Companies and workers have become used to the flexibility brought on by the pandemic and are gradually adapting to a hybrid working model. Hybrid living will largely follow on from the hybrid working trend as people continue to take advantage of this increased flexibility and the ability to prioritise work-life balance. Another effect felt in a post-pandemic world is that people have become more health conscious and are willing to change their lifestyles to stay healthy. A wellconnected second home with access to nature and wellness amenities can contribute to this. We expect this shift in priorities to drive demand for second homes in the locations highlighted in this report. Buyers are likely to come from diverse demographic backgrounds; couples and families who adjust to the hybrid way of life and older retirees, which were an established pool of buyers even before the pandemic.

In terms of destinations, some second home markets could become more domestic and regional in the near future, as buyers may increasingly focus on locations which are easily accessible. Buyers will continue to value close proximity to their city base to allow for easy commuting. Destinations accessible by plane may potentially become less appealing as people focus more on their individual carbon footprints. Regardless of place, however, the increased year-round nature of many second home locations will have the added benefit of revitalising local communities and bringing increased economic activity to locations which used to be predominantly seasonal.

There are a few grey clouds on the horizon, however. Rising interest rates will make borrowing for a second home mortgage more expensive and could deter some buyers from purchasing an additional property.

New developments and several next-big-thing locations also have the potential to unseat some of the well-established markets studied here, as a broader demographic and income base of buyers look for second homes which have the trophy status of being at the head of the curve, fulfil wellness criteria, and have the potential to offer positive price growth as well.