Is Chocorua, New Hampshire Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Chocorua, New Hampshire, begin by researching local regulations through the Carroll County Planning Department and Town of Tamworth offices, as Chocorua falls under Tamworth's jurisdiction, where short-term rentals typically require a business license and must comply with zoning ordinances that generally allow vacation rentals in residential areas with proper registration. Obtain necessary permits including a New Hampshire business license, rooms and meals tax license from the Department of Revenue Administration, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and septic system regulations common in this rural lake community. Find a suitable property near Chocorua Lake or with mountain views, considering that properties within 1,000 feet of the lake may have additional shoreland protection requirements, and budget $200,000-$800,000 for lake-area properties based on 2023 market conditions. Furnish the space with rustic New England décor, outdoor gear storage for hiking and lake activities, reliable internet for remote workers, and essential amenities like linens, kitchen supplies, and heating systems suitable for harsh winters with temperatures dropping to -10°F. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local tourism websites, highlighting proximity to Mount Chocorua hiking trails, Chocorua Lake beach access, and scenic White Mountain views, with rates typically ranging $150-$400 per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in the Tamworth-Chocorua area, creating detailed check-in instructions for the rural location, maintaining the property year-round including snow removal and septic pumping, and staying responsive to guests who often visit for leaf-peeping, skiing, hiking, and lake activities throughout the four distinct seasons.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Chocorua, New Hampshire, focus on locations within 0.5-1 mile of Chocorua Lake and Mount Chocorua trailheads, as these drive the highest occupancy rates year-round with peak seasons during summer (June-August) and fall foliage (September-October). Target 3-4 bedroom properties with lake views, fireplaces, outdoor spaces, and modern amenities, as these command $200-400 per night compared to $100-150 for basic properties. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, aiming for properties under $400,000 that can generate 15-20% annual returns. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, noting that Chocorua has approximately 40-60 active STRs with average occupancy rates of 65-75%. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, partner with local property managers like White Mountain Property Management, and leverage the area's proximity to North Conway (15 minutes) and tax-free shopping to attract guests. Properties near the Kancamagus Highway corridor and those offering four-season activities (hiking, skiing access to nearby mountains, lake activities) typically achieve the highest profitability in this market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Chocorua, New Hampshire, you must first contact the Carroll County Planning Department and the Town of Tamworth (as Chocorua is an unincorporated village within Tamworth) at their municipal offices located at 84 Main Street, Tamworth, NH 03886. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), septic system inspection certificate, and fire safety inspection report. You'll need to pay an initial application fee of approximately $150-250 plus an annual renewal fee of $100-150, with additional fees for required inspections ranging from $75-125 each. The approval timeline generally takes 4-8 weeks from submission of complete application, depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Specific Chocorua/Tamworth requirements include adherence to the town's zoning ordinances limiting STRs in residential districts, maintaining a local contact person available 24/7, providing adequate parking for guests, ensuring compliance with septic capacity limits, posting maximum occupancy limits visibly in the rental unit, and maintaining a guest registry. Properties must also comply with New Hampshire state fire codes, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and may require additional permits if serving more than 8 guests or operating as a bed and breakfast.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Chocorua, New Hampshire, as the state does not prohibit them at the state level, but regulation occurs primarily at the local municipal level. Chocorua is an unincorporated village within the town of Tamworth in Carroll County, so STR regulations would fall under Tamworth's jurisdiction. As of recent years, Tamworth has not implemented comprehensive STR restrictions, though property owners must comply with state requirements including business registration, rooms and meals tax collection (currently 8.5%), and potential income tax obligations. The town may require basic business licenses and adherence to health and safety codes, fire safety regulations, and septic system requirements typical for rental properties. There are no specifically prohibited areas for STRs in Chocorua itself, though properties must meet standard zoning requirements for residential use. Recent trends in New Hampshire show increasing municipal attention to STR regulation around 2020-2023, with some towns implementing registration requirements, occupancy limits, and noise ordinances, but Tamworth has remained relatively permissive compared to more tourist-heavy areas like North Conway or Portsmouth.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Chocorua, New Hampshire are primarily concentrated around Chocorua Lake and the village center, where properties benefit from direct lake access and stunning views of Mount Chocorua, attracting summer vacationers, fall foliage tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts year-round. The Route 16 corridor offers excellent accessibility for guests traveling from Boston and other major cities, making it ideal for weekend getaways and extended stays. Properties near the Chocorua Lake Beach and boat launch command premium rates during peak summer months due to swimming, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. The area around the historic Chocorua Village with its iconic church and mountain backdrop is particularly attractive for photography enthusiasts and couples seeking romantic retreats. Investment properties within walking distance of hiking trailheads for Mount Chocorua and the White Mountain National Forest trails see consistent bookings from outdoor adventurers, while locations near cross-country skiing areas maintain winter occupancy rates around 60-70%, with average daily rates ranging from $150-300 depending on property size and amenities.

