A How-To Guide to Buying a Vacation Home

Buying a vacation home takes time and involves many steps. It is helpful to be patient with yourself and the process. Owning a vacation home may sound a bit intimidating to some people, but if it is something that you really want and you have Sugarland vacation home insurance in place to protect yourself, you can make it happen and enjoy the benefits of having a home away from home. Most people are not fully aware of the realities of buying a vacation home. It might not be as hard as you may think. If done properly, it can be done relatively quickly and easily. Here’s a guide to help you along the way.

Match Housing to your Lifestyle

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to own a primary residence before buying a vacation home. Your main goal in this scenario should be to match the house with your lifestyle. If you live in the city and long for more space, you may want to consider leasing a modest condo in the city to purchase a vacation home outside the metro area. Or, if you live in a large house in the countryside but are seeking the city life feel, you may be able to buy a vacation condo in the city. It is just about finding a way to balance out the expenses.

Decide How You’ll Use It

To determine proper financing and taxes, think about how you will use your property. Will it be a primary residence?  If so, you can get significant homeowner tax benefits. Is it a second home? Although you could use it anytime, note that lenders don’t allow a second home to be rented out. What about an investment property? You can rent out the home and likely qualify for the loan using your full primary residence cost, full investment home cost, and/or rental income. The tax benefits will not be as great, but the extra income can help level it out.

Understand the Expenses

First, you will need to determine what you can afford and then find a lender to formally examine how much you can and should use for the down payment and closing costs. You will need to add the cost of your existing home plus the total monthly cost of the vacation home and plan for personal budget items such as gas, electric, cable TV, internet, furniture, housewares, landscaping, and other property maintenance costs.

Finding the Realtor and Lender

Since a wide array of vacation homes are in specialized markets, it is smart to use local real estate agents and lenders who specialize in the area to clarify the local transaction fees, taxes, and commissions. They can also better advise on the local zoning and property rental regulations. For instance, they will know whether a short-term renting agreement for a vacation home is allowed or not in a particular town. Not only can local experts advise correctly, they will also help you land on the things that are a top priority for you in your vacation home. Similarly, if you use a local lender, they will likely be more comfortable appraising in areas that others may not be. Keep in mind that appraisals are often a little trickier in less populated areas simply because comparable sales may be more challenging to find.

About Transparity Insurance Services

Transparity Insurance Services was founded for the purpose of helping clients to ensure their property and assets with no hassle. We are committed to providing a simple, easy, efficient, and positive experience to all of our clients, and prioritize open and transparent communication with our clients. Through our excellent customer service and technology, we can help you to find the right insurance program at a competitive price. Contact us today at (855) 889-2037 to learn more about what we can do for you.