You have worked hard and have arrived at a point where you can afford a second home. But you do not like the hassle and responsibilities that come with the ownership of a single-family dwelling and therefore opt to buy a condominium. You probably already know what general area you are interested in, mountains, ocean, hill country or city life.

Here the top 10 issues to pay attention to when deciding on the right vacation condo for you:

1) Airport access

The better your travel access to your vacation home the more you will be able to make use of it. Is the airport close by? If the airport is at a distance is there a highway leading towards the vacation resort? What airlines fly into the airport and are there direct flight from where you live?

2) Airfares

Make sure that the airfares to your planned second home are competitive. The more airlines fly to the nearest airport the more the competition will bring down prices and make short notice trips more affordable and therefore more feasible.

3) Location

Once you settled on a town or area have a closer look at the different locations. Talk to a Realtor in that area and ask as many questions as you can about the different subdivisions or developments. Understand what makes a location tick.

4) Rentability

If you are thinking about renting the condo out while you are not using it talk to a rental agent about the ability to rent it short term. What condos rent best? What size condo is in highest demand? Is there a certain condo complex that is most desirable? Why? Make sure the Condominium declarations allow short term rentals.

5) HOA expenses

Look into what the monthly or quarterly Home Owners Association dues are and what you are getting in return. Questions to look into are for example: Is firewood included?, do the dues cover heating?, are common areas professionally maintained?

6) Special Assessments

If the condominium building is older carefully review the last few condominium association meeting minutes. Talk to the board members about any discussions about upcoming improvements to the building. The costs for exterior renovations and improvements will have to be paid by the owners through a special assessment and might effect and exceed your financial abilities.

7) Building Amenities

Ask yourself what amenities you absolutely have to have as part of the condominium complex. What about a pool, a gym for the owners, outdoor lawn areas, children playgrounds, day care facilities, transportation provided by the association.

Restaurants

Are there any restaurants in the building or close by. If yes, do their exhaust fumes impede on the enjoyment of your condo. There is nothing more agitating than the constant food smells and one’s inability to open a window because of it.

On the other hand restaurants a block away might be a great amenity to have.

9) Parking

Does your potential new condo have an assigned parking spot or even an underground parking facility? Underground secure facilities are great to leave a car so you would not have to rent one every time you enjoy your new place.

10) Owner storage locker

If you are thinking about renting your vacation condo make sure there is a place to keep your personal belongings. There should be either a storage area inside the condo that can be locked off or a secure basement owner’s locker compartment. This will allow you to make the condo your own while you stay and quickly convert it back to a depersonalized setting for rentals.

Whatever your dream vacation home spot may be, make sure you know what to expect before clunking down your hard earned cash for a pied-à-terre.



Thanks to Toby Munk for contributing this article to our Vacation Rentals blog:

Cheap Vacation Rentals In Orlando

Can you answer got2bmindless’s question about Vacation Rentals?:

I’m looking for someone who may have stayed in a vacation rental in or around Vero Beach or Sebastian Florida. Can you give me suggestions as to what rentals to look for?

Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals

Can you answer cikc71789’s question about Vacation Rentals?:

i am looking for good websites that i can find not too expensive rentals (not hotels) in paris?

Smoky Mountains Vacation Rentals

More and more travelers are discovering vacation rental properties all over the United States. Unlike traditional accommodations in a hotel or motel, finding the right vacation rental property can be one of life’s greatest joys. Have you ever spent a week in a hotel where all the kids’ clothes are thrown all over this 12 by 12 room? That’s no fun.

Vacation rentals in a place such as Hilton Head Island, South Carolina offer families their own homes away from home. Establishing this way to vacation with your family reduces stress and increases the pleasant memories you’ll take home afterward.

Many vacation rentals are actually much less costly than a comparable hotel room or suite. The reason is simple - the overhead for an owner’s single-property vacation rental is much lower than the promotion fees built into the rates of a major hotel chain. It follows the Coca-Cola example: the can costs 1.5 cents, the ingredients cost about a nickel, and the advertising and marketing cost 35 cents a can. How would you rather spend your money, on promotion or on product?

Convenience, flexibility, and variety of accommodation (Home - Villa - Condo) are just some of advantages of choosing vacation rental properties. One of the great advantages to vacation rental properties is space, especially in a home or a villa that has multiple bedrooms. Rarely can the average priced hotel room compare to a vacation rental. And that’s just the beginning.

It’s unlikely that Mom wants to spend much of her vacation in the kitchen, but vacation rentals give you that option. What’s even better is that all the necessities are furnished - plates, silverware, pots and pans, coffee maker. A budget-constricted family utilizing a well-equipped kitchen on vacation can reserve some funds for that special event - to see a show, to shop for treasures in specialty outlets, to book a jet ski rental, charter fishing trip, or even a daring afternoon of parachute sailing above the waters of the Calibogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean you always wanted to try!

In Hilton Head Island, there are a few vacation rental companies that offer invaluable advice when you book with them. Dealing with a good one such as Hilton Head Rentals provides you with a Local’s perspective about all the interesting things to do, and can help make your vacation even more memorable. Whether it’s golf, fishing, tennis or what restaurants to try (or which to stay away from!) we are locally based, not sitting in some “boiler room” based in India or New York and trying to answer questions about Hilton Head.

Vacation rental companies exist to help you get the most value for your hard-earned dollar. Professional reservations staff truly wants to help you get the kind of priceless memories that will last forever. So the next times you’re thinking “hotel or a vacation rental property?” consider the above and weigh the advantages.



Thanks to Rich Neste for contributing this article to our Vacation Rentals blog:

Vacation Home Rentals By Owner