Planning Your Honeymoon

3 Things To Consider As You Shop For An Exotic Vacation Home

17 December 2014

Flenn Austin

Are you in the market for an exotic vacation home in another country? If you are like most people, you might be thinking about using your second home as a retreat during your time away from work, and then renting it out to other travelers for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong home could affect your rental success. Here are three things to consider as you shop for vacation Ecuador homes for sale, and why they might matter to you later.

1: Proximity to Local Attractions

You might love that quiet, remote island get-a-way, but how will your renters feel about the location? Although you might think most people are looking to get away from their busy lives, many vacationers look for popular destinations with easy access to fun attractions.

As you shop for a property, think carefully about each home's proximity to local tourist destinations. For example, if you are thinking about purchasing a home in Ecuador, you might want to look for a house within driving distance of the popular seaside village of Montanita, or close to an airport that offers daily flights to the Galapagos Islands. If you decide to purchase a property in the middle of the Ecuadorian jungle, you might unintentionally weed out a lot of your potential renters.

2: Tech Availability

When you go on vacation, you might be more concerned about your tan line than you are about responding to emails. However, not everyone shares the same sentiment. In fact, research has shown many travelers think of fast Internet access as a vital utility, much like air conditioning and running water. If you don't offer WIFI, your guests might have to use expensive data roaming plans, or give up easy access to their bank information, online workstation, and favorite websites.

Unfortunately, Internet access simply isn't available in all areas. While it might be easy to have a high-speed Internet line run to a vacation home near a big city, you might be left struggling with a super-slow satellite connection if you pick a more rural location. As you search for a vacation home in a foreign country, do your research. After you find a few potential properties, call the local utility companies to ask about Internet availability in the area.   

In addition to accommodating modern travelers, you might also be able to learn more about monthly pricing information, so you aren't left with sticker shock after you have Internet installed.

3: Maintenance Requirements

Every property is different, and some are much easier to care for than others, especially if you won't be living on-site. Here are a few things to consider as you shop, so you can keep your vacation home in great shape:

• Landscaping: Look carefully at the landscaping around each potential property. If the yard has grass, bushes, and flowerbeds, you might need to hire a professional to care for the landscaping throughout the year.
• Pool: Although vacationers love private pools, they require more maintenance than most people think. Pool chemistry needs to be carefully tracked and adjusted, and filtration systems need to be cleaned regularly. If the property has a pool, be prepared to pay a professional to clean and disinfect the area while you are away.
• Maid Service: Who will clean up after renters and prepare the home for the next round of guests? As you shop for a house, look for a professional cleaning service that can switch out bedding, restock the refrigerator, and vacuum those carpets.  

Maintenance might not seem like a considerable expense, but if you aren't around to do things on your own, it can really add up fast. Look for a property that would be easy to care for, so you can protect your investment.

By choosing the right vacation home and taking good care of it, you can keep that rental income flowing so you can afford to visit every once in awhile.   

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