The American Dream getaway may finally be affordable -- and a value investment.There are no official industry numbers for tracking housing prices for the vacation property sector. But like the rest of the real estate market nationally, second homes and vacation homes have seen significant price drops. We found smart deals on second-home escapes around the country, from waterfront island getaways to mountain retreats.
See 10 property values between $200,000-$350,000 that grabbed our attention. The slide show tour begins with the navigation to your right.
Pine City, Minn.
ASKING PRICE: $209k
1,230 sq. ft.
2 BR / 1.75 BA
FEATURES: Lakeside single-family home
Two hours north of the Twin Cities, Pine City offers an historic downtown with restaurants and shops paired with recreational water activities on Cross Lake, pictured here off the deck of this waterfront property.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Lincoln City, Ore.
ASKING PRICE: $209k
1103 sq. ft.
3 BR / 2 BA
FEATURES: Canal-front villa
Oregon offers 363 miles of Pacific Coast byways to explore. About two hours southwest of Portland lies the first of Oregon's three primary coastal towns, Lincoln City, which has a 680-acre lake and river connecting to the Pacific.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Miami Beach, Fla.
ASKING PRICE: $225k
1,145 sq. ft.
1 BR / 1.5 BA
FEATURES: Marina-side condo
You can own a piece of sizzling Miami Beach. This one-bedroom condo in Normandy Isles overlooks Biscayne Bay with marina views.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Hutchinson Island, Fla.
ASKING PRICE: $235k
1970 sq. ft.
2 BR / 2 BA
FEATURES: Dockside harbor condo
Watch the boats from the sun room of this Harbor Isle condo on Hutchinson Island, a barrier island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, St. Lucie inlet and the Indian River.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Limerick, Maine
ASKING PRICE: $264,900
N/A sq. ft.
3 BR / 1 BA
FEATURES: Lakeside single-family, furnished
The state's stable real estate market, historically protected from bubbles and busts, offers a safe place to search for a second home or investment property.
Situated 30 miles west of Portland, Me., this home on Lake Arrowhead offers 110 feet of gradual sandy beach lakefront, a new kitchen and comes furnished.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
ASKING PRICE: $269k
1160 sq. ft.
2 BR / 1 BA
FEATURES: Poolside-villa
Hilton Head Island, about an hour north from Savannah, Ga., offers some of the best beaches, golfing and seafood on the East Coast, with plenty of real estate inventory. The view from this condo at the Hilton Head Beach Club Villas captures the beauty one finds just about anywhere on the island.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Manitou Springs, Colo.
ASKING PRICE: $275k
1560 sq. ft.
2 BR / 2.5 BA
FEATURES: Mountain views, gated single-family community
Manitou Springs is less than ten miles outside of Colorado Springs (our fifth ranked city for 2008), an historic town, restaurants with artisian galleries plus local hiking and skiing on Pikes Peak. The property is also only 65 miles from Denver.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Mesa, Ariz.
ASKING PRICE: $329k
2250 sq. ft.
4 BR / 2 BA
FEATURES: Private pool, single-family home
Mesa is an appealing alternative to the crowds and traffic of Phoenix. For Sun City residents to the northwest of Mesa, it's an attractive area for second homes.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
Nags Head, N. C.
ASKING PRICE: $329k
2,016 sq. ft.
4 BR / 3 BA
FEATURES: Oceanfront single-family home
This rustic North Carolina town is a favorite escape for beachcombers in the mid-Atlantic region. We found this beach house listed $100k below assessment with a reported annual rental income of $30k.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
South Padre Island, Tex.
ASKING PRICE: $350k
1,252 sq. ft.
2 BR / 2 BA
FEATURES: Marina-side condo, includes boat slip
This subtropical barrier island along the Texas Gulf Coast hasn't suffered a major hurricane since 1967 (Hurricane Beulah). It's a favorite convention and spring break hot spot with room for upscale living, golfing and boating.
MORE INFORMATION
Sponsored Content
-
Aging: The Overlooked Risk FactorSponsored Elder care is a personal and financial vulnerability many people fail to plan for.
-
AI vs the Stock Market: How Did Alphabet, Nike and Industrial Stocks Perform in June?AI is a new tool to help investors analyze data, but can it beat the stock market? Here's how a chatbot's stock picks fared in June.
-
12 Great Places to Retire in the MidwestPlaces to live Here are our retirement picks in the 12 midwestern states.
-
10 Cheapest Small Towns to Live InThe cheapest small towns might not be for everyone, but their charms can make them the best places to live for plenty of folks.
-
Best Cold Weather Places to RetirePlaces to live Some like it hot; others, not so much. Here are the 12 best places to retire if you can't stand the heat.
-
The 24 Cheapest Places To Retire in the USWhen you're trying to balance a fixed income with an enjoyable retirement, cost of living is a crucial factor to consider.
-
The Six Best Places to Retire in New Englandplaces to live Thinking about a move to New England for retirement? Here are the best places to land for quality of life, affordability and other criteria.
-
Best Cold Weather Places to Retire
places to live Some like it hot; others not so much. Here are the 12 best places to retire if you can't stand the heat.
-
15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winterhome There are many ways to prepare your home for winter, which will help keep you safe and warm and save on housing and utility costs.
-
Hurricane Insurance Claims: 10 Things You Need to KnowBecoming a Homeowner Hurricane damage? Know what your insurance will and won't cover to make the most of your policy if you need to file a claim.
