The Hot Tub That Died Before Our First Guests Arrived

ByTanyaPetersonRealtor

Let’s be honest.

A hot tub is almost expected in Central Oregon.

After a day on the river, skiing Mt. Bachelor, golfing, hiking, or just relaxing, there is something magical about soaking under the stars.

So naturally, having a hot tub was important.

And when we purchased The Cabin on the Canal, we already had one.

Or so we thought.

One Less Thing To Worry About

Like most new owners, we were relieved.

Great.

One less thing we have to buy.

A scenic view of a rustic hot tub by a calm lake surrounded by forest in overcast weather

The hot tub heated.

The jets turned on.

Everything appeared to work.

And with all the projects and expenses ahead of us, having one major item already checked off our list felt like a huge win.

At least that’s what we thought.

Note To Self: Actually Test Things

Looking back, one lesson stands out.

Just because something turns on doesn’t mean it works.

Run it.

Test it.

Use it.

Inspect it.

Had I known then what I know now, I would have spent much more time making sure the hot tub truly worked instead of assuming everything was fine.

Because eventually, we discovered it wasn’t.

Sometimes Fixing Becomes Throwing Money Away

Like most homeowners, we initially thought we’d repair it.

Replace a part.

Fix a leak.

Swap out a component.

But the more we investigated, the more we realized we were simply throwing money at something nearing the end of its life.

As a homeowner, you might tolerate “good enough.”

As a host, that’s not an option.

Guests expect things to work.

And honestly, they should.

We Decided To Replace It

Was it cheap?

Absolutely not.

Was it planned?

Not really.

Did it hurt?

Definitely.

But we knew one thing.

I’d rather spend money once than spend every weekend worrying about whether the hot tub would survive another guest.

Because peace of mind has value.

And reliability has value.

And Then There Were The Snakes

Photo by Alimurat Üral: https://www.pexels.com/photo/snake-in-bathtub-on-grass-17295074/

Now let’s talk about something nobody puts in the Airbnb brochures.

Snakes.

I am terrified of snakes.

Not uncomfortable.

Terrified.

When Jesse removed the skirt around the old hot tub, he discovered snake skins underneath.

Not one.

Several.

Being the loving husband that he is, he wisely chose not to tell me immediately.

Apparently, he thought I should enjoy the hot tub one last time before having a complete panic attack.

Good call.

Unfortunately, he eventually told me.

And suddenly, all I could think about was snakes.

Were they in the insulation?

Could they come through the jets?

Were they swimming around under me?

Logically, I know that’s ridiculous.

But fears aren’t always logical.

Then Water Works arrived to install the new hot tub.

And they found even more.

At least a dozen snake skins under the old tub.

A dozen.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to learn the new hot tub is completely sealed.

No snakes hiding in the insulation.

No snake condos.

No surprise roommates.

And thankfully, no more nightmares.

Sometimes New Really Is Better

New hot tub at The Cabin on the Canal

As much as I hated spending the money, I have never regretted replacing the hot tub.

Now I don’t worry.

Guests don’t worry.

And everyone gets to enjoy it.

It became one of those decisions that hurt financially for a moment but made life easier in the long run.

Appliances Have Lifespans

This experience reminded me that everything in a house has an expiration date.

Hot tubs.

HVAC systems.

Appliances.

Furniture.

Mattresses.

Water heaters.

Roofs.

Nothing lasts forever.

And if you’re buying a vacation rental, you need to budget for replacements—not just repairs.

Lessons Learned

  • Don’t assume something works because it turns on.
  • Test everything before relying on it.
  • Sometimes replacing something is cheaper than constantly repairing it.
  • Budget for future replacements.
  • Peace of mind has value.
  • Let your husband look under the hot tub if you’re afraid of snakes.

Realtor Perspective

Deferred maintenance isn’t always obvious.

Things age.

Systems wear out.

And eventually everything becomes your turn.

That’s part of ownership.

The key is planning for it and not being surprised when it happens.

Final Thoughts

Did I want to buy a new hot tub before our first guests arrived?

Not really.

Would I do it again?

Without hesitation.

Because some investments aren’t just expenses.

They’re experiences.

And every time I see guests soaking under the stars after a day on the river, I’m reminded why we bought this place in the first place.

To create memories.

And preferably memories without snakes.

Thinking About Buying A Short-Term Rental?

I’d love to share what we’ve learned and help you avoid some expensive surprises.

Ready To Experience The Cabin On The Canal?

Come relax under the stars and enjoy one of our favorite upgrades. Click here

Follow Along

This is part of our Building The Cabin On The Canal series, where I’m sharing the real lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Written by Tanya Peterson, Principal Real Estate Broker
Next Level Real Estate PNW | John L. Scott Market Center


Tanya Peterson, Principal Real Estate Broker
Next Level Real Estate PNW | John L. Scott Market Center
503-260-2164 OR Lic #200407018
ABR ~ CRS ~ GRI ~ e-Pro ~ SRES
#TanyaPetersonRealEstate #NextLevelRealEstatePNW


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