Vail Daily column: Should I pay more if I don’t golf?
Dear Joan,
I have been looking for a home in the valley, and I really like the golf course communities, but I do not play golf. It seems that the homes in those areas are often priced higher. Do you think it is worth the extra money even though I am not planning on taking up the game?
Dear Non-Golfer,
Thank you for your question. It is nice to have one that is not difficult to answer. My answer is “yes,” pretty much carte blanche for any of the 14 golf course communities in this valley.
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Even the public courses in Vail, Eagle-Vail, Eagle and Gypsum have communities around them that often have some of the nicest homes in each of their areas. And of course the private and semi-private courses in Beaver Creek, Arrowhead, Sonnenalp, Cordillera, Red Sky and Adam’s Rib Ranch have an excellent selection of beautiful homes.
The reason I say yes is, it worth the extra money that you may pay for a home in a golf course community for a variety of reasons. You stated that you really “like” the golf course communities, and that is a feeling based on numerous criteria. Even if you don’t buy right on the golf course, when you drive around, go for a walk or just look at the views, you appreciated the beautiful open space the golf course provides with the immaculately mowed expanses of lush green grass.
Although it is not allowed, at one of our two homes we have on golf courses, our grandchildren cannot wait until the golfers are gone so they can run out and run around on the grass … it is irresistible! Plus, there are cross-country skiing opportunities in the winter on some courses.
This vast open space of the golf course also provides a viewing corridor for wildlife, which everyone in the mountains enjoys, except possibly the grounds keepers for the course. For some reason elk seem to think golf course greens are great for dancing in the winter, and they are not light on their feet! The fox, coyotes, deer and various other animals can also be seen in the summer and winter enjoying the course.
Using a general statement for a variety of different venues, I would say there is a sense of community that the members and non-members enjoy at most golf clubs communities.
I guess it is the country club feel and a sense of belonging to something beautiful and special that seems to make the residents visit and mingle on and off their property.
Finally, the best reason of all, for someone in my profession, is the resale value. Even though you may think this is your last move, the statistics are against you that you will stay forever in the home you purchase. So, when it comes time for you to sell the property, your broker has an excellent chance of finding a buyer for your property, for a very good price, for all of the above reasons!
And don’t forget that golf is a “life” sport that you can learn and play at almost any age … so who knows what the future will bring living in a golf course community.
Joan Harned is an owner and broker for Keller Williams Mountain Properties and heads up Team Black Bear, her own real estate team. Harned has been selling real estate in Eagle County for 27 years, is a past chairman of the Vail Board of Realtors, past Realtor of the Year, past director on the Great Outdoors Colorado Board and a member of the Luxury and Land Institutes. Contact Harned with your real estate questions at joan@teamblackbear.com, 970-337-7777 or http://www.skiandteehomes.com.
