by Payel Kundu
Nov 25, 2023 9:00AM EST
Investing in an Airbnb property essentially means investing in a new property. However, before taking the plunge in buying a new property, it is crucial to evaluate the properties and take the necessary steps to find the best Airbnb property to purchase in your preferred area.
If you’re considering buying an investment property on Airbnb, here’s some guidance to help you make an informed decision.
- The deciding factor: Are you considering investing in an Airbnb property but not sure if it’s a good investment for you? There are different ways to enter the real estate market, but many investors choose the traditional path of renting to long-term tenants who sign leases for a year or more. However, short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb have the potential to generate higher income with fewer obligations. Investing in an Airbnb property in 2023 can be a great decision. Short-term rental properties offer an average cash-on-cash return of 3.69% across the US market, while long-term rentals only offer an average ROI of 2.99%. Despite the higher costs associated with running an Airbnb business, it is still a more profitable real estate investment strategy this year. The trend emerged shortly after the launch of the Airbnb platform, which revolutionized the vacation rental industry and the property investment world. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in the Airbnb business, it is now back on track and is considered the best way to invest money in real estate. If you are interested in investing in an Airbnb property, it’s important to know how to find the right one for optimal investment results.
Pros of Investing in Airbnb Properties:
Investing in an Airbnb rental property has several advantages that make it a lucrative option. These advantages include:
- Charging per night can bring in more income than traditional renting, especially in cities where hotels charge a premium, assuming a high occupancy rate can be maintained.
- With Airbnb, you can receive your earnings multiple times a week based on guest visits, improving cash flow.
- Airbnb offers more flexibility when it comes to renting out your property. You can set your own house rules, block calendar dates, choose a cancellation policy, and set minimum and maximum stays according to your preferences. By doing so, you won’t have to commit to a long-term lease with one tenant who may turn out to be problematic. Additionally, you are free to take your property off the market or switch to long-term rentals at any time, giving you more control over the rental process.
- To ensure a hassle-free experience, it is recommended to screen your guests in advance. Airbnb offers two options – instant bookings or manual approval of booking requests. By choosing the latter, you can thoroughly review a guest’s profile and past reviews before confirming their booking. This helps minimize the risk of hosting difficult guests.
Cons of Investing in Airbnb Properties:
Renting on Airbnb comes with a few possible downsides.
- During low seasons, finding guests may be difficult, and rental income inconsistent. It is important to budget and plan accordingly.
- Renting out an Airbnb requires a significant investment upfront, as you need to furnish the space with various items such as beds, a couch, cutlery, cooking equipment, a TV, cleaning supplies, and more, depending on the type of rental. On the other hand, when renting to long-term tenants, you don’t have to worry about providing all of these amenities.
- Having an Airbnb rental comes with ongoing expenses and maintenance. This includes paying for utilities such as water, electricity, gas, and internet. Additionally, the apartment needs to be cleaned between stays, but guests can be charged a cleaning fee to cover those expenses.
- As an Airbnb host, you must be available 24 hours a day to assist guests with any issues that may arise. These issues may include problems with the Wi-Fi connection, lost keys, or questions about public transportation in the area. The level of customer service required by Airbnb is significantly higher than that of traditional renting.
2. Location:
To make the most of your investment in Airbnb rentals, it is crucial to focus on the occupancy rate. This is the number of days your property is occupied by guests. The more guests you have and the fewer days your property stays vacant, the more money you can make. Ideally, your rental property should have an average occupancy rate of over 60% to be profitable. It is essential to select a location where rental homes have high occupancy rates to ensure a good return on investment.
This means you should look for a city with many visitors.
Don’t forget to consider smaller towns as potential Airbnb investment markets, in addition to popular travel destinations. Keep in mind that California, Florida, Nevada, Texas, and New York are the most visited states.
When looking for a suitable location for your rental property, it’s important to research the occupancy rates in the city and neighborhood levels. This will help to ensure that your investment property receives the highest possible rental demand. Always remember the key phrase in real estate: location, location, location.
Before purchasing a property on Airbnb, it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis of the following factors:
- Is the location popular?
- Is it the most visited by several locals, tourists, or business travelers?
- Seasonality- Low or High
- Is the location desirable?
Tempting Airbnb locations include downtown beaches, mountains, national parks, and areas near major events. Additionally, smaller towns can be top markets for Airbnb investments.
When selecting a suitable location, it is highly advisable to invest in areas where visitors frequently visit throughout the year. It is equally important to consider locations that have high occupancy rates both in the city and the neighborhood. This approach will help you secure your future investments while also ensuring that your property is in high demand and can command the highest possible rental income.
3. The local Laws and Regulations:
It is crucial to have a good understanding of the laws and regulations of the city before investing in Airbnb real estate. With the rise of vacation rental businesses, many local authorities in the US and other countries have started implementing strict regulations. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the policies and regulations in place before making any investment decisions.
