Picture a vacation home of your own.
Somewhere to get away whenever you need to. Where you'll build memories with the people you love, year after year — and maybe even where you'll retire someday. Nearly 40% of vacation-home sellers have already lowered their asking price.
A getaway that's closer than you think
Sellers are motivated. That changes what's possible for you.
A vacation home used to feel out of reach for a lot of buyers. Prices in popular getaway markets climbed fast, and there wasn't much to choose from. That's shifted — vacation-home sellers are now some of the most motivated in the country, and it's opening a window for buyers who've been waiting for the right moment.
A getaway worth picturing
Why sellers are willing to deal
A few things are coming together at once
- 01More vacation and second homes are hitting the market as pandemic-era buyers decide the home doesn't get enough use to justify holding onto it.
- 02Buyer demand has cooled from the frenzy of a few years ago, shifting leverage back toward the buyer.
- 03Carrying costs — taxes, insurance, HOA dues — have owners rethinking whether a second home still makes sense at their current asking price.
Before you fall in love with a view
A vacation home is also an investment
Whether you're picturing weekend trips, a future retirement property, or a place to pass down, it deserves the same evaluation as any investment property.
How it fits your goals
Personal use, occasional rental income, or a future full-time residence — the answer shapes what to look for.
Real cost of ownership
Mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA or resort fees, maintenance, furnishings, and management if you plan to rent it.
Local rental rules
If there's any chance you'll rent the property, confirm what's actually allowed before you buy, not after.
Long-term demand
A getaway home in a market with staying power tends to hold its value better than a purely trend-driven destination.
What happens later
Sell, convert to a rental, move in, or leave it to family — thinking about this early shapes smarter decisions now.
Let's talk it through
Our team walks you through each of these before you write an offer, not after.
Seay Realty Group's perspective
Advice from agents who've owned every kind of investment property
Stephanie and Steve Seay bring more than two decades of personal real estate investing experience to the clients they work with — not limited to one property type. They've personally owned and managed traditional long-term rentals, fully furnished short-term rentals, and vacation rental properties.
Their advice comes back to the same questions every time: What is this property actually for? What will it really cost to own? And what does the exit look like if your plans change?
"A property may look profitable at first glance — but the full numbers matter. We help buyers see those numbers before they fall in love with the view." Stephanie & Steve Seay, Seay Realty Group
Ready to see what's available?
Vacation-home sellers are ready to negotiate. Let's connect and talk through what makes sense for your goals, your budget, and your long-term plan.
Source: Parcl Labs · Photography: Charmed Waters, 30A