Speaking from my own experience, owning a vacation home can be a rewarding experience—both personally and financially. I purchased my first vacation home when my children were very young because I wanted a place for them to spend summers and the holidays as they were growing up. Born and raised in bustling New York City, I wanted them to experience nature, fresh air and freedom to roam.
They're all grown up now and on their own but the memories of wonderful times spent there are priceless. Whatever your reason for wanting a vacation home, here's what you need to know before you take the plunge.
Rent First Then Buy
You've enjoyed a resort community as a typical vacationer and are thinking of making a major investment in a vacation home. Before you buy, you should rent the home or a similar home close by. If you plan on using the home year round then you should rent for each season and see what it's like. A home during the summer is very different than a home during the winter and you need to experience both.
(Read More: Million-Dollar Vacation Homes Across the Country)
I rented and used a home for a full year while I searched for a nearby property that would fit my family's needs. It took that long for me to learn the local market so I was confident I was getting a good deal when I bought.
Buy If Your Holding Period Is At Least Five Years
Real estate is not a liquid investment, so if the market declines you shouldn't expect to cash out quickly. This goes double for vacation property, which is more susceptible to market downturns than primary residences. That's why it's better to have a long time horizon so you can ride out the ups and downs of the real estate market. The longer the better.
Make Sure Your Vacation Home Can Be Rented
Even if you plan on using the home yourself with no intention of renting it out, buy a home that has good rental potential. That's because homes that can be rented are more valuable and it's always better to have the option of renting to others in case your plans change.
During the last down market, many homeowners who wanted to sell could not do so at their desired asking price so they rented their home instead and rode out the slump until the market improved. The fact that their home was could be rented allowed them to recoup a large portion of their carrying costs while they waited for the market to come back.
(Read More: America's Most Expensive Rentals 2013)
There are also significant tax advantages to renting your vacation home so you should seek homes that will give you that option.
