Buying property abroad as an American: 8 tips for a smarter purchase

A growing number of Americans are warming up to mindfulness and zen-influenced practices. Between 2012 and 2017, meditation more than tripled in use in the U.S., according to the CDC. Having a dedicated room where you can step away from negative emotions makes it far easier to build soothing practices into daily life. Not everyone responds to the same decor and routines, though, so tailoring your zen room ideas to your personality will help you get more out of the space. Below, explore seven zen room ideas for inspiration on designing your own retreat, along with expert tips for outfitting your emotional escape room, whether that's in your everyday home or a second home you're still furnishing. What is a zen room? A zen room is a space where you can isolate yourself from the distractions or negative emotional triggers of the outside world. Traditionally, zen rooms are used for meditation, and having a dedicated area makes it easier to incorporate this practice into day-to-day life.  Today, the concept of zen rooms takes on many forms. People use zen rooms to focus on whatever activities bring them peace and a sense of calm, whether that's quiet meditation, reading, music or movement. A meditation zen room idea in particular is a perfect place to enjoy some solitude. It can be a sacred space for relaxation, de-stressing, or simply reconnecting with self-care practices. What do you need for a zen room? Since the overarching goal of a zen room is to encourage peacefulness, minimizing distractions is a recurring theme across zen room decor ideas. That still leaves plenty of room for personalization, which is part of why zen rooms have grown so popular. Cool tones Cool colors and earth tones increase feelings of serenity. Surrounding yourself with shades of blue, green or purple aids your pursuit of peace. Conversely, sharply contrasting colors, like blue and yellow, can have a stimulating effect and work against the right mental state.  According to Rick Berres, owner of the home remodeling company Honey-Doer, achieving a peaceful space starts with your use of color: bright white or a pastel shade of blue or lavender tends to read as the most calming. Minimalism Leaving distractions at the door is an important step toward relaxation. Keep things simple when designing your zen room, and avoid decorating with too many trinkets or pictures. Prioritize only having items in the room that nurture your mental well-being. Natural light Abundant natural light increases feelings of calm in a meditation space. Choose a room with ample windows where you can avoid artificial light during the daytime. East or west-facing windows may allow for sunrise or sunset views in your sacred space. Even better, consider creating your meditation space outdoors. Negative space Negative space is an area not occupied by an object. It's an important design element when pursuing minimalist ends, and properly implementing it keeps a room from feeling either too cluttered or too bare. Plants Spending time in nature is linked to reducing negative feelings like stress while increasing positive ones. Bringing natural elements like plants into your meditation room is an easy way to bring out those positive emotions. Scents Aromatherapy can be used to induce relaxation through incense, candles or essential oil diffusers. Stay away from strong scents, especially in a small space, since they can become irritating over prolonged periods. Lily Wili, CEO of Ever Wallpaper, recommends scents such as lavender and jasmine for creating a calm environment that helps you focus and let go of negative emotions as you prepare to meditate. What are some zen room ideas for every personality type? The type of zen meditation room that is right for you is heavily dependent on your personality. Here we’ve constructed four types of personalities, informed by the 1. Meditation room  A meditation room is the classic zen room idea. Its primary purpose is to center oneself and increase mental peace. A dedicated meditation room can even have physical benefits: in Keep distractions to an absolute minimum, and select a room with plenty of natural light if possible; a sheer fabric can diffuse intense light as a window shade. Meditation rooms don't require many objects or a large area, so it's often enough to design a meditation corner rather than dedicate a full room. 2. Music room Music can give a profound boost to mood and reduce anxiety, helping you manage stress and even cope with physical pain. If music is a constant in your life, harnessing it in your zen room idea can have lasting benefits.  Bring in your music collection or an instrument, whether you already play or want to learn. This is one zen room idea where extra knickknacks are welcome if they bring you joy, like a concert poster or your favorite band's merch. 3. Reading room  The principles behind a reading room are similar to a music room. Surrounding yourself with books you love can bring comforting feelings, and reading can lower cortisol, a hormone tied to stress. Keep your books organized to avoid feelings of disarray: try sorting by size or color to discover which feels most calming, and invest in a comfortable chair or couch. 4. Hobby room Sometimes the best way to find inner peace is through actively doing what you enjoy. People who spend time on hobbies they love benefit from lower blood pressure and better moods. A dedicated hobby room can incorporate woodworking, painting or puzzling, basically anything you want.  