Buying a vacation home that doubles as a future retirement home requires forethought and thorough investigation.  Conventional wisdom tells us to first settle on a desired location and then look for the least expensive house in the best possible neighborhood.  This is of course true, but buying a future retirement property demands additional consideration.  Without a doubt, the purchase of a dual purposed home can be one of the most important and financial rewarding decisions a pre-retirement couple undertakes.  Quite simply, the ultimate home buying decision comes down to establishing relatively conservative financial boundaries, drawing up a wish list and employing a real estate broker to find a home that will serve your needs now and in years to come.