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