Adorn the walls with the tools you use and display completed projects you're proud of. Clutter is the greatest hindrance here, so clean the space after every session to get into a flow more quickly each time. 5. Green room While most zen styles incorporate natural elements, green rooms take it to the extreme. Cover floors and walls with plants to fill the space with green leaves and blooming color. Choose furniture that's practical but doesn't overwhelm the space; low-backed chairs and couches let plants hang low and envelop you. Beyond looks, the act of caring for plants day to day is where you'll find even more benefit, and houseplants can help clean the air in the room. 6. Yoga room  The meditative nature of yoga pairs naturally with the concept of a zen area or minimalist meditation room. While yoga lowers stress levels, it also improves physical health overall. Since you won't want objects hindering your movements, optimize negative space and keep furniture tight against the wall.  Mirrors can help with form, but they can also be a distraction; curtains over mirrors can increase the room's flexibility. According to Eva Prettyman, principal designer of Lincoln Home and Design, anything that requires movement benefits from minimal furniture and open space to practice. 7. Workout room A strenuous activity like weight lifting may seem like the opposite of zen, but it's all about mindset. Among zen workout room ideas, the goal is to use exercise as an emotional escape: leave daily worries at the door and focus solely on reaching new personal bests.  The regimented structure of a workout routine can bring order to an otherwise chaotic day. Find a balance between the cold practicality of a typical weight room and the coziness of a zen room by keeping equipment well organized and layering in ambient sound, like trickling water, to drown out distracting noise. How do you set up a zen room in a living room, dining room or office? Not every home has a spare room to dedicate entirely to zen. The good news is that zen principles, cool tones, minimalism, natural light and negative space, can be layered into rooms that already serve another purpose. Among office zen room ideas, a quiet corner with a closed door, a comfortable chair facing a window and a single calming object, like a small plant or a diffuser, can transform a workspace into a space that supports focus rather than draining it.  Zen living room ideas often center on decluttering one section of the room, perhaps a window seat or an underused corner, and outfitting it with a floor cushion, a soft throw and a bookshelf trimmed to only the items you love.  For zen dining room ideas, dimmable lighting, a runner in a calming neutral tone and a centerpiece of fresh greenery can turn a dining table into a more intentional gathering space, especially if it doubles as a place for quiet mornings when it isn't set for a meal. Not everyone has an extra room to dedicate to a meditation space, and a zen room often has to do double duty as a home office, bedroom or patio. That's okay. A few diy zen room ideas can help you build the feeling of a retreat without a dedicated floor plan: Incorporating elements of zen into your daily life can have a profound impact on your mental health. If one of these zen room ideas seems like a good fit for your lifestyle, experiment with the suggested design styles. You may like it so much that you carry it through to your second home as well. For many buyers, the desire for a space like this is exactly what kicks off the search for a second home in the first place. A meditation room, a home gym, a reading nook overlooking the water: these are some of the most commonly cited motivations people give for wanting a vacation property, more than any single destination or amenity.  A second home offers something a primary residence often can't: a fresh floor plan, free of the competing claims on every room that come with day-to-day family life, where an entire space can be set aside purely for restoration. If a dedicated retreat is part of why you're considering a second home, a few property features matter more than others when you're touring listings: These are the same features that show up consistently across Pacaso's portfolio, where Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost or hassle of buying alone. Each Pacaso home also comes with a dedicated Home Manager who handles maintenance, cleaning and turnover, so the time you spend in your retreat room goes toward actually using it instead of managing it. And through If you're drawn to the idea of a second home built around a dedicated retreat, whether that's a meditation room with mountain views or a yoga room steps from the beach,

Owning a second home sounds straightforward until you factor in renovations, property management, and the months of searching before you find the right place. Turnkey real estate companies solve that by handling setup and ongoing management, so ownership begins the moment you close. The challenge is that “turnkey” covers a wide range of models, and not all of them are built around personal use. Below, we cover some of the best turnkey real estate companies that focus on residential ownership, from LLC 1. Pacaso Pacaso is built for buyers who want a luxury second home without the overhead of managing one. It uses an LLC co-ownership model: each owner holds a share in a Every home comes fully furnished and professionally designed, and ongoing maintenance and day-to-day operations are managed by Pacaso’s in-house team. Owners book stays through the Pacaso currently operates in 40+ destinations across the U.S. and Europe, including Key features 2. Ember Ember offers two ownership tiers: Ember Limited, which keeps the home exclusive to owners and guests with 44+ nights per year per ⅛ share, and Ember Flex, which allows owners to make the home available as a  Key features 3. August Collections are offered in tiers at different price points and home sizes, allowing you to find an entry point that fits your budget. Just keep in mind, August is a European-only platform, so it’s worth learning about the process of Key features 4. Four Seasons Private Residences Properties are available across major cities and resort destinations worldwide, with new projects