A vacation home is a dream for many families. Having a home away from your real home has many opportunities. First of all, you now have the chance to go on vacation whenever you want and have time – without all the bookings, checking available dates, etc. Also, spending more free time with your family will help you create more amazing memories that will last for a lifetime. And finally, if you’re thinking of your retirement, a vacation home may just be the perfect solution. However, to buy a home like that is not very simple. If you want to pick the perfect one for your needs and your budget, and also carefully and commit to the browsing. Luckily, we prepared a couple of tips on home browsing, and all the things to look for when buying a vacation home in Charleston.

Why is Charleston a great place to own a vacation home?

If you’ve ever visited Charleston, you probably like it already. Also, you’ve probably seen a lot of vacation homes there. There’s a good reason why people are buying vacation homes in Charleston. If you’re still not sure, let us help you out. Here are some good reasons to love this place and start browsing vacation homes as soon as possible:

Mild climate – one of the top reasons for buying a vacation home in Charleston is the weather. The mild climate in Charleston gives its residents winters without extremely low temperatures and warm summers. The only downside is summer humidity – however, when you’re next to the ocean, it’s much more bearable. 

Variety of residents and lifestyles – Charleston attracts a variety of people, which gives you the opportunity to lead a different lifestyle. Charleston has something for everybody – nature, arts, nightlife, historical sites, etc.

You can find a great job in Charleston – there are many job opportunities in this city, from various fields. Technology and the medical industry are probably the biggest ones, with many other local businesses to choose from. Also, the real estate market is on the rise, with many properties of various price ranges to choose from. So if you ever decide to make your vacation home your primary one, there will be nothing stopping you.

 

 

What to look for when buying a vacation home in Charleston – find yourself a perfect second home

If you decided on making Charleston your second home – you simply can’t go wrong. However, finding the perfect home is not always easy, since it needs to suit your family’s needs, your budget and simply be the one that you like. We’ve helped you pick the right one – here are the things to look for when buying a vacation home in Charleston so you are sure you made the right choice.

Location of the vacation home is important 
One of the key factors of having a vacation home is, of course, the location. Even if it’s only you that’s going to visit, or you plan to rent or sell it in the future, you need to think about the place and its benefits. Also, a good location can bring more value to your house in a couple of years. So, you need to think about both the privacy of the property, but also proximity to the main spots in the city, which is not always easy to find. The best way is to browse Charleston neighborhoods and pick the one that suits your lifestyle and needs.

You need to respect your budget 
As we mentioned, Charleston has something for everybody, and the same applies to house prices. You can find affordable to very luxurious homes, so your budget is one of the things to look at closely when buying a vacation home in Charleston. The safest way not to spend more than you can is to create a budget for your purchase and stick to it. It’s a good idea to talk to a financial planner, too. It’s important not to go over your budget, and get in trouble afterward.

Also, don’t forget all the additional costs apart from just the purchase price. Application fees, insurance, taxes, etc. Furthermore, if you plan on moving your belongings from another state to make your new vacation house a home, you need to include the moving costs, too. Be sure to pick a reliable company that will not surprise you with any hidden fees after the move is done.

And finally, the maintenance of your vacation home will probably cost the same as your first home. That’s why you need to consider all of these costs in detail and check if you can really pay all that.

Avoid building a house
Maybe buying an empty lot and building your dream home seems attractive at the moment, but it can prove to be way more challenging and expensive. Also, the building process will bring a lot of stress, inevitable problems during construction, etc. For a stress-free vacation home move-in, we advise buying an already built property.

Get the insurance
It may seem like an extra step, but insurance in Charleston is a must. Since you’re buying a home close to the beach, you need to think about possible natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Hire a local professional when buying a vacation home in Charleston
If you are not completely familiar with the area and all the details of the purchase process, hiring someone who is will definitely help a lot. A professional real estate agent from Charleston will help you find the best value for your money since they know the area very well and all the properties listed. This way you will be able to find exactly what you want, and start your vacation in Charleston as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Authors bio:
Mike Thompson works as a travel agent, and is in love with new places and exploring the world. He likes to move often, so house relocation is something he likes to write about on his blog.

Photos used
https://pixabay.com/photos/business-calculator-calculation-861325/
https://pixabay.com/photos/ferry-riverboat-ship-bay-harbor-3995119/
https://pixabay.com/photos/charleston-south-carolina-america-3996236/
https://pixabay.com/photos/walking-women-walkway-sidewalk-bay-68704/