“I never imagined my second home in Maine could help me see the world without costing me a fortune...”

It had been a dream for over eight years to find the perfect second home in Kennebunk Beach, Maine. Although it became more impossible as the years went by, due to the high costs involved and the surplus of 100 year old properties that needed massive restoration. But, just as I was about to give up on my dream, one July evening when I was driving my young daughter and her friends back from the Port to get ice cream I noticed a sign up on a lot that had never ever been for sale. A home site that had been in a family for generations...the perfect site, just four houses from the beach, the perfect location and the perfect price. So, as the sun rose the next morning, I was under contract, and a few weeks later a landowner in Maine.

I immediately started plans, and by October was breaking ground and by June, my family was living in our new home. Our primary home is in Atlanta where we stayed because of job commitments and school. But to live in Maine, especially in the summer and the fall, is our greatest joy. Our little piece of heaven. It is my haven for peace, and the name of our home is called “Summer Dreams.” And dreams we have had. We have enjoyed so many moments there celebrating holidays and birthdays, a wedding and even “the first day of summer or fall.” Popsicles and slamming wooden screen doors, sunny beach days, puppy dogs barking and summer flowers blooming, lobsters and corn and Strawberry-Rhubarb pie with family and friends have made our home away from home where we love to be. When I close my eyes and think about how much I enjoy it there I see beautiful sunrises and sunsets, riding my bike or my daughter’s horse, feeling the warmth of the summer at Mother’s Beach and watching the children play in the sand...as well as embracing the spectacular colors and scents of fall. This home is about the story of our family, and the chapters we make each time we visit.

Although I do love Maine, as you can tell...I still yearn to travel. I have a suitcase packed and ready at all times. I feel that life is all about experiences and I want to share as many as possible with my family. So, in l997 I became involved in a second home exchange program. At first I was a bit hesitant, since my home was new and to me such a treasure, but I soon realized the other second home members felt the same way. So when I did exchanges, members treated my home like it was theirs and vice a versa. I gained some great friends that have visited Summer Dreams many times and in turn I have created some wonderful relationships when I have visited other’s homes.

I have had the most amazing opportunities to visit homes from Trump Tower in NYC, to Nantucket, to Hilton Head, to Captiva Island and even to an old restored windmill on a hilltop in St Croix. I have been to Scottsdale riding horses, to Deer Valley and Beaver Creek and Vail to ski, and even to Cabo San Lucus for spring break with the kids. I imagine we have taken at least three trips a year for the last ten years “compliments” of my second home. I enjoy nothing more than “shopping for a vacation” on my computer late at night when the house is quiet.

Financially, this has been truly a windfall because with the cost of our primary home, and second home it is quite costly to justify spending thousands of dollars on additional vacations. But, for a nominal fee we were able to “have it all, and do it all.” Putting my house in a program for three weeks a year when I wasn’t going to be there anyway was the perfect way for us to achieve our goals.

And now, with the revolution of 3RD HOME I can truly have it all. The company has the highest standards in the industry. The system is totally automated, and I get an answer back within 24 hours! No more waiting around for homeowners to get back to you on their terms. It is so simple and easy to use and most important to me is the rating system that keeps you informed about members and their properties. I have joined 3RD HOME and am thrilled to be involved and can highly recommend it to any second home owners out there.

I am currently planning a ski vacation, and a tropical beach trip too. If you would have told me back in l996 that my second home could help me see the world without costing me a fortune...I wouldn’t have believed you. But now I know it has, it does and it will continue to do so with 3RD HOME.