currently underway in Nashville, Las Vegas, Jacksonville, and Washington D.C. Ownership also includes Four Seasons Elite membership, which provides benefits and recognition across Four Seasons hotels and resorts globally. Key features 5. Roofstock Roofstock is a marketplace, not an operator. This means it facilitates the transaction but doesn’t own or manage the properties it lists, so quality can vary, and inspection reports should be reviewed carefully. Buyers who want to choose their own turnkey property management setup after closing are free to do so. Key features How to choose a turnkey real estate company Not every turnkey real estate company is built for the same buyer. Before committing, it helps to clarify what you want from ownership. Here are some things to consider: If a luxury second home with nothing to manage is what you’re looking for, Pacaso’s LLC co-ownership model is worth exploring first. Find your turnkey second home with Pacaso The best turnkey real estate companies handle the setup, the management, and everything in between. If you want a luxury second home with professional management and real property ownership built in, explore

The way you structure property ownership shapes everything from estate planning to what happens if a co-owner runs into debt. There are nine types of ownership in real estate, each with different rules around liability, control and transfer. Choosing the right one matters whether you’re buying a primary residence, buying alone or exploring second home Every situation is different, and the right ownership structure depends on your goals, your state and who you’re buying with. If you’re unsure which property type will work best, explore your options with a real estate attorney. 1. Sole ownership Sole ownership means one person holds the title to a property outright. That owner has full authority to sell, lease or transfer the property at any time, with no other parties involved in the decision. Property owned by a sole owner is sent into probate when the owner dies until the will is validated. 2. Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JTWROS) One of the most common property ownership types is 3. Tenants by the entirety (TBE) Married couples may instead opt to own property as tenants by the entirety, which is the same as JTWROS, except an owner can do nothing with their ownership portion without consent from their spouse, since the couple is legally considered one entity. If the marriage ends in divorce, the ownership structure automatically converts to tenancy in common. 4. Community property Nine states are community property states, with Alaska allowing residents to opt in. This real estate ownership type classifies any property obtained by a spouse during marriage as “community property” — that is, owned by both spouses, even if the property is only listed in the name of one spouse. This includes all real estate purchases made during the marriage.  The states that recognize community property include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. In Alaska, residents can opt into a community property agreement. The same community property laws apply to registered domestic partnerships in California, Nevada and Washington. 5. Owning trust In an owning trust, a trustee holds and manages a property on behalf of someone else,  typically a minor child or an adult with special needs. A living trust is created during the original owner’s lifetime. The owner, also referred to as the trustor or grantor, designates a beneficiary to receive the property while continuing to serve as trustee until their death. At that point, a successor trustee steps in to manage the property and ensure it passes to the beneficiary without going through probate. 6. Tenancy in common (TIC) With Unlike joint tenancy, TIC carries no survivorship rights. Each owner is free to sell, will or transfer their share to whomever they choose without input from the other owners. When an owner dies, their share moves through probate before passing to any named heirs. 7. Owning a partnership/LLC or co-ownership A property can be placed under a Owners can create the LLC by doing it themselves or use a third-party company like 8. Condominium ownership Condominium ownership means holding an individual deed to a unit within a multi-unit building, while sharing ownership of common areas with other residents. Those shared spaces are managed through a homeowners' association (HOA), which handles maintenance and upkeep.  Before purchasing, buyers should review the HOA’s financials, rules and fee structure, as these vary significantly from building to building. 9. Cooperative (co-op) ownership In a co-op, buyers purchase shares in a corporation that owns the building rather than receiving a deed to a specific unit. Those shares entitle them to a proprietary lease for their unit. This makes co-op ownership fundamentally different from condo ownership. Rather than holding an individual title, buyers own shares in the corporation that holds the deed.  Co-ops are also most common in New York City but exist in other metro areas. Purchasing one typically involves a board approval process, which can be lengthy and restrictive. Subletting is often limited or prohibited, and financing can be harder to secure since fewer lenders offer co-op loans. What type of ownership is right for you? When comparing the types of real estate ownership, a good starting point is to narrow down by who you’re buying with. From there, a few other factors are worth weighing: A real estate attorney can help you determine which structure fits your situation and state. Own a luxury second home with Pacaso Pacaso offers professionally managed LLC co-ownership of luxury second homes in Up to eight owners share one home, with scheduling handled through  Plus, Pacaso takes care of all of the management and maintenance, so owners show up to a home that’s ready.

When a vacation home catches your eye, one of the first questions to ask is also one of the most practical: how much should a second home cost? It’s a smart thing to ask before committing your feelings and money to any vacation property. The cost of buying a second home goes far beyond the listing price. Monthly mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and long-term operating expenses all factor into what you can realistically afford. That’s where our second home mortgage calculator comes in. This tool helps you estimate costs and weigh financing and ownership options, so you can decide with confidence. Second home calculator How does a second home mortgage calculator work? Our easy-to-use second home mortgage calculator takes the guesswork out of affordability by breaking the math into a few simple steps. The more accurate your inputs, the more helpful your results will be. Step 1: Enter your financial information Start by entering details that help calculate your monthly debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: Step 2: Review your debt-to-income ratio Next, you’ll see your current DTI ratio, calculated by dividing your total monthly debt by your gross monthly income. Lenders use DTI to assess risk—the lower your DTI, the more favorably you’re viewed. This step also shows your estimated cash on hand, or how much money you have left each month after recurring expenses. Step 3: Input second home loan details To estimate how much you should spend on a second home, you’ll enter: Step 4: Review your results Based on your inputs, the second home mortgage calculator helps determine the amount you would like to dedicate to a second home. You can also explore Pacaso second homes within your budget by selecting Now that you’ve run the numbers, let’s look at the bigger picture of making second home ownership work for you. What goes into the cost of buying a second home? The purchase price of a second home is just the starting point. Here’s a closer look at additional expenses to consider.  Key costs of buying a second home include: Understanding the full cost of buying a second home, including ongoing expenses, helps ensure your investment enhances your lifestyle and supports your long-term financial goals. What are five factors to consider when buying a second home? Just because a lender approves you for a certain loan amount at a certain These costs can have a meaningful effect on your overall financial picture, underscoring the importance of evaluating the bottom line beyond lender approval alone. 1. Know your financing options Knowing how you plan on 2. Revisit your current financial status To comfortably afford a second home, your debt-to-income ratio should ideally stay below 45%. Strong credit, substantial cash reserves, or a larger down payment may provide additional flexibility. Credit scores below 640 may make approval more difficult. 3. Understand second home mortgage requirements Beyond interest rates and down payments, lenders evaluate your full financial picture before approving a second home mortgage. Most require a credit score of at least 640, a DTI at or below 43–45% and two to six months of cash reserves on top of the down payment. 4. Know your options for second home ownership Getting a second home mortgage may be more difficult if your goal is to become the sole owner, but that's not your only option.  Pursuing You'll simply share ownership with up to seven other owners as part of a 5. Learn how to increase your borrowing power After evaluating your finances, you may find that you don’t meet the requirements for purchasing a second home at the moment. The good news is that you have the power to increase your appeal to lenders with just a little time and strategy. These strategies along with a second home mortgage calculator can put you in a stronger position to get an affordable loan down the road. What are the key differences between primary residence and second home loans? When you’re considering buying a second home, it’s important to understand how financing differs from your first home. While the loan process might feel familiar, second home mortgages come with slightly stricter terms. From down payments to interest rates, here’s how the two compare side by side: *Note that credit scores and interest rates are subject