Sweet escapes and sandy beaches at Spirit Lake

BY NICOLE STRACEK Wadena Pioneer Journal

MENAHGA — From Airbnbs, to rehabbing rentals, to appraising properties Kyle Davis isn’t one to let any great business ventures fall to the wayside.

By day he works alongside his dad Terry, who established a real estate appraisal business Davis Appraisals in the 1990s in Wadena. Together the father-son duo provide real estate appraisal services throughout the area and have gained valuable industry experience and insight along the way. Working in the industry was something Davis said he knew he wanted to do since graduating college.

“When I was growing up, or especially in college, I knew I wanted to be a real estate investor and flip houses and apartments, which is something I’m doing right now,” Davis said. In January Davis purchased the appraisal business from his dad and said the experience in the real estate business helped him take on more business ventures.

“In general just to learn the value of properties so I know what I’m buying and what it’s going to be worth has been invaluable, and I’ve come to really enjoy it,” said Davis, who owns about 80 different rental units in and around the Wadena and Deer Creek area.

Davis also owns commercial properties including warehouses in Montevideo and Wadena. He also owns an Airbnb rental home and a mid-term rental property. The midterm rental property is similar to the Airbnb home but is meant for guests who need a short-term stay but longer than a typical Airbnb or hotel. The mid-term rental located near Wadena is a three-bedroom, fully-furnished home with a garage with a minimum 30-day stay.

“I purposely design the mid-term rental for traveling nurses or doctors, people waiting on their homes to be built or people displaced by a fire or flooding,” Davis said.

However, his latest business venture was purchasing Spirit Lake Motel & Resort in Menahga. Purchased in June 2023, Davis said he got to work upgrading the amenities and bringing a few new elements including an ice cream shop called Scoopology. Located on the white sandy beaches of Spirit Lake, the resort and motel features 14 rooms. Eleven of the rooms are typical motel-style rooms, and three have been converted into apartment suites. In addition to another petite-suite, a separate building serves as a 16-person bunkhouse. Each room includes air conditioning, a microwave, refrigerator, flat screen smart televisions, a coffee maker and cable. Outdoor amenities include access to the private beach, fishing poles and tackle, beach toys, a fire pit and kayaks, paddle boat and canoe.

Davis said a simple Facebook post led him to purchasing the resort.

“I just went on the swap n’ shops groups on Facebook and posted that I buy rentals in the area, ugly houses in the area, you know, I’ll take a look at anything, or if you’re looking to sell something reach out to me and I’ll take a peek,” Davis said.

The owner of the resort reached out to Davis and not too long after looking at the property Davis said it was too awesome to pass up.

“The beach is just gorgeous out here. It has a nice level, sandy beach and is just gorgeous. And from a financial standpoint, the numbers look pretty good. And I’ve always really wanted to get into the hospitality industry,” Davis said.

Davis also added an outdoor panoramic sauna looking over the water that guests can use alongside a playground, tennis and basketball court.

Another project on the horizon is rebranding and remodeling another resort in Park Rapids.