The pandemic created a tremendous interest in vacation homes across the country. Throughout the last year, many people purchased second homes as a safe getaway from the challenges of the health crisis.

With many professionals working from home and students taking classes remotely, we saw a clear migration away from cities and into more vacation-oriented counties.

The 2021 Vacation Home Counties Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that this trend continued into 2021. The report analyzed sales in areas where seasonal or recreational homes make up at least 20% of housing stock, comparing that data to the broader residential market.

Key findings include:

• Vacation home sales rose by 16.4% to 310,600 in 2020—outpacing the 5.6% growth in total existing-home sales.
• Vacation home sales increased 57.2% year-over-year in January–April 2021, compared to 20% for total existing-home sales.
• Home prices rose faster in vacation home counties—14.2% versus 10.1% in non-vacation home counties.

This aligns with data from Zelman & Associates showing a nationwide surge in second-home purchases last year.

As the data suggests, there’s still significant demand for getaway homes in 2021—even as life returns to normal. While we may see an uptick in second-home listings, ongoing low supply and high demand will continue to support favorable returns for sellers.

Bottom Line

If you bought a vacation home during the pandemic, you’re likely wondering what to do next. Whether you’re considering selling or holding onto it, you’re in a strong position. Demand remains high, and second homes continue to prove themselves as worthwhile long-term investments.