Colorado Mountain Property

This checklist runs through each of the important points associated with buying mountain property in Colorado. It can serve as a quick reference for those who want to familiarize themselves with the basics steps and requirements of the process. We will focus on undeveloped property, and leave the home inspection questions for another time.

• Location - Is the property in a remote part of the state, or is it near a major city, tourist area or ski hill? Is the land usable? Is the terrain level or is it full of rocky outcroppings? Is it steep or can you build on it? Will you have to clear the land or has that already been done for you?


• How accessible is the land? Is there road access?


• How far away are the nearest utilities? Will you have to pay to run power, sewage or telephone lines to the property?


• How far away are the nearest amenities? Are there any schools, supermarkets, gas stations or hospitals nearby?


• Is there any surface water on the property? Can you purchase the rights to use that water?


• Is there a well on the property? Can you afford to drill a well and purchase the necessary permits if there is not?


• Are there any covenants in place which restrict what you can and cannot do with the property?


• Is the property adjacent to any public lands?


• Are the lands bordering your property slated for development or currently for sale?

The idyllic scene of a small cabin built on a rustic piece of Colorado mountain property tucked far away from civilization is a dream shared by many people who are hunting down land in Colorado. It can be very tempting to purchased undeveloped land with the goal of building on it and creating a custom vacation home or recreational structure all of your own. Unfortunately, this particular dream is often brought crashing down to earth by the reality of the costs associated with construction.

Building on rural property requires that you take care of what can seem like a million small details in order to make sure that your home is put together exactly as you planned it to be. You will need to source building materials and contractors, get permits, consult with architects and respect the zoning regulations of the region you have selected. You will also have to keep a close eye on contractors as the work is performed, which can be a major time sink - as can dealing with any of the small emergencies that will crop up during the construction phase.

Of course, there are some intangibles associated with purchasing mountain property in Colorado that you will most likely only be able to discover by visiting the land in question. If you have your heart set on a great view, then photographs in the listing are only going to tell part of the story. If you have any particular concerns about how wooded the lot is, you might also want to head on out and inspect the property in person. If you make the trip out to see the property, you will want to make sure that the land has been surveyed and the markers left in place so that you have an accurate impression of the dimensions of the lot.

In any case, if it is at all possible you should visit the Colorado mountain land you are considering buying at least once before signing on the dotted line. There is nothing like a first impression when it comes to purchasing land.

When many people think of Colorado mountain property they often visualize the land in and around the Vail community. It's no wonder, since Vail is home to a famous ski resort and in close proximity to Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, and Arapahoe Basin resorts. You can also find miles and miles of hiking trails, creeks for fishing and tubing, opportunities for horseback riding, golf, tennis, world class dining and nightlife, plus much more.

All of these factors make Vail an ideal location for property investment. The real estate values here do fluctuate just as they do elsewhere in the country. However, because of demand, these investments are sure to grow over the long term.

This analysis of the investment characteristics of Vail property is a good blueprint for determining how good of an investment a property may be. Obviously, a real estate broker is best qualified to do this sort of thing, so be sure to ask your agent/broker to give you something.