Park Model Homes in Florida: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Short-Term Rental Market
So you’ve got some land in Florida. Or perhaps a campground. Or an Airbnb that’s always almost booked.
And you’re thinking, “Maybe I should invest in a park model home.”
It’s not crazy talk—you’re just early to the next phase of the market.
The truth is, Florida’s short-term rental market (STR) isn’t booming anymore. It’s in a correction.
We’re seeing more challenges—more listings, higher costs, picky guests, and even some owners selling off and walking away.
But it’s not all doom and gloom: Florida is still hitting record tourism numbers. In 2024, over 142 million people visited the Sunshine State, the highest on record, and Florida remains the top domestic vacation destination for Americans.
So it’s not that there’s no demand—It’s just that there are too many average rentals for a crowd that expects better than average on their vacation.
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we want to sell you our park model homes, but we want to ensure that you get the best bang for your buck. That extends to what happens after we sell you a cabin and you take delivery, because we care about our customers who’ve been so good to us all these years.
So let’s talk about how a well-run park model cabin—especially a quality, real-log Lancaster Log Cabins unit—can stand out from the crowd.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
TL;DR - Park Model Cabins for Florida Campground Owners
- Market Correction, Not Collapse: Florida's STR market is oversaturated and facing rising costs, but record tourism numbers confirm high demand for quality, unique stays.
- The Park Model Advantage: Real log park model homes stand out from generic condos and houses by offering a unique, authentic cabin experience that appeals to selective guests.
- Strategic Positioning: Success requires getting clear on a niche (e.g., snowbirds, outdoor lovers), choosing the right micro-market (campgrounds, rural land), and competing on experience, not just price.
- Professional Operation: Treat the rental like a "tiny boutique hotel" with rock-solid cleaning, fast communication, dynamic pricing, and attractive monthly rates to secure positive reviews.
- Built-in Flexibility: Park model homes, classified as RVs, offer tax/financial advantages and the flexibility to be repositioned or converted to mid-term rentals if the nightly market slows.
Interested in maximizing your STR potential? Keep reading!
Florida’s 2025 Reality: It’s a Market Correction, Not the End
Let’s start by talking about why the market correction happened.
- Demand spiked during and right after COVID.
- Investors rushed in and flooded the market with new listings.
- Occupancy and nightly rates dropped in many areas from pandemic highs. One 2025 analysis estimates Florida STR occupancy slid from around 75% in 2021 to about 58% in 2024.
- Insurance, utilities, cleaning, and repair costs climbed.
So yes—Florida is oversaturated in many areas. Some owners are feeling squeezed.
But a correction isn’t the end. It’s the market sorting things out—poorly run, generic rentals struggle while unique, well-managed places still perform.
So, it’s not all doom and gloom. As the Black Knight said to King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, ‘tis but a scratch.
And that’s the mindset shift that’ll give you the edge: You’re not trying to be “one more listing.” You’re trying to be the obvious choice in your little corner of Florida.
Why Florida Still Makes Sense for Short-Term Rentals
So while the numbers aren’t great, Florida is still prime for hospitality. The state’s big advantages that haven’t gone away:
- Year-round demand. Snowbirds in winter (Bonus: Check out the Amish snowbird community of Pinecraft!). Families love visiting in the spring and summer. And there are events and fishing all year.
- Outdoor lifestyle. With year-round warmth, beaches, springs, rivers, 175 state parks, and three national parks, outdoor recreation is a $58-billion industry in Florida.
- Many micro-markets. Orlando theme parks, the Gulf Coast, the Keys, the Panhandle, small inland towns—each spot has its own guest profile.
Even though occupancy and revenue are down from the peak, Florida welcomed about 143 million visitors in 2024—a new all-time high—and holds roughly 15.5% of U.S. vacation travel, and is still one of the best states in the country for short-term rentals.
So demand is still there, but guests are getting more selective, seeking an overall experience that includes the stay. They’re asking questions, such as:
“Is this place special?”
“Is it well-run?”
“Is it worth the nightly rate?”
So the new rule for operating a STR in Florida is: You have to be better, not just present.
