Thanksgiving at a Rental Cabin: The Moment You Start Wondering, “What If This Was Ours?”
You know that moment.
The dishes are finally done.
The kids are sprawled across the rental cabin couch or the deck of a beach house.
Someone is half-asleep with a football game humming in the background…
And you catch yourself saying to your spouse:
“What if, one day, this was our place?”
Not just another Thanksgiving rental.
But a mountain cabin or coastal retreat you own—
a place your kids could one day bring their kids,
and a place that helps pay for itself as a smart, well-run STR the rest of the year.
If that thought has crossed your mind this weekend, this post is for you.
Why This Thanksgiving Feels Different
You’ve probably thought about “someday” before.
But this year:
Your kids suddenly look more like young adults than little ones.
You’re more aware of how quickly these seasons change.
And you’re looking at what you’re paying per night thinking,
“If they can make this work… why couldn’t we?”
You’re not dreaming about a vacation home.
You’re imagining a family base camp—one that also earns its keep.
And you’re not crazy.
This is exactly how most real STR retreats begin.
How Real Owners Actually Start
Most of the best retreats didn’t begin as 3,200 SF dream cabins or big oceanfront builds. They usually start with a moment like this:
A Thanksgiving or summer week in a rental
A quiet conversation after the kids go to bed
A simple question:
“Are we ready to at least explore what this could look like?”
From there, smart buyers focus on three things:
1. They get clear on the experience they want
Mountain sunrises and hiking?
Coastal sunsets and easy beach access?
Space for extended family—or something simpler and cozy?
2. They think in phases, not perfection
A smaller first-phase cabin or ADU-style retreat
A garage + apartment now, a larger home later
A compact, high-quality coastal cottage designed to expand over time
3. They respect the numbers
What can we comfortably invest now?
What are realistic STR rates and occupancy assumptions?
How do we avoid overbuilding or underbuilding?
Turning the Late-Night Wish Into a Workable Plan
If this resonates while you sit in someone else’s cabin or beach house, here’s a simple path forward.
1. Capture your must-haves before you leave
Notice:
What works for your family
What doesn’t (storage, bedrooms, noise, parking, privacy, layout)
What small details make it special (views, bunk room, porch, fireplace, outdoor shower)
Write it down—you’ll forget by Monday.
2. Decide: mountains, coast… or both eventually
You don’t need all the answers this weekend, but choosing direction gives clarity.
Mountains: hiking, fly fishing, creeks, waterfalls, fire pits
Coast: sun, sand, fishing, sunrises, the rhythm of the tides
Your choice affects land, access, design, and STR performance.
If you want inspiration, browse ideas at www.facetretreats.com.
3. Get real about budget + timeline
Rather than asking:
“Can we afford our dream house?”
Try:
“What’s a smart Phase One that feels like us and can grow over time?”
Examples:
Mountains: a small, well-designed cabin or garage-apartment that becomes future guest space
Coast: a compact cottage that nails outdoor living and can expand later
4. Talk to someone who does this every day
Google and Zillow can’t tell you everything. You need someone who:
Understands mountain + coastal site challenges
Designs around both family experience and STR performance
Can give you a clear, honest test fit: what this land can truly support
That’s where we come in.
Learn more at www.facetretreats.com/services.
A Different Kind of Black Friday Move
Most Black Friday deals are about buying more stuff.
But this weekend, while everyone else hunts for discounts, you might be thinking about something entirely different:
A piece of land in the mountains or at the coast
A Phase One retreat your family can enjoy sooner than you think
A smart STR plan to help carry the cost
Instead of “Maybe someday,” you choose:
“Let’s at least understand what’s possible for us.”
How Facet Retreats Helps You Start (Without a Big Commitment)
At Facet Retreats, we help families:
Reality-check a property
Test-fit a retreat concept so you see what truly works
Right-size Phase One to your budget, lifestyle, and STR goals
Plan future phases that keep long-term flexibility intact
You’ll walk away with:
A clear, visual understanding of what fits
Budget and phasing clarity
A recommendation to move forward, refine, or rethink
Explore more at www.facetretreats.com.
If This Is You Right Now…
If you’re literally sitting in a rental this Thanksgiving thinking,
“Maybe it’s our time,”
don’t let the idea fade when Monday comes.
Take one small step:
Schedule a short intro call
We’ll talk about:
Where you’re staying now (mountains or coast)
Whether you own land or are just starting
What future holidays look like in your mind
No pressure. No script. Just clarity.
Schedule at www.facetretreats.com/call.
A Year (or Two) From Now…
Picture future Thanksgivings.
Would you rather:
Be sitting in another rental, still talking about “someday”?
orBe on the porch of your retreat—maybe Phase One, but yours—
knowing you actually started?
If your heart leans toward the second picture, let’s talk.
This Black Friday, instead of buying something forgettable,
you could take the first step toward a place your family will talk about for decades.
Start at www.facetretreats.com.
