I wrote previously about the benefits of owning a vacation rental and things to consider before purchasing. The most important part of a vacation rental is where it is located, so here is my list of the best places to buy a vacation rental in 2019.
Please keep a few things in mind when reading this list:
- This is not a ranking, so these locations are in no particular order. All of these locations are excellent options for a vacation rental home, and I don’t think anyone can truly name a “best” location.
- I opted for more proven locations when creating this list. There are other locations that are on the rise with good metrics, but the locations in this list are known commodities with extensive track records of attracting vacation rental guests. If you are going to make a significant investment in a vacation rental, you may as well purchase in the best location you can.
Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, Tennessee
I lumped these two locations together since they are only about 7 miles away from each other. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg may always be associated with each other, but each is also a major force in the vacation rental industry. On offer are world class shows and entertainment, theme parks, and a ton of outdoor activities. I highly recommend renting a cabin or chalet to enjoy the Great Smokey Mountains.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is one of the best cities for business travel and has always been one of the top destinations for meetings and conferences in the country. The sheer volume of people that visit Chicago every year is more than enough to earn a spot on this list.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach is located in the Florida panhandle. It is renowned for its white sand beaches and as being a top Spring Break destination. An additional benefit is real estate in this area is considered a very good investment right now. You should expect healthy appreciation in addition to substantial rental income.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is more than just a beach destination. Also on offer are some of the best golf courses in the country, the largest Ferris wheel on the East Coast and a 1.2 mile long Oceanfront Boardwalk.
San Antonio, Texas
The Riverwalk, The Alamo and a vibrant downtown make San Antonio one of the top tourist destinations in Texas. San Antonio is also more affordable than most of the locations on this list. The median home value is just over $176,000.
Branson, Missouri
A theme throughout this article are destinations with a multitude of things to do so you can appeal to as broad of an audience as possible. Branson certainly fits the bill. There are plenty of outdoor activities with an ideal location near three lakes. Travelers can also take advantage of museums, amusement parks and a variety of professional shows.
Kissimmee, Florida
Two words: Mickey Mouse.
Kissimmee, Florida is blessed to have a location near Walt Disney Resort and other surrounding attractions that are generally considered to be the most popular theme parks in the world. The insane drawing power of Disney means that vacation rental owners should have no problem finding prospective guests.
Breckenridge, Colorado
You could make an argument for several ski towns in Colorado to be on this list. Breckenridge is my favorite because it has more to do than just snow skiing. This is a must for the shoulder season and low season if you are a vacation rental owner. The downtown area has some wonderful restaurant options. Breckenridge also offers a relatively easy trip from the Denver Airport.
Napa, California
Napa rounds out my list of best places to buy a vacation rental in 2019. It is located in the heart of the Napa Valley Wine Region, just a short distance from the heavily populated San Francisco Bay Area. Everything here revolves around the wine. Each season offers it’s own unique benefits for growing grapes, so there is never a bad time to visit.
