Most of us aren’t lucky enough to own a beautiful holiday home to relax in any time of the year.
Instead, we choose to relax in a hotel getaway which might have sandy beaches and ocean breezes. And most times, you wish your holiday romance could last forever.
Technically it could!
Hundreds of thousands of Australians own their holiday getaways. With the temptation to escape the daily grind, a holiday home can be a very rewarding purchase.
But does a holiday homes make a good investment?
When it comes to investing in property, it’s easy to let your emotions rule. However, before you make any snap decisions you should consider the benefits and risks associated with this kind of purchase.
The benefits of owning a holiday home
- Free accommodation when you go on holidays.
- You will have a home-away-from-home with unlimited access (depending on tenancy arrangements).
- You can rent your holiday home out for the portion of the year that you don’t intend on staying there to help mitigate some of the costs. This can be particularly beneficial during peak seasons.
- Your holiday home may increase in value over time. The potential for capital growth on property investments is generally higher than that of cash and fixed interest investments depending on the property.
- You can claim a tax deduction for expenses incurred in maintaining your holiday home for the period of time it is rented out.
The risks of owning a holiday home
- Occupancy rates fluctuate. Strong demand for holiday homes is on average around 8 to 10 weeks per year – and this is dependent on location. Demand for homes in a warmer climate is more consistent (especially if it’s beachfront).
- If you rely on income from peak holiday seasons, you won’t be able to use your holiday home during these times, e.g. during school holidays.
- You may need to take on a significant mortgage as holiday homes can be quite expensive.
- On top of the initial cost of buying the property, you will also need to consider the costs of maintaining the property, including management fees.
- Any net rental income earned and assessable capital gain when you sell your holiday home will be taxed at your marginal rate.
- If there is a property market downturn, holiday areas are generally the first to suffer and the last to recover. If you have chosen an area, do thorough research on past cycles and how they have affected local prices.
- You might get bored visiting the same place over and over. On top of this, you may even feel guilty if you holiday somewhere else!
Investing in any type of property is a big decision. When considering purchasing a holiday home, you should always seek professional advice.
Our team of financial advisors can assist with your decision. Speak to a member of our team regarding your financial position before choosing to purchase a holiday home.
General Advice Disclaimer:
This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication.