Vacation
HOUSE PLANS

What is meant by vacation home?

When someone refers to a vacation home, they typically refer to a secondary property used solely for vacation purposes, either summer or winter. It is sometimes rented out to others when the owner is not staying there.

What is a vacation house called?

There aren't too many other names for vacation house plans. It's either called a vacation house or a secondary home or residence.

Can you live in a vacation home?

Yes, you can live in a vacation home. In fact, for a home to qualify as a vacation home or second home for tax purposes, you must live in it for at least part of the year, whether a certain number of weekends or a month out of the year, and exclusively own the home.

Is a vacation home the same as a second home?

They're close but not quite the same. A vacation home is always a second home, but a second home isn't always a vacation home. A second home is any home you intend to live in part-time but doesn't claim as your primary residence. The most common example is when a family owns a beautiful modern farmhouse in the country or suburbs but also owns a condo in the city's heart to stay in during the week to avoid the long commute on weekdays.

One critical aspect of a second home is that it can never be an income property such as an apartment or townhouse that's rented out full time.

What is the difference between a rental property and a vacation home?

The difference between a rental property and a vacation home comes down to the ratio of time you spend in the home versus the amount of time you spend renting it out to others. For example, if you spend less than 14 days at your secondary home and rent your property out for more than 14 days, you now own a rental property instead of a vacation home.

This is another crucial reason for taking an extended vacation every year!

How do I choose a vacation home?

To choose the vacation home right for your family, there are a few things to consider. First off is the location. Will you look at vacation beach or mountain vacation house plans? There's no right or wrong answer; be realistic about where you and your family are more likely to visit regularly and find the most relaxing (this is a vacation home, after all).

Next, you'll want to consider the function of the home. Will you be using this vacation home to host multiple families as a sort of reunion, or will this be a place where you and your partner escape from everything for a bit of solitude? This will determine the size of the home you build and how accessible it is to others.

If you plan on renting this vacation home out, you may consider looking at vacation house plans with views and amenities that will entice short-term renters to choose your home over others.

What are the advantages of owning a vacation home?

There are some advantages of owning a vacation home:

Have more spontaneous vacations. When you own your own vacation home, planning a vacation is so much easier because the hassle of booking lodging is already done, and you can rest assured knowing the home will already have everything you need. All you need to do is get to the house.

Design your vacation house floor plans to your exact specifications. Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than a rental that doesn't feel right. However, when the house is your own, you have control over every detail and know that when you set foot inside, you'll instantly feel like you're on vacation.

Generate extra income through rental property. Your vacation home is not your primary home, so you can make some additional money by renting out your home on the weeks you're away from the vacation house. This helps pay the mortgage on the second home and gives other families a chance to relax and recharge.

If you can afford it, a vacation home is an excellent investment in your mental health and making memories with your loved ones.