Ep 9. Marathon Getaway

Vacation House for Free season 2 episode 9 is titled "Marathon Getaway" and features a young couple who want to purchase a vacation home in Marathon, Florida. The couple, Rachel and Nick, currently reside in Miami and enjoy the beach lifestyle, but want a place where they can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some quiet time.

The couple has a budget of $300,000 and are looking for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a pool and outside living space. They also want something that is low-maintenance and close to the beach. Host Matt Blashaw takes on the challenge of finding them the perfect vacation home within their budget while also making sure it fits their needs and desires.

The episode begins with Matt meeting Rachel and Nick at a local coffee shop to get a better understanding of what they are looking for in a vacation home. Rachel and Nick are both active and love the outdoors, so they want a home that is in a location where they can easily access hiking trails, bike paths, and water sports. They also want something that they can rent out when they are not using it to help cover the costs of owning a second home.

Matt takes Rachel and Nick on a tour of three different homes within their budget, each with its own pros and cons. The first home they tour is a small condo that is in a great location but is much smaller than what Rachel and Nick were hoping for. The second home is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a pool in a nice location, but it requires a lot of work and renovations, which could be costly.

The third home they tour is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a pool that is move-in ready and ticks all of Rachel and Nick's boxes. They love the location, the outdoor space, and the fact that it comes fully furnished. However, the house is at the top of their budget, so Matt shows them some creative financing options to help them afford it.

The episode also showcases the renovation process of the home they choose, including some updates to the pool area, outdoor living space, and landscaping. Matt helps Rachel and Nick personalize the home by incorporating some of their own furniture and decor, and they are thrilled with the final result.

Overall, the "Marathon Getaway" episode of Vacation House for Free season 2 showcases the challenge of finding the perfect vacation home within a budget, as well as the importance of location and how it can impact the resale value and rental potential of a vacation home. The episode also emphasizes the benefits of creative financing options and the importance of personalized touches to make a vacation home feel like your own.