Buying a Second Home in Seven Steps

Follow these seven steps to make a sensible decision about buying your second home.

Can You Afford to Buy – And Own – a Second Home?

Have you been dreaming of a getaway home in your favorite rural, beach, or mountain destination? Or pondering whether real estate isn’t one of the better places to invest your money?

How Will You Maintain Your Second Home?

You probably won’t be at your second home as often as your first. Weeks or months might pass between visits to your property. But that doesn’t mean the grass will stop growing, the dust will take a break from collecting, or the sprinkler system will refrain from breaking down. How to handle property

What is the difference between an investment property and a second home?

Learn the difference between a second home and investment property. It can affect the type of loan you get.

Choosing a Vacation Home Location That Appeals to Short-Term Renters

If you're considering buying a vacation home that will also earn income from short-term rentals, you'll have to think about more than your own desires. The best location for you isn’t necessarily the one that will best attract short-term renters. For example, if the home well off the beaten track,

Buying a Home in a Resort Community: Pros and Cons

Have you ever stayed at a vacation resort and thought, “I’d love to own one of these homes?” Resort communities typically offer beautiful scenery, fabulous amenities, upscale homes, and an abundance of recreational activities such as golfing, skiing, or beaches. Of course nothing is perfect, and

What's a Better Use of Money: Renting or Buying a Resort Home?

If you often vacation at a favorite resort area, you might wonder whether it might make sense to stop paying rent for your accommodations, and instead purchase your own home in the area.

Checklist: Should You Buy a Resort Home?

There are numerous reasons you might be looking to buy a home in a resort area (a community where tourism accounts for the majority of the area’s economy, and part-time living is common). Resorts tend to offer beautiful scenery, numerous activities, and plenty of amenities. For example, a ski resort

Budgeting to Buy a Resort Home? Expenses Not to Overlook

Owning a home in a resort community (an area where tourism is the main economic activity) can be a dream come true.

Shared Resort-Home Ownership Options (Timeshare, Fractional, Interval, Vacation Clubs)

If you vacation in resort areas, the thought of forking out money for vacation rentals each year, for years on end, might drive you nuts. If you vacation for only a few weeks each year, however, the year-round costs and responsibilities of owning a second home in a resort might not appeal. (For more

Is it worth sitting through the timeshare presentation to get my freebie?

Question I received an offer for a free four-night stay inFlorida from a company selling timeshare properties. I’ve heard about these freebies, and I know I must sit through a sales presentation to get the vacation, but is it worth it? Answer Here’s the definitive answer: “It depends.” Sorry

Choosing a Home in a Resort Community

So, you’re ready to buy your dream home in a resort community -- congratulations! Assuming you’re a frequent visitor at a particular resort, and know you want to buy in that area (it’d be unwise to buy unless this is the case!), the next step is to know what to look for in order to find the best

Pros and Cons of Investing in Commercial Real Estate

Any type of property, whether it’s commercial or residential, can be a good investment opportunity.

Which has a better return on investment, condos or single-family homes?

I’m looking to invest in a residential rental property, and trying to decide between a condo and a single-family home. Which one is a better real estate investment?

Are condos easier to manage and less time consuming as an investment property?

I'm looking to buy an investment property that won’t require much of my time. I've heard that condos require less time to manage than single-family homes. Is that really true?

How to Research Investment Properties Before You Buy

Before acquiring an investment property, you will need to do a lot of background research to make a wise decision.

Top Ten Reasons to Think Twice Before Buying a Timeshare

If you are considering buying a timeshare, think twice before signing on the dotted line.

Buying a Timeshare: Pros, Cons, and Form of Ownership

You’ve probably heard about timeshare properties. In fact, you’ve probably heard something negative about them. But is owning a timeshare really something to avoid?