| Investing in a vacation home might be for the | | | | reduced prices. |
| pleasure you receive from it, than as a real | | | | -Find locations that offer long seasons for golfing, |
| estate investment. Second homes can bring | | | | boating, and skiing. Some resorts have off-season |
| enjoyment to you and your family, but buying at | | | | alternative activities that can bring you back for a |
| the right price and time, can make all the | | | | respite in slower times. |
| difference between profit and loss. Be sure to | | | | -Retiring down the road to your second home |
| visit your proposed purchase destination both | | | | brings to mind some things you should consider. |
| in-season and out-of-season. Many vacation spots | | | | Are some of the or the lack of seasons that |
| are desolate off-peak. | | | | don't appeal to you? How is traffic in-season, you |
| It might be easy to buy the cheapest property | | | | might have retired to get away from grid-lock, |
| as a second home, but good resale characteristics | | | | but very popular vacation and resort areas can |
| are what you should looking for. Buy a home with | | | | have massive back-ups in season. |
| at least two bedrooms and two baths, people | | | | -You might enjoy renting your vacation home |
| always have friends and family visiting their | | | | now, but when you retire will you want the |
| second home. Look for a good location, you'll | | | | transient nature that short-term rentals bring? |
| enjoy it and so will buyers when you go to sell. | | | | -Don't rely on seasonal rental to cover all your |
| Stay away from allot of fixing-up, many a second | | | | costs. Off-season may be too hot or rental rates |
| home owner burned out from all the work that a | | | | drop so low, that the cleaning service, |
| supposed "vacation home" created. Buy a | | | | management fees eat up profits. Verify that any |
| property within an easy days commute to it. | | | | resort or condotel allows short-term rentals in |
| Remote locations that chew up travel time on | | | | season. |
| vacations have limited appeal. ere are some | | | | --Anticipate all the costs for renovation and |
| additional tips: | | | | refurnishing. Sometimes it might be cheaper to |
| -If the home is on a water well and septic, have | | | | start over. or to buy new construction. |
| them inspected by a professional. | | | | -Buying furnished vacation homes is typical. If |
| -The best time to buy a vacation home is the | | | | you're going to rent your home, make sure the |
| first season after peak season. Many second | | | | rental manager approves of the furniture you're |
| home owners want to use it one-last-season, | | | | buying with the property. Out-dated and well-worn |
| then sell and have the carrying costs. Inventories | | | | furniture won't cut it today with savvy vacation |
| of resale homes are greatest off-season and at | | | | renters. |