It’s important to note that some areas have laws against Airbnb rentals and may require a license to operate one. As a property manager or real estate investor, it’s crucial to avoid legal problems and financial penalties that can harm your short-term rental business in the future.
With that said, before making a final decision to invest in Airbnb real estate, first, check out the local Airbnb laws and regulations governing short-term rentals. When considering purchasing a property for Airbnb, it’s important to conduct research using online resources, local government websites, and other sources to gain a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of operating an Airbnb business, including the taxes and fees that are expected to be paid. It’s also advisable to look for cities that are Airbnb-friendly, where laws and regulations are less likely to hurt your return on investment.
Renting out your property on Airbnb can be difficult in some cities due to regulations. For example, in Los Angeles, you can only rent out your property if it is your primary residence. Even then, you must apply for a permit and cannot rent it out for more than 120 nights per year. If you wish to rent it out for a longer period, you must apply for additional licenses, which can be a hassle and may not be granted.
Over the past decade, the short-term rental industry has experienced tremendous growth. As a result, many local authorities throughout the United States and around the world have begun implementing strict regulations and, in some cases, even prohibiting non-owner-occupied Airbnb rentals. As a real estate investor, it is crucial to avoid breaking the law and facing legal and financial penalties. Therefore, before deciding on a housing market for your vacation rental, it is essential to research the local Airbnb rules and regulations that govern short-term rentals. This will help you ensure that you are operating within the legal limits and avoid any potential legal issues.
To ensure that you have a clear understanding of the regulations for operating an Airbnb business in a specific market, it is recommended to check the local government websites, the Chamber of Commerce website, local newspapers, and other online sources. Make sure that you thoroughly comprehend the conditions under which you can operate your business and the taxes and fees that you will be required to pay.
As an Airbnb host, it’s essential to remember that property taxes and hiring a property management company are important factors to consider. Managing your Airbnb properties can be challenging, but with the help of property managers, it can become a profitable investment. To ensure a steady income and manage cash flow effectively, it’s advisable to consult secondary services like property management software and other similar tools.
It’s a good idea to work with a real estate agent or use a property finder tool, and don’t forget to factor in your monthly mortgage payments when determining your pricing structure.
Always research local laws before renting on Airbnb and check for any proposed legislation.
4. Eligibility of the property:
In 2023, purchasing an Airbnb property is a wise investment decision. As per market analysis in March 2023, the US market’s average cash-on-cash return for short-term rental properties is 3.69%, while the average ROI for long-term rentals is only 2.99%. This indicates that investing in short-term rental properties such as Airbnb can provide better returns on investment than long-term rental properties.
Despite the increased costs associated with running an Airbnb business, it is still the most profitable real estate investment strategy this year. The trend emerged shortly after the launch of the Airbnb platform, which revolutionized the vacation rental industry and the property investment world.
Although there was a brief setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb has regained its status as the most profitable way to invest in real estate. Now that you are aware of the benefits of investing in Airbnb, let’s explore ways to find the most suitable Airbnb property for maximum investment returns.
The most profitable and highly occupied Airbnb property depends on location and target guests.
If you’re interested in properties situated in bustling city centers, then a condo or an apartment might be the perfect choice, especially for business or solo travellers, provided that the Homeowners Association (HOA) allows short-term leases. However, if your target market is families or large groups, investing in beach homes or single-family homes listed on Airbnb would be the way to go.
5. Budgeting and planning your expenses and financing:
Determining your budget is a crucial first step before searching for Airbnb properties. You should evaluate your savings, current income, ongoing expenses, and any expected or unexpected changes in revenue and living costs in the coming years. As a wise real estate investor, accurate budgeting is critical. As an aspiring Airbnb host, failing to budget properly could result in losing your property to the bank, which could lead to defaulting on your mortgage payments. Therefore, it is essential to budget wisely and avoid such situations.
When investing in property, it’s important to choose a property that you can easily afford without the risk of defaulting on your mortgage and facing foreclosure.
When you want to achieve a financial goal, it is important to budget carefully. You should consider not only your regular sources of income and ongoing expenses but also your savings. Decide on a maximum price that you can afford with your budget and stick to it. During your search for a property, avoid being tempted by properties that look perfect but are beyond your budget.
It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of a property is not just about the listing price. Several other expenses come with buying an investment property, some of which may be hidden. These expenses can include closing fees, appraisal, inspection, property tax, insurance, and more. It’s crucial to take these additional costs into account when planning your budget for buying a property. Altogether they can add up to several thousand dollars.
Real estate investors have access to financing options. It’s also possible to enter the short-term rental industry without owning a property.
