The Secrets of a Successful Mountain Cabin Rental!
November 5th, 2007Categories: North Georgia Cabin Buyer's reVIEWS, North Georgia Cabin Rental reVIEWS, North Georgia Real Estate VIEWS
It’s a foggy crisp fall morning in the North Georgia Mountains. 
You walk out on the dew dampened front porch wrapped in your wool blanket. As you bend down to sit in the porch rocker, you notice a faint silhouette of what appears to be a deer. Then, just as you get comfortable and begin sipping on your coffee, there they are….2 small fawn cautiously appearing from no where.
Now that is what I call “True freedom from anxiety!”
How would you like to experience a similar instance? Do you own a cabin in the mountains? If not, how can you possibly have the chance for the same experience? Well that’s simple, you rent one first, then when you are ready to buy, you call me. The Real Estate industry is one of the highest, if not the highest producer of revenue for most of the North Georgia Mountains. Not just the sale of cabins, but also the rental of them. I can’t even begin to tell you how many cabin rental companies there are in Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and the Ellijay Georgia area. The funny thing is, just last week I overheard two couples talking about how hard it was to find a cabin for the weekend! Folks just love coming to the mountains and experience the chance of a lifetime. The hope of getting a glimpse of a bear, the big catch, or just simply enjoying the sound of tranquility. Maybe you are looking for a great investment opportunity? That is a story for another day. Check back for how purchasing a Cabin in the North Georgia Mountains could be one of the best investments you might ever make in more ways than one.
So, what makes a rental cabin in the mountains a success?
Well, I have interviewed a couple of the top rated cabin rental businesses in the area. Lisa Skomp from Cozy Cove Cabin Rentals of Blairsville, GA. was kind enough to share her views of what makes folks want to keep coming back to the cabins in her program. I was also able to catch up with Dan Barton from First Class Cabin Rentals of Blue Ridge, GA. during one of his busy days of managing his family owned cabin rental business with wife Gayle. Both had great thoughts and views of what has been successful for them. While both had thoughts that were similar in a lot of ways, there was also a little difference in how they ranked the importance of them. Below you will find the secrets of a successful rental cabin.
Hot Tubs
Both Lisa and Dan agreed that hot tubs ranks right up there at the top of the list. I have to admit, when I rent a house on the beach I want to have a pool. I don’t know why, I am just not crazy about salt water, but if I am at the beach I want to swim, so I get a place with a pool. When folks come to the mountains, they want hot tubs. Why? I don’t really know, maybe its romance, or just simple relaxation. Outdoor living areas complete with hot tubs and a fireplace are among the top rented cabins. I guess you could say that hot tubs and cabin rentals go together like cornbread and milk!
Location…Location…Location!
Whether you want that jaw dropping mountain view, or the sound of a roaring river, to have a highly successful cabin rental you really need to have a great location. Although this in my opinion is one the most important factors, there are other important factors to consider in the location. For instance, the ease of access to the cabin and the closeness and the proximity of downtown for shopping and dining. Are the SUV’s finally loosing their cool? More and more folks are asking for all paved access. It might be they chose to drive their Corvette, or maybe they jumped on the Harley to come up to the mountains. Either way, this too ranked at the top from both of our experts.
Rustic But Elegant Cabin Decor’
Picture this…you drive up to the cabin and it is everything you thought and more. In all of your excitement you rush to grab a few bags and hurry down the stone path all googlie eyed. You impatiently are trying to get the key in the door with great anticipation. You walk in, turn on the lights and you can’t believe it….can it be? Much to your dismay, you find that Donald Trump must have been in charge of the budget for the furnishings. Very nice, way over the top, but it looks like something found in a New York Loft. No matter how nice the furnishings, folks that rent a mountain cabin, 
want to stay in a mountain cabin. It seems that our guys at Cozy Cove and First Class agree, that Rustic Decor’ is a must.
Game Rooms and Big Screens
Both of our experts felt that game rooms or big screens really help out when folks are searching for a cabin to rent. Not just any big screens, but plasma’s and LCD’s. Dan mentioned that more and more owners are putting 42” screens and larger. Almost everyone would agree, that a good game of pool while watching the Georgia beat Florida on a 42” plasma is Heaven on Earth! Well….almost everyone! Oh come on all you Gator’s, 3 times in 16 years… let me enjoy it! Go Dawgs!
Fireplaces GA-lore!
