Homes in Destinations That Are
Popular Spring Break Locales

When colleges and universities break for spring vacation, young students head to warm locales for sun and fun. We take a look at homes for sale in Florida's Panama City, Texas's South Padre Island and Arizona's Lake Havasu. These hotspots were named by the Travel Channel as the first, second and third top U.S. destinations for spring break vacations.

• Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
• South Padre Island, Texas
• Panama City Beach, Fla.

PLACE/PRICE: Lake Havasu City, Ariz./$599,900

PROPERTY TAX: $827 (Since the home was built in 2005, this figure is for the land only. Property taxes will increase to include the home this year.)

THE PROPERTY: A 1,819-square-foot residence on under a quarter of an acre, with three bedrooms and two baths in The Refuge, which features an Arnold Palmer golf course.

DESCRIPTION: The home has a brick courtyard with lake and city views, plus a fire pit. Inside, the master bedroom has a walk-in shower, a walk-in closet and a large soaking tub. There are 10-foot ceilings throughout, plantation shutters, tile floors, a three-car garage, and a kitchen with a walk-in pantry and gas appliances.

NOTABLE: Prices for single-family homes have risen 30%, says Jennifer Powers, listing manager with Joanna & Associates Realty in Lake Havasu City. "We have been in a boom for the past five years," she says. While homes in The Refuge can reach past $1 million, this home is less expensive because it isn't a custom home, she says. Also, she says, "This is a nice house, but it is smaller, and it doesn't have all the extra amenities."

Sources: Joanna & Associates Realty, Alta Monroe Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

-- Ms. Kim is a senior editor at RealEstateJournal.com.

Email your comments to lauren.kim@dowjones.com.