Adapted from an article by Sean Nielsen of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty and originally published on July 12, 2021, in Inman.com’s Leading in Luxury column.
The desire to invest in second homes that afford more breathing room, more opportunities to reconnect with nature, and more time to pursue personal pastimes has always been part of the real-estate market in Bucks County, Pa., and Hunterdon County, N.J., and it’s been extra strong since the start of the Covid pandemic.
If you’re coming out of New York City or Philadelphia, or even Washington, D.C., to spend downtime in the Delaware River Valley of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, here are tips to help you decide which type of getaway home is right for you.
1. Make your wish list
What are the three must-haves on your wish list? Agents report that for many buyers, the most prominent desire is for their vacation home also serve as a the staycation home so they no longer need to board a plane to discover their own piece of paradise.
In Bucks and Hunterdon counties, that has means homes with more square footage and more recreation options have been very popular. Space for home offices, space to host family and friends, pools and tricked-out outdoor recreation spaces, i.e., outdoor kitchens, fire pits and lounging areas, remain popular features even for second homes.
Far away—but not too far away
People would love to drop their obligations and responsibilities and head out of town, but for most, that simply isn’t realistic. Today’s buyers are looking for second homes where they can enjoy a weekend escape and a digital detox, while still being in proximity to their families, lives and lifestyles.
The ideal vacation destination might be described as “close enough but far away,” and for buyers coming out of New York and Philadelphia, Bucks & Hunterdon counties are perfect – they are within a two- or three-hour drive of the cities and easier to reach than The Hamptons and shore towns of New Jersey. Yet, for those who need to dash back and forth to the city, it’s do-able. Train and bus service are also available in case a family member wants to keep the car at the weekend house.
Find a place that feels like home
We’ve all heard the cliché that home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling—but in the case of finding a vacation residence, it rings surprisingly true.
You might want a location that’s different enough to be an exciting change, but with the amenities, comforts, and conveniences that let you indulge in all the favorite activities you wish you could do every day. For some buyers coming out of cities to Bucks and Hunterdon counties, that can mean living in such towns as New Hope, Lambertville, Stockton or Frenchtown, where there’s life outside the door, along with restaurants, markets and shopping — just not so busy and crowded as life in a big city.
For other buyers, it can mean spending their work weeks in glass towers in the city and their weekends in antique stone houses, lounging outside in summer and tucked in by the fireplace in winter.
A change of scenery and season
Buyers also value a change in the weather—even if that just means moving from one local microclimate to another.
Homeowners accustomed to the extreme heat and humidity of city living appreciate the coolness of the riverbanks and lush woodlands that are the setting for many of the weekend homes in Bucks and Hunterdon counties. Less blacktop means lower temperatures and fresher air.
2. Work with an agent who is passionate about your target market
The best, most knowledgeable agents will have spent time living in the areas you’re shopping in. If you don’t know an agent in that market, contact your agent in your primary community and ask them to refer you to a reputable, trustworthy agent.
3. Choose an agent who shares their wisdom
On a related note, authenticity from your agent is vital. Work with someone how has cultivated local knowledge and connections, and can tell you personal stories about why they love a particular vacation market. Maybe it’s the local Fourth of July parade, or the way the community comes together to welcome newcomers or bespoke recommendations for restaurants and recreation.
That agent should serve as a resource to you even after you have moved to your home, helping you find home-repair and maintenance professionals and other service people.
Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty 