Moving up frequently means moving out. When you upsize your home in Summit County to suit your new needs, Breckenridge offers amazing scenery, a terrific community spirit, and an astounding selection of luxury homes and condominiums. 

At Paffrath & Thomas, we understand that more space can be truly appealing. Our team of local Realtors® have true insight into Summit County’s properties, and the special needs of mountain property owners. Contact us with questions, and read on for some of our insights into the process of upsizing or downsizing your home.

Why Do Homeowners Consider Upsizing?

When you need to upsize your home in Summit County, you’re not alone. Many homeowners face the same situation, even here in the mountains. Also, a number of Summit County homeowners have second homes that work as a vacation property, short term rental, and extra space for visitors. Whether it’s the main home, or a second home, the goals are often the same..

Upsizing Goal: More Friends & Family

You may have had the perfect-sized house for years. But now, there’s going to be another member of your family. Congratulations! Time for a baby room, and rather than give up that home office or workout room, move up to enough space for all your dreams.

It might also be that your family and friends who visit, brothers or sisters or maybe kids and grandkids, are increasing in family size too. You might need extra space to fit them all in during those wonderful get-togethers.

Should your parent(s) need to move in, you’ll want them to have their own space. Upsizing can provide that room or maybe that entire floor to share the care, love, and time you all need.

Upsizing Goal: Entertaining

Entertaining family and friends can be wonderful, especially in the mountains where something awaits every season:

• Gorgeous hiking trails
• Fishing streams and lakes
• Skiing
• Delicious restaurants
• Festivals and fairs
• And more!

Many homeowners upsize their home in Summit County to a bigger property to accommodate these guests who love you, but let’s be honest—love the mountains too! Larger rooms to gather, more bedrooms for overnight guests—upsizing your home can provide a place to enjoy this togetherness.

Upsizing Goal: Added Amenities

You might not be “upsizing” to more square footage. Instead, you upsize your home in Summit County to access more amenities or an upgraded neighborhood. Having ski-in/ski-out access, or upgraded house accessories, or a more exclusive street address, these are all ways to upsize your living situation. We can help identify active Breckenridge real estate listings that meet your evolving goals.

Upsizing Goal: Personal Space

Sometimes we just need room to be ourselves, our own “space.” Maybe you’d like a personal library, a hobby area, a workout/meditation room. After all, a second home is all about curating an escape that helps you feel totally at peace and invigorated. 

The Other Goal: Finding Your Forever Place

We have clients who finally reached the perfect time in their lives to move into Summit County, or find a vacation property here. However, sometimes the perfect property isn’t immediately available. 

Together we’ve looked, we’ve toured, and that “This is the one!” goosebump moment hasn’t happened yet. What does a buyer do when they need to enter the Summit County market, but the for-sale list hasn’t perfectly hit their target?

Many have said “we’ll make do for now,” and purchase a lower-cost property so that they can be here. They’ve now become part of Summit County, and can be that much closer and more aware when the “perfect” place finally shows up. And believe us, someone else’s “perfection” is what you’ll sell when you want to move over into your new place here.

It’s an option to consider. Where would you like to wait for the “perfect” home? When you’re already living in paradise, it’s a lot easier to be patient. 

Things to Consider When Upsizing Your Home

When you’re looking to upsize your home in Summit County, you should consider several key points to life in the mountain region.

Condo to House

When you move out of a condo into a house, you generally expect monthly costs to increase. Because certain parts of utilities will no longer be shared with the other condo owners, you’ll have to pay for that fully on your own. 

There are also lifestyle considerations. Your condo may have had a pool, or a workout facility, or tennis courts, etc. If your house does not—and you wish to continue those activities—you’ll need to look into fitness clubs. These will incur new costs that previously were part of your condo dues.

Monthly House Costs

Owning a house is great, but it does require added expense over apartment or condo life. Some of the responsibilities you’ll have to address when you own a house in the mountains include:

• Snow removal
• Installing heat tape for ice
• Hiring a trash company
• Paying for upkeep & maintenance
• Purchasing & installing DIY items if you’re inclined

Extra Spending

For some people, upsizing their home in Summit County makes the house feel “emptier” than their previous house. So what do they do? They fill the empty space.

• More artwork
• Larger/more furniture
• More decorations
• New draperies for increased number of windows
• More beds/furniture for the new bedrooms
• Increase in toiletries/towels
• More counter space for new kitchen gadgets

Moving Responsibilities

When you’re moving in the mountains, there’s more to it than getting some muscled friends together and ordering pizzas as payback. 

• Time of year. Moving in winter can be hard, but doing it in the Rockies can be impossible.
• Your physical condition. You may want to hire a company to move your household.
• Packing skill. If you have precious items, you might want professionals to pack it for you.

How Can Paffrath & Thomas Help You Upsize? 

We’ve got over 40 years of experience helping people find the perfect properties for their families, their businesses, and their dreams. That experience doesn’t only involve purchasing or selling mountain property. It’s about helping families become part of the community.

Need a dependable relocation company that understands the complexities of moving in the mountains? We can recommend several. Need help setting up utilities? We’re there for you. Decorators, painters, carpenters, more? We can connect you with people we believe are the best at what you need done.

The Extra Mile

The Paffrath & Thomas difference means we don’t just want to sell you a home. We want to help you join us in living the mountain life. That’s why we also like to go above and beyond for every one of our clients. We’ll dig into the nitty gritty— the hard details—as much as you need. 

We’ve even helped people move in by grabbing boxes and putting them in rooms! It’s our pleasure to welcome you the way mountain people do, with a smile and helping hand.

If you need more help, we’ll give you solid recommendations on companies. We’re not just a realtor, we’re a real resource. We are an ally to managing your property. We’ve developed relationships with many businesses in the surrounding communities. 

These people are our fellow neighbors and friends. When you choose to move here, you won’t come in as a stranger; you’ll be part of the Summit County family. 

Your Friend for Upsizing Your Home

At Paffrath & Thomas, we love our work, and we love where we work. It’s the glue that keeps us together, living our best lives.

We invite you to share it with our real estate company in Breckenridge. You can check out our listings online, plus contact us there via the internet or by phone. And always feel free to stop by our office for a look at our properties, and a cup of hot coffee. Make it part of your wonderful day in Breckenridge. 

You’ll soon find out why so many people come for the winter, and stay for the summer. We’ll be here, as your Realtors®, neighbors, and friends—ready to help you come home.

Explore with us, make memories with us, live your purpose with us. Allow our Paffrath & Thomas family to guide your family home.