Can you have two primary residences?
You cannot have two principal residences, to put it simply. You must choose which of your residences will be regarded as your principal residence before filing your taxes.
The IRS is very clear that taxpayers, including married couples, have only one primary residence—which the agency refers to as the “main home.” Your main home is always the residence where you ordinarily live most of the time.
Your primary residence (also known as a principal residence) is your home. Whether it's a house, condo or townhome, if you take up occupancy there for the majority of the year and can prove it, it's your primary residence, and it could qualify for a lower mortgage rate.
Determine whether you meet the residence requirement.
If you owned the home and used it as your residence for at least 24 months of the previous 5 years, you meet the residence requirement. The 24 months of residence can fall anywhere within the 5-year period, and it doesn't have to be a single block of time.
Clients should be aware that only one property per year, per family (spouse or common-law partner and children under 18), can be designated a principal residence. Although it is becoming rare now, each spouse can designate a different property as a principal residence for years before 1982.
In short, no. A second home cannot be a primary residence because their qualifications are in direct conflict with each other. A primary home is where you spend the majority of your time, and a second home is where you spend a lesser portion of it.
During the 5 years before you sell your home, you must have at least: 2 years of ownership and. 2 years of use as a primary residence.
A second home is just that—a second home. Although it's not your main home, you'll occupy the property for part of the year, maybe on the weekends, holidays, or during certain seasons. This property must be located away from your primary residence to be considered a second home, at least 50 to 100 miles, in most cases.
In short, no. A second home cannot be a primary residence because their qualifications are in direct conflict with each other. A primary home is where you spend the majority of your time, and a second home is where you spend a lesser portion of it.
There are going to be many things you need to do to get your second home converted into your primary residence. It's not as simple as just spending extra time there. It's a process that involves switching over all your paperwork, updating all your IDs, switching your mail, and making the switch when it comes to taxes.
What is a second primary residence?
A second home is just that—a second home. Although it's not your main home, you'll occupy the property for part of the year, maybe on the weekends, holidays, or during certain seasons. This property must be located away from your primary residence to be considered a second home, at least 50 to 100 miles, in most cases.
You may be eligible for a second primary residence if your family has grown too large for your current house, and the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is 75 percent or lower. This is helpful if you move other family members in to share expenses, or to care for aging parents, children or grandchildren.
