Daydreaming of owning a second, seasonal home? A mountainside vacation house with a fireplace or two, ski-in access and powdery slopes nearby or perhaps lakefront property with front porch and a sweeping view of the sunlight on the water? Sounds enticing, but fulfilling this dream takes attention to detail and a firm vision of your long-term goals. Two financial factors may help bring your daydreams closer to reality: the 80-year long-term stock market rise and interest rates that remain historically low .