A second home offers an escape from the stresses of everyday life, giving you that essential opportunity to rejuvenate and relax. Getaways provide quality time to spend with yourself, family, and friends. On average, 77 percent of American employees get eight days of paid vacation every year. It’s been shown that families who own vacation homes take more family vacations. The characteristics vacation home buyers are looking for include a property which is: close to an ocean, river, lake or mountain; nearby to family members; accessible to favorite recreational activities; and close to their primary residence. The most popular activities that buyers seek for their vacation home includes beach, lake or water sports, boating, golf, theme parks, winter recreation, and hunting or fishing. More than three-fourths of vacation home buyers plan not to rent their property, and one-in-five look for it to become a primary residence upon retirement.
Vacation real estate comes in all shapes and sizes, from single family homes to maintenance-free townhomes, condos and villas to quaint mountain and beach cottages. Interval ownership and timeshare options continue to be an affordable and convenient option for many vacation home buyers and are available in most desirable vacation destinations. The most popular domestic vacation real estate markets are Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; South Padre Island, Texas; Naples, Florida; Holden Beach, North Carolina; Ocean City, New Jersey; Las Vegas, Nevada; San Diego, California; Park City, Utah; Orlando, Florida and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Vacation real estate studies indicate that the most common vacation property is located in the countryside at a median of just over 200 miles from the buyer’s primary home. Therealestatehomeguide.com features vacation real estate, second homes and investment properties in the most desirable locations across the country.
White Oak’s acreage evokes thoughts of Ireland with gentle rolling hills, exceptional golf, horseback riding, a village center and a quiet vineyard. Experience the relaxed elegance which is White Oak and discover the Blue Ridge Mountain lifestyle you have only dreamed of. This private 1,000 acre golf and equestrian community is located near the North Carolina–South Carolina border in the beautiful town of Tryon. °
Send Me Free Information Now! View More Photos & InfoThe allure of the Blue Ridge Mountains beckons you to discover Wild Ridges, a private gated community offering inspiring mountain views in a serene, natural setting. Find your place in the mountains with a 1 to 3 ½ acre homesite and start enjoying the active outdoor lifestyle of Western North Carolina. This 1,500 community will feature superb amenities, numerous streams and waterfalls and is within easy driving distance to Morganton and Asheville– just 7 miles from I–40. °
View More Photos & InfoAlong the shores of pristine St. Andrews Bay, you’ll discover East Bay, an old Florida coastal community featuring traditional “cracker style” architecture. This 1,300 acre waterfront neighborhood has been thoughtfully planned to preserve the beauty of the land and offer a unique coastal way of life. Residents will enjoy generous open spaces, community parks, two marinas and a pedestrian friendly Town Center. East Bay is located between Panama City and Apalachicola in the Florida Panhandle. °
View More Photos & InfoExperience the hometown charm which defines life at Carolina Trace, a private golf course community located in North Carolina’s delightful Sandhills region. With 18 diverse neighborhoods and a range of home settings and views, you’ll find the perfect home to suit your taste and budget. Enjoy golf on two superb Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed courses as well as fishing and boating on private Lake Trace. Carolina Trace is centrally located less than an hour from the Triangle region of Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill. This is Carolina country living in high style. °
View More Photos & InfoEscape to the wide open spaces and ranch lifestyle you’ll find at Nevada’s Mountain Water Ranch. Surrounded by the Silver Peak Mountains to the east and the White Mountains to the west, this stunning ranch land affords unsurpassed views and is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Fish in your own personal mountain stream and enjoy all the elbow room you desire. This ranch community is located between Las Vegas and Reno and within easy driving distance to many of Nevada and California’s renowned National Parks and natural attractions. °
View More Photos & InfoExperience the rich tradition of golf at Legacy Lakes, a new golf course community located in Aberdeen within the renowned Sandhills region of central North Carolina. With homesites set around the established Legacy Golf Links, residents will find gorgeous golf front, lakefront and lakeview options in a beautiful wooded setting. You’ll enjoy country club amenities and all of the wonderful golf and fabulous shops and restaurants of the Southern Pines– Pinehurst area. °
