Mountain Land 101

Here are a few details to think about in your quest to find your dream mountain property. You need to know what you want, how and why prices are what they are and what exactly you will be purchasing.

How to determine what you want?

• Will you live here full time?

• Do you need to be close to town conveniences?

• Tell me about the Mountain View that you’d like to see each morning.

• Do you want a forest of pines or is a few trees just enough?

• Is your plan to be in a valley or up on a ridge?

• What are your plans once you move here?

• What is fun for you to do in your spare time?

• Is owning a horse part of your game plan?

• Will your family and friends visit often?

• How much of your assets are you planning to invest?

• What does having surface water (creek, pond) mean to you?

• What kind of community are you looking for?

• How much land do you really need?

• Do you need privacy or real seclusion?

These questions just scratch the surface, but it gives you an idea of how to determine what you want. It helps you to investigate where you will and will not compromise. Send us an E-mail telling us exactly what you want and we can tell you if it exists in your price range.

What drives price?

• Proximity to town conveniences.

• Borders on the National Forest.

• Views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

• Rivers, streams, creeks, ponds and deeded irrigation rights.

• The utilities included:

  1. Potable water source and quality.

  2. City water, central water system or well.

  3. Underground telephone and power

• Topography of the property, how much is usable.

• The amount of acreage.

• Access in all seasons.

• Quality of roads.

• Scarcity of available land.

All of these factors separately and in unison determine price. Which of these are most important in your plan to purchase mountain property?

What else should you know about the land you purchase?

• Where is the location of the domestic water source?

• What is the quality of the drinking water?

• How was the land surveyed and where are the markers or defining corners?

• Who are the neighbors and where will they build?

• Who maintains the roads?

• Who plows the roads in the winter? How often?

• Is there an ambulance service?

• What about trash service?

• Where is mail delivered?

• Are there talented and trustworthy builders in this area?

• How much will it cost to put in a driveway and utilities?

• Where does the school bus pick up children?

• How much will it cost to put in a well?

• What do folks around here do for fun?