With spring here, it won't be long until summer arrives. With the change in temperatures, everyone's thoughts are moving towards warm weather and, more particularly, vacation.
While there are many prime spots for vacationers to spend their summers, one popular place is South Carolina. Bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and featuring cities rich with tradition, unique state parks, famous beach resorts, year-round festivals and incredible shopping, entertainment and attractions, the Palmetto State is made for vacation.
Although it may be a vacation home that you're searching for, it's still important to carefully weigh your decision to buy. As your South Carolina real estate professionals, we've provided some tips to help you find the perfect summer home.
What's the history of the home?
A lot of people forget about checking out the integrity of a home when they are only planning on using it for vacation. While you may like the layout of a home and it may suit you financially, don't let your desire to close the deal leave you blinded. You should find out the age of the house, any major changes, repairs or additions it underwent, and if the heating and air system is in working condition. If you're not sure what to look out for, that's what we're here for. We'll ask the questions for you and find out what you need to know.
How many people will be staying there?
This is important, as it will determine the size of home that you need. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? What about a garage or driveway?
How much will it cost to maintain the property?
In addition to the selling price, take the costs associated with maintaining the property into account. These include heating and air conditioning, water and utility bills, as well as any repairs and upgrades you decide to make.
Does it have rental potential?
Most second homeowners rent out their beach houses in an effort to pick up extra income and cover some maintenance costs. If you decide to rent out your home, you need to be certain that it has the amenities that renters expect. How far are you from the beach? Will free Internet be included? Don't use the home as a way to help pay off your mortgage. You should aim to do this yourself and think of the rental income as the icing on the cake.