Building the Vault

The real story behind Vault Ventures — real estate, investing, and what it actually takes to build a short-term rental portfolio in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula. The deals, the numbers, the lessons, and the day-to-day adventures of growing a business one property at a time.

  • Just Sold: 36 7th St, South Range

    Another one in the books! 🏡🔑 Congratulations to my buyers on their new home in South Range. It was a pleasure helping you find the right place. And we’re not slowing down. Currently under contract: 🌲 Land for building 🦌 Hunting land 🏠 Two first-time homebuyers 📈 An investment property Plus offers out on another…

  • When the Plan Meets Reality: Adjusting the 2026 Playbook

    When we mapped out 2026, we had a name for it: From Functional to Memorable. The idea was simple. Not a year of chasing new doors, but a year of getting deliberate about the ones we already had. Standardize every unit. Upgrade the tired spots. Build out a structured unit-visit audit so we could walk…

  • Summer Is Here — And So Is a Whole Lot of News from Vault Ventures

    If the license plates rolling through the Western UP this week haven’t convinced you that summer is officially here, we don’t know what will. Alaska. Texas. Kansas. Arizona. They’re all showing up, and if Memorial Day weekend is any indication, 2026 is starting out fast. We couldn’t be more ready. The last four weeks have…

  • Stepping Back to Step Forward — A Weekend in the Woods

    Between purchasing Adventure Cabins & Campground, renovating properties, and celebrating life milestones, we needed a reset. Here’s what a weekend wading rivers for Steelhead, spotting a lone wolf, and hearing grouse drum does for the soul — plus a look ahead at Memorial Day season.

  • Introducing Adventure Cabin #3 — Your Perfect Keweenaw Basecamp in Chassell

    We’ve been putting the finishing touches on this one for a while now — and it’s finally ready for you. Meet Adventure Cabin #3 at the Chassell Adventure Campground & Cabins. Small but mighty, cozy but fully loaded, and sitting in one of the best locations in the Western UP for whatever kind of adventure…

  • Jake’s Apartment – From Studs to Structure (and a Name?)

    It’s always amazing how quickly a space starts to come to life. What was once open studs, drafts, and a shell of a structure is now taking shape with fresh insulation and drywall—and just like that, you can finally see it. Rooms start to feel like rooms.Spaces start to make sense.The vision gets real. Next…

  • A Night for a Great Cause: Special Olympics Movie Night & Silent Auction

    We at Vault Ventures are proud to support and sponsor the Area 39 Special Olympics team here in the Western Upper Peninsula. This is a group that represents hard work, dedication, and community—and we’re excited to help spread the word about an upcoming event that supports their mission. 📍 Special Olympics Area 39 Movie Night…

  • From Cougar Quarters to Comeback Project

    Jake’s Apartment: Where It All Began Every project has a story—and some are better than others. Jake’s Apartment is one of those. Before we get into what it has become, we’re going to start with where it began. A long time ago, the apartment behind the bar served as housing for the original owner. And…

  • Remote Workers – 30+ Night Furnished Rentals

    When people hear “real estate,” most assume one thing: Buying houses and renting them out. And while long-term rentals are a big part of what we do at Vault Ventures… they’re just one piece of the puzzle. We’re a Real Estate Operations Company, and that means we’re involved in multiple layers of how people live,…

  • Spring Slowdown = Project Season

    This is the time of year we have a love-hate relationship with. Furnished rentals slow down—which isn’t great for income—but it opens the door for what really drives long-term growth: upgrades, renovations, and improvements. The challenge?More money going out than coming in… and this year, even more on the plate than usual. The timing of…