It’s definitely still possible to make the numbers work with a Cape Cod rental, but you’ll need to be selective. Not every house will be a good fit, and a lot will depend on your budget and down payment.
The core summer season here is about 10-11 weeks long, where you can rent the house out for full weeks at premium rates. After that, there’s a shoulder season with plenty of weekend bookings, but once winter hits, things slow down a lot. Most homeowners shift to winter rentals during those months to keep some cash flow.
If you’re planning to use the property yourself for two weeks in the summer, it’s important to keep in mind that it will take away a significant chunk of prime revenue, which will make it harder to break even or generate solid income.
If year-round traffic is a key factor for you, you might want to look into areas down south or near a National Park, but with the right property and strategy, Cape Cod can still be a good investment—especially if you’re looking to have something to enjoy and eventually leave to your kids. It’s still a strong appreciation market.
