Primary, vacation, and investment buyers differ in the type of property they purchase:

• 80 percent of primary residence buyers typically buy a detached single family residence. Primary residences are popular among vacation home buyers, as 70 percent purchase a vacation home, however 21 percent of vacation buyers purchased a condo or a duplex for their getaway. Investment buyers are the most likely of all buyers to purchase a condo—29 percent did so.
• Nearly half of primary residence home buyers purchased a home in the suburbs, compared to one-third of investment buyers, and less than a quarter of vacation buyers. Vacation home buyers were more likely to purchase in a rural area and a resort area than other buyers. Investment buyers were more likely to purchase in a small town or urban areas than vacation buyers.
• Investment home buyers typically purchased a home 19 miles from their primary residence, while vacation home buyers are looking for an escape farther away at 375 miles.
• For more information on the Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, click here.

Jessica Lautz, Survey Research Manager

Jessica Lautz is the Survey Research Manager. Jessica analyzes data and writes annual studies such as the Member Profile, the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, and the Commercial Member Profile.