Author: The Moens

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Why We Love Summer in Breckenridge

Summit Activities in Breckenridge

In Breckenridge, we have a saying that we use to describe our area. “I came for the skiing, but I stayed for the summers.” Yes, Breckenridge is an international ski resort. That is what it is known for and has been for many years. And the skiing is some of the best in the world.

But in the past decade or so, we have also seen a huge influx of tourism descending upon us in the summer months. Everybody is catching on that the summer here in Breckenridge is outstanding!! We now have people that come to bike, hike, paddle board, camp, attend music festivals and parades, mountain bike, etc, etc. No longer is summer the slow season.

The Activities

The town of Breck puts on many activities that you and your family will love. GoBreck.com, the local tourism office, hosts arts festivals, beer and wine tasting events, concerts and two classical orchestras to name a few. The best place to find out what to do here in the summer is www.gobreck.com. They will list all the upcoming events.

We also have a new Backstage Theater with great live performances.

Family Adventure Park

Vail Resorts put $9,000,000 in to the family fun adventure park a couple of years ago. Vail did extensive research to substantiate their major renovations to Peak 8 for this park. This is good news for all property owners. There is much construction going on here in the Breckenridge summers. Lots of construction means a healthy market.

So Much To Do

What to Do in Summer in Breck

The good news beside the fun to be had here in Breck: if you don’t find something you like, then you can go to Dillon for some free outdoor concerts on the lake or a great Farmer’s Market in the summer. Silverthorne, Keystone, and Frisco all have great activities. We sell properties in all of them!!

If you are a homeowner in Breck, or looking to buy in Breck, this is great news for your family to have all these activities to enjoy. If you are an investment-minded person, then the benefit to you is that a few years ago the summer rentals were minimal and if you made a few dollars that was a bonus. Now it is a substantial amount to add onto your yearly rental income. As the summer income builds, so does your repeat business on your investment property.

Breckenridge summers are a must-see. It is a whole different feeling. Give us a call to see what Breckenridge summers have to offer!

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5 Things to Think About Before Buying a Home in Breckenridge CO

You can see it now: your serene mountain dream home, nestled among the trees and wildlife. You and your family speeding down the slopes. But before you buy a home in Breckenridge, there are things you should know. Living in the mountains can be peaceful and magical, but new challenges and difficulties can present themselves.

How to Buy your Breckenridge Property

Buy a Home in Breckenridge CO

If you are getting a loan to buy your home, there are a couple of options. You can purchase the home as a primary residence, a second home or an investment property. Each methods has its own programs. They will require different amounts down or different percentage rates etc. It is always best to speak to your lender and your accountant as each variable has different tax ramifications.

Choosing a Lender for Your Loan

We always suggest you use a local lender when buying a home in Breckenridge. There are enough lenders in Summit County to choose from and they have competitive rates. Many times buyers will find a lender online that offers them incredibly low rates or they get a lender that says yes to your loan without the knowledge and experience of the local resort town market. Remember, lenders are a commission-based business. For example, there are some condos that many lenders cannot loan on such as a condo/hotel. This is due to the difficulty selling the loan on an open market and often times the loan rate is higher. Using a local lender saves everyone involved potential disappointment and headaches.

Think About How You Will Use Your Mountain House

Buy a House in Breckenridge, CO

If you are buying a house in the mountains with a plan to rent it out short-term or long-term, you need to ask yourself if the numbers are of primary concern or is the emotional component. Is this a family dream cabin in the woods or a ski property for the family? Do you want to realize the highest return on investment? Your answers to these questions will be the deciding factor on where you are going to buy a home or condo.

When To Buy A Home

When you buy a home in the mountains, in a resort community, everything is driven by the seasons. Breckenridge is a ski town so the most inventory to choose from typically is in the summer – July and August. Many sellers have kept their property for the winter to ski one last time or if they are renting their property out they want those peak ski seasons rental income dollars. Many times they are preparing their property for the market on the off season, so summer is when the inventory tends to be the highest.

Consider the Time you Invest in Buying a House in Breckenridge

Buy a Home in Breckenridge CO

Are you going to rent out your property yourself? Do you have time to book reservations, keep up maintenance, etc, or do you need a rental company that is full service and just sends you a check every month with little to no involvement from you?

Secondly, decide when you buy, do you want a condo where the HOA handles so many of the items so you don’t have to, such as snow removal, hot tubs etc? If you buy a home there are options for hiring someone to come in and check on pipes and make sure they don’t freeze, do walk a through every week and keep and eye on things for you. There are many options for you to find one that works for you and your family.

We have been buying and selling homes for our clients in Breckenridge for over 22 years and can help you make the right decision for your family. Give us a call today to get the ball rolling to realize your dream of living in the mountains.

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Best Neighborhoods to Buy a Vacation Rental in Breckenridge

Best Neighborhoods in Breckenridge

The best neighborhood to buy a vacation rental in Breckenridge is subjective. It depends on your priorities for the vacation rental.

You have heard location, location, location, in real estate? This applies when buying a vacation rental because there are various ways to use your rental property in Breckenridge. I typically see two kinds of people that buy vacation rentals. One is the “numbers person” where return on investment is priority. The second type of buyer is looking for the family cabin or home in Breckenridge that will appeal to their idea of a cabin in the woods. If, for example, you want to rent it out and the return on investment is the most important factor then you would want to purchase in town, close to the slopes. Ski-in ski-out is the ideal in this scenario. Potential vacation renters will want to walk to town, shop, and be close to the restaurants. They will want to get off the ski lift and to their home away from home as quick as possible. In-town properties offer excitement to skiers everywhere, lots of activities and fun to be had. If you are outside of town, for example in Blue River, which is an unincorporated bedroom community of Breckenridge, you will have a different experience. This area is more rural and tends to appeal to those that want a purchase an rental property but prefer the idea of really feeling like they are in the woods and to be able to hike or cross country ski and enjoy nature. When searching for a vacation investment property in Breckenridge, the further from town you are, typically the less amount of rentals you will get. So, again, here is the decision for most families.

Buy Vacation Rentals in Breckenridge CO

There are a couple of other areas worth mentioning. If you want to buy a luxury vacation home in Breckenridge, the Highlands is another option. There are many different areas but most people think of this area as the gold course community. It is strictly regulated so that all the homes stay luxury homes. The Highlands are located just north of downtown Breckenridge. So golf a round, stop at the club for a drink or meal and walk back home. In the winter this area has a groomed course for cross country skiing.

If you are undecided or just want to know more about the neighborhoods in Breck that are best for vacation rentals, my clients find it helpful to come up for the day. We can tour the Breckenridge neighborhoods and look at the different areas that are options for you. Many times people have been coming here for years but are unaware of so many of the subdivisions and what their choices really are. There is so much to Breckenridge; let us share our gorgeous town with you.