Summer is just around the corner. Everyone knows you are ready for a vacation, but what about a vacation home of your own? It's the time of year when most people dream about their vacations and plan for them in advance.

What if you could design your future vacation spot today? What if you could have a vacation home to come back to, no matter where life takes you next? What if you never had to book in advance because it is yours and it is always available?

A custom-built vacation home or second home is just the thing that can make all this possible! WHEN IS IT TIME TO BUILD A CUSTOM VACATION HOME? If you are looking for a home that is distinctly yours, one-of-a-kind, and customized to your desires, then it might be time to look into building a custom vacation home. In today’s world of fast fashion and quick trends, we often feel the need to keep up with what everyone else is doing.

However, there is something so much more satisfying about creating a space that reflects your personality and preferences than trying to fit in with the crowd. Many people make the mistake of thinking they have to spend an excessive amount on their new custom vacation home. This isn't always true! CDN Millwork has worked with many families to help them create a vacation home that perfectly fits their dreams.

Our promise of  is to work with you to give you precisely what you need. Here’s our top ten checklist of some key indicators you may be ready to build that custom vacation home: -You have a large family that you want to spend more time with, and it gives you something to look forward to during those school breaks! -Your children may be starting college soon, and you want a gathering place to have great family vacations for kids, and grandkids, for years to come! Build memories that last forever.

-You are approaching retirement and would love to have a place to get to routinely for some rest and relaxation.

 -You would like an escape from the everyday grind of life and don't want to fuss with the details on where you should go.

-You have a family that loves to spend time and vacation together.

-You want to spend time with your loved ones in an environment where they can enjoy themselves without the distractions of home life.

 -You are looking for an investment opportunity that will provide a good return on investment while also providing some flexibility.

-Your rundown, old vacation home is deteriorating. You could tear the house down and build something custom to meet your needs.

-You want a better quality of life, closer to nature, getting away from the hustle and bustle of city living. -You have found a location your whole family loves and want to spend more time there.

Do any of these sound attractive to you? It would be worth a conversation with one of our expert CDN Millwork builders to determine if this is a great next step.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN VACATION HOME? In addition to the quality-of-life benefits as mentioned above, owning a vacation home may have numerous financial benefits as well.

-There are tax benefits for homeowners that they don't receive from renting. These tax breaks are only available if you use your property as a second home or investment and not to live in it full-time.

 -Investing upfront costs into an investment property with potential future returns instead of paying rent on what some people consider "dead money." This is especially helpful when starting fresh after graduating from college without any savings of their own.

If only all of life could be a vacation! Unfortunately, that is not the reality for most of us, and eventually, we have to get back to "real life" and attend to our work and school obligations.

 So when you leave your vacation home after a week or two of relaxation, what do you do with it until the next vacation? You could always let it sit empty or you could use that vacant space to your benefit. What if your home could work for you? What are some of these possibilities?

Many retirees find they can't afford two homes. Instead, they keep one primary residence close by where the family lives but still own other properties, which generate rental streams when those residences aren’t being used personally. Think “rental portfolio." Many savy vacation homeowners have found a way to make this second home a vehicle for income generation.

One way is to rent the property out on a short-term basis through websites like AirBnB, HomeAway, or VRBO. Though initially, it could seem like a lot of work, many people have found that eventually, they have created a team of people who can help maintain the home and keep new visitors generating income.

 At the same time, you go about your everyday life. They find they can make more in a week than it costs to spend the same amount of time at their primary residence. Another option may be that you take in long-term renters who live at your home full time while paying monthly for their stay. These could be people who are retired or trying to live in a new area of the country.

Occasionally people go through a transition and need to stay in a home temporarily. Your mortgage payments and maintenance costs might be covered by what you receive from them in the short term. A vacation home can be an investment for your family, allowing you to plan vacations year-round.

There is a real opportunity to have this home pay for itself, generate income, double as a second home, and let you build equity that will last for years to come. CHOOSE A LOCATION YOU LOVE. When choosing a place for your vacation home, it's important to pick a spot you'll love. Choosing a location is an important decision for any custom homeowner, but you have some freedom when talking about vacation homes.

What is the location your family loves? Why would you choose to build your next investment property in one place over another? Here are just a couple of factors that go into the final destination. -When the weather is cold and you want to get some sunshine for your vacation, the location must be considered. -Will this location serve as only living space during certain seasons (think winter months) versus serving dual purposes all year round? -If your family loves to water ski, building that vacation home right on the lake can ensure long days spent out on the water.

-You want your dream vacation home close enough for day trips but far enough away from work and other distractions. Imagine taking your family and friends on vacation, where the memory of that vacation often feels like coming home. Your break is a "home away from home." It can be challenging to find the perfect spot to build your dream house because we all have different needs, but it will feel like heaven on earth when you find that place.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER FOR YOUR PROJECT?

Are you ready to build a custom vacation home? You are never too old, or too young, to have your dream house. CDN Millwork has been building custom homes throughout the Ontario for over 10 years.

We have worked with satisfied families to build the custom home of their dreams, taking their needs and likes into consideration as we create their perfect getaway.

We specialize in providing beautiful living spaces so you can enjoy all of the comforts of home while on vacation. We have the experience to take on projects of any size. Whether you’ve been sitting on that empty lot for a while, or need us to demolish your entire house and rebuild it from scratch - we can do it! From the beautiful cabin-style log homes to luxury estate homes, there is sure to be something that fits your needs and lifestyle!

Our team of expert builders has many years of experience and comprises people who love what they do. We know how important it is for customers to feel comfortable during this process. We help you every step of designing and building your custom vacation home so that it is ready for living or entertaining from day one.