Who wouldn’t want a slice of mountain heaven? Here’s what you need to know about buying land in Colorado to make sure your slice of heaven can really become your very own paradise.
Location. Where the prettiest sunset is, may not be the best place to buy and build. Wait, what am I saying, EVERY sunset in Colorado is gorgeous. But, some of the more well-known areas such as Aspen or Beaver Creek are gorgeous, you’ll want to check out “Beyond the Resort Towns…. What Colorado REALLY has to Offer. Some of the towns in the foothills such as Conifer, Evergreen, and Morrison.
Accessibility. First and foremost, if you’re not from Colorado (and for some of you that are!), the mountains are deceivingly HUGE. That may seem like a real obvious statement but even after living here for years and years, they never cease to amaze me when driving through them how long it takes to get from one town to another. Each part of them is different from the next. They are not “as the crow flies” in terms of time to get places and it can take very long to get to a location if roads are closed for whether, there is a wildfire, there is a tunnel construction, or a variety of other reasons. Use full logic and not just your eyes when picking a location that’s close enough to work and convenient to all the amenities you will need without being a hassle each time you need to go out.
MUST SEE: The perfect place to build your dream home in mountain paradise just 20 minutes from Denver on 10 acres for only $99,000.
Water/Sewer Rights. Many mountain communities operate on well and sewer systems which can be restrictive of certain activities such as having a hot tub or watering a lawn. A well will also require a permit to drill and the cost to drill the well will vary. The depth of the well will vary from one area to another so some due diligence in this area is key.
Snow Removal/road maintenance. While we’d all like it snow beautifully in front of our windows and on the ski slopes and avoid the roads, that is not the case. In ALL parts of Colorado the roads can get very treacherous in the winter months. Many roads in the mountains and specifically in certain areas can become impassable. Check with the HOA to see what contracts they have for snow removal and maintenance after the snow melts. You’ll also want to ask if they plow the neighborhood roads only and if your driveway is included.
Plan. Visit the planning department of where you want to buy land to see what the long-term last plan for the land is. Even if the area where you want to buy is undeveloped, a general plan will tell you what land is zoned for specific uses such as farming, industrial and recreational and you can avoid having a roadblock in building down the road. You will also find out f there are any planned construction projects that could potentially block your views which is especially important in many Colorado mountain communities. You’ll also want to ask the planning department for the exact boundaries of the Colorado land you’re looking at purchasing to ensure that you are getting exactly what you paid for.
Here’s an example of a 10 acre property that not only has SPECTACTUAL views, but also has the amenities of an established subdivision (Saddleback Ridge Estates) and is just a quick 20 minute drive from Denver located in Evergreen, CO.
If you’re considering buying an existing house over building on a lot, check out this info on why starting from scratch on a lot rather than buying an existing home is the way to go.
Have questions about buying land or building a house? Comment below or give me a call at 303.877.4572.
Comments (3)Subscribe to CommentsComment