Purchasing a vacation home 101

Are you thinking about purchasing a vacation home? Keep reading to learn more about what you should be considering when it comes to investing in this type of property!

I’ve always loved the idea of a vacation home, and although I previously had a long term goal of having a vacation property somewhere tropical such as Australia or Bali, I have been gravitating a lot more towards the idea of a more local destination. As Morris Dye explains for HGTV, “choosing where to buy depends largely on where you live, your price point, and whether or not you will rent out the property when you’re not using it. Proximity to your home is especially important if you plan to visit the property frequently.” Although purchasing property somewhere tropical sounds fabulous, having something closer by that you can frequent more often without having to take 10+ hour flights could be much more beneficial.

A destination such as the Sunshine Coast is the perfect balance between easily accessibly, yet not too close to home.


Photo courtesy of Drift Gibsons

The Sunshine Coast is a 180 km stretch of paradise. Here, the mossy rainforest drops from a sculpted shoreline into the Strait of Georgia, and winds itself northward beneath the Coast Mountains from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound.

What I find most appealing about investing here is that you’re not only close to your vacation property, but it’s also an ideal getaway in both the Summer and Winter months.

As the weather heats up you could enjoy peaceful days by the water, and do activities such as snow shoeing through the local trails in the Winter months. This could be the year-round vacation home destination of your dreams!

If you’re truly thinking about making the next move on purchasing this type of property, crunching the numbers is your next step. David Hehman, CEO of EscapeHomes.com advises buyers to look beyond the sale price to calculate the true cost of ownership and I couldn’t agree more. There are many factors to consider, everything from mortgage payments, utility expenses, upkeep/renovations, whether or not you will be renting this property out some months of the year while you don’t use it, and so on.

Speaking with experienced professionals before you set your heart on a specific property would be my best suggestion. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Jenny + Suzanne if you’re ready to learn more about the process to purchasing a vacation home of your own!