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