Alpine Village Blog | Alpine Village in McCall, Idaho

Comparing Costs - Condo Dues vs. Single Family Home costs

Understanding the costs associated with owning a home is an important step in deciding if a purchase is right for you.  As a discerning home buyer, you already understand that there are annual, ongoing expenses associated with home ownership beyond your mortgage payment.  Utilities, maintenance, insurance, property taxes and repairs exist for all types of properties - a cabin, single family home, town home or condominium alike.

Condominiums are unique, however, in that the Homeowners' Association manages some or all of these expenses on  behalf of its owners.  These expenses are budgeted annually, then passed through to each owner on an equitable basis in the form of Annual Assessments or Dues.  So that our prospects considering buying at Alpine Village have a better understanding of comparative costs, a survey was recently conducted of three single family homes in McCall, ranging in size from 1500 - 2500 square feet.

The following expenses are included in the Alpine Village Association Dues and were estimated in the survey of McCall cabins:

Exterior Maintenance - building and parking, Landscape Maintenance, Snow Removal, Propane - stove and fireplace, Trash Service, Window Cleaning and Property and Building Insurance.

The average total annual costs for the above expenses for our surveyed cabins was $4,275. 

In addition to the above expenses, Alpine Village Association Dues also include; Long Term Reserves, Owner Clubhouse with Fitness Room, and use of our luxury pontoon boat and slip at Mile High Marina.  These three additional items are estimated to have an annual cost of $2,800 if secured separately by a cabin owner.

So, the annual cost of ownership at Alpine Village - $4,380.  The average cost of ownership at a typical McCall cabin with comparable amenities - $7,075. 

Certainly, cabin ownership costs will vary from property to property.  However, I hope this information will provide you a more clear understanding of how the Dues at Alpine Village are used and how this is likely to compare to other ownership options in the area.

Let's turn off the 24 hour news cycle shall we?

I'm sure I'm not alone in this but I have had my fill of depressing news.  The U.S. economy, the U.S. government, the Greek financial crisis, war in Afghanistan, jobless reports, etc, etc.  I just can't pick up a newspaper or watch a news channel and not feel like there's little to hope for in the world.  Well I'm done with it.  It's times like these that make me think we're at the bottom of a larger cycle and if I was really smart I'd be putting myself in a position to benefit and enjoy the turnaround.

I understand frustrations with our U.S. government and economy.  But I also believe without a shred of doubt that this country will see better times.  There have always been cycles and there always will be.  I develop and sell real estate for a living and you couldn't pick a more challenging time in my business than the last four years.  But what about the next four?  As the doom and gloom headlines continue to flash in front of me, I got to thinking.  Prices of real estate are a minimum 30 - 50% off peak levels.  Mortgage rates are at an ALL TIME LOW.  Options for returns on discretionary money are pitiful.  10 year Treasury Bonds below 2%?  Bank CD's?  The volatility in the stock market?  No thanks.

If you have a desire to own a vacation home, and have stable income and money to purchase, will you ever see a better opportunity than now?  If you didn't see ANY appreciation on your vacation home over the next 10 years just how much opportunity cost are you missing today?  How do you value the improvement to your quality of life of 10 years spent in your dream home with family and friends?

Four years ago you could have been at any cocktail party and heard the argument that there was no where to go but up, nothing ahead but prosperity.  Today, the same party sounds like we're at the precipice of the end of the world as we know it.  Somewhere in both of these cycles some very keen people made decisions that improved their quality of life.  The more I think about it, the more I see one of those opportunities right in front of us.

MCPAWS Oktoberfest at Alpine Village - September 24th, 2011

September 24, 2011 will mark the third anniversary of the MCPAWS Oktoberfest at Alpine Village. This annual event serves as a fundraiser for the MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter and works to bring a little piece of Bavaria to the McCall area. The event will run from noon to 6:00pm. A $5 donation to MCPAWS will provide entry into the beer garden area, while those 21 and under are free.

The 2011 Oktoberfest will include local breweries and restaurants serving up unique micro brews and German inspired food. Local organizations and businesses will also have information, craft, and art booths set up throughout the Alpine Village Plaza. Live music provided by the traditional German oompah band, the Treasury Valley Musik Meisters, and a kid's area with bounce houses and face-painting make this an event for the whole family.

 

Come enjoy this great event and support a wonderful cause!

Great way to stay in the loop.

The McCall Chamber of Commerce has been improving it's e-newsletter and they are really getting it dialed in.  Take a look here and subscribe for an easy way to keep track of everything happening in and around McCall.  Good job McCall Chamber of Commerce!