to the lender’s discretion. How can co-ownership make your investment go further? For many buyers, the cost of buying a second home feels most daunting when taking on the full financial and operational responsibility alone. Co-ownership offers an alternative—one that makes second-home ownership more attainable without sacrificing quality, location, or experience. Through co-ownership, multiple buyers share an ownership interest in a home using structures such as tenancy in common, joint ownership, or an LLC. When thoughtfully structured and professionally managed, co-ownership can unlock access to high-quality homes while simplifying the ownership experience. By dividing both upfront and ongoing costs, co-owners can: Enjoy structured usage without the burden of year-round upkeep What do Pacaso co-ownership costs entail? Pacaso builds on the benefits of co-ownership by offering a fully managed, transparent approach to owning a luxury second home. Buyers can purchase between 1/8 and 1/2 ownership of a professionally designed home, with costs clearly structured so there are no surprises. Pacaso pricing is organized into three main components: Share price The share price reflects the cost to purchase 1/8 ownership of the home. If you choose to buy additional shares, the price scales accordingly. The share price includes: Monthly home operating costs While a second home mortgage calculator can help determine affordability, non-mortgage related expenses can often catch buyers off guard. With Pacaso, these ongoing costs are budgeted annually and divided into predictable monthly payments, shared pro rata based on the number of shares owned. These costs include: Turnover services To keep the home consistently stay-ready, a turnover fee is charged after each stay. This covers professional cleaning, restocking essentials, inventory checks, and light inspections—so every owner arrives at a well-prepared home. Find your path to second home ownership with Pacaso Understanding the full cost of buying a second home—and how different ownership models impact that cost—puts you in control of your decision. A second home mortgage calculator can help you translate those costs into real monthly numbers, giving you a clearer picture of what you can comfortably afford before you commit. Whether you pursue traditional ownership or explore co-ownership, clarity around expenses helps ensure your second home supports both your lifestyle and long-term financial goals. When you’re ready to explore a smarter, more flexible way to own a second home, Pacaso is here to help.

Finding the best place to buy a second home comes down to matching the location to your lifestyle, favorite hobbies and climate preferences. Consider how you want to spend your free time, who will be traveling with you, and how the market will look in five to ten years. To help you narrow down the choices, we've divided 22 top second home destinations into four groups: sunny beach escapes, desert retreats, quiet nature-filled destinations, and exciting international bases. If you're a foodie or wine lover, your second home to restaurants, spas and shops. When the snow melts, the town becomes a Madrid combines historic architecture with modern urban energy, notable attractions like the Royal Palace and world-renowned art galleries, and a culinary scene that never sleeps. Its blend of heritage, lifestyle and connectivity makes it one of the best places to invest in a second home abroad. The French Alps offer true year-round appeal: heavy winter snowfall for incredible skiing at spots like Mont Blanc, followed by bright, mild summers perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Demand for luxury chalets consistently outpaces new listings, reinforcing the region's status as a reliable, high-security market. Figuring out where to buy a second home starts with pinpointing exactly what you want out of your property. Keep a few key lifestyle factors in mind to narrow down the map and find a retreat that truly fits your needs. Finding the right second home destination comes down to knowing what you want and having a realistic path to get there. With the right location locked in, the next step is figuring out how to own it without taking on the full cost and responsibility of a whole home. That's where Pacaso comes in.

