Is Remer, Minnesota Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Remer, Minnesota, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Cass County and the City of Remer, as this small town of approximately 370 residents may have specific short-term rental ordinances that require registration or permits, though many rural Minnesota communities have minimal restrictions compared to larger cities like Minneapolis or St. Paul. Contact Remer City Hall at (218) 566-2444 to inquire about business licenses, occupancy permits, and any required inspections, then obtain necessary permits which typically cost $50-200 in small Minnesota towns. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through agents familiar with the Remer lake area, focusing on cabins or homes near Lake Winnibigoshish, Leech Lake, or other nearby recreational areas that attract tourists, with properties typically ranging from $150,000-400,000 depending on waterfront access and size. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture emphasizing the northwoods aesthetic, including essentials like linens, kitchen supplies, outdoor gear, and amenities that appeal to fishing and hunting enthusiasts who frequent the area, budgeting approximately $10,000-25,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with professional photos highlighting lake views, outdoor activities, and proximity to Chippewa National Forest, setting competitive rates of $100-250 per night based on seasonal demand and local comparable properties. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, coordinating with local cleaning services in nearby Grand Rapids or Walker if needed, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and ensuring compliance with Minnesota's 6.875% sales tax and any applicable local lodging taxes while keeping detailed records for tax purposes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Remer, Minnesota, focus on waterfront locations near Leech Lake or Big Sand Lake, as these command premium rates year-round with peak demand during summer fishing season (May-September) and winter ice fishing periods. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes with lake access, docks, fish cleaning stations, and outdoor amenities like fire pits or decks, as these features can justify rates of $150-300 per night compared to $80-150 for non-waterfront properties. Analyze comparable properties within 10 miles using AirDNA or Mashvisor to benchmark occupancy rates (typically 40-60% annually in this market) and average daily rates, while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches to identify gaps in amenities or pricing. Utilize tools like STR Helper for market analysis, connect with local property management companies such as Northwoods Property Management, and consult Cass County tourism data to understand seasonal demand patterns driven by fishing tournaments, hunting seasons, and family lake vacations. Properties within 5 miles of boat launches, near Paul Bunyan State Trail access points, or close to downtown Remer's amenities typically outperform rural locations, with successful investors targeting properties under $200,000 that can generate 15-25% annual returns through strategic pricing and seasonal optimization.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Remer, Minnesota, you must first contact the Remer City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 22 Third Avenue NE, as the city requires a business license and rental permit for short-term rentals operating less than 30 days. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, septic system compliance certificate, and fire safety inspection report. The application fee is approximately $150-200 for the business license plus $75-100 for the rental permit, with annual renewal fees of $100-125. The approval timeline is generally 4-6 weeks after submitting complete documentation, though initial inspections may extend this period. Specific Remer requirements include maintaining occupancy limits based on septic capacity (typically 2 people per bedroom), providing adequate parking spaces, ensuring compliance with residential zoning restrictions, maintaining the property in accordance with city housing codes, and displaying the permit number in all rental advertisements. You must also register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue for sales tax collection and remit the required lodging taxes to both state and local authorities.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Remer, Minnesota, as the city does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with Minnesota state regulations including sales tax collection, lodging tax requirements, and basic safety standards. Remer, being a small city in Cass County with approximately 370 residents, likely follows county-level zoning regulations which typically allow STRs in residential areas with some restrictions on occupancy limits and parking requirements. The city may require basic business licensing and adherence to residential zoning codes, though enforcement tends to be complaint-driven in smaller Minnesota municipalities. Recent trends in Minnesota show increasing regulation at the local level, but Remer has not implemented the stricter licensing requirements seen in larger cities like Minneapolis or Duluth. Property owners should verify current local requirements with Remer city hall and ensure compliance with state tax obligations through the Minnesota Department of Revenue, as regulations can change and small municipalities sometimes update ordinances without extensive public notice.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Remer, Minnesota are primarily concentrated around the Leech Lake area and downtown Remer core, with the lakeshore properties along Leech Lake's western and northern shores being most attractive due to year-round tourism from fishing enthusiasts, ice fishing in winter, and summer lake activities. The Boy River area, approximately 5 miles southeast of Remer, offers excellent potential given its proximity to both Leech Lake and the Chippewa National Forest, attracting outdoor recreation visitors, hunters, and nature enthusiasts particularly during peak seasons from May through October and winter months for ice fishing and snowmobiling. Properties near the Remer Municipal Airport area could capture business travelers and fly-in fishing groups, while locations within walking distance of downtown Remer's restaurants and services provide convenience for guests. The Third River Flowage district, about 10 miles north of Remer, presents opportunities for more secluded cabin rentals targeting visitors seeking wilderness experiences and access to the extensive trail systems, with demand driven by ATV enthusiasts, hunters during fall seasons, and families seeking lake cabin experiences during summer months.