That’s where a real log park model home—with thoughtful design and pro-level operations—can give you a real edge.
Why Park Model Cabins Are an Advantage in a Saturated Market
In an oversupplied market, being different matters. With a real-log park model cabin, you stand out because it:
- Looks nothing like the average condo or suburban house.
- Feels like an actual cabin, not a travel trailer.
- Fits naturally into campgrounds, rural land, and nature-focused properties.
- Stays RV-style and transportable rather than a conventional stick-built house.
Lancaster Log Cabins park model homes add even more advantages:
- Solid timber construction. 100% real logs with Amish artistry.
- Turnkey layouts. Full bathroom, kitchen, and smart sleeping areas already planned.
- Built for heavy use. Materials and finishes are designed for constant guest turnover.
- Tax and financial advantages. Because it’s classified as an RV, you won’t have to pay property tax (unless you take the wheels off), and financing typically comes in the form of RV loans, not home loans.
- Command better prices. The quality of a Lancaster Log Cabin park model home also helps to keep your costs low.
That means you’re not competing only on price. You’re competing on experience.
Standing Out in Florida’s Oversaturated Market
It’s time to rent out that space. Now what? First, let’s do a little legwork.
Whether you own a campground, a few acres, or an existing Airbnb listing, here are some practical strategies you can use to stand out from the crowd:
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Get Clear on Your Niche
“Everyone” is not a target audience. You need to pick one main guest profile and build around it. Think about:
- Families visiting theme parks or beaches;
- Couples looking for a quiet getaway;
- Snowbirds wanting monthly winter stays, or
- Outdoor lovers coming for fishing, kayaking, or springs.
Then align your photos, amenities, listing title, and house rules with that one guest.
So instead of a generic listing such as “Cozy Florida cabin near the beach,” try: “Real log park model cabin with porch – perfect for snowbirds, monthly winter stays near (Town).”
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Choose the Right Micro-Market
Not every Florida town is equal. Some areas are full of generic condos. Others have good tourism destinations but offer fewer unique places to stay.
Against those less interesting STRs, park model cabins often work best:
- In or beside campgrounds and RV parks that want authentic cabins
- On rural or edge-of-town land near parks, lakes, rivers, or springs
- In smaller coastal towns with character but fewer high-rise buildings
And because your park model home sits on a chassis, you also have greater long-term flexibility. If one placement underperforms, you may be able to reposition the cabin within your property or even another park.
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Design for Scroll-Stopping Photos and Real Comfort
In a crowded market, your photos do the heavy lifting.
Use your log cabin look to your advantage:
- Lead with big, clean shots of the log exterior and porch.
- Show warm, uncluttered interiors.
- Capture outdoor space: seating, fire pits, trees, and views.
Then, make sure the stay itself matches the photos:
- Strong, quiet A/C and sound insulation for Florida heat. Here’s where a Lancaster Log Cabin shines—thick, dense timber insulates both sound and temperature really well!
- Comfortable beds and quality linens make for a good night’s sleep, so your guests can focus on what’s important—enjoying their stay.
- Smart storage for beach gear or fishing rods.
- Shade and airflow outdoors so guests actually enjoy the porch. For added comfort, install porch screens so guests can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about insects.
In short, a Lancaster Log Cabins model already has great bones—you’re just styling and equipping it for Florida.
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Be Smart With Pricing and Length of Stay
You can’t “set and forget” pricing anymore. Maximize your earnings potential by being responsive to seasonal and economic trends. Consider:
- Dynamic pricing tools that respond to demand, events, and seasons. Consider investing in specialized software to help determine your prices.
- Higher nightly rates with 2–3 night minimums in busy times.
- Discounts for 4–7+ night stays during shoulder seasons.
- Attractive monthly rates for snowbirds or mid-term guests in slower months.
Know your real costs: insurance, taxes, cleaning, platform fees, and utilities. Build your pricing from those numbers, not from what you wish the market would pay.
For example, let’s say you start with a Lakeview cabin at $68,900. Using tax depreciation calculated with the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), you’re able to depreciate 20% of that cost in year one and another 10% over subsequent years.
