow-capped mountains, horse-drawn sleigh and light shining from a log-cabin window? We happen to live in one of those cards. You truly cannot find a more picture-perfect mountain holiday than in Steamboat Springs.

There is nothing like a Colorado mountain town during the holiday season. The Old West charm combined with frosty peaks and warm hospitality really set the stage for an unforgettable experience, and we get that experience each and every year as locals. We do not take that for granted, and we revel in the beauty of the winter here.

Steamboat consistently ranks as one of the best ski towns

We're biased, of course, because we live here and we LOVE it. Other locals know what we mean, and we all share a great amount of pride for our pretty ski town. However, we're not the only ones who know just how amazing this place is. Steamboat Springs regularly appears on top 10 and favorites lists each year.

Below are just a few sources who happen to agree with us that Steamboat Springs is a great place to live and to play:

Find a little something for everyone this winter in Steamboat

White gold is falling from the skies this time of year, creating a skiers' and boarders' paradise. If you have never skied, Steamboat, it is truly an experience not to be missed. Our champagne powder, and even an occasional moose visitor, make our slopes some of the most sought-after anywhere. So, buying a lift ticket is an obvious must-do winter in Steamboat activity.

But what about the folks who aren't into skiing? There is still plenty to keep you busy and completely entertained this winter:

Now can be a great time to sell and appeal to holiday home buyers

It can be tempting to take your home off the market during the holidays. Or wait until after the holidays to list it in the first place. However, you might be underestimating holiday home buyers.

A few good reasons to sell your home during the holidays

Especially in vacation destinations like Steamboat Springs, the holidays bring an influx of visitors. These people represent a whole new market for selling your home. Once they fall in love with the area, they very well could be considering a move there (or a vacation home). You could miss out on this opportunity if you take your home off the market during the holiday travel season.

For those who want an affordable vacation home, fractional ownership is one option

We are often approached by would-be buyers who are interested in the vacation home options available in Steamboat Springs. For those buyers who don't want the expense or hassle of buying a property outright, fractional ownership offers one attractive option.

What is fractional ownership?

Owning a piece of property under a fractional agreement means that you have access to it for a set number of weeks per year. Fractional agreements vary, but you could purchase anywhere from a few weeks to several months access each year. Unlike a timeshare, each party in the agreement owns a portion of the property's equity.