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New Washington house built for (very) short-term renters
WASHINGTON — A black and white duplex totaling 2,000 square feet on the south side of Washington stands out among the grass and cornfields of the gradually developing MSW Subdivision.
The two connected dwellings are prime real estate, with spacious kitchens, built-in laundry, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an indoor garage around the back. Each is single-level, with no stairs impeding those with mobility limitations, and has a spacious closet to make up for the lack of basement storage. The building sits a stone’s throw away from Washington’s high school, country club and performing arts center, close enough to Highway 1 for easy navigation, but far enough for privacy from the passing traffic.
The homes’ first occupants, however, will stay no more than a few nights.
Owners Jeff and Kim Hazelett said they had the home built for short-term use as a short-term rental, registering the property on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo, for guests to book the same way they would a hotel room.
“This is so much more than a hotel,” Jeff Hazelett said. “If you’re staying a little bit longer than a day, you want some room to hang out and relax. This gives it, (plus) the amenities of a kitchen, the bathrooms, the space.”
For now, the target market is smaller groups passing through the area. Typical guests would include those in town for weddings, funerals, graduations, class reunions, visiting family, and events.
The couple hopes to someday run a similar property in faraway destinations like beach-side cottages and mountain cabins. The new house in Washington, however, is a necessary first step.
“Before we wanted to jump into that, we felt it was important that we got some experience,” Jeff Hazelett said. “This is so close, we live right down the street, we can take care of this.”
And if all else fails, the Hazeletts designed the property with a backup plan: selling the house. The price range, size, lack of steps and proximity to other attractions makes the duplex an attractive option in the housing market.
“Real estate investment is one of the best investments a person can do,” he said. “Somebody else is paying your expenses. People have owned rental properties for years, this is no different.”
Unlike a long-term rental or house for sale, however, the duplex needed furnishings.
Kim Hazelett said the goal was to design a place she and her husband would want to stay themselves, based on their own experiences from past travels.
That means comfortable couches, smart TVs, pots and pans, and the like. Some of the furniture was limited by the building’s size, but otherwise, the pre-furnished property has about everything a visitor would have at home.
“If you sleep four, you needed a place for four people to eat, and relax in the living room,” she said. “The smart TVs were important. There’s plenty of towels, comfortable bedding, and a full kitchen. You can cook a meal in there.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
