Airbnb just made its biggest pricing shift in years—and it’s shaking up how hosts compete. As of April 21, guests will now see total prices (including cleaning and service fees) upfront in search results. The move could reward clarity, punish padded pricing, and reshape booking behavior across the platform.

Midweek Edition Highlights:

• 🔥 STR Classifieds – Scout this week's trending STR Homes for Sale

• 📊 STR Scout “By the Numbers” – Key housing, travel, and STR trends you need to know

• 🌴 Maui’s STR ban impacts 7,000+ units—what it means for island investing

• 🧼 Savvy vs. Airbnb? New startup stirs the pot with bold marketing and lower fees

• 💰 Rising delinquencies, tariffs, and interest rates—how macro stress is hitting the STR bottom line

• and much more ….

Keep scrolling to see how transparency, travel shifts, and tightening markets could shape your next STR move.

-STR Scout Team

💸 Big News | Airbnb Just Changed the Way You Price

We caught early wind of this shift—and now it’s official.

On April 21, 2025, Airbnb announced that all guests, in every market, will now see the total price—including all fees (before taxes)—directly in the search results.

No toggles. No surprises. Just transparent, full-cost pricing from the jump.

🧾 What’s New

• Total price is now the default, not optional, across Airbnb’s platform.

• Guests see what they’ll actually pay upfront—including cleaning and service fees.

• The change builds on earlier tests in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Korea.

• The toggle introduced globally in 2023 was used by 17 million guests before this full rollout.

🔗 Source: Airbnb Newsroom

🧠 Why This Matters for STR Operators

We previously flagged how total cost per night—not just the base rate—was becoming the real benchmark for travelers. Now, Airbnb is fully aligned with that trend—and so must hosts be.

This new display format:

• Makes high cleaning fees and padded costs more visible in search

• Levels the playing field for value-forward listings

• Pressures hosts to simplify pricing and rethink their fee structure

📊 How Hosts Are Already Adapting

According to Airbnb’s internal data:

• 4 in 5 hosts used tools like discounts, price tips, or promotions in 2024

• Over 2 million hosts used the Similar Listings tool to benchmark pricing

• Airbnb is nudging guests to extend stays with dynamic discount tips during search

The takeaway? Hosts who lead with pricing clarity and competitive value are already ahead.

✅ STR Scout Take

We’ll be watching closely how this impacts booking behavior, conversion rates, and pricing psychology.

Here’s how to stay competitive right now:

🔍 Want to win in search?

• ✅ Know your true cost per night

• ✅ Compare against net pricing comps, not just listed base rates

• ✅ Consider bundling fees into a single, digestible rate

This is one more step toward a guest-first, transparency-driven marketplace. Listings that make cost clarity easy will earn trust—and bookings.

🏙️ $399K | Kansas City, MO: 6BD/4BA, 2800 sqft on 6504 sqft lot. Renovated 3-story Airbnb in mixed-use zone, grossed $80K last year. Private drive, gated carport, detached garage. Furnishings negotiable. View Post.

🍷 $495K | Hermann, MO: 2BD/2BA, 1400 sqft on 6970 sqft lot. Two private guest homes walking distance to downtown! STR-ready with fun, spa-like vibes, perfect for wedding parties or weekend escapes. View Post.

🌴 $523K | Cape Coral, FL: 3BD/3BA, 2226 sqft turnkey STR on freshwater canal. Fully furnished, updated kitchen, pool, no flood zone. $-generating w/ PM team & systems in place. LLC transfer option. View Post.

🏞️ $599K | Clarkson, KY: 5BD/2BA, 1530 sqft on 0.5 acres at Nolin Lake. “Hillbilly Hill-ton” STR gem w/ 4.95 stars, 92 reviews, fully furnished & turnkey. Updated kitchen, strong income history. View Post.

⛷️ $629K | Lake Harmony, PA: 4BD/2BA, 1728 sqft chalet w/ lake access, near ski resorts & hiking. Hot tub, firepit, deck, community beach & tennis. STR potential $80–100K+. Turnkey opportunity! View Post.

⛷️ $675K | McHenry, MD: 4BD/4BA, 2448 sqft chalet on 0.63 acres near Deep Creek Lake & Wisp Resort. Hot tub, 2 fireplaces, firepit, updated kitchen. Ideal STR setup—never rented. Peaceful cul-de-sac. View Post.

🏖️ $675K | Perdido Key, FL: 2BD/2BA, 1204 sqft Gulf-front condo in gated Sandy Key. Stunning balcony views, updated baths, new carpet, pools, hot tubs, tennis, direct beach access. Fully furnished. View Post.

🚤 $745K | Swanton, MD: 3BD/3BA, 2295 sqft on 2-acre lot with lake access and dedicated dock slip. Luxurious year-round retreat w/ rental history, jetted tubs, updated systems, and outdoor living space. View Post.

🎸 $955K | Nashville, TN: 3BD/3BA NOO STR (MUG-A zoned) w/ rooftop skyline views. $120K gross in 2023, $115K in 2024, fully furnished & turnkey. Near RiverNorth & Oracle. No LLC needed. View Post.

🌄 $974K | Sevierville, TN: 3BD/3BA, 3500 sqft cabin in Wears Valley. STR beast: $122K avg income, $70K booked for 2025! Sleeps 14, game room, 3 decks, hot tub, new upgrades, 4.94 Airbnb rating. View Post.

📊 STR Scout | By the Numbers

A fresh-hit rundown of the market, travel, and STR signals curated over the past 7 days.

🏠 Real Estate & Housing

49%; rise in large U.S. bankruptcies in Q1 2025 year-over-year—highest count since 2010.
Source

6.67%; average 30-year mortgage rate as of April 18, 2025, holding steady despite Fed signals.
Source

9.4%; drop in existing-home sales year-over-year as of March 2025—buyers still on pause.
Source

47.2%; of homes listed in March had a price cut before sale in select Sun Belt metros (Phoenix, Tampa, Austin).
Source

🌍 Travