Location
The first thing you will need to do is ensure that you pick the right location. If you have older family members who might need you any time, you would not want to be more than a couple of hours away. You can also choose between remote mountain locations, beach resorts, or small villages. Access and convenience are also something to consider. You don’t have to settle with the first house you found; do your research so you can make an informed decision.
Travel Time
Depending on how much time you will have to spend on a getaway, you will need to consider the travel time. If you would like to just pop around for the weekend, you can’t travel for half a day. If, however, you would like to make it your summer residence, you can spend more time on travel and find a better, more suitable remote location for you and your family to enjoy.
Extra Income
Once you decide to throw money at a second home you are not using most of the time, you might think about renting it out for people who are able to enjoy it when you cannot. You can talk to travel agents or local property companies, and get a company to take care of all your Property management needs, so you don’t have to pop over every time the place needs cleaning or you have new guests.
Safety
Of course, if you are leaving the house empty for a while, you will need to upgrade the safety levels. Get an alarm system installed that is connected directly to the police, and get a remote surveillance system. After all, it is not hard to find out that the property is not in use most of the time, and you will need to protect your valuables.
Costs
Before you spend your money on a holiday home in the country, you will have to work out the total cost of buying and running it. First of all, you should work out the property tax and the compulsory services you will need to have, even when you are not staying there. Second, you should calculate the cost of maintaining the condition of the home. Houses that are not being heated in the winter are more likely to suffer weather damage than those people live in throughout the year.
To ensure that you are able to make the most out of your country house, you will need to compare the cost with the benefits. Use the above list to consider your different options.