Luxury Homes in Vail: Don’t Wait For Spring to Start Hunting!
Waiting for the snow to melt may mean missing on great luxury homes for sale in Vail.
Posted: April 28, 2017 by Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties Vail
So often, the idea of cold winter conditions like snow and ice prevents many homebuyers from continuing their real estate hunt through the winter. In Vail, however, that means a good chunk of the year that you might be missing out on the perfect luxury house! Generally speaking, the house selling and buying rush begins in March to provide ample time for all the inspections and closing procedures in time for a summer move. As any skier can tell you, some of the best powder conditions happen in March and even into April. Which means, of course, that if you’re planning on waiting until the snow clears up before you start searching the luxury homes on the market in Vail, you could be waiting too long! This year, don’t let a bit of winter weather deter you; try these tips for starting the house hunting when there is still snow on the ground.
- Embrace the Winter Weather
Vail gets a lot of snow. If you’re searching for luxury homes in the area, odds are good you knew that already and - for most, at least - that’s a good thing. Snow on the ground (and the slopes) means plenty of days of outdoor fun once you’ve found your new home and settled into Vail life. Despite what many assume, visiting homes for sale while it’s still snowy can be the best time to schedule viewings at luxury homes for sale in the area because it will give you a great idea of what happens to the home during winter. You’ll be able to see if the home has a problem with ice dams forming, how well the home’s heating works, and whether any part of the home lacks sufficient insulation. Visiting homes for sale when it’s still wintry out means you’re more likely to spot problems or potential problems before you sign on the dotted line. So, instead of waiting for the great melt every spring, see how well your car handles the snow and start your search sooner!
- Beat Out the Competition
Even though most mountain towns in the Rockies see snow consistently from October to April, the cold and snow can still be a deterrent for mountain residents and newcomers alike when it’s time to buy a home. What this means for you as you search the luxury homes for sale in Vail is, if you start while there’s still snow on the ground, you’ll face less competition. With fewer people engaged in real estate searches in the area, you’re less likely to be faced with a bidding war over that perfect luxury house. This, in turn, means you’ll likely pay less than you would for the same luxury house during the summer because there aren’t others showing enough interest to drive the asking price up. However, a note of caution: many sellers will choose to wait until spring to put their house on the market for this very reason. If a seller has their home and land for sale during the winter, you’ll want to ask your real estate agent how long the house has been on the market (and why, if it’s been several months). You may also want to inquire about the seller’s circumstances; a job change that necessitates a swift moving timeline could be an additional boon for you as a buyer!
- Don’t Let Light Deter You
One of the most common deterrents for house hunting during the winter and early spring is the lack of light. Cloudy winter days and the mountain ridges creating longer shadows can make it appear as if homes for sale don’t get enough light and, as HGTV expounds on frequently, seeing well-illuminated rooms can be a major selling point for homes. Fortunately, now that we’ve entered into daylight savings time and the days are getting longer, many mountain homes will stay brighter longer during the day. However, as with the weather conditions, visiting luxury homes for sale early in the spring will give you a better idea of how- or poorly-illuminated the home will be during the darkest days of the year. A home well-lit during the winter will look brighter and more open, but a home that’s dim during the winter isn’t necessarily one to cross off the list; it may mean a bit of minor renovations, but, as with the weather concerns above, will simply give you an idea of the potential problems. Seeing a home at its least flattering will give you a better idea of areas worth concern so you aren’t surprised with problems after you’ve been in the home for several months.
When you’re ready to begin searching Vail’s luxury homes, don’t wait for the snow to clear before diving in. Come by the Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties office in Vail or give us a call to begin your luxury house search; we have the highest percentage of million-dollar-plus property transactions, so you can trust our team to help you during your luxury homes search. Call today to get started!
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