A cabin in the mountains can be an idyllic place to leave the world behind and escape to. Although there are many places that you can rent a cabin for the weekend, having your own gives you the flexibility to come and go as you please. However, before you start shopping for your own personal refuge from day-to-day life, here are a few things to consider:
What can you afford?
Purchasing a cabin is similar to buying a home, in that you will need to consider how you plan to finance the cabin, and then budget for the repayments and maintenance accordingly.
The value of cabins can vary significantly, depending on where the cabin is located, the size of the property, as well as how updated it is and its amenities.
If you plan to use your cabin often, it will usually work out cheaper than renting out someone else’s cabin for your vacation time. However, if you aren’t sure how often you’ll get to use your cabin, it’s essential that you consider how much value you’ll get for your investment. An alternative is to rent your cabin out when not in use, and create a passive income from it.
The simple rule is, if you can’t afford a cabin and its upkeep, it makes no financial sense to purchase one.
What Type of Cabin Would You Like?
There are many different types of cabins that you can choose from; whether you want lakefront, or completely secluded, it’s crucial to weigh up the pros and cons for all of your options.
This includes the style of cabin you would also like, for example, do you want a traditional cozy log cabin? Alternatively, would you prefer something more modern and updated? Would you like an A-frame cabin, or would you prefer a custom made modular cabin? Your decision will dictate how much you will have to stretch your budget in order to get the style and ideal location you’d like.
Maintenance Costs
Cabins are often located in a wooded area, which can experience forest fires as well as other natural disasters. They also tend to stay empty for extended periods of time, which makes them susceptible to theft and structural problems. All of these factors typically result in higher insurance costs.
When you consider purchasing a cabin, it’s important that you ponder the expenses of owning it, such as the insurance costs. Depending on where the cabin is located, as well as the age of the cabin, the insurance can be more or less than you might anticipate.
Owning a cabin will also require general upkeep and maintenance costs such as ensuring all of the systems are working, and the cabin is structurally sound. Even small tasks such as clearing the driveway and ensuring the cabin are kept clean can become monumental if you rarely spend time there. It is vital to regularly keep-up with these tasks, as spending your whole vacation repairing and cleaning your cabin will not be fun.