We’ve heard from many cabin manufacturers that despite the housing downturn, the demand for cabin kits remains high. It’s mainly because cabins are pretty easy to afford and to build: You can usually get a log cabin package, ready to be built on your vacation lot, for the price of a small car. (Several companies provide a ready-built cabin, but shipping can add to the cost.)

Even a small, moderately experienced team of builders can erect one of these cabins in about three weekends, Edwards says. The size of the logs makes them easy to maneuver, so assembly is readily managed. Purchasing your package from a reputable company will guarantee quality and assistance if problems arise during construction.

Not all local lending institutions will finance these projects, but with a little research on the internet, you should be able to find a lender that work with vacation homes on a regular basis. (See the Log Lending Specialists section on p. 108 of the Country’s Best 2008 Annual Buyer’s Guide for a good starting list.) The producer you choose will also have some recommendations for lending institutions for you to consider. For example, Coventry is working with Mountaintop Financial to offer package financing to qualified buyers with monthly payments of around $100.

Coventry recently introduced its Recreational Camp series of cabins. The smallest (above) is a 12-by-16-foot one-room cabin with a four-foot-deep porch. A total of six models are available, all made with solid 4-by-8-inch D logs and with a covered porch. All but the smallest has a second-story loft accessible by a ladder. Exposed ceiling beams and a metal roof are standard. Prices range from $13,800 to $39,700.

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