Location, Location, Location
What’s the ideal location for a vacation home?
Buying a vacation home is a different type of investment from buying a house, especially for those who plan to rent it out. Factors like good schools and the job outlook are less concerning and buyers will be more focused on nearby amenities and local attractions.
To help buyers in their house hunt, let’s look at a few of the top things to consider when choosing the right vacation home location.
Local Attractions
Perhaps the biggest consideration when choosing a location for a vacation home are the local attractions. First of all, they should appeal to the buyer and their family if they plan to visit often.
Additionally, if the buyer plans to rent out the vacation home, they should choose an area with a variety of activities that will appeal to a lot of people.
For example, Kissimmee, Florida is a popular spot due to the wealth of attractions. From famous theme parks like Walt Disney World and SeaWorld to nature activities like the Central Florida Zoo to vibrant local festivals and varied shopping and dining experiences, the area has much to offer.
This is the type of location that makes it easy to keep a vacation rental filled.
Accessibility
Another thing to consider is that people coming from out of town often won’t have their own car. A vacation rental that is too far from everything requires a car and immediately disqualifies travelers who don’t want to rent a car for their vacation.
Are there restaurants and shops nearby that make it easy to run out for necessities on foot? Is there a bus system, trains, or a subway easily accessible?
If clients do want to rent a car, is there a car rental place nearby? How about a secure location to park the car at the vacation home? This can be important for liability considerations.
If you are considering investing in the Kissimmee vacation market then you need to know the most important factor for your investment is LOCATION. The ideal location for an investment lies within the magic triangle – An area between three major roads, the I-4 motorway, the 192-highway and the 429-highway.
Within this magic triangle you should be looking for a location that is at least 15 minutes away from one of the major parks or attractions. Beyond that, you want to find a location that has easy access to one of the above major roads, has local shops and restaurants for necessities, and preferably has its own community pool or clubhouse for lazy days.
Local Economy
While the job outlook of an area isn’t as crucial to consider when buying a vacation home, buyers should still consider the local economy. A strong economy indicates that the property value will remain strong or go up — an important consideration when investing in real estate.
If the economy is doing poorly, buyers should take note and understand why. Perhaps natural disasters regularly hit the area or there are environmental issues preventing growth.
Regardless of the reason why, buyers need to be aware that a poor economy can signal that few people are interested in visiting the area. This means it may be hard to rent out their vacation home and turn a profit from their investment.
Slow Season
Another thing to consider is the length of the slow season, which can vary quite a bit depending on the location.
Florida enjoys lovely weather most of the year and thus enjoys a very long and profitable tourist season. While things may still slow down in the fall due to kids going back to school, there are snowbirds and young singles or couples flocking to the area to take advantage of fewer crowds.
Additionally, while most areas enjoy a booming tourist season during the summer months, in some areas it’s the opposite. For example, the mountains in Colorado where ski lovers flock each winter to experience the thrill of hitting the slopes.
Property Amenities
Some vacation homes are perfect for quietly relaxing lakeside in a sleepy neighborhood high in the hills. Others offer resort-like luxury accommodations with loads of amenities like pools, tennis courts, gyms, spas, restaurants, and more!
Neither is right or wrong, it depends on the type of atmosphere the buyer is looking for.
However, a property with a variety of amenities can make it easier for the buyer to sell their rental. People love the idea of getting away on vacation and pampering themselves with the easy life.
Property Management
Buyers often buy vacation properties a distance away from where they live. After all, the delight of a vacation is to be able to get away from the day to day routine at home.
However, this presents a problem when it comes to taking care of the rental. When guests have problems with the toilet not flushing or the hot water not working, it can be difficult for owners to remedy the situation from a couple of states away. Not to mention handling regular maintenance and house cleaning between guests.
Thus, a good property management company is a must. Some rentals even come with a built-in management service making it super easy!
A Vacation Home in Florida
So what’s the ideal spot for a vacation home? It will be different for different buyers. However, some areas make fantastic locations that appeal to a wide range of buyers and vacationers.
Kissimmee, Florida is one such location. With proximity to hundreds of attractions and activities, the area appeals to a wide range of people.
For luxurious, resort-style vacationing, check out the incredible Sycamore Resort in the heart of Kissimmee!
Published on 2020-05-20 12:38:11