The well-informed homebuyer has a list of things that are important to them. As adults, we think about functionality, cost, location, amenities, and a myriad of other factors that kids couldn’t care less about. To get them on board with the purchase of your new home, and to avoid unnecessary fussing and complaining, it’s a good idea to know what your kids want in a house. 

1. High Velocity Mobility – One of the questions going through your child’s mind is, “How far can I run at full speed before running into something?” Fortunately, they don’t need actual dimensions, since testing those limits is most of the fun. However, they’re going to be looking for space to frolic. 

2. Hiding Places – Children love the fact that they can fit into places where

Choosing a vacation home requires a completely different mindset from how you go about choosing a permanent home. Unlike a primary residence, where things like convenience to a job or good schools are factored in, the main focus with a vacation property should be fun. After all, it's your vacation!

Right off the bat, the most important consideration is whether or not you plan to rent the property when you are not using it. I won't go into detail here, but I highly recommend you read my post on vacation rentals. Once you know the answer to this question, you will know whether to take renters into account as you consider all the following.

Location, Location, Location

While this may seem like a trite statement, location is

Anyone who likes beautiful beaches has probably heard of, if not visited, Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key Beach, with its powdered-sugar sands, has garnered worldwide recognition and is always at the top of any “best beaches” list.

But there is a lot more to Siesta Key than white sands and blue water.

Because of its slower pace and undeveloped feel, Siesta Key is one of the few tourist destinations in Florida that is actually a locals' destination, too. How many places do you know where people rent a beachfront hotel room a few miles from their oh-so-slightly inland home to “get away from it all?” Living in the middle of paradise does funny things to your perspective of distance.

So why all the excitement about Siesta Key? Let's