Your Second Home As A Vacation Rental - Strong Income Potential

Many buyers today are interested in a second home. When not in use -- why not rent it out? The income can cover expenses and a number of mortgage payments. I have first-hand experience with this... Bill and I wanted to downsize from our larger lake home, and bought a smaller home still in Presque Isle. We planned to sell our lake home but weren't in a hurry initially. We decided to try it out as a vacation rental home (generally week-long stays). We did quite well, particularly in the summer and winter. As the years went on, repeat clients helped things run quite smoothly. With a bit of increased advertising, we were able to increase our fall business quite a bit -- with people visiting for colors & festivals, fishing & hunting. Thankfully, there is a vacation rental business in Presque Isle, and they managed everything from customer relations and advertising to maintenance and cleaning.

We have since sold our lake home, but we now own a set of seasonal cabins that we rent out. They are on a beautiful Canadian-style shield lake with bays and crannies to explore, loons to listen to, fish to catch, kayaks to paddle, and campfires and s'mores to get toasty with. They are busy and booked solid June/July/Agusut, and much of May, September, and October. This seasonal income covers our taxes and many of our mortgage payments throughout the year.

Not all homes can be rented out, depending on their zoning. If this 2nd income is a priority for you, look for a lake with Recreational zoning (or a home that is currently being rented and so "grandfathered" in). A few places we have listed are currently in the vacation rental business and already have a clientele established. Check out:

• Van Vliet Lake Home
• Presque Isle Lake Home

Fabulous, Mellow Fall

It was 39 degrees this morning! It's noon now and the temperature has climbed to 60 with sunshine, blue skies, and crisp, dry air. The Musky fishermen are out and about, vying for a winner's spot in the annual 2015 World Championship Musky Classic. Over 700 fishermen, women, and youth participate every year; hoping their chosen lake and lure, and their magic touch will bring in a bomber!

On my morning ride, I saw bikers, runners, walkers, and "Sunday drivers" - each taking in the beauty on his own terms. Fall is truly an amazing time. Because of the fishing, colors, and clean, fresh air. Because of the start to the Green Bay Packers ride to Super Bowl XLIX. Because of families' transitions back to school, and a nostalgic goodbye to my last "Grandma day" of the summer. Because of the delicious shift to fall foods, sweaters, and socks. Because of the cold nights and sweet opportunity to snuggle up with a book, warm drink, and cozy fire. It's all this, and so much more...

With fall, there comes a sense of calm, and with it, the chance to reconnect with friends, family, self, and community. Or as William Allingham simply said, "Autumn's the mellow time." I agree. We've all been so busy with visitors, work, and entertaining; with grasping the moments of summer, and moving from one event to another and another. Now we seem to alter our pace, to one that is not necessarily slower but to one that feels a bit less rushed, and a bit more intentional. We often make our resolutions at New Year's but why not use fall and the feelings it brings to start our resolve a bit early this year, or perhaps by harkening back to our 2015 resolutions. There's still time to take steps and to reset or start our intentions anew -- and -- what better time than fall?!