Sometimes it’s nice to have a special get away from it all, or maybe starting up a side business for additional income is where you’re aiming. Whatever the situation, it’s important to keep a clear head if you’re shopping for a second home. To get you in the proper buyer mindset here’s some guidance on what to look for when buying a second home in Louisville.
ULTIMATELY, WHAT’S THE GOAL?
The very first step you should take into consideration is to clearly state your goals with this second home. You want to have a clear set of goals for the property in mind so that you can shop for the right property at the right price.
If you’re buying a second home for yourself, you may have certain wants or needs. On the other hand, buying a property to later rent out to a tenant means you’re effectively shopping for a property for someone else.
Decide if you’re going to be staying there yourself, renting it out, or maybe even subletting to keep some costs down.
DIG DEEP INTO THE AREA
The last thing you want to do is make a purchase you end up regretting. Once you know the purpose for buying a second home, focusing on learning as much as you can about the local areas in which you are shopping for a home can make or break a deal.
If you plan on buying the home for yourself, it’s a good idea to spend some time in the area prior to making any rash decisions. Get out and explore, talk to the locals to find the special, secret places that make the area unique, and get a feel for everything before you commit.
If you’re planning to purchase the property to rent out, knowing the area could help you target a specific demographic and narrow down a list of desirable locations or amenities near your chosen property.
HIRE LOCALLY
While it’s generally a good idea to hire an experienced and qualified real estate professional, the one big point to make here is to make sure you hire a real estate agent local to the area in which you are looking to purchase a second home.
The local agent comes equipped with indispensable knowledge regarding not just neighborhoods but also pricing history and may provide a beneficial inroad with a local mortgage lender if that’s necessary. Real estate agents make their living by fulfilling your needs, providing solid advice, and working closely with the sellers or the sellers’ realtor to close a sale with everyone satisfied.
Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions and utilize them as the valuable resource they are.
DO SOME FINANCIAL PLANNING
Of course, you want to make a budget and understand what you can afford when buying a second home, but you want to look a bit beyond that.
If you’re planning on renting the property out, take the time to go through your finances with a fine-toothed comb and determine the profitability of the rental property and how long you can hold out before beginning to recoup the cost of the rental property.
Your local real estate agent can once again help in this regard with their extensive reserve of local knowledge. They will be very familiar with average utility bills, rentability, and property taxes. One more thing they can aid in is researching any possible tax benefits you could take advantage of on a local or state level.
Get Help Buying a Second Home in Louisville
Whether you’re new to the area or have vacationed here many times and fell in love, our team of experienced professionals can help you with buying a second home in Louisville. Contact us today at (502) 230-1770!