Take House-Hunting Tips on Vacation

Don't forget sunscreen, but here's what to do before and during your trip

By Melody Warnick, bankrate.com | Published: 11/01/2007

A second home should not be an impulse purchase, so research your piece of paradise before plunking down a deposit.

Hunting for a house may not be your idea of a vacation, but it is a good way to multi-task if you've always wanted to own a piece of paradise. Next time you head for that island hideaway or mountain resort, check out the local real estate market.

But unlike your "I Heart the Poconos" T-shirt, a second home shouldn't be an impulse buy. "There are people who come down here with the express desire to go on vacation and they go home buying a house," says Marcus Truett, a second-homes specialist with Ronald P. Bressan Real Estate in Orlando, Fla. "But there are downsides to buying like that, like people overextending themselves or believing in a lot of hype."

Do your homework before you even pack your bags, and use your trip to decide if this corner of paradise is really for you. Let these tips be your guide.

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