The quintessential mountain home exists in many forms and architectural trends have proven that Lincoln Logs are not just for fun.
The mention of a log cabin brings up several nostalgic images to mind for most Americans. Log cabins are synonymous with history, hard work, and the mountains or open plains. From childhood make-believe play with Lincoln Logs, to luxury cabins in some of America's most prestigious mountain towns -- log cabins are a trend that's lasted since settlers were building their homes on newly-minted American soil.
Whether one is interested in a rental to set the tone for a vacation, is searching to buy the perfect cabin already built, or wants to dig in and build one themselves -- there's a market for log cabins and a high interest at that.
The Appeal
The desire for a log cabin makes sense to most because of the simplicity behind the appeal. Log cabins exude coziness, comfort, history, warmth, and an overall rural, old-timey vibe. With the hustle and bustle of life extending its reach even into the sleepiest of towns -- it's no surprise that now more than ever, travelers want to vacation in a home that offers the opposite of "real-life." Almost every rental site from VRBO to AirBnB has a section or a filter for "cabins" and some even have articles dedicated to the "coolest" log cabin rentals they offer like this one from Tripadvisor. Disappearing into the mountains to unwind and connect with your loved ones has been and will always be a universal want. Even those that are self-proclaimed "glampers" can get behind residing in a log cabin for the weekend, if not only for the instagram photos.
Rentals
As with any category of rental properties, there are many different tiers of log cabins. There are small designer "tiny homes," modest and traditional cabins, and sweeping estates that rest upon acres of land. A quick search on AirBnB will show prospective renters that more grand homes will cost them a nightly rate similar to that of a car payment, and also that several homes are affordable, especially outside of peak holiday weekends.
The Log Cabin Market
The blog "The Cabin Diary" documents a move into a 650 square foot log cabin. A post titled "5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to a Log Cabin" is a great resource for those looking to make log cabin dwelling a permanent fixture. The particular log cabin regarded in the blog is small and lacking central heat and A/C so a large part of the post refers to the importance of being in tune with the weather and to live with less than you think you need. Outdoortroop.com noted that living in a log cabin can be rustic, adventurous, fun, even grand -- but it can also be cold and expensive. Taking up permanent resident in a log cabin depends on the integrity of the building and one's own preferences -- much like permanent residence in any other type of home.
By no means though should buyers searching for a log cabin as a forever home think of log cabins as rustic old-school living, unless of course that's what they're looking for. While a more modest cabin is more typical, when it comes to log cabins -- there are plenty full time residents in areas like Lake Tahoe, Sun Valley, ID, Aspen, CO and all across Montana that have log cabins decked out with indoor swimming pools, saunas, great rooms larger than the average house, and more. In fact, more often than not, log cabins have more opulence inside than a more traditional home.
Realtor.com published an article on nine log cabin homes under the nationwide median of 350,000 in order to give readers a chance to see that there are possibilities of making buyer's cabin dreams a reality without deep pockets. Since log cabins often exist as investment properties, its important to note that as always, comfort is a key factor here -- second only to location which will always take top priority when it comes to a home in general -- but especially an investment property.
The market for log cabins in general will largely depend on the area buyers are searching in. California's mountainous areas like Big Bear and the Sierras have high demand for log cabin homes, and not a lot available for sale. States like Montana, Colorado, Idaho, and the likes have more inventory available but still a high demand for log cabin style homes with all of the creature comforts. While some want to retreat to the juxtaposition of a modern home in the mountains -- most desire a replication of their beloved Lincoln Log playsets, complete with brick fireplaces, great rooms, and many even a moose on the wall.
Doing It Yourself?
There's truly not a market more suited for DIY than that of log cabins. Not only are they relatively cost-effective (depending, of course, on the design and scope of one's home), but the essence of log cabin itself calls out for sweat equity and personal touches. Now that's not to say that log cabins when built from the ground up or purchased already built are less expensive than other style homes -- but data does show that log cabins have more inherent value -- "typically 30 to 40 percent more than a conventional home." The cost to build a log cabin according to ubuildit.com, is "typically 20 to 30 percent more than a conventionally built home, and [they] usually sell much faster than regular homes."
Most websites and resources report a modest log cabin built from the ground up to be in range with the above quotation. Sites like ubuiltit.com and logcabinhub.com offer prospective builders quite a few ways to look at building their own log cabin from the studs. Building any home gives buyers a lot more freedom when it comes to their design choices and customization is especially popular recently. Cabins be customized externally with floor to ceiling windows, roof-color choices (the traditional green for a log cabin or perhaps something more modern?), and the overall shape of the home -- fireplaces, hearths, and more -- the possibilities really are endless when using the kits many companies offer in areas where these types of cabins are popular.
Either way one looks at it, log cabins are here to stay. Potential renters and buyers will continue to search for the warmth they offer and agents and properties managers in mountainous areas are sure to be asked about log cabins often. At the end of the day, log cabins are timeless and do not depend on trends for their popularity as their novelty factor is more alive than ever.
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