RED-ROCK RETREATS / MOUNTAIN ESCAPES

Your vacation-home buyer checklist

A starting point for conversations with your agent, lender, insurer, inspectors, association, and the relevant local authorities. Answers depend on the individual property.

1. Define the purpose

• How many nights will you use it yourself? Which seasons and holidays?
• Is rental income optional, helpful, or necessary to afford ownership?
• What is your comfortable total cash commitment, including setup and reserves?
• Which features matter most: access, land, bedrooms, proximity to recreation, or lower maintenance?

2. Verify access and services

• Who maintains the road, and are private-road or snow-removal costs involved?
• Are there access easements, steep driveways, or seasonal travel limitations to investigate?
• What water, sewer or septic, electricity, heating, internet, and waste services serve the home?
• What inspections, records, maintenance histories, and permits are available?

3. Understand ownership costs

• Get property-specific financing and insurance quotes.
• Verify property taxes, association dues, special assessments, and any transfer fees.
• Budget for utilities, pool or landscape care, seasonal upkeep, repairs, furnishings, and larger replacements.
• Include closing costs, cash reserves, and costs that continue when the property is empty.

4. Check any rental plan

• Verify the intended use with the applicable jurisdiction and association before relying on rent.
• Investigate applicable permits, registration, occupancy limits, parking, and operating requirements.
• Request evidence supporting historical income and distinguish gross bookings from net owner income.
• Ask about management, booking fees, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and taxes relevant to rentals.
• Model lower occupancy, personal use during peak dates, and unexpected repairs.

5. Investigate the property

• Discuss appropriate inspections, including structure, roof, heating, water, and septic where applicable.
• Review title, boundaries, easements, association documents, and seller disclosures.
• Investigate site-specific hazards and insurance availability with qualified professionals.
• Verify which furnishings, appliances, warranties, and service agreements transfer.

6. Decide with the full picture

• Compare the home against your original must-haves and ownership budget.
• Document unresolved questions and the deadlines for answering them.
• Understand contract terms, contingencies, and what you are agreeing to before moving forward.

Janella D’Amore · Iron Mountain Realty
Southern Utah
Equal Housing Opportunity

General planning checklist, not a complete inspection, legal opinion, tax opinion, or guarantee of rental eligibility. Seek property-specific advice from the appropriate professionals.