Waking up to gorgeous mountain vistas and enjoying a laid-back lifestyle is par for the course in beautiful Mountain Village, Colorado.
A resort town located in Colorado’s San Miguel County, Mountain Village is best known for its quiet and friendly atmosphere, exquisite views of rolling aspen and spruce-covered mountainsides, top-quality amenities, and proximity to the world-famous Telluride Ski Resort & Golf Club.
If living in an alpine locale is something that interests you, investing in Mountain Village, CO’s wide selection of in-demand real estate properties can be an excellent decision. Continue reading as we explain what exactly makes this historic and beautiful community a highly desirable place to live and invest in.
Table of Contents
- Brief overview of Telluride Mountain Village, CO
- Why are people buying homes in Mountain Village, CO?
- What is the Mountain Village, CO real estate market like?
- What are the advantages of owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO?
- Homebuyer benefits of owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO
- Investor benefits of owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO
- Things to consider when buying or investing in a ski home in Mountain Village, CO
- Mountain Village, CO ski homes: Where to buy?
- Find the ski home of your dreams in Mountain Village, CO with T.D. Smith
Brief overview of Telluride Mountain Village, CO
Mountain Village, CO started out as a collection of sheep ranches before entrepreneur Joe Zoline bought it in the late 1970s. A Beverly Hills-based mogul, Zoline wanted to build a ski resort in the area, in order to take advantage of the 300 inches or so of snow it gets every year.
Upon purchasing the land, Zoline teamed up with champion French skier Emile Allais, who then proceeded to help him design and complete his resort.
A few years after its completion in the mid-1980s, however, the resort changed hands and come into the ownership of businessmen Ron Allred and Jim Wells.
The two Colorado-based entrepreneurs who purchased the property spearheaded the construction of a Swiss-style town center for the rest of Mountain Village, CO, effectively spurring the community’s transformation into a tourist destination.
Today, Mountain Village, CO is a thriving and self-sufficient alpine community that boasts top-quality amenities and attractions, not to mention stunning views and spacious properties.
Location
Located in the heart of the Uncompahgre National Forest, and perched high up in the San Juan Mountains – 9,450 feet above sea level, to be exact – Mountain Village, CO spans just 3.5 square miles, and is home to about 2,000 residents.
A peaceful and serene escape for residents and visitors alike, Mountain Village, CO is famous for effortlessly blending together the amenities of a world-class resort with the charming sensibilities of rural America.
Mountain Village, CO is located along San Juan Skyway, a scenic 233-mile loop that traverses the very heart of the San Juan Mountains.
Given its secluded location, it takes about a day’s worth of driving from places like Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Phoenix to reach Mountain Village. Those from farther away, however, may opt to come in via plane.
At present, the major airports nearest to Mountain Village, CO are Telluride Regional Airport, which can be reached in under 15 minutes; and Montrose Regional Airport, which is located some 70 miles away from the town.
Other airports that visitors and prospective buyers can fly to include Cortez Municipal Airport, Durango/La Plata County Airport, and Grand Junction-Walker Field Airport.
Residents, however, enjoy the highly walkable and pedestrian-friendly community. Those who wish to drop by Telluride, however, can just take the free gondola that connects the two villages.
Why are people buying homes in Mountain Village, CO?
Sales of real estate properties in Colorado’s mountainside communities are on the rise – including those in San Miguel County, which recorded a whopping 131% increase in sales volume in October 2021 alone.
The majority of these buyers, according to reports, are urbanites that want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the cities by investing in vacation or ski homes. Others are made up of investors looking to purchase properties they can rent out to tourists and holiday-goers.
What is the Mountain Village, CO real estate market like?
Mountain Village, CO offers a wide range of properties for homebuyers and investors. These range from single-family homes, townhouses, and condo units in the town’s central area, to expansive estates, and even undeveloped, vacant land.
Ski homes for sale in Mountain Village, CO have a median listing price of $5,259,798, although some of the more luxurious properties such as ski chalets are known to easily fetch prices of up to $12 million.
