Retirement

Buying a Vacation Home? 5 Questions to Consider First

Buying a Vacation Home? 5 Questions to Consider First. If you and your family would like to call your favorite travel destination “home,” you may be considering purchasing a vacation property. This can be an exciting milestone, but there are a few things to consider first. Your financial professional might be able to provide you with some resources to help answer some of the critical questions.Buying a Vacation Home? 5 Questions to Consider First. If you and your family would like to call your favorite travel destination “home,” you may be considering purchasing a vacation property. This can be an exciting milestone, but there are a few things to consider first. Your financial professional might be able to provide you with some resources to help answer some of the critical questions.1. How Will I Use the Home? Think about how often the home will be used - and by who. Will you be renting it out? Can family come and stay when you’re not there? Or will it only be occupied a few weeks a year? Did You Know 600,000 Americans use online marketplaces to rent out their property to vacationers. Source 1.1. How Will I Use the Home? Think about how often the home will be used - and by who. Will you be renting it out? Can family come and stay when you’re not there? Or will it only be occupied a few weeks a year? Did You Know 600,000 Americans use online marketplaces to rent out their property to vacationers. Source 1.2. Am I Rushing This Decision? When are you making the decision to buy a second home? Is it right after a relaxing vacation at a new location? Or have you been considering this for awhile? A second home is a large expense, you’ll want to avoid being impulsive when making your decision. Tip: Travel to your desired location during each season to get a better feel for what it’s like all year round.2. Am I Rushing This Decision? When are you making the decision to buy a second home? Is it right after a relaxing vacation at a new location? Or have you been considering this for awhile? A second home is a large expense, you’ll want to avoid being impulsive when making your decision. Tip: Travel to your desired location during each season to get a better feel for what it’s like all year round.3. Have I Calculated the Costs? Aside from the cost of the house, you’ll need to prepare to pay the ongoing costs of owning a second home. These include: Insurance, property taxes, maintenance, property manager (if renting), and HOA or Amenity Fees (if any).3. Have I Calculated the Costs? Aside from the cost of the house, you’ll need to prepare to pay the ongoing costs of owning a second home. These include: Insurance, property taxes, maintenance, property manager (if renting), and HOA or Amenity Fees (if any).4. Are There Rules About Renting? If you plan on renting out your vacation home, check local laws and guidelines. Some places cap the number of days a home can be rented out or provide further restrictions on renting to vacationers.4. Are There Rules About Renting? If you plan on renting out your vacation home, check local laws and guidelines. Some places cap the number of days a home can be rented out or provide further restrictions on renting to vacationers.5. What Will I Do in an Emergency? In some instances, an emergency might be a broken water heater or an electrical problem. In other instances, it may be more severe. What's your plan? Would your home be within driving distance, or will you hire someone to check on it periodically throughout the year? Did you know on average, the US is hit by 6 hurricanes a year. Source 2. Sources: iPropertyManagement.com, October 19, 2021, Insurance Information Institute, October 19, 2021.5. What Will I Do in an Emergency? In some instances, an emergency might be a broken water heater or an electrical problem. In other instances, it may be more severe. What's your plan? Would your home be within driving distance, or will you hire someone to check on it periodically throughout the year? Did you know on average, the US is hit by 6 hurricanes a year. Source 2. Sources: Source 1. iPropertyManagement.com, October 19, 2021. Source 2. Insurance Information Institute, October 19, 2021.
 

Related Content

An Arm and a Leg

An Arm and a Leg

A visit to the hospital can be painful, for both your body and your wallet. Don’t let it be more painful than it has to be.

Annuity Comparison

Annuity Comparison

This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.

Encore Careers: Push Your Boundaries

Encore Careers: Push Your Boundaries

Ready for retirement? Find out why many are considering encore careers and push your boundaries into something more, here.

 

Have A Question About This Topic?


Thank you! Oops!

Life and Death of a Twenty Dollar Bill

How long does a $20 bill last?

Systematic Withdrawals in Retirement

Taking regular, periodic withdrawals during retirement can be quite problematic.

Retirement Questions That Have Nothing to Do With Money

Things to consider before retirement.

View all articles

Saving for Retirement

This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.

Federal Income Tax

Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.

Self-Employed Retirement Plans

Estimate the maximum contribution amount for a Self-Employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or SEP.

View all calculators

Your Cash Flow Statement

A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.

Managing Your Lifestyle

Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.

Principles of Preserving Wealth

How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.

View all presentations

The Other Sure Thing

Though we don’t like to think about it, all of us will make an exit sometime. Are you prepared?

Questions to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home

Doing your research is key before buying a vacation home.

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.

View all videos