Lee Morof's Real Estate Blog

Many first-time homebuyers are having a difficult time finding the right purchase. Therefore, a new trend is catching on. Some people are renting in the city, where property values are more expensive. Then, they buy a vacation home in the suburbs. Is it smart to buy a second home as a first home? 

The Advantages Of Buying A Vacation Home First

There are several advantages that come with buying a vacation home as a first home. First, buying a vacation home in the suburbs is usually less expensive than purchasing a house in the city. Furthermore, first-time homeowners can rent out their vacation homes the majority of the time, helping them cover monthly mortgage payments. Then, as the value of the vacation home rises, first-time homeowners build equity they can use to purchase a more expensive home in the city later. This can also help people save money on the cost of a vacation. 

Interest Rates On Vacation Homes Might Be Higher

At the same time, interest rates on vacation homes might be higher. Homeowners interested in getting the best interest rates need to live in the home they are buying. If they are not living in that specific home, lenders may charge a higher interest rate. Furthermore, first-time homeowners might have to put more money down to qualify for that loan. 

Managing A Vacation Home

First-time homeowners also have to think about how they will bring in rental income. It might be helpful to work with a property management company that can handle this from start to finish. Or, services such as VRBO or Airbnb might be helpful. Homeowners need to have a plan for how to maximize rental income. The more the home is rented out, the easier it will be to afford the mortgage payments.

Have An Emergency Fund Set Aside

First-time homeowners still need to have an emergency fund set aside for the vacation home. What happens if the roof needs a repair? What happens if the HVAC system has to be replaced? Homeowners need to think carefully about how they can cover these expenses. Not all of them are covered by home insurance, and some of them can cost thousands of dollars. 

Are you thinking about buying a vacation home? Maybe owning two homes is part of your retirement dream. Maybe you’d like to have a second home in your favorite holiday locale.

If you are thinking about taking this step, you might have talked to family and friends about it. Unfortunately, many people give well-intentioned, yet poor advice when it comes to buying a vacation home. Here are some myths — and the truth — about buying a second home straight from leading real estate experts.

You Can Buy A Vacation Home With No Money Down

You have probably seen advertisements about buying a vacation home with no money down. However, this is simply not the case and those advertisements are misleading. Unlike buying a first home, you will need a sizable down payment to purchase a second home.

The minimum amount down that you will need to buy a second home is 10 percent. In order to qualify for the lowest down payment, it would also have to be a single family residence and not an investment property.

So, if you plan to use it as a vacation rental, then you will need more money down – usually at least 20 percent due to the property being considered an investment property.

Renting Out Your Vacation Home Is Easy

Sites like VBRO, HomeAway and Airbnb have made renting out vacation rentals much easier. However, renting out a vacation or second home is not as simple as it seems. While renting out your vacation home is a great opportunity, you must run it like a business.

And remember, there are more expenses than just the mortgage payment and possibly HOA dues. Utility payments and amenities like internet and television services add to the monthly expenses and are desirable features to prospective renters.

Take some time with your trusted real estate professional and pencil out the total costs of maintenance. Then you will have a great idea of what it will take in rent to cover the costs.

You Don’t Have To Worry About Your Vacation Home When You Are Not There

Many people think that they can buy a vacation home and then forget about it when they are not using it. This is simply not the case. Vacation homes are often targets for thieves, so you’ll have to plan for a way to protect your home when you are not there.

Fortunately, the newer smart alarm systems make it easy to monitor a property from anywhere. Many smart home systems also include flood detection monitors so that you can be immediately notified if you have a water leak.

Owning a vacation home can be a very rewarding investment and a great addition to your long term financial plan. Once again, take your time and get your trusted real estate and mortgage financing professional involved to help you make the best decision possible.

A-Frame houses have spiked in popularity over the last couple of years. These adorable homes can be quirky or sleek and modern. They are shaped like a triangle — hence the name. A-Frame houses are shaped like the letter A. The walls begin near the foundation and slope upwards in a slant. The walls meet at the top to form a triangle or A-shape. 

A-Frame houses are popular all over the United States. They are ideal for second or vacation homes. The big windows make them especially popular in very picturesque locales. This feature allows homeowners to enjoy fabulous views of the ocean, mountains or countryside. 

Characteristics Of An A-Frame House 

A-Frame houses have very specific characteristics. Here are some of the features of an A-Frame house:

• Open floor plan 
• Loft space
• Large windows 
• Wood siding 
• High interior ceilings 
• Gables in the back and front 

Benefits Of An A-Frame House 

Many buyers love A-Frame houses for several reasons. They have large windows, which allows plenty of natural light to enter the home. The large windows also make them ideal for scenic views. 

A-Frame homes are also quite inexpensive and straightforward, which is another reason that they are prevalent vacation homes. 

Who are A-Frame Homes Ideal for? 

Many outdoor types of families love A-Frame houses because they are ideal for beautiful natural settings. A-Frame homes are also ideal for buyers looking for a vacation home in a pretty location. They are also great for investors or first-time home buyers.

If you are looking to buy in a prime waterfront location, you might consider an A-Frame house, as well. They are perfect for buyers wanting to build a private escape on a couple of acres of land. 

Who Should Not Buy An A-Frame Home? 

A-Frame homes aren’t for everyone. While they are an excellent option for first-time home buyers or buyers looking for a vacation property, they are not ideal for all buyers.

For example, buyers in Florida would be better served looking for a different type of home. A-Frames may not be suitable in some climates since they are constructed with wood. This fact makes them potentially more susceptible to storm and termite damage. 

Also, A-Frame homes are probably not ideal for larger families that need a lot of storage space. A-Frame houses typically have limited storage space because of the shape of the roof. 

Contact your trusted real estate for updates on what unique and interesting properties are available in your area.