Member Spotlight: Steve Ruckart
May 3, 2017 • By CHartleyThirdHome members Steve and Carol Ruckart own a second home at a lake in Smithville, TN. They love traveling to their lake home together and with their children and grandchildren. Although they consider themselves a lake family, they love vacationing in destinations that have the mountains or the beach. Some of their favorite ThirdHome trips have been to the Virgin Islands, Park City, Utah, and Beaver Creek, Colorado. Get to know ThirdHome member Steve Ruckart!
How did you get involved with ThirdHome?
We first got involved with ThirdHome about 3 years ago. To be honest, we were a little skeptical because we thought it was almost too good to be true. Every exchange we have done has been great. We have had nothing but positive experiences with our trips and with our guests.
Where are you based?
We are based in Murfreesboro, TN.
Who do you usually travel with?
My wife and I normally travel as a couple but if we can work around their schedules we love to take our grandchildren.
What do you do for a living?
I own a financial planning firm that specializes in helping people get money out of their retirement plans on a tax-advantaged basis. Several of our clients have used retirement assets to acquire their second homes.
What are your favorite travel hobbies?
We are a lake family and really enjoy all water sports and spending time on our boat with family, children and grandchildren.
In your past travels with ThirdHome, what was your favorite destination and what did you love about it?
When we travel we prefer the mountains or the beach and our favorite beach spot we have visited has been the Virgin Islands. When it comes to the mountains, we really like Park City, Utah. We have been out to ski several times but have to admit that the summers are a well kept secret.
What’s the next destination you are eyeing to travel to with ThirdHome?
We were set to go last week, but a family emergency caused us to have to cancel at the last minute. ThirdHome was great to work with and allowed us to book a property in Florida for our entire family .
What do you love most about your property with ThirdHome?
Our second home in the club is located on Center Hill Lake, which is about 60 miles from Nashville.
Any personal/family achievements you’d like to share?
Our daughter and son-in-law recently traveled to China to adopt a little girl with 5 other couples. We were able to host all the families when they returned for a reunion at the beach. This was a real treat for everyone involved. One of the greatest blessing of having a second home is being able to share it with our friends. Every family that has visited our place through ThirdHome has treated it like their own.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We have really enjoyed the relationships that we have developed through ThirdHome. Still too good too be true. We are really glad to be a part of this club!
Travel photos provided by Steve Ruckart.