Subject: Is it time to buy the vacation home you’ve always dreamed of?

Haven’t we all vacationed in a beautiful location and thought about how wonderful it could be to own our own piece of paradise?

Before you make a decision to purchase a vacation home, there are some very practical things to consider:

How many times have you visited the area? 

If you think you love it there, it might be wise to dedicate many vacations to the area you may purchase in, potentially even over a number of years.  When you purchase a vacation home you may feel the pressure to take most of your vacations there because of the expense of owning the property. For vacation homes located in seasonal destinations or smaller towns, will you get bored? And will you get tired of the holiday traffic and influx of vacationers? Will you be ok with spending a lot of time in one spot?

Have you gone at different seasons throughout the year?

Every destination has its prime times of the year, but how do you feel about it in the off seasons?  You may want to consider a trip for each season of the year to explore the activities and the weather before jumping into a purchase. You might discover that what’s amazing in the summer is isolating and lonely in the winter.

What would be the time and travel costs to get there?

Many vacation home owners choose to buy something that is less than 200 miles away, allowing them to drive rather than fly to reduce travel expense.  If you must fly to your dream destination, do your research ahead of time to determine your annual travel expense.

How will weather conditions impact maintenance?

When you are purchasing in a climate that has very definite seasons, and if this is something you are not used to, you will want to talk with local people to find out what utilities and overall seasonal maintenance factor will be. 

Would you consider renting it out for a portion of the year to cover expenses?

For some people, turning their vacation home into a rental when they are not using it is a no brainer. For others it’s a difficult decision.  Vacation rentals are a booming business, and many travelers prefer a home instead of a hotel stay.

Keep in mind you will need to be realistic about the number of days it may rent, the fact that the prime times you want to be there could also be your biggest money earning times, when renters want to be there too.

With all the negatives that could go along with renting out your vacation home, the positives can be enough revenue generated to cover expenses or even to fast track paying off the mortgage. Online rental sites can make it relatively easy to post your property and even supply for you the agreements and often insurance for your protection. You, however, will need to set the guidelines for fees you charge, who you will rent to, and the days of availability.

How much down payment will you need to purchase?

Lenders often have different underwriting guidelines for second homes, and may require that you put more money down.  If you plan to rent the property out for a portion of the year, most lenders in resort markets will be familiar with this and yet will most likely be conservative on the potential rental amount they might estimate is possible.

Bottom line….owning a vacation home can be a dream of a lifetime, and can create a legacy property for many generations of your family to come.  With all the factors to consider, it makes sense to find a local real estate agent who is an expert in the area and can give you a good education and broad perspective to market opportunities and information critical to making a wise purchase.

For a connection to a top quality agent in the area you are interested in, contact me at the number on this newsletter. Also, as a member of the Elite Agents Online Referral Network I can help you find a quality agent anywhere in North America who specializes in vacation home ownership….no cost for the service and absolutely no obligation, just free information!

Warmly,
XXXXXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Version of Email

Subject: Is It Time To Enlarge Your Life Style By Moving To Smaller Residence In An Exciting Location?

For today’s Baby Boomer homeowners, quality of life, cultural experiences, and even a room with a view are often must haves on their list of needs and wants in their next home.

If you are considering a move and downsizing appeals to you, there are many things to consider as this move may constitute a major change in your lifestyle.

Downsizing today is hardly what it was in years past.

There are so many urban chic destinations, or maybe relaxing rural options that might appeal to you. And if you like variety, you might even be considering two smaller and less expensive homes in separate cities or states, two places with completely different climates and recreational activities.

As you map out your potential plans to downsize, you will likely have many questions and many emotional decisions to make. Some advanced research and time spent in your potential new location(s) can be a great way to try it out. It’s also necessary to examine all of the financial ramifications of this type of move.

Here are some important questions to ask:

• Are you looking to reduce your monthly obligations and maintenance?
• Will you have capital gains ramifications?
• How will the move impact your property taxes?
• What repairs, staging, and moving costs will you face on your current home?
• To have the best negotiating power is it best to sell first and then buy?

For a completely free and efficient downsize consultation, reply to this email. Our meeting could be the first step to your new future!

Warmly,

XXXXXXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Version of Email

Subject: Low Cost Touch Ups for Your Home

Whether you are selling your home or just sprucing it up for your own enjoyment, here are a few tips for quick and affordable impact:

• Freshen your paint
• Consider a splash of color to add interest
• Change light bulbs to brighten the room and save energy
• Clean carpets and wash windows
• Less is more in modern décor, eliminate unnecessary items
• Rearrange furniture for a more open feeling
• Replace old draperies and curtains with wood blinds
• A little fertilizer and weed control make a big difference

Consider a curb to curb inspection to spot obvious repair-needed areas that detract from curb appeal.

When updating and remodeling your home, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and spend more than you planned. Set a budget and be mindful of preferred decorating style in your area, if you may be selling the future.

If indeed you feel that you may sell your home within the next few years, be cautious when remodeling, as statistics show that the more you spend, the lower percentage of return on your investment you will be likely to realize. Along those same lines, be careful to not overbuild for the area.

If you are planning to fix to sell, it is always best to ask the advice of an experienced local real estate agent. They can guide you on what buyers want, as well as help you not overdo or overbuild for the neighborhood. As a plus, they may also be able to recommend quality vendors to do the job for you.

Warmly,

XXXXXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email

Subject: Are You Wondering if Now Is the Time to Move Up?

If you are like many of today’s homeowners, you may be wondering whether it’s time to move up or stay and remodel your current home.

This is a big decision, as any move is disruptive to your day to day life, and when you own a home the process becomes a bit more complicated.

If you’re dreaming of a new home then you may be wondering…

“Do I buy first or sell first?”
“If I buy first how can I fund that purchase without the proceeds from my current home?”
“What if I sell first and have to move twice, or end up homeless because I can’t find a replacement home I like?”
“Should I wait until the market softens to make my move?”

So many questions, and often the lack of answers to these important questions may cause homeowners to miss that opportunity to take the next step into their dream home and to grow their net worth by purchasing a larger, higher quality home or a home in a superior location.

If you feel this is an opportunity you might like to explore, here are the steps that real estate experts suggest you take.

• Step 1: Develop your dream home wish list.

• Step 2: Do some research online to determine prices and area amenities.

• Step 3: If necessary, consult with a contractor to determine the expense.

• Step 4: Contact a local real estate agent that can give you an accurate estimate of value on your current home.

• Step 5: Meet with a lender to discuss financing.

• Step 6: Create a potential timeline with your agent.

• Step 7: Have your agent guide you on how to best prepare your home for sale.

• Bonus Tip: Begin your research well in advance of your potential move!

As your area’s wise advisor, I do offer a confidential and complimentary Move Up Consult, and at this meeting I will review with you my Stress Free Move Up System. There is no cost or obligation, just helpful information.

To book your free Move Up Consult, contact me by replying to this email.

Warmly,

XXXXXXXX

Word Doc Version of Email

Rich Text Format of Email