Welcome to the story of how RH Resort came to be—an adventure that took us from skepticism to full-scale renovation and ultimately, a project we're incredibly proud of. We're excited to share the details of this journey, from the moment we discovered the property to the final reveal.
How We Found RH Resort
Matt: It’s funny how this all started. We were scrolling through Facebook one day when we came across a house listing that “claimed” to be a great investment property. It was an Airbnb that could hold 25 guests, and the revenue numbers looked enticing. But honestly, our first reaction was to laugh it off. We thought, “Who would want to buy that?” But something made me keep an eye on it just to see how it performed.
Lisa: Meanwhile, we were in the process of selling some of our long-term real estate in order to purchase a wedding venue in Paso Robles. We planned to transition our investments into short-term rentals. But, as fate would have it, those plans didn’t pan out, and we found ourselves with funds that needed to be reinvested quickly to avoid paying gains tax. That's where the 1031 exchange came in.
Matt: We had already picked out two properties in Paso Robles, but we needed a third option to round out the exchange. So, as a backup, I suggested the Havasu property. Lisa wasn’t thrilled at first—she couldn’t see the potential. But we kept it in our sights just in case.
The First Walkthrough: Love (not) at first sight
Lisa: When we first walked through the property, I’ll admit, I wasn’t impressed. The house felt dark, cramped, and the décor was a disaster—broken furniture, no headboards, drapes made from bed sheets. It wasn’t exactly the ‘wow’ factor I was looking for or a “simple” renovation we could flip. But Matt saw something I didn’t at first: the sheer size of the place. Seven bedrooms, a guest house, and solid rental history. It had potential, even if it needed a complete overhaul.
Matt: I knew if it was doing well on Airbnb in that condition, we could turn it into something spectacular. So, after a lot of back and forth, we made an offer and closed on the property.
Our Vision: Creating a Resort Experience
Once we officially owned the property, the first step was clearing out the entire house. We didn’t keep a single piece of furniture or décor. We posted on Facebook that everything had to go, and people came by the truckload to pick it up. It felt good to let the old go and make way for something new.
We always had a clear vision to turn this place into a resort-style getaway, but we needed some help. We brought in Yardzen for the exterior design and worked with a local designer, Katie from Inkplot, for some of the interior elements. The goal was to create a space that felt bold and colorful while still tying in the vibe of our other properties.
The Renovation Process: The Good, the Bad, and the Money Pit
We dove headfirst into the renovations, which turned out to be much more involved than we expected. The house had electrical issues, plumbing problems, and a lot of areas that needed to be brought up to code. It felt like one of those nightmare episodes of 'flip or flop.' We nicknamed the project 'The Money Pit' because it seemed like every time we turned around, there was something else that needed to be fixed.
One of the biggest challenges was the bunk room. We had this vision of creating a cool, custom-built bunk bed area for kids. The contractor we hired did a terrible job, and it ended up costing us more time and money to bring in a new team to redo the entire thing. But in the end, the room turned out great—two twin beds on top, queen beds on the bottom, and a reading nook for kids. It’s perfect for large families.
Despite all the setbacks, we made it through and ended up creating a space that feels truly unique. The house now has a desert-coastal vibe, with bold wallpaper, vibrant colors, and plenty of Instagram-able moments. We even added neon signs like "No Wake Zone" and "These Are the Days," which really give the property personality.
What Makes RH Resort Special
What sets this property apart is the versatility. We have three different living spaces—a main house, a guest house, and a private casita. Each area can function independently, which means we can list the property in multiple ways on Airbnb, depending on the season or demand.
The outdoor space is also something we’re really proud of. We went all out with a beautiful pool, a spa, a massive fire pit, a pickle-ball court, and dining for 14 people. It truly feels like a resort when you walk through it. There’s even a personal touch in the dining room—a custom wallpaper that I had made from a photo I took of the wake behind our boat with Sleeping Indian in the background. It’s those little details that make this place feel so special.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Was Worth It
Looking back, this was by far the biggest renovation we’ve ever tackled. It took nine months of hard work, a lot of stress, and countless hours of planning. But in the end, it was all worth it. We now have a property that can host up to 28 guests and provides a resort-like experience that we’re excited to share.
We’re so happy with how everything turned out, and we can’t wait for guests to experience it. Whether it’s a family reunion, a bachelorette party, or a corporate retreat, RH Resort is ready for it all. We’ve already started getting bookings, and the feedback has been amazing. It feels great to be at the finish line and see our vision come to life.