A place by the beach, a chalet in the mountains or a cottage in the bush? Whatever your choice of retreat, this may be the best time in years to buy it, with listings up in many second-home destinations.

Data from CoreLogic shows that in several weekender locations favoured by Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra-based families, listings in July (the latest figures available) were at their highest levels in five years while demand has fallen, indicating that the market might be turning in favour of buyers.