Published January 19, 2026
How A $1.5M Vacation Rental Almost Happened And Why We Said No
DESCRIPTION
The $1.5M Reality Check:
A local buyer walked in ready to grab a $1.5M short-term rental. On paper, it looked thrilling: waterfront views, high nightly rates, vacation lifestyle. In practice, even with a big down payment and an attractive seller-financed rate, the numbers didn't cash flow. Not close. Not even in best-case scenarios.
This is the trap that catches smart people: best-case projections for nightly rates and occupancy, lowballed maintenance and turnover costs, and a belief that rate cuts will magically save a deal that's already upside down. If your plan only works when everything goes right, it isn't a plan—it's hope.
The Pivot That Actually Works:
So we underwrote a different path. Instead of forcing a luxury nightly rental to perform, we mapped out conservative single-family options around $400K with 30-50% down to generate real cash flow, predictable tax benefits, and a stable tenant base. Boring wins. Systems beat sizzle every time.
Have other questions about living in, moving to, or visiting St. George and Southern Utah? Just ask!
P. 435-291-5443
E. sales@gostgeorge.com
Web: www.GoStGeorge.com
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/larkingroup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeExperts
🔍 SEARCH ALL HOMES AND LAND in Washington County https://www.gostgeorge.com/
🔗 CHECK YOUR CURRENT HOME EQUITY @ https://www.gostgeorge.com/homevalue
[00:00:00] Cruise Ship Scale And Systems
[00:05:05] The $1.5M Vacation Rental Walkback
[00:10:35] Rates, Prices, And Rental Math
[00:14:30] Client First, Agent As Guide
