The markets just sent a warning shot.

A $10 trillion global sell-off is shaking investor confidence—and it’s spilling into real estate, especially Airbnb and short-term rentals.

For STR buyers and sellers, the question is no longer “if” things are shifting—but how to stay ahead.

This week’s issue breaks it down:

🔹 Sell? Buy? Hold? – The STR market is softening in many areas. Here's how smart investors are adapting, protecting equity, and finding opportunity.
🔹 Top 10 STR Classifieds – On and off-market Airbnb properties worth watching right now.
🔹 Trending Market Insights – Headlines reshaping Airbnb, housing, STR policy, travel, and the broader economy.

This issue is about accepting reality—and being strategic.

Stay informed. Spot trends early. Make your next move count.

Let’s dive in.
— The STR Scout Team

🏠 Airbnb: Buy? Sell? Hold? | Smart Moves for STR Investors in a Market Reset

In just two days, the U.S. stock market lost $6.6 trillion—more than the GDP of Germany and the UK combined—while global markets shed over $10 trillion, eclipsing the entire economy of China.

Let that soak in.

It’s a gut-check moment for investors everywhere—including in real estate.

Short-term rental (STR) owners and buyers are staring down the same two questions:

Do I sell now or hold?
Do I buy now or wait?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are clear signs to track and smarter ways to navigate this cycle. Whether you’re sitting on equity, eyeing a deal, or trying to stay above water, here’s a grounded, no-hype look at where we are and how to think strategically.

🗣️ What STR Agents Are Saying on the Ground

We’ve polled STR-focused real estate agents across the country—and the message is consistent:

Many Covid-era buyers are already upside down, and plenty of equity-rich owners are simply sitting on the sidelines. It's only going to get worse in some areas until there’s a race for the door.

To be fair—this isn’t true everywhere. But in most Airbnb hotspots, it is.

Meanwhile, inventory keeps climbing. If current trends continue, we may hit levels not seen since 2008. And until supply balances out, prices will likely keep falling.

For Sellers:

Still holding firm on yesterday’s price?

Every month could be erasing thousands in equity.

If you need to sell, price it for where the market is—not where it was.

For Buyers:

Some deals might look good on the surface, but be careful.

Cashflow projections can vanish fast—and so can your equity.

Buy right. Model every outcome. Value is in the purchase, not the hope.

🧩 What Happens When Markets Shift

Here’s how downturn cycles usually play out.

For Owners:

• Negative equity (already happening to some Covid buyers)

• A rise in short sales, distress listings, fire sales, motivated sellers

• Seller financing reappears to help deals pencil and defer taxes

For the Market:

• Construction slows, shadow inventory grows, builder deals sit

• Builders offer incentives and concessions

• Lending tightens and downpayments increase

• Investors hunt for deep discounts and make low offers

• High rates and high carry costs eat into cashflow returns

🏚️ STR Operators: The Canary in the Coal Mine

STR hosts are adjusting in real time:

• ADR and gross revenue is dropping

• Occupancy is falling, even with nightly rate price cuts

• Oversupply is real in many (most) markets

• Guests are spending less and staying closer to home (value motivated)

• Many operators are shifting to mid-term or long-term rentals, or racing for the door

⚠️ Equity Sellers: Quietly Resetting the Market

Equity Sellers—those who bought early—can still walk away with gains, even if they underprice the market.

But when several in a neighborhood start cutting prices?

Comps drop. Appraisals drop. Buyer expectations drop.

And so does your paper equity.

Watch for the signs:

• A sudden spike in newly listed, fully furnished STRs

• Sharp price drops on stale listings

• Closed sales coming in well below asking

These are clear indicators that your market may be softening—even if no one on your block is talking about it.

If you're not seeing these signs yet, consider yourself in the clear—for now.

🧠 Cashflow Is King: Model Before You Buy

Returns don’t mean much unless they’re real. That means you need multiple fallback plans—always.

Step 1: Know Your True Carry Cost

Add up all monthly expenses:

• Mortgage

• Taxes & insurance

• Utilities

• Cleaning & management

• Repairs, reserves, and the small stuff most people forget

Be conservative with revenue projections. Then stress test every deal.

