Is Glen, New Hampshire Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Glen, New Hampshire, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Carroll County Planning Department and Glen's town office, as New Hampshire generally allows short-term rentals but individual towns may have specific requirements. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the New Hampshire Secretary of State, register for rooms and meals tax with the NH Department of Revenue Administration (currently 8.5%), and check if Glen requires a special use permit for short-term rentals. Find a suitable property considering Glen's proximity to North Conway and Mount Washington Valley attractions, ensuring it meets fire safety codes and has adequate parking and septic capacity for the expected occupancy. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture focusing on outdoor recreation themes popular in the White Mountains area, including essentials like linens, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and heating suitable for New Hampshire winters. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting nearby attractions like Cathedral Ledge, Diana's Baths, and Storyland, setting competitive rates based on seasonal demand (higher during fall foliage and winter ski seasons). Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services in the Mount Washington Valley area, and ensuring compliance with New Hampshire's innkeeper laws and any Glen-specific noise or occupancy ordinances while monitoring booking platforms and guest reviews consistently.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Glen, New Hampshire, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of major attractions like Story Land, Cathedral Ledge State Park, and North Conway's tax-free shopping outlets, as these drive consistent tourist traffic year-round. Target 3-4 bedroom properties with mountain or valley views, outdoor amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, or game rooms, and ensure adequate parking for multiple vehicles since most visitors drive to the area. Analyze pricing by researching comparable STRs on Airbnb and VRBO in the Mount Washington Valley region, where nightly rates typically range from $150-400 depending on season and property size, with peak periods during fall foliage (September-October), winter ski season (December-March), and summer months (June-August). Conduct competition research by examining occupancy rates and guest reviews of similar properties within a 5-mile radius, noting that successful properties often emphasize proximity to outdoor activities and family attractions. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for performance tracking, and local resources such as the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce for tourism data, while ensuring compliance with Carroll County and New Hampshire state regulations for short-term rentals, which generally require business licenses and adherence to safety standards.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Glen, New Hampshire, you must first contact the Glen Town Office at 603-383-4427 or visit their office on Route 302 to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as Glen is a small town that may have adopted STR ordinances around 2020-2022 following regional trends. You'll typically need to submit an application form along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), septic system approval if applicable, and fire safety inspection certificate. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 initially with potential annual renewal fees of $100-200. You must also register with the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration for rooms and meals tax collection, obtain a business license if required, and ensure compliance with life safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. The approval timeline typically takes 30-60 days depending on inspection scheduling and document review. Glen may require specific provisions such as parking requirements (typically 2 spaces per unit), noise ordinances compliance, waste management plans, and neighbor notification procedures. Contact the Glen Planning Board and Building Inspector for current zoning compliance and building code requirements, and verify with Carroll County for any additional health department approvals needed for septic systems or water quality testing.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Glen, New Hampshire, as the state does not prohibit them at the state level and Glen does not appear to have enacted specific municipal ordinances banning STRs as of 2024. However, operators must comply with New Hampshire's rooms and meals tax requirements, collecting and remitting the 8.5% tax on rental income, and may need to register with the state Department of Revenue Administration. Glen, being a small town in Carroll County near North Conway, likely follows standard zoning regulations that may restrict STRs in certain residential zones or require special permits, though specific local restrictions would depend on the town's zoning ordinances and any recent selectboard decisions. Property owners should verify compliance with local fire safety codes, septic system regulations for increased occupancy, and any homeowners association restrictions, while also ensuring proper business licensing and insurance coverage, as New Hampshire has seen increased STR activity in tourist areas like the White Mountains region where Glen is located.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Glen, New Hampshire are primarily concentrated around the Mount Washington Valley region, particularly properties within walking distance or short driving distance to Story Land theme park, which attracts thousands of families annually from spring through fall. The Route 16 corridor offers excellent investment potential due to its proximity to both Story Land and easy access to North Conway's tax-free shopping outlets, drawing year-round visitors. Properties near Cathedral Ledge State Park and Echo Lake State Park are highly attractive for outdoor enthusiasts seeking hiking, rock climbing, and scenic photography opportunities, especially during peak foliage season in September and October. The Glen Ellis Falls area presents strong investment opportunities as it serves as a gateway to Mount Washington and the White Mountain National Forest, attracting hikers, leaf-peepers, and winter sports enthusiasts heading to nearby ski resorts like Wildcat Mountain and Attitash. Properties along the Saco River provide unique appeal for guests interested in fishing, kayaking, and riverside relaxation, while locations near the Mount Washington Auto Road entrance capitalize on the significant tourist traffic visiting New England's highest peak, with an estimated 300,000+ visitors annually driving this scenic route.

