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15
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9
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Freddy Aguirre
9
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15
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Late Starter - 2nd Property -First STR in San Antonio — 3BR Near Lackland AFB

Freddy Aguirre
Posted

Hey BP fam,

Excited to finally share this one — I just picked up a 3BR/1BA short-term rental in San Antonio, TX that sleeps 6. I'm on my 2nd guest stay so far. It's sitting in a great spot: about 3 miles (7 min) from Lackland AFB and 6.5 miles (11 min) from Sea World, so I'm hoping to capture both military-family traffic (PCS moves, TDY stays, family visits) and the tourist crowd hitting Sea World and the River Walk area.

This is my second property overall (I've got a long-term rental in Conroe), but my first venture into the STR/Airbnb world, so I'm equal parts thrilled and aware of how much I don't know yet. I'd genuinely love to tap into the collective brainpower here before I get too far down the road.

A few things I'd love input on:

  • Design/furnishing for a mixed audience — has anyone else furnished for both military relocations and vacation travelers? Do you lean more "functional/extended-stay" or "fun vacation vibe," or is there a sweet spot?

  • Lackland AFB proximity — anyone had success (or lessons learned) marketing an STR near a military base? Curious about seasonality tied to PCS season, TDY orders, etc.

  • Pricing/comp strategy — how are you all handling dynamic pricing tools (PriceLabs, Wheelhouse, etc.) for a market like SA that has both steady demand (military) and seasonal spikes (tourism)?

  • Property management — using Hospitable at this point.

I'm treating this one as a big learning project as much as an investment, so please don't hold back — tell me what you wish someone had told you before your first STR. Mistakes, wins, horror stories, all welcome!

Thanks in advance, BP community — looking forward to learning from you all as I get this one up and running. 🙌

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Gavin Pehl
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4
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Gavin Pehl
Replied

We do do STR as investments it we stay in them. I think there is a lot of good advice on here for what you could improve. The hardest one to change but the one I agree is I biggie is the one bathroom. Time will tell if that matters in your market but we would look for a place with more than one bathroom eve though you have done such a great job on the rest of the house

I love the bathroom hospitality area. You really did that well I think. The vibe is welcoming and light. The finishes are well done and clean. best of luck to you. 

  • Gavin Pehl
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