6 Things to Look For When Buying a Vacation Home in Brentwood

With its relative proximity to both San Francisco and Napa Valley, Brentwood has become a popular destination for both tourists and second-home buyers alike. However, when considering Brentwood real estate to purchase for a vacation home, it may not be easy to choose among all the options available.

Some of the considerations related to vacation homes are the same as when looking at any other Brentwood homes for sale, but there are also a few specific factors to keep in mind. If you are not sure where to start, don’t worry. Just keep reading!

It is critical when shopping for a vacation residence to make a smart purchase, not an emotional one. Before making a big investment, take some time to consider if the home is the best option for you. It can be all too easy to get caught up in the moment and make an offer on a home that you later regret. Whenever you are looking at a home, remember your poker face. Take notes, take pictures, take measurements, but more than any of that, take your time.

As you are narrowing down your options, think about what type of location would be ideal for you and your family. If you enjoy being close to the action and amenities, then a home closer to town might be best. On the other hand, if you prefer peace and quiet, look at properties situated further away from Brentwood’s center. It is important to find a balance between convenience and tranquility that works for you. Most importantly, know what you are looking for before you go to showings and open houses. Having a set list of criteria will keep you grounded and prevent you from being swept away in the moment.

As you are making that list of criteria you expect a vacation home to meet, make certain that you are accounting for your lifestyle. Take into consideration both the lifestyle you already have when on vacation and the lifestyle you want to have in Brentwood. If you want to be constantly engaging in outdoor activities, you will have a very different outlook compared to if your priorities are restaurants and shopping.

Beyond location, think about how the home's size and layout will fit into your lifestyle as well. If you frequently have guests visit, look for a home with plenty of extra space and bedrooms. If you want to be able to host dinner parties or cook large meals, make sure the kitchen is up to your standards. Keep in mind whether you plan to take working vacations and will need a space to use as an office or if you simply want a private space to sit and read or work out and blow off stress without being disturbed.

In many ways, this is a hybrid of the first two points and will also play an important role in deciding how to handle the next one: property maintenance. From the start, do not plan for a vacation home that is based on an ideal life you are not going to have until years from now. Find a home that fits your current life so that you can receive the most enjoyment out of it as possible.

Additionally, If you only vacation for a few weeks each year, it may not make sense for you to leave the home sitting empty the rest of the time. Instead of letting the home sit idle, consider making money by renting it out. You can also talk with your real estate agent to find out about reputable property management companies they or their other clients have used. By having someone else manage the rental aspect, you can make money off of your vacation home without turning it into another job.

Whether you and your family will be the only ones ever staying at your vacation home or you plan to rent it out when you are not there, maintaining a vacation home can be a lot of work. Even if you never plan on using it as a rental, there are many concierge service companies that can address upkeep and recurring responsibilities associated with the home.

In addition to having someone to keep an eye on your Brentwood real estate when you are out of town, having a concierge service or property management team also means that you will never have to worry about your vacation being ruined by an unpleasant surprise on the day you arrive. A lot of things can go wrong with a home that is sitting unattended, such as a broken window, clogged drain, or leaking roof.  If you have someone to take care of these issues as they occur, you can rest assured that your vacation home will be in good shape whenever you are ready to use it.

Here, we come back to using that list to keep your emotions in check. Just as with any other item you buy to treat yourself, it can be very tempting to throw some caution to the wind and overreach to secure the vacation home of your dreams. However, by doing so, you might find yourself unable to enjoy the property that you just spent so much money on.

From the outset, create a carefully calculated budget for both the purchase and the ongoing costs associated with your vacation home. Also, consider how much you can afford to spend on insurance, taxes, and utilities before purchasing a vacation home. These are important expenses that should be included in your budget.

Then, once you have what you can afford in mind, aim for something just below that figure. This will leave you a little wiggle room in the event negotiations do not go as planned. Rather than being put in a position where you either have to walk away or risk overextending yourself, that extra room you left in your budget will permit you to stay in the running if you have to outbid another buyer or compromise on the seller's counter offer.

Regardless of your reason for considering Brentwood homes for sale, there is no substitute for the insights of an experienced agent with knowledge of the local market. The right agent can provide you with the market data and analysis that you need to make informed decisions throughout the home-buying process. Their insights into the local market can also help you navigate the negotiation process to get the best possible deal on your Brentwood vacation home.

In addition, a good agent will be familiar with the types of vacation homes that are popular in Brentwood and help you to find the property that best suits your needs. They can also offer guidance on which neighborhoods or areas may be most suitable for your budget and preferences. As a result, it is essential to find an agent such as Peter Mac who has the data, skills, and tools to find the right vacation home for you.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Peter Mac}