Second Home Ownership and Interest in Vacation Rentals Continue to Remain Strong Through Economic Recession, According to New HomeAway Report

AUSTIN, Texas, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Second home owners who rent their homes to travelers, on average, generate more than $35,000 in rental income each year, according to HomeAway®, Inc. – the world's leading online vacation rental marketplace – which today released its quarterly "HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report."  

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On average, second home owners are renting their properties to travelers 20 weeks a year, and the rental income generated is helping many owners offset mortgage and upkeep costs. In fact, the HomeAway report found 38 percent of owners generate enough rental income to cover 75 to 100 percent of their mortgage. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of owners earn enough to cover at least 50 percent of their mortgage.

"Owning a vacation property is not just for older Americans or the affluent. Many owners are discovering they can offset the costs of the home by renting to travelers when they're not using it themselves, and they're having good success lining up renters by marketing their homes online," says Tom Kelly, Real Estate expert and author of "How a Second Home Can Be Your Best Investment." "The rental income they earn can go toward paying the mortgage, home insurance, utilities and general maintenance."

According to the HomeAway report, several markets around the country have seen significant increases in new vacation rental listings. For the fourth consecutive quarter, both New Orleans and Austin, Texas, appear in the top 10 destinations with the largest increase in new listings. Sunset Beach, N.C., retains its top position from the last quarter, and Telluride, Colo., drops a spot from second to third.  

MORE SECOND HOME OWNERS TURN TO RENTING THEIR HOMES

Top Markets with Largest Increase in New Vacation Rental Listings

1. Sunset Beach, N.C.
2. Austin, Texas
3. Telluride, Colo.
4. New Orleans
5. Sevierville, Tenn.
6. Jackson Hole, Wyo.
7. West Hollywood, Calif.
8. Truckee, Calif.
9. Whitefish, Mont.
10. Eden, Utah

* Based on a year-over-year analysis (Q1 2009 vs. Q1 2010) of new vacation home listings added on HomeAway.com

And despite the sluggish economy, second home owners in these markets and throughout the country find that travelers are continuing to book stays, due in large part to the value afforded by a vacation home compared with a traditional hotel. Approximately 62 percent of second home owners report their bookings for this summer are about the same or higher than last summer.

Now's the Time to Buy Vacation Real Estate

Given the success second home owners have renting their homes to travelers, some are considering buying additional properties. Of the owners who cover 50 percent or more of their second home's mortgage with rental income, 38 percent of them say they had considered buying an additional vacation home within the past year.

"There's never been a better time in the past seven years to 'buy low' with the prospect of eventually 'selling high,'" says Kelly. "Prices are down in just about every location, and mortgage interest rates are hovering at some of the lowest levels in history. HomeAwayRealEstate.com has developed helpful tools for prospective buyers to help gauge the potential rental income they can generate while investigating attractive homes for sale."

Coastal Areas, Mountain and City Destinations Lure Travelers Looking for Vacation Rentals

Whether looking to buy a vacation home or just rent one for a personal vacation, finding the right destination is important. Miami and New York, again, rank in the top five most popular destinations to rent a vacation home this summer, based on traveler inquiries made on HomeAway.com between February and April 2010. The top five most popular summer travel destinations include:

1. Orlando, Fla.
2. New York, N.Y.
3. Cape Cod, Mass.
4. Miami, Fla.
5. Myrtle Beach, S.C.

However, when it comes to the fastest growing destinations among travelers, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood reappear as emerging hot spots, growing 119 percent and 130 percent respectively – compared to the same time last year in which they had already grown by 239 percent and 196 percent.

EMERGING TRAVEL HOT SPOTS:

Top 10 Destinations with the Largest Percent Increase in Traveler Interest from Q1 2009 to Q1 2010

on HomeAway.com

1. Telluride, Colo. (270%)
2. Marina del Rey, Calif. (267%)
3. New Orleans (220%)
4. West Hollywood, Calif. (130%)
5. Boca Raton, Fla. (129%)
6. Cambridge, Md. (128%)
7. South Yarmouth, Mass. (121%)
8. Beverly Hills, Calif. (119%)
9. Windham, N.Y. (108%)
10. Flagstaff, Ariz. (107%)

Home-like Experience of a Vacation Rental Also Big Draw for Travelers

If choosing between a vacation rental and a similarly priced hotel, 77 percent of travelers say they would choose a vacation rental over a hotel because of the home-like experience.

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Deals and Discounts On Top of Value Provided by Vacation Rentals

While fewer vacation home owners are offering deals or discounts this summer (55%) compared with last summer (66%), there are still plenty of deals to be had. Of those owners who are offering deals this summer:

• 43 percent plan to offer a specific percentage off the rental rate
• 44 percent plan to offer a specific dollar amount off the rental rate
• 31 percent plan to offer a free night with the purchase of a specific number of nights
• 24 percent plan to offer free cleaning services
• 11 percent plan to offer complimentary products or services, such as free tickets to a theme park
• 10 percent do not plan to require a minimum-night stay

About the HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report

Data for the HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report was collected via surveys that poll travelers and homeowners on vacation rental-related issues. Based on HomeAway, Inc. internal customer satisfaction research, traveler results are based on 1,927 responses collected between April 23 and May 6, 2010.  Owner results are based on 235 responses between April 20 and May 6, 2010.  Market trends were based on a combination of in-depth research of supplier and consumer markets from the HomeAway, Inc. database.  Smith Travel Research was also utilized for hotel data about specific markets. Average daily rates for HomeAway vacation rentals were calculated based on a random sampling of properties for each respective city using rates posted for May 2010.

About HomeAway, Inc.

HomeAway, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, is the worldwide leader in online vacation rentals, representing more than 480,000 paid vacation rental home listings throughout 120 countries. HomeAway offers an extensive selection of vacation homes that provide travelers with memorable experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, 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 includes the leading vacation rental websites 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; and AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil. The company's portfolio also includes HomeAwayRealEstate.com, which offers unique real estate information that highlights a vacation rental's income potential and destination-specific characteristics.

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.

SOURCE HomeAway