Focusing Your Funds When Buying a Vacation Home

Spend your funds on ownership elements, which will significantly enhance your ownership experience, ensure guest satisfaction and add to resale desirability.

Location. Is the home in an attractive subdivision within easy driving distance of Disney and the attractions? Location is one of the key items guests inquire about when selecting a home for their vacation.

Pool Area. This is another concern for potential renters. Does the pool get lots of sun and is it (and the deck area) large enough to accommodate the number of people who will be staying in the home? Ideally, the deck area will have a covered porch and direct access to a bathroom. Pool heating is essential for the winter months and solar heating is a desirable extra to reduce heating costs and extend the swimming season. A spa is nice to have but not essential.

Lot. Try to avoid buying a home on a lot with rear neighbors in close proximity. Although costing more, it is much better to select a lot large enough to ensure privacy, or one with no rear neighbors. Better still would be a conservation lot or one located on a golf course fairway or with lake/water-frontage.

Floor Plan. Does the home have an efficient floor plan providing a good ratio of sleeping and living areas with enough space to accommodate occupants in comfort?

Furnishings/Decoration. Is the home furnished and decorated in an attractive and functional manner?

Bottom Line:

Imagine you have just spent the best part of 24 hours traveling to your holiday destination; you’ve had flight delays; there were long queues at the car rental agency; you got lost on your way to the management company to collect your key; the family is tired and irritable; you’ve finally made it to your vacation home and open the front door to explore the home.

Does what you see make it all worthwhile and would you come again?