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Property Spotlight
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Pacific BeachCA
For Sale
$249,900
1 Beds / 1 Baths
| Unbelievable location only 3 blocks to the beach! This condo has everything you need with granite counter tops, travertine in the bathroom, maple flooring, and cherry cabinets... more >>
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La JollaCA
For Sale
$249,900
1 Beds / 1 Baths
| Live at the Beach in the Wind-N-Sea neighborhood! First floor unit is light and bright with west facing balcony!.. more >>
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San Diego
For Sale
$279,000
4 Beds / 2 Baths
| 4BR/2.5BA
From the front porch you can see the OCEAN! Handyman special - bring your tool belt and fix this home up! Large back yard - for you to create your own private haven... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$299,999
3 Beds / 1 Baths
| FREE 24 HOUR RECORDED INFO AT 1-800-433-0203 EXT. 7773
This 3 bedroom, 1 bath home is a beautiful blend of classic 1940''s charm and modern upgrades... more >>
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EscondidoCA
For Sale
$325,000
4 Beds / 2 Baths
| Great opportunity to customize to your taste and style. Home is ready for your TLC to make this YOUR DREAM HOME! You can easily add another bedroom and bath above the garage making it a 5 bed/3 bath... more >>
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SanteeCA
For Sale
$389,000
3 Beds / 4 Baths
| Must see the breath taking views in Northstar at Sky Ranch this complex is nestle in the hills of Santee. You will feel at home in this upgraded townhome... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$399,000
2 Beds / 3 Baths
| REDUCED! This townhome is located in a quiet complex Chateau Village. This complex features pool, spa and tennis courts. You will feel the openness with the vaulted ceiling... more >>
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EncinitasCA
For Sale
$429,000
3 Beds / 2 Baths
| This single story home is located in Village Park. This is a great neighborhood with parks and walking trails. The home has a fireplace in the living room to cozy up to with your friends and family... more >>
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EscondidoCA
For Sale
$459,000
4 Beds / 3 Baths
| Come enjoy the tremendous panoramic mountain views from the spacious 4br/3 ba home. Kitchen has counter space, lots of cabinets and tile flooring... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$639,000
4 Beds / 2 Baths
| Welcome home to this lovely open floor plan with a well manicured yard. Great neighborhood in West University City... more >>
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La JollaCA
For Sale
$849,000
4 Beds / 3 Baths
| A Spectacular home built by Concordia with fantastic city and canyon views... more >>
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EscondidoCA
For Sale
$1,150,000
4 Beds / 6 Baths
| Luxury Defined-elevated and Private Architectural Gem with dark bottom pool with waterfall, swim ledges and separate spa with waterfall and views to Catalina Island, when clear... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$1,293,000
4 Beds / 3 Baths
| Real Estate at its best! This is a beautiful San Diego property!.. more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$1,695,000
3 Beds / 3 Baths
| If you appreciate volume, design and architectural beauty, this home is for you!.. more >>
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CarlsbadCA
For Sale
$1,950,000
4 Beds / 4 Baths
| Sensational views and a sense of privacy elevated from street with entry garden and mature palms. Side lot is mostly vacant with perimeter landscape plus multiple fruit trees, olives and palms... more >>
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San DiegoCA
For Sale
$2,075,000
3 Beds / 3 Baths
| Designer''s own home with many customized features showcasing indoor\/outdoor living with San Diego''s climate and views taking full advantage of this elevated, private lot walking distance to Old .. more >>
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La JollaCA
For Sale
$3,850,000
4 Beds / 5 Baths
| Real Estate at its best! This is a beautiful La Jolla property!.. more >>
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The second home market is booming! In fact, recent studies by THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® report that
23% of all homes purchased in 2004 were for investment, while another 13% were vacation homes.
There are about 72.1 million owner-occupied homes in the U.S.
 Many lenders require buyers to put down at least 20% on a second home, and some require 25% or more.
Renting out a vacation home is a good way to cover some of the cost, but lenders often factor in a 25%
vacancy rate when determining your qualification for the loan.
The lesson is clear: Don't be overly optimistic on rental income--and you're nuts if you think the
vacation home will pay for itself immediately and in perpetuity. A vacation home can be just about
self-sustaining, but it takes careful planning and hard work. You shouldn't buy a second home on the
assumption that it will pay for itself.
If you plan to rent your vacation home, it's a smart idea to post the rent 10% to 20% higher than
your monthly mortgage payment in order to cover costs. Chances are you'll have to hire someone
to maintain the property in your absence, and unexpected repairs are a given.
Also remember that the most lucrative times to rent are the same times when you and your family will want to enjoy
the getaway--summer and Christmas.
You'll also have to decide what type of property you want: a house or a condo. Condominiums are great because
routine maintenance is included in the association fees, so you won't have to hire anyone to cut
the grass or make routine repairs.
Here are several steps you should keep in mind when considering a vacation home purchase.
- Start with a plan. You should start with a business plan just as you would if you were starting
any new business. To be confident of a sound investment takes a lot of research.
- Make sure you are purchasing with your wallet not your heart. It's easy to get caught up and sign on
the dotted line when you see that gorgeous beach home or perfect ski resort.
- Learn about the area. Is it a new area? Or is it an older, more developed area? This makes a lot of difference,
because if you are looking to purchase in an area that's well developed, there's less to worry about.
But in an emerging market you should exercise caution to be sure that there are not so many new developments
that the inventory exceeds demand.
- Leave your options open. You may want to buy a vacation home with no intention of ever renting it out.
But while today it may be financially feasible to not rent your home, you're never sure what the future
will bring. It's wise to purchase in an area that allows you to easily rent your property.
- Use your real estate agent. Pick your agent's brain. Ask tons of questions. Scour through his or her
Web site and absorb as much information as possible. After all, your agent is getting paid to be
knowledgeable in this area. Use his or her expertise to your advantage.
- Look for large, reputable developers. Developers do more research than any single buyer could ever dream
of doing. They invest thousands of dollars into researching the market, tourism, growth and inventory.
So if you follow large developers, your chances of failing are significantly less.
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