Vacation Condos Fit Today's Lifestyles!

Are vacation condos an option for you?

There are a large number of people out there who love visiting or renting resorts, cottages or ski chalets, but who don't want the hassle, expense and hard work that can be associated with buying a vacation home of their own.

However, all this is starting to change thanks to a more recent and rapidly growing trend in vacation property ownership ... the development of vacation condos.

Just a few years ago, when properties situated a few hours drive outside of the city could still be easily acquired at relatively affordable prices, there was little market for vacation condos. While the concept was seen in international resort communities, there was little demand for it domestically.

But things have changed. The baby boomer generation is reaching the stage when they have paid off the mortgage on their home and are now poised to inherit their parents' wealth. They have a taste for an active lifestyle, and for luxurious features and appointments. Las vegas condos, Florida condos and Maui condos to name a few, have suddenly, opened the doors to a whole new class of vacation property buyer.

These people don't want to shovel walks and clear their roof of snow in the winter – they want to spend time in the sun or by the water. Others anticipate being on the slopes, the snowmobile trails, skating, and winding down in front of a cozy fire. The condominium property gives them a maintenance and worry free alternative to the traditional retreat.

What's more, vacation condos provide them access to a wide variety of features they would not be willing to pay the premium for in an individual property. For example, vacation condos can include such amenities as exercise rooms, saunas or hot tubs, games rooms, tennis courts, heated swimming pools and much more.

Some of the most desirable vacation condos include: luxury golf course condos and the beach condo. Such features as boat slips and launches are standard fare at many lakeside condominiums.

When you consider that much of a cottage owner's weekend hours are devoted to chores such as mowing a second lawn, repairing plumbing that's burst over the winter or sanding and staining the deck, it's easy to see why many people are now choosing to leave the maintenance to the condo corporation.

With the sale price of vacation property increasing dramatically in recent years, buying a condo also offers a new alternative to get into the market and build some equity, while at the same time offering a set maintenance fee that is easy to budget for and offers few surprises.

For most of us, a vacation means a time to relax, have fun, and enjoy the best of what the great outdoors has to offer, so talk to a real estate agent to find out more.