Why a Second Home Deserves Your Consideration.

In today’s uncertain financial environment, many are questioning their path toward retirement. According to Intuit, nearly 70% of people say planning for the future feels tougher, and 68% aren’t sure they’ll ever be able to retire comfortably. That’s why a growing number of homeowners are exploring real estate, not just as a place to live, but as a cornerstone of long-term financial security.

A second home, when planned with intention, can deliver multiple benefits:
If you’re able to make the numbers work, buying a second home can be a powerful tool for your future retirement. It could help you:

Build wealth over time: As home prices rise through the years, your second home should grow in value and increase your net worth.

Generate extra income: Renting the home could bring in some extra income you can add to your existing retirement savings. Just remember, some of the rent coming in will need to be used to pay that mortgage and maintain that house. 

Profit in the future: You may decide to sell the second home down the road and use the profit from that sale to give your retirement funds a boost.

Diversify your financial assets: Real estate offers a tangible asset that can help reduce your dependence on just stocks or savings, making your overall financial picture more stable.

It’s worth noting, too, that most multi-homeowners aren’t institutional investors. In fact, 85% of them own four properties or fewer—just regular people leveraging real estate to build stability over time.

Why Right Now Could Be the Right Time
Market conditions are shifting in buyers’ favor. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, puts it: “A confluence of factors—including more homes for sale, rising price cuts, and slower-moving inventory—is giving buyers more leverage than they’ve had in years.”

If you live in a region with strong long-term appreciation potential, buying a second home now may allow you to build equity during a transition—and either rent it for passive income or sell later to reinvest in your retirement strategy.

In Their Own Words: Retirement in Wine Country
A few years ago, we sat down with our trusted partners, Lorelei and Denice, to talk about how they used real estate to reshape their retirement lives. Both made bold, beautiful moves out of the Bay Area and into California’s wine country—trading traffic and cost for calm, character, and community.

Lorelei chose Paso Robles, a town that balances rustic charm with modern creativity. It's a place where morning hikes lead to local bakeries, and evenings are spent at boutique tasting rooms or neighborhood concerts in the park. With its growing culinary scene and down-to-earth locals, Paso offers a high-quality lifestyle at a far more accessible price point than many parts of Northern California.

Denice found her rhythm in Temecula, where the wine region blends affordability with amenities. Here, wide-open views, warm weather, and a sense of calm create the perfect backdrop for an active, fulfilling retirement. With access to golf, horseback riding, local festivals, and of course, the valley’s famed vineyards, Temecula represents a softer pace without sacrificing convenience or culture.

Together, their stories remind us that retirement doesn’t have to mean stepping back—it can mean stepping into something more personal, peaceful, and fulfilling. (Read their full stories here)

What to Do Next:

If the idea of a retirement home resonates, here's how to start with confidence:

1. Connect with a local expert—someone who knows second-home dynamics, seasonal markets, and regional drivers.
2. Lean into lenders familiar with secondary financing—they’ll guide you on eligibility, rates, and cash-flow considerations.
3. Consider how you’ll use it—rental income, equity growth, personal use, or a combination? Clarifying intent up front streamlines your plan.

Surrounding yourself with the right pros can help you make confident decisions from day one.

Ready to Explore a Retirement Strategy Built Around You?

Let’s connect and start mapping your next chapter.

A Second Home Should Be Part of the Conversation—But Only with Strategy

Buying a second home isn’t about luxury or bragging rights. It’s about purposeful positioning. It’s about creating options for tomorrow, when flexibility, income, and legacy matter more than ever.

Yes, real estate markets can ebb and flow. But intention doesn’t. Whether you’re crafting your perfect retirement retreat or building a revenue stream, approach this with the same rigor and foresight you would any other long-term asset.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a getaway into a growth engine or transform nostalgia into financial security, this is a conversation worth having.

Let’s Explore Your Retirement Possibilities

If adding a second home to your retirement plan feels meaningful, let’s talk through your goals, lifestyle preferences, and financial strategy—so the next chapter aligns with both your dreams and your bottom line.

Let’s connect and discover your real estate roadmap for the future.

Market Report August 2025

Here's the latest August 2025 Market Update showing year-over-year data. The data includes all Single-Family and Condo & Townhomes in the California Area sourced from Broker Metrics & Info Sparks for the period from May 2025 thru July 2025. This may include preliminary data and may vary from the time this data was gathered. All data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.