Low Real Estate Prices, Desire for Family Retreat Propel Vacation Home Sales to Four-Year High, According to New Research from HomeAway and National Association of Realtors

AUSTIN, Texas, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a sign of an emerging recovery in the real estate market, sales of vacation homes in 2011 reached a four-year high, powered by the lowest median sales price in eight years, low mortgage rates, and the desire for a family retreat, according to proprietary research commissioned by HomeAway, Inc. as part of the National Association of Realtor's (NAR) 2012 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey®.

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The research found 33 percent of vacation home buyers purchased a vacation property last year primarily because of low real estate prices, while another 30 percent cited the desire for a family retreat. And 2011 proved an opportune time to buy, according to the NAR survey, with the median sales prices for vacation properties at $121,300, putting ownership within greater reach of more consumers.

Other vacation home buyers cited the following factors as the most important reason to take the plunge into vacation home ownership last year, according to HomeAway® research:

• Low mortgage rates (13%)
• For future retirement (11%)
• Potential for price appreciation (8%)
• Other (5%)

"The purchase of vacation homes is moving back into the mainstream for a greater number of Americans who are attracted by low prices, rental income potential, and use as a retreat for busy families to get together every year," says Brian Sharples, chief executive officer of HomeAway. "Although sales of vacation homes are not as high as historic levels, they are clearly showing signs of a sustained recovery."

According to the NAR survey, 82 percent of buyers believe now is a good time to purchase real estate, and 39 percent say they are somewhat or very likely to buy vacation property within the next two years.

Vacation Home Owners Believe Rental Income Can Help Offset Mortgage on Second Home

Nearly all (91%) vacation home buyers say they plan to rent their property within the next 12 months to either long-term or short-term renters or a combination of the two. Of those buyers, 71 percent cited rental income potential as a factor in their purchase decision and nearly three-quarters (74.5%) of buyers believe they will make enough rental income to cover at least half of their mortgage.

According to Sharples, HomeAway research conducted in Q4 of 2011 of 4,905 owners listing their vacation homes on HomeAway's U.S. sites show that 70 percent generate enough rental income to cover half or more of their mortgage, and 51 percent cover at least three-fourths of their mortgage.

Of those buyers intending to rent their property, about 40 percent plan to make their vacation homes available for rent between one and eight weeks over the course of the next year; 32 percent plan to rent their properties between nine and 26 weeks per year; and 27 percent plan to rent their homes between 27 and 52 weeks per year.

Vacation home buyers are willing to rent their property to more than one type of guest. The majority (70%) of people who plan to rent their property to short-term renters say they'll rent the home to vacationers, while 37 percent plan to rent to business travelers and 24 percent plan to rent to other tenants, such as college students or people relocating to the area.

About HomeAway, Inc.

HomeAway, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, is the world's leading online marketplace of vacation rentals, with sites representing more than 640,000 paid vacation rental home listings throughout 168 countries. HomeAway® offers an extensive selection of vacation homes that provide travelers with memorable experiences and benefits, especially more room to relax, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. The company also makes it easy for vacation rental owners and property managers to advertise their properties and manage bookings online. The HomeAway portfolio of websites includes HomeAway.com®, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com in the United States; HomeAway.co.uk and OwnersDirect.co.uk in the United Kingdom; HomeAway.de in Germany; Abritel.fr and Homelidays.com in France; HomeAway.es in Spain; AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil; and HomeAway.com.au in Australia.

In addition, HomeAway operates BedandBreakfast.com, the most comprehensive global site for finding bed-and-breakfast properties, providing travelers with another source for unique lodging alternatives to chain hotels. For more information about HomeAway, please visit www.HomeAway.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Adam Annen, HomeAway, Inc.
512-505-1548 or [email protected]

Larry Meltzer, MM2 Public Relations
214-379-3701 or [email protected]

SOURCE HomeAway, Inc.