Seeking advice on long term rental

[Alana Reynolds]

I purchased a home to airbnb. It's been dead, no bookings in September and still. First went live in April and had almost every weekend booked until September.  Cleared 4k a month in revenue l. Switching tactics to long term. Mortgage, taxes and insurance are 2,960

I have a showing to a family , the rent is listed for $3,200. 

I pay for pool service so cash flow would only be $50 a month. 

A company is also interested but wants to sublease. 

What would you do? I think the market is slowing and it's time to change tactics. I think the airbnb short term space is over saturated. What are yalls thoughts?

[Tara Omotere]

Hey Alana, I completely understand how you feel. A lot of hosts are going through the same thing right now,  fewer bookings, more competition, and higher platform fees. It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve worked hard to keep your property in great shape and guests aren’t showing up like before.

Here are a few simple strategies that might help you get back on track or make a smart pivot:

1. Check your pricing and fees.
   Since Airbnb increased their host service fee to 15.5%, your payout might be slightly lower. You can adjust your nightly rate to cover that difference without scaring away guests.

2. Review your local market.
   Use tools like AirDNA or Mashvisor to see how many listings are in your area, average occupancy, and nightly rates. If there’s too much competition, even a small change in your pricing or listing details can make a difference.

3. List on multiple platforms.
   Don’t rely on Airbnb alone. Try Booking.com, Expedia, or direct bookings through social media or your own mini site. More visibility means more chances to fill your calendar.

4. Consider mid-term rentals.
   If you’re thinking of switching to long-term, try mid-term stays first (30–90 days). These attract travel nurses, remote workers, and digital nomads — fewer turnovers but still better profit than a yearly lease.

5. Stay compliant while you adjust.
   If you decide to rent long-term or mid-term, check whether your STR license or tax registration allows it. Some cities require a different permit type or tax category. I can help you confirm that part so you don't lose compliance status.

At the end of the day, this slowdown doesn’t mean the end of hosting, it’s just a signal to adapt. You’ve already built something valuable, and with a few adjustments, you can keep earning steadily.