With approximately one million people having purchased vacation homes in the last year, this type of residence is gaining popularity for those who are interested in a home in a beach setting or a vacation hot spot. However, while a second home can seem like a great purchase and solid investment opportunity, there are different requirements that go into this type of purchase. If you’re considering a vacation home, you may want to be aware of the following financial factors.
The Down Payment Amount
If you currently have a primary residence, you may be aware that you don’t need to put down 20% or even 10% in order to make a home purchase, but things are different when it comes to a vacation home. Because you will be taking on an additional mortgage, there is greater risk involved, and this means you will likely have to put in at least 10 percent. Because of this, many homebuyers utilize the equity they have in their first home to make up the down payment.
About The Credit Score
Most people that have a credit score of more than 500 have the ability to use a mortgage product and purchase a home, but if you’re buying a second property, you’ll need a higher credit score in order to facilitate the purchase. Because there is more risk involved, lenders will want to make sure you’re a good bet. In addition, if you do have a lower credit score, lenders like Fannie Mae may also expect you to put more down to decrease the risk involved for them.
The Income Required
Since you’ve been through the mortgage process for your first home, you’re probably aware that you debt-to-income (DTI) ratio needs to be a certain amount in order to qualify for a mortgage. While your DTI for a primary residence may be a little bit higher since it’s your only payment, this ratio will be lower for your vacation home since it’s higher risk. This means you’ll require a slightly higher income than for your primary residence in order to get approved.
Deciding to purchase a vacation home can be a very exciting concept for many people, but there are a number of different financial requirements that go along with buying another residence. If you’re in the market for a vacation property and are curious about what’s involved, give me a call to get you on the right track – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.
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12641 E Shadow Ridge Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
$2,944,900
4
Beds
4.5
Baths
4,190
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6717144
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
TO BE BUILT opportunity. Estimated completion 20 months from contract. New gated community by Camelot Homes... Featuring sweeping mountain vistas and pristine desert surroundings, Shadow Ridge is the ultimate Scottsdale sanctuary. Boasting spacious lots, this follow-up to our award-winning White Horse and Bronco communities combines bright, contemporary design with timeless indoor-outdoor appeal, all in a highly-desirable location a stones throw from Tom's Thumb trailhead. Price is not final. Additional options to be added later for final price.
10492 N 128th Place
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
$2,925,371
3
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,034
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6644608
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Quicker move-in opportunity at Camelot Homes newest Scottsdale neighborhood. This beautiful gated neighborhood features contemporary designs with amazing indoor/outdoor living spaces. This new floorplan includes 3 bedrooms/3.5 bath plus den. The modern custom kitchen is a chefs dream with Wolf/Sub Zero appliances. The light and bright great room has upgraded drop ceiling, iron fireplace, and sliding glass doors. The owners retreat offers a spa like experience with sliding glass doors to the serene backyard. The stunning courtyard has a resort like pool with stunning fountains and sunken barbecue area.
39347 N Old Stage Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
$2,925,000
3
Beds
3.5
Baths
3,711
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6560312
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Premier Offering, Pre-Construction. Nestled in the hillside above and just beyond Ranho Mañana, you'll find 'The Village at Go John Canyon' by Del Rey Development. A hidden gem, a secluded enclave of fine custom homes. Each estate parcel is over 4.35 acres and borders the Desert Foothills Land Trust with direct, private trail access to the Cave Creek Regional Park. Here you'll find pure paradise with over 3000 acres of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Enhanced by nature, each select residence affords unparalleled views and total privacy in a peaceful mountain paradise. Del Rey offers stylish architecture and each home is delivered complete with heated pool and landscape.
