Best time to buy/sell STR property?

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Best time to buy/sell STR property?

Rebecca Allan
Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 1 vote

Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).

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Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y

If there were a better time of year to buy everyone would find out about it thus reversing its effects and making it a bad time to buy. 

Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
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  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


     There is no certain time to buy or sell.  Buy when you find a good deal; sell when someone makes you an offer you can’t afford to turn down.

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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    Hey @Rebecca Allan, like @Collin Hays said, good deals are found year round.

    Traditionally, late spring and into summer are when the real estate market is more active.

    Having said that, buying/selling investment properties are less about timing and more about the owners priorities. That is something that is impossible to know. Are they retiring and liquidating? Are they 1031ing into a new property? The reasons are unlimited.

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


     Buy low sell high. 

    Hard to time but you can look at trends to figure out best time for each.

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  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    If there were a better time of year to buy everyone would find out about it thus reversing its effects and making it a bad time to buy. 

    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
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  • Sarah KensingerPro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    I know in the beach areas people tend to sell after their tourist busy season, so more like fall and some in January/February.

    [email protected]330-557-3021
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  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Luke Carl:

    If there were a better time of year to buy everyone would find out about it thus reversing its effects and making it a bad time to buy. 

    I’ve always heard that the best time to buy a car is at the end of the month.  
    [email protected]806-672-7102
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  • John Carbone
    Realtor · Gatlinburg · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 957 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).

    Best time to buy is after the 2nd full moon and before an eclipse. A psychic told me that. 

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  • Brooklyn McCarty
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
    3y

    Have a property in Fort Morgan and love it. 

    If you buy in the off season, be prepared to have reserves to make it through the winter. This was not something we factored into our first season and we closed in august. It was a very anxious time as a first time beach owner 

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  • Carlos Ptriawan
    Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


     same like any other real estate transaction, buy in november and sell between february-april, that's always the peak of RE activity before slowing down the rest of the year.

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


    The best time to buy is when the numbers make sense. Time of year won't change that, but it is advisable to buy it late in the year so you have time to prep and market it for the up-coming season.

    Best time to sell was January - June of 2022. Those days are gone.

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  • Jay ThomasPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
    3y

    Congratulations on your search for your first real estate investment! Typically, the best time to buy an STR (short-term rental) on the Gulf Coast is between April and August. This is when we typically see more new listings become available in Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Of course, the market can vary from year to year so it's important to keep an eye on what's available. Good luck with your search!

    [email protected]832-889-5607
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  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


     I agree with everyone's comments here, but I will say I have had a little more success in acquisitions during the holiday periods.  A lot of people are distracted and if you can find a motivated seller you could possibly get a better deal.  However, I have gotten great deals year round it just takes patience, persistence, and sometimes a little luck!

    [email protected]813-563-0877
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  • Jessica Parker
    Realtor · Navarre, FL · Member since 2014 · 156 posts · 55 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


    I think the best time of the year to buy an STR would be January or February right before the season kicks off. That way you have time to furnish it and you can start filling up your calendar and be ready to roll right before spring break.

    Have you looked into Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, or Navarre?

    1Reply
  • Ricardo Hidalgo
    Real Estate Agent · Member since 2019 · 569 posts · 257 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Rebecca Allan:

    Newbie here still on the hunt for my first investment. Haven't seen a lot new on the market in the areas we're focusing on. What time of year do people usually list? and what would you say is the best time of year to buy an STR? Focusing on the gulf coast (Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach).


     Have you looked into the emerald coast? Typically September through February is the slower season but less options and vice versa during the summer months. I buy based on property performance and if it can meet my returns. I don't focus on seasons and more on the opportunity. 

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  • Evan Polaski
    Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    @Nathan Gesner, I have to jump on your comment:

    Best time to buy: almost anytime in 2009
    Best time to sell: spring 2022

    What does this really mean: you can't time the market.  But as others noted, in practical advice, buy when demand is down.  People unload assets when they aren't using them, or when they are costing money.  Just like the best time to buy a convertible is in the middle of winter: it is taking up valuable garage space and isn't being used.  You don't buy a convertible now, because everyone is thinking about how fun it will be all summer long.

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  • Hamp Lee IIIPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 832 votes
    3y

    There are always deals on- and off-market. 

    Locate a property.

    Run the numbers.

    Take action.

    Timing should be considered when you don't have enough money or playing double-dutch.

    I wish you all the best.

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Evan Polaski:

    yes, there are better times to buy/sell, but you don't always know until after. It may be better to buy in the fall/winter when things are slow, but there may also be fewer choices and you have to compromise on what you want. Spring is generally the best time of year to sell, but sometimes the market turns sour in the spring/summer and you can look back to see that fall/winter would have been a better time. 

    my point is, we shouldn't try to time the market for the absolute peak. We should buy or sell when it meets our goals and when the numbers make sense.

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  • Katie House
    Accountant · Member since 2019 · 23 posts · 7 votes
    3y

    The best time to buy is after a hurricane but be prepared for assessments if you're buying a condo (or have a reno budget set aside for SFH.) Insurance
    assessments right now are pretty much happening in every association throughout GS and OB. 

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  • Travis TimmonsPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Ellsworth, ME · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    Set yourself up to launch the listing in peak season. If you need to renovate, furnish, etc., that will obviously change your timeline. You're going to want and need that cash infusion from the busy season right away.

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