Airbnb properties in Remer, Minnesota are subject to Minnesota state sales tax of 6.875% on lodging, which includes the base state sales tax plus local taxes that may apply in Cass County. The state requires short-term rental operators to register for a sales tax permit and collect taxes from guests at the time of booking or check-in, with monthly remittance to the Minnesota Department of Revenue due by the 20th of the following month for properties with regular bookings. Cass County may impose additional lodging taxes of approximately 1-3%, and some municipalities within the county may have their own transient lodging taxes ranging from 2-4%. Airbnb typically collects and remits state and applicable local taxes automatically for hosts who opt into their tax collection service, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient lodging taxes, and some jurisdictions may exempt rentals under a certain dollar threshold or number of rental days per year, though specific exemptions vary by local ordinance and hosts should verify current rates and requirements with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and Cass County tax authorities.

To start an Airbnb in Remer, Minnesota, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Minnesota lake communities. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor amenities. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees in Minnesota include short-term rental licenses ($100-$300), potential zoning permits ($200-$500), and tax registration ($50-$100). Insurance premiums for short-term rentals run $1,200-$2,000 annually, with six months costing $600-$1,000. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, sewer, internet, and cable total approximately $500-$800 initially. First six months operating costs including utilities ($200-$300 monthly), cleaning supplies ($100 monthly), maintenance reserves ($150 monthly), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total roughly $3,500-$5,000. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and emergency repair funds, bringing the comprehensive startup investment to the estimated range.

Airbnb properties in Remer, Minnesota, typically generate modest profitability due to the area's seasonal tourism patterns centered around fishing and lake activities on Leech Lake and surrounding waters. Properties in this market generally earn $15,000-$35,000 annually in gross revenue, with 2-3 bedroom cabins and lake homes commanding $80-150 per night during peak summer months (May-September) and significantly lower rates of $40-70 during off-season periods. Operating expenses typically consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($50-75 per turnover), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-3,000 annually), and maintenance reserves (8-12% of revenue). Net profit margins generally range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with waterfront locations and those offering fishing amenities achieving higher occupancy rates of 60-75% during peak season compared to 30-45% for standard properties. Success factors include proximity to Leech Lake, fishing guide partnerships, seasonal marketing strategies, and properties that can accommodate larger groups of 6-10 guests, as many visitors come for fishing tournaments and family reunions, with the most profitable properties being those purchased below $200,000 that can generate consistent $25,000+ annual revenue streams.

Airbnb investments in Remer, Minnesota typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Leech Lake and seasonal tourism demand peaking during summer months and ice fishing season. Properties in Remer generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $120-180 for lakefront cabins and $80-120 for standard homes, occupancy rates averaging 45-60% annually due to the seasonal nature of tourism. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory in the area, creating strong demand for vacation rentals, though investors should expect higher occupancy during May through September and December through February, with shoulder seasons showing reduced booking activity that impacts overall annual returns.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Remer, Minnesota. Local real estate agents in the Brainerd Lakes area such as Coldwell Banker Realty and RE/MAX Lakes Region have experience with vacation rental properties around Remer's lake communities. National services like AirDNA provide market analysis and revenue projections for Airbnb investments in the region, while Mashvisor offers property analysis tools for short-term rental investments in Minnesota markets. Local property management companies such as Vacasa and RedAwning can assist with both finding properties and managing them post-purchase in the Remer area. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Awning focus on turnkey rental properties and may have listings in northern Minnesota lake communities. Regional brokerages including Edina Realty and Lakes Sotheby's International Realty have agents familiar with investment properties in the Brainerd-Remer corridor, and platforms like BiggerPockets connect investors with local professionals experienced in vacation rental markets throughout Minnesota's lake country.