What would you pay?

[donsgal]

Let's say I had some property that is situated near a major tourist attraction. This land is undeveloped (no water, no septic, no nuthin') but it is on a state highway and is only a few miles from stores, gasoline, and just one mile from the lake where there is really good fishing.

Let's say I had a notion to lease out a "primitive" camping spot or two for folks who want to come to the area but don't want to pay $20 a night for a place to camp. Keeping in mind that it would only be for tents, small pop-up type campers or small overhead campers only (NO BIG RV RIGS).

Since I would be living next door (theorectically), I would be willing to fill up any water jugs, etc. for free and maybe even provide a toilet facility or shower facility for them.

I would like to lease out the spot on a basis of six months or a year. Unlimited use. They could live there the whole time if they wanted, I don't care. I wonder what your opinion would be on whether or not something like this would work. And if so, what you think would be a fair price to charge.

Basically, I am trying to think about the future when I am old and grey and don't have much in the way of income. My greatest concern is my property taxes. If I can get them paid, then I can live pretty much hand to mouth on my social security (hopefully it will still be around then). I figure if I can cover my taxes by leasing out camping spots then I am going to be ok.

I could put in a trailer and rent it out by the month, but that requires a huge outlay initially and I don't really have the money to do that. With the camping scenario, there is no outlay initially except maybe building one small toilet/shower building. Of course, there is the issue of liability insurance, which would be high, I'm sure.

Can I have your thoughts and opinions? Do you think something like this might work?????

Thanks to all who reply.

Donsgal

[Photo-bug]

my 2 cents,

I think it could work. I go camping a lot and I see a lot of places like that that usually have someone there. I think you would want to consider some rv hookups. I believe you would increase your occupancy especially for longer stays. Personally I usually tend to stay away from private campgounds preferring national parks, state parks etc. I find them more enjoyable. But I also have a tendancy to park the truck and hike to a location.

Now there are some private campgrounds that I have enjoyed most of those are usually associated with music festivals, indian pow wows etc. They are a blast. The point here being you need something to draw people if you want to be able to have a steady flow of income. You need to approach it from a business standpoint. If you are that close to a tourist spot you have a good draw and pumping some money into it will go a long way. THings such as a shower facility, fire rings, nicely cleared camp sites and of course probably some landscape maintenance. Make it look enticing and enviting make people want to stay there. Thought about a bed and breakfast? you could put up a few small cabins fairly cheaply.

Just my 2 cents

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by Photo-bug

my 2 cents,

I think it could work. I go camping a lot and I see a lot of places like that that usually have someone there. I think you would want to consider some rv hookups. I believe you would increase your occupancy especially for longer stays. Personally I usually tend to stay away from private campgounds preferring national parks, state parks etc. I find them more enjoyable. But I also have a tendancy to park the truck and hike to a location.

Now there are some private campgrounds that I have enjoyed most of those are usually associated with music festivals, indian pow wows etc. They are a blast. The point here being you need something to draw people if you want to be able to have a steady flow of income. You need to approach it from a business standpoint. If you are that close to a tourist spot you have a good draw and pumping some money into it will go a long way. THings such as a shower facility, fire rings, nicely cleared camp sites and of course probably some landscape maintenance. Make it look enticing and enviting make people want to stay there. Thought about a bed and breakfast? you could put up a few small cabins fairly cheaply.

Just my 2 cents

I like the cabins idea. As long as I can keep it on the rustic side. I think your advice is good. It always helps to have the input from a different point of view. Something like this is what I was thinking about, but on a smaller scale. http://www.springwoodproperties.com/index.html

donsgal

[Photo-bug]

Very interesting idea. You must have a nice sized piece of property. I've been looking for something around 100+ acres and have been toying with ideas to have it make money. I've been researching cabins and you can build them pretty cheaply buy contracting yourself. For instace I found a company that is the wholesaler to all these log cabin companies. They will take your sketch or plans and sell you the cut logs. Cant remember the site but search for wholesale log cabins or log manufacturers.

I wonder there is any business potential in developing primitive type properties for homesteader or survivalist types?

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by Photo-bug

Very interesting idea. You must have a nice sized piece of property. I've been looking for something around 100+ acres and have been toying with ideas to have it make money. I've been researching cabins and you can build them pretty cheaply buy contracting yourself. For instace I found a company that is the wholesaler to all these log cabin companies. They will take your sketch or plans and sell you the cut logs. Cant remember the site but search for wholesale log cabins or log manufacturers.

I wonder there is any business potential in developing primitive type properties for homesteader or survivalist types?

Homesteaders probably yes. I am not so sure about survivalists. Part of their "bug out" philosophy, I believe (could be wrong), is isolation, keeping a low profile, etc. Difficult to achieve in a development scenario. On the other hand the concept of "gulching" is a quasi-survivalist philosophy (as are intentional communities). I believe in the not-so-distant future that there will exist a greater demand for both. It would take some research but I think there could be a very real market there. Particularly since so much land is being consumed by "covenants and restrictions" type subdivisions these days, reducing available acreage for the homesteader.

Very interesting ideas! Thanks.

donsgal

[Photo-bug]

anytime,

Goodnight I should have been in bed a long time ago.

