If you’ve been thinking about buying a second home, now is a good time to take the leap. Mortgage rates are rising but still low by historical standards.
But there are some vital things to do before you start house shopping. Follow these four steps to make buying a second home a smooth process.
1. Find an agent who knows the area
The best way to start the search for a second home is to find a real estate agent who is familiar with your desired location. This person could provide you information about neighborhoods, market prices and the pros and cons of particular properties.
With an eye toward the long-term value of a property, the agent could fill you in on price histories and how comparable sales have fared, as well as resale prospects. Factors that tend to help properties hold or increase in value are proximity to a major metropolitan area, ease of access and the availability of year-round amenities.
2. Factor in additional costs
Today’s second-home buyers are more interested in enjoying their property rather than getting a quick return on their investment.
Still, you should consider that you will be away from the property a lot of the time, which usually entails additional costs, such as having a management company check the place in your absence for water leaks, frozen pipes or other problems.
Getting insurance for a second home may be more challenging than it is for a primary residence. If you are considering a second home on the beach, for instance, you’ll need flood insurance, in addition to regular home insurance. It has become more difficult to get flood insurance in coastal communities, and the cost has increased exponentially in some markets.
3. Be sure you can afford two mortgages
As for mortgage financing, you have to qualify for a second-home mortgage, which is on top of any mortgage debt on your primary home.
Typically, you will need to make a down payment of at least 10 percent to 20 percent, meet credit standards and debt-to-income requirements, and provide documents for income and asset verification.
If you have a good relationship with the mortgage lender on your primary residence, that might be a good place to start your quest for a second-home mortgage.
If you are thinking of tapping into home equity you have built up on your primary residence to help pay for your second home, keep in mind that if you need that equity for an emergency, you may not be able to access it.
4. Consider the tax implications
Take into account the tax implications of your purchase. If you use your home as a true second home, you could get a deduction for mortgage interest and property taxes, just as you do with your first-home mortgage.
Be aware that the Tax Cuts And Jobs Act caps to the mortgage interest deduction at $750,000. So if you already have a $750,000 mortgage and get a loan for a vacation home, you won’t be able to deduct the interest on the second mortgage.
If you rent out your second home, you will have to consider additional tax ramifications, particularly if the rental period extends beyond 14 days a year.
Source: BankRate
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