Experience with Church Conversion - Rookie asking

[Tricia Heagle]

I am curious to hear if you have converted a church property into a short term or long term rental? What were unexpected things? What went well? What did you do with all of that space/how did you divide it, if at all - multi family, short term rental, other?  What would you tell a rookie about converting a church?

I'm looking into a church that has been zoned as residential. The current owners gutted the inside down to the support walls. It's a blank canvas. 

Thanks for your insights. 

[Jonathan Greene]

Do you know why they gutted it and stopped? There is usually a reason beyond the renovation cost too much and if they say they just decided to go in another direction, that is always a lie. For any STR in today's market, you really want to go all-in on the experience. Since the space is usually open where the pews were, it gives you a lot of options for games or unique things for the space. If you are hoping to get multiple groups or families in there, you will need to create some formal bedrooms for privacy.