Buy a vacation house only when you are finished doing some canvassing. That is if your inclination sparks from the idea of buying itself, not from unsolicited offers. If a friend sells his or her property to you, check it first and its geographical location with regards to its accessibility and environmental factors. There is nothing wrong with refusing the offer in a polite way should you find some glitches.
Choose a vacation house that really offers the kind of relaxation and serenity you are looking for. Make sure the place relaxes you after the travel. Ideal places are those that are far from a city and much closer to nature, like near a beach, overlooking a body of water, or at the foot of a mountain. Conduct thorough inspection of the materials of the house, the heating system, and if there is available power generator in case of brownouts.