STR near Yosemite

[Dipika Mulchandani]

Hello All,

I've been thinking about investing in a short term rental. Some place that I can reasonably visit myself if need be on a weekend. I live in the Bay Area and have been focusing on regions outside Yosemite national park to do my research. Mariposa, Oakhurst and Twain’s Heart and Arnold areas.

I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with short term rentals in this area. If so I'd love to hear about your experience and what you like/dislike about the area.

I'd also like to know if you have any agents you've worked with that I could reach out to. I'd love to get a referral that you trust.

Looking forward to hearing your stories!

[Judy Wensloff]

Hello @Dipika Mulchandani, @Michael Baum, and fellow members!

I'm a local real estate agent specializing in STR around the Yosemite area. I thought I'd share some local insights. Yosemite is located in Mariposa County, while Oakhurst is in Madera County. It's worth noting that both counties aren't typically on the "wealthy" lists; in fact, often quite the opposite. Given their proximity to a major attraction like Yosemite, these counties benefit significantly from the taxes generated by STRs, and from what I can tell have no intention of restricting them across the board. Addressing the LTR concern: both counties have used grants to boost low-income housing (in the form of apartments that prohibit STRs) rather than imposing broad restrictions. Additionally, a year-long study by Mariposa County found no evidence that STRs negatively impact LTR availability. Interestingly, our local politics is one of the draws for STR investors in this region.

Hope this helps provide a local perspective!

Warm regards,

Judy Wensloff