FrontDoor.com

• Take your time and have some fun finding the right vacation home for you, and be sure to view at least 10 to 15 properties before making your decision. You can check out some virtual home tours on the Internet to help you get an idea of what's out there.
• Your most valuable resource is a good Realtor.
• Pick up the local paper. The most successful agents are always advertising and promoting their listings. Go to some open houses on your own and choose the best agent.
• The right agent should be punctual and return your phone calls promptly.
• There will be more than one or two house options in a given area so experts insist: Cast a wide net.
• Make sure you look at a wide variety of houses, both above and below what you can afford, to truly compare the price that you're paying and the value you're getting for that price.
• Once you start narrowing down your choices, seriously check out the potential neighborhoods. Talk to the current residents to make sure you get the insider's view.
• Keep in mind, a vacation property is likely to have more blemishes than your first home. Homes that are built as vacation homes often aren't built as well as year-round homes.
• Many vacation homes are built over crawlspaces which have wood and soil in close contact. This can result in decay.
• Porches are often built without adequate foundations and may need to be resupported over time.
• Trees around the home can damage it. They drop leaves and nutrients on the roof, causing decay. Houses surrounded by trees aren't able to dry out as quickly.
• Water is a problem with all homes but is more of an issue with vacation homes, because we are not there to notice if a water problem has occurred. Also, the home is susceptible to mold.
• Keep thermostat on year round to avoid frozen pipes.
• Hire someone to look in on your property while you're not using it.
• Make sure your home inspector is registered with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Use mold-resistant materials in all remodeling and avoid manufactured wood products or materials that incorporate wood products, such as wafer board, particleboard and sheet rock.

<< Pointers for Second Home Buyers I Get Your Bucks in A Row >>