Thread: Lake Tahoe Houses as an Investment?

Does anyone (or friends that you have) own a vacation "cabin" in the Lake Tahoe area? It's something I've thought about off and on over the years.

The problem is that I'd probably only use it for about 2 weeks in the winter and 2 weeks in the summer (at the maximum), with maybe a few weekends in between. So, I'd only do it if it was a feasible investment as well. Does anyone have any insight into how much of your mortgage can be covered by renting it out?

I'm aware of what rental rates are in the area, but I don't know occupancy rates, HOAs dues (for snow plowing & shuttle service), and other hidden costs. Am I just better off renting once in a while when I go up there, or can I actually get some decent cash flow from rentals?

ehh, I don't know. My friends are selling there house in Incline Village. Considering there are 22,000 hotel beds on South shore alone its not a strong investment. Now is a good time to buy if you are going to hold on to it and use it a lot though.

A few guys I work with have houses in the Tahoe area, a couple rent them out full-time and the others use them/rent them on a weekly basis. A week averages $1200 for a 3 bedroom, BUT that seems to be once every couple of months.

a friend of mine finished paying off his primary residence a few years back and needed a write off; he bought into the Squaw Valley Villge where you basically own a condo, but then it's run like a hotel rest of the time you're not using it. This way, it gets cleaned and rented out whenever possible. It's not a cozy cabin like right on the lake, but he ski's a lot so it works for him.

Originally Posted by 289FIA_Cobra

a friend of mine finished paying off his primary residence a few years back and needed a write off; he bought into the Squaw Valley Villge where you basically own a condo, but then it's run like a hotel rest of the time you're not using it. This way, it gets cleaned and rented out whenever possible. It's not a cozy cabin like right on the lake, but he ski's a lot so it works for him.

those are cool

I have a house up there.

If you are only using it 4 weeks/year, i wouldn't even consider buying. We don't rent our place out, but I know people who do and they don't make out well at all for the hassle.

Originally Posted by 289FIA_Cobra

a friend of mine finished paying off his primary residence a few years back and needed a write off; he bought into the Squaw Valley Villge where you basically own a condo, but then it's run like a hotel rest of the time you're not using it. This way, it gets cleaned and rented out whenever possible. It's not a cozy cabin like right on the lake, but he ski's a lot so it works for him.

I made an offer there before, it was less than $400k when i was buying..i backed out because i was buying my primary residence in the Bay Area..i used to have the rental income handy i couldnt find it now, the income during winter season for a 1 bedroom is around $5,000/month
now everytime we go there i pay like $300-400/night..haha i love Squaw the kids area is awesome....

Depending on the purchase price of the home, you may cover but not likely right now due to occupancy. My mother-in-law has had her home on the market their with little luck. Currently, I am putting together a lease share on it that will greatly reduce the cost for several to utilize the home year-round vs. a typical lease cost per week. It was the only way I could figure out a viable way to cover her costs.

one of the main reason people buy in NV is due to no state income tax.

as for appreciation in value, i would put money in other cities.

as for renting it out, i'd only consider doing that if you have a good management company. expect wear and tear.