Are there books or guides on how to actually interpret AirDna data or others?

Are there books or guides on how to actually interpret AirDna data or others?

Real Estate Agent · Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 424 posts · 99 votes

There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

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Rental Property Investor · Arlington, TX · Member since 2016 · 706 posts · 611 votes
1y

I'll be honest with you; you can obtain better data from existing hosts on the market and through your market research. AirDNA's numbers show you the reservations. It doesn't display guest avatars, such as which guest is booking which property, etc. You can gain a better understanding by examining the type of property you're setting up and comparing it to similar properties on Airbnb, to get a sense of what they offer and the kind of guests they attract. This is just a glance; however, you can also use Pricelabs data, which is more accurate because it has access to PMP data for direct bookings.

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  • Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 720 posts · 648 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

    There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

    Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.
    • Real Estate Agent · Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 424 posts · 99 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

      There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

      Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.

       The licensing part is true but Rev to rent is over 285%. Check it out. 

      https://www.airdna.co/blog/airbnb-rental-arbitrage?utm_source=geniusmonkey&utm_medium=viewthrou gh

    • Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 720 posts · 648 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

      There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

      Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.

       The licensing part is true but Rev to rent is over 285%. Check it out. 

      https://www.airdna.co/blog/airbnb-rental-arbitrage?utm_source=geniusmonkey&utm_medium=viewthrou gh


       i think part of that high REV due to lack of inventory due to limited inventory. who knows, not my market

    • Real Estate Agent · Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 424 posts · 99 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

      There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

      Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.

       The licensing part is true but Rev to rent is over 285%. Check it out. 

      https://www.airdna.co/blog/airbnb-rental-arbitrage?utm_source=geniusmonkey&utm_medium=viewthrou gh


       i think part of that high REV due to lack of inventory due to limited inventory. who knows, not my market


       Agreed, it's legislative induced demand. So if/when you can get in (for me via buyout) it can be lucrative. But I digress, I had actual numbers to look at which is what I used. I'm trying to figure out how to do it if I didn't know a market or area. 

    • Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

      There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

      Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.

       Not accurate

    • Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 720 posts · 648 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Luka Milicevic:
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

      There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

      Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.

       Not accurate


       what is the limitation? i remember seeing something about it at some point

    • Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Luka Milicevic:
      Quote from @Trent Reeve:
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

      There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

      Nashville actually not a great starting market from what I remember. I think they are limited in STR licenses or something within the city.

       Not accurate


       what is the limitation? i remember seeing something about it at some point


       It's no longer a free-for-all. Starting in 2016 is when they started to slowly introduce legislation to regulate and limit STRs. It was ever evolving. 2020-2021 was the last "change" made to exclude RM zoning. You just have to know and be familiar with zoning codes and local laws, but it is very much allowed and there isn't a limit on permits. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Arlington, TX · Member since 2016 · 706 posts · 611 votes
    1y

    I'll be honest with you; you can obtain better data from existing hosts on the market and through your market research. AirDNA's numbers show you the reservations. It doesn't display guest avatars, such as which guest is booking which property, etc. You can gain a better understanding by examining the type of property you're setting up and comparing it to similar properties on Airbnb, to get a sense of what they offer and the kind of guests they attract. This is just a glance; however, you can also use Pricelabs data, which is more accurate because it has access to PMP data for direct bookings.

    • Real Estate Agent · Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 424 posts · 99 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Myka Artis:

      I'll be honest with you; you can obtain better data from existing hosts on the market and through your market research. AirDNA's numbers show you the reservations. It doesn't display guest avatars, such as which guest is booking which property, etc. You can gain a better understanding by examining the type of property you're setting up and comparing it to similar properties on Airbnb, to get a sense of what they offer and the kind of guests they attract. This is just a glance; however, you can also use Pricelabs data, which is more accurate because it has access to PMP data for direct bookings.


       When I get my first listing up I plan to use pricelabs. Do you need an active listing for pricelabs? 

