8 Acres, a Rare STR Permit, and Income from Day One: 17336 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth WA
17336 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth, WA — 8.21 acres, A-frame log cabin, creek frontage, and rare Tier 2 STR permit.
8 Acres, a Rare STR Permit,
and Income from Day One
The Permit Most Buyers Can't Get Anymore
There's a specific kind of real estate opportunity that only comes together a handful of times in a market cycle. It requires the right location, the right asset, and a legal advantage that can't simply be manufactured through good intentions or deep pockets. This is one of those moments.
17336 Chumstick Hwy sits just north of downtown Leavenworth in the Chumstick Valley — five minutes from the Bavarian Village that draws over 2.5 million visitors per year and consistently ranks among Washington State's top short-term rental markets. The 1983 A-frame log cabin sits on 8.21 private acres with creek access, territorial views, a deck, barn, shop, and outbuildings. It sleeps six licensed guests. It's fully furnished. It already has bookings on the calendar.
And it comes with a Tier 2 Short-Term Rental permit that is one-time transferable under Chelan County regulations — a distinction that is no longer obtainable for most new buyers in the area.
"Chelan County has dramatically tightened STR permitting. A transferable Tier 2 permit in a prime Chumstick Valley location isn't just a feature — it's the asset. Everything else is a bonus."
Whether you're a pure investor running the income numbers, a Seattle-area family looking for a mountain retreat that pays for itself, or a visionary buyer eyeing the second parcel's development potential — this property has a lane for you. Let's walk through all of it.
What You're Actually Getting
The A-frame interior — vaulted ceilings, skylights, log walls, and hardwood floors deliver the mountain cabin experience that guests travel from across the Pacific Northwest to enjoy.
The Cabin
The 1,008 square foot A-frame log cabin is a two-story, 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath layout built in 1983. The main level includes a living room with hardwood floors, kitchen with eat-in dining space, family room, utility room, and a half bath. The upper level holds the primary bedroom, a second bedroom, and an additional finished room that functions as a third sleeping space — perfect for the six-guest capacity licensed by Chelan County.
Interior features include vaulted ceilings, skylights, log wall construction throughout, a loft, and that unmistakable Pacific Northwest cabin energy that guests photograph from the moment they walk in. The full appliance package — dishwasher, washer/dryer, refrigerator, microwave, and stove/range — is already in place. The furniture, decor, and operational infrastructure are included in the sale.
The Land
8.21 acres across two parcels is rare at this price point, and even rarer this close to Leavenworth. The land includes creek waterfront, level pasture, terraces, partial slope, garden space, and equestrian-ready infrastructure. The view corridor is territorial mountain. The deck is private and expansive. There is a barn, an enclosed workshop/shop, RV parking, and multiple outbuildings — this is not a typical vacation cabin footprint.
The second parcel (APN #261819420150) is included in the sale and offers potential future buildability. Subdivision feasibility and any impact on the STR license from development should be independently verified with Chelan County Community Development.
The expansive deck, barn, workshop, and outbuildings on 8.21 acres — equestrian-ready infrastructure rarely found at this Leavenworth price point
Running the Numbers on Leavenworth
Leavenworth is Washington's most consistent short-term rental market. Unlike coastal beach towns that peak in summer and go quiet in winter, Leavenworth operates on a four-season demand model driven by Oktoberfest (October, 3 consecutive weekends), Christmastown (November–December, consistently at or near 100% occupancy), summer hiking and rafting season, spring wildflower festivals, and year-round wine tourism. For STR operators, this is the holy grail: no dead season.
Pine Vista's financial case is built on verified, operator-confirmed data — not generic market estimates. The current operator has confirmed an annual blended average of ~$200/night, with the following actual booking platform rates:
Peak events — Oktoberfest, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and 4th of July — represent the most reliable premium-rate occupancy in any Washington STR market. At a conservative 35 peak nights averaging $700, that alone accounts for $24,500 in gross revenue before a single regular night is counted.
💡 The self-management advantage — confirmed by the seller: The current owner has operated Pine Vista under both models and confirmed that self-management produces materially greater net income than the 30% professional management structure. Replacing the PM fee with ~12% Airbnb/VRBO platform fees adds an estimated $17,500+/year in retained NOI — a choice the new buyer inherits from day one.
| Scenario | Occupancy | Gross Revenue | Management | Est. NOI | Cap Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | ~200 nights (55%) | $53,275 | PM @ 30% | $21,664 | 3.4% |
| Moderate | ~226 nights (62%) | $65,000 | PM @ 30% | $29,872 | 4.7% |
| Optimistic | ~248 nights (68%) | $74,500 | Self-Managed (~12%) | $47,432 | 7.4% |
| Actual Peak Event Rate | $600–$1,000/night · ~35–38 peak nights/year | ||||
| Purchase Price | $639,950 | ||||
NOI = Gross Revenue minus: Property Taxes ($2,328), STR Insurance (~$3,500), Utilities (~$4,800), Supplies & Maintenance ($5,000–$7,500), and management fees. Cleaning fee ($135/stay) is guest-paid, passes through at $0 net. Cap Rate = NOI ÷ $639,950. Based on operator-confirmed rates — not a guarantee of income. Buyer to conduct independent due diligence.
Cap rate alone doesn't tell the full story for destination STR properties. The additional return drivers here are: (1) Leavenworth real estate appreciation — the market has shown consistent long-term value growth, (2) the STR permit as a standalone transferable asset with meaningful scarcity value, (3) the second parcel as an optionality hedge, and (4) the personal use value of a private mountain retreat on 8 acres with creek access. At $639,950 and a self-managed optimistic cap rate of 7.4%, the math delivers a return profile more typically associated with commercial real estate than a permitted mountain cabin.
"For investors who understand that destination STR properties carry appreciation + income + lifestyle value — the combined yield profile of Pine Vista at $639,950 is significantly stronger than any single metric reflects."
Want the Full Investment Package?
Freddy provides detailed STR analysis, comparable booking data, and permit transfer guidance. All in one conversation.
Request Investment PackageWhy Leavenworth Never Goes Out of Season
Leavenworth is the only town in Washington State that draws equal crowds in January and July. The Bavarian-themed village reinvented itself decades ago, and the result is a tourism infrastructure with events, restaurants, wineries, and outdoor experiences that run 12 months a year. For STR operators, this is the holy grail: no dead season.
The Chumstick Valley — where this property sits — is the "country lane" corridor just north of downtown. Close enough that guests can walk or drive to town in minutes, private enough that they feel like they've escaped civilization. That balance of accessibility and seclusion is what separates a good rental from a great one.
The fire pit and outdoor living area — a centerpiece guest experience that drives 5-star reviews and repeat bookings.
Key demand drivers within 30 minutes: Enchantment Lakes wilderness area, Icicle Creek Canyon, the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, Lake Wenatchee State Park, Mission Ridge Ski Area, the Wenatchee River for rafting and kayaking, and three seasons of cycling trails. The schools serving this area are part of the well-regarded Cascade School District.
Schedule Your Private Showing
This property is tenant-occupied and requires coordinated showings through ShowingTime. To schedule, receive the full investment package, or discuss the STR permit transfer process in detail — contact Freddy directly.
Freddy Delgadillo
Luxury Real Estate Broker · Realogics Sotheby's International Realty · Judah Realty
(425) 941-8688 freddy@judahrealty.com