5 Tips For Buying A Vacation Home

If you’re considering buying a vacation home, congratulations! You’ve made a great decision. Especially if you’re considering a McKee Builders home in the beautiful state of Delaware. We offer award-winning townhomes in our Friendship Creek community near Bethany Beach. With three distinctive floor plans to choose from, extensive customization options, and a prime Delaware location, it’s the perfect place to build your ideal vacation home.

At McKee Builders, we pride ourselves on creating beautiful homes and communities that enrich the lives of our homeowners and provide a delightful new home-buying experience. With our decades of experience and expertise, we’d like to share with you a few things to consider when thinking about how to buy a vacation home.

Avoid These Mistakes When Buying a Vacation Home

1. Not Thoroughly Researching the Neighborhood

We’re sure you’ve heard the saying “location, location, location” when it comes to real estate. As cliche as it may sound, it really is an important thing to consider for your second home. It’s just as important to research the neighborhood’s atmosphere as it is to learn about what’s around the area. For instance, think about what you and your potential guests may need when visiting. Things like strong cell phone connection, WiFi, and easy access to shops and grocery stores. Other things to consider are the local regulations and HOA restrictions for renting out homes if you plan to offer your home as a rental while you’re not there.

2. Emotional Buying Before Logical Buying

After coming back from an amazing vacation, your mind may immediately start racing with the idea of buying a second home there. We don’t blame you! It’s certainly an exciting thought, but you should take a moment to think it over. Ask yourself how often you plan on using it. Will you rent it to others? If so, what are your financial goals? Are you ready financially and emotionally for a big investment? Buying with your emotions first can sometimes cause you to overlook the consequences of your decision.

3. Not Planning Your Budget

Speaking of finances, having a comprehensive budget and sticking to it is very important when buying a second home. You’re sure to be aware of the upfront costs of buying a home like the price of the home itself, closing costs, etc. But you’ll also want to factor in additional costs, including furnishing the home, any HOA fees or other fees, and maintenance and upkeep costs. Also, if you choose to use a rental management company versus self-managing the home, there will be added costs associated with that to consider. Before purchasing your vacation home, take some time to plan out a thorough financial strategy.

4. Not Touring The Home In Person

Having confidence in your vacation home-buying decision is crucial. With today’s technologies, you can typically tour a home right online whether through photos or a virtual tour. It’s a great way to get an idea of what the home looks like, but nothing beats being able to tour a home in person. By visiting the vacation home in person, you’ll avoid surprises and get a good feel for how you and potential guests will live on the property. While some may be confident buying sight unseen, you’ll be even more confident after viewing the home in person.

5. Thinking That Managing A Vacation Home Will Be Easy

You might be able to manage your vacation home well enough if you live close by, but what if you don’t? We highly recommend thinking about all that goes into owning a second home and managing it while it’s vacant. This is more than making sure it’s secure from damage or theft; it includes maintaining the home itself during harsh weather and managing the rental bookings. A great way to overcome some of these extra tasks is by hiring a full-service short-term rental management company.

McKee Builders is happy to provide you with advice about purchasing a vacation home. We’re here for you through every home purchase with us and encourage you to browse our communities for our quick delivery and to-be-built options. Ready to find your second home? We’re here to help! Contact us today to learn more.