Why We Decided to Buy a Short-Term Rental

ByTanyaPetersonRealtor
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-couple-watching-on-a-laptop-5482192/

People often ask how we ended up buying an Airbnb. The truth is, it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was something that had been quietly taking shape for years.

For years, my husband, Jesse, and I stayed in vacation rentals throughout Oregon. Some were incredible. Others left us wondering why certain decisions had been made. As a Realtor, I can’t help but notice the details. I’d walk through a property thinking, I could do this better.

Not because I thought I had all the answers, but because I’d experienced enough vacation homes—and enough guest stays—to recognize what makes a property memorable and what turns a relaxing getaway into a frustrating experience.

Owning a short-term rental had been in the back of my mind for a long time. Like many dreams, though, life and business always seemed to push it to the back burner.

Then an opportunity appeared that we never expected.

An Unexpected Partnership

Our friend Evelyn was completing a 1031 exchange and needed to identify a replacement property. Over the years, Jesse had completed several projects for her, and we’d built a strong foundation of trust and friendship.

At first, we assumed we’d simply enjoy the property alongside her as friends. But the more we talked, the more Jesse and I realized we wanted something more.

We didn’t just want to visit.

We wanted to be owners.

We wanted to be invested in the property’s success. We wanted the responsibility, the challenges, and the opportunity to build something meaningful together.

That single conversation changed everything.

We Knew What We Wanted

Photo by Josh Hild: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-dog-running-on-grass-9700138/

We had a pretty clear vision from the beginning.

We wanted water.

We wanted a place where families could gather.

We wanted enough room for everyone to spread out.

We wanted a dog-friendly property because vacations are better when the whole family—including the four-legged members—can come along.

And we wanted a home that could generate income while creating lasting memories for both our guests and our own families.

What we didn’t realize was just how much we still had to learn.

More Than an Investment

For me, this wasn’t simply another real estate purchase.

As a Realtor, I understand appreciation, cash flow, and return on investment. Those things matter. But this project was about something more.

It was about creating experiences.

I wanted guests to gather around the fire table after sunset.

I wanted kids to play games, laugh together, and make memories that lasted long after the vacation ended.

I wanted families to unplug, reconnect, and simply enjoy being together.

Most of all, I wanted guests to walk through the front door and immediately feel like they could breathe.

I wanted to create the kind of place I’d choose to stay myself.

Learning as We Went

If I’m being honest, I assumed there would be a step-by-step guide to buying and operating a successful short-term rental.

There wasn’t.

There were YouTube videos. Podcasts. Facebook groups. Countless opinions.

But there wasn’t a roadmap.

We quickly realized we’d have to figure things out one decision at a time.

Looking back, that’s become one of my favorite parts of the journey. Every challenge taught us something new, and every lesson made us a little more confident.

Lessons We’ve Learned So Far

Photo by www.kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-showing-design-to-her-client-4968546/

Even before welcoming our first guest, a few lessons had already become clear:

  • You don’t have to know everything before you begin.
  • Great partnerships are built on trust.
  • The right opportunity often appears when you least expect it.
  • Sometimes the hardest part is simply taking the first step.

A Realtor’s Perspective

Buying a short-term rental is very different from buying a primary residence.

You’re not just evaluating bedrooms, bathrooms, and curb appeal.

You’re evaluating the guest experience.

You’re thinking about local regulations, income potential, maintenance costs, insurance requirements, and how the property will perform for years to come.

It’s a completely different way of looking at real estate.

Those lessons became incredibly important as we began searching for the right property.

What’s Next

The view from the cabin on the canal

In the next installment of this series, I’ll share what we thought we wanted, the properties we almost bought, and why the home we nearly skipped became The Cabin on the Canal.

Sometimes the right home isn’t the one that checks every box—it’s the one that surprises you.

Thinking About Buying a Short-Term Rental?

As a Realtor and host, I’d love to share what we’ve learned along the way.

Ready to Experience The Cabin on the Canal?

Come see what we’ve built and create memories of your own. Click here.

Follow Along

This is just the beginning of our journey building The Cabin on the Canal.

Written by Tanya Peterson, Principal Real Estate Broker
Next Level Real Estate PNW | John L. Scott Market Center
Tanya Peterson, Principal Real Estate Broker
Next Level Real Estate PNW | John L. Scott Market Center
503-260-2164 OR Lic #200407018
ABR ~ CRS ~ GRI ~ e-Pro ~ SRES

#TanyaPetersonRealEstate #NextLevelRealEstatePNW

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