How to Find Your Dream Home Away From Home
If you are running your business from home, flexibility is one of the added benefits of being an entrepreneur. If you would like to travel and run your business from anywhere where there is internet access, you might want to think about investing in a second home.
Of course, you cannot spend months away if your kids are still small, and are in school, but you will have to plan ahead. Maybe you can take the school holidays off and travel, giving your children the best experience possible. Below you will find a few tips on how to find your dream home away from home.
Location Research
Once you decide that you would like to escape the weather and the same old faces, the same old faces, you should start researching alternative locations. No matter if you would like to enjoy the laid back lifestyle of the Caribbean, or embark on a cultural journey of cultural discovery, you will need to learn what is there on offer.
You might want to ensure that locals speak good English, or there are activities for you and your family. No matter what you are looking for, there will be a perfect second home waiting for you.
Buy or Rent
Next, you will need to decide how long you would like to stay away from your base camp and check in with your budget. Analyze the benefits of each option. Buying will give you the potential to sell on later, and the security. In the Middle East and Asia, for example, you can find a cheap house for sale for less than it would cost you to buy a small apartment back home.
It will, however, all depend on your location. Renting will give you flexibility and less commitment, so if you decide that the location is not for you, it is easier to move on.
Existing Infrastructure
One of the things you will have to check before you invest your money in a second home is the existing infrastructure. If you are planning to stay for weeks or months at a time, you want security and being connected to the main utility services.
Is there a maintenance plan for the property, and is it connected to the mains? Are you going to get an acceptable speed of internet, so you can run your business? How much will it cost you to get your kids’ favourite channels on the TV?
Your Family’s Needs
If you are planning on going to your holiday home with your kids, you will need to consider their individual needs. Are they active, and would they like a garden to play in and a swimming pool? Would you like them to have access to the beach? Is there a summer school where they can pick up new skills or learn another language?
If your partner is going to accompany you, it might be a good idea to find them something interesting to do. A culinary course or a couple of diving lessons will be a good way of making it worthwhile to travel for them.
Travel Time and Cost
Of course, before you choose the location of your second home, you will need to think about the travel time and cost. If it will take you over two days to get to the location, you should plan longer stays.
Compare the historic prices of plane tickets and find out about shuttle and bus services, so you don’t have to face unexpected costs once you have chosen the property to view. You can find expat forums that will answer all your questions, instead of having to go through all the research yourself.
The Space You Need
Once you have the location and the basic requirements, you will need to consider how much space you will need to feel comfortable. If you are planning to work a couple of hours, consider setting up a separate office in the property with a view.
This will allow you to spread about, have your privacy, or even invite friends to your property to make your stay even more enjoyable. If you want friends around, you should get a property with an annexe or a few spare bedrooms and bathrooms.
Local Activities
It is all great to have your dream home and everything you need in the property, but you are likely to get bored with it after a while and feel like going home early. You will need to find some things to do outside of the house, so you can entertain your guests and stop sitting in the house all day.
Find out about all the expat communities, festivals, and visit the countryside. Chances are that you will find a few local travel agents that will offer you a guided tour of the countryside and allow you to see more than the average tourist does.
Safety Considerations
It is important that you consider your own safety, as well as your family’s when you choose a second home. You will need to ask locals about crime levels and get in touch with the local police about what type of protection you need.
It is important that you protect your home, especially if you have bought it when you are not there. You might even choose to get a property management company to look after it for you.
Your Long Term Plans and Lifestyle
It is important that you invest in property with your long term plans in mind. You should consider your current and future lifestyle. Maybe you would like to retire in a couple of years, or a few decades, so you will move to your second home permanently.
Take into consideration when the kids will grow up, what they want to do with their lives, and how you would like to support them. Can you imagine a retired or semi-retired life at this location?
Finding your ideal second home is challenging. You will have to consider the location, your family’s needs, and the cost to make an informed decision.