[Photo-bug]

Sorry one more thing check this place I found while looking for land in kentucky it's amazing what this lady did with 300 acres

www.snughollow.com a very beautiful place where land is still inexpensive

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by Photo-bug

Sorry one more thing check this place I found while looking for land in kentucky it's amazing what this lady did with 300 acres

www.snughollow.com a very beautiful place where land is still inexpensive

WIll do, have a good sleep! and thanks.

donsgal

[Jerngen]

I am from lower Michigan. Moved two years ago to upper lower Michigan for 10 months, then moved to Michigans Upper Penninsula last year.
The reason for mentioning that. All the time I lived in lower Michigan I only ever saw the traditional campground and such. When we moved to "upper lower" Michigan I drove by two places on a regular basis that advertised "parking spots" for campers at $15 a night. It was so out of place from what I had seen that it stuck in my mind but made perfect sense. A parking spot with electrical hook-up and a cold water facet. That's all that was offered. Right off the main drag for $15 a night. Since moving to Michigans Upper Penninsula I see quite a few of these places. During tourist season they are almost always full and I would imagine there is very little cash outlay for them. Have never seen them advertised either. They are just there.

[virtualco]

You got my camping fever up just reading these posts.

I think it would fly as persons like myself who want a change of pace for the summer, maybe a little cooler also, would like this.

I think showers, restroom w/washers-dryers would work well. Knowing the general area where you live I could see people using your service.

Around here, SW FL state sites with electric and water go for thirty a night and book up pretty fast.

This idea of yours I think has some merit.

[doohap]

My husband and I just spent our fifth wedding anniversary in Luckenbach, Texas, where we were married. We usually tent camp most places we go, but since my son and his family (with children) were going to be joining us we decided to opt for cabins at a nearby campground. There were three of them Here's the place:



This is the unit my son stayed in. I chose this shot to show the grill and fire pit provided. There was a shower house/bathroom about 80 feet away. There were also tent sites available on the other side of the shower house. Music could be heard from the Luckenbach dancehall, just down the road, across Grape creek.

Inside the cabin is a built-in double bed in one corner, a built-in bunkbed on the opposite side, a table, a chair, like the ones on the porch, an airconditioner and a portable heater. Simple, no frills. But we were comfortable and dry on Sunday night when the skies opened up and dropped two inches of rain on the hill country.

Anyway ... just thought something like this might fit the bill ...



P.S. It cost $50 per night per cabin.

[anniew]

Depending on your state's rules, it may be cumbersome. They may require official septic systems. One campsite near me (PA) is constantly being shut down for septic issues, some of which are more political than environmental.
Good luck with your venture.
Ann

[NWoods_Hippie]

Here in my county in Northern Wisconsin YOU can't even camp on YOUR OWN undeveloped land for more than 5 days!!

[doohap]

Originally Posted by NWoods_Hippie

Here in my county in Northern Wisconsin YOU can't even camp on YOUR OWN undeveloped land for more than 5 days!!

Now THAT sucks!

[kasilofhome]

I will be doing just this this summer. One person ask last Fall via my neighbor and it would be a win win.

I already have a road in to the area. and it has been cleared the spot needs to be bladed for which my neigbor is will ing to do for free. (the man is a friend of theirs)

This man will stay in an RV water will be supplied and the rate will be 400 per month.

The reason it will be a win win is
1. the man will be commercial fishing across the street.
2. In the past the man has spent gas traveling 56 miles a day to work the river.
3. The Neighbor will have the worker on (site) He can be picked up daily as they drive by
4. We had aready thought of it but knew that a blade would be needed and that was out of our price at this time.
5. my one neighbor will not complain (their idea and in a way I am helping them too)
6. with the man staying on our land for so long it is great that he has such a good reference.
7. this opens the door to others staying by the night.
8. Many people travel here to dip net their fish for the year and the beach fills up quickly. We have already invited ds's medical team to stay at our place with rv's or tents. this could work.

My location is very similar to yours.

If you want to see how many people in my town do this in the summer will find a like to "places to stay in the Kenia Penn."

I might have a chance to clean a few of my neighbors cabins that are used this way. the Going rate for the cabins is $150 a night (cabin cleaners make 50 dollars a cleaning per cabin) Most cabins have just the are ready to move in to include coffee and if ask inavance the fridge is stocked per a groc. list the owners supplies to the rent inadvance. This places fill up for certain months years in advance. The nicer the cabin and the nicer the host makes the stay the tips are GREAT.

[Lizza]

Same here (would need to check how many days you can stay). I would check your local regulations. Also....if you want to evict them for some reason it might be hard. Basically I would check all the legal stuff first and then go from there.

Originally Posted by NWoods_Hippie

Here in my county in Northern Wisconsin YOU can't even camp on YOUR OWN undeveloped land for more than 5 days!!

[rambler]

Legal & insurance issues will add up to some $$$. Worse in some locations than others. I believe you would risk losing everything you own without a business-priced liability insurance policy?

--->Paul

[big rockpile]

A friend of mine owns one of the Largest Private Camp areas around here.One is Insurance and Security.

He has many people coming in getting in fights and such.Plus the Law set up a Roadblock last year going into his place.50% of the people was arrested because of possesion of Drugs.And alot of his help couldn't go home because of trouble with the Law.

Another thing to watch is they will be very hard on grass and trees in the area.

In the area where you are I would say you would have to have facilities in place for Shower and Toilet.

My friend makes very good money but it is alot of work.

Thats about all I can think of.

big rockpile

[suburbanite]

Does it make more sense to board people, as you propose, or to board animals (horses)?

I kinda think the animals would be less hassle and provide a more consistent income. Also I sort of think you'd get a better quality of person around; it does take a basic level of responsibility to keep an animal long term, even if you're not the individual who feeds it each day (around here, typically the on-site person will feed the hay morning and night--either the cost of hay is rolled into the board fee or the owners buy the hay and the on-site person puts it in the feeder. While this requires a small amount of work on your part twice a day, it insures nobody can completely neglect their animal on your land).

[doohap]

Originally Posted by big rockpile

A friend of mine owns one ...

He has many people coming in getting in fights and such.

...

Another thing to watch is they will be very hard on grass and trees in the area.

...

My friend makes very good money but it is alot of work.

...

Great points made, Big RockPile! I concur.