Holiday homes look perfect in December listings: twinkling lights, staged porches, and promises of memories yet to be made. But by March, many of these properties sit dark, underused, and quietly draining their owners’ finances. As we move into 2026, buyer behavior is shifting. Families are traveling differently, retirees are prioritizing flexibility, and second-home ownership is being evaluated far more critically than it was just a few years ago. The result? Many “holiday homes” fail the other ten months of the year. The good news is that failure isn’t inevitable. With the right strategy, buyers can choose a coastal property that works year-round—financially, practically, and emotionally.
What Defines a “Holiday Home” (And Why the Label Matters)
A holiday home is typically purchased with peak-season use in mind—Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, or summer vacation. These properties are often selected for charm rather than function: oceanfront condos with limited storage, homes far from daily conveniences, or layouts designed for short stays rather than real life.
In markets like Myrtle Beach and across the Grand Strand, this distinction matters. A home optimized only for holidays often struggles with:
Limited off-season livability
Higher maintenance costs due to vacancy
Reduced rental appeal outside peak months
Emotional fatigue when ownership feels more like obligation than enjoyment
In 2026, buyers are increasingly aware that lifestyle flexibility—not postcard appeal—is what protects long-term value.
Why Holiday Homes Go Quiet After the Decorations Come Down
1. Usage Drops Faster Than Expected
National research consistently shows that many second homes are used far less than buyers anticipate. Work schedules, rising travel costs, and shifting family priorities all reduce spontaneous trips. What was meant to be a “quick weekend escape” becomes a twice-a-year obligation.
By 2026, families are prioritizing experiences over fixed locations. If a home requires long drives, extensive preparation, or seasonal maintenance, usage declines sharply.
2. Operating Costs Don’t Take a Break
Property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and maintenance continue regardless of occupancy. Coastal environments add another layer—salt air, humidity, and storm preparedness increase long-term upkeep.
Owners often underestimate how discouraging it feels to pay year-round expenses for a property used only during holidays.
3. Rental Assumptions Miss the Mark
Many buyers expect short-term rentals to offset costs. However, regulatory pressure, platform saturation, and strong seasonality mean rental income is rarely consistent. In quieter months, pricing drops while wear and tear remains.
A home that only works financially during eight peak weeks is increasingly viewed as a risk, not an asset.
Family Dynamics: The Hidden Stress Test
Organizations like AARP consistently highlight how shared assets—especially second homes—can strain family relationships. Holiday homes often magnify these challenges.
Common issues include:
Disagreements over scheduling and access
Uneven financial contributions
Maintenance responsibility conflicts
Emotional attachment mismatches between generations
As families become more multigenerational in 2026, flexibility matters more than tradition. Homes that cannot adapt to changing family needs often become points of tension rather than connection.
The 2026 Shift: Homes That Must Earn Their Place Year-Round
Today’s buyers are more pragmatic. A successful second home in 2026 must meet at least two of the following criteria:
Comfortable for extended stays, not just weekends
Easy to access year-round
Adaptable for remote work or longer visits
Appealing to renters beyond peak season
Capable of transitioning into a primary residence
This is why inland and residential-adjacent areas—such as Carolina Forest or Market Common—are gaining attention over purely seasonal zones.
How to Buy a Coastal Home That Works All Year
1. Prioritize Livability Over Novelty
Ask practical questions:
Is there adequate storage?
Can the home comfortably support a two-week stay?
Is there space for work, hobbies, or visiting family?
If the answer is no, the home will likely be underused.
2. Choose Proximity to Everyday Amenities
Homes near grocery stores, healthcare, and primary roads are used more often. Convenience encourages spontaneous visits and reduces the psychological “trip planning” barrier.
3. Think Like a Long-Term Resident
Even if you never plan to live there full-time, buy as if you might. Homes that can transition into primary residences retain stronger resale value and broader buyer appeal.
4. Be Conservative With Rental Projections
Assume modest off-season income and evaluate whether ownership still makes sense. If the numbers only work in summer, the risk is higher than many buyers realize.
Myrtle Beach: A Case Study in Buying Smarter
Unlike purely seasonal resort towns, Myrtle Beach benefits from:
Year-round population
Strong healthcare and retail infrastructure
Diverse housing stock beyond vacation condos
Demand from retirees, relocators, and remote workers
Buyers who focus on residential-friendly neighborhoods rather than tourist-centric zones tend to report higher satisfaction and more consistent usage. These homes may not photograph as dramatically, but they deliver better long-term value.
Final Thoughts: Redefining the “Holiday Home” for 2026
The biggest mistake buyers make is assuming memories alone justify ownership. In reality, successful second homes support real life—not just holiday snapshots.
A home that works year-round:
Gets used more often
Feels less financially stressful
Strengthens family relationships
Holds value across market cycles
If you’re considering a second home along the Grand Strand, 2026 is the year to buy with clarity—not nostalgia. At Carolina Crafted Homes, we help buyers evaluate whether a property truly fits their lifestyle beyond the holidays. A thoughtful consultation now can prevent years of frustration later.
FAQs
Why do so many holiday homes sit empty most of the year?
Holiday homes are often purchased for peak seasons without considering off-season travel habits. Work schedules, family commitments, and rising costs reduce spontaneous trips. Over time, owners visit less than expected, while expenses remain constant. This imbalance leads many homes to sit unused for months at a time.
Are holiday homes still a good investment in 2026?
They can be, but only if purchased strategically. Homes with year-round livability, conservative rental assumptions, and flexible layouts perform far better. Properties relying solely on seasonal rentals or peak-holiday usage carry higher financial and emotional risk.
Is renting out a holiday home enough to cover costs?
In most cases, no. Rental income is highly seasonal, and off-season demand is limited. Buyers should assume rental income as supplemental—not essential—to affordability. If ownership only works with full booking calendars, the risk is elevated.
What makes a coastal home usable year-round?
Proximity to amenities, functional layouts, storage, climate-appropriate construction, and residential zoning all contribute. Homes that support extended stays and everyday routines are used far more often than purely vacation-oriented properties.
Is Myrtle Beach suitable for year-round second-home ownership?
Yes. Myrtle Beach offers infrastructure, healthcare, and housing diversity that supports year-round living. Buyers who avoid tourist-only zones and focus on residential neighborhoods tend to see better long-term satisfaction.