Attention Retail Store Owners!

We recently received traffic count information on N. 3rd Street (Highway 55) from the Idaho Transportation Department.  The N. 3rd Street frontage adjacent to Alpine Village had an average traffic volume of 9,700 trips per day in 2010.  This was the highest traffic volume recorded anywhere on N. 3rd Street or Lake Street (both Highway 55) in McCall.  What does this mean for you?  If you have, or want to have, a retail store in McCall you cannot find stronger traffic visibility than Alpine Village. 

In addition to this strong traffic visibility, we are a collection of multiple tenants that attract a diverse range of shoppers.  These various shoppers may initially come in to get  burrito at Wraptor, when they decide to wander through Studio 616 and see what's new.  Tenants at Alpine Village capitalize on all of the community's shops to drive more and longer visitation.  This critical mass equates to increased traffic and sales over other locations in McCall.

We have a few spaces left in our first phase.  Are you a small boutique?  We have a 1000 square foot space immediately adjacent to our main building entrance.  How about a specialty cafe or coffee shop that wants some outdoor seating to expand capacity in the summertime?  We have that too.  Or maybe you're ready to open up the latest full service restaurant concept and become the next "must visit" dining experience in McCall.  We have you covered.  Stop by or give us a call to see if Alpine Village is the place for your store!

Positive article on second home market

I just read this article from the Urban Land Institute describing an improving second home market.  We are certainly seeing similar positive momentum in recent months at Alpine Village.  This article comes from a recent ULI Recreational Development Council meeting where veteran industry leaders come together to discuss the state of their segment in the real estate market.  Take a minute for this good read.

http://urbanland.uli.org/Articles/2011/July/SheridanSecondHome?utm_source=uli&utm_medium=eblast&utm_campaign=071111

Studio 616 opens at Alpine Village!

Three fabulous local artists are joining together to open Studio 616 at Alpine Village.  Megan Henderson - Red6Red - specializes in taking the old and making it new. Her eclectic mirrors are a local favorite. Meg’s husband, Dave, designs furniture, and together their unique style of using reclaimed and recycled materials to create custom pieces has set their status as two of the most distinctive artists in the northwest.

Shelly and Jesse DeMoss are a husband and wife team of glass artists, and owners of DeMoss Glass Art. Avid travelers, they have created a buzz around what they call their Finder's Keepers Series. They embed their glass art into rocks and leave them for the unsuspecting passerby’s on trails and beaches around the world. These small works of art have been left from South America to Japan.

Rebecca Jeppe, owner of J.Beck Design, has made a name for herself creating one-of-a-kind, hand-made furniture, bedding, draperies, art, and leather goods. Rebecca’s previous store was a McCall favorite for unique furniture and house wares, and we can’t wait to see her stuff in Studio 616!

Stop by and check it out!

Welcome our newest team member!

Please join me in welcoming Brian Oakland to our team at Alpine Village.  We're excited about the summer season and already seeing an increase in activity.  To meet an increasing need to serve those interested in finding out if Alpine Village is the right home for them in McCall, we've brought on Brian to join Cory Corbet on our sales team.  Like Cory, Brian brings experience in our local real estate market and an unbridled enthusiasm for the McCall lifestyle.  Stop by and visit Brian and Cory on your next visit to McCall and see what other exciting things are happening at Alpine Village!

Pontoon boat launched for 2011 season!

Despite our recent "variable" weather, summer is soon upon us and we are getting ready.  Did you know that owning at Alpine Village gives you access to a luxury pontoon boat?  Our owners think having access to the lake without the hassle and expense of maintenance and upkeep is a great benefit to living at Alpine Village.

Are you interested in seeing if Alpine Village is the right fit for your home in McCall?  We can give you a "test drive" of life here to help you make your decision.  We have a limited number of fully furnished condominiums available for prospective owners to stay.  Contact our sales team to book your stay at a preferential rate. 

Alpine Village - Get More Out of McCall

Outdoor Movie Nights - 2011 schedule released!

We are very excited to announce another summer of Outdoor Movie Nights on the Plaza at Alpine Village!  Our 3rd season features a mix of current release, action, comedy, classic and kid friendly films that make for a great way to spend Friday nights in McCall.  So plug these dates in to your calendar and we'll see you this summer!

July 1st - Social Network

July 15th - True Grit

July 29th - The Dilemma

August 12th - Despicable Me

August 26th - Wizard of Oz

This wonderful event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors!  Sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 season are still available.  Please contact us at 208-634-3430 or email kristin@alpinevillagemccall for information.