karen koerner

Charleston Second Home Advice

You have decided that it is time to buy the second home/vacation property you've always dreamed about. You think you want to be on the beach, the historic district or one of the other charming areas Charleston offers. Now what? You've probably purchased a primary residence before. However, there is a different process for finding the right second home and becoming an owner. Make sure you are dealing with a realtor who is an expert in second homes!

Second Home Checklist

1. Identify the Area of Greatest Interest – What location features are you looking for?
2. Identify Your Specific Considerations
   1. Price
   2. Size
   3. Neighborhood
   4. Recreation
   5. Access
3. Finding the Right Realtor
   1. Currently Licensed Realtor
   2. Education/Accreditation – Consistently pursues additional real estate education
   3. Knowledgeable About Vacation Areas
   4. Understands the Complexities of Second Home Ownership
   5. Honesty & Expertise – Will be frank about the benefits and issues of second home ownership costs and benefits. Make sure you ask every realtor about the likelihood that rental income will cover the cost of a unit. If the answer sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
4. Property Search
   1. Target List Developed
   2. Qualifications Determined
   3. Houses/Condos Toured
   4. Desirable Property Identified and Placed Under Contract
   5. Inspection Performed
   6. Repairs Completed
   7. Closing Attorney Retained

These are only some of the critical items to be discussed, call me at (888) 270-5538 and we can develop a plan for you.