Despite recent reports indicating real estate's heightened profile as an investment vehicle, especially to help plug the drain on stock market portfolios, most second homebuyers move in for the sheer fun of it.

Fifty-one percent of second home buyers said they use their second home as a vacation getaway, 18 percent plan to retire in it, 16 percent use it to diversify investments, and 15 percent rent it out for income, according to "The 2002 National Association of Realtors Profile of Second-Home Owners".

"We've found that the decision to purchase a vacation home is purely emotional-- nobody, anywhere needs a second home. As one gets older and more prosperous, the vacation home becomes a blend of idyllically remembered family vacations overlaid with the desire to be in familiar and personal surroundings," said Lil Miller-Fox co-founder of PrivateCommunities.com, a Vero Beach, FL Website that showcases luxury retirement communities.

"This is consistent with the NAR survey that supports the notion that investment considerations aren't the primary motivators for second-home buyers," Miller-Fox added.