Second Homes That Earn Their Keep

Most second home purchases begin emotionally and are justified financially afterwards. That order is fine, provided the financial reasoning is honest.

Decide the primary purpose

A house optimised for personal use and a house optimised for rental yield are rarely the same building. Location, layout, bedroom count and management all diverge. Choosing one purpose and accepting the trade-offs produces better outcomes than pretending both are achievable.

A second home should improve your year, not complicate it.

Cost the running, not just the buying

Management, maintenance, local taxes and seasonal staffing typically absorb between one and three per cent of value annually. Modelled properly, that figure informs where you buy as much as what you buy.