Vacation is often the only thing that keeps us going every year.
No matter how much you love your job, it is great to be able to get away from it for a week or two.
If you are lucky, you have a vacation home you can escape to for your yearly vacation and for weekends off.
If you live near the coasts or near substantial bodies of water, consider a home built with beach house plans.
These homes are usually small due to high cost of land and are often built with stilts and piers to protect them from storms and high tides.
A beach house should have lots of windows to take advantage of the views of the sand and surf.
Decks or porches give you an outdoors space where you can sun yourself while catching a cool breeze from the water.
Beach house owners often find themselves very popular with their friends and family looking for a cheap getaway.
A beach house owner might consider renting out the place when it is not in use to make some extra money.
Outdoor enthusiasts might consider a vacation home in the woods.
During the heat of summer, the shade of a forest coupled with cool house plans provides a getaway where you can avoid the heat without spending a lot of money on air conditioning.
A vacation in the woods provides ample opportunity for hiking or in season hunting.
This might be the perfect time to learn about orienteering or geocaching.
Woodland vacation homes often have streams or lakes nearby where you can do some swimming amidst natural beauty.
Wherever you build your vacation home and whatever homeplans, your house will probably need to be aired out the first time you use it each year.
A house that is closed up for a long period of time can develop a musty smell.
When you arrive, open the doors and windows to get some fresh air in.
Keeping the windows open at night provides fresh air and cool breezes.
While you are there, try to minimize the dampness you bring into the house.
Hang swimwear and other wet items outside to dry.
Run fans in the bathroom and take short showers to prevent a buildup of humid air.
The less humid the air in you home is, the lower the chance of developing mold and mildew.
Think ahead to the following year before you close up your vacation home for the off season.
Make sure you clean thoroughly and get rid of any food.
You do not want to arrive for your next vacation and have to start with cleaning last year's mess.
Unplug appliances to avoid unnecessary electric bills.
Trays of kitty litter in the vents can help absorb moisture.
A little care before you leave can make your return more pleasant.