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Hugely Popular on Airbnb, This Moon Camp in Joshua Tree Lands on the Market

A popular Airbnb rental minutes from Joshua Tree National Park has landed on the market with an asking price of $399,900.

Known as the Moon Camp, the custom home in Joshua Tree, CA, was built in 2009 for the original owner, who desired to live off the grid. The relatively large desert lot, also minutes from downtown, is in an ideal location.

The quirky property is appealing to travelers in search of a unique experience. There’s a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, domed cabin on a little over an acre. It also includes a full kitchen, attractive faux beams, and custom windows.

Shipping containers offer additional guest space for two, and come with water and power, a large bathroom, and custom flooring.

In 2017, the place was sold for $159,200 to its current owners, who are real estate investors. The duo updated the space, upgraded the solar panels, and fully furnished the interiors. There’s now a weight room as well as an outdoor fire pit.

They also added a tiny house on wheels from Liberation Tiny Homes, complete with a separate driveway and yard. They then offered up the property as a vacation rental, and business has been booming ever since.

“They have not had any vacancies since 2017,” says listing agent Paul Karr. Last year, the couple cleared $65,000 from vacation rentals.

Why so much success? “It’s this really cool, off-the-grid property. When you look at it, it’s not your typical tract home. It’s got a lot of unique features,” Karr says.

“Airbnb is very competitive right now. Having a property that stands out, that’s interesting really gives you an edge,” he explains. Potential buyers he’s spoken with are considering the place as an investment, not as a personal vacation home. 

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Once a sleepy mecca for hikers, campers, and rock climbers, Joshua Tree National Park has become a global draw, with 3 million tourists visiting a year, according to the Los Angeles Times. The area has also seen a rise in the short-term rental market thanks to the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in nearby Indio. 

The surge in tourism has had an effect on property values. The homeowners, who have since moved out of state, stand to clear a decent profit from their initial investment a couple of years ago.

After a little over a month on the market, the property is already under contract. But don’t worry if you missed out on purchasing the place. It’s sure to be available on Airbnb.

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