Each year in August, and again in January, after trips to a warm destinations for summer or winter fabulous summer vacations, we get calls from clients who have found their dream “home away from home”. The dream is usually a condo located at a favorite vacation spot and a place where they can drive up, find a warm bed waiting, and the next day the beach beckons for a relaxing walk.
But hold on just a minute. When you open those doors you might also find a leaky toilet or a few critters who also like your home. It is then you begin to discover there are many good things about a second home but also lots to think about before signing on the dotted line. Here are a few checklist items for your consideration:
Location and Use
How often will it be used?
Is it easy to get to or is the expense of getting there a consideration?
Are you close to attractive features?
Is it a desirable property in case you wish to sell?
Maintenance
Older condos may be ready for big outside assessments and lots of inside updates as well. Ongoing maintenance is a necessity when you own property regardless of age. It is also the biggest complaint of owners. If the property is rented, both the need for maintenance and complaints triple. Who is going to take care of maintenance and what is the cost?
If the renters are family members how are increased utility bills going to be handled---yes they can be substantial.
Amenities
You may have fallen in love with the swimming pool but are you going to use the tennis courts, golf course and clubhouse? You will be paying for them.
Costs
The purchase cost is just the beginning. The monthly association dues rarely go down. Periodic assessments for parking lots and landscaping can be substantial.
You also need to know about insurance costs and added on fees for particular activities or uses.
Furniture is also a consideration.
If you find the monthly costs are going to strain your budget, you might want to rethink the decision to buy. One couple had a sound practice of not financing a second home until the first one was paid in full. If you are relying on rentals to cover most of the costs, it is best to have a contingency plan since renters may be scarce in poor economic times.
A second home can be a wonderful place for the family to gather and for you to have a relaxing respite from daily demands. Like most things in life, make sure it will bring you satisfaction that you can afford.
Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.