Is Wisp Resort, Maryland Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Wisp Resort, Maryland, begin by researching Garrett County's short-term rental regulations and Wisp Resort's specific HOA requirements, as many properties have restrictions on rentals under 30 days. Contact Garrett County Planning and Land Development (301-334-1920) to obtain necessary permits including a short-term rental license, which typically costs $100-200 annually and requires safety inspections. Find a suitable property within Wisp Resort's boundaries, focusing on ski-in/ski-out locations or lakefront properties that command $200-400 per night, with purchase prices ranging from $300,000-800,000 for condos and townhomes. Furnish the property with mountain-themed decor, ensure adequate heating systems for winter guests, provide ski storage, and include amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, and lake access equipment during summer months. List your property on Airbnb with professional photography highlighting seasonal activities, set dynamic pricing for peak ski season (December-March) and summer lake season (June-August), and emphasize proximity to Wisp Resort's slopes and Deep Creek Lake. Manage the property by partnering with local cleaning services like Deep Creek Cleaning Company, coordinate with Wisp Resort's concierge services for guest activities, maintain relationships with local contractors for winter maintenance, and consider hiring a property management company like Railey Realty or Deep Creek Lodging if you're not local, as they typically charge 20-30% commission but handle all guest communications, cleaning, and maintenance coordination.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Wisp Resort, Maryland, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of Wisp Resort's ski slopes and Deep Creek Lake, prioritizing locations with mountain or lake views and easy access to outdoor activities. Target 3-4 bedroom cabins or chalets with hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms, and ski equipment storage, as these features command premium rates year-round. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, noting that peak winter rates can reach $400-600/night while summer lake season averages $250-350/night. Research competition by studying occupancy rates of existing STRs within a 5-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underpriced properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, partner with local property management companies like Railey Realty or Deep Creek Lodging for insights, and monitor Garrett County tourism data to understand seasonal demand patterns. Properties with year-round appeal (ski access in winter, lake proximity in summer) typically achieve 65-75% occupancy rates and generate $60,000-120,000 annually depending on size and amenities.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Wisp Resort, Maryland, you must apply through Garrett County's Planning and Land Development office located at 203 S 4th Street, Oakland, MD 21550, as Wisp Resort falls under county jurisdiction. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum), septic system inspection certificate, well water test results if applicable, and a $150 application fee plus $75 annual renewal fee. The process typically takes 30-45 days for approval and includes a mandatory inspection by county officials. Specific requirements for the Wisp Resort area include adherence to Deep Creek Lake watershed regulations, maximum occupancy limits based on septic capacity (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), mandatory trash collection service, compliance with noise ordinances particularly during peak ski season, and registration with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation for tax collection purposes. Properties must also meet fire safety codes including smoke detectors in each bedroom and common areas, carbon monoxide detectors, and accessible fire extinguishers, while maintaining adequate parking for guests without blocking emergency access routes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in the Wisp Resort area of Garrett County, Maryland, but operate under specific county regulations established around 2019-2020. Garrett County requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Properties must meet occupancy limits based on septic and well capacity, typically allowing 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. The county prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and requires a minimum 3-night stay during peak seasons. Operators must collect and remit county accommodation taxes of approximately 5% and maintain liability insurance. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have strengthened enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for non-compliance, while also requiring annual inspections for properties exceeding certain occupancy thresholds. The regulations specifically address the Wisp Resort area due to its high concentration of vacation rentals, with additional parking requirements and noise ordinances that are more strictly enforced during ski season and summer months.

The best areas for Airbnb investment near Wisp Resort in Maryland are Deep Creek Lake waterfront properties, which attract year-round visitors for skiing in winter and water activities in summer, generating consistent rental demand. The Marsh Hill Road and Glendale Road corridors offer proximity to both the resort and lake while providing more affordable entry points with strong appreciation potential. Downtown McHenry presents opportunities for walkable accommodations near restaurants and shops, appealing to visitors who prefer not to drive. The Sang Run Road area provides secluded mountain properties that command premium rates from guests seeking privacy and scenic views. Accident and Friendsville, located 10-15 minutes from Wisp, offer lower acquisition costs while still capturing overflow demand during peak seasons like winter ski season, summer lake season, and fall foliage periods, with additional demand from Savage River State Forest visitors and Adventure Sports Center International guests seeking whitewater rafting and outdoor activities.

