Elan’s Best Places for Vacation Homes

When Steven Sears of The Wall Street Journal declared last week that “the market for luxury real estate is coming back to life,” it was hard for those of us in the high-end real estate industry not to take notice. Could the summer buying season be starting early this year? Is the luxury real estate market truly warming up?

Says Stan Tonkin, Vice President of International Marketing and Sales for The Èlan Collection: “Our residence specialists continue to find that interest is heating up among their affluent clientele. We think it’s going to be a great summer to buy a vacation home, especially one that costs a fraction of the price and comes with a list of world-class amenities attached.”

In honor of luxury real estate’s leisurely return, Sears took note of Barron’s “10 Best Places for Second Homes,” which included lush locales like Maui and Palm Beach, as well as The Hamptons, Aspen and Pebble Beach—which are three (current and upcoming) Èlan destinations.

1. The Hamptons—Few locales in the world possess the cachet of The Hamptons, long favored as a summer retreat for high-powered New Yorkers. No. 3 on the Barron’s list, The Hamptons is known for grand Colonial estates and beaches bordered by farms, vineyards and meadows. Should it be a surprise that The Èlan Collection will soon be adding a property here to their private residence club?

2. Aspen—Four major ski hills, the Tom Fazio-designed Maroon Creek Club, posh shopping and an emerging cultural center… Aspen truly has it all. Occupying the fifth position on Barron’s list, Aspen is an ideal year-round vacation spot—which is exactly why The Èlan Collection has plans to soon offer a residence here.

3. Pebble Beach— The Èlan Collection recently added a stunning view-oriented, one-acre Mediterranean estate on legendary 17 Mile Drive to its portfolio—and for good reason. No. 6 on Barron’s list, Pebble Beach is a golfer’s paradise. The Pebble Beach Golf Course hosted four U.S. opens and The Links are rated the No. 1 public course in America by Golf Digest, while legendary spas, shopping and restaurants are all within close distance.

What do you think about the vacation home opportunities in The Hamptons, Aspen and Pebble Beach? Any cities that didn’t make the list, but should have?