[jyl]

Jim, you've been under a lot of stress w/ the economy and your business, I know that from being on this board.

If the vac house is stressing you out further, and assuming it is not a unique irreplaceable house/location, then I think you should eliminate the stress. Either sell and bank $50-70K as a safety net, or rent it out and get to break-even. Depending on if NC real estate is going up or down and how fast.

On renting, you can still go up and enjoy it (locked "owner's closet" to hold your stuff, or keep garage locked), and after you stop renting it, you can fix any wear/tear and make it like new again. The ski and beach cabins I've rented have usually been kept in very nice shape, anyway.