REAL Exclusive Magazine

Resort Style Living – It Sells!

By Patricia Tan

I recently attended a class on Resort and Second Home Real Estate Markets, and I learned a lot about why and how people buy homes in resort communities. We may not necessarily think about our beautiful spot on the Gulf Coast as a resort area, but that is exactly how many overseas and out of state buyers see us.

So what makes a resort area? The things that come to my mind immediately, because of where we live, are beaches and golf courses. However, to think these are the main criteria a second home buyer bases their purchase decision on would be a serious mistake. No matter how passionate someone is about walking on the beach or playing golf, they will take many other factors into consideration before purchasing a home.

Location is of course very important, and one of the first decisions a buyer makes. Whether they are comparing the east and west coasts of Florida, or contrasting Florida with the South of France, a prospective purchaser will look at accessibility as a major decision criteria. How easily can they get to their second home – a shorter drive or direct flight may influence their decision.

Climate is important because many people who buy vacation homes want to spend a lot of time outdoors, and they want the weather to be fairly predictable, preferably no surprise storms during the months they plan to spend in their chosen destination.

Climate is also important because it influences the kind of outdoor activities which are available. Beach walking and skiing may not be very compatible activities for the same vacation, but having a wide range of activities, easily accessible to visitors will certainly influence the success of any resort area – swimming, hunting and fishing, golf, tennis, boating, hiking, tourist attractions, walking trails, and the list goes on.

Many second home buyers will be retired, or looking forward to retirement in the future. Their decision on location may be influenced by an area’s cost of living – taxes, insurance and utilities tend to be the ones that spring to mind. But what about medical care, other professional services, food and restaurants? The price and availability of these services can also be key influencers.

When working with buyers from other countries in particular, one of their main concerns will be to establish how safe and secure an area is. Many of them may be purchasing property in U.S.A. as a haven from violence and insecurity in their home country, and Realtors should be sensitive to this.

One of the intangible things that buyers react to is the “attitude” of the locals. How welcoming are they to people from other areas, countries or cultures? Do they make an effort to welcome visitors or treat them as intruders? Do they appreciate the economic impact owners of vacation homes can have on the local economy? 

Having a variety of housing options available will certainly help an area prosper as a second home and resort destination. Contrary to what you may think, not all buyers in this category want to live in a condominium. The option to have a single family home is attractive to many – whether it is in a maintenance-free community, or an area where reliable service people are available to clean the pool, maintain the yard and do regular inspections for the home owner’s peace of mind. Technology can also be brought into play here – allowing home owners to check on the status of their vacation property by live video links that run very cost effectively across the internet.

When an owner in our area decides to list their property for sale, they may not naturally think of their home as offering resort style living unless it is a beachfront condominium, or a home in a golf and country club community. As Realtors, when we list a home for sale we need to appreciate that it is our job to market the home and there is a lot we can do to position properties as offering resort style living. We need to remember it’s not “all about the house”, but the amenities and activities available in the surrounding areas can make a huge difference to a home’s appeal, particularly when we promote a property outside our local area. We all do this, whether it is via the internet, out of state and overseas advertising or property shows. We need to sell location, accessibility, climate, activities, safety, security and cost of living. Only then can we sell the house!

Home owners can also help to position their homes to meet the needs of a life style buyer. A home may appeal to particular buyers because it offers an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, fun and entertainment, or easy access to activities. Think about how the picture of the home in this article and the following caption positions this home as much more than a “house with a dock”.

Relax and watch the dolphin and manatee play! Custom waterfront home in friendly boating community with tennis and golf nearby. Large, private lot on a quiet cul-de-sac. Enjoy outdoor living at its finest – the home opens up to embrace a huge covered lanai, extensive pool cage and deck area, and paved sundeck by the water. The pool and spa are gas heated for year round use. For the boating enthusiast the home offers a 65ft tiered dock with boat lift, jet ski and skiff lifts and a kayak launch. The perfect fishing spot. Minutes by boat to the Manatee River, and Anna Maria Island beaches, and just half an hour to beautiful unspoiled Egmont Key. Short hop by boat or road to local bars and restaurants. Easy access to I-75, downtown Sarasota and Bradenton, beaches, shopping and dining.
 
Patricia Tan was born in England, and her career in international sales and marketing led her to live and work in many countries around the world before moving to Sarasota in 1997. Patricia is a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and Transnational Referral Certified (TRC). She is involved in global activities of the Sarasota, Florida and National Association of Realtors, and currently serves as NAR President’s Liaison to U.K. Her real estate business operates from Coldwell Banker on St Armands Key, where her focus is to bring international buyers to the local market. She regularly makes marketing trips to Canada, Asia and Europe, to promote Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Sarasota area in particular. Patricia may be reached at 941-504-9232 or Pat@PatriciaTan.com.

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