NEW: Gulf Shores named 6th best place to buy a vacation home

According to a new report by Vacasa, a vacation rental management company, Gulf Shores is one of the best spots to buy a vacation home. Read on to find out why it made the list and what other top spots are within a two-hour drive of Gulf Shores.

3 of the top 6 cities—including Gulf Shores—within a 2 hour drive

For five years, Vacasa has been publishing an annual report on the Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home. Based on market data and capitalization (cap) rates, Alabama landed the #6 spot this year with a cap rate of 6.09%. This number reflects rate of return on investment.

Here are some other good-to-know facts about the Gulf Shores market, according to Vacasa.

• Condo units comprise 85% of vacation homes
• Summer is high season (unsurprisingly)
• Median home sale price is $475,000
• Annual gross rental revenue is $48,169

Just a couple hours away from Gulf Shores are the cities of Okaloosa Island and Navarre, both in Florida. These two made #2 and #5 on the list, respectively. Looks like the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast is dense with great vacation rental markets.

More reasons to love Gulf Shores

Vacasa lovingly described Gulf Shores in the report, saying:

“Small seaside town vibes and Southern hospitality. This underrated coastal city is gaining popularity among travelers as an alternative to jam-packed Florida panhandle shores.”

Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home, Vacasa

We couldn’t agree more. Gulf Shores, with its gorgeous beaches and unforgettable attractions, is one of Alabama’s many gems. Here are some of our favorite spots to check out:

• 5 fishing spots for the ultimate summer catch
• 9 of the most Instagrammable spots
• Gulf Shores State Park + the best recreational trail in the country
• 9 restaurants with a view
• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

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