View More Photos & InfoDiscover for yourself some of the most desirable gated lakefront property currently available in Alabama along Lake Wedowee at Woodgate Shores. You’ll find generous 1–3 acre parcels which are available lakefront, pond frontage or nicely wooded homesites. Experience central Alabama’s refreshingly moderate climate and incredible outdoor lifestyle. This AL gated private community is located between Birmingham and Atlanta with easy access to I–20. Enjoy pre–construction pricing! °
View More Photos & InfoSurround yourself with the peace and tranquility of western North Carolina at your ridge top estate within the new private community of Wildflower. Choose a homesite from 1 to 5 acres and build a mountain retreat for the entire family to enjoy the beauty and excitement of the Great Smoky Mountains region. This exceptional property sits at an elevation of 3,200 ft. and will feature full mountain resort amenities. Located just 2 hours from the metro Atlanta area– Wildflower is your escape from the everyday. °
View More Photos & InfoDiscover this brand new mountainside community where year–round outdoor activities are never far from your doorstep. You’ll find unequaled skiing along Sunday River Resort’s 8 mountain peaks and strikingly beautiful golf holes at the new Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Sunday River Golf Club, just minutes away. Choose a homesite from 3 to 14 acres which borders protected forestland and offers dramatic vistas of the Mahoosuc Mountain Range. Convenient access from Portland, ME and Boston, MA. °
View More Photos & InfoUnique and serene, Moonlight Bay is a new private gated community set on the shores of Lake Bridgeport in Texas Hill Country. Located within easy driving distance of the Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex, Moonlight Bay features the best of lakefront living including a tranquil setting, deepwater lake access and stunning lake views. This pristine community offers 1+ acre homesites which are more affordable than you would imagine. Discover the joys of Texas lakefront living today. This remarkable lakefront property is an exceptional value with dockable waterfront homesites. °
View More Photos & InfoProvidence Ferry is a lakeside retreat where you can leave the bustle of the city behind and enjoy seclusion and a relaxed lake lifestyle. houtstanding property is set on the shores of Lake Thurmond, one of the largest reservoirs in the southeast, with convenient interstate access to the cities of Atlanta, Columbia, Augusta and Athens. This communifeatures lakefront and lake view homesites ideal for year–round residence or weekend vacations. °
View More Photos & InfoDiscover an oasis of luxury in Myrtle Beach at the new gated townhome community of Villas Grande. These remarkable homes feature Mediterranean styling and luxurious appointments such as granite countertops and marble vanities. Select from five roomy floorplans of 3 or 4 bedrooms starting at 2000 sq. ft. You’ll love what you find beyond the arches. °
View More Photos & InfoBig Laurel Mountain offers environmentally conscious living in a private mountain setting where you’ll find two stocked trout streams and unmatched seclusion. This western North Carolina vacation community features expansive building sites which average over two acres and beautiful preserved park space with water access. Big Laurel Mountain is ideally located in the High Country between Asheville and Hot Springs. °
View More Photos & InfoWith tidal marshes and the Little Satilla River as the backdrop, create your own Lowcountry home on one of RiverPlace Plantation’s large homesites. Select from river, marsh, tidal preserve and lagoon view homesites– all sure to delight the senses and relax the soul. This gated community is near historic Brunswick and Georgia’s Golden Isles, where you’ll discover the pleasures of year–round outdoor living and gracious southern hospitality. °
View More Photos & InfoBe among the fortunate few to experience living along the majestic New River Gorge with breathtaking views of the river, the gorge and the largest steel span bridge in the U.S. With 1,400 acres of forested land and a limited number of homesites, your privacy is assured within this pristine retreat. Discover this remarkable natural environment, located in Fayetteville, 40 miles southeast from Charleston. °
View More Photos & InfoSet in the shadow of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains, this residential club community offers something for everyone. Feel pampered by the personal, resort feel of the community with its clubs, amenities and activities. Cherokee Valley’s 18 holes of golf are noted for sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and its enjoyable layout. Gorgeous parcels along the golf course and lots with panoramic mountain views are now available! °
View More Photos & InfoWinter, spring, summer or fall– South Peak Resort on Loon Mountain is where you’ll want to experience the best in outdoor recreation. Set among the magnificent White Mountains of New Hampshire, South Peak is a year round resort community offering condominiums, townhomes and single family homesites. These properties feature impressive views of Loon Mountain and the adjacent pristine waters of the Pemigewasset River. Enjoy for yourself the activities and amenities of the mountain known as “Gravity’s Playground.” °
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