It began with an eight-hour round-trip drive every weekend, a carpenter’s determination and five acres of rural land that most would have overlooked. Chris Broomfield, a 50-year-old contractor from Connecticut, saw more than trees and rolling hills in Remsen, New York – he saw a foundation for generational wealth and a creative business that could outlast his own career. “I realized that carpentry is a knowledge and experience-based. I couldn’t really hand that down to my kids,” he said. “So I needed to build something that at least would give them a head start on something to borrow against or something that creates additional income.”
1. Finding Potential in Inexpensive Rural Land
In 2015, Broomfield and his wife purchased it for 27,000 dollars, placing it near a lake, close to family, and with rich natural features. That aligns with some of the key principles in successful rural short-term rental investing: selecting land that has inherent appeal and is in proximity to attractions. The wooded topography with rolling hills gave both privacy and a visual charm that would be necessary for this boutique cabin rental.
2. Building the Viral A‑Frame Cabin
Working largely alone, Broomfield spent three years constructing a one-bedroom A-frame for about $90,000. At his wife’s suggestion, he installed a motorized king bed that slides outdoors so guests can sleep under the stars a design flourish that helped the property become one of Airbnb’s “most-wishlisted” in New York. With its fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, and multiple decks, the cabin’s blend of rustic charm and unique amenities embodies the design features that make boutique cabins go viral. When the cabin launched, it was listed for $60 per night, but dynamic pricing now fluctuates between $380 and $700, pulling in $119,337 in 2024 and an expected $143,504 in 2025.
3. Leveraging Momentum with the Treehouse Cabin
In 2019, he fast-tracked the build of a $175,000 treehouse cabin, hiring a team to complete it in 13 weeks. Set 14 feet off the ground and accessed via a suspension bridge, it targeted young families with two bedrooms, a pond, and waterfall views. The treehouse earned $151,966 in 2024 and ranks in Airbnb’s top 10% for ratings and reliability. This growth exemplifies a key scaling strategy: taking profits and reinvesting them in new, differentiated units to carve out distinct guest segments.
4. Add Luxury with the Birch Falls Spa Cabin
In 2021, Broomfield unveiled a $160,000 spa cabin that boasted an 18-foot indoor waterfall, massage bed, and soaker tub. It generated revenues of $120,227 in 2024 alone and expanded Evergreen Cabins’ popularity among couples seeking luxury wellness experiences. This is a move in line with recommendations by micro-resort operators: offer diverse experiences to appeal to several demographics and fill occupancy throughout the year.
5. Mastering Pricing and Revenue Management
The shift by Broomfield away from flat rates to dynamic pricing is covered under Airbnb’s pricing strategy best practices. He maximized his earnings without having to give up occupancy by adjusting the rates based on demand, seasonality, and competition. Such adjustments can be automated using tools like Beyond Pricing or PriceLabs to free the owners to focus on guest experience and property development.
6. Streamlining Operations to Scale
The monthly operating costs of Evergreen Cabins-$700 in utilities, $8,000 in payroll and operations, and $18,000 annually in property taxes-are managed through standardized processes and a dedicated team. This operational discipline echoes the scaling principles from vacation rental growth strategies whereby SOPs, reliable staff, and smart tech all work towards preventing chaos as portfolios expand.
7. Branding and Guest Experience as Growth Drivers
The Evergreen Cabins brand is built on distinctive design, nature immersion, and attentive service all elements that create repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals. Indeed, according to vacation rental branding guides, consistent visual identity and memorable guest touchpoints can make the leap from property listing to destination. That feeling of trust is reinforced with Broomfield’s “superhost” status.
8. Building a Family Legacy
Since 2018, Evergreen Cabins has generated $2.1 million in revenue, enabling Broomfield to retire from contracting in 2021. Now earning about $400,000 annually, he focuses on overseeing staff, designing new cabins, and planning future expansions. “My family is a huge part of my inspiration and my drive eventually, they are going to be the ones owning this,” he said. This mirrors the “forever hospitality asset” mindset–that of creating ventures which yield not only profit but also values and legacy for further generations.
The journey of Broomfield illustrates how reasonable land prices, creative design, disciplined operations, and adaptive pricing can turn a modest rural purchase into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. For entrepreneurial, DIY‑minded adults, it’s a blueprint for turning vision into enduring value one cabin at a time.
