Vacation Homes: A Place to Make Memories

Last week I showed several beach properties on the island of Sunset Beach, NC to a couple who were looking to purchase a vacation or second home.  The day was glorious with beautiful blue skies and sunshine which I had arranged just for them!!
One of the homes we looked at was an older home which had been lovingly cared for and showed very well.  On the right side of the home was a large room which looked like a converted porch.  It ran the width of the house and then lead out onto the back porch and the roof deck.  One half of the room contained two twin beds in an "L"  and a dresser of draws for additional sleep space.  The other end had a small table and chairs and a TV.  Something about that room almost immediately took me back to my childhood and summer vacations spent with all my cousins at the beach house my grandparent's would rent every year when we were young.  Three generations would spend wonderful times together at the beach.  There were beds everywhere and it must've been those "L" shaped beds that jogged the wonderful memories of a simpler time.

  A few months ago, I had the pleasure of helping another couple purchase a second home, this time on the mainland.  Theirs was to be a vacation home for their entire family and every decision they made was with their children, and their children's children in mind.  This was their gift,- the purchase of this second home where the family would vacation together,  enjoy each other and be present in each other's lives.

Times have definitely changed but vacation homes still have the magnificent power to bring families together and strengthen the ties that bind; to make us take time to appreciate each other and form new memories that will last a lifetime and put a smile on your face.

My Vacation Memories from Days Gone By

 

 

The Real Cost of a Fixer Upper

In many areas, there may be a shortage of homes built in the last few years due to the downturn in the economy and the housing market.  During that time, new construction virtually came to a standstill.  This has resulted in a shortage of homes with the updated features and modern, trendy conveniences many buyers are looking for.  In some markets, such as retirement or vacation areas, home buyers just don't want to do the work, either themselves or by contracting it out.  Most of them have "been there, done that" when they purchased their first home way back when.  In my eyes, sometimes it seems a shame, though, that a buyer won't consider a fixer upper when the return on investment could be quite substantial.

Following are seven steps to take which can help you determine if buying a fixer upper makes financial sense - or not.   How to Assess The Real Cost of a Fixer Upper House