Rural Property - What to look out for?

Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes

Hi Friends!

My husband and I are partnering with another couple on a large 4,300+ sq ft A-Frame cabin in a verrrry remote area in the woods, near Oakhurst CA. We have ordered the following inspections:

- Whole house

- Pest

- Septic

- Well

- Defensible Space (Cal Fire)

Is there anything else we should be keeping an eye out for a property like this? We're on 8.5 acres and in the middle of nowhere. Thanks in advance!

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Dana Boyd

Rental Property Investor · San Francisco · Member since 2020 · 44 posts · 28 votes

I own a property in a remote area by Cold Springs (outside of Sonora) and its almost impossible to find vendors to service the property. I would definitely make sure you have vendors lined up before you close.

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Charles Renn
Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2021 · 215 posts · 103 votes
3y
Hey Nicole, this looks awesome! What is the situation with land rights on this one? That's where my mind goes to when I see beauties like this in the wilderness. Best of luck.
0 Reply
Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
3y
Hey @Nicole Masters, looks like a really cool place! Is it in an area that is subject to the electrical shutdowns that seem to happen during the summer?
Is there anything close to do? Hiking trails? Lake? River?
If it is affected by the electrical shutdowns, then you might want to invest in a whole house generator on propane. It would suck for guests to get there and the next day the power is out for a week.
0 Reply
Paul Sandhu
Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
Bears?
0 Reply
Leslie Anne Morris
Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
3y
Pretty much the only thing you didn’t order is a survey
0 Reply
John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
3y
Has this been on a STR program before?
Is there a draw to the area or just the house?
0 Reply
Malcomb StapelPro Member
Investor · Topeka, KS · Member since 2020 · 669 posts · 488 votes
3y
@Nicole Masters we want to stay in that one when it goes live. Looks great!
0 Reply
Cole SchlackPro Member
Realtor · Hawaii, HI · Member since 2015 · 145 posts · 95 votes
3y
Quote from @Nicole Masters:

Hi Friends!
My husband and I are partnering with another couple on a large 4,300+ sq ft A-Frame cabin in a verrrry remote area in the woods, near Oakhurst CA. We have ordered the following inspections:
- Whole house
- Pest
- Septic
- Well
- Defensible Space (Cal Fire)
Is there anything else we should be keeping an eye out for a property like this? We're on 8.5 acres and in the middle of nowhere. Thanks in advance!

Did you verify with the County that you can do STVR in that zone? Also get an insurance quote its going to be expensive I would guess.
0 Reply
Aaron Porter
Insurance Agent · all 50 states · Member since 2022 · 184 posts · 122 votes
3y
Yes Get a quote for Insurance. Highly secluded in California forests. I have a feeling this is going to be an extremely expensive home to insure and you may not be able to get fire insurance.
That being said it looks like a beautiful home and would be an amazing place to venture to. Best of luck on the deal!
2 Reply
Lyndsay Zwirlein
Lender · Member since 2020 · 331 posts · 209 votes
3y
Quote from @Nicole Masters:

Hi Friends!
My husband and I are partnering with another couple on a large 4,300+ sq ft A-Frame cabin in a verrrry remote area in the woods, near Oakhurst CA. We have ordered the following inspections:
- Whole house
- Pest
- Septic
- Well
- Defensible Space (Cal Fire)
Is there anything else we should be keeping an eye out for a property like this? We're on 8.5 acres and in the middle of nowhere. Thanks in advance!

Beautiful place! If you're using financing, check with your lender. Most programs have acreage limitations and LTV restrictions if the appraisal is marked "rural".
0 Reply
Paul Sandhu
Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
Mountain lions. I read about a property owner in CA that had a mountain lion in its back yard. It did a standing jump over an 8 foot wooden fence when the owner came out.
.
.
.
.
.
The mountain lion was holding a fully grown German shephard in its mouth when it did the standing jump over the fence.
0 Reply
Eliott Elias
Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
Do an inspection on the septic tank, make sure there is enough land to make it desirable. Out in the country land is king, not just acreage, but how the acreage is spread out
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Danny Polanski
Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 184 posts · 182 votes
3y
Not sure this is a thing in California, but Id check on your mineral rights.
0 Reply
Toni Escuder
Interior Decorator · Charlotte NC · Member since 2022 · 48 posts · 32 votes
3y
We've furnished homes like this a bunch and one thing I would look out for is cell service in the area, internet outages, and GPS directions to the property. In my experience, guests are not forgiving when they do not have stable internet and can't make phone calls and you will take heat for this in the reviews.
Also, how easy is it to get your staff together for this location? Cleaners could be a bit of a nightmare to depend on if it's very out of the way. Maybe I'm getting a little too far down the road, but these are things that would make me pause for these types of rural properties.
2 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Nicole Masters:

