Our New Venture: A-Frame-of-Mind, a Cozy Short-Term Rental in Massanutten, Virginia
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We’ve always loved a good project, and after years of long-term property management, we decided to take the leap into short-term rentals! Enter our newest adventure: A-Frame-of-Mind, a cozy mountain escape in Massanutten Resort in McGaheysville, Virginia.
How It Started
John and I bought our first home at just 23 years old (for a whopping $69,000… can you believe it?), and we poured our hearts into restoring it. When it came time to upsize, we couldn’t bear to part with it. That decision opened the door to our first experience as landlords, and we’ve now had wonderful long-term tenants in that home for over seven years.
Over time, we dabbled in new ways to manage property, including renting out our backyard pool through Swimply after our 2022 remodel. But by 2024, we were ready to dive even deeper into the world of real estate.
We flipped a home in our original neighborhood that needed major work, finishing it in September 2024. But shortly after, the renovation itch came back, and this time, we had something new in mind.
Why Massanutten?
With our girls learning to ski (starting in Switzerland, no less!), we wanted a place stateside where they could continue to grow their skills and where we could make memories as a family. I grew up skiing, and it’s been a dream of mine to pass that joy on to our kids.
Massanutten Resort checked all the boxes: year-round activities, skiing, hiking, waterpark fun, and that peaceful mountain setting we love. When we found an A-frame property online, we jumped at the opportunity. One virtual walkthrough later, we submitted an offer, and just like that, A-Frame-of-Mind was ours.
Turning a House Into a Home (Away from Home)
The home was already functioning as a rental and came fully furnished. I had big plans for a full flip (hello, creative freedom!), but I had to remind myself: progress over perfection. We wanted to start renting it right away, which meant updates would come in phases.
Our first trip up was a whirlwind. We hauled in furniture and lighting, assembled everything, swapped out old pieces, and added finishing touches just in time for our first weekend guests. Did we cut it close? Absolutely. Did we also squeeze in a scenic fall chairlift ride? You bet.
Of course, not everything went as planned. We had to replace both the refrigerator and dishwasher, timing that just happened to align with checkout and delivery chaos. In true Wagner fashion, we made it work.
Holiday Magic & Family Memories
Our second trip was just as packed… literally. More furniture, décor, and essential supplies to help our cleaners with quicker turnarounds. But it wasn’t all work. We arrived just in time for Light Up the Park! at Massanutten Waterpark, where we soaked in the holiday lights, decorated cookies, and sipped spiked coffee. It was the perfect kickoff to the season.
We even decked out the cabin for the holidays before I had a chance to decorate our main home!
By Thanksgiving, the cabin was fully booked again. For our third and final prep trip of the season, we brought in updated appliances, installed bathroom fixtures, and took the girls to the waterpark (Lowina loved the big slides!). John's parents and grandmother joined us later in the week, giving us a chance to host family for the very first time in our new space. We wrapped up projects, enjoyed some ice skating, and the guys got in a round of golf. A perfect mix of productivity and fun.
What’s Next?
We’re already planning to share more about breaking into short-term rentals: what’s worked, what hasn’t, and all the things we’ve learned along the way. From cleaning checklists to furnishing tips and guest communication strategies, we want to help others take the leap into hosting with confidence.
Massanutten and the Shenandoah Valley have become a special place for us, and now we get to share it with travelers looking for adventure, rest, or a little of both. Hosting has been full of surprises, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding.
Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own STR journey or just looking for a cozy cabin retreat, we hope A-Frame-of-Mind inspires your next adventure.
Interested in staying at our Massanutten cabin? Reach out or follow along here for updates and availability.
