10 Things to Consider When Buying a Second Home (Part 2)
Buyers desiring a second home have some important considerations before making a decision about where, when and how to buy that property. What they specifically want and need for that second home is a critical discussion to have before getting started.
These issues may differ in important ways from decisions you made for your primary home purchase. Think about what these differences might be before you get too far along – it will help you to be more effective in your home search and planning.
Here’s what was discussed in Part 1:
- Lifestyle issues (How might your second home lifestyle differ from the way you live now?)
- Financial considerations (Cash versus financing; the added costs of a second home)
- Rentability (Do you want to also rent the property; can you rent and are there any restrictions?)
- Maintenance (Things you have to do as a homeowner – how will you handle maintenance at your second home?)
- Location (Where do you want this home to be relative to where you now live; how far are you willing to drive? What about traffic?)
Here are 5 additional issues to think about as you go about your home search for your second home.
SECURITY
The issue of security is important to consider, perhaps even more so than in your primary home since you won’t be there full-time. The area itself where the property is located is always something to evaluate, of course, but it can become more complicated if you are not living there fulltime.
Do you want or need someone to check on the property on a regular basis?
Do you feel a need for a security system?
Do you prefer a lock-and-go type of condo building, or a gated community for enhanced security?
Lastly, you will want to check on the particulars for home owner’s insurance since you won’t be there all the time and it’s not a primary home.
PETS
If pets are an important part of your life, is your plan to have them with you when using your second home? There is, of course, the practical reality of transporting them – easy for a short car ride.
But the other question to think about is if there are restrictions in the home owner’s association regarding type of pet, size, and how many you can have.
If your heart is set on having your pet(s) accompany you, you need to check that the HOA allows pets, especially dogs. If you can’t take your pet, or simply prefer to not do so, one option to consider is to have a pet or house sitter when away. In addition to have your pet taken care of, you have the reassurance that someone is watching your primary home when you are absent for an extended time.
FURNISHING YOUR SECOND HOME
Unless you buy a furnished second home, which may not be easy to do, you should consider additional costs and personal time for furnishing your home so you can use it. You might want to furnish your second home differently than how you do at home (e.g., do you want a completely furnished kitchen like at home or a pared-down one since you will be eating out more than cooking?). Do you need to buy all new furniture or can you, perhaps, use extra furniture from your primary home?
If you are planning to rent it out you may want to consider the quality of the furniture, and accessories that tenants might expect. Spending too much on expensive personal furnishings when you will be renting regularly could be a waste of money. Some second home buyers have a locked closet or storage area in the home to put away valuables and personal items when renting.
CONDITION
As with a primary home purchase the condition of your second home, inside and out, is probably an important consideration.
Are you looking for a home that is turn-key so you can start enjoying it immediately?
Or are you willing, and able, to deal with a fixer to get it to where you want it to be?
You will want to think about whether you want to be living with construction, or doing projects every time you are using the home. Given the property and location, however, the right decision might be to put up with remodeling to get the house you like, at a price you are comfortable with, and make it your own.
While move-in ready might be your ideal, finding something completely turn-key that checks off all the boxes on your list of “must haves” may not be possible within your budget. Be willing to be flexible around doing some cosmetics to get the property that will work for you as a second home.
THE SECOND HOME SEARCH
Searching for a second home can be a little different depending on where you are looking for the property, especially if it’s an area you don’t know as well as where you live.
One complication is when the area you desire is a distance from your home so you can’t readily explore the homes or communities in person without taking a house hunting trip. But to get the right house and neighborhood, the time and expense WILL be worth it.
Some buyers may be willing to buy a home sight-unseen if they can get enough information online and through their agent, along with the use of technology (e.g., video, Facetime). But it is not without risks.
Working with a knowledgeable agent who understands the local market conditions (inventory, pricing), the communities, and how to assist buyers from a distance will work to your advantage. Market conditions and pricing may be very different from where you live, and you need to understand how these issues can impact your decision making, and budget.
If you are searching in another state the offer paperwork, and even the purchase process, may be different from what you are familiar with. So you need to understand those issues early on in the process. The right agent will provide the education you need and answer all of your questions.
I am happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have about purchasing a second home in the Carlsbad or North San Diego County area, especially along the coast. Please give me a call at (760) 840-1360 so we can discuss your particular needs and budget, and I can address any questions about your search for a second home.
You can search for your second home in Carlsbad (and elsewhere) here.
If you are in the market for an oceanfront second home, you'll find some good guidance in this post - 6 Things to Know About Buying an Oceanfront Home.
Once we discuss your particular needs, budget and location interests I can also create a custom search for you that meet your specific criteria.
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