14035 E Lowden Court
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
$2,900,000
4
Beds
4.5
Baths
5,055
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6727903
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
INCREDIBLE TUSCAN LUXURY VILLA. Private Gated Entry Driveway leads you to this incredible home. Step through a walled courtyard and discover a Formal Living and Dining Room, Chef's Kitchen, Billiards Room, Wet Bar with Beer Tap, 680 Bottle Wine Cellar, and Private Entry Office. True Rustic European Elegance is showcased throughout with features such as Tall Turrets with brick ceilings, Custom Wood Beam and Corbel Ceilings, and Beautiful Hardwood Floors. The resort-like backyard will leave you breathless with a Heated Grecian Pool and Spa, Built-in BBQ, Outdoor Fireplace with Seating Area, Fire Pit with Seating Area, Expansive Covered Patio with Dining and Additional Seating, and Mountain Views in Every Direction. There is even a Putting Green. A 900 Square Foot Guest House, located above the Grand Turret, has its own entry from the courtyard. Some furnishings will be available through a Bill of Sale. Granite Mountain Ranch homes and lots are in high demand. Properties range from 2 to 5-acre sites and feature paved, lighted streets and underground utilities. Nearby amenities include golfing, hiking, and biking, with the Tonto National Forest just out the back gate of the community. This home sits on a 2.5-acre lot with 360-degree mountain views. The Equestrian Community also features common areas and horse facilities. Experience unmatched luxury and elegance in this Tuscan Villa. Plan your private tour today as this home needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.
13859 E Coyote Way
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
$2,900,000
5
Beds
5.5
Baths
5,325
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6767766
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Perched high in the McDowell Mountains, this stunning transitional soft contemporary estate offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the mountains and city, with expansive panoramas visible from every room, window, and patio. Situated in the prestigious, guard-gated Eagle's Nest community of Fountain Hills, this 5 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home, including an office, a detached casita and bonus room, epitomizes luxury, privacy, and serenity. Designed with an open and split floor plan, the home features soaring 12-foot ceilings, rare veined travertine flooring, premium wood flooring, and four perfectly positioned patios for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Meticulously maintained, this home showcases custom high end finishes throughout, exemplifying impeccable pride of ownership. The chef's kitchen is a culinary masterpiece complete with an oversized island, granite countertops, farmhouse sink, soft-close cabinetry, and a butler's pantry. It boasts state-of-the-art appliances, including a Bosch induction cooktop with pot filler, Bosch dishwasher, Thermador dual wall ovens, warming drawer, Thermador custom refrigerator and freezer, and a Gaggenau built-in coffee and cappuccino machine. The bright and spacious great room offers a formal dining space, breakfast nook, gas fireplace, and a standalone wet bar with a beverage fridge, wine cooler, full dishwasher, and seating for ten. The luxurious primary suite features a hidden bookshelf that leads to a private den or exercise room as well as a luxurious bathroom with dual vanities, a walk-through shower, a free standing jetted soaking tub, heated floors, and a large walk-in closet. Upstairs, you'll find a private guest suite with its own bath and walk-in closet, along with two additional guest rooms that share a Jack and Jill bathroom, both with walk-in closets. The detached casita comes complete with a full kitchen, butcher block countertops, stainless steel appliances, a bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, and a walk-in closet. The backyard is an entertainer's oasis, boasting spectacular mountain views and a heated Pebble Tec lap pool with an automatic cover, a private gated spa with bistro lights, a travertine pool deck, and an outdoor kitchen featuring a built-in BBQ, bar area, sink, and cooling misters for added comfort. A covered patio with fully automated sunscreens ensures year-round outdoor enjoyment. Eagle's Nest, a private enclave of 250 homes, offers scenic biking and walking paths, with easy access to nearby hiking trails. The winding roads take you through the natural beauty of the McDowell Mountains, providing stunning views of Four Peaks, the Superstitions, and the Goldfields.
