Find Your Dream Home
Do you really know what you want in your dream vacation home? It’s one thing to dream; it’s another thing to make your dreams a reality. And the surest way to accomplish that is to really define what you want in your second home. If you can define it, you can work with a professional realtor to locate it and make it a reality. As a wise person once said, “Once you are clear, the universe can respond to your wishes.”
Being clear about what you are looking for saves everyone time. You won’t be looking at properties on a hill when you want a valley, or in the desert when you want the beach, or on a noisy street when you want seclusion. With a clear assessment in your hands and the hands of your realtor, you look at the locations and properties that you really want. Not only is the search more enjoyable, the end result is guaranteed to be satisfying.
What are the things that you need to define? They are attributes, both tangible and intangible, that exist in several categories. Begin by considering the following:
Personal:
Reason for Buying
Recreational Interests
Geographic:
Distance from Primary Home
Climate
Landscape/Topography
Relative Population Density
Property-Specific
Type of house
Size
Budget
Intangible/Aesthetic
Sunlight
Air Quality
Privacy
Services
Green Building attributes
Trees
Outdoor accessibility
Community attributes
Here’s an example of someone looking for a home in the oceanfront community of Sea Ranch, on the coast of northern California and the attributes they might look for in a vacation property:
*Buying for: Investment and Recreation
*Must have water view and view of the hills
*Minimum 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms
*Must be private (ie, not on the golf course)
*Price range of $550K or less
*Inside must pass air-quality tests for mold, and any toxic materials
*Must have both southern and western windows
Begin by thinking of each of the above categories and what your needs are. To further help you, EscapeHomes.com will soon release an on-line assessment to guide you through your personal inquiry. If you need help now please contact our Buyer's Assistance Group at buyers@escapehomes.com. They will help you create a personalized wish list and then put you in touch with a real estate agent who specializes in the type of property you are looking for.
And then, watch your dream home become a reality!