If you’ve always loved visiting the mountains during vacations, consider buying a cabin there. Regardless of what you intend to use it for; a new home away from the city noise, a rental property to be used occasionally, or a second home solely for vacation purposes, you’ll need to be appropriately guided when buying your first log home.
This is because owning a cabin comes with certain concerns. Thus, you’d need to consider several factors before committing your finances. Seeing as you intend to keep this investment for a long time, you’ve got to get the best. Suppose you decide to sell it in the future; you’re guaranteed to sell for more than the price you bought the property.
While cabins are usually located in remote, wooded, and mountain areas, many vacationers love their rustic feel and prefer staying in them. However, before buying a mountain cabin, ensure you read to the end.
What to Consider When Buying a Mountain Cabin
- Rentability
You might probably prefer using your cabin for vacation only and would want to rent it out when it’s not in use, so ensure the log home is rentable. That way, you can rent it out and lower the cost of owning it, seeing as the money will help augment your mortgage payments.
Consider buying a mountain cabin in a popular tourist destination like the Smoky Mountains or a highly traveled area. That way, you can easily rent it out frequently.
Location
You’ll need to consider how many times you have to visit your cabin, depending on its location from your primary residence. Suppose your log home is in a remote location; you’ll need to determine the best way to get there, especially during bad weather, which is a regular occurrence with mountain living.
Mortgage
Suppose you’re still paying for a mortgage on your primary residence; you might probably be limited in funds to pay for a second home’s mortgage.
Don’t forget that housing should cost about 30 percent of your monthly income. If you can get someone willing to allow you rent-to-own the cabin, that’d be good. Otherwise, talk to an experienced realtor like the Short Term Shop to help.
Thorough Check
When buying cabins for sale, ensure you conduct a thorough check. It’d be best to visit the property before signing the contract to ensure it’s as beautiful as the pictures portray.
More so, you’ll have to check out the area and be sure it’s what you want before settling there. If possible, rent a cabin and stay for a week or more in the place to be convinced you like the area, climate, and everything else there.
Other Financial Concerns
Besides the mortgage, there are other financial considerations to make, including paying for utilities, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and necessary maintenance and repairs.
Suppose you don’t intend to live there; you’ll also have to pay someone to maintain the property in your absence.
Benefits of Owning a Mountain Cabin
- Environmentally-Friendly
Buying a mountain cabin is best when you want to go green, seeing as it dramatically reduces your carbon footprint. For example, it’s earth-friendly to use renewable resources like timber to build a cabin. More so, you get to save on gas and electric power when you own a log home.
- Economic Freedom
Cabins are more economical than brick and mortar or concrete houses. Several log houses are pretty affordable and within your budget, especially in lovely areas like Smoky Mountains, NC.
Simpler and smaller cabins are practical and help you escape from the traditional mindsets and demands. Presently, more young adults are searching for where to buy a log home near me on search engines like Google, unlike before log homes were left for retirees. The reason is, the freedom that comes with living in a log home is underrated. People of all ages can always go there to clear their heads from city noise.
- Durability and Longevity
A properly constructed and maintained timber home can last for generations. You can consider your cabin an heirloom you leave for your children since high-quality timber can last for many decades. More so, there are rot-resistant wood treatments you can apply to make your home more durable and protect it from damage due to the elements.
- Energy Efficiency
One significant benefit most people consider when buying a mountain cabin is energy efficiency. Timber has natural insulation properties meaning that your home remains cool on hot days and warms up when the temperature drops during the cold months.
Strong logs possess inherent thermal mass to help reduce your energy consumption, cutting down your electricity bill. More importantly, it’s easier to minimize using your HVAC system in cabins than other housing options.
- Craftsmanship
Constructing a mountain cabin requires meticulous techniques. There are also various selections of log homes with uniquely handcrafted detailing and features ranging from posts, beams, stonework, and custom cabinetries. Thus, you’ll always find something that fits.
- Simple Inspection
One significant benefit of buying a cabin in the woods is that it doesn’t require much inspection and maintenance. You can quickly look through the property for issues like insect or mildew infestations.
Timber immediately shows signs of these infestations, unlike brick and mortar houses that’ll hide their own until they’re beyond treatment. You can even treat your cabin with log stains using a formulation that repels mildew and mold.
Summary
Buying a log home is an excellent real estate investment that you enjoy at your leisure while still earning from it if you wish. Some people even prefer a mountain cabin for their full-time residence. This guide will come in handy if you intend to buy a log home soon.
Suppose you can afford a mortgage and feel buying a cabin is a great way to escape from the everyday busy city life; contact the Short Term Shop today! Our professionally trained real estate agents with extensive local knowledge in buying cabins are available to help you find your dream log home according to your budget.
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