✅ Plan A: Short-Term Rental

Will nightly bookings consistently cover your full carry cost?
Net Cashflow A = STR income – expenses

✅ Plan B: Mid-Term Rental

If bookings slow down, can 30+ day stays keep you above water?
Net Cashflow B = Mid-term rent – expenses

✅ Plan C: Long-Term Rental

Worst case—can a year-long lease carry you?
Net Cashflow C = Long-term rent – expenses

🔑 If You’re Buying Soon

• ✅ Get pre-approved now—financing is tightening

• ✅ Look for seller financing or creative deal terms

• ✅ Be patient—better prices are likely ahead

• ✅ Focus on location, flexibility, and downside protection

🧭 If You Can Wait

• Build cash reserves—dry powder wins over the next couple years

• Watch inventory, price cuts, and distressed listings

• Monitor interest rates—they will matter more than ever

• Be ready. Get pre-approved now so you can move when the deal makes sense

🏷️ If You Need to Sell

• Price to today’s market—not your past expectations

• Make the property turnkey (clean, staged, simple upgrades)

• Offer buyer incentives: closing credits, repairs, furnishings

• Be open to flexible terms (seller finance, leasebacks, etc.)

• If you can break even, consider a mid-term rental strategy

💼 If You Can Hold

• Refinance if rates improve

• Focus on core maintenance—not fancy upgrades

• Keep a close watch on your neighborhood’s active and sold comps

✅ Final Thought

This isn’t the bottom falling out. It’s the market finding balance again.

But that balance will take time—and it’ll require real strategy from both buyers and sellers.

This isn’t financial advice—just the kind of perspective you hear from those who’ve been through a few cycles. They were the ones buying during the fear, back when the market came to them (2010–2018), and quietly exiting during the frenzy (2020–2024), when selling wasn’t trendy—but often proved wise.

Markets move in waves. No one rings a bell at the top or bottom, but time-tested experience shows that the smartest moves are often the most contrarian.

If you're holding, selling, or buying:

• Stay grounded in today's data

• Model every deal with Plans A, B, and C

• Accept the reality of the current STR market—“Da Nile” is not just a river in Egypt

• Make moves based on math, not emotion

In this cycle, the most prepared investors will do just fine.

The rest? They'll learn the hard way.

🌊 $299K | Panama City Beach, FL: 1BD+ bunk/2BA, 1047 sqft condo at Laketown Wharf. Gulf views, $43K+ gross in 2024 w/ owner use. Resort amenities: 5 pools, hot tubs, gym, mini-golf, beach access. View Post.

🪵 $375K | Albrightsville, PA: 3BD/2BA, 1553 sqft modern chalet in the Poconos. Turnkey STR w/ game room, hot tub, fire pit, furnished & thriving on Airbnb. Near ski resorts & Pocono attractions. View Post.

🌲 $459.9K | Cosby, TN: 3BD/2BA creekside cabin on 1.09 acres near Foothills Pkwy, 30 mins to Gatlinburg. 1536 sqft, fully furnished, VRBO Premier 10/10 rating w/ 81 glowing reviews. Turnkey STR or vacation home. View Post.

🛶 $499.9K | Sevierville, TN: 3BD/2BA, 1248 sqft cabin on 1-acre wooded lot near Gatlinburg & Dollywood. Features heart-shaped tub, Barbie-inspired hot tub, game room, firepit & rustic charm. STR-ready! View Post.

🌊 $818K | Daytona Beach, FL: Portfolio of 6 active STR condos across 4 bldgs—2 direct oceanfront, 3 ocean view studios, 1BD/2BA unit. All remodeled w/ balconies. $180K+ gross potential, $65K total expenses. View Post.

🔥 $849K | Sevierville, TN: 2BD/4BA, 3000 sqft cabin near Dollywood, Pigeon Forge & Douglas Lake. STR-ready with unique style, quality build, and great access. High appreciation potential. View Post.

🏔️ $899K | Broken Bow, OK: 3BD/3BA luxury tri-level STR cabin in Carter Mountain West. Built in 2024 w/ game room, hot tub, fire pit, wraparound decks & mountain views. Minutes to lake & park. View Post.

🌄 $1.395M | Gatlinburg, TN: 3BD/5BA, 2967 sqft luxury cabin in Chalet Village. STR goldmine w/ $136K+ gross since Mar 2024! Game room, hot tub, chef's kitchen, epic Smoky Mtn views, 5-star Airbnb reviews. View Post.

🚤 $1.675M | Daytona Beach Shores, FL: 5BD/5BA, 4001 sqft waterfront home w/ 90' river frontage, private dock, boat lift, pool w/ grotto, 2 owner suites, lush landscaping. STRs allowed! No flood damage. View Post.

🌴 $2.695M | Cape San Blas, FL: 6BD/6.5BA custom beach home w/ Gulf & Bay views, 6 decks, heated pool, 2 kitchens, movie & game rooms, elevator, EV charger. STR-ready luxury, no wait on new builds. View Post.

