5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Ski Property

Written by Posted On Thursday, 24 May 2018 02:07
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Ski Property Photo by Chris Holder on Unsplash

Do you love going on ski breaks? Are you thinking of taking your passion to the next level by investing in property on a ski resort? While it’s tempting to dive right in and purchase your dream ski lodge, it’s important to think carefully before making such a big decision. The questions below will help you to think the idea through and figure out whether or not it makes sense for you right now.

1. Do I Actually Need to Own a Property?

Before you make the commitment to actually own a property in your favorite resort, be sure to consider all the options. If you’re not going to spend much time at the property, could you rent instead? Renting is generally much more affordable, and you won’t have any maintenance or repairs to worry about. If you’re looking to buy a property simply because you love skiing, ask yourself whether you really need to own the place you stay in during your trips.

If you choose not buy, you’ll have more money to explore new areas, and there’s no risk of getting bored in one place. However, when you own a property you’ll have more chance to engage with the local community, you’ll be able to store all your gear for easy access, and you’ll have a wonderful second home to retreat to at any time.

2. Am I Happy to Keep Coming to This Resort?

If you have any sense that you might get tired of returning to the same resort year after year, purchasing a ski property probably isn’t the right option for you. However, if you tend to travel to the same place anyway, owning a property often feels like a natural next step.

You’ll be able to spend more time at the place you love, and you'll feel more relaxed in the comfort of your very own ski home. If you have children, buying a property is a great way to introduce them to the slopes in a safe, familiar environment - before they get older and decide to go off on their own ski adventures.

3. Is the Property Easy to Travel To?

While you might have had the best time in the world at a ski resort that’s 10 hours away, it probably doesn’t make sense to buy property there - especially if you have children. The harder your chosen resort is to get to, the less likely you are to travel and make regular use of your home. You’ll also spend more on flights, which can quickly add up to a significant amount.

If you have young children or are planning a family, you’ll need to think about the practicality of long, difficult flights. Finding the balance between a resort that you love and one that’s fairly easy to travel to is key if you want to get the most value from your ski property.

4. Can I Use the Property All Year Round?

While some resorts don’t have much going on out of season, others offer plenty of things to do all year round. Many of the ski homes offered by Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties are located in areas that don’t shut down when the ski season ends. Instead, activities like summer festivals, outdoor sports, biking, horse riding, golfing and more are available for the whole family to enjoy. If you want to get maximum value out of your ski property, it makes sense to choose a location that’s fun to visit no matter what time of year it is.

5. Can I Afford to Maintain the Property?

Buying ski property is a big investment, and you need to plan carefully for any unexpected costs. You’ll be buying a home in a place with a pretty extreme climate, where issues like burst pipes or leaking roofs can quickly become expensive to deal with. Many ski property owners choose to hire a local company to manage the care of their property while they’re not around, but this another added cost. Before you decide to buy your dream ski lodge, you need to make sure that you’ve got the funds to cope with general maintenance and unexpected emergencies.

Excited about buying your very first ski property? Set yourself up for a successful purchase by considering the important questions above.

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Agent Resource

Limited time offer - 50% off - click here

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.