How to Choose a Mountain Home and a Real Estate Agent
So you’re ready to move to the mountains? Or to buy an investment property in the foothills?
How do you begin?
You’ll need an agent and you’ll need to choose the right home.
Here’s tips on both.
How to choose a mountain home
Choosing home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Asking good questions is imperative in the mountains and can lead to making it the wisest decision you will make.
What town is the home in? Does it have access to the amenities you want and need, such as grocery stores, healthcare, restaurants and more?
What year was it built? They’ve been building houses in the mountains for more than a century but that doesn’t mean they are all in great shape.
Does it have a water well or is it on city water? Is the well permitted correctly? Is it operating and pumping? Has the water been tested? Is it safe to drink? Are there water rights associated with the property?
Does it have a septic system or is it on city sewer? Has the septic been pumped and cleaned lately? Is the leach field clear functioning? It is permitted?
What kind of heating does the house have? Central air or floor boards or in-floor heating?
Is there air-conditioning? Or a swamp cooler or window units? Most mountain properties do not have air conditioning units so don’t be alarmed if there is not anything installed!
How much sun does the property get (for warmth and snow melt)? Is it covered in trees?
Which direction does the driveway face? Will the snow ever melt?
Are the streets around the house plowed by the county?
Is the property covered in trees? Would you need to do a lot of fire mitigation?
Can you get insurance for the house based on location, fire risk and age?
Are you close to town or far back in the woods? What would be an evacuation plan? Would you have to deal with a lot of wildlife on your property?
What schools would you go to? What district is it in? Do you have various options to choose from? Is there a school bus?
Does it have access to quality internet? Phone? TV?
Does the neighborhood have an HOA?
There’s pros and cons to mountain living so before you make the move, understanding your new home prior to making the purchase is key to ensuring it’s the right next step.
How to choose a real estate agent
Whether buying a home or selling yours, you need someone you can trust. Real estate is the biggest purchase you may make in your lifetime. It’s a big deal! But ultimately, it’s a relationship business. You are going to be spending a lot of time together as you navigate the buying or selling process. You want to actually like the person you’re working with!
You want someone with your best interests in mind. You want someone who wants what’s best for you, not for their commission or timeline or reputation.
You want someone who knows the details of real estate (contracts, the market, projections, etc) but you also want someone who knows people (how to negotiate, how to work well with the other sellers or buyers, who to connect you with when you need a roof fix).
You want someone that can be your advocate when working with and understanding your home inspection prior to buying.
You want someone who knows the area. You want an agent who knows the ins and outs of a mountain home and hasn’t just sold condos in the city. You want someone who understands the nuances of mountain living with septics and wells and acreage.
You want a realtor is who is well connected. Are they part of a local organization (like the Mountain Metro Association of Realtors). Realtors don’t know everything so how are they supported and learning in their network?
For selling your home, you want someone that is good at marketing. At Compass, we often follow a three-phase marketing approach that gets your house exposure and connections before you list, helping you find the best price and deal.
Ultimately, you want a realtor you are confident in and comfortable with. You don’t choose a dentist based on how good their paperwork is.
Let’s get going
Real estate in the mountains doesn’t have to be complicated. Let me be your guide in buying or building. I promise we will make it a pain-free experience to achieve your dreams of living in paradise. Let’s go!