41777 N 111th Place
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
$2,900,000
4
Beds
5
Baths
6,217
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6613162
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Set among giant boulders outside & inside the home, this contemporary home offers stunning unobstructed 270 degree views of city lights, sunsets, mountains & golf course from every room. Very rare for a home under $4M to sit so far above the homes in front, easily the best views you'll find in this price range. All living areas of main house are on one level with 4 large storage closets in the basement; framed for elevator. Kitchen & bath updates done summer 2023. Kitchen offers Sub-Zero & Miele appliances with views of all common areas of the home and major mountain ranges of the Valley. 3 adjacent lots are protected from having a home built, providing much more open space & enhanced view corridors. Great room has 2 separate TV viewing areas, pool table area, and 9' boulder that dramatically protrudes thru the wall. 4 bedrooms are ensuite and spacious; guest house can function as 2 bedrooms for a total of 5 bedrooms. Guest house is perched above a boulder field and offers even better views, with patio privacy secured by a 9' high granite formation. The main patio is built around magnificent boulders and features built-in BBQ, spa, firepit and views of the entire Valley. Ample room for large negative-edge pool and additional patio space if desired. Oversized 3.5 car garage has abundant storage. Recent upgrades... brand new spa heater, heat pump & water heater in 2023, all interior walls doors & cabinets painted for a more contemporary look, kitchen ceiling raised 2' with taller upper cabinets. Furnishings all available. Comps comment... home next door recently closed for $4.8M with views that are very inferior in width & elevation; at about half that price, this home is priced to sell! Golf & social memberships are available for purchase thru the Club; buyers are not required to purchase any type of membership. Owner agent.
10031 N Palisades Boulevard
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
$2,900,000
4
Beds
5.5
Baths
4,604
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6727118
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
New construction! Bring All Offers! Welcome to the All American home, a stunning new construction masterpiece that embodies the beauty of fountain hills in every way. EVERYTHING is top notch, this is for the meticulous buyer that demands perfection. MUST SEE the video tour of this home with IMPORTANT INFO! Walk up and experience Breathtaking curb appeal, designer entryway with tray sky ceiling, climate controlled 3 car garage, and VIEWS!! ALL Main living area is on ONE LEVEL. Custom chef's kitchen, w/ ample cabinetry w/marble counters, herringbone tile backsplash, pendant & recessed lighting, stainless steel dual wall ovens, island complete w/a breakfast bar. Upstairs bonus w/loft, bathroom, extra hidden room and more! POOL allowance included! The primary bedroom boasts direct outdoor access, a walk-in closet, and a lavish ensuite w/dual sinks & a garden tub. All other bedrooms also showcase their own private baths for added convenience. Don't forget about the sizeable loft w/soft carpet or the cozy den, ideal for an entertainment center and office. Laundry room is equipped w/additional storage cabinets and a utility sink. Finally, the backyard includes a covered patio, extended seating area, a built-in BBQ, and a fire pit! What are you waiting for? Act now!
2214 E Bethany Home Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
$2,900,000
5
Beds
4
Baths
4,401
SqFt
Status
Active Under Contract
MLS #
6752549
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Complete extensive remodel, including all new above-ground plumbing, sewer lines, HVAC units, and electrical. This incredible Biltmore area home features a guest house, huge pool, and spa on over half an acre landscaped lot. It boasts a 4.5 car garage, a great room floor plan, formal dining, a butler pantry, a 600-bottle wine room with split unit temperature control, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, and a spacious office with built-in cabinetry. The home's front entrance is raised above street level for more privacy. It features lush landscaping, a front patio automatic awning, and French doors. The great room has a built-in media wall and fireplace. It overlooks a gourmet kitchen with Viking double ovens, a warming drawer, a built-in microwave, a Wolf six-burner gas stove, a Sub-zero refrigerator... a large island, stainless-steel backsplash, and under-mount lighting. The main home features four bedrooms and three full baths, with fireplaces in the great room and primary suite. Every bathroom is exquisitely appointed, and the primary bathroom has double walk-in closets, double water closets, and a huge shower. The guest house has a private entrance with a great room floor plan, a full kitchen with a stove, microwave, dishwasher & refrigerator, a private fifth bedroom, a full bathroom with walk-in shower, a walk-in closet, and a washer & dryer. The guest house and two secondary bedrooms have full access to the resort-style backyard with synthetic grass, putting green, covered ramada with an electric roof that opens & shuts, a third fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen with a gas grill, double burners & refrigerator. There is a second covered back patio and a third ramada between the guest house and the main house. The play pool is enormous, and there is a separate spa for your enjoyment. Finally, don't miss the split 4.5-car garage with separate entrances to the home, epoxy floors, storage cabinets, a separate mud room, and a pantry/storage room.
