We all aspire to someday make the investment into our own ideal lifestyle. Today’s feature will look at the reasons how and why to pull the trigger on investing in the big-ticket items to realize that dream in the Raystown Lake Region.
Business Opportunity for a Lifestyle
Tom and Claudia Mincemoyer started their “retirement” gig by purchasing a residential rental business in Huntingdon. The business was largely geared toward off-campus student rentals for Juniata College students, with some long-term residences mixed in. From there, they took an opportunity to purchase Bears Paw Lodge, a luxurious vacation rental atop a ridge near Snyder’s Run boat launch on Raystown Lake. “We bought Bear’s Paw Lodge both as a business investment and as a place to gather our own family for special occasions,” says Tom Mincemoyer.
Bears Paw Lodge is a beautiful home in a fantastic 40-acre setting that is large enough for extended families or groups of friends. It can sleep as many as 25 people in its 6 bedrooms and sprawling common areas with 5.5 bathrooms to handle the crowd. It is available for week-long, mid-week or extended weekend rentals year-round except over the Thanksgiving holiday when the Mincemoyers host their own family for dinner.
Finding the Perfect Real Estate
Dan Guyer has been a Realtor® for 32 years including the past 24 as a broker, and owns Apex Realty Group in Huntingdon. Apex Realty Group has seven agents and typically represents three to four dozen properties for sale in the area at any given time. Dan knows the Raystown Lake Region real estate market well and offers the following advice to folks looking to invest here for income or for a home:
The people who live here are pretty wonderful to work with overall. The folks who come to vacation are happy to be away from the rush of their normal work week and are usually in a good mood. I enjoy watching them discover this beautiful area and get excited when they find the property that's right for them. My interactions with people are nearly all positive and that reaffirms my decision to be in real estate
Buying here is about much more than appreciation or ROI, it's about having fun, security, peace of mind and giving those you love a life affirming experience.
Whatever Floats Your Boat
One major reason people choose to invest in Huntingdon County is for the love of the waters of Raystown Lake. One of the best expressions of that love is to invest in a boat. B.J. Filson owns Jim’s Anchorage in Hesston, PA, the Raystown Lake Region’s longest operating boat dealership. Jim’s Anchorage was founded by B.J.’s late father Jim Filson on what locals call “The old dam,” referring to a much smaller hydroelectric dam that existed from 1909 until the current US Army Corps of Engineers Raystown Dam was constructed in the early 1970s.
Jim’s Anchorage sells bass boats, pontoon boats, pleasure cruisers, and even houseboats. Sales manager Joe Zanylo offers this advice for choosing the right boat:
- Consider your primary use: Cruising, Fishing, Skiing or combo of all.
- How many people will be on the boat at any given time?
- Make sure the boat has the horsepower to do what you want it to do with the amount of individuals there are on the boat at any one time, i.e. tubing, skiing, wakeboarding, etc.
- Maintenance - New or Used? This factor would be determined by the amount of money a buyer has in mind to spend.
- Floor Plan layout such as seating, storage and amenities
- Warranties - on either new or used
- Financing Options on new or used
- Reputable Sales and Service after the purchase
Free to Move
Maybe your dream lifestyle requires more mobility than real estate would afford. Ansley RV, located in Duncansville, PA, might have what you are looking for. A family owned business since 1947, Ansley RV offers sales and service of everything from small pop-up and teardrop campers, to large self-contained and 5th wheel tow-behinds and motorhomes to suit your RV lifestyle and budget.
The beauty of owning an RV is your lodging comes with you when you travel. You get to sleep each night in a familiar bed, and stepping out the door in the morning can take you to new views and settings with every trip. Once you stock it with your personal supplies, it’s ready to go on a moment’s notice. Camping is all about relaxation in beautiful surroundings. It doesn’t get much better than that!