Homestead cabins in Yucca Valley

A tiny Yucca Valley homestead cabin, complete with outdoor bathing facilities, is proving popular with renters and providing unexpected income for owners Anne and Darryl Krieghoff.

A tiny Yucca Valley homestead cabin, complete with outdoor bathing facilities, is proving popular with renters and providing unexpected income for owners Anne and Darryl Krieghoff. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 7, 2016 8:26 AM PT

Shacks on homestead land offered by the federal government are becoming investment properties for people renting them out on Airbnb and other short-term rental sites.

Homestead cabins

Anne Krieghoff and her husband Darryl bought a tiny homestead shack 1991 and renovated it into a two-bedroom weekend getaway in Yucca Valley. Now they are renting it out through Airbnb, bringing them rental income.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Homestead cabins

Anne Krieghoff stands in the door of the kitchen at her vacation home in Yucca Valley.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Homestead cabins

In July 2014 Michael Figliolia bought a 696-square-foot built in 1950, renovated it and turned it to a vacation rental. He rents it out through Airbnb.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Homestead cabins

In July 2014 Michael Figliolia bought a 696-square-foot built in 1950, renovated it and turned it to a vacation rental. He rents it out through Airbnb.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Homestead cabins

In July 2014 Michael Figliolia bought a 696-square-foot built in 1950, renovated it and turned it to a vacation rental. He rents it out through Airbnb.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Homestead cabins

A vacation home on homestead property in Twentynine Palms bought by Michael Figliolia.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Homestead cabins

Michael Goehring, project manager, is overseeing the renovation and conversion into a vacation home of a homestead property in Twentynine Palms bought by Michael Figliolia.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

More From the Los Angeles Times