The Best Vacation Homes News, Trends, And Listings of 2022
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As interest rates rose in 2022, so did the cost of purchasing a second home. Naturally, this led to a slow market for second and vacation homes, one that left some ambitious disrupters cutting staff and budgets in the third quarter.
However, second homes and vacation homes — especially those in desirable locations — are still selling, but prices are definitely moderating. According to a report from CoreLogic, demand for second homes has sputtered, retreating to pre-pandemic levels. That, however, could mean that there are deals out there.
What deals, you might ask? We’ve covered vacation homes, lake homes, celebrity homes, and everything in between. Looking back at 2022, here are the stories that shine.
Pacaso Slashes Workforce
It was a tough year for Pacaso, the second home broker-manager that slashed a third of its workforce, blaming recession fears and high interest rates for the carnage. The company has been plagued with detractors, too, including residents of exclusive wine country areas who are against a vacation rental in their community.
Goodbye, America’s Sweetheart.
This year we lost the inimitable Betty White, America’s sweetheart. But superfans of the Golden Girl rejoiced at the opportunity to own the legend’s Carmel estate.
The Carmel estate of Betty White — everyone’s favorite Golden Girl who passed away earlier this year just shy of her 100th birthday — just hit the market for $7.95 million.
The beloved actress had a special affinity for the oceanfront property. She bought the .28-acre parcel of land in 1978 for $170,000 with her late husband (and love of her life) Allen Ludden.
Hello, High Hill!
We introduced our audience to one of the most magical properties within an hour of Dallas-Fort Worth: High Hill Development.
This place is like living on 30A with a relaxed, hometown feel.
High Hill Development is bringing idyllic travel to East Texas unlike anything this region has seen before. Envision metal-roofed beach homes with broad porches overlooking the water in the rural countryside of Arp, Texas. Picture bicycles gathered by the ice cream shop. Add in a mix of relaxing Florida Panhandle lifestyle amid East Texas scenery: High Hill Development is the place to be for families looking to get away and get back to a simpler way of living.
Living Free in Alaska
It’s almost like columnist Mimi Perez can’t stop working even if she’s on vacation. In her dispatch from Alaska, Perez describes a scheme that allows workers in the Denali National Park area a chance to live for absolutely free in one of America’s most beautiful places.
Denali Summer Jobs is just one organization that brings in employees with the lure of free housing.
One of the employees at the convenience store/food truck told me he has spent his summers working in Denali for a couple of years and takes advantage of the free housing. He said the cabins remind him of summer camp.
Lake Living Right Now
This year has seen a different level of interest in Texas lake homes. The North Texas region has several areas where you can make a clean getaway for a weekend of fishing, boating, and swimming. However, some of the most popular Texas lakes aren’t the ones you’d expect:
“Whether searching for a lake house as a Christmas splurge or dreaming of a lake getaway, Dallas residents are clearly looking primarily at lakes in Texas plus some in Oklahoma and Arkansas,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. “We are still seeing strong interest in lake homes and lots, despite the current economy.”