What's the fire risk in that area? Insurance? Taxes?
You say it's "very remote" but what does that mean? Many of us would expect it to be an hour away from stores and other public amenities. How marketable is it as a short-term rental? Does it have any performance history to justify the cost? Who will clean it? Maintain it?
Remote properties often have issues with utilities (water, septic, trash, and electricity) so I would want to verify that's all solid.
A quick search shows that anything comparable to this is selling for $2 million or more. Can you share details?
The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
3y
I would think insurance would be your major issue. Definitely get a generator. Check easements as well....
0 Reply
Dana Boyd
Rental Property Investor · San Francisco · Member since 2020 · 44 posts · 28 votes
3y
I own a property in a remote area by Cold Springs (outside of Sonora) and its almost impossible to find vendors to service the property. I would definitely make sure you have vendors lined up before you close.
4 Reply
Jennifer Cooper
Member since 2021 · 15 posts · 15 votes
3y
I would definitely look septic and the age of your well equípeme tent with that big of a home you definitely need a well performing well. If this home wasn’t being used a ton before budget in for repairs as a sudden change in use really affects things like your booster pump and pressure tank. I agree with the above poster about the whole house generator, the summer heat can be brutal depending on where you are. What is the age of the HVAC? Renters are not forgiving when it comes to being hot.
Do you plan to self manage?
I have 2 STR's in Oakhurst happy to chat.
1 Reply
Matt Greer
Real Estate Agent · Mesa, AZ · Member since 2017 · 230 posts · 169 votes
3y
If it's an STR I'd make sure there is demand that far out in the country and how constant it is. I'd also check on how it would fair as a normal rental should you need to go that route. For that I make sure there are sufficient jobs in the area that could afford it.
1 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @Charles Renn:

Hey Nicole, this looks awesome! What is the situation with land rights on this one? That's where my mind goes to when I see beauties like this in the wilderness. Best of luck.

Hey Charles! I'm actually not too sure, you're referencing easements, correct? That comes out during title check right?
0 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @Michael Baum:

Hey @Nicole Masters, looks like a really cool place! Is it in an area that is subject to the electrical shutdowns that seem to happen during the summer?
Is there anything close to do? Hiking trails? Lake? River?
If it is affected by the electrical shutdowns, then you might want to invest in a whole house generator on propane. It would suck for guests to get there and the next day the power is out for a week.

That's a great call out! I do believe it comes with a generator, especially being so remote. There's a lake about 12 minutes away and the south entrance of Yosemite is 40 minutes away from us.
0 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @John Underwood:

Has this been on a STR program before?
Is there a draw to the area or just the house?

It has been operating as a STR for the past two years, it's poorly marketed and doesn't have professional photos. It still managed to pull in $125,000 last year and $150,000 this year.
The main attraction is the house itself, because it will be able to sleep up to 18 people and we believe we can host private weddings there as well. It's 40 minutes from the south entrance of Yosemite and near a small lake called Bass Lake.
0 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @Malcomb Stapel:

@Nicole Masters we want to stay in that one when it goes live. Looks great!

Aw thank you! It would be an awesome spot for family reunions, weddings, celebrations, masterminds, corporate retreats, etc. It currently sleeps 10, but we'll be upgrading it to 18 soon!
0 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @Cole Schlack:

Quote from @Nicole Masters:

Hi Friends!
My husband and I are partnering with another couple on a large 4,300+ sq ft A-Frame cabin in a verrrry remote area in the woods, near Oakhurst CA. We have ordered the following inspections:
- Whole house
- Pest
- Septic
- Well
- Defensible Space (Cal Fire)
Is there anything else we should be keeping an eye out for a property like this? We're on 8.5 acres and in the middle of nowhere. Thanks in advance!

Did you verify with the County that you can do STVR in that zone? Also get an insurance quote its going to be expensive I would guess.

Yes we've checked with the county (that's always our first step haha) and it's already operating as a STR! The insurance quote issss pretty expensive, but we've worked that into our numbers when we were originally running the deal.
0 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @Aaron Porter:

Yes Get a quote for Insurance. Highly secluded in California forests. I have a feeling this is going to be an extremely expensive home to insure and you may not be able to get fire insurance.
That being said it looks like a beautiful home and would be an amazing place to venture to. Best of luck on the deal!

We are getting quotes! Which actually leads me to ask you, I see you're an insurance agent everywhere. Would you be interested in quoting this house? If so shoot me a DM :)
0 Reply
Nicole Masters
OP
Realtor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 242 posts · 152 votes
3y
Quote from @Toni Escuder:

We've furnished homes like this a bunch and one thing I would look out for is cell service in the area, internet outages, and GPS directions to the property. In my experience, guests are not forgiving when they do not have stable internet and can't make phone calls and you will take heat for this in the reviews.
Also, how easy is it to get your staff together for this location? Cleaners could be a bit of a nightmare to depend on if it's very out of the way. Maybe I'm getting a little too far down the road, but these are things that would make me pause for these types of rural properties.

These are all things we looked for! Luckily our GPS took us straight there with no issues (which thank goodness because I'm the worst person with directions so if I can get there anyone can lol) and the service with no wifi was great! We are getting a mesh kit for wifi that will cover the whole home. Those are great points!
We're an hour from Fresno (a significantly larger town) and 20 minutes from Oakhurst which has plenty of STRs in it operating. Finding a cleaner is our next pretty important task.
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