Selling real estate in the sunbelt, I often receive inquiries from clients about the idea of buying a second home. As New Englanders get fed up with winter snow storms, the idea of living on the southern coast and getting rid of all the snow gear is very alluring. I speak with many New Englanders not only looking for a shorter winter but a better cost of living. Georgia offers both.
Coastal Views in Richmond Hill, Georgia
Owning a Second Home Has its Rewards
Some are unaware of the various tax breaks for second homes. For example, you can deduct the mortgage interest on your second home if you are not renting it out. Rental properties fall under a different tax structure depending on how many days a year the home is rented but rentals also offer many tax deductions. We have the buyers consult with their accountant on the details specific to their needs but both are great options.
A second home, aka the vacation home is often looked at as an a place to get a way to support or change your lifestyle but keep in mind, they can be a great investment which is an added benefit. This wide open search based on interests is such a different avenue and opposite of when “Life” dictates where we need to be, how long of a commute, where we needed to be, etc. Its such a fun process to be able to pick any location for a second home. Often, criteria such as how long it takes to get there? Do we have to fly or can we just drive to our second home? How long is winter? What are the real estate taxes? What is the cost for flood insurance? This is where an experienced Realtor comes in and I would love to help!
The Richmond Hill / Savannah area offers everything from historic charm to beach front property to the off beat river life. Here, you can live the quintessential southern front porch and iced tea life or experience active outdoor adventures such as kayaking, fishing and various sporting activities or the arts, jazz, etc. Did you know Savannah has a very engaged bicycle community, sailing community, historic society? Basically, regardless of your interests, we have it!
The cost of living is much lower here. When compared with Newark, New Jersey for example the overall cost of living in the Savannah area is 31% lower*. The cost of housing alone is 58% lower* than Newark. Generally speaking if you’re living on $120,000 in New Jersey you could maintain your lifestyle in Savannah with $82,818.
If you plan to eventually retire or relocate to Savannah or its surrounding areas, I suggest visiting during different times of the year. A week in October and a week in the spring are great times. Often times, a week or two a year does not give a full picture of the area. For example Savannah hosts the second largest St. Patrick’s Day gathering (truth be told we celebrate for a few weeks) in the country. Events like these do play havoc with traffic, but are also part of the charm and allure of the area. Be sure to come in the thick of the summer too, to make certain you can handle the Georgia heat.
And let me just address it up front. I always get asked about the fear of hurricanes. Did you know that Savannah’s hurricane statistics are better than many near by cities in Florida and the Carolinas?
Please call me today for more information or questions about your relocation needs!
Melanie Kramer
Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners
912-459-5001 Office
912-658-1390 Cell Direct
*statistics pulled from payscale.com