    • Rental Property Investor · Arlington, TX · Member since 2016 · 706 posts · 611 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Jason Eyerly:
      Quote from @Myka Artis:

      I'll be honest with you; you can obtain better data from existing hosts on the market and through your market research. AirDNA's numbers show you the reservations. It doesn't display guest avatars, such as which guest is booking which property, etc. You can gain a better understanding by examining the type of property you're setting up and comparing it to similar properties on Airbnb, to get a sense of what they offer and the kind of guests they attract. This is just a glance; however, you can also use Pricelabs data, which is more accurate because it has access to PMP data for direct bookings.


       When I get my first listing up I plan to use pricelabs. Do you need an active listing for pricelabs? 


       Yes you will need an active listing for Pricelabs. Should be pretty easy to set up a ghost listing to accomplish the task though.

  • Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

    There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.

    AirDNA is wildly inaccurate. 

    It pulls data like Zillow does, I'm sure.

    In most cases I have seen it is showing about 50% of the revenue that it should be showing. 

    Only speaking from the data I have analyzed from the Nashville TN market. 
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    Every market behaves differently, but AirDNA for my area, which has a lot of comps, works well.  There are anomalies in the data always but if you're looking at comp level data it does a good job providing a range of expected revenue and occupancy.

  • Jay HurstBusiness Member
    Lender · Dallas, TX · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jason Eyerly:

    There are some markets that I know are good just based on STR premium like Nashville. But if you look up the Music Row submarket you'd think it's atrocious and non performing which I know it isn't. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to put this data to use in any market I'm analyzing for an STR because it seems to look gloomy almost everywhere, with ADRs and occupancy being deceptively low.


    https://summeros.com/ is the best STR tool I have seen. 
    Hurst Real Estate, INC4.986 Reviews
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y

    Hey @Jason Eyerly, I have found AirDNA to be pretty off in many cases.

    For example, it had our house at somewhere around $1400 a night. No where near realistic. 

    The biggest issue is comps like @Andrew Steffens said. It is an algorithm so it requires plenty of data points in order to provide the best results. Fewer data points lead to less accurate data.

    It will start to pull comps that are not comparable to what you are looking to check. Ours got lumped in with a $15,000 a week mega log mansion. 

    Unlike @Luka Milicevic, I always have found it very optimistic. If I bought anything based on AirDNA alone, I would go broke.

    What you do is use AirDNA as one of the tools. Take the time to search specific areas on VRBO and AirDNA and look at everything that is close to what you are going to be doing. Check the nightly rate, occupancy and amenities. It will give you a more rounded view of the market you are looking at.

    Now if you look in areas where there are a massive number of comps, AirDNA gets more accurate. I still find it optimistic.

  • Real Estate Agent · Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 424 posts · 99 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Syed Ahmed:

    Great question, and I've noticed the same thing with some STR markets. AirDNA is useful, but the data often lags or misses local nuances. It helps to pair it with direct market research, like talking to hosts, checking booking calendars, and reviewing actual listings on Airbnb or VRBO.

    Some STR investors also build their own models using scraped data or dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs to get a more real-time feel. I haven't seen a book that truly breaks down interpreting AirDNA deeply, but a few advanced STR courses cover it better than most guides. Sounds like you're already thinking beyond the surface, which is key.


     Do you need to have a listing (I will on August 18th) or a listing in a specific market to use or see price labs data? I was thinking I could create a ghost listing to get the info. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 424 posts · 99 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Syed Ahmed:

    @Jason Eyerly Great question and you’re on the right track. You don’t need a live listing to explore PriceLabs data. You can absolutely create a “ghost” listing or a placeholder one to start pulling insights. It lets you play with dynamic pricing, compare nearby comps, and understand how rates shift seasonally. Once your real listing goes live in August, you’ll already have a solid pricing strategy dialed in. Smart move getting ahead of it 

    Thanks for the information! 
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