Why Buy a Property in a Resort Area or Community?

The Real Question is: Why Not Buy a Resort Property?

Resort real estate markets are quite unique, and there’s a lot more to them than most people realize. If you find yourself looking to invest in a resort property, it’s important to weigh your options and ask some key questions. 

First, consider the location. You’ll find ski resort area real estate near the mountains, boating resort location real estate on the waterfront and golf properties inside some of the finest resorts around the world. In some exotic locales, there are resort real estate developments offering numerous options for outdoor recreation and adventure sports. The climate, scenery and activities you enjoy most will help define your search.

Resort Property Perks and Exclusive Amenities

One core component of many vacation and resort homes is exclusivity. Are there front gates, guard shacks or multiple entrances surrounding the property’s development? Access to a day spa and yoga studio? A marina on site with maritime services? Amenities such as a PGA-rated golf course, equine facilities or outdoor recreation equipment for residents and guests?

Resort property owners tend to enjoy such exclusive perks, and the feeling of being part of an elite, private club that suits their lifestyle and pace. If this sounds like you, make exclusivity one of the benefits you seek in your ideal property.

On a related note, you should also consider the overall services available to owners within a specific development. In general, you’ll find resort property locations place a high priority on safety, security and maintenance. Owners often check in at the entrance and visiting guests are usually vetted before being granted access. Staff groom the common areas, and there may also be programs for maintaining each residence. But not all locations are created equal … so do some research on how much maintenance and other services are in your hands.

Profitable Investments with Flexibility

Resort destinations often have a waiting list of potential buyers, and the properties for sale tend to have their own markets, protected from the swings of other real estate. With a resort property investment, you should focus on an approach that promotes healthy equity gains and supports future property values.

This prompts our next question: Do you plan on making your prospective property your permanent residence, or more of a vacation home? Some resorts let you rent out your property, while offering management of the dwelling for a small fee while you’re away. This real estate model provides owners flexibility, plus an income stream from renters to offset ownership costs and resort fees.

For all of the reasons above, it has become increasingly popular to invest in resort real estate —

whether it's a golf destination lifestyle property in Scottsdale, Ariz.; a Florida marine resort development; a home in the ski resort area of Telluride, Colo.; or an adventure resort property near the beaches of Costa Rica's Gold Coast.

Do you Know a Resort Lifestyle Real Estate Expert? 

Should you go with a corporate resort lifestyle real estate model offered by Westin, Marriott or Hilton, for example, or choose a private development such as Ocean Park in Costa Rica or Del Webb’s successful RV resort properties throughout Arizona. Perhaps we’ll tackle that in a future article.

Ultimately, you need a resort real estate expert to identify properties that suit your lifestyle and goals. You need a professional with the knowledge and skills to not only identify and locate that perfect resort investment, but to negotiate on your behalf while ensuring a smooth transfer to you as the new owner.

There’s a lot of information to digest when you’re looking for a resort property. Hopefully we’ve made it all just a bit easier for you … or at least easy enough for you to ask the most important question of all: “Why not buy a resort property?”

About the Author

Michael Krieg a real estate professional with United Country Real Estate. He has been in the real estate business for 30 years, building luxury homes in the resort communities of Colorado and Arizona. Michael is starting his newest project in an ECO resort development on the beaches of Costa Rica this year. Learn more about him and view his available listings at www.MikeKrieg.com.