In general, a vacation house is a house outside a larger city used for vacation and short trips away from the permanent residence. However, in Germany it is generally differentiated between a “Wochenendhaus” or “Sommerhaus” and a “Ferienhaus”. Even though they are both vacation houses, a “Wochenendhaus” is usually a house or hut that was purchased for own use, while a “Ferienhaus” is a house that can be rented temporarily for a holiday or short trip. Owners of a “Wochenendhaus” may also rent out their house to others. This is often used to acquire the  financial resources necessary to maintain the house. In Germany, vacation houses are normally built in a colony and are rarely solitary. Rental and purchasing prices are dependent on size and placement.