Debunking the Myth: Are Leelanau County Principal Residences Turning Into Vacation Rentals?
Interestingly, in 2024, less than half of the homes in Leelanau County—just 46%—were primary residences. A common myth I often hear is that everyone is buying year-round primary homes and converting them into vacation rentals. However, the data doesn’t support this claim. In fact, the percentage of primary homes in Leelanau County has remained fairly consistent over the years, hovering between 45% and 47%. It's actually slightly higher now than it was 15 years ago.
On the other hand, it's clear that the total number of vacation rentals in the county has risen significantly. But the data shows these vacation rentals weren’t year-round primary homes being converted into short-term rentals. Instead, they were already second homes, vacation properties, or long-term rentals. Now, their owners are choosing to rent them out short-term while still using them personally.
Jonathan Oltersdorf, Oltersdorf Realty, LLC
Phone: 231-271-7777
E-mail: jonathan@oltersdorf.com