RV/Camper vacation rentals

[Ashley Wolfe]

Would you put money into buying an RV/camper (depreciating asset) in order to put it up on a website like Ourdoorsy (the Airbnb for RVs and campers)?  

My neighbor down the street is selling a 21' camper that is super clean and only two years old.  Her price is pretty good too because she's motivated to sell.

We have the space in our backyard to store it and the cash to buy it.  I'm seeing this as a quick and easy way to create some income without having a mortgage payment.  We would also be one of the only Outdoorsy listing in our 5 mile radius in North Texas.  If we get it rented out for 100 nights, we'll have the initial purchase price paid off.  All the rest is icing on the cake (barring any repairs, maintenance costs, etc.).

Thoughts?

[Belinda Lopez]

Wow, so many negative people in this thread!  

The folks who are really successful in AirBNB/STR are the ones who either have a great location or a great experience. I know an investor in Waco, TX who has an incredible Airstream that she rents for about $125 night plus cleaning fees for about 365 nights a year. It's not just a travel trailer, it's an experience.

So yes, you need to know you market.  airdna.co will give you great stats on STRs in your area.  But you don't have much to lose in this one.  Buy, even better see if she will owner finance it to you, then make it unique.  Decorate it amazingly, select a popular theme, give it a kewl name and market it like crazy.  

Is it near a University or Hospital? Traveling nurses are a great market as are folks coming in to visit students. What is unique about your place over every other STR in the area? This investor had an outdoor shower and the created a private patio with a fire pit and other amenities around the trailer so folks had a great experience.

Is there a market for this in your area?  Are there lots of construction or other workers needed affordable, temporary housing?  Run some test ads, try listing it and see what sort of inquiries you get.

The worse thing you can do is do nothing!

Good luck!