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If you are considering buying a second home, this is an exciting time for you. Whether you’re looking for a vacation hideaway, rental property or fixer-upper to flip, here are some things to consider as you start evaluating and researching your options:
Figure out a budget – and try to stick to it.
If it’s possible, pay for your second home with cash and know how much you want to spend up front. Figure out solid estimates for the property itself, closing costs, furniture and appliances, as well as an emergency fund to cover three to six months of insurance, utilities, taxes and condo fees, if applicable. If you are unable to pay with cash, be sure to shop around for the most competitive interest rate and terms you can find.
Scope out the neighbourhoods that interest you.
If possible, drive or walk the neighbourhoods that you are considering, to get a real sense of what they’re like. Talk to a tax or real estate professional to see what the property tax rates are like and if they’re expected to increase. If it’s a growing neighbourhood, you may be asked to pay additional taxes in the future to finance schools and other services.
To help ensure that you’ll be able to grow the equity in your property, consider passing up the nicest property in the lower end neighbourhood and opt instead for a less attractive property in a nicer neighbourhood.
Work with a trusted real estate agent.
Working with a local real estate agent who has a solid reputation can make your life so much easier as you consider homes to buy. Connect with someone you trust and lean on them to provide information, insights and help you bargain for the best deal.
Get an inspection.
In a frenzied seller’s market, you may think that skipping the inspection and appraisal will help you win the property. But without an inspection, you risk spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home that could have major defects that aren’t obvious to the average person or to the naked eye. If possible, spend the time and money to get a thorough inspection and appraisal before signing papers. If you can’t take the time, look to your realtor to provide information about the home and help you make an educated decision about the risks.
If you’re one of the lucky ones to be able to purchase a second home, taking the time to do your research beforehand can make a big difference in your outcome.
Insights and expertise
This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only, and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.
Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at www.chubb.com. Insurance provided by Chubb Insurance Company of Canada or Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada (collectively, “Chubb Canada”). All products may not be available in all provinces or territories. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued.