NO PLACE LIKE (A SECOND) HOME

SECOND-HOME LIVING is continuing to be one of the hottest market sectors in real estate today. Buying a vacation home fits well with retirement future planning and doing so during prime earnings years makes it easier for many. Homebuyers today are looking at more options, more amenities, better security, what regions have to offer, and a host of other considerations in second home buying. Many have learned that great vacation destinations may not be the best choice for living. Primary living residences have completely different criteria than secondary or co-primary homes. Most want a place where they can get away for shortterm or extended stays that are seamless and simple to transition to. Short-term thinking here has evolved to more intelligent choices for many well-informed savvy buyers. The Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and North Central regions of the United States are the most densely populated regions in our country. These three regions account for over half of the country’s population and more than half of our nation’s wealth. It is no surprise that the largest sector of second home and retirement homebuyers are coming from these regions. Demand for second homes surged during the pandemic as low mortgage rates, remote work, and the desire to escape the city drove up demand for vacation properties. Overall, purchases of second homes were up 37% higher in 2020 and even higher in 2021 and 2022, compared with 2018 and 2019. Demand has slowed somewhat with rising interest rates, but quality properties are still in high demand at all price points.

Choosing Regions That Fit Your Life

For many living through long winters and cool and wet shoulder seasons, “The Further South the Better” logic has led many to South Florida, which is great for vacations and guaranteed warm weather. South Florida today has become densely populated, and the once eclectic cities of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale have become as metropolitan as many northern cities with many of the same issues, traffic, crime, congestion, and sky-high real estate prices. Great cities to visit but far from relaxing and quality of life friendly. Florida is a huge state, with so many great choices for second-home living with very diverse choices in all regions. Northern and Central Florida are very different and less traveled by tourists but are rich in protected lands, federal forest and state parks and well-planned rural communities that offer very diverse living choices.

The Discovery Process

The newest trend in second-home buying is

FLORIDA LIVING second homes

discovery. Visiting regions to learn more about living in the area, what it’s like to do simple living tasks like shopping, health facilities, recreation, and learning all about what is close by for day trips and getting a feel for life if you were to choose to live here. The Southeast has so many great places to explore to begin your search. The Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and of course Florida, which is vast from the Panhandles’ white sand beaches to the Eastern and Western coastlines and even Central Florida. Think about your daily life while in your vacation home. Say, for example, you want to live by a lake for fishing. That’s a good start. But if you also want to be near or have easy access to a beach, a town with shops, restaurants, and medical services, you’ll need to consider the entire picture and not just the fishing aspect. You might need to compromise on location to get all the amenities you desire. So don’t rule out the important step of envisioning your entire lifestyle in your vacation home.

Think Activities Recreation And Amenities

When choosing a second home or future retirement home be sure to have things to do and amenities available to you and your family. Recreation is vital whether you’re a serial hobbyist or not. It gives you something to look forward to as well as new activities to try. Not only are social activities fun, but community life is also an excellent opportunity to make new friends. Ask to speak with residents and learn more about the activity schedule. Also, look at what recreational amenities are available on-campus in home communities, such as a woodshop, fitness center, library, and craft areas. You want to live somewhere that lets you live with possibilities. You will want to be close to nearby activities, beauty salons, libraries, shopping, continuing education opportunities, entertainment, cultural events, and more.

Living Communities in Four Southeast States

North Carolina & South Carolina

The Cliffs

The Cliffs incorporate seven gorgeous communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the shores of Lake Keowee in North Carolina. The clubs and living communities offer two courses by Nicklaus, two by Fazio, a dazzling Gary Player links design and classics by Jackson & Wright.

Seven incredible facilities are clustered in three regions close to some of America’s favorite small towns and charming Southern cities: Asheville, Greenville, and Clemson. According to CNBC, Tennessee is one of the most popular states for older Americans and among the most affordable. One of the primary reasons that Tennessee is so economical is the preferential tax treatment that retirees receive.

Homes from $400,000 www.cliffsliving.com

South Carolina Callawassie Island

Nestled between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, and tucked in the tides of coastal Carolina, is Callawassie

FLORIDA LIVING second homes

Island. Everything you might need to enjoy Lowcountry living to the fullest can be found here. The wide range of amenities and facilities found within this enclave of 880 acres was designed to help residents connect with one another in a relaxed environment. This private, gated island community offers 27 holes of world-class golf by Tom Fazio design. The River Club is situated along the banks of the Colleton River.

Homes from $600s www.callawassieisland.com

Georgia The Landings on Skidmore Island

Located on an interior barrier island just 12 miles from historic Savannah, Georgia the Landings on Skidaway Island is an active lifestyle community in Savannah, Georgia. This private gated neighborhood offers a variety of home designs that span across 4,596 acres yet provides a small-town charm. The world-class amenities and six championship golf courses offer a multitude of recreational opportunities for homeowners to enjoy. Residents also have more than 100 clubs, activities, and groups that they can join for the ultimate social lifestyle. There are 33 tennis courts, seven restaurants, five swimming pools, and an innovative fitness and wellness center. www.thelandings.com

Florida — Ponte Vedra Beach

The Plantations

Located between Jacksonville and St.

Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach is the perfect compromise between enjoying a big city ambiance and the historic First Coast. Ponte Vedra Beach is the home to the PGA and TPC Sawgrass and hosts The Players Championship each year. The Plantation is one of the region’s premier gated communities with luxury homes, on 650 acres featuring lovely live oaks and sparkling lakes. Amenities include an 18-hole Arnold Palmer design golf course, private beach club, racquet center, an amenity park featuring 2 croquet courts, an open lawn pavilion, playground, clubhouse, and a fitness center overlooking a sparkling 36-acre lake. Homes From $600s www.theplantationpvb.com

FLORIDA LIVING second homes

Florida — Montverde Bella Collina

Bella Collina is a private, luxury gated community offering luxury lakefront estate homes, golf course homes, upscale condo residences, and resort-style amenities. Spread out across 1,900 acres of rare rolling hills and sparkling lakes, it is just a short distance from Orlando and all the city has to offer.

Living in Bella Collina grants you access to every amenity imaginable. It has a Sir Nick Faldo-designed golf course, scenic walking trails, a resort-style community pool, full-service spa, fitness center, tennis facility and two exclusive clubhouse restaurants along Lake Siena.

Homes from $300,000 to $2.2M www.bellacollina.com

Florida Citrus Hills

Often referred to as “The Hidden Gem of Florida,” Citrus Hills is just 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico but well protected from tropical storms at over 250 feet above sea level. Its rural location makes it a haven for all sports and recreation. Ted Williams had two homes here and was the community’s national spokesman. It has four activity-packed clubhouses, four challenging golf courses, two tennis centers, pickleball courts, a choice of casual or fine-dining options in private restaurants, outdoor heated pools, an indoor lap pool, luxurious awardwinning wellness complex, a full-service private spa and fitness center and so much more!

Homes From $400s www.citrushills.com villages and towns and to the top-rated Northeast ski resorts with endless outdoor activities, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the East. The Owl’s Nest expansion and extensive ongoing development and growth have now made the facility the largest destination four-season resort in the Northeast. “The Place to be in Every Season.”

The extensive building and redevelopment projects continue each month, to add additional accommodations with new rental homes, hotel properties, and a host of new amenities and dining facilities. Owl’s Nest Resort recently celebrated the grand opening of its extensive racquet sports complex which includes eight red clay tennis courts, 13 pickleball courts, and four paddle tennis courts. The four paddle courts are heated for year-round use. The complex is just one of many additions to the resort since LCJ Management purchased the 18-hole course and over 600 acres of surrounding real estate in 2014.

The resort redevelopment which began two years ago includes a recently completed Lake Harold, the largest man-made recreational lake in NH. The newly completed Lakehouse can host events for up to 500 and is equipped with a full-size catering kitchen, bar, and two-story event space with a large deck reaching over and wrapping around the waterfront of Lake Harold. Mention the boathouse here instead? The new Lafayette Lodge is underway, it will feature 24 double queen and 9 king rooms.

The new pavilion will host concerts, and there are plans to build a 500-person amphitheater in the future. The existing banquet facilities were expanded and the on-site restaurant, Panorama Six82, turned into a premier, year-round dining establishment with new chef Morgana Vesey from Hell’s Kitchen Season 20 with host Gordon Ramsay. Another new restaurant, Slice Wood Fired Pizzeria, will have 2 indoor golf simulators. The resort’s extensive lodging facilities include 18, 4-bedroom, 4 1/2 bath gambrel units, 13 brand new 2-bedroom units, 26 new expansive guest rooms, and 12, 1-bedroom, 1 bath Nano cottages, all with spacious living rooms, private decks, fireplaces, and most with a full kitchen and laundry facilities. All units are available to rent by groups or the general public.

Phase 2 is already underway and includes the addition of The Boathouse which will contain a seafood restaurant and bar, additional event space for up to 150 people, an outdoor year-round swimming pool, 30-person hot tub, radiant heated decks, boat rentals, indoor and outdoor showers, locker room facilities and beach access. Ground breaking for a 33-room hotel called the Lafayette Lodge has begun with planned completion in May of 2023. By next summer the resort will be adding Butches Brooklyn Deli, with charging stations for 8 Tesla and 6 EV Electrify America Superchargers which will provide all types of electric vehicles with full charges in less than an hour.

Phase 3 will include an additional 80-100 room hotel, complete with spa, large fitness facility, indoor pool, bowling alleys and restaurant, as well as another 9-hole, walkable golf course surrounding Lake Harold, ideal for all skill levels. In all, another 60 million dollars will be invested in the resort in addition to the 40 million invested since 2014 to complete the resort plan. General Manager Brad McCoil said, “Our goal is to make the Owl’s Nest Resort one of the premier resorts in New England, not just because of our many on-site offerings but also our location to all