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  Space history host/guide and AirBnB

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Author Topic:   Space history host/guide and AirBnB
C2Ag93
New Member

Posts: 3
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Jun 2019

posted 09-21-2020 06:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for C2Ag93     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I’ve recently been daydreaming about an idea lately. Please give me your thoughts and advice.

I have a passion for the history of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Native Houstonian and son of an engineer from that period who worked at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston.

It seems there are many people (especially from the UK, at least by a random perusal of this site) that come to Houston to visit the space center with an interest in early spaceflight.

My idea is this: Purchase a house in one of three historic astronaut neighborhoods (Timber Cove, El Lago, Nassau Bay) and offer rooms for tourists on AirBnB. Even better if it happens to be an Apollo-era astronaut home. Likely living there myself, I would also play host to whatever extent the tourist needs. I do not believe Space Center Houston allows tour guides, so it would be simply to point them to it, perhaps visit with them but not guide at the exhibits. Then, if they had an interest, guide around Houston/Clear Lake to drive by historical homes or a couple of the early locations of NASA events in Houston (e.g. Rice Stadium, 2-3 of the temporary MSC buildings, Ellington Field).

Does it seem like there would be a good demand for this? I do not think I could "make a living" off this line of "work," I've already crunched some numbers. But it would be a "semi-retired," fun pastime.

David Carey
Member

Posts: 839
From:
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-21-2020 02:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Carey   Click Here to Email David Carey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don’t have an opinion on the demand prospect here but do recommend looking into the deed restrictions if you haven’t already.

Short term rentals (STRs) are not allowed in our neighborhood by covenant and the city imposes additional restrictions for STR activity in residential areas. Couldn’t find anything online quickly but might be similar for Timber Cove, El Lago, etc.

I’ve been surprised at the number of buyers in our immediate area that have purchased without knowiedge of deed restrictions due to 1) lack of thorough seller/realtor disclosure and 2) not knowing to ask (even though you shouldn’t have to!)

J.L
Member

Posts: 682
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted 09-21-2020 03:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for J.L   Click Here to Email J.L     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Is the Armstrong house still for sale?

David Carey
Member

Posts: 839
From:
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-21-2020 04:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David Carey   Click Here to Email David Carey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sold on Aug. 17, 2020.

stsmithva
Member

Posts: 1982
From: Fairfax, VA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 09-22-2020 03:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for stsmithva   Click Here to Email stsmithva     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I love that idea. Certainly something to daydream about, and do some thinking and work on.

This map might be useful, or at least fun for readers of this thread to look at. Just turn your computer sideways!

C2Ag93
New Member

Posts: 3
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Jun 2019

posted 09-26-2020 09:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for C2Ag93     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the advice. Yea, didn't think about deed restrictions. Probably in all three neighborhoods I'd be prevented from the AirBnB part of it.

But maybe I'll still think about guiding for those interested in early space history and locations around Houston. Kind of guessing though that the demand for it isn't really that high.

All times are CT (US)

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