News > FAQs: Vacation Buyers

by Liz Suto

It never fails - the more winter storms happen back east, the more people flock to Arizona to enjoy our winter sunshine.  If you spend several months a year in Phoenix, it's time to consider buying a vacation condo. Some people may spend only a few weeks here and there, but still choose to buy a second home here because they want their own place with their own stuff. 

Here are some frequent questions we get asked from out of town buyers interested in a seasonal use condo.

What areas would be good to purchase a vacation condo?

There are vacation condo buyers in just about every area in Phoenix.  One important criteria vacation home buyers look for is vicinity - how close do you want to be to good restaurants, to the airport and to other activities you may want to pursue when you are here.  If you like the best shopping and restaurants, consider finding a condo closer to Scottsdale.  If you prefer to be in a quieter area, perhaps closer to the mountains, consider condos in Anthem, Cave Creek and parts of Peoria. If you want to be near the action in every city, consider the Biltmore area in Phoenix - the airport, downtown sports and cultural activities, and Scottsdale shopping and restaurants are all less than 20 minutes away.

I will be leaving my condo all summer.  Is that ok in the Arizona heat?

Plenty of vacation buyers in Phoenix leave their condo for the summer.  It's much easier to leave a condo than it is to leave a home, where outdoor landscaping can require attention. However, there are some actions you might want to take before you leave:

• Keep the air conditioner set at 85 degrees. High temperatures may dry out and warp your wood cabinets and furniture. 
• Put some buckets full of water in the showers and tubs to add humidity.
• You don't have to turn off the refrigerator, but if you do,  prop it open.  If possible with your refridgerator, stop the icemaker.
• Turn off water at the central source for your condo if you can. This can help  prevent leaks from flooding your condo and your neighbor's condo.  However seals can dry out with water off all summer and empty toilet traps can let in sewage smells.  Consider having a concierge or house sitter visit your condo once a month in the summer to flush toilets and run water.

Can I rent my Phoenix vacation condo out when I'm not using it?

Yes, but you'll want to be aware of these 2 important things:

First remember that everyone will want to rent your condo out when you are here, namely in the months from November to April.  Phoenix vacation rentals clear out in the summer months, and those that are attracting renters are severely discounting their monthly rent.

Second, remember that condo CC&Rs (that's the document that spells out the rules for the condo development) will almost always require at least a 30 day minimum rental period and often they require a 3 month rental period.  Sure, some people ignore these rules, but it's easy to get caught when you are offering your condo for lease on the internet or in the MLS, and some condo communities are more watchful than others.  If you want to rent out your condo often, consider purchasing a unit in one of the Phoenix Condo Hotels and it all gets done for you.

 

I've decided to sell my condo. What do I do with the furniture and contents?

Condos are sold all the time in Phoenix and Scottsdale fully furnished, because it can get expensive and inconvenient for new second home buyers here to furnish a new place. However, you shouldn't expect to get top dollar for your furniture and contents. Just like buying second hand furniture anywhere, the resale value is not high.

You can also sell your furniture by piece using websites like Craigslist, which can potentially net a higher value than selling your contents with the condo.

Have more questions? We'd be happy help you with more specific inquiries. Contact us.

 

Though not guaranteed, information and statistics in this article have been acquired from sources believed to be reliable.

Related Links

• Phoenix Condo Buyer information