That gives you roughly $13,780 in first-year depreciation tax savings and about $6,890 in later-year savings—around $20,670 in total tax savings over time, which brings your effective after-tax cabin cost down to about $48,230.
Now, assume you rent the cabin 140 nights per year using Florida-style seasons—higher rates in winter and busy coastal weeks, slightly lower in shoulder months—with an average nightly rate of about $170, or roughly $23,800 in gross rental income per year.
After setting aside around $9,000 per year for power, water, high-speed internet, sewer, cleaning, supplies, and basic maintenance, plus about $2,000 a year for insurance, you’re left with an estimated net rental income of about $11,800 per year. On those numbers, your simple payback period is just over 4 years on the cabin’s after-tax cost, while you still own a hard asset that can keep producing income well beyond that.
Want to play around with more numbers? Check out our investment calculator for rough numbers.
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Treat Your Cabin Like a Tiny Boutique Hotel
In a correction, reviews make or break you. Run your park model cabin like a professional:
- Fast, friendly communication.
- Clear self-check-in instructions.
- Rock-solid cleaning checklists.
- A simple printed or digital guide with Wi-Fi info and local tips.
Aim for reviews that repeatedly mention:
- Cleanliness. In fact, cleanliness is a common complaint among guests.
- Comfort, because who wants to be uncomfortable on vacation?
- Quiet. If the place is a busy, noisy area, be honest and mention it in the listing. Some guests won’t mind the noise, but a guest who does can tank your reviews.
- Unique cabin atmosphere. Don’t just offer a stay, offer an experience that your guests will remember and talk about.
That social proof from the community is one of your most significant assets in a crowded Florida search result.
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Differentiate on Experience, Not Just Structure
Your cabin itself is only half the story—the experience is what seals the deal. With some small, thoughtful touches, you can help your guests slide into Florida vacation mode much more easily:
- Have beach chairs, umbrellas, and a small cooler for coastal stays
- Hooks and racks for wet gear near springs and rivers
- Board games and nightlights for families
- String lights and a simple coffee bar for couples
These don’t have to be expensive, but they make your cabin feel far more valuable than a basic condo at the same price, and add an atmosphere that this is their space, not a mere rental.
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Don’t Rely on One Booking Platform
If Airbnb in your area feels oversaturated, diversify.
You can:
- List on multiple OTAs (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking, etc.)
- Build a simple direct booking page.
- Partner with a nearby campground or marina for referrals
- Collect guest emails (with permission) for return-stay offers.
Over time, aim for fewer one-time guests and more repeat snowbirds, returning families, and referrals.
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Use Park Model Flexibility to Manage Risk
One quiet advantage of park model homes: you’re not as locked-in.
If nightly rentals in your area slow down, you can:
- Shift to monthly winter rentals for snowbirds
- Offer mid-term stays for traveling nurses or remote workers.
- Move the unit into or next to a campground with higher traffic volume.
- In some cases, relocate it to a stronger Florida market. Need more data to help you decide? Check out AirDNA.
That flexibility gives you more ways to adjust as the market continues to evolve. You could even have different forms of decor or amenities in storage that you can swap out to match your retargeted audience better.
Putting It All Together with Lancaster Log Cabins
Florida may be in a short-term rental slowdown, but it’s not the end of the road. It’s maturing, and things will bounce back.
The owners who will still be standing in a few years are the ones who’ve put in the legwork to pick strong micro-markets, offer unique, comfortable stays, paid attention to numbers and trends, and run their cabins like real businesses—not a hobby.
And at Lancaster Log Cabins, a solid log park model home gives you a head start! Since 1990, we’ve channeled our passion for quality artistry and real-wood construction to offer park model homes with a distinctive, real-wood cabin look, turnkey layouts ready for guests, and durable construction for campground and rental use. And we’re not resting on our laurels—after years of research and consideration, we’ve started a new line of modern-style cabins, too!
Combine our park model homes with clever positioning and operations, and you’re not just surviving an oversaturated market—you’re becoming the place guests look for first in your corner of Florida.
Contact us now or visit us to learn more about your next STR opportunity!
