Repsol YPF

Whether it is by the sea, inland, in the country or in the mountains, on buying a second home, you should review its structure, in other words, that the roof, walls, beams, doors and windows are in perfect condition. That way you will avoid paying for renovations to basic aspects of the building and can allocate that money to certain comforts, such as installing a good heating system, kitchen equipment, bathroom and other secondary aspects such as technology, decoration and furniture. Assess the condition of the water pipes and the electricity installation. This is relevant so as to avoid subsequent surprises. 

Other aspects that you should review are those concerning the property access: it is fundamental that it is well connected so that it can be reached by public transport, since people often want to forget about the car during their free time and on such occasions, having the option of travelling by train or bus is a priceless advantage. 

Heating system 

It is one of the basic points when purchasing a second home. There are many people who currently do not use more rooms in their second home because they are not equipped with a good heating system. As such, they have obsolete heating systems which take too long to heat up the home (not very practical for a weekend) or they simply do not have heating as they are situated in warm areas. If you are going to buy a second home in a cold town or somewhere in the mountains, the best thing to do is to install a good heating system. That way, this will not be the deciding factor when planning your trips. 

If the building is located in a mild area, the investment will focus upon the air conditioning system, ceiling and portable fans and the odd heater (pdf) for the winter. Buying a second home at the seaside sometimes involves the inconsistency of not visiting it during the cold weather because it is not comfortable to be there. With a modern heater, the problem is easily resolved. Where the summer air conditioning system is concerned, both air conditioning systems and ceiling or portable fans are good ideas. The choice depends on your budget and your personal taste. 

Kitchen equipment  

The following kitchen equipment is a high priority: hob  (pdf), fridge (pdf) and washing machine. The remaining appliances: oven, dishwasher, microwave, etc., depend on what you can afford. Logically, if you are going to visit the property often, accompanied by family and friends, and you organise lots of get-togethers and evenings involving food, the kitchen will turn into the central hub of your second home; otherwise, you will be sufficiently catered for with the aforementioned kitchen equipment: the hob, fridge and the washing machine. If the property is well-located, this will make it easier to do the shopping in the nearest population centre. 

Furniture and decoration 

Expenses are high when buying a second home. As such, we recommend that you leave decoration until last. Start with the essential furniture: beds, chairs, tables and wardrobes. If you can take some furniture from your main residence or can use furniture that friends and family in the middle of renovations are doing away with, that is the best option to start with. You will gradually decorate your new home to your liking. Think of the items you need the most depending on your interests: a good armchair if you enjoy reading; a good quality music system if you are a music lover;  a desk and chair if you are going to spend your time in front of the computer; gym equipment if you like doing exercise… In other words, all of the items and furniture you will need to freely enjoy your leisure time.  

Related articles

- A second home for the wintertime

- Making a second hand property habitable