Buying a new home is always a big step, no matter how much money is on the line. Buying a luxury home is an even bigger step, getting what you want out of your new luxury home means understanding what constitutes money well spent.
This is especially true of a luxury mountain property. While the median home value in Colorado is just $344,500, mountain towns near resorts have seen prices skyrocket. For example, the median home value in Vail is $890,200, and nearby Avon is $587,800.
And those values only represent the middle range of home buying. Luxury mountain homes easily cost into the millions of dollars. Though despite the price, Colorado mountain living comes with unique benefits you can't find anywhere else.
Colorado Mountain Living
There're reasons towns like Breckenridge win awards for best small towns in America. Mountain living brings out the best in people. Whether it's the fresh air, the sunny skies, or the beautiful backdrops, everyone seems happy.
Finding your dream home in the idyllic landscape isn't easy, but certainly isn't impossible. All you need to know is what to look for in your new luxury house.
Because life in the mountains is unique, what you should value in a luxury home is a little different from what you'd look for anywhere else. So to help get you started, we're sharing a few things to look for when you're looking for a luxury home in Summit County.
Natural Complements
If you're looking for a mountain home, chances are you're looking for nature. Mountain living offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. But not every home accentuates those landscapes.
Building houses requires space, and that often means clearing trees and other natural formations to make room. Homes like this destroy the natural beauty that makes mountain living so appealing.
Look for homes that take advantage of the surrounding beauty. Homes surrounded by trees or rock formations are the easiest place to start. You can also look for architecture that complements nature.
Luxury homes built from locally sourced materials help them blend in with their natural surroundings.
Covered Parking
Like the driving hazards plaguing those trying to get to the slopes, luxury homeowners can also encounter problems with digging their cars out of the snow. When you're splurging on a luxury home, make sure there's enough parking, and then some.
You never know when you'll need (or just want) another vehicle, and garage space can get tight for homes with many natural complements.
Heated Amenities
Winter in the mountains gets cold, even with luxury home heating. If you're throwing out the extra cash, why not make sure you're as cozy as possible?
Floors
Heated floors are fairly common among homes in colder climates. They'll keep your feet warm on trips to the bathroom, and reduce the time your furnace runs. They're especially nice in homes with forced air furnaces that cause dry air.
Porches/Walkways
Like floors, porches and walkways also come heated. Porches are more of a luxury, letting you use a patio space all year round. But walkways are what you'll really want.
Don't like shoveling snow? No problem. Heated walkways keep snow and ice at bay so shoveling isn't a problem.
Size
If you eschew the mountain towns and heat for the high peaks chances are you're not coming down anytime soon. While it's a beautiful setting, you'll want some extra space for the cold winter months.
This means choosing a luxury house that has enough space for yourself, or yourself and your significant other. And when we say enough space, we mean more than enough space.
Winter in the high peaks keeps people indoors. Extra space means having room for your own hobbies, wants, needs, etc. It also means enough space to store ski gear and other winter-centric toys.
Time Frame
Beyond amenities and locations, it's important to understand that luxury mountain homes sell quickly. When you're looking at buying, you should be aware that there's a limited supply.
When something comes up that fits your wants, needs, and budget, you need to buy it up as soon as possible. It sounds like realtor-speak, but these homes really do sell fast.
Everyone wants a beautiful mountain home, and there's only so much mountain to go around.
Find the Right Agent for Your Luxury House
Finding an agent who knows the Colorado mountains is the final piece of the luxury house buying puzzle. You'll want someone familiar with the local market, local area, and local people.
The right realtor can help get you lower home prices and knows the ins and outs of the mountain area you're looking to call home.
So if you're in the market for your new mountain luxury home, get in contact with us. Our real estate experts are ready to help you live in out your postcard home dream.
By Coldwell Banker
