Is Brothers, Oregon Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Brothers, Oregon, begin by researching Deschutes County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a Transient Lodging Tax license and compliance with zoning ordinances that may restrict rentals in residential areas to owner-occupied properties or limit rental days to 30-90 per year. Contact Deschutes County Planning Department to obtain necessary permits including a Conditional Use Permit if required, business license, and register for the 1.8% transient lodging tax collection. Find a suitable property in Brothers considering the rural location's appeal to outdoor enthusiasts visiting nearby attractions like the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, ensuring reliable internet and utilities since Brothers is a small unincorporated community. Furnish the property with rustic, comfortable décor appropriate for the high desert setting, including quality bedding, kitchen essentials, outdoor furniture, and amenities like firewood for the area's cold winters and air conditioning for summer heat. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the remote, stargazing-friendly location and proximity to hiking, hunting, and off-road activities, pricing competitively around $80-150 per night based on the rural Oregon market. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Bend or Redmond (45-60 minutes away), install keyless entry systems, provide detailed check-in instructions due to limited cell service, stock emergency supplies, and maintain regular communication with guests while emphasizing the property's isolation and self-sufficiency requirements.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Brothers, Oregon, focus on properties within 30-45 minutes of outdoor recreation areas like the Cascade Mountains, high desert attractions, or fishing spots along the Deschutes River, as this remote location attracts visitors seeking wilderness experiences and stargazing opportunities. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes with rustic charm, modern amenities, hot tubs, fire pits, and large windows for scenic views, ensuring reliable internet and cell service since many guests work remotely. Price analysis should consider seasonal variations with peak rates during summer months ($150-300/night) and lower winter rates ($80-150/night), comparing against similar rural Oregon markets like Bend's outskirts or John Day area properties. Research competition by analyzing existing STRs within a 50-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting occupancy patterns, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify service gaps. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market data, STR Helper for performance metrics, Mashvisor for investment analysis, and local resources including Deschutes County tourism data, Oregon State Parks visitor statistics, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with recreational property markets to understand seasonal demand patterns and zoning regulations specific to this rural high desert region.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Brothers, Oregon, you'll need to contact Deschutes County's Community Development Department since Brothers is an unincorporated community, typically requiring applications through their planning division at 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97703 or online through their permit portal. Required documents generally include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, septic system approval if applicable, parking plan, and neighbor notification forms. The application fee is estimated at $200-400 with potential additional inspection fees of $100-200. You'll need to demonstrate compliance with fire safety requirements, provide adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), maintain septic system capacity for proposed occupancy, and potentially limit guest numbers based on bedroom count and septic capacity. The approval timeline typically ranges 4-8 weeks depending on application completeness and any required inspections. After approval, you'll receive a permit valid for 1-2 years requiring annual renewal, and must maintain liability insurance, provide 24/7 local contact information, and comply with noise ordinances and occupancy limits, with the county conducting periodic compliance checks.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Brothers, Oregon are generally legal but subject to Deschutes County regulations since Brothers is an unincorporated community. As of 2023, Deschutes County allows STRs in residential zones with proper licensing and registration requirements, including obtaining a Transient Lodging License and paying transient lodging taxes. Properties must meet safety standards, have adequate parking, and comply with occupancy limits typically based on bedrooms plus two additional guests. The county implemented stricter regulations around 2020-2022 following community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood impacts, requiring annual renewals and establishing complaint procedures. STRs are prohibited in some residential zones near urban areas but rural areas like Brothers generally permit them with proper permits. Hosts must register with the county, maintain liability insurance, provide emergency contact information, and ensure properties meet building and fire safety codes. Recent changes have focused on balancing tourism benefits with community housing needs, though Brothers' remote location and small size mean fewer restrictions apply compared to more populated areas of Deschutes County.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Brothers, Oregon are primarily concentrated around the town center and along Highway 20, which serves as the main corridor for travelers exploring central Oregon's high desert region. The area near Brothers Store and the historic railroad remnants attracts visitors interested in Oregon's frontier history and those seeking authentic rural experiences. Properties within a 2-3 mile radius of the town center perform well due to proximity to the few local amenities and easy highway access. The northern section toward the Millican area captures overflow from Bend tourists (about 45 minutes away) looking for more affordable and secluded accommodations while still accessing central Oregon attractions. The southeastern area near the old Brothers Airport site appeals to adventure travelers, hunters, and those exploring the nearby Newberry National Volcanic Monument. These locations benefit from Brothers' position as a waypoint for travelers between Bend and Burns, the growing popularity of high desert tourism, hunting seasons, stargazing enthusiasts drawn to the dark skies, and visitors to nearby attractions like the Lava Lands Visitor Center and Newberry Crater, with peak seasons typically running from late spring through early fall when weather conditions are most favorable for outdoor activities.

