What to Know Before Buying a Boca Grande Vacation Home

Boca Grande, Florida, is a quaint coastal town of 973 people. It’s a popular vacation destination for the same reasons it’s a great place to buy a vacation home. Before diving into your search for Boca Grande homes for sale, here’s an overview of what to do and know before buying a vacation home.

Whether the price tag is an obstacle or not, it’s always good to understand exactly how much goes into a second home. Brace yourself for a higher down payment on a vacation home — second homes are considered riskier investments and require anywhere from a 20-50% down payment on the property. If you plan on getting a second mortgage for your vacation home, be aware that the types of loans available are different and more challenging to get than ones for primary homes. And if you plan on investing in a vacation home with other family members, clearly plan who is paying for what and how much each member is investing into the property.

 

Beyond a mortgage and down payment, once you own the property you’ll have to plan for property taxes, insurance, and utilities. You may also have to pay HOA or outdoor maintenance fees for yard requirements. And you’ll have to consider furnishings and appliances, as well as unexpected future costs like reparations for damages. To ensure your property stays safe while you’re not visiting it, you may also want to invest in security cameras or an alarm system.

It’s good to know about these costs not to deter you from a vacation home but so you make an informed decision when searching for Boca Grande homes for sale.

A vacation home is a big investment, which is why you should be 100% sure of its location. Take the time to consider what you want out of the area — do you want a complete change of scenery, a lively and fun location, or someplace to relax and unwind away from your primary home? Do you feel you could return to the location often without getting tired of it or having something new to explore? Don’t be afraid to spend some time in the area you’re considering before you commit to a property.

Another aspect of location is travel time. There’s nothing wrong with a vacation home far from your primary home, as long as you’re willing and able to travel. But if long travel times will impede your vacation home visits, you may want to consider someplace closer to home to get the most use out of the property.

Renting out a vacation home is a great option to generate revenue with the property when you’re not visiting it. But there are a few things to remember if you plan to rent your vacation home. First, it affects how you finance the property. If you’re renting it out for more than 15 days, the types of loans available to you change. And although renting out your vacation home can be a great way to pay for the property, you shouldn’t rely on rental revenue when buying a vacation home, as you can’t be sure of the demand to rent it.

There may be more costs and limitations when renting out your vacation home. Check community regulations on your home, as renting out may not be allowed. And plan for possible damages and maintenance required from a renter’s stay. Other than that, renting out does cut into your own time using the vacation home. Either be firm with the set dates you choose to visit your vacation home or be prepared to make some sacrifices on vacation times.

Boca Grande real estate has a beautiful oceanside location, making it an ideal place to buy a vacation home. From beachside spots to state parks and tasty restaurants, there’s plenty that makes this a great place to buy.

Named after the tiny town, this beach's white sand and blue water views are accessible from multiple access points, both large and public and small and private. Boca Grande Beach is visited by many and has several amenities visitors can enjoy, from a paddleboard and kayak launch into the ocean, a public fishing pier, and sandbars to boat out to that offer a private beach experience. Those investing in Boca Grande real estate can enjoy a variety of experiences, from a simple dip and sunning day to shelling or exploring the secret mangrove islands.

People interested in Boca Grande homes for sale can enjoy even more of the outdoors at Cayo Costa State Park. With nine miles of beach, it offers ferry and tram services, kayak and bicycle rentals, camping sites, fishing, hiking, and scuba diving, among several other amenities. Or visit Gasparilla Island State Park, located on one of the Gulf Coast barrier islands. This park has great tarpon and other prized fishing, several activities like snorkeling and hiking, and the 1890 Boca Grande Lighthouse visitors can view for a bit of history.

The seafood options are unlimited for those buying Boca Grande real estate, but a must-go restaurant that vacation homebuyers can count on is The Pink Elephant. Located at the Boca Grande Bayou, this high-class, pink-umbrella restaurant serves delicious lunch and dinner options such as jumbo lump crab and shrimp Caesars, bronzed fresh grouper sandwich, and prime NY strip steak fresh off the grill. Those who visit are guaranteed a great food experience.

For a location with outdoor and dining opportunities that more than pay off the investment of a vacation home, buyers can’t do much better than Boca Grande. For help finding your perfect home, contact local agent Olivia Jones to guide you through the process.