Second Home Sale at a Loss

[ohnomrbill1]

What factors determines a second home as an investment?  When can I report a loss on a second home sale?

[M-MTax]

Can't use the place only for personal use. If you bought or hold the home for producing income from rent or appreciation you have investment real estate and can report a loss.

[NCperson]

if you only used the 2nd home for personal purposes, similar to losses on your primary residence, there is no tax deduction available. 

Basically, the IRS does not permit you to deduct personal living expenses (i.e. food and shelter)

[Opus 17]

An investment is something you use to actively try to make money (like, renting it out.)  Simply buying and holding a property can sometimes be believable as an investment, but if it is a second home that you use for vacations, the idea that you are also holding it in anticipation that it will increase in value will not defeat the presumption that it is a personal residence.