Rental homes are big business right now. The popularity of Airbnb and other similar services have given a lot of folks a reason to invest in property for the sole purpose of renting it out for extra income, as well as owning a ready-made vacation home to use). Where are some popular places in the country to purchase a vacation rental right now? Here is a list of six solid locations that you might want to consider.
Breckenridge, Colorado – Old West Vibe and Year-Round Outdoor Fun
Breckenridge is a great place to invest in if you’re looking for a location that has outdoor adventure any time of the year. Like much of Colorado, Breckenridge offers world-class skiing, alpine slides, and other snow activities during the winter. In the summer, awesome water and other outdoor adventures beckon. History lovers will enjoy this historic mining town and its Gold Rush past, with chances to pan for gold, visit museums, shop art galleries, and discover a real saloon. There is also the Breckenridge National Historic District to explore, which runs along Main Street and boasts beautiful Victorian houses and buildings that were built in the 1880s and 1890s.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Smoky Mountain Luxury, Nature and Attractions
Gatlinburg is not only the gateway to the country’s most visited national park, but also a great place for investors looking for vacation rental properties. It boasts Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Dollywood theme park, and countless family attractions such as rides, restaurants, shops, ziplines, and whitewater rafting for fun family adventures. The many hundreds of Gatlinburg cabins in the gorgeous foothills offer full amenities and luxury, are loaded with in-cabin entertainments, and make the preferred accommodation for millions of visitors. The mountains set the stage for all nature lovers with waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives throughout the area.
Key West, Florida – Attractive to Writers, Artists, and Vacation Goers
Florida is attractive to investors because of the warm sunshine and beaches, but Key West is particularly attractive to those who long for a laidback lifestyle. The Florida Keys are a 100-mile-long archipelago, and Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States. Key West is steeped in history and has long attracted writers, artists, and other free spirits. The author Ernest Hemingway made Key West famous when he lived there in the 1930s, and his house and the bar he frequented are still top tourist attractions. For those looking for a good investment, Key West is brimming with Cuban-style homes and plentiful outdoor fun. Not only does Key West boast some of the best fishing, boating and seafood, it is also home to the only living coral barrier reef in the United States. Scuba diving and snorkeling are huge attractions for residents and vacationers alike.
Big Sky, Montana – Home of the Big Sky and Fewer Crowds
While Montana may not be on your radar as a popular vacation spot, you should consider Big Sky because it isn’t as populous as many other locales. It’s more of a small town with about 3,000 residents, which makes it perfect for those who don’t like big crowds. Big Sky gives access to Yellowstone National Park, one of the most popular family destinations in the country. Formerly a ranching community, it’s now a year-round location offering great winter sports and summer sports such as golf, fly fishing, and stunning lift rides. Experience the Big Sky Resort to try skiing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. The Resort has 31 ski lifts, which ties for first as the largest ski resort in America.
The Emerald Coast – Florida’s Hottest Investment
A lesser known but rapidly gaining beach area in Florida, the Emerald Coast is the panhandle to the north that curves around and fronts the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 100 miles long, with bustling small towns set amidst some of Florida’s loveliest terrain, the 24-mile beachfront stretch is connected by Highway 30A, which is the hot investment area. With the kid-friendly hubs of Destin to the west and Panama City Beach to the east, in between are quaint and slower towns such as Seaside, the setting for the Jim Carrey Truman Show movie. Rental homes are the preferred accommodation in these places, with high occupancy rates. The slow living, sugar-white sand and Teal-green ocean is the great attraction, and the pristine, surrounding parklands are the setting for this jewel.
Branson, Missouri – Entertainment Capital With Something for Everyone
Branson, Missouri, offers wholesome shows and family-friendly entertainments, drawing huge numbers of visitors each year. This makes it a great place to invest in a vacation home, especially because of its lower cost of living than many other parts of the country. Highlights of Branson include the beautiful Ozark Mountains, the Silver Dollar City theme park, Aquarium at the Boardwalk, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and the Titanic Museum Attraction. Live shows abound with everything from country music to magic shows, gospel and variety shows. The excellent dinner shows offer delicious meals with your entertainment. And there are many outdoor adventures, include camping, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and ziplining.
Wherever you decide to invest, whether for your own vacation home or a rental property, be sure to explore the area yourself, talk to residents who live there, find the local hangouts, and study the visitor traffic and seasons before making any financial decisions. Whether you want a place to escape to or an investment property, every location is a new adventure to explore.
