5 Things To Consider When Buying a Second Home

By
Real Estate Agent

Before deciding to buy a second home, here are some things you have to consider.

Can You Afford It?

Get a preapproved first so you can determine how much you can really afford. This is very important with second homes because odds are that you will still be making mortgage payments on your first home while taking on additional debt in the form of a mortgage on your second home. A preapproval is needed to make sure you’re in good enough shape to make payments on both mortgages and still be financially stable.

Your Interest Rates May Be Higher

When paying back your loan, you will have to spend more than you initially borrowed. How much you pay back will be based on your interest rate. Interest rates are computed based on your available down payment and credit score, the latter of which is taken very seriously by lenders for a second home mortgage because it shows whether you're a good borrower or not. 

Location, Location, Location
In order to get the most out of your property, the location you choose for your second home should be somewhere you can go on the weekends or use as your personal seasonal getaway. When you consider location,  the most important thing is that you can imagine yourself spending a lot of time there.

Buying a Second Home May Not Be Easy

The requirements for getting a mortgage on any second home are stricter and more difficult than what you might have experienced when obtaining your first home mortgage. There many differences, due in large part to the way you are evaluated by the lenders. It is assumed that by trying to figure out how to buy a second home, then you have a stable and secure financial record.

Are you buying for the right reason?

Some people may view a vacation home  as a way to save on the accommodation fees they’re supposed to pay every year when they take a trip. In another perspective, some people view it as an investment—either as a place where they plan to retire in the future or a property that they can sell down the road to supplement retirement income.

Comments (1)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Coleen. You have made many good points here. I am surprised by the picture though. That would be quite the second home.

Jan 11, 2016 11:43 PM

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