You should take this matter very seriously and create a precise estimate of your financial situation. Doing so will help you determine the down payment that you can afford, as well as other expenses when buying an investment property. It is also wise to have some cash reserves to cover the recurring rental costs should your Airbnb property remain unoccupied.
Before investing in an Airbnb property, it is crucial to take your budget into account. Start by assessing all your sources of income as well as your ongoing expenses. Then, set a maximum price for a property that you feel comfortable with. By doing so, you can make an informed decision and ensure that you don’t overspend.
When creating a budget, it’s important to consider hidden expenses like closing fees, insurance, property tax, furniture, utilities, and expenses for optimizing Airbnb rentals.
When done correctly, short-term rentals can be profitable. It’s important to find an affordable property that won’t put you at risk of missed mortgage payments or compromise your finances. Some of the most popular options for financing your short-term rental business are:
Airbnb loans:
Airbnb loans are a type of financing option specifically designed to assist aspiring Airbnb hosts in purchasing property for Airbnb rentals. Although the process is similar to other home loans, the terms, interest rates, and conditions may vary slightly.
Home equity loans:
A home equity loan, also known as a second mortgage, is a popular financing option for property owners who already have a primary residence and are looking to purchase a second property. This type of loan provides a lump sum or a line of credit that can be used to finance the investment.
However, your primary home will be used as collateral in case of payment default. Therefore, make sure you can afford the payments before committing to more debt.
Rental Arbitrage:
If you’re interested in starting an Airbnb business but don’t own any property, rental arbitrage might be a good choice for you. This involves renting a property from its owner and then listing it as a vacation rental home.
While this might require some persuasion, if the property owner agrees to let you manage their property as a vacation rental, you could earn more than the rental expense you’d have to pay, resulting in a profit.
6. Search for actual properties on sale:
Once you know your limit to spend on your Airbnb rental, searching for actual properties on sale starts. Exhaust all possible sources such as online listing websites, the real estate sections of local newspapers, friends, and acquaintances.
Don’t go for MLS properties only but also actively look for foreclosures, bank-owned, and off-market properties, as they can bring your return on investment significantly higher due to the low price you’ll have to pay for them.
Throughout the property search, keep your budget in mind. Never go for a property that you cannot afford. Remember that you are buying an investment property to make money from, so your decision should be rational and based on numbers. You are not buying your dream home to live in.
7. Thorough search for real estate investment property:
Once you have determined your budget, it’s time to actively look for available properties on the market whether it is through online listing websites, real estate sections of local papers, friends and family, acquaintances, or even use a property finder tool. Take note, keep an eye out for properties that are foreclosure, bank-owned, and even off-the-market properties as they are a great investment due to the low price.
Many times, investors realize that the property they have been analyzing for a few weeks or even months has already been sold before they are able to determine if it will bring them money or not.
More so, it is important to also establish specific qualities of the property based on size, condition, and age, before leaping. Additionally, keep in mind not to go overboard with your budget as you are buying an investment property and not your dream home. Therefore, decisions should be based on numbers and lucidity.
Even if an Airbnb is available for the period you selected, it should have many periods of unavailability over the next few months to indicate a favorable occupancy rate. Check the availability calendar for the listing. If most of the listings have empty calendars for weeks or months with no bookings, things don’t look good.
8. Find an agent to work with:
Upon finding the best Airbnb property to buy, an option to consider is hiring real estate agents. Think about it – Real estate agents have access to the best deals on the market. They are good at negotiation skills, allowing you to buy at a better price. They are great at advising on the top neighborhoods, and best property types, and are aware of the local laws and regulations. What more can you ask for?
Hiring a real estate agent can help you find a good property for your Airbnb rental business. Agents and brokers are professionals who have access to the best deals on the market. Moreover, they have the necessary negotiation skills to get you a much better price than what you can achieve on your own.
Real estate agents simply make it simpler. And if you think, it is costly due to agent fees. Think again. It is the seller who pays the agent fees and not the buyer, therefore, no worries about the additional cost to your budget.
In addition, it is the seller – not the buyer – who pays the agent fees, so you don’t have to worry about adding more costs to your budget. To achieve the best results, look for an agent who has experience with Airbnb rentals. In this way, they will be able to advise you on the top neighborhoods, the best property type, and the local legal and regulatory framework.
The success of your Airbnb investment property will depend on several factors, including the city, neighborhood, and how good of a host you are. Purchasing an Airbnb property can be a profitable venture, but there are some crucial factors to consider before investing. Firstly, it is essential to thoroughly research the laws and regulations regarding short-term rentals in your area, as some cities have strict limitations or even prohibit such rentals. Moreover, it is important to be truthful regarding whether you are capable of managing multiple bookings and hosting new guests regularly. If you are not comfortable with such responsibilities, then investing in a conventional long-term rental property may be a more suitable option.
