Many out-of-state buyers come to Park City, Utah, for the skiing. According to Derrik Carlson, Resort Real Estate Advisor with REAL ESTATE IN PARK CITY, the Luxury Division of KW Park City Keller Williams Real Estate, what often surprises them is everything else the area offers, along with how different each part of the market can be.
Here is what Carlson tells relocating buyers before they start their search.
“Most of my clients come here for the skiing, but they’re surprised by how much they love summer and fall,” Carlson says.
The public golf courses are strong, and there is hiking, mountain biking, road biking, and miles of paved trails. Salt Lake City and a major airport are about 40 minutes away, so residents can enjoy mountain living and still keep a normal routine. People may arrive thinking of Park City mainly as a ski town. Once they experience a full year, many end up loving it for reasons they didn’t expect.
Buyers who are also looking at other mountain towns often find their money goes further here. Carlson recently represented a buyer purchasing a home above $10 million who saw real value in the market. In that buyer’s view, a comparable home in Jackson Hole would have cost $35 million to $40 million.
“That was their perspective,” Carlson says, “but it gives you an idea of why buyers looking at other mountain towns see value here.”
Access is part of the appeal too. Being about 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport makes a second home easier to use regularly. “If getting here takes most of a day and a connection, you may not come as often,” he says. “That matters when you’re deciding where to buy.”
From the outside, Park City can look like one market. Carlson says relocating buyers are often surprised by how different the smaller markets are. Old Town, Deer Valley, Canyons Village, the Jordanelle area, Heber, and Midway each offer something different, and the right fit depends on how a buyer wants to live and what they want close by.
To narrow it down, Carlson starts with one question: what would a normal day here look like? Are you skiing every morning? Do you want to walk to dinner? Are you looking for golf, or for land and privacy? That conversation usually narrows the search to three or four areas. He then sends properties and video tours ahead of the visit, so buyers can spend a day or a day and a half seeing the homes that make the most sense.
He also keeps resale in mind. “Whatever we buy today, I’m probably going to have to sell for you someday,” he says. “I’d rather help you buy the right property than simply the biggest or newest home in your budget.”
Property taxes are one of the first cost conversations Carlson has with relocating buyers. Utah’s primary residential exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence by 45 percent. A second home doesn’t qualify, which can change the ownership math.
For buyers on a tight timeline, Carlson does as much as possible before they arrive: understanding the budget, narrowing the areas, and handling the financing conversation if they’re getting a loan. A short list is ready when they land. If the right home turns up, the buyer can write an offer during the visit, and Carlson coordinates early with the lender, inspectors, and title company to help keep the closing on track.
Buyers planning a move can contact the REAL ESTATE IN PARK CITY team to start narrowing down the right areas.
About REAL ESTATE IN PARK CITY
REAL ESTATE IN PARK CITY is the Luxury Division of KW Park City Keller Williams Real Estate, led by Derrik Carlson, Resort Real Estate Advisor. The team represents buyers and sellers of luxury, ski, and golf properties across Park City, Deer Valley, and the Heber Valley. Learn more at https://www.realestateinparkcity.com.
This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.
Disclosure: Individuals or companies mentioned may have a commercial relationship with KeyCrew.
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