Boom in the real estate market. A strong “Polish” trend is visible

Recently I wrote about the Polish attack on Spain. Now I’m going back to my hometown, because what’s happening on the Baltic Sea, in the mountains and in Masuria sometimes resembles a real shopping frenzy.

Poles are crazy about holiday apartments. Interestingly, they are less and less likely to buy them just to spend their holidays there. Today, what also counts is the ability to earn money on real estate for most of the year.

“Second home” has become a full-fledged investment

Just a few years ago, owning a holiday apartment was associated primarily with a luxury good available to only a few. Today, the so-called segment second home is one of the fastest growing parts of the real estate market. The growing interest results not only from the need to have a place to relax, but also from the search for alternative forms of investing capital.

Buyers are increasingly analyzing the profitability of investments. What counts is not only the attractive view from the window or the proximity of the beach, but also the possibility of renting out of season, maintenance costs and potential occupancy throughout the year.

– However, the market has clearly matured. The location itself was no longer enough. Today, customers pay attention to the standard of the investment, the quality of common areas, access to wellness zones and the possibility of using professional rental services. In practice, this means that a holiday apartment increasingly functions like an investment product, notes Monika Hercog, director of Lafrentz Home.

The sea still attracts, but the mountains have an important advantage

The Polish coast continues to be the most popular among investors. This is where a significant part of the capital allocated to holiday apartments goes, and developers implement most of their new projects.

However, experts point out that seaside locations have one weakness – seasonality. The highest tourist traffic occurs in several summer months, which limits earning opportunities during the rest of the year.

Mountain regions are also attracting more and more attention. Unlike many places by the sea or in Masuria, the mountains attract tourists practically all year round. In winter they are used by skiers, in summer by hiking and cycling enthusiasts, and in the off-season by people looking for weekend relaxation.

Poles choose ready-made solutions

The expectations of buyers themselves are also changing. Fewer and fewer people want to independently organize multi-month renovations and supervise the finishing of a property hundreds of kilometers away from their place of residence. Support in short-term rentals, which has recently recorded historic records, is also important.

In practice, ready-made solutions are increasingly chosen, including:

• comprehensive finishing of the apartment,

• equipment for rent,

• short-term rental services,

• reservation and guest management.

A holiday apartment is supposed to make money

According to experts, the “second home” segment has just entered a new phase of development. A holiday apartment is increasingly rarely just a place to spend a few weeks of vacation a year. For many buyers, it becomes an element of a long-term investment strategy.

Today, before purchasing, the following are mainly analyzed:

• length of the tourist season,

• rental potential,

• investment standard,

• maintenance costs,

• availability of professional rental operators.

– A holiday “second home” has become a much more demanding product than a classic investment apartment in a big city. On the other hand, a well-chosen location and a properly prepared apartment can provide the owner not only with a place to relax, but also with stable income for many years – emphasizes Monika Hercog.

As a result, a holiday apartment is no longer just a dream come true of your own place by the sea or in the mountains. It is increasingly becoming an investment tool that combines pleasure with real earning potential. And considering the interest of buyers, the “second home” trend is unlikely to end anytime soon.