Condominiums in Mountain Village, CO on the other hand, usually sell for around $1,545,557.
Because of the relatively high cost of properties in the area, many of Mountain Village, CO’s residents choose to stay in rental homes and condos, which have rates that start at an average of $1,214 per month.
What are the advantages of owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO?
Owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO presents a wide range of irresistible advantages to homeowners and investors alike, some of which are detailed below:
Homebuyer Benefits of owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO
- A ski home can help streamline your holiday preparations
Having a ski home in Mountain Village, CO takes all the stress out of planning a holiday. This is because all that would be left for you to do is book your flights and pack your bags since you will already have accommodations waiting for you at your destination. You won’t find the need to bring your ski equipment with you every time you get away as these can be easily stashed in your very own Mountain Village, CO home alongside your winter clothes and other necessities.
- A ski home can provide passive income
Given the high demand for properties in Mountain Village, CO – not to mention the tight supply of houses in the area – you might find it profitable to rent your ski homes out during certain times of the year. Aside from providing you with additional income, renting out your Mountain Village, CO ski home for short periods each year can also allow you to enjoy certain tax benefits, such as deducting property taxes and your mortgage interest from your gross income.
- A ski home can help prepare you for retirement
Purchasing a ski home is a decision that can positively impact your future, since it can easily function as your very own retirement home when the time comes. Especially if located in a luxurious, in-demand location like Mountain Village, CO, a ski home increases in value as time goes by, which means that you can expect great returns if ever you decide to put it back on the market.
Investor Benefits of owning a ski home in Mountain Village, CO
- Ski homes attract a steady stream of clients
Luxury properties like ski homes offer a sense of privacy and comfort that cannot be found in typical resort accommodations, making them very attractive to jetsetters and other high-end clientele. Thus, ski homes are a profitable investment – especially if they are located in places like Mountain Village, CO, which draws throngs of tourists and holidaymakers every single year.
- Ski homes have a set and predictable market
Places such as Mountain Village are known to experience an influx of visitors during the ski season. Moreover, Mountain Village and neighboring Telluride offer a different set of attractions during the spring and summer months, such as cross-country hiking, mountain biking, camping, paragliding, and trail running, which means your rental property will never enter a void period.
To an investor, this predictability makes it easy to schedule potential bookings, which maximizes the property’s profitability. For instance, you can charge higher rent during peak season, and then revert to lower rates during off season.
- Ski homes have higher ROI
Luxury properties such as ski homes for sale in Mountain Village, CO have the potential to net a higher ROI for investors compared to more modest real estate offerings. This is mainly due to the inherent value of these properties, as well as the range of improvements that can be done to them. Together, these factors can help investors recoup a large percentage of the home’s overall cost once it’s put up for resale.
- Ski houses can be bought as timeshare properties
Resort properties, such as ski homes for sale in Mountain Village, CO, lend themselves well to the timesharing system. It involves multiple owners having exclusive use of a piece of property for a set period of time. This homeownership model is popular within tourist destinations and often applies to homes, condominiums, and resorts. It’s also ideal for investors who may not be able to stay in the property for more than a few weeks at a time.
Things to consider when buying or investing in a ski home in Mountain Village, CO
There are many important things to consider when looking for ski homes for sale in Mountain Village, CO. These include the following:
- Purpose. Before buying property in Mountain Village, CO, decide first what you want to use it for. Will it function as a second or vacation home, or will you turn it into a rental? Answering this question can help you narrow your focus and look into available properties that fit your goals and criteria.
For instance, if you’re looking for a place that you can convert into a rental for families and large groups of people, you might want to check out some of the community’s available chalets and lodges. However, if you’re looking for a secondary residence or personal vacation home, a condo near the town center might suffice.
- Budget and financing. If you can afford to buy the properties for sale in Mountain Village, CO, then you might be liquid enough to buy a home in cash. Otherwise, be aware that lenders are far more stringent when it comes to financing secondary homes. Therefore, make sure your financial documents are in order before you apply for a loan.
