STR in Lake Arrowhead ?

[Bonny Drago]

Thinking of buying a vacation house in Lake Arrowhead, CA and doing STR with it while also using it ourselves .What are your opinions? Compared to buying in crestline or Big Bear? What is average occupancy rate? Average nightly rates? I don't have any software to find these data . Any help would be much appreciated!! Total newbie here ! Also what should we look at for Cash on cash return for the investment? We are thinking of 10% down payment and limit it to 750k price

[Melissa Nash]

Hi, I have 2 houses in Lake Arrowhead. Its very very saturated with STRs and the battle with lake is constant. Guests cannot use the lake or the paths even though a court said our guests could. Its very contentious and I would honestly advise you to be careful. The occupancy was high during covid bc its a DRIVE to location from LA, OC, etc. but now that people can travel again and so many people purchased there, the average occupancy for a NICE, full remodeled, designer decorated is about 30% average year round. If there is snow more people will book. The summers used to be more busy, but now guests can't use the lake or the docks so its much slower now. A lot of people are selling their Airbnb's there bc they paid too much and they are not showing a profit. So don't trust their airbnb numbers from last year- as last year was very high. Only look at their numbers from this year. If you are looking at last years numbers, I would cut that 50% to see what the actuals will be. IF you are buying because you want a place for your own use, that is a totally different story- you can use the lake and its a great place for owners, but if you are a STR owner- its brutal.