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Investment Properties for Sale in Manila, Utah
Manila sits at the north end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Daggett County, a town of roughly 300 year-round residents that swells dramatically every summer with anglers, boaters, and houseboat renters heading to the lake. That seasonal traffic is exactly why investment properties here pencil out differently than rentals in St. George or Heber. Short-term vacation rentals near the marinas, cabins along Highway 44, and small lodges catering to fishermen chasing record lake trout make up most of the income-producing inventory. Buyers should know Daggett County is one of Utah's least-regulated jurisdictions for nightly rentals, and there is no city ordinance in Manila banning STRs the way some Wasatch Front cities have moved to do.
The tradeoffs are real: winters are quiet, snow closes the scenic route over the Uintas, and most income gets earned between Memorial Day and the October fishing slowdown. Properties range from sub-$200K fixer cabins to lakefront homes and small commercial parcels (RV parks, motels, bait-and-tackle storefronts) that occasionally trade. Vernal is the closest full-service town at about 65 miles south, and Salt Lake is a four-hour drive, so management logistics matter — many owners use Green River or Vernal-based property managers. If you are weighing cash flow against appreciation in a thin but loyal vacation market, Manila is worth a serious look. Browse the active listings below to see what is currently on the market.
June 2026 · Manila market
Live from the Utah MLS — what's actually happening in Manila right now.
Median sale
$165,000
1 closed in June 2026
Median DOM
26 days
listing → contract
Sale-to-list
91.7%
of final list price
Unsold inventory
20
active + pending
1 matching · page 1 of 1
Active listings
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Common questions
About investment properties in Manila.
What kinds of investment properties trade in Manila? ▾
The most common income properties are small cabins and homes used as short-term rentals, plus a handful of motels, RV parks, and marina-adjacent commercial parcels. Raw recreational land also changes hands for buyers wanting to build a custom cabin or rental. Lakefront and view lots near Lucerne Valley Marina command the strongest premiums.
Are short-term rentals legal in Manila? ▾
Daggett County has historically been friendly to nightly rentals and Manila does not have a city STR ban. Owners still need to register for transient room tax with the state and county, carry appropriate insurance, and follow any HOA rules if the property sits in a platted subdivision. Always verify current rules with the county recorder before closing.
What does a typical rental season look like? ▾
Peak demand runs from late May through early October, with the strongest weeks tied to the Burning Man-style summer holidays, fishing tournaments, and Labor Day. Winter bookings exist for ice fishing and snowmobiling but are a fraction of summer revenue. Most owners budget around a 5-6 month earning window.
How does financing work for an STR up here? ▾
Conventional second-home loans work if you plan to use the property personally part of the year; true DSCR or commercial loans apply if it is purely a rental. Appraisals can be slower because comparable sales are limited in a small market, so build extra time into your contract. Local lenders out of Vernal often handle Daggett County deals faster than national banks.
What are property taxes and utilities like? ▾
Daggett County property tax rates are among the lower ones in Utah, though the primary residence exemption does not apply to pure rentals, which raises the assessed taxable portion. Many cabins run on propane and well/septic rather than municipal services, so factor in tank fills and seasonal water shutoffs when projecting expenses.
How do I handle management from out of town? ▾
Most absentee owners use a Vernal or Green River-based property manager for cleaning, guest turnover, and winterization, with fees typically running 20-30% of gross rents for full service. Self-management via Airbnb or Vrbo is doable if you have a reliable local cleaner and a handyman on call, since same-day service from Salt Lake is not realistic.