 Log homes (by Rangor [TN]) Feb 22, 2021 12:21 PM
 Log homes (by Deanna [TX]) Feb 22, 2021 1:22 PM
Log homes (by Nicole [PA]) Feb 22, 2021 7:54 PM
Log homes (by Ken [NY]) Feb 22, 2021 8:17 PM
Log homes (by Nicole [PA]) Feb 22, 2021 8:50 PM
Log homes (by Ken [NY]) Feb 22, 2021 9:15 PM
Log homes (by Nicole [PA]) Feb 22, 2021 9:25 PM
Log homes (by Ken [NY]) Feb 22, 2021 9:29 PM
Log homes (by Rangor [TN]) Feb 22, 2021 11:41 PM
Log homes (by Hoosier [IN]) Feb 25, 2021 2:32 AM
Log homes (by Rangor [TN]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 12:21 PM
Message:
Do any of you have experience with log homes as short term rentals? From the lending side of things it does not seem to be an issue, but from the insurance side it seems like it will be a challenge.
Is it because they are riskier, more expensive to replace etc. or is it because they traditionally are second homes or vacant a higher percentage of the time (which insurance companies hate)?
This home is not in a secluded area that only sees activity in the summer. It is also 15 minutes from our home so I don't see it as being in that same category of risk. However, because of how we would like to use it (providing it a few times a year to individuals who otherwise couldn't afford it, but who need a place to recharge), using it as a long term rental is not in the cards.
Any insights or companies that specialize in insuring this type of home? Thanks.
--64.252.xx.xx |
Log homes (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 1:22 PM
Message:
I don't have a log cabin, per se, but I have a house whose interior was finished in log cabin style.
If someone damages my drywall, it's easy to slap a coat of paint on it. If someone damages my handcrafted log cabin interior, it's far less forgiving.
I tend to rent it much more expensively for the space. I'm also stricter on no-pets. (Did allow a cat once, for an extra $100/month... it was 100% indoor-only and still managed to bring in fleas, but fortunately, no other damage that couldn't be resolved with time and pesticide.)
So, since my house looks like a normal house from the outside, I never had any specific insurance issues. Then again, it also has a fire hydrant in the front yard. :)
How close is the closest fire hydrant to yours?
Also, since my house originally started life as an ordinary house, it has an ordinary house crawl space foundation. What kind of foundation does your log cabin have?
Those are the first two variables that I think would have the biggest effect on your log cabin insurance rate.
--137.118.xx.xxx |
Log homes (by Nicole [PA]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 7:54 PM
Message:
I have a "real" log cabin - built in 1923. Very rural. Very rustic. No running water but it does have electric for lights only plus three wall outlets in the entire cabin. The outside logs are also the inside logs. Heat by a fireplace or they bring their own propane/kerosene heaters. I believe everyone that has rented so far has slept outside under the wide open skies. It's covered under my policy for the entire property. If I were to rent it long term, I'd need different coverage. A few weekends a year is not a problem. I've got that in writing from the underwriter. --72.70.xxx.xxx |
Log homes (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 8:17 PM
Message:
My insurance agent told me when i asked that short term rentals have different insurance than normal rentals and it is more costly --72.231.xxx.xxx |
Log homes (by Nicole [PA]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 8:50 PM
Message:
that's what mine also says Ken. This is kind of a test that I am doing. No advertising. Only renting to folks who are referred. Four weekends total since I started. He said if it turns into an air bnb type thing, we will need to change the policy. --72.70.xxx.xxx |
Log homes (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 9:15 PM
Message:
Nicole,I am getting interested in short term rentals,is there a reason you arent advertising all out? --72.231.xxx.xxx |
Log homes (by Nicole [PA]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 9:25 PM
Message:
I am going very slowly. As I said, this is VERY rural and rugged. There is an out house. No shower (not even outside). There are no beds. There is no running water. No stove, no refrigerator. Basically you get to sit in my woods at the fire pit, look out over the river and camp out with the ambience of a beautiful, peaceful location and a VERY picturesque log cabin. If someone wants to sleep inside, they would need to bring their own air mattress or hammock (or sleeping bag on the floor). I do not want anyone coming with any type expectations. If you are sitting at the kitchen table and a snake crawls out of the bench you are sitting on, I don't want to hear about it. No refunds if the bear (although he's gone now) comes to visit. If a bat swoops in the door, I'm not coming to get him out for you. I want honest feedback about the good and bad before I put more effort into making it a more marketable property. --72.70.xxx.xxx |
Log homes (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 9:29 PM
Message:
People will rent that just be brutally honest in the description.I have seen people renting tents for good money.What have you been charging? --72.231.xxx.xxx |
Log homes (by Rangor [TN]) Posted on: Feb 22, 2021 11:41 PM
Message:
Well having just returned from spending a couple hours visiting with the friends who may be selling this house, I am happy to report that it is not as 'rustic' as what Nicole has!
I didn't understand all of the technology behind this 1990 build, but the logs are quite a few feet off the ground with a 4 foot crawl space. The walls are 12" thick, the chinking is synthetic and, if I am understanding it correctly, there is rubber that separates one log from another. The logs are only on the lower level, with a normal stick built second floor.
They said they never had an issue with insurance and even have a friend that gave them another quote on the same property. I will do some more digging tomorrow on this, but I am more hopeful than before regarding getting insurance. Thanks. --64.252.xx.xx |
Log homes (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Feb 25, 2021 2:32 AM
Message:
I was a licensed home inspector and did inspect a handful of log homes. I can't speak to the insurance question, but there are a few different construction styles for log homes that will determine quality. The quality/condition of the chinking is one of the key things to look at. They tend to be in more rural areas, so "critters" are a concern...lots of carpenter bees and woodpeckers attack the wood. One style has a post in the center of the cabin that has a jackscrew that has to be adjusted every year or so, else the roof will start to sag. Due to many of them being built "cottage style", some of the typical safety things you see on houses are not there. Example...handrails on stairs are rarely done to proper safety codes. --99.92.xxx.xxx |
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