By Richard Wallace


A vacation house up in the mountains or down by the beach would be the perfect getaway for anyone who's looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. But because the beach and the mountains are prime locations, purchasing a property in any of these areas cost a lot of money.

In today's economy, many people are struggling to pay their bills. So if you don't own your primary residence free and clear or have debt, you may want to hold off on purchasing a second home, at least for now.

You need to be really down-to-earth and as practical as you can. Think wisely of the exact budget you can afford to spend on a vacation house and don't exceed your limits.

Be fully aware of what the purchase of a new house means. You will have to make a down payment, pay monthly mortgage rates or maybe the purchase price, buy new furniture and utilities, and maybe even make some important upgrades.

All these mean big expenses, so you should take every one of them into consideration. Think as practical as you can. You want the house, but do you really need it?

If you are one of these people, why not go for a timeshare instead? If you plan to vacation for only a few weeks during the year, then a timeshare might be the best option for you.

There are also other considerations when thinking about buying a vacation home. If you aren't going to be there regularly, who will keep an eye on your home, clean it, or take care of the lawn and general maintenance? Also, if you are thinking of this purchase as a retirement home, are you certain you will want to live there when you retire?

After all, maybe you won't be too fond of living near a lake in ten years. All in all, you need to establish a very exact budget if you are thinking of making such an important purchase as a vacation home, and think very wisely if you really need it.




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