Airbnb properties in Wisp Resort, Maryland are subject to Maryland's state sales tax of 6% on lodging accommodations, which applies to all short-term rental stays under 30 days. Garrett County, where Wisp Resort is located, imposes an additional local lodging tax of 5%, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 11%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began operating in Maryland around 2019. Airbnb remits these collected taxes quarterly to the Maryland Comptroller's office and Garrett County tax authorities on behalf of hosts. However, some individual hosts may still need to register separately with local tax authorities and file returns even when Airbnb collects taxes, depending on their specific circumstances. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these occupancy taxes, and certain nonprofit or government-related accommodations may qualify for exemptions. The Deep Creek Lake area within Garrett County may have additional local assessment fees that could apply to short-term rentals, though these are typically minimal compared to the primary lodging taxes.

Starting an Airbnb near Wisp Resort in Maryland requires significant upfront investment, with property purchase being the largest expense at approximately $350,000-$450,000 for a median 3-bedroom mountain home or condo suitable for vacation rental. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 to create an attractive, fully-equipped space with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor that appeals to ski resort visitors. Initial setup expenses include professional photography ($300-$500), listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies totaling around $1,500-$2,500. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,200 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and any required inspections from Garrett County. Insurance costs run $2,000-$3,500 annually for comprehensive coverage including liability and property protection specific to short-term rentals. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable typically cost $800-$1,500 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($200-$300/month), cleaning services ($75-$125 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing total approximately $4,000-$7,000 depending on occupancy rates. The total investment ranges from $374,100 to $490,700 to launch a competitive Airbnb property in the Wisp Resort area.

Airbnb properties in Wisp Resort, Maryland, demonstrate strong seasonal profitability with average annual revenues ranging from $35,000-$65,000 for well-positioned properties, driven by the area's proximity to Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Resort's skiing facilities. Properties typically achieve 60-75% occupancy rates during peak winter (December-March) and summer (June-August) seasons, commanding nightly rates of $200-$400 for larger homes and $120-$250 for condos. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-$150 per turnover), utilities ($3,000-$5,000 annually), insurance ($2,000-$4,000), and maintenance reserves, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for successful operators. Success factors include strategic location within 2 miles of the resort, professional photography, dynamic pricing strategies, and properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, and ski storage. A typical 4-bedroom lakefront property generating $55,000 annually might incur $27,000 in expenses, yielding $28,000 net profit (51% margin), while properties further from attractions or poorly managed often struggle with 40-50% occupancy and margins below 15%, highlighting the importance of location and professional management in this competitive mountain resort market.

Based on Wisp Resort, Maryland market data, Airbnb investments in this ski destination typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%. Properties within 2-3 miles of Wisp Resort's slopes command premium rates of $200-350 per night during peak ski season (December-March) and $150-250 during summer months, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with luxury ski chalets and lakefront homes near Deep Creek Lake achieving the higher end ROI figures around 16-18%, while standard condos and townhomes average 12-15% annual returns. The seasonal nature of this market creates strong cash flow during winter and summer peak periods, with properties often booking 85-95% occupancy during ski season and major summer holidays, contributing to the robust cash-on-cash returns that make Wisp Resort area investments attractive for short-term rental portfolios.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in the Wisp Resort area of Maryland. Local real estate agents specializing in vacation rental investments include Mountain Lake Properties, Garrett County Realty, and Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, with agents like Sarah Mitchell at Railey Realty and Tom Henderson at Century 21 New Millennium focusing specifically on STR properties near Wisp Resort since 2019. National services include AirDNA for market analytics, Mashvisor for investment property analysis, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Specialized STR investment companies operating in the region include Awning Property Management, RedAwning, and Vacasa, which offer both property acquisition assistance and management services. Local property management companies that help identify investment opportunities include Deep Creek Accommodations, Railey Vacations, and Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations, while national platforms like Roofstock and HomeUnion occasionally feature Garrett County vacation rental properties. Investment consultants such as STR Wealth and Short Term Rental University provide education and deal analysis services for the Western Maryland mountain resort market.