Keeping Your Hand on the Pulse of STR, Airbnb, and Real Estate Markets

🔍 Airbnb's potential expansion into the car rental market could be its next big revenue driver as the company explores opportunities beyond traditional accommodations. The platform is reportedly developing features to connect travelers with car rental services directly through their app, creating a more seamless travel experience for users and potentially opening new market opportunities for hosts with available vehicles to rent.

🏠 Airbnb UK is launching an innovative program transforming unused pub rooms into short-term rental accommodations, giving vital support to struggling hospitality businesses. This creative initiative helps publicans generate additional income while preserving historic establishments and offering travelers authentic local experiences.

📉 Short-term rental owners in Green Bay, Wisconsin are facing disappointment as bookings for the 2025 NFL Draft aren't meeting their high expectations. Many hosts who raised prices in anticipation of the major event are now lowering rates as demand falls short, highlighting the risks of overestimating event-driven tourism.

📊 Short sellers appear increasingly bearish on Airbnb's stock as recent market data shows growing pessimism about the company's near-term performance. This sentiment shift comes amid broader concerns about softening travel demand and increased regulatory pressures in key markets.

📱 Airbnb's stock dipped more than the broader market in recent trading, concerning investors watching travel sector performance. The vacation rental giant faces challenges including regulatory headwinds and questions about sustainability of demand as economic uncertainties persist.

🌊 Cancun's beaches are preparing for a heavy sargassum seaweed season, potentially disrupting vacation plans for thousands. Travelers seeking pristine Mexican Caribbean experiences might consider alternatives like Isla Holbox, Puerto Morelos, or Bacalar, which typically experience less seaweed impact while offering stunning coastal destinations.

⚠️ Foreign visits to American airports have declined significantly following recent travel warnings issued for the United States. International arrivals dropped nearly 15% year-over-year as overseas travelers express concerns about safety, particularly regarding potential civil unrest and violence.

🎰 International tourism to Las Vegas experienced a sharp decline last month, puzzling industry analysts and causing concern among hospitality businesses. The unexpected drop comes despite significant marketing efforts and raises questions about changing global travel patterns and destination preferences.

🏖️ Spring break tourists filled Florida's Space Coast attractions and accommodations, but businesses remain cautious about future economic trends. While visitor numbers appeared strong, spending patterns showed signs of restraint as travelers become increasingly price-conscious amid inflation concerns.

🇨🇦 Michigan's tourism industry is bracing for potential impacts from sharply declining Canadian visitor numbers, with border crossings down nearly 30% this year. Traverse City businesses that typically benefit from Canadian tourists are developing marketing strategies targeting domestic travelers to offset possible losses.

✈️ Airlines are expected to significantly cut their 2025 financial outlooks as travel demand shows concerning weakness across multiple segments. Major carriers are reporting softer bookings and increasing fare sensitivity among consumers, pointing to broader economic concerns affecting discretionary spending.

📱 Growth projections for online travel firms have been slashed by half according to new Morningstar analysis, reflecting shifting consumer spending patterns and economic headwinds. The revised outlook suggests a more challenging environment for digital travel platforms as competition intensifies and travelers become more price sensitive.

🏝️ Travel experts consistently return to certain destinations that offer exceptional experiences beyond typical tourist attractions. These insider favorites include less-visited regions of popular countries where authentic cultural immersion, remarkable natural beauty, and quality hospitality create truly memorable vacations.

🏘️ Miami's short-term rental regulations face legal challenges as property owners argue that new restrictions violate state laws. The contentious battle highlights the growing tension between local governments attempting to address housing concerns and property owners defending their rights to operate vacation rentals.

🏗️ Builders are sitting on a growing inventory of unsold homes as buyer demand slows amid persistent affordability challenges. This inventory buildup could eventually force price reductions but currently represents a concerning sign for housing market health.

🌪️ Home insurance premiums are skyrocketing across the Midwest and Great Plains as climate-related risks reshape the market. Homeowners in previously affordable regions are experiencing sticker shock with some seeing rate increases exceeding 40% year-over-year, adding further strain to housing affordability.

📈 The Federal Reserve's balance sheet reduction continued in March with another $33 billion decrease, bringing the total reduction to $2.24 trillion from its peak. This ongoing quantitative tightening affects liquidity in financial markets and influences mortgage rates critical to real estate investments.

⚠️ One of the Fed's top recession indicators is flashing warning signs as yield curve movements suggest economic trouble ahead. This technical but crucial measure has historically preceded economic downturns and merits careful attention from real estate investors and STR operators planning future strategies.

🏝️ Holiday travelers from the US are increasingly considering alternatives like Thailand, Vietnam, Portugal, and Greece as new travel advisories affect traditional destinations. This shifting pattern creates both challenges and opportunities for property owners in emerging destination markets.