Second home vs. investment property: Different mortgage requirements and rules

If you’ve been comparing mortgage rates for the purchase of a second home versus investment property, you’re already on a promising path: You’ll either have a place to go for vacations, or one that’ll generate income and put more money in your pocket. Either way, the opportunity to own more than one property is an enviable position to be in, but how you classify that property makes a difference in how much you’ll pay to finance and own it.

What is a second home?

A second home is like a vacation home — one you purchase for enjoyment purposes and live in or visit during part of the year. It is separate from your primary residence.

What is an investment property?

An investment property is one you plan to rent out with the goal of generating income.

It might be confusing to differentiate between a second home versus investment property. That’s true especially if you’re thinking about occasionally renting out the property — using it regularly for vacation, for example, but also making it available on Airbnb for some of the time you’re not using the property.

Earning some money from your property doesn’t automatically make it an investment, however. Accurately defining the piece of property depends on how much time you spend in it.

Pay attention to “the 14-day limit rule,” says Elliot Pepper, co-founder, CFP and director of Tax Services at Northbrook Financial in Baltimore.

“Very broadly speaking, if you personally live in your second home for 14 days or fewer — or less than 10 percent of the days it is rented — during a year, then it would be considered a rental property and the income earned would be taxable,” says Pepper. “But you would also deduct the expenses associated with the property.”

On the flip side, if you use the property for more than 14 days or more than 10 percent of the time it’s rented, any rental income you receive isn’t taxable, but you also can’t deduct expenses, says Pepper.

Mortgage requirements for second homes vs. investment properties

Making the distinction between a second home and investment property is important not only for tax purposes, but also when you seek financing for the home.

Both types of properties are riskier prospects for lenders. That’s because if you were in a financial bind, you’d likely prioritize paying the mortgage on your primary home versus a second or investment property.

Due to this added risk, lenders tend to require higher credit scores and down payments on investment property and second home mortgages. For instance, Chase and Navy Federal Credit Union both require a 15 percent down payment for an investment property.

Tax implications for second homes vs. investment properties

Homeowners enjoy the ability to deduct mortgage interest, but Pepper points out that this can get a bit tricky if you own a second home, due to the $750,000 total debt limit for interest deductions. Essentially, if you have more than $750,000 in mortgage debt between the two (or more) properties, you’ve maxed out the amount you can use to deduct interest.

However, “interest on a mortgage related to an investment property is fully deductible on [Form 1040] Schedule E for a taxpayer and can therefore be used to offset any income generated from the property,” says Pepper.

Investment property owners can use depreciation to their advantage, as well.“

For a personal residence, the owner is not allowed to deduct the actual cost of the home for tax purposes,” says Pepper. “However, for an investment property, the taxpayer will be allowed to take a deduction every year for depreciation. This deduction is based on the price of the house purchased and will be used to offset any income from the property.”

Pepper notes that this deduction isn’t a permanent write-off, “as the amount of depreciation taken will reduce the basis in the house. When the taxpayer goes to sell, they may end up with a larger tax gain that year.” This gain, known as depreciation recapture, is taxed at higher rates than traditional long-term capital gains.

In addition, whenever the selling year arrives, an investment property owner can be subject to income tax if the sale results in a profit, Pepper says.

For more on the tax implications of second homes and investment properties so that you can calculate your eligibility for tax deductions, review IRS Publication 936 and Publication 527.

Mortgage rates for second homes vs. investment properties

As they have with primary residences, mortgage rates for second homes and investment properties have increased this year. You’ll also pay higher rates, in general, for investment properties and second homes than you will for a primary residence mortgage loan.

Is it bad to call an investment property a second home?

Tempted to call your investment property a second home and take advantage of some of the second-home perks, like a lower down payment and interest rate?Don’t be. In the mortgage world, you need to call it what it is. Deceiving a lender or the IRS otherwise could have serious consequences.

Bottom line

Make sure you understand both lender requirements and tax implications before purchasing a property you intend to both use as a second home and rental or investment. When in doubt, consult a real estate agent or broker and a real estate attorney or CPA to learn what rules might apply to your individual situation.