[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Velvet

If they buy an average say 10 year old designer house, nothing special no pool, not on golf course etc. with no mortgage no bond, expenses including electricity, gas, irrigation, minimum internet for security cameras and smart thermostat when they are away etc, including property tax (no homestead declaration) and property insurance, and home watch services, pressure wash house, lawn care mow grass, trim bushes, weed and fertilize, and termite bond - total annual cost about $15,000. (Could be more expensive but I assume they’ll shop around.) This does not include maintenance such as a new water heater, HVAC, roof etc. They’ll need to buy furniture unless they get the house “turn key” ie. furniture is included. If the snowbird uses that home for more than 3 months it is generally cheaper than renting. They will need to pay for transportation of some kind rent a golf cart, rent a car, food, any special activities eg. golf on champion ship courses - but they’d have to pay for that at their other home too. Then you also have to consider the costs associated with the Snowbird’s other home at the same time.

Sooo snow birding as pleasant as it is to escape the northern winters is
not a cheap endeavor for the middle class, would you agree??