Sedona, Arizona Vacation Rentals

Sedona, Arizona Vacation Rentals

Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 751 posts · 504 votes

Within the last 6 months, the real estate market in Sedona, AZ has changed from an average time on the market of 3 months, to a month or less on the market. We are now seeing multiple offers at or above asking price for homes priced at fair market value that have a desirable floor plan and are turn-key. As a result, we are seeing the start of a strong appreciation trend.

In 2016, a law was passed, removing city and county control over rental time frame restrictions. Now these restrictions are in the hands of local HOA's. Suddenly, there are great vacation rental candidates in Sedona, in a market where there are not enough short term rentals, to meet the demand. There are still many HOA's that limit rentals ( 1+ month, 6+ months, 12+ months) at this time, but quite a few completely flexible great choices on the menu. As an example, owners at one Sedona condominium PUD recently voted to reduce the rental restriction from 6 months to 1 night. This subdivision has become a hot potato in our local paradise. And it is in the lowest price range.

Typical vacation rental returns (Assuming financed purchases, not cash):

Sedona vacation rental property management companies concur occupancy should be 55-85% through the year. These companies charge 20% of gross monthly income. I expect by the end of 2017 the estimation will be revised at 65% - 90%.

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Sedona, AZ · Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
6y

Hey Chad, Do you know much about the status of vacation rentals in the Village of Oak Creek? My family and I have been living here for a year and a half now. We love it here and want to start investing in rental properties and airbnb properties. I know the HOAs here are not too excited about airbnb. But I haven't found any clear rules/laws. I know there are many airbnbs here. I'm still learning the area and would like to connect with you.

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  • Sedona, AZ · Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
    6y

    Hey Chad, Do you know much about the status of vacation rentals in the Village of Oak Creek? My family and I have been living here for a year and a half now. We love it here and want to start investing in rental properties and airbnb properties. I know the HOAs here are not too excited about airbnb. But I haven't found any clear rules/laws. I know there are many airbnbs here. I'm still learning the area and would like to connect with you.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 751 posts · 504 votes
    6y
    Hi Jimmie. Here are a few of the rules, followed by a few notes.

    The length/term at which properties can be rented is determined by the HOA, NOT the city/county/state (Looks like you know this part). Specifically, in the VOC, *most* (There are certainly exceptions) homes are within what is called VOCA- Village of Oak Creek Association (a $180 per YEAR HOA). Homes governed by VOCA have a 1 month minimum requirement for rentals. In many cases, 1 month minimum still works successfully for furnished short term rentals. Although, I do find that ROI takes a small hit, as monthly rates are lower than the accumulative shorter stays. The upside of monthly rentals, is less turnover and wear and tear, etc.

    There are other HOA's in VOC that allow short term (nightly) rentals, some HOA's that do not allow anything other than 1+ year rentals, and some with 1 month or even 6 month minimums. Also, there are some homes with no HOA, which means nightly is perfectly fine.

    The VOC market is performing well for vacation rentals. Depending on your budget, you should be able to tick some or all of the following boxes: VIEWS, convenience of location (Close to restaurants and coffee), quiet, nearby trails, amenities (golf, gym, pool, etc), and of course the normally desired quality and size of home/furniture/etc.

    There are condos that can be rented nightly, priced under $300k. Most of the best vacation rental properties and single family and price out around $500k - $700k, with exceptions on both sides of the spread.

    1 additional note: if you are thinking of adding an extra kitchen/min-kitchen to your property, for renters, etc- good luck getting a permit as it's not allowed.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to reach out to me, privately, if you would like to ask more questions, or if I can otherwise help.
  • Investor · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2020 · 8 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    Yes, that is correct Chad. I currently live in the VOC and the hoa minimum stay is 30 days. On top of that they also don't allow the homeowners to build a guest house or casita. Which is something I was considering before I found this out.

  • Rental Property Investor · Aptos, CA · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 30 votes
    5y

    I am wondering if I buy in a neighborhood that currently doesn't have an HOA, what might happen if I own a STR and then the neighborhood votes in STR 30-day restrictions. How likely is it that they grandfather in my place?

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    Doreen, here's a quote from an article last September about Sedona and STRs: "
    ...Senate Bill 1350, which allowed short-term vacation rentals throughout
    the state in 2016 and prohibited cities and counties from regulating
    them. Prior to that, short-term rentals were banned in Sedona but were
    still operating illegally."
    So if that state law is ever reversed or modified (and there is a lot of speculation that might happen in the future), Sedona will probably go back to banning STRs. I'm pretty sure you won't be grandfathered in. There have been a lot of complaints and meetings about the STR issue there. So if I were you, I'd only buy there if it also made sense as a long term rental, just in case.
    Here's the whole article, which is about a hotline to report problems with STRs in Sedona:  http://www.redrocknews.com/202...

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