Airbnb properties in Chocorua, New Hampshire are subject to the state's 8.5% rooms and meals tax, which applies to all rental accommodations under 185 days, collected by hosts and remitted monthly to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration if monthly collections exceed $100, with annual filing required otherwise. Carroll County, where Chocorua is located, does not impose additional occupancy taxes beyond the state requirement. The town of Tamworth, which encompasses Chocorua, does not levy local lodging taxes as of 2023. Hosts must register with the state, collect the tax from guests at the time of booking or check-in, and file returns by the 15th of the following month using Form DP-2670, with payments made electronically through the state's online portal. Exemptions include rentals to permanent residents (stays over 185 consecutive days), certain government employees on official business, and properties rented for less than $15 per day, though these exemptions rarely apply to typical Airbnb operations in the area.

Starting an Airbnb in Chocorua, New Hampshire requires approximately $650,000-750,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $500,000-600,000 based on median home prices in the Lakes Region area near Mount Chocorua. Furnishing a 3-bedroom vacation rental runs $25,000-35,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor gear storage. Initial setup costs include $3,000-5,000 for professional photography, listing optimization, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees total $1,500-2,500 covering business registration, short-term rental permits, fire safety inspections, and local licensing requirements. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage cost $3,000-4,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits require $1,000-1,500 for electricity, heating oil, water, internet, and cable services. First six months operating costs include $8,000-12,000 for cleaning services, maintenance, property management software, marketing, supplies, and utilities, assuming 40-60% occupancy rates during the seasonal tourism periods around the White Mountain National Forest area.

Airbnb properties in Chocorua, New Hampshire typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for seasonal cabins and lakefront properties, with peak summer months (June-September) accounting for 60-70% of bookings due to proximity to Chocorua Lake and White Mountain hiking trails. Operating expenses generally range from $8,000-$18,000 annually, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-125 per turnover), utilities ($2,400-$4,800), insurance ($1,200-$2,500), and maintenance ($2,000-$4,000), resulting in profit margins of 25-45% for well-managed properties. Success factors include waterfront or mountain view locations which command 30-50% premium rates ($150-$300/night vs $100-$200 for standard properties), professional photography, responsive guest communication, and seasonal optimization with winter bookings for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing activities. Properties within walking distance of Chocorua Lake or offering amenities like hot tubs, kayaks, or fire pits typically achieve 70-85% occupancy rates during peak season, while standard cabins average 50-65% occupancy, with the most successful hosts in the area reporting net profits of $12,000-$20,000 annually on properties valued between $200,000-$400,000.

Airbnb investments in Chocorua, New Hampshire typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's proximity to Mount Chocorua and White Mountain National Forest, attracting year-round outdoor enthusiasts and seasonal tourists. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near Chocorua Lake commanding premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, particularly for well-positioned cabins and lakefront properties that capitalize on the 65-75% average occupancy rates during high season (June-October) and winter sports periods. Properties purchased in the $300,000-500,000 range typically generate $35,000-65,000 in annual gross rental income, with net returns of $20,000-40,000 after expenses, making the timeframe to break-even on initial investment approximately 2-3 years depending on down payment percentage and renovation costs.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Chocorua, New Hampshire. Local real estate agents serving the area include Keller Williams Lakes & Mountains Realty, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, and Century 21 Country Lakes Realty, with agents like those at Peabody & Smith Realty having deep knowledge of the White Mountains vacation rental market since the 1990s. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which has been analyzing Airbnb markets since 2016, Mashvisor providing investment property analytics since 2014, and AirDNA offering short-term rental data insights since 2015. Local property management companies such as White Mountain Property Management and Carroll County Property Services can assist with identifying investment opportunities while also providing management services. Additional national platforms include BiggerPockets for investor networking, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and specialized vacation rental brokerages like Vacasa and RedAwning that often have listings in mountain resort areas like Chocorua near popular attractions such as Mount Chocorua and the White Mountain National Forest.