Yes, there are no legal restrictions on foreign nationals buying residential property in the UK. Whether you are an American, a European citizen, or a buyer from anywhere else in the world, you can purchase a freehold or leasehold property in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland without any ownership cap or special government approval. Foreign buyers can also apply for UK mortgages, though lender requirements vary and can be stricter than for UK residents. Visa status, residency duration, and the length of time you have held a UK bank account can all affect your mortgage eligibility. Hiring a UK-based solicitor is strongly recommended; they handle the legal and conveyancing process and ensure all documentation complies with UK regulations. SDLT is calculated in progressive bands where you pay each rate only on the portion of the price within that band. How much you pay depends on three things: the purchase price, whether the property is your only home or an additional property, and whether you are a UK or non-UK resident. If the property you are buying is not your only home, whether it is a holiday home, a buy-to-let, a pied-à-terre, or a second residence in town, you trigger the Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings (HRAD). This means you pay standard SDLT plus a 5% surcharge on the entire purchase price, applied from the first pound. The surcharge took effect at 5% on 31 October 2024, up from the previous 3% rate. It applies even if the other property you own is located overseas. Since April 2021, buyers who do not meet UK tax residency requirements pay an additional 2% surcharge on top of all other applicable SDLT rates. For SDLT purposes, you are considered a UK resident only if you were physically present in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12-month period ending on your completion date. This is purely a physical presence test, separate from income tax residency rules. For overseas buyers purchasing a second home or holiday property in England or Northern Ireland, the 5% additional dwellings surcharge and the 2% non-resident surcharge stack on top of standard rates for a combined 7% surcharge above standard SDLT. If any one buyer in a joint purchase is non-UK resident, the surcharge applies to the entire transaction. Note: Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), and Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT). Both have their own rate structures and additional dwelling surcharges. Consult a local solicitor if you are buying in either country. SDLT is the most significant tax at purchase, but overseas buyers should also be aware of the following ongoing and exit taxes. Yes, foreign nationals can obtain UK mortgages, though the process is more demanding than for UK residents. Here is what to expect: Pacaso provides an alternative financing pathway for buyers who want co-ownership in the UK. Pacaso partners with banks and acts as a corporate guarantor, helping buyers qualify for financing of up to 70% of the property's share value, meaning you put down just 30% and finance the rest. This can be significantly more accessible than going through the standard UK mortgage application process as a foreign national. For buyers specifically looking for a luxury second home in London, Pacaso has curated a portfolio of fully managed co-ownership properties in The UK property market offers a range of home types, each with different ownership structures and price points. The UK buying process differs significantly from what American and international buyers may be used to. Here is a step-by-step overview. The entire process from offer acceptance to completion typically takes two to four months, though it can take longer for complex transactions or in slow markets. You will need proof of identity, proof of address, bank statements, proof of income, and any relevant visa or residency documentation ready throughout. When you co-own a Pacaso home, we are your trusted advisor throughout the buying process, helping you skip the mountain of preparation needed to buy property in the UK. Our local expertise and resources, combined with our innovative co-ownership model, make it easier to afford, buy and manage your home abroad. For overseas buyers who want the lifestyle of a UK second home without the full weight of sole ownership, Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset. Each home is professionally designed, fully furnished, and managed end-to-end, so you never have to coordinate maintenance, cleaning, utilities, or vendor relationships from across the Atlantic or wherever you are based. The financial case is compelling, particularly for buyers looking at the luxury end of the UK market. Here is how co-ownership addresses the key challenges outlined in this guide. Pacaso's London portfolio includes properties in Mayfair, Belgravia, and Chelsea, among the most sought-after addresses in the world for international buyers. To explore available co-ownership homes, visit

The IRS and mortgage lenders both use occupancy as the primary lens for classifying a property, but they look at slightly different criteria. A A The distinction matters because each classification triggers different mortgage programs, interest rates, down payment requirements, insurance rules, and tax treatment. Misrepresenting your intended occupancy on a mortgage application (known as occupancy fraud) is a federal offense that can result in loan recall, penalties, and bank fraud charges. Generally, no, a second home cannot simultaneously be your primary residence. The two categories are mutually exclusive by definition: a primary residence is where you spend the majority of your time, and a second home is where you do not. Lenders, the IRS, and state tax authorities all use this distinction to determine how to classify, finance, and tax a given property. That said, the designation is not permanent. A property that was originally purchased as a second home can become your primary residence later — but only if you actually move in and meet the qualifying criteria. The reverse is also true: a home you