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Demand for Vacation Homes Is Still Strong.
Living and working in a resort destination area we are seeing tremendous interest in vacation homes in Panama City Beach and throughout the Emerald Coast. 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 many students taking classes remotely, it has made sense to see a migration away from cities and into counties with more vacation destinations. And Panama City Beach and the Emerald Coast along the Panhandle have seen the migration wave.
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The Demand for Vacation Homes Is Still Strong In the Panama City Beach & Emerald Coast Real Estate Market.
The 2021 Vacation Home Counties Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that this increase in vacation home sales continues in 2021. The report examines sales in counties like Bay County and Walton County where “vacant seasonal, occasional, or recreational use housing account for at least 20% of the housing stock” and compares that data to the overall residential market.
Their findings show:
- 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 are up 57.2% year-over-year during January-April 2021 compared to the 20% year-over-year change in total existing-home sales.
- Home prices rose more in vacation home counties – the median existing price rose by 14.2% in vacation home counties, compared to 10.1% in non-vacation home counties.
This coincides with data released by Zelman & Associates on the increase in sales of second homes throughout the country last year.
As the data above shows, there is still high demand for second getaway homes in 2021 even as the pandemic winds down. While we may see a rise in second-home sellers as life returns to normal, ongoing low supply and high demand will continue to provide those sellers with a good return on their investment.
Bottom Line
If you’re one of the many people who purchased a vacation home during the pandemic, you’re likely wondering what this means for you. If you’re considering selling that home as life returns to normal, you have options. There are still plenty of buyers in the market. If, on the other hand, you want to keep your second home, enjoy it! Current market conditions show that it’s a good ongoing investment.
Do you have further questions regarding making a winning offer? To learn more, reach out to our team. With two office locations, Life’s A Beach Real Estate located in Panama City Beach. And Life’s A Beach Luxury Real Estate located in Destin. We are here to answer your questions and help you find your piece of paradise.
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