Vacasa releases annual winter vacation home report
US: Vacation rental property management company Vacasa has released its 2020/21 report outlining the Best Places to Buy a Winter Vacation Home.
Vacasa’s third annual ranking of the Best Places to Buy a Winter Vacation Home is based on cap rate, or the annual rate of return on investment, and includes key market data to help potential buyers determine which market is right for them.
Shaun Greer, VP of sales and marketing at Vacasa, said: “The spotlight cast on professionally managed vacation homes over the past year not only resulted in an increase in bookings throughout the majority of our portfolio, but also in short-term rental buyer interest.
“According to the recent data from the National Association of Realtors, second home sales soared in 2020 and were up by as much as 44 per cent. Similarly, what we’ve found is that buyers are looking for a second home with room to spread out and access to outdoor activities,” he added.
Vacasa’s list of top winter markets includes destinations across the country that are within three to six hours of major metro markets, which aligns with the company‘s 2020 data that revealed how travellers are hitting the road, but staying closer to home. This surge in feeder market demand helped new locations, like Granby, Colorado, crack the top ten for the first time.
While snow sports tend to be a common thread among the featured markets and a popular tourism draw, hiking, biking, sightseeing, and other recreational activities help drive steady off-season demand.
Vacasa’s Best Places to Buy a Winter Vacation Home 2020/21:
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Big Sky, Montana
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Poconos, Pennsylvania
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Conway, New Hampshire
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Killington, Vermont
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Vail, Colorado
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Big Bear, California
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Breckenridge, Colorado
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Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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Granby, Colorado
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Mammoth Lakes, California
Greer added: “With fewer people travelling this season and ski resorts slower than usual, there’s an opportunity to get out and explore winter markets with fewer crowds. We advise that if you are travelling, make sure you are familiar with and respect the local regulations in place, and if you’re seeking advice from an agent, we encourage you to do so virtually if possible.”
