Is Oden, Michigan Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Oden, Michigan, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Cheboygan County's planning department, as Oden falls under county jurisdiction and may require special use permits for short-term rentals. Contact the county clerk's office at (231) 627-8808 to understand specific permit requirements, which typically include a business license, possible conditional use permit, and compliance with fire safety codes. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with the area's vacation rental market, focusing on properties near Mullett Lake or with outdoor recreation access, as these are popular draws in the region. Once you secure a property, furnish it with durable, comfortable furniture emphasizing the area's rustic charm, including essentials like linens, kitchen supplies, and outdoor equipment for fishing or hiking activities. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos showcasing the property's proximity to lakes, forests, and recreational opportunities, pricing competitively with similar properties in northern Michigan (typically $80-150 per night depending on size and amenities). For ongoing management, establish relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider using property management software to handle bookings, communicate with guests, and coordinate turnover between stays, while ensuring compliance with Michigan's 6% sales tax and any local lodging taxes that may apply in Cheboygan County.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Oden, Michigan, focus on waterfront locations near Otsego Lake and properties within walking distance of the lake, as this small unincorporated community's primary draw is its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins, cottages, or homes built after 1980 with updated kitchens, multiple bathrooms, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, and amenities such as kayak storage, fishing equipment, or hot tubs that appeal to vacationers seeking lake activities. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 10-mile radius including nearby Gaylord and Grayling, aiming for properties under $300,000 that can command $150-250 per night during peak summer months (June-August) and $75-125 during off-season. Conduct competition research using AirDNA, Mashvisor, and STR analysis tools to assess occupancy rates, average daily rates, and revenue potential, while manually reviewing existing listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com within 15 miles to identify gaps in amenities or property types. Utilize local resources including the Otsego County tourism board, Michigan DNR lake access information, local real estate agents familiar with vacation rental regulations, and tools like Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and STR Helper to analyze market saturation and seasonal demand patterns specific to northern Michigan's tourism cycles.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Oden, Michigan, you must first contact the Antrim County Building Department at 203 E Cayuga Street, Bellaire, MI 49615, as Oden falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal permitting system. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, septic system inspection certificate, well water testing results if applicable, liability insurance certificate naming the county as additional insured, fire safety plan, and parking plan showing adequate off-street spaces. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $75-100, and you may need additional inspections costing $50-75 each for electrical, plumbing, and septic systems. The timeline for approval ranges from 30-60 days depending on inspection scheduling and document completeness. Specific Oden/Antrim County requirements include maximum occupancy limits based on septic capacity (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, posted emergency contact information and house rules, compliance with township noise ordinances, and maintaining a guest registry for county inspection upon request.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Oden, Michigan, as the small unincorporated community in Emmet County operates under Michigan state law and county regulations rather than having its own municipal ordinances. Emmet County allows STRs but requires operators to obtain proper permits and comply with zoning requirements, health department regulations, and fire safety codes. Properties must meet specific occupancy limits based on septic system capacity and square footage, typically allowing 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. STR operators must collect and remit the 6% Michigan sales tax and any applicable local accommodation taxes. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of septic system compliance and enhanced registration requirements through the county. Some lakefront areas may have additional restrictions through homeowners associations or deed restrictions, and properties in agricultural or forestry zones may face limitations. The county has implemented noise ordinances and parking restrictions that particularly affect STR operations, with violations potentially resulting in permit revocation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Oden, Michigan are primarily concentrated around the Petoskey-Harbor Springs corridor and the Chain of Lakes region. The Walloon Lake area, just minutes from Oden, offers exceptional investment potential due to its proximity to luxury resorts, summer cottages, and year-round recreational activities including boating, fishing, and winter sports, attracting affluent tourists from Chicago and Detroit metropolitan areas. The nearby Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands resort areas provide consistent demand from skiers in winter and golfers in summer, with corporate retreats and wedding parties driving mid-week bookings. Properties near the Jordan River and within the Jordan Valley offer appeal to outdoor enthusiasts seeking fly fishing, hiking, and hunting experiences, particularly during peak seasons from May through October and December through February. The historic downtown Petoskey area, approximately 15 minutes from Oden, benefits from Gaslight District tourism, Ernest Hemingway literary tourism, and the annual Petoskey Stone Festival, while properties near Walloon Lake Village capitalize on the Ernest Hemingway connection and upscale summer colony atmosphere that draws repeat visitors willing to pay premium rates for authentic Northern Michigan experiences.

Airbnb properties in Oden, Michigan are subject to Michigan's 6% state sales tax on lodging accommodations, which is automatically collected by Airbnb through their platform and remitted directly to the Michigan Department of Treasury on behalf of hosts. Additionally, Charlevoix County imposes a 5% accommodations tax on short-term rentals, which Airbnb also collects and remits automatically as of 2019 through their agreement with the county. The city of Oden itself does not impose additional local lodging taxes beyond the county level. Hosts are not required to manually collect or remit these taxes as Airbnb handles the collection and payment process, though hosts should verify their tax obligations annually. Exemptions typically apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Oden, Michigan, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase will be the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 for a median-priced home suitable for short-term rental in this rural Antrim County area. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,200 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential township approvals. Insurance will cost $1,200-$2,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper or CBIZ. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, and trash service average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, marketing, Airbnb fees, and miscellaneous expenses typically run $3,000-$5,000. Property taxes and ongoing maintenance should also be factored at roughly $2,000-$3,000 for the initial six-month period.

Airbnb properties in Oden, Michigan, a small unincorporated community in Emmet County near Petoskey, typically generate modest seasonal profits with average daily rates ranging from $120-180 during peak summer months (June-August) and dropping to $60-90 in off-season periods. Properties in this rural lakefront area achieve occupancy rates of approximately 45-60% annually, with successful listings generating $15,000-35,000 in gross revenue depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-125 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Profit margins generally range from 15-25% for well-managed properties, with waterfront cabins and homes near Walloon Lake or within 20 minutes of Petoskey performing best due to proximity to attractions like Boyne Mountain Resort and downtown Petoskey. Success factors include professional photography, competitive pricing strategies that adjust for seasonal demand, partnerships with local cleaning services, and marketing the area's outdoor recreation opportunities including fishing, hiking, and winter sports access, with properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, and lake access commanding premium rates and achieving higher profitability.

Airbnb investments in Oden, Michigan can expect annual ROI of 8-12% based on the area's proximity to outdoor recreation and seasonal tourism patterns. Cash-on-cash returns typically range from 6-10% annually, with properties near lakes and ski areas like Boyne Mountain performing on the higher end. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with peak earning potential during summer months (June-August) and winter ski season (December-February). Properties priced between $150,000-$300,000 with 2-4 bedrooms show the strongest performance, generating average nightly rates of $120-$180 during peak season and $80-$120 during off-season. The market benefits from consistent demand from Chicago and Detroit metro visitors, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually for professionally managed properties.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors. In the Oden, Michigan area, local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and Century 21 Northland have experience with vacation rental properties in the region. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, and AirDNA for market data analysis. RedAwning offers property management and investment services for short-term rentals, while AvantStay focuses on group vacation rental investments. Local property management companies such as Northern Michigan Vacation Rentals and Petoskey Area Vacation Rentals can assist with both acquisition and management of Airbnb properties. Real estate investment platforms like Roofstock and BiggerPockets also provide resources and connections for finding profitable short-term rental opportunities in northern Michigan markets, though specific Oden-focused services may be limited due to the small size of this community near Petoskey.