To buy a second home or not to buy a second home

My brother owns two houses, rents one out, found out very quickly paying a management company is the way to go for the one he rents out

This is similar to us except both houses have a similar climate. When I retire we plan to sell the “suburb” house and keep the lake house. The “question” we have - buy a second house in a warmer climate or just travel for 3’ish cold months. Seems like a 50/50 split is worth having 2 financially, but 9/3 or 8/4 renting/hotel seems better. Of course if we find the “right” place, then buying is a no-brainer….

For us, the 2 houses doesn’t impact “other” travel.

But then the wife wants to be near the kids/eventually grandkids, so who knows….