There’s nothing like spending summertime outdoors and enjoying time in nature—particularly if your year-round home isn’t as close to the mountains, lake or ocean as you’d like! A vacation home should be a sacred space—an oasis nestled away from the responsibilities of your usual workweek. Despite all of the incredible benefits of having a summer home, it’s important to remember how much of an investment it is. Check out these 4 tips to keep in mind before you dive in to building your summer dream home!
Location, location, location
It’s a huge plus to be somewhat familiar with the location you’re interested in before building. Consider taking a few mini-vacations to different areas before you lock in exactly where you want to be. If you’re building a home at the beach, do you want to be right on the water? Would you rather be near restaurants and shops, or would you prefer to be further down the beach with less traffic and noise? Building a second home is an investment, and it’s so important to choose the perfect location for you and your family before taking the leap.
Know what you want
What are your “must-have” items for your new vacation home? Do you need a certain number of bedrooms? What about a large outdoor living space that can be used for entertaining? Think of your family’s passions and hobbies, and consider how those might translate into features of your new home! Stand firm with your list of the most important things when building.
Stick to your budget
If you find a piece of land that’s a little out of your reach, don’t overdo it. Stay within your budget so that you can build exactly what you want! It’s also important to take into account the upkeep or cost of a property manager if you do rent it out while you’re away. Make sure that you’ve got a little wiggle room!
Rent it out
If you plan to only use your vacation home in the summer or around holidays, consider renting it out for the remainder of the year. Short-term rentals can pull in a good deal of extra cash, but long-term rentals will ensure that the space is always being used. If you plan to stay throughout the summer, you can offer a 6 to 9 month lease for the rest of the year.
Thinking of building your own custom summer home? Let us help! Fill out our New Custom Homes form here to get the ball rolling.