How to Own a Vacation Home With Friends By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team If you’re in the market for a vacation home but are looking to minimize costs as real estate prices rise and you face a stagnant paycheck, you might be considering going in with trusted friends or family members. Assuming you go that route, here are a few things to keep in mind so that you don’t turn your dream house into a nightmare.

Decide how the property will be used

Conflicts will arise if you approach the purchase of this second home with different assumptions. For example, one party may view the home as a money-making rental unit and may be fixated on its investment potential; the other side, however, may think of it primarily as a vacation spot for all to enjoy. For a house-sharing arrangement to succeed, you’ve got to be in agreement as to how this property will be used — in advance.

Put business before pleasure

Just because everyone gets along and is compatible doesn’t mean there won’t be conflicts down the line. To avoid possible disagreements (and keep the relationships in tact) consult with your attorney to draft an ownership agreement that specifies when each co-owner gets to stay in the house and how you’ll share costs and responsibilities. While how often you get to use the house is generally determined by how much money you put in, creative arrangements can work, too. After all, each situation is unique, but you will need to agree – not only on how and when you can use the house, but perhaps more importantly, how you’re going to handle the big-ticket expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities) as well as minor repairs.

Consider an LLC                    

We’ve all heard the horror stories: An owner loses his portion of the home when a co-owner defaults on the mortgage; one homeowner dies, and that person’s portion of the investment goes to a co-owner rather than to the deceased owner’s relatives; there’s a lawsuit, and someone loses his/her stake in the property. The best way around these types of issues — and others — is to buy the property within a limited liability corporation, or LLC. Consider setting one up. It’s relatively inexpensive to do.

Have an exit strategy

Any sense as to how long you both plan to keep the property? What happens if one of you becomes financially strapped and can’t keep up with payments? Might you sell the property one day, and if so, under what circumstances? Can you sell to an outsider? How will pricing — and payouts — be determined? Could you prevent a sale by buying out your partner? An exit strategy is essential. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.