The Bobcat Nation

I am a bit of a newbie to the concept of vacation homes as an alternative to hotels, and was wondering if anyone has some insights into how successful vacation homes are in the Bozeman area? Are people able to make them pay for themselves, or do they tend to be money pits? Is the vacancy pretty awful lately, or are they holding up okay?

I'm just trying to learn more about the subject, so any insights would be appreciated.

I used a vacation condo this year for the first time. During the fall I found most of the properties to be empty. I had my pick of any home or condo and at about half the rate they charge in the winter. I paid $200/night for a beautiful 3 bedroom condo. I saw homes going for $150 - $400 night. I think the only time of year you would see almost 100% occupancy is Dec. -March. The summer looks to be about 50% occupancy and the Spring and Fall pretty dry.

From here in Bozeman, I'd say there's a glut on the market in terms of general real estate. There are a number of vacation homes in Bozeman, and if you're looking to invest, I'd suggest giving one of the owners a call to see how they feel about their business. Can't hurt to ask.

Also, the City of Bozeman's zoning ordinance regulates where such facilities can be located at. I'd suggest you call the Planning Department (where I work) for more information if you are interested in a specific property. Feel free to PM me for more info.