{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"EP185: How to Turn Your Backyard into Cash Renting Log Cabins on Airbnb","description":"Many Airbnb guests are looking for a chance to unplug and truly get away from the madness of modern life. David Fraser has developed a low-risk Airbnb model that capitalizes on this by building log cabins on his property, and he is keen to share his best practices with the Get Paid for Your Pad audience.
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\nDavid happened into the idea accidentally because his family had no place to sleep when they visited his country home outside Toronto. His mother sent him an ad for a cabin on Kijiji, and David began to wonder if such a rustic experience would do well on Airbnb when his family wasn’t staying there. He did a little market research by creating a listing, using stock photos of the cabin and pictures of the view from his backyard, and to his surprise, there was significant interest. David accepted his first booking and built the cabin from a kit—two days before the guests arrived!
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\nNearly three years later, David has expanded his enterprise to three cabins and a shared bathroom facility. All the units have paid for themselves, and he is able to generate $4,000 CAD/month in cashflow. Today he explains how he developed the concept, from choosing a cabin to furnishings to maintenance. Listen to understand how David handles the seasonality of bookings and the potential for regulations down the road. If you are in the right situation, the log cabin model might work for you!
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\nTopics Covered
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\nHow David developed the log cabin concept
\n•\tMoved to the country
\n•\tNo place for family to sleep when visiting
\n•\tMom sent ad for cabin on Kijiji
\n•\tCreated Airbnb listing to test market
\n•\tReceived interest, accepted booking
\n•\tBuilt cabin two days before arrival of first guest
\n•\tRefined process, added amenities
\n•\tBuilt two additional cabins and shared bathroom
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\nHow much the cabins cost
\n•\t$4,400 CAD for the first one
\n•\tNegotiated with European company for wholesale price on next two
\n•\tBetween $3,500-$8,000 CAD
\n•\tAll cabins are 105 ft² (don’t need building permit)
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\nHow David furnishes the cabins
\n•\tQueen bed
\n•\tWriter’s table
\n•\tDressers
\n•\tHeaters
\n•\tElectric blanket, fan
\n•\tPremium cabin has loft, A/C
\n•\tRustic theme (most furniture used)
\n•\tSpend $1,000 per cabin on furnishings
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\nThe process of building the cabins
\n•\tDavid, his wife and father-in-law built in two days
\n•\tComes with complete kit
\n•\tEnsure area is level
\n•\tCould pour cement pad as foundation
\n•\tDavid recommends 6x6 pressure-treated lumber
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\nDavid’s ROI
\n•\tFirst year with single cabin, made $6,000 CAD (170% ROI)
\n•\tSingle cabin this year generated $8,000 CAD (200% ROI)
\n•\tAdditional cabins built this spring have already paid for selves
\n•\tMade $4,000 CAD last month
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\nHow David approaches maintenance
\n•\tChangeover requires sweeping, change of bedsheets
\n•\tSimple because no bath/shower to clean
\n•\tReplace bedsheets as necessary
\n•\tFew things to break, not costly to replace
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\nThe seasonality of bookings
\n•\tDidn’t anticipate bookings in January, February
\n•\tClosed listing in 2016 while traveling
\n•\tKept open in 2017, still made $2,000 from January—March
\n•\tInstalled two heavy-duty heaters
\n•\tMay try pellet stoves this winter
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\nThe legality of Airbnb in David’s municipality
\n•\tHasn’t ruled for or against (only two hosts in area)
\n•\tDavid is building up client base of regulars in case of eventual regulations
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\nThe primary market for David’s cabins
\n•\tPeople in nearby cities looking to getaway
\n•\tOne- or two-day trip
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\nThe benefits of the log cabin concept
\n•\tLow risk
\n•\tDavid is willing to chat about your specific situation,","author_name":"Freewyld Foundry"}