Resort Home Buying
To the casual observer, purchasing a second home in the mountains in the Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake area may seem like any other real estate purchase. In many ways, this is true. However, there are significant differences in how you approach this purchase versus a primary residence in your home town. Buying a cabin or property in the communities of Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake should be a pleasure or at the least almost hassle free.
Buying a second home is very exciting. For many, it fulfills the dream of getting away from it all in your own private space. No reservations. No having to eat each meal out. A quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of life. Our hope is that we can help you make an educated buying decision you will be happy with for years to come in our Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake communities. It is my main goal to find that piece of heaven you are searching for in the Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake communities.
Associations & Water Companies
In remote, unincorporated areas, utilities and other services are provided to subdivisions in different ways and by different legal entities. The newer subdivisions in Shaver Lake typically have Fresno County water and sewer service. Most of the older developments and Huntington Lake have some form of association or water company with the responsibility of providing water to its members through a community system. Water from these systems, depending on the number of residential services they provide, is routinely tested by the County Health Dept. for quality. Some developments have County sewer service, while others have septic systems as the approved method of sewage disposal. Road snow removal is typically contracted with a local company in both Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake on behalf of its homeowners. This is administered by either the County, an association, or water company, depending on how services are provided. The cost for road snow removal is then prorated and billed to each owner either through your County property tax bill or a separate billing directly from the association or water company. While any of the above combinations work, it is important to understand what you are buying and what might need to be inspected as a condition of your purchase. As long as you ask questions yowill understand and feel secure in decision to buy in either Shaver Lake or Huntington Lake.
Price & Value
You are in a market far from home and may not have a good feel for values in the Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake markets. So do your homework. Take a drive through the area and its residential developments so you can get an idea of the price ranges in each. Then consult with your Coldwell Banker sales associate regarding specific Shaver Lake or Huntington Lake properties and details about the subdivision you are interested in. Where does the water come from and how much does it cost? How is sewage disposed of? How is propane provided? Is cable television available? Your agent can show you the properties you want to see, and then provide some statistical data on recent property sales in the Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake area. We want you to be comfortable with your buying decision. We believe that an informed, educated buyer is a happy buyer. Our goal is for you to realize your home buying dreams in Shaver Lake or Huntington Lake.
Older Cabin vs. New Construction
This is very personal. We have clients who insist on one or the other. The advantage to a newer property is that the maintenance costs should be lower in the short run. Newer cabins are typically better insulated and heated more efficiently. All of the components are younger and therefore will probably last longer than in an older property. An older cabin has the charm many people envision when they first start looking. The cabin in the woods with the smoke lazily making its way to the sky. Older cabins tend to be in the heart of the business district, which makes them more desirable to some. For resale purposes, it doesn't really matter. There will be buyers for both in the Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake future, as there are today. Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake is perfect for buyers.
Financing a second home.
It is surprising for many to learn that financing a second home in Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake is very similar to a primary residence. In fact, in many cases the interest rate and fees are the same. One bit of advice: look locally for a reputable lender. Local lenders in Shaver Lake have appraisers and underwriters in place who can make the process flow smoothly. Out-of-town lenders often have experienced challenges resulting in delays in smaller remote resort communities. FYI: You don't have to own a primary residence to own a second home in Shaver Lkae or Huntington Lake.
Design
Think about how you will be using your second home or cabin in Shaver Lake or Huntington Lake. How many people will you house the majority of the time? What will the adult/child ratio be? How many square feet do you want to heat in the winter? The most popular floor plans are those which allow families to spend time together while not necessarily doing the same things. Open "great rooms" are desirable for that reason. Our experience is that most second home buyers are not that particular about the rest of the picture if the property is functional and meets their sleeping and comfort requirements. Why? It's not their primary residence and you may spend considerable time on Shaver or Huntington Lake. You only visit your second home several weeks a year. You don't live there. Prioritize your wants versus your needs before you start looking for a second home. It's a great exercise in preparation for a large investment like this. It can be a great investment to own property in either Shaver Lake or Huntington Lake.
Winter Concerns
This section is particularly important because we receive a large annual snowfall at Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake. Look for a driveway which is as level as possible so the slipping and sliding is kept to a minimum during the winter. Along the same line, look for a design which keeps the snow on the roof from dumping onto the driveway, entryway or other important areas. Paved driveways are preferred because they are much easier to clear snow from. Suggestion: hire a local service provider to plow your driveway and walkway after each storm. The last thing you or your guests want to do upon arrival is to spend an hour or more shoveling a path so the kids can get in the cabin. If handled correctly snow can be mostly fun at Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake.
Renting your Second Home
Purchasing a second home or cabin at either Shaver Lake or Huntington Lake will increase your monthly expenses. If you are motivated to purchase a second home or cabin, but have some concerns about the increased overhead, look into the possibility of renting it when you're not using it. Many people do this to offset the cost of second home ownership. Visit the Shaver Lake Vacation Rentals website for a more detailed explanation of how vacation rentals work. Or Visit renting your second home. Rentingyou cabin can also be an enjoyable experience at Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake
