Barron's: Top 10 vacation-home spots
Some markets 40% off peak price
By Inman News, Thursday, March 18, 2010.Discounts of up to 40 percent off peak in some domestic markets, in addition to a stabilizing economy, have brought a second wind to "one of the greatest luxuries of all" -- the upscale vacation home, reports Barron's.
The magazine laid out the top 10 destinations for second homes in last week's cover based on the "gorgeous houses, spectacular views, world-class golf, fishing and skiing, fine dining and great shopping" that attract the wealthy, and broke them down by median price, drop from peak median price, and most well-known resident or occasional resident (referred to as "neighbor").
1. Maui
Median Price: $1.5 million
Drop From Peak Median Price: 27%
Neighbor: Oprah Winfrey
2. Kiawah Island, S.C.
Median Price: $1.4 million
Drop From Peak: 21%
Neighbor: Dan Marino
3. The Hamptons, N.Y.
Median Price: $1.5 million
Drop from Peak: 30%
Neighbor: Steven Spielberg
4. Park City, Utah
Median Price: $1 million
Drop From Peak: 45%
Neighbor: Robert Redford
5. Aspen, Colo.
Median Price: $5.6 million
Drop From Peak: 6%
Neighbor: Jack Nicholson
6. Pebble Beach, Calif.
Median Price: $1.1 million
Drop From Peak: 20%
Neighbor: Clint Eastwood
7. Palm Beach, Fla.
Median Price: $3.5 million
Drop From Peak: 11%
Neighbor: Henry Kravis
8. Captiva/Sanibel Island, Fla.
Median Price: $3.5 million
Drop From Peak: 40%
Neighbor: Ted Koppel
9. Asheville, N.C.
Median Price: $700,000
Drop From Peak: 38%
Neighbor: Andie McDowell
10. Gasparilla Island, Fla.
Median Price: $1.8 million
Drop From Peak: 18%
Neighbor: Harrison Ford, frequent visitor
Source: Barron's
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Submitted by Dorothy Swearingen on March 18, 2010 - 5:02pm.
The mountains or the beach? Which way do we go...Looks to me like you should head to North Carolina. NC is one of the few states where you can have lunch on the mountain and then dinner at the beach. Mother Nature blessed us with some of her best landscapes. Come enjoy them. There are some bargains to be picked up in all price ranges. Check it out. You will be glad you did.
Love Life! Live in the Mountains!
Dorothy Swearingen
Owner/Broker
WhiteWater Realty
828-553-3391
dorothy@NCMountainLife.com
www.NCMountainLife.com
Submitted by Dorothy Swearingen on March 18, 2010 - 7:10pm.
More on the mountains or the beach. Each of the cities listed above are all great places to call home. It really gets down to why are we looking for that second home? First you need to identify the parameters that are most important to you.
Are you wanting cool summers? If so, many folks have chosen the surrounding mountain communities just outside of Asheville which include Highlands, Cashiers, Glenville, Sapphire, and Lake Toxaway. Becoming popular in the late 1800's, Highlands is one of the oldest resort communities in the mountains. Golf is popular throughout the area. If you like water, two of these communities have great waterfront homes. These can be easily compared by checking out NCMountainLife.com Four moderate seasons contribute to the area's popularity. The other mountain communities of Aspen and Park City are located west of the Mississippi. Having been to both, these too are wonderful communities. Cool summers are their trade marks as well.
Question two is, "Does it have easy access? Many times accessibility determines how often you use your home. The easier access, the more time you have to relax and enjoy. Three discount airlines-Air Tran, Alligant Air, and Jet Blue are now flying with great nonstop connections into either Asheville, Greenville,Spartanburg SC, Atlanta or Charlotte. Your destination choice can be either Florida or the NE.
Question 3. Affordability. Which city fits my budget the best? This is one of the best buyer's markets that we have ever experienced. The mountains or the beach? Only you, the buyer, can answer that question. I can only say there are definitely some good buys awaiting you. It is time to check things out.
Dorothy Swearingen
Owner/Broker
WhiteWater Realty
www.NCMountainLife.com
dorothy@ncmountainlife.com
Submitted by Fiona Dalle on August 12, 2010 - 9:28am.
Fantastic post! This is definitely something I'm going to look more into. My budget is my biggest concern, but I think that I'd be able to find a cheap vacation home from this!
Submitted by Emmi Bances on March 17, 2011 - 12:15am.
Hey for traveling budget is always been an issue , i love skiing and i was thinking to visit japan as it is one of the most beautiful place to visit for ski......But now i would post my plan :/
Thanks for fantastic Vacation destinations
http://www.countryguides360.com
Submitted by Debbie Allen on March 28, 2011 - 4:10am.
The vacation homes are definitely not in my budget. But taking a vacation and staying in a million dollar mansion next to Oprah in Maui sounds amazing. Maybe one of the days we can splurge and spend one of our family vacations at one of these vacation spots! LOL! I can dream right? Does the magazine show pictures of these top 10 vacation home spots?