Remember that ski properties, especially in popular vacation destinations such as Mountain Village, CO, come at steeper price points and require a higher payment up front.
Moreover, factor in the other costs that come with ownership. This includes insurance, utility costs, maintenance, and if you’re planning on renting it out to tourists, property management costs.
- Amenities. Before purchasing any of the homes for sale in Mountain Village, CO, check if their amenities match your goals for the property. For instance, if you are looking for a place you can market to avid ski enthusiasts, it makes sense to get a house or lodge – preferably one with a dedicated ski room – that’s located near the slopes. Conversely, if you are looking for a place that can serve as a private retreat, it may be better to get a property that’s away from main roads and without surrounding developments that can mar the area’s sweeping vistas.
- Season. Potential investors should follow a strict timeline if they want to successfully purchase a ski home in Mountain Village, CO, mainly because of the area’s limited housing inventory. Property values in the area fluctuate with the seasons as well, with property values known to be at their highest during winter.
Investors are advised to scout for real estate properties in Mountain Village during the summer, which is when visitors are few and demand is at its lowest, in order to get the best deals in the area.
- ROI and future resale value. Just like all luxury real estate properties, ski homes are very likely to significantly appreciate in value over time. Thus, to get the most out of their property in the future, investors will have to periodically upgrade and/or renovate, not to mention diligently maintain their ski homes.
Mountain Village, CO ski homes: Where to buy?
When searching for ski homes for sale in Mountain Village, CO, it is important to choose properties that best match your needs, lifestyle, and overall investment goals.
Here are some of the properties that you should consider getting in Mountain Village:
The eagle’s nest at
110 Granite Ridge Drive
Mountain Village, CO 81435
Built in 1997, 110 Granite Ridge is an impressive estate that boasts soaring views of the Telluride Region’s iconic peaks.
Located in a 1.31-acre lot, 110 Granite Ridge has a striking stone and timber exterior which blends perfectly well with the area’s pristine alpine environment. The property’s interiors are equally striking, with inside walls and floors luxuriously finished with oak, Venetian plaster, and Telluride gold stone.
Priced at $11 million, 110 Granite Ridge has 5 spacious bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a great room, a private office, a library, a game room, a home theater, and an expansive living and entertainment area. Aside from that, the property also has a fully equipped exercise room, a hot tub deck, a wet bar, a laundry room, and a dedicated mud room. One of the home’s most luxurious features, however, is its humidified and temperature controlled wine room which has a capacity of about 2, 500 bottles.
110 Granite Ridge is a major investment and a perfect second home or rental, as its features and amenities can easily rival that of hotels in the area.
The look of a quintessential Rocky Mountain lodge at
407 Benchmark Drive
Mountain Village, CO 81435
Built in 2010, 407 Benchmark Drive is a luxurious residence that exudes the feel of a classic Rocky Mountain lodge.
Crafted out of massive logs handpicked from Santa Fe National Forest, natural stone, and poured concrete, the property boasts 7 spacious bedrooms, a 2.5-story great room, an entertainment and game area, a full-featured home theater, a masterfully appointed chef’s kitchen, and a wine cellar.
Priced at $12.4 million, this 11,493-square-foot property also has its very own hot tub, patio, ski room, and steam shower, which makes it perfect for avid skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Find the ski home of your dreams in Mountain Village, CO with T.D. Smith
If you’re looking for a highly regarded local real estate expert who can show you the finest luxury properties and ski homes available in Mountain Village, CO, contact T.D. Smith, President and Managing Broker of Telluride Real Estate Corporation.
Backed by 40 years of experience in the Telluride real estate market, T.D. can help make your real estate dreams into reality.
Ready to invest in the ski home of your dreams in Mountain Village, CO? Give T.D. Smith a call today at +1 970.729.1577 or email td@tdsmith.com for more information.