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Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wit-nit
We have 2 residences, one is a 2000 sq ft home the other is a 1250 sq ft single level condo. We have 2 vehicles at each place. We spend 5 months at the condo and 7 months at the base home. We travel on the road back and forth AZ-MN each year. We're both way way past the 70's age and don't plan to slow down yet.
similar here. In each place the main house is rented and we stay in the guest home. (TX and WA) We fly (~$100 doesn't buy much gas)
For whoever repped me and asked what my preferred Wyoming retirement site is - I have not given that much thought, my intent is to stay in eastern WA unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
My point was that if I were to head towards Colorado, I would go to Wyoming instead.
Not in the town I want, especially in summer. I did contact one four-plex that has been for sale forever, and it's full of long-term leases.
Wow, I keep swinging from "forget about it" to buying for the helluva it to I don't know what. And no need (or possibility) to make a real move (like buying the building lot) until January. I should stop doing my legwork so far in advance!
Husband and I have 2 homes...one in DFW TX --area where we have lived for over 30 years.
House we bought in 08 thinking our adult kids would have kids and come visit...that hasn't really happened. House is really too big for just 2people with few visitors...we rarely go upstairs. But when 2 kids plus spouses and 1 grandchild come it is nice to have the room.
We also bought home in FL 3 yrs ago when our daughter was pregnant and my husband was nearing retirement. I retired in 04. Wouldn't be here except my daughter and SIL just weren't going to travel to TX for holidays after the baby came. Our house here is nxt door to our daughter's. Smaller than TX house--1 story ranch 2000 sq ft w/small pool. We got good deal. We have our grandson spend night quite often and have room for guest bedroom and office for my husband. This neighborhood allows fences--some don't because the HOA does all outside maintenance. We have dog who travels with us that needs a fenced yard...and we also have a cat we bring back and forth. They are both pretty good in the car---but the dog gets meds.
We normally spend 6-8 weeks in each home but this summer we have been in FL since May, leave mid August...long to be away. We drive normally and don't keep car in FL. Spend night outside Mobile--too long trip on us and pets for 1 long 22 hr drive.
We have resources to maintain two,properties so we are lucky in that regard. Husband is xcellent driver--another plus cause could not make our pets fly. When they are gone (cat is 16 yrs; dog almost 12) we might start just flying.
Drawback--we are not very outgoing people. Have made no friends in FL but there are so many kookie people in our neighborhood (based on postings/rants on neighborhood web site) I don't think we want to try. And there are no good Mexican food restaurants in our FL area.
Question for those with two homes: are you sure one is insured while you're in the other?
Because I just learned, to my dismay, that if a property sits empty (that is, with no one living in it full-time; house-sitters and the like don't count) for more than 30 days, in most cases, you can forget about having any claims for fire or theft honored by the agency. In some cases, claims for vandalism.
This came a total shock to me; I figured if I was paying premiums, I had coverage. Not so!
Read the fine print or ask your agent; I would wager that MOST people with a vacation or second home -- or even trying to sell one while living in another -- or with a rental home that is vacant while between tenants -- have no clue about this. I certainly didn't.
And I have yet to hear it mentioned on "Beachfront Bargain Hunters."
I thought so! I have two houses; one on the market, and one waiting for me to move into it when that one sells. No more; stuck a tenant in there (for better or worse). Told my agent I had no idea; he said, "Read the fine print."
As for vacation homes, I guess you can also keep those rented out or, I hear, buy a really expensive rider for a mostly vacant home. But it'll cost you! The "bargain hunters" need to figure that in to the overall expense.
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