Old Forge, NY · Investment

Does buying an Airbnb in Old Forge make financial sense?

On modelled assumptions — a $325,000 purchase with $81,250 down — a Old Forge short-term rental produces $27,064 of net operating income, a 8% cap rate and positive cash flow of $7,604 a year after financing. You need 36% occupancy just to cover the mortgage.

Modelled estimate

Cap rate

8%

NOI ÷ purchase price

Cash-on-cash return

9%

Cash flow ÷ cash invested

Annual cash flow

$7,604

After operating costs and mortgage

Break-even occupancy

36%

Market models at 50%

The full modelled pro forma

Purchase price (modelled)$325,000
Down payment (25%)$81,250
Loan amount$243,750
Gross annual revenue$39,800
Operating costs (32%)−$12,736
Net operating income$27,064
Mortgage (30yr @ 7%)−$19,460
Cash flow before tax$7,604
Gross yield12%

Operating costs are modelled at 32% of gross revenue for a nightly rental (cleaning, supplies, utilities, platform fees, maintenance, insurance) and 14% for a monthly rental. Financing assumes a 25% down payment and a 30-year loan at 7%. These are planning assumptions, not quotes — replace them with your own numbers. The purchase price shown is modelled from nightly-rate benchmarks, not from listing data — swap in a real asking price before you make any decision. Property taxes, insurance premiums and HOA dues vary enough between properties that they sit inside the 32% operating cost assumption rather than as separate line items.

What would break this deal

  • Occupancy landing below 36% — the point where nightly income no longer covers the mortgage.
  • A rule change that adds a minimum stay or caps nights. Check the Old Forge rules before you buy.
  • Paying peak-season prices for a property that only performs around Jun–Jul–Aug.

Next step

Run the numbers against a specific property and a real purchase price.

Compare Old Forge with nearby markets

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