5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Second Home
But before you make an offer on a second home, you need to do your research to make sure that investment really makes sense for you. That’s why we put together this list of 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Second Home.1
- Get familiar with the area where you plan to buy. Make sure you know where the nearest grocery store and gas station are so you’re not caught off guard if you forget to pack a must need item. Map out area attractions and access to highways to calculate how long it’ll take you to get where you need to go. Location is the one thing you’ll never be able to change about your property, so it’s one of the most important things to consider when you’re choosing a second home. If you’re thinking about buying in an area you don’t know well, lean on a local real estate agent to help you narrow down your search.
- Be realistic about how often the property will be used. Take into consideration your available vacation time and weekend availability. If you won’t be able to use the property often, it may make more sense to opt for a rental than to take on the fixed cost of a second mortgage. And if you’re planning to rent out the property you end up buying, do your homework to come up with a solid estimate of how often it’ll be booked and what you can expect to charge to rent it.
- Consider all the costs that come with owning a second home. Create a plan that covers the full financial picture of owning a second home. That includes taxes, insurance, utilities, regular maintenance and emergency repairs, along with things like furnishing and remodeling the property.
- Research occupancy restrictions. Listing your second home on a site like Airbnb can help generate extra income, but short-term rentals aren’t permitted in all neighborhoods, cities and counties. Be sure to thoroughly research all of the rules that could keep you from renting out your property so that there are no surprises after closing.
- Figure out your financing. Consider whether you’ll pay cash for your new property, or opt for a home loan.
Disclaimer Text: 1Content in this article is meant to be information only. Consult tax, legal and/or accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.