Candice sits down with her friend (and fellow real-estate-spreadsheet enthusiast) Lauren for a candid, lived-in look at what it actually takes to own a second home in Frisco, Colorado. Lauren bought her first mountain condo to escape I-70 traffic, learned the hard way about underfunded HOAs, dual-agency deals, and broad inspections — then leveled up to a well-built townhouse with Candice’s help years later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They cover:

• Lessons from a rough first purchase — underfunded HOA reserves, special assessments, and risks of using the seller’s agent
• How to vet an HOA’s financial health before you buy
• Choosing between local and national property management companies, and what “full service” really costs (spoiler: 25–35% of rental revenue)
• The right questions to ask a property manager — hidden fees, maintenance thresholds, and after-hours support
• Why short-term rental income estimates are often optimistic, and how to build your own model
• How Lauren’s use of her mountain home shifted from “ski weekends only” to a true four-season retreat

 

 

 

 

Whether you’re weekend-tripping from the Front Range or dreaming about your own ski condo, this episode is full of real numbers and hard-won advice from someone who’s actually done it.