Stop Waiting for "Someday"
Thought homeownership was out of reach? Think again. Learn how to buy a vacation home that pays for itself through short-term rentals. building equity, growing your wealth and giving you a place to vacation for FREE.
A Four-Step Plan
The Second Home First Academy teaches the exact four-step framework that Katie Cline used to find, finance and furnish her three successful vacation homes so you can do it too.
Trout Landing
Bolton Landing, NY
Gallant Fox
Saratoga Springs, NY
The Lazy Oar
Lodi, NY
Repudiandae
What You'll Learn
Step 1: Dream It
Step one is all about envisioning your perfect vacation home and creating a clear, actionable plan. Through a combination of brainstorming exercises, worksheets, quizzes, and checklists, you’ll refine your vision, set priorities and lay the foundation to turn your dream into reality.
- Set Goals that Work for You
- Your Ideal Vacation Home
- The Red Tape
- Local Competition
- Window Shopping
Step 2: Plan It
Step two establishes the financial foundation of your vacation home search. Worksheets, calculators, and checklists equip you to navigate budgeting and financing with ease. Empowered with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to confidently purchase your dream vacation home.
- Build Your Budget
- Conventional Loans
- Creative Financing Strategies
- Setup Costs
- House Hunting
Step 3: Prep It
Step three focuses on preparing your vacation home to host you and your family, as well as paying guests. Helpful tools, worksheets and checklists make it easy to define your ideal guest, design your space and welcome your first visitors. Pro tips ensure the property runs smoothly from day one.
- Ready, Set, Guest!
- Design (with the Guest in Mind)
- Like a Pro
- Think Like a Hotelier
Step 4: Live It
Step four zooms in on the practicalities of managing your vacation home. This week includes quizzes, checklists and expert advice to help you select the best management option for your needs. It also highlights strategies for future-proofing your investment so you can enjoy a sustainable vacation home for years to come.
- Managing Your Vacation Home
- Hiring a Management Company
- Finding a Co-Host
- Going Solo: Self-Management Tips
- Future-Proof Your Home
One on One Call
You have the option to add on a 60-minute one-on-one strategy session with Katie. This is your opportunity to dive into your specific goals, ask questions, review potential properties, and leave with a clear action plan.
No two buyers have the same goals, budget, or timeline. That's why this session is completely tailored to you. Whether you're deciding between two markets, evaluating a listing, or figuring out how to finance your purchase, you'll get personalized guidance based on your unique circumstances.
Hi, I'm Katie
I decided to buy my 'second home' first when I moved back to New York City after 6+ years spent living abroad in London. My mom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years prior, when she was only 59 years old, so my husband and I decided to return to the US to help with her care.
We thought about buying a primary home in NYC, but the math didn't make sense: to get something comparable to the apartment we ended up renting would have been $2-4k more per month, plus a six-figure down payment. So instead, we decided to buy a vacation home upstate for a fraction of the price, hoping that renting it out on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo when we weren't there would allow us to offset some of our costs.
Well, not only did we cover all of our costs, but we also turned a profit. So a year later, we did it again. And when I saw that house get booked for every single weekend from May through November, I realized- this is not a fluke, it's a strategy.
Now, we own three vacation homes that all pay for themselves. I love that they're building my wealth for the future in a way that I get to enjoy with my family today.
Professionally, I'm award-winning publicist, hospitality veteran & short-term rental expert. I'm the host of two podcasts: Second Home First and Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality. Previously, I led global communications for iconic hotel brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and W Hotels, and I bring those five-star insights to my own portfolio of vacation homes.
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Founding Member Pricing
For a limited time, founding members can receive up to 40% off the Academy. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock an exclusive discount code.
Learn at Your Own Pace
Start whenever you're ready. The Academy is completely self-guided, with new modules unlocking each week so you can implement what you learn without feeling overwhelmed.
Guided Roadmap
Avoid information overload. Each module unlocks one week after you begin the previous one and includes practical worksheets, checklists, and templates to help you confidently move from dreaming to buying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SHF Academy?
SHF Academy is a self-paced course designed to guide you step-by-step through buying and launching your own second home first. It outlines the exact four-step framework Katie used to find, finance and furnish her three profitable vacation homes.
What does the SHF Academy include?
Inside the Academy, you’ll receive:
- On-demand lessons to teach you the four-step Second Home First framework, completed on your own timeline
- Worksheets, quizzes, calculators, and checklists to turn ideas into action
- Proven frameworks to help you define your vision, confirm your budget, identify your target market, map your financing path, and select the right management model
- Expert guidance on designing a home you’ll love (and that guests will love to book!)
- Real-world insights from Katie’s three profitable vacation homes, including lessons learned and mistakes to avoid
- Lifetime access so you can revisit key lessons and enjoy new modules as they’re added
- A personalized roadmap that brings everything together into a clear, actionable plan
When does the SHF Academy begin?
You can enroll in the SHF Academy at any time. The course is self-paced and designed to be accessible on your schedule.
Who is the SHF Academy for?
Broadly, it’s for people who want more income, optionality, and freedom in their lives. More specifically, it’s for you if you like the idea of achieving these goals by owning a vacation home that pays for itself.
What can I expect at the end of the SHF Academy?
By the end of the course, you won’t just have inspiration — you’ll have clarity, strategy, and a defined path forward so you can buy a vacation home that pays for itself.
Is there a discount?
Why yes there is! For a limited time, founding members can receive up to 40% off the Academy. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock this exclusive discount code.
How do I join?
Sign up via the "Join now" button.
What if I have another question?
Email us at Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com.