How Summit Vista Started Our NH STR Journey

Investing in New Hampshire short-term rentals wasn’t always the clear, confident plan it is for us today. In fact, when we purchased Summit Vista back in 2020, right in the middle of market uncertainty, it felt like a major leap of faith. But looking back, that decision became the foundation of NH STR Co. and the start of the business we’re proud to run today.

Finding the Right Property: A View Worth Betting On

We had been exploring real estate in the White Mountains for months, constantly refreshing the listings to make sure we didn’t miss something. Then, on a Wednesday afternoon, Summit Vista hit the market. We didn’t stall – I called the listing agent, Kevin O’Brien at Pinkham Real Estate in North Conway, and scheduled a showing for the next morning. When I pulled up in the parking spot, I knew we needed to buy it. The views alone made it stand out. Perched above the treetops with a panoramic sweep of the Presidential Range at Mount Washington, the property captured everything we love about New Hampshire – mountains, seasons, and adventure.

The property received 8 offers in the first day on the market, so we needed to be aggressive to get the house. Even at a time when the future felt unpredictable, we knew this home had something truly special. It felt like an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. With guidance from our real estate agent, Todd Koss, we submitted an offer that won us the mountain home we had been dreaming about.

Starting Out: Learning the Business One Stay at a Time

Like many first-time STR owners, we didn’t try to learn everything overnight. When we closed on Summit Vista, we partnered with a local vacation management company to handle bookings, turnover, guest communication, and the day-to-day details while we worked full-time and learned the business from the inside out.

That first year taught us a lot:

– What guests consistently look for in a White Mountains vacation rental
– How pricing, seasonality, and demand shift month-to-month
– How to improve guest experience through small design and amenity upgrades
– What it truly takes to run a 5-star short-term rental in New Hampshire

Eventually, with the systems, confidence, and local vendor relationships in place, we realized we were ready for more.

Taking the Reins: Full Control

After our initial learning phase, we made the decision to personally take over management of Summit Vista. That move transformed not only the property, but our business.

– Managing the home ourselves allowed us to:
– Improve the guest experience with faster, more personal communication
– Adjust pricing and strategy in real time based on demand
– Invest in upgrades that aligned with our brand and vision
– Build operational systems that would eventually become the backbone of NH STR Co.

Taking full control was the moment our side project started to become a business.

Designing a 5-Star Experience: Intentional Upgrades & Mountain-Inspired Style

From day one, we wanted Summit Vista to be more than a rental. We wanted it to feel like a mountain retreat, a place where guests step through the door and immediately know they’re someplace special, a fully immersive White Mountains experience.

That meant investing in:

Intentional Mountain Decor

We curated décor that reflects the surrounding landscape, warm woods, natural textures, mountain inspired paint colors, and subtle alpine design choices that feel authentic to the White Mountains.

High-Quality Furnishings

Comfort matters. We chose durable, elevated pieces that feel great, hold up to guest use, and photograph beautifully. Our sectional came from Crate & Barrel. Our beds are from Zinus, and the mattresses are Nectar. We invested in quality good to ensure that our guests are comfortable, leading to 5 star reviews.

A Stone Fireplace & Custom Mantel

One of our favorite additions was the stone fireplace and mantel, a centerpiece that instantly elevated the space. It created the “wow factor” we were looking for and framed the incredible mountain scenery outside the windows with equal drama inside.

Each upgrade was a small investment that contributed to a bigger vision: a truly memorable guest experience.

Looking Back: A Calculated Risk That Paid Off

What felt like a stretch in 2020 has proven to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.

Summit Vista consistently earns 5-star reviews, draws repeat guests, and remains one of the most rewarding properties in our portfolio—financially and personally. Its rated as a top 1% property on Airbnb. It gave us the blueprint for everything we’ve built since:

– A passion for hospitality
– A commitment to thoughtful design and properties with standout features
– A belief in the long-term strength of the White Mountains STR market
– The confidence to expand and help other owners do the same

Summit Vista wasn’t just our first short-term rental. It was the launchpad for NH STR Co., and the spark that started our mission to help other owners build profitable, beautifully branded vacation rentals in the White Mountains. In our next blog, we’ll discuss our 2nd White Mountains STR investment, a clean, fully renovated ski-on/ski-off property on Attitash we call Lift Haus.