How to analyze short term rentals

Buying & Selling Real Estate
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How to analyze short term rentals

Emanuel Soto
Member since 2021 · 3 posts · 1 vote

Hey, I am Emanuel. I am new to real estate investing and had a question on short term rentals. I realized that I cant afford a property in my market so I found a new market where my price is reasonable. In this new market short term rentals are popular and it has caught my attention and I have been eager to learn. My question is, How would you analyze a short term rental and what makes it a good deal? I know how to analyze a long term rental and i also know what makes a long term rental a good deal. Thanks in advance for your help.

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Dan Maciejewski
Realtor · PInellas County Largo, FL · Member since 2016 · 902 posts · 810 votes
5y

For a short term rental you'll need to know the average occupancy rates (in normal times and in the current era) and the seasonality and how that affects the rates.  You'll also want to know what is standard for furnishing and amenities for your competition.  Run numbers for linens and other soft goods that will need replacing periodically and include the initial furnishing in your acquisition budget, too.  And keep in mind that management is more than a long term property manager, too.

In my market, in Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area, we're seeing above normal occupancy right now and rates are through the roof!  We are very peaky for seasons usually -- we have a few peak seasons and weekends that drive the year.  Then we can fill in the rest with rates that just get occupancy.  

What makes a short term rental a good deal is the same as any other investment -- cash flow. Usually there's more cash flow on an STR than a LTR, but there's a lot more turnover and work, too!

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  • Lien VuongBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    I would do the math on 50% vacancy and make sure it's still cash flow positive in the event long term rental is your only opportunity to rent the property. 

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  • Dan Maciejewski
    Realtor · PInellas County Largo, FL · Member since 2016 · 902 posts · 810 votes
    5y

    For a short term rental you'll need to know the average occupancy rates (in normal times and in the current era) and the seasonality and how that affects the rates.  You'll also want to know what is standard for furnishing and amenities for your competition.  Run numbers for linens and other soft goods that will need replacing periodically and include the initial furnishing in your acquisition budget, too.  And keep in mind that management is more than a long term property manager, too.

    In my market, in Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area, we're seeing above normal occupancy right now and rates are through the roof!  We are very peaky for seasons usually -- we have a few peak seasons and weekends that drive the year.  Then we can fill in the rest with rates that just get occupancy.  

    What makes a short term rental a good deal is the same as any other investment -- cash flow. Usually there's more cash flow on an STR than a LTR, but there's a lot more turnover and work, too!

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  • Trinity Carrick
    Member since 2021 · 13 posts · 5 votes
    5y

    You can also use the Airbnb calculator on here as a rough estimate, then plug into the rental real estate calculator. I usually try a number that is between what the long term monthly rent would be estimated at and what the Airbnb calc says. 

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  • Luke Rorech
    Real Estate Agent · Greater Tampa Bay · Member since 2017 · 392 posts · 290 votes
    5y

    I personally have a few programs I use that help give me numbers of similar str in the area. Those are NEVER going to be 100% though. Start looking through Airbnb's in the area you're considering and see what their nightly rates are, avg vacancy, etc. 

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