ABSTRACT
The analysis of the various ‘costs’ and ‘benefits’ associated with the growth in second home ownership has been the linchpin of many of the prior second home studies. Perhaps the main concern of those opposed to the growth in second home ownership is the supposed impact on local house prices where locals and ‘newcomers’ compete directly for mainstream housing stock. Shucksmith argued that a free market in rural areas allocates to the most affluent whilst indigenous populations are left with the poorest and cheapest accommodation. In comparison to the issue of house price inflation and direct competition between locals and second home seekers, other economic impacts appear far less controversial and perhaps even bland. The issue of second home property speculation has received far less attention in the literature than other economic aspects of second home growth. General expenditure by second home users is a subject of much speculation and some empirical analysis.