Airbnb properties in Glen, New Hampshire are subject to New Hampshire's statewide rooms and meals tax of 8.5% on rental amounts, which applies to all short-term rentals under 185 days and is collected by the state through Airbnb's automated collection system for most bookings made through the platform, with hosts required to register with the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration and remit taxes directly for any bookings not collected automatically. Glen does not impose additional local lodging taxes beyond the state requirement. Hosts must obtain a rooms and meals tax license from the state, file monthly returns by the 15th of the following month, and maintain records of all rental transactions, with exemptions available for rentals exceeding 185 consecutive days to the same guest and certain qualifying agricultural or educational accommodations. The tax is calculated on the total rental amount including cleaning fees but excluding separately stated taxes, and hosts who fail to collect through Airbnb's system must register independently and remit taxes quarterly if annual liability is under $600 or monthly if above that threshold.

To start an Airbnb in Glen, New Hampshire, expect total costs around $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $400,000-$450,000 for a median 2-3 bedroom home suitable for vacation rental in this White Mountains area. Furnishing costs typically run $25,000-$35,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor equipment for the mountain location. Initial setup costs of $8,000-$12,000 cover professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations or improvements. Permits and fees total approximately $2,500-$4,000 including business registration, short-term rental permits from Carroll County, potential zoning approvals, and tax registrations. Insurance costs $3,000-$5,000 annually for specialized short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, heating, water, internet, and cable average $400-$600 monthly or $2,400-$3,600 for six months. First six months operating costs add $15,000-$25,000 covering cleaning services, maintenance, supplies, marketing, property management software, and initial vacancy periods while building reviews and bookings in this seasonal tourism market.

Airbnb properties in Glen, New Hampshire, demonstrate strong seasonal profitability due to the town's proximity to North Conway and Mount Washington Valley attractions, with successful properties generating average annual revenues of $35,000-$55,000 for 2-3 bedroom units. Properties near Story Land, Cathedral Ledge, or ski areas like Cranmore Mountain Resort typically achieve 65-75% occupancy rates during peak summer and winter seasons, commanding nightly rates of $150-$280. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($75-$100 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-$350 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and maintenance ($3,000-$5,000 yearly) typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue. Successful Glen Airbnb operators like those managing properties on Route 16 or near Echo Lake report net profit margins of 25-35% annually, with properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, or mountain views commanding premium rates and achieving higher profitability. Key success factors include strategic location within 10 minutes of major attractions, professional photography showcasing White Mountain views, responsive guest communication, and seasonal pricing strategies that capitalize on foliage season (September-October), winter sports (December-March), and summer recreation (June-August) periods.

Airbnb investments in Glen, New Hampshire typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the town's proximity to North Conway and White Mountain ski resorts, with properties averaging $250,000-$400,000 purchase prices and generating $35,000-$65,000 in annual rental income during peak seasons from December through March and June through October. Cash-on-cash returns range from 8-14% assuming 20-25% down payments, with higher returns achievable for properties within walking distance of Story Land or near Mount Washington Valley attractions. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for initial renovation costs, property management fees of 15-20%, and seasonal vacancy rates of 30-40% during shoulder seasons. Properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, or mountain views command premium nightly rates of $180-$320, while standard cabins and condos rent for $120-$220 per night, with occupancy rates typically reaching 65-75% annually for well-marketed properties managed through platforms like Vacasa or RedAwning.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in Glen, New Hampshire and throughout the White Mountains region. Local real estate agents like Peabody & Smith Realty and White Mountain Real Estate have extensive experience with vacation rental properties in the Glen area, particularly near Story Land and North Conway attractions. Awning, a national service founded in 2018, provides comprehensive Airbnb investment analysis and property management specifically for mountain resort areas like Glen. Mashvisor offers data-driven investment analysis tools that help investors evaluate Glen properties for short-term rental potential, while RedAwning provides both property search and management services for vacation rental investments in New Hampshire ski country. Local agents at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and Century 21 Country Lakes Realty understand the seasonal rental market dynamics in Glen's tourist-heavy location. AirDNA provides market data and analytics specifically for short-term rental investments in the Mount Washington Valley area where Glen is located. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with Glen-area properties, and Vacasa offers property management services for Airbnb investments throughout New Hampshire's Lakes Region and White Mountains, making them valuable partners for out-of-state investors looking to capitalize on Glen's proximity to major ski resorts and family attractions.