If you're not sure howoften you'll use a second place, try renting a home or a condo for aseason to see how often you get there and to make sure that's whereyou'dwant to own property. Don't fool yourself into thinking that if youownedit you'd visit more frequently. Two-thirds ofsecond homes are located within 150 miles of an owner's primaryresidence. But the best second home locations should take no more than 4 to 5 hoursto reach, whether you drive all the way there, or drive to the airport. Find a place that has alot to do, preferably year-round.
Security is important.
Second-home owners want to feel like theycan walk outside without worrying about their personal safety. In fact, ifyouhave to have an alarm on your second home, it may not be the rightlocation. Some of the most successful second homelocations are already completely built out, like Hilton Head. Butothers,like New Buffalo, on Lake Michigan in the southwest corner of Michigan,have grown a huge amount in the last decade. Whether you look for aplacethat isn't fully developed, or one that's already fairly full, make surethe town has a long-term plan for its development.