4536 N Arcadia Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85018
$2,900,000
5
Beds
4
Baths
5,447
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6712360
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This beautiful Arcadia home has breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain through the 16-foot windows in the living room. Originally built in 1974, it was remodeled with a large addition in 1990 and partially rebuilt in 2009. There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms; the master bedroom has cathedral ceilings and is split from a two-bedroom children's wing and two guest rooms. There are two adjoining family rooms (one could be converted into a sixth bedroom), a library/den, and three fireplaces. The bedrooms are carpeted and the remainer of the house has travertine flooring. The kitchen has a large island, granite countertops, an oversized refrigerator and an oversized freezer that are separate units, a beverage counter refrigerator, two microwaves, a double wall oven, a separate cooktop, a warming drawer oven, and a dishwasher. The kitchen has a large separate eating area and there is also a separate dining room. The home is U-shaped and surrounds the pool. Outside there is a ramada, a porch, a fountain, and a lighted sports court.
9412 E Hidden Spur Trail
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
$2,900,000
6
Beds
4.5
Baths
5,050
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6756587
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Discover this Beautifully Remodeled and Updated Luxury Home located on a coveted corner lot in the highly desirable DC Ranch Desert Haciendas Gated Community boasting a blend of Modern High-End Finishes and Timeless Elegance like the Authentic Reclaimed Antique Oak Wood Flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the home. Renovations have just been completed and this home now features brand-new kitchen flooring, an expanded master bathroom with an additional closet, creating his-and-hers walk-in closets, and a completely remodeled office with built-in cabinets and dual desks for a sophisticated workspace. The exterior front and back landscaping has been completely upgraded with low-maintenance artificial turf and creatively creating additional backyard space, making it perfect for enjoying and entertaining. The pool equipment has also been updated for modern convenience. This home truly accommodates every need because it offers 5 spacious bedrooms including 3 Downstairs En-suites, a large downstairs office and downstairs workout room that has its own closet so it can easily be considered the 6th bedroom. An additional bonus/media room offers further space for relaxation or entertainment. The updated Gourmet Kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring stainless steel appliances, a 6-burner gas cooktop, quartz countertops, and a custom bar area complete with a built-in Sub-Zero wine fridge and two pull-out refrigerators. The large center island serves as a perfect focal point for both casual dining and entertaining. The kitchen opens to an Open Space Great Room, beautifully accentuated by rustic wood beams that add character and warmth to the space. Come take a look and be greeted by the impressive Ironworks front door.
33799 N 84th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
$2,899,900
4
Beds
3.5
Baths
4,985
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6657379
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Fresh exterior paint and massive price reduction! This luxury desert oasis has 360 Mountain Views. Never miss a sunset or city lights with 2 scenic patios. Custom owners closet, temp controlled wine cellar, Control 4 automated, 1-touch throughout, multiple outdoor tvs, built in bbq, heated pool and spa with spillover. Resort style backyard customized only for this home with reflection fountain, splash pad, palapa, playset, putting green. Oversized epoxied garage and extended driveway perfect for RV parking. Custom pendant lighting, accent wall with reclaimed wood and steel. Kitchen features 3 ovens, 8 cooktop with pot filler. A pass-through window opens to the backyard patio. See extensive list of upgrades. No HOA.
12228 E Wood Drive
Chandler, AZ 85249
$2,899,000
5
Beds
4.5
Baths
4,967
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6762229
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Experience unmatched luxury in this exceptional custom home, free of HOA restrictions. Featuring 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, the residence boasts a chef's kitchen equipped with high-end appliances, seamlessly flowing into a magnificent great room adorned with a gas fireplace, soaring ceilings, and exposed beams. The exquisite wood and stone flooring enhance the elegance throughout the home.Entertain in style with a formal space that offers stunning views of a backyard oasis, complete with an outdoor fireplace, BBQ area, pool, putting green, mature trees, and lush turf. This rare gem is situated in a beautiful neighborhood of expansive 1-acre lots. Plus, the extended-length 4-car garage is a dream come true for car enthusiasts.