| Investing in a vacation home might be for the | | | | should consider. Are some of the or the lack of |
| pleasure you receive from it, than as a real | | | | seasons that don't appeal to you? How is traffic |
| estate investment. Second homes can bring | | | | in-season, you might have retired to get away |
| enjoyment to you and your family, but buying at | | | | from grid-lock, but very popular vacation and |
| the right price and time, can make all the | | | | resort areas can have massive back-ups in |
| difference between profit and loss. Be sure to | | | | season.-You might enjoy renting your vacation |
| visit your proposed purchase destination both | | | | home now, but when you retire will you want the |
| in-season and out-of-season. Many vacation spots | | | | transient nature that short-term rentals |
| are desolate off-peak.It might be easy to buy the | | | | bring?-Don't rely on seasonal rental to cover all |
| cheapest property as a second home, but good | | | | your costs. Off-season may be too hot or rental |
| resale characteristics are what you should looking | | | | rates drop so low, that the cleaning service, |
| for. Buy a home with at least two bedrooms and | | | | management fees eat up profits. Verify that any |
| two baths, people always have friends and family | | | | resort or condotel allows short-term rentals in |
| visiting their second home. Look for a good | | | | season.--Anticipate all the costs for renovation and |
| location, you'll enjoy it and so will buyers when | | | | refurnishing. Sometimes it might be cheaper to |
| you go to sell. Stay away from allot of fixing-up, | | | | start over. or to buy new construction.-Buying |
| many a second home owner burned out from all | | | | furnished vacation homes is typical. If you're going |
| the work that a supposed "vacation home" | | | | to rent your home, make sure the rental |
| created. Buy a property within an easy days | | | | manager approves of the furniture you're buying |
| commute to it. Remote locations that chew up | | | | with the property. Out-dated and well-worn |
| travel time on vacations have limited appeal. ere | | | | furniture won't cut it today with savvy vacation |
| are some additional tips:-If the home is on a | | | | renters.Mark Nash is the author of "Fundamentals |
| water well and septic, have them inspected by a | | | | of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional", |
| professional.-The best time to buy a vacation | | | | "Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate", "Reaching |
| home is the first season after peak season. Many | | | | Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing", and |
| second home owners want to use it | | | | "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home". Mark is |
| one-last-season, then sell and have the carrying | | | | a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine |
| costs. Inventories of resale homes are greatest | | | | Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive |
| off-season and at reduced prices.-Find locations | | | | Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. His |
| that offer long seasons for golfing, boating, and | | | | tried and true real estate tips has been featured |
| skiing. Some resorts have off-season alternative | | | | on Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, |
| activities that can bring you back for a respite in | | | | HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA |
| slower times.-Retiring down the road to your | | | | Today. |
| second home brings to mind some things you | | | | |