lived in as your primary residence can be converted to a second home if you move elsewhere. In both cases, the reclassification has real consequences for your mortgage terms, tax obligations, and capital gains exposure. If you are The difference between a second home and a primary residence touches nearly every aspect of ownership, from how much you'll pay to finance the property to what you'll owe when you sell it. Here's how the two compare: For a deeper look at how second home tax treatment works, see No, for federal tax and mortgage lending purposes, you can only have one primary residence at a time, regardless of how many states you own property in. Lenders and the IRS do not allow two properties to simultaneously qualify as a principal residence. This is a common question for people who split their time between states, such as a family that spends summers in one state and winters in another. Even in that scenario, only one home qualifies as the primary residence. The other is a second home. State income tax adds another layer of complexity. Some states are aggressive about claiming residents for income tax purposes, and they look at factors like where you're registered to vote, where your car is registered, where your children attend school, and how many days you spend in each state during the tax year. If you spend significant time in two states, you may be subject to residency audits, particularly in high-income-tax states like California and New York, which have formal rules around domicile and "statutory residency." If you're considering purchasing a second home in a different state and designating it as your primary residence later, it's worth consulting a tax advisor familiar with both states' residency rules before making the move. The tax implications of how a property is classified can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your ownership. Here are the most significant areas where primary vs. secondary residence tax treatment diverges: It's always advisable to consult a CPA or tax professional before making decisions based on residence classification, as individual circumstances vary significantly. Converting a second home into your primary residence is possible, but it involves more than simply spending more time there. Here's what the process generally looks like: The timeline matters too. The capital gains exclusion requires two full years of primary residence use, so if you're converting a second home ahead of a planned sale, plan your timeline accordingly. A tax advisor can help you model the after-tax outcome of different scenarios. If you're moving and planning to keep your former primary residence as a second home rather than selling it, the process works in reverse. You'll need to: For more on the broader financial considerations of owning two properties, see In a traditional tenancy-in-common arrangement, each co-owner holds a direct deed interest in the property. For mortgage and tax purposes, each owner's share is treated like any other residential property they own. If the property is not their primary residence, it's classified as a second home (or investment property if it's primarily rented out). Each owner can potentially deduct their proportionate share of mortgage interest and property taxes, subject to IRS limits. Pacaso structures each property through a If you're exploring a second home purchase and want to understand how different ownership structures are classified for tax and lending purposes, speaking with both a real estate attorney and a CPA before buying is the best first step.

When you've found a destination you love and keep returning to, buying a place of your own starts to make real sense. Hotel nights add up, availability is never guaranteed, and there's something different about having a home where you can set down roots, even part-time. But buying a second home out of state adds a layer of complexity that a local purchase doesn't have. You're working with an unfamiliar market, a local agent you've never met in person, mortgage requirements stricter than what you faced for your primary home, and a property you may have visited only once before making an offer. Planning ahead is what separates a smooth purchase from a stressful one. The right starting point is mortgage pre-approval. This gives you a concrete budget ceiling, signals to sellers that you're serious, and surfaces any financing complications before you've fallen in love with a specific property. For second homes, lenders apply stricter standards than for primary residences. Most require a larger down payment, typically 10% to 20% or more, a lower debt-to-income ratio, and confirmation that the property is at least 50 miles from your primary home and intended for personal use rather than full-time rental. Getting pre-approved first means you're shopping in the right price range from the start. Use a Choosing the right market is where out-of-state buyers spend the most time and where the most mistakes happen. A destination that looks ideal online can feel very different once you factor in cost of living, climate, seasonal crowds, and how accessible the property actually is from your primary home. If you can't visit your target locations early in the process, lean on online research to narrow the field. Real estate platforms like Zillow can give you a feel for local home prices and inventory. Community websites and local Facebook groups often surface the honest picture that listings don't show — what traffic is like on summer weekends, whether the town has enough to do in the off-season, how the neighborhood actually feels at different times of day. The goal at this stage is to identify one or two destinations worth visiting in person before you start seriously evaluating properties. The more research you do upfront, the more focused and productive that visit will be. Pacaso curates properties in proven second home markets, including Even when you can only manage a single weekend trip, an in-person visit is worth prioritizing. Seeing a neighborhood in person where you can walk the streets, experience the pace of the town, and check out restaurants and amenities delivers information no listing photo or Google Maps tour can replicate. During your visit, pay attention to more than the property itself: If an in-person visit isn't possible before you need to make an offer, virtual tours are the next best option. Many platforms offer Even if you do visit in person, take video and photos you can review later and share with family members. The more documentation you have, the better positioned you'll be when it's time to decide. How much everyday items cost can vary significantly across different parts of the country, and it's important to factor those differences into your second home budget before you buy. The purchase price is only the beginning. Beyond what you'll spend on groceries and gas during visits, the recurring ownership costs in a new state may look quite different from what you're used to at home: For buyers drawn to high-cost luxury markets, such as Many of the most desirable second home destinations are places where the climate varies widely from one season to the next. That seasonal variation is often part of the appeal — powder days in Mountain properties require the most seasonal preparation. Snow removal, roof load management, pipe winterization, HVAC servicing, and driveway maintenance are non-optional in markets like Tahoe, Aspen, and Park City. For out-of-state owners, this means either coordinating service providers remotely or Desert destinations like Before buying in any climate-sensitive market, spend time there in the off-season as well as peak season. The shoulder-season and off-season experience — how crowded (or quiet) the town is, whether the amenities you care about are still operating, what the weather actually feels like — matters a lot for how often you'll genuinely use and enjoy the home. Managing a second home from another state is one of the most consistently underestimated challenges of out-of-state ownership. Finding trustworthy local service providers — a property manager, a maintenance person, a landscaper, a plumber you can call in an emergency — takes real time and vetting, and the stakes are higher when you can't easily drop by to check on things. Even with a property manager in place, something will eventually go wrong when you're not there. A burst pipe in January, a roof issue after a storm, an HVAC failure in August. Having a reliable contractor network established in advance, not assembled in the middle of an emergency, is what determines how quickly and cleanly those situations get resolved. This is where co-ownership with Pacaso directly eliminates one of the most difficult parts of out-of-state ownership. Every Pacaso home has a dedicated Home Manager who handles all maintenance, repairs, cleaning, vendor coordination, and seasonal upkeep as part of the ownership structure. There's no property manager to hire, no contractor network to build, and no remote coordination when something goes wrong. The Home Manager handles it, and you're notified — not burdened with managing it yourself. A beautiful second home isn't worth having if you don't use it. Accessibility is one of the most underrated factors in second home satisfaction, and it's worth being honest about before you commit. Many second home buyers find they get significantly more use out of a home within driving distance, or at least a direct flight. The cost and hassle of connecting flights, long travel days, and the logistical lift of a multi-leg journey can make the difference between a home you visit six times a year and one you visit twice. That gap matters: the fewer visits you make, the less a full year of sole-ownership costs is doing for you. Consider these accessibility factors before choosing a market: Co-ownership reduces the pressure on every individual visit. Because you're not absorbing 52 weeks of carrying costs on your own, there's no guilt attached to a shorter stay, and you can take more frequent shorter trips rather than feeling obligated to maximize each visit. Even when you've found the right property, there are several procedural steps specific to out-of-state purchases that can trip up buyers who aren't expecting them. Getting a home inspection is non-negotiable when buying a house in another state, even though it's technically optional. As an out-of-state buyer, you can't easily revisit the property to check on something after the fact. A licensed inspector gives you an independent, on-the-ground assessment of the home's condition — roof, plumbing, electrical, foundation — and a report you can use to negotiate repairs, request a price reduction, or walk away if the issues are significant. Waiving the inspection means accepting the home as-is and assuming full responsibility for anything that surfaces after closing. Real estate laws and closing procedures vary meaningfully from state to state. Key differences that affect out-of-state buyers include: Your local agent and lender will explain how these rules apply to your specific transaction. This is one of the most important reasons to work with an agent who genuinely knows your target market, not just one who covers it broadly. Most states now allow remote closings, which means you can finalize the purchase without traveling to a title office. The process typically includes electronic signatures for most closing documents, remote online notarization (RON) via video call where the state permits it, and wire transfer of closing funds directly to the title company. Your title company or closing attorney will provide instructions in advance. Always verify wire transfer instructions through a confirmed phone call to the title company. Wire fraud targeting real estate transactions is common, and email interception is the typical vector. The friction points in this guide — limited in-person access, unfamiliar markets, management overhead, seasonal maintenance, and the cost of owning a property you use only part of the year — aren't random. They're the predictable result of sole ownership of a vacation home you don't live in full-time. To learn more about how the model works, see our full guide to