Lake of the Ozarks Short Term Rental

[Brent Kiger]

I'm writing to see if anyone has any experience with short term rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri? Most of what I'm looking at is in Osage Beach, Camdenton, Roach, etc. I'm considering buying a lake house for recreational purposes, and am curious what experience other investors have had in this region if we were to VRBO or AirBNB the property while we weren't using it. This wouldn't be cashflow play for me, it would really be just trying to break even on a property that we own and could use. 

Curious to anyone's general comments here, as we are in the early stages but also very interested.

Thanks,

Brent

[Drake Schmid]

@Brent Kiger

Hello Brent,

Just like any market there are good areas and bad. This is a huge lake and you need to stay close to Osage beach, Lake Ozark. The only exception is Porto Cima, which is the luxury golf course lake community that you are allowed nightly rentals. Don’t even look at second tier property as a rental unless long term. Which there is a definite shortage of quality rentals. Condos can be bought cheap although have high dues if not run well. As a passive investment the lake short term model is also difficult due to a lack of qualified laborers. Cleaners and managers are sometimes flaky and the good ones are not cheap. I am a licensed realtor at the lake and live here full time. If you want any information about the area or market just ask. I am glad to help. If you are buying do it now or wait until fall the prices are seasonal on homes here to some degree. The spring and summer it is busy and competitive, come fall and winter you get the pick of the litter!