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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]ILs have a second home that is about 75 minutes from their house that they use in the summer and on occasional weekends during the spring and fall.  They've had it for 30 years and I know that the distance has gotten to be a bit of a drag, the location of the 2nd home is fantastic and they would never want to give it up.

It's on about a 1/3 acre with a lot of grass to mow which is one of the biggest pains.  They also close it up for the winter and open it in the spring which take up a full 2 weekends every year.  The maintenance issues are just like with any other house and FIL is the type who likes to do everything himself and is a perfectionist so much of his free time is spent taking care of one or the other of their houses.[/quote]

We are early 50's and we do most everything maintenance/upkeep wise ourselves.  Right now this cottage doesn't seem like too much for us to handle.  I guess if it becomes too much in the next decade or so we could sell it for a profit.

I don't want every last second of our free time being spent mowing lawns and fixing toilets, though.  The point of the property is to get out and enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise and enjoy treating ourselves to some relaxation.[/quote]

That's what people are trying to tell you.  Unless you hire a handyman or maintenance company, or can do the work during the week, you are going to be spending your time on the weekend mowing and doing maintenance.  My DH actually enjoys that sort of thing, but, unless you're able to go out during the week to stock the refrigerator, do the laundry, clean the bathrooms, and mow the lawn, don't fool yourself that you're going to be lazing around on the weekends.

I second what a pp said about unoccupied property.  Maintenance issues at second homes are usually worse because no one is there to see something happen, and unused properties decay faster.  For example, plumbing starts leaking when it isn't used frequently enough.  You don't realize that the oven isn't working until you get there to spend the weekend.  If you call a repairman, you usually have to go back out to meet him. [/quote]

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