After 10 years running his own real estate agency in Asia, Mark Lightfoot decided to combine his expertise in the property market with his passion for winter sports and set up SnowOnly, a worldwide property platform empowering buyers and sellers of ski properties, simplifying the way those properties are bought and sold.
ITS> When did you first go skiing?
ML> I started reasonably late in life at 17 with an unforgettable trip to Verbier. More recently I have been spending time in Niseko, Japan.
ITS> When did the idea for SnowOnly come to you?
ML> The idea was festering for a while. Essentially, while speaking to many ski properties owners in Asia, through my brokerage, there was clearly a need for an efficient platform to aid struggling sellers of ski real estate to attract buyers from further afield. This was enhanced by my trips to Europe, speaking to many sellers, which reaffirmed my views. I think my 10 years of being a broker give me a great insight into what is needed and is invaluable for SnowOnly moving forward.
ITS> How does SnowOnly differ from other ski property companies?
ML> SnowOnly is a unique platform dedicated solely to ski properties, thus attracting the right type of buyers. We have an abundance of resort information to complement each listing, such as lift prices, amount of runs, lifts, etc., it is all there. We have properties in a vast amount of ski resorts in Europe, Japan, Australia, US and Canada and more each day.
While we have a voice, it is important to understand that we are a property platform and not a brokerage, and we do not take commission. We introduce buyers to sellers and vice versa, in the best way we can. SnowOnly is efficient for everyone – why search for your ski property on multiple sites when it is all on one impartial site? We simplify the way people search for ski properties online. Sellers will benefit from very affordable monthly subscription prices, and buyers will save huge amounts of time finding everything in one convenient location.
ITS> Which are the growth areas at present?
ML> Niseko has experienced exceptional growth in the last few years and with average snowfall of 14m each season it is no wonder people are flocking there. Crested Butte in the US has seen massive appreciation in land sales, and Villars in Switzerland has had solid growth in 2018. All depends what you are looking for and why you are buying; we have it all on SnowOnly.com.
ITS> Why should people use SnowOnly to sell their ski property?
ML> Our marketing reach is vast, giving you a huge audience for your properties.
ITS> What is your long-term vision for SnowOnly?
ML> We are extremely ambitious. I would like us in the number one spot for buying or selling your ski property. However, the main purpose of SnowOnly is to increase turnover of properties everywhere, aid sellers and introduce buyers by giving them the best options. It gives me great satisfaction already to know that we are on that path.
