Monday, October 3, 2016 / by Sasha Spiegel
What Buyers Should Look for in a Second Home
If you’re thinking about buying a vacation home of your own, here are a few things to consider:
Can you afford a second home? Vacation home prices have been going up, and the purchase price is only the beginning. You should calculate all the costs of ownership, including utilities, HOA or condo fees, property taxes, insurance and the expense of furnishing and maintaining your vacation home in determining if you can afford one.
Consider renting out your home. NAR® reports that about one out of four vacation homebuyers plan to rent out their properties at least occasionally. But there are potential drawbacks to renting, including multiple local jurisdictions that limit the ability of homeowners to rent their properties, especially on a short term basis. It’s best to consult with your legal, tax and insurance advisors before buying any property that you may want to use as a rental.
How often will you actually use it? If you cannot or do not rent out your vacation home, you should make sure you visit it frequently enough to make the purchase worthwhile. First, pick an area that you love and want to return to often. Otherwise, you may be better off just renting a place the few times that you plan to be there.
Location, location, location. Most vacation homebuyers should choose a location that offers the greatest number of amenities and activities that fit their interests, whether it’s swimming, skiing or golf. You may also want to choose a place that is conveniently located for family and friends to visit.
Visit the destination often before buying. You may want to rent a home in your preferred area at various times of the year and hopefully for extended periods of time. This will give you a better sense of the locale and help make sure that you won’t get bored with returning to that location in the years ahead.
Plan for emergencies. If you are not able to visit the house regularly, make sure to work with someone who will. A water leak, for example, can be devastating if left untreated. And if you’re renting out your home, repairs need to be made quickly. You should find a good local property manager to provide assistance on maintaining the property.
With mortgage interest rates still historically low, this may be a good time to consider purchasing a vacation home. But it’s important to work with an experienced real estate professional who understands the vacation home market and the local area you’re considering. With the help of a knowledgeable REALTOR®, you’ll be well on your way to finding that special vacation home that you will enjoy for many years to come.
More information about the Vacation home market in 2016
Can you afford a second home? Vacation home prices have been going up, and the purchase price is only the beginning. You should calculate all the costs of ownership, including utilities, HOA or condo fees, property taxes, insurance and the expense of furnishing and maintaining your vacation home in determining if you can afford one.
Consider renting out your home. NAR® reports that about one out of four vacation homebuyers plan to rent out their properties at least occasionally. But there are potential drawbacks to renting, including multiple local jurisdictions that limit the ability of homeowners to rent their properties, especially on a short term basis. It’s best to consult with your legal, tax and insurance advisors before buying any property that you may want to use as a rental.
How often will you actually use it? If you cannot or do not rent out your vacation home, you should make sure you visit it frequently enough to make the purchase worthwhile. First, pick an area that you love and want to return to often. Otherwise, you may be better off just renting a place the few times that you plan to be there.
Location, location, location. Most vacation homebuyers should choose a location that offers the greatest number of amenities and activities that fit their interests, whether it’s swimming, skiing or golf. You may also want to choose a place that is conveniently located for family and friends to visit.
Visit the destination often before buying. You may want to rent a home in your preferred area at various times of the year and hopefully for extended periods of time. This will give you a better sense of the locale and help make sure that you won’t get bored with returning to that location in the years ahead.
Plan for emergencies. If you are not able to visit the house regularly, make sure to work with someone who will. A water leak, for example, can be devastating if left untreated. And if you’re renting out your home, repairs need to be made quickly. You should find a good local property manager to provide assistance on maintaining the property.
With mortgage interest rates still historically low, this may be a good time to consider purchasing a vacation home. But it’s important to work with an experienced real estate professional who understands the vacation home market and the local area you’re considering. With the help of a knowledgeable REALTOR®, you’ll be well on your way to finding that special vacation home that you will enjoy for many years to come.
More information about the Vacation home market in 2016
