Buying That Vacation Home in "The Hills".....

Southeastern Ohio, especially the famous "Hocking Hills Region," sees more and more visitors every year.  There are various reasons why, including the new Route 33 Lancaster bypass and folks' desire to have a getaway or vacation retreat closer to their primary home.  Whatever the reason, visitor registrations and overnight lodgings are up significantly in the area...which has also brought about a good amount of new development and increases in property values.  There's also much more to see and do, including some great dining opportunities.  After a few daytrips, visitors move toward brief overnight stays and almost inevitably begin thinking about buying a place of there own, whether for investment purposes or strictly family use.  And most visitors and buyers will no doubt be drawn by the appeal and romance of a log cabin....but of course there are other options, including timber framing and cedar homes, for example. 

Our view is that the Hocking Hills is figuratively pushing beyond its historical boundaries.  The state of Ohio has recently purchased thousands of acres of conservation easements in Vinton County, for future recreational purposes.  Land listings and sales in adjacent counties indicate that things are looking up all around.  You can also simply count the traffic that moves down Route 33.  And when you also consider the planned Nelsonville bypass, it's easier to visualize the long-term impact of a four-lane highway running essentially between The Ohio State University and Ohio University. 

Lots of folks are no doubt familiar with quick trips to Old Man's Cave, which is probably the primary reference point for most visitors.  The fall colors attract visitors by the thousands come October, and perhaps you've been among the throngs looking for a parking spot off Route 664 at the Hocking Hills State Park.  But don't overlook the many other recreational areas, such as Cantwell Cliffs, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, and Rock House.  And there's much more as you journey south, such as Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County....which offers lots of less-traveled hiking trails.

Once you've picked up a feel for the land (and land areas are indeed different) and the sorts of features as well as location you prefer, find a cabin to rent for at least a couple of stays.  The cabin rental business has certainly become quite competitive, and you'll find plenty of options as well as locations.  A couple you might want to consider are Top of the Hock and White Star Woods.  Each of these are family owned and operated, and by folks who were attracted to the area and eventually decided to buy their own property.  White Star Woods is operated by the Jubach Family, one of the area's primary and premium log home builders. 

We'd recommend a few overnight stays before looking at property to purchase.  As longtime "second" homeowners ourselves, we know a fair amount about what it entails.  The first consideration is location and acreage; there are lots of differences between large and small acreage, and security might be one of your primary questions.  Big acreage also brings on new needs regarding land maintenance.  Just posting a few "no trespassing" signs might not be enough.  And if you're anywhere close to public access land, the question of "traffic" can loom quite large.  There are also more private developments that you might want to consider, including the gated resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills.  Around "The Caves" you'll also find new developments that might be considered log (or wood) home subdivisions of a sort; these "clusters" of homes are generally built on smaller parcels of land, with approximately two acres being the minimum you need for a septic system approval by the county health department. 

An equally major consideration is amount of use...we often tell clients that "if you don't use it, nature will take it back."  Sometimes that romance of the cabin in the woods or at the lake wears away quickly because of maintenance demands.  Without fairly regular visits, you'll find yourself spending long hours of work rather than simple enjoyment.  Get to your vacation home a couple of times per month, and you'll find you can keep ahead of whatever maintenance is necessary.  And part of the beauty of having a retreat in the Hocking Hills is that you can get to it quickly, even for a quick overnight during the week...and still be able to make the drive next morning for work in the city! 

The charm and simple curb appeal of wood or all-natural exterior homes simply can't be beat....please forgive us our prejudice on that one.  We've seen first-hand that "low-maintenance" exteriors can indeed work against appreciation and resale.  And there's nothing quite like driving or walking up to your door with wood everywhere you turn.  And while there are different products you can choose to maintain a wood exterior, the costs and longevity factors can vary widely.  You'll also want to pay attention to our friends the carpenter or borer bees....annual treatments by a professional will save lots of headaches. 

Inside, pure log or wood homes do tend to be dark.  You can opt for a bit of drywall and extra windows, but skylights make an almost immeasurable difference.  If you buy an older skylight-free place that has a roof with a number of years on it, factor in the cost of a new roof (sooner rather than later) plus at least a couple of skylights. 

And then there's storage space...or the lack of it.  You might think you won't have need for much "stuff" in a second home, but you will...and more than you'll think of upfront.  If you're building, you have options....and not necessarily a basement, unless you intend to have a finished one.  But a word of caution....it's damp by definition in the woods, and below-grade living spaces are damper than what you're used to.  A larger garage is a solid option, as is a high-quality storage shed that can be neatly tucked away on the property.  You might be surprised at the cost difference (not to mention feel and convenience) between a rustic but but utility-friendly shed and basement. You'll also be attracted to the many sorts of outdoor "toys" that wind up essential parts of a vacation home....and many of those aren't basement friendly.

We'd be happy to share more of the many insights we've acquired through years of second home ownership in "The Hills"....just give us a call or drop us a line! 

And if you're looking for other agents who specialize in vacation properties elsewhere in the country, here are a few to consider:
COLORADO
- Breckenridge Colorado Real Estate    ( http://www.eresummit.com  )
   .....Helping Breckenridge property buyers and sellers achieve their colorado real estate investment goals