Airbnb properties in Brothers, Oregon are subject to Oregon's statewide transient lodging tax of 1.8% on gross rental receipts, which applies to all short-term rentals under 30 days. Harney County, where Brothers is located, imposes an additional transient room tax of 1% on lodging accommodations. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's platform, which automatically calculates and remits the state portion directly to the Oregon Department of Revenue on behalf of hosts. For the county tax, hosts may need to register with Harney County and file quarterly returns, remitting collected taxes by the 15th of the month following each quarter. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these transient lodging taxes, and some jurisdictions may provide exemptions for stays by government employees or certain nonprofit organizations, though specific exemptions should be verified with local tax authorities as of 2024.

Starting an Airbnb in Brothers, Oregon requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on the median home price in rural Deschutes County areas. Furnishing expenses typically run $8,000-12,000 for a complete setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-3,000. Permits and fees in Deschutes County include business license ($50-100), transient lodging tax registration ($25), and potential conditional use permits ($500-1,500). Insurance costs approximately $1,200-1,800 annually for short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and waste management total around $500-800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600-900), cleaning supplies ($300), maintenance reserves ($1,000), marketing ($500), and property management software subscriptions ($300) amount to approximately $2,700-3,700, bringing the total startup investment to roughly $185,000-225,000.

Airbnb properties in Brothers, Oregon, a small unincorporated community in Deschutes County, face unique profitability challenges due to the area's remote location and limited tourist infrastructure. Properties in this high desert region typically generate annual revenues between $8,000-$15,000, significantly lower than Oregon's coastal or urban markets, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$120 during peak seasons (summer months and hunting season). Operating expenses including property management, cleaning, utilities, and maintenance typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue, leaving profit margins of 30-40% for well-managed properties. Success factors include targeting outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and stargazers seeking remote experiences, with properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, and dark-sky viewing areas commanding premium rates. A typical 2-bedroom cabin purchased for $180,000 might generate $12,000 annually in revenue with $7,200 in expenses, yielding $4,800 net profit (26.7% ROI), though seasonal occupancy rarely exceeds 40% due to harsh winters and limited year-round attractions. Properties within 30 miles of Bend or near popular outdoor recreation areas like the Cascade Mountains perform better, with some hosts reporting 15-20% higher occupancy rates by marketing to overflow visitors from more popular destinations.

Airbnb investments in Brothers, Oregon typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are estimates given the extremely limited market data for this small unincorporated community in Deschutes County. Properties in Brothers, which serves primarily as a gateway to outdoor recreation areas, generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to seasonal demand from hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts visiting nearby areas like the Cascade Range and high desert regions. The market benefits from limited lodging competition but faces challenges from the remote location and seasonal occupancy patterns, with peak performance during hunting seasons (fall) and summer outdoor activities, while winter months typically see 40-60% lower occupancy rates affecting overall annual returns.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors. In Brothers, Oregon, investors can work with local real estate agents like Bend Real Estate Group and Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty, both serving the central Oregon region including smaller communities like Brothers. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides Airbnb property management and investment analysis, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and AirDNA for short-term rental market data. Local property management companies such as Central Oregon Property Management and High Desert Property Services can assist with ongoing operations. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature Oregon properties, while local agents from RE/MAX and Coldwell Banker in nearby Bend often handle rural investment properties in the Brothers area. Additional services include VRBO property consultants, local vacation rental management companies like Vacasa, and regional investment groups focused on central Oregon's growing tourism market around the Cascade Mountains region.