justinramani
Gold Member
AirBnB - Making Money on the Farm - Share Your Experiences!
Good Morning -
Over the years I have read a lot of one off posts about how to make extra money around the farm. My wife and I purchased about 40 acres in North Carolina from a bank a few years back. Neither one of us grew up on farms, or had any experience "working land". Fortunately for us there was a neighbor that was caring for the fields and managing hay production while the bank owned the land. After we purchased the land we kept that arrangement in place - he manages the fields and keeps the hay as payment for his time (we have about 15 or so acres in production).
Eventually we decided to build a house on the land. Our main residence is on the first floor and we have an in-law suite on the second floor along with a detached garage with apartment over top. When we built the house the intention for the in-law suites was for extended family visits. While it's great to have the extra space for family and friends - it isn't always being utilized. One day I got a wild hair and decided to list the extra space on AirBnB and HomeAway. I didn't expect much interest because we live on the outskirts of town - about 15 - 20 minutes from a major US Army installation.
Almost immediately we were inundated with reservation requests for both the in-law suite as well as the garage apartment. My wife and I were blown away - who in the world would want to stay way out here?!?!?! Well - it turns out that there are TONS of reasons that being people out to the "farm".
Here is a list of some that we have encountered:
1) Private Contractors that are doing work at the installation
2) Couples that just want to get away for a weekend
3) Father and son weekend away
4) Visiting family in the area
5) Visitation for children
6) Bought/sold house and need a few days, weeks, months to bridge the gap
The suites have been so successful that they basically cover our entire mortgage as well as electric bill. I am now thinking about ways to build more furnished rentals on the land that we own.
Lets hear some ideas of how you have made your land work for you....
I know - pictures or it didn't happen......
Good Morning -
Over the years I have read a lot of one off posts about how to make extra money around the farm. My wife and I purchased about 40 acres in North Carolina from a bank a few years back. Neither one of us grew up on farms, or had any experience "working land". Fortunately for us there was a neighbor that was caring for the fields and managing hay production while the bank owned the land. After we purchased the land we kept that arrangement in place - he manages the fields and keeps the hay as payment for his time (we have about 15 or so acres in production).
Eventually we decided to build a house on the land. Our main residence is on the first floor and we have an in-law suite on the second floor along with a detached garage with apartment over top. When we built the house the intention for the in-law suites was for extended family visits. While it's great to have the extra space for family and friends - it isn't always being utilized. One day I got a wild hair and decided to list the extra space on AirBnB and HomeAway. I didn't expect much interest because we live on the outskirts of town - about 15 - 20 minutes from a major US Army installation.
Almost immediately we were inundated with reservation requests for both the in-law suite as well as the garage apartment. My wife and I were blown away - who in the world would want to stay way out here?!?!?! Well - it turns out that there are TONS of reasons that being people out to the "farm".
Here is a list of some that we have encountered:
1) Private Contractors that are doing work at the installation
2) Couples that just want to get away for a weekend
3) Father and son weekend away
4) Visiting family in the area
5) Visitation for children
6) Bought/sold house and need a few days, weeks, months to bridge the gap
The suites have been so successful that they basically cover our entire mortgage as well as electric bill. I am now thinking about ways to build more furnished rentals on the land that we own.
Lets hear some ideas of how you have made your land work for you....
I know - pictures or it didn't happen......
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