Chic vs. Geek: Second Homes

Typically, a second home is used as a vacation home, though it could also be a property in a place that you visit on a regular basis, like a condo in a city where you frequently travel for business. The rest of the year, it could be leased out to generate additional income.

Chic (Pearl)

Second homes, especially vacation homes generally retain or appreciate in value simply because they are located in popular areas with limited housing supply. They have potential for creating personal enjoyment as well as income. And they can also provide convenience and comfort. Whether your goal in buying a second home is recreation, vacation, investment, development, or retirement planning, it’s important to understand local taxes and laws so you know the financial implications. Here’s a good resource.

Geek (Kevin)

The idea of a head start on retirement and access to a vacation home is very tempting. But the inherent inflexibility of visiting the same property over and over makes me think twice. A second home makes sense if you found a place you love that’s like a second home, where you and your family want to be for long periods of time. Personally, I like to keep my travel options open. As usual though, Pearl’s right: If you’re looking into a second home, you might be able to collect a little rent, but you should double-check the local laws.

Chic vs. Geek: Open Concept Homes

Chic (Pearl)

Open concepts create spaces that are great for entertaining or just hanging out with the family. By choosing a plan that combines spaces for cooking, living, and dining, an open concept can help a family feel together even though each person may be spread out doing their own thing. Here are some interior decoration ideas for open concept homes.

Geek (Kevin)

This trend is absolutely not for everyone. You have to ask yourself: 1. Are you the clean and tidy type with nothing to hide from visitors? 2. Are you a private person who needs quiet spaces to think and work? 3. Are you big on entertaining and need a lot of open space? 4. Are you energy-conscious and environmentally friendly?

Chic vs. Geek: Why is the floor plan so important?

Chic (Pearl)

For sellers, floor plans play an increasingly large role in the process. It helps the buyer put a sense of size to what they see in the photos, especially when it comes to the context of the home in the overall layout of the property. You can use a floor plan to tell the story of your property before the open house.

Geek (Kevin)

As Pearl noted, a good floor plan can help buyers understand the layout and flow of the house at a single glance. When you’re looking at the floor plan of a home you’re considering, here are some things to keep in mind: How many windows are there? Which way do the doors swing? Does the floor plan include dimensions?

Real Talk: Fire insurance

Fresh from our latest newsletter…

Whenever you’re buying a home, especially in a hilly, woodsy, or remote area, it’s important to check on the availability and cost of fire insurance. As we all know, wildfires are the new normal, and we all need to plan ahead. That means doing your research and knowing the facts, which is why we’re here.

Check out these tips and let us know if you have any questions!