Yes-you can own a cabin at A-Frame Club as a second home. But it is important to understand that it does not work exactly like buying a conventional vacation condo in Winter Park.
The cabins are individually owned, furnished, and designed for personal use. They are also part of a professionally operated hospitality property. That blend is the appeal for many buyers, but it is also why you should understand the rules before you fall in love with the fireplace, soaking tub, and ski-town setting.
First, what are you actually buying?
You are buying a full-ownership cabin within a 31-cabin property in Old Town Winter Park. It is not a fractional interest and it is not a timeshare.
The cabin is your real property, while the common amenities and hospitality functions are managed through the ownership and management structure. That includes the shared setting, common services, and the property's guest-lodging operation.
For many second-home buyers, that is the sweet spot: a private retreat that does not require them to create an entire hospitality operation on their own.
What does the 90-day owner-use framework mean?
The current approved FAQ describes a 90-day annual owner-use framework. The reason is to preserve the property's hospitality function and retain lodging availability within the relevant zone.
The key is to think about your actual use pattern.
If you expect to visit for ski weekends, holidays, a few longer winter stays, summer biking and hiking, and fall weekends, 90 days can represent a meaningful amount of personal time in the mountains. If you intend to live in the cabin for most of the year-or want the option to keep it available every single peak weekend-you should compare it with more conventional Winter Park homes and condos. You can also stay past the 90 days for a nominal fee. Let's chat about it!
Ask for the current governing documents and confirm exactly how owner use is scheduled, tracked, and administered before you write an offer.
What happens when you are not using the cabin?
A-Frame Club has professional on-site management for guest lodging. Owners make their cabin available through the property's rental operation under the rental-management agreement.
It is a revenue-sharing arrangement, but an important point to note: no one should provide income, occupancy, or return projections for this property. A buyer should review the current agreement and consult their own CPA, attorney, and lender before making a financial decision.
That is the smart way to evaluate any hospitality-oriented second home: understand the documents, the costs, the use restrictions, and the operational structure rather than relying on a hypothetical pro forma.
What does the HOA cover?
The HOA fee is approximately $600 per month. The inclusions are: utilities such as gas, electricity, water, and sewer; internet; exterior and common-area maintenance; snow removal; common-area insurance; trash; and access to the property's shared amenities and services.
Questions I recommend every buyer ask
Before moving forward, request answers and documents for these questions:
1. What are the current owner-use rules, and how are dates reserved?
2. What exactly does the HOA cover today, and what expenses remain an owner's responsibility?
3. What are the current terms of the rental-management agreement?
4. What is the current revenue-sharing arrangement, and what fees are deducted before an owner receives proceeds?
5. Is participation in the rental program required, optional, or subject to certain conditions?
6. What insurance coverage is provided through the HOA, and what separate coverage should an owner obtain?
7. What financing options are available for this particular property type?
9. What is the cabin's specific location, privacy, outlook, and proximity to parking or common areas?
10. What personal-use pattern would make this a great fit-and what pattern would make a traditional Winter Park condo a better choice?
The right buyer mindset
The best A-Frame Club buyer is not looking for a generic rental property or a full-time residence. They are looking for a distinctive, low-maintenance Winter Park escape with hospitality, design, and a built-in sense of place.
If that sounds like you, I can provide the current materials for Cabin 28 and Cabin 31, set up a private tour, and help you compare the ownership structure with other Winter Park second-home options. Email me today at [email protected] or call/text me at 719.728.9506