Many people dream of having their own vacation home as a place to cherish in a favourite place, and with careful research before hand a vacation home is an excellent investment to make. It can give you a home away from home for your own vacations, bring in a regular income to offset the costs of maintaining it, and provide a handy retirement fund all at the same time.
The key to investing in a vacation home is location. Unless you can afford to have the property sitting empty for most of the year it is makes sound financial sense to rent it out especially in the peak season. If you choose the right location it may have longer rental potential than just as a summer vacation home.
Some properties can be rented over several seasons if they are situated in good areas for walking or other activities, and have some kind of heating. Many vacationers love the idea of rustic country fireplaces to return to after an autumnal hike or a winter excursion, so don’t limit your self to a property which only has summer appeal.
The downside of having the property available as a rental home is that you may find your own vacation plans coincide with the optimal rental periods, but if you want to maximise the rental potential you can take your own vacations in less lucrative weeks, or pre-book your own rental time to ensure you are guaranteed some time there.
The better the vacation area is the more likely the property is to appreciate in value, and properties in good vacation spots to tend to raise more quickly in value than the average. If you are looking to secure a rental income from it though be sure to investigate first the level of competition in the area. Consider that the better the amenities provided in the house, the more likely you are to receive repeat bookings. These go a long way to making the whole rental process much easier.
It can give great peace of mind knowing the fantastic family who rented the place last season and really looked after it with care, want to return again. Making the home as comfortable as you can, and providing little extras such as local guides, a welcome basket, and the house ready aired, can make all the difference. It is advisable to employ a local person to take care of the property in readiness for any rental guests and take care of any emergencies.
The best way to finance an investment in a vacation home is by cash if you can afford to do so. Talk to an accountant about any tax breaks you can make use of, and if you use a mortgage take out a new one on the vacation property rather than taking a second mortgage on your first property.
A vacation house gives you security for the future as it can represent your retirement fund. It can be used to relocate to in your retirement, allowing you to sell off the first home. There are many ways to make use of the property over time whilst knowing it is appreciating in value in the present.
Finally you can fulfil your dream by investing in a vacation property and have your own second home to enjoy whenever the opportunity arises. It will save you money on other vacations you might otherwise spend on, and you can always be sure of the home comforts awaiting you.