About the next best thing from having a cup of coffee with Bambi, is cuddling up in front of a crackling fire and…well I’ll let your imagination run free! Beautiful stoned fireplaces can if needed, make up for even one of Donald’s decorating mistakes. But you better have the firewood ready, because not many folks like gas logs anymore. They want the real deal, bring on the heat! Also, outdoor living areas with fireplaces have become ever so popular. So bring your favorite book and Little Debbie snack, and get ready for a peacefully warm evening by a cozy fire. Dan shared a quite humorous request from a past guest. He said he had someone call and specifically ask the type of screen the fireplace had. They insisted that is had a bear or a moose or some type of wildlife. Now that is what I am talking about, someone who knows what they want in a mountain cabin rental.
Pets or No Pets?
This is one area that my experts had a difference of opinion and where I would like to ask for some help from you. If you were planning a get-a-way to the North Georgia Mountains, (who couldn’t after reading this article) and you planned on renting a cabin, which rental would you choose, the one that allowed pets or the one that didn’t? Lisa at Cozy Cove Cabin Rentals actually has both pet friendly cabins and cabins that don’t allow pets, while Dan at First Class Cabin Rentals doesn’t allow any cabins in their program where even the owners have pets. I personally love dogs and cats…well just dogs, but not that much. Give me one that doesn’t allow pets!
Well, now you know the secrets of how to turn a cabin into a successful income producing rental over and over again. There are may other ways to make your cabin a successful renter. One of the obvious is the company you choose to manage your property. Actually this could be a vital component contributing or not contributing to how well and how often your cabin rents. They are responsible for the fees to charge, for cleaning and overseeing the maintenance, and the overall management of the property. The rates that are set for the nightly and weekly rentals could be key in the success of a good cabin rental. So,If you are ready to invest in the North Georgia Mountains, be sure to give me a call or shoot me an email. I would be glad to help you each step of the way in search of your perfect investment property in the North Georgia Mountains.
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Rental cabins have come a long way. Used to be that us Floridians just wanted spectacular views from a rocking chair on a porch, and tranquil settings on lakes, streams or creeks. Now we want all the bells and whistles and luxury!
There are luxury rental cabins out there that have hot tubs on the decks as well as indoor fireplaces for romantic evenings. Now there’s game rooms with air hockey, foosball or pool tables.
I did a search for mountain cabin rentals and found outdoor fireplaces, and fire pits too. Some cabin rental even cater to pets, the rest of the family!! How about pet beds and food and water bowls!!
Give me a king sized bed in the master bedroom with high count linens!
Comment by Port Orange Juice — November 9, 2007 #
Thanks for coming up on the Porch and for giving me your View.
Sounds to me like you might have been to our beautiful mountains a time or two? When are you coming again?
Chad
Comment by Chad — November 10, 2007 #
Hi Chad,
I’m the one you left a comment on my blog regarding pictures I might have taken in North Georgia and Appalachia. I’d be happy to email you a zip file if you like to use as you may.
Just let me know at albrittoncharles@aol.com if you want them.
Thanks,
C R Albritton
Comment by C R Albritton — November 10, 2007 #
Mr. Albritton,
Thanks for getting back to me, I really appreciate it. Absolutely I would love to get some of those amazing shots you took in our North Georgia Mountains.
Thanks so much,
Chad
Comment by Chad — November 11, 2007 #
Chad- Your picture of a morning in the North Georgia Mountains was enough to make me stop and dream for a moment of that front porch rocker- it’s gorgeous.
Comment by ChicoHomeSearch.net- Sandi Bauman — November 12, 2007 #
I have never been to the North Georgia Mountains. The views are fantastic. I can see that cabins there are a lot nicer then in my neck of the woods.
Maybe we need to upgrade a little around here.
Seriously, investing in rental cabins sounds like a great business plan. What a unique real estate investment.
Comment by Marty Van Diest — November 14, 2007 #
Chad - A cabin in the North Georgia Mountains sounds like the perfect get away. To answer your question - I would not bring my pet - I just want to relax!
Comment by Indianapolis Real Estate — November 14, 2007 #
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I agree with all that you have posted, Hot Tub, luxury and definetly NO PETS, I know what pets can do and NO thanks, luxury bed linens, paved streets, and a VIEW! How do you find that luxury cabin with a view, hot tub and all the best? I know I can read on the internet, but sometimes pictures and what people say really aren’t the truth, and I would like someone to tell me the best ones. Also I would like to come to the Georgia mountains next year. My dream has always been to home a log home, so after I visit I may just give that a try.
Comment by Cheryl Reader — April 30, 2008 #
Please someone advise of a luxury cabin, with hot tub, views and great linens and comfortable bed to rent. No pets or kids. I am really picky, a clean freak and want things really nice. thanks My husband and I want to come next year for a visit since I have never been to Georgia, and my dream has always been to own a log home even though I have never stayed in one, so we want to plan a trip for next fall. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Comment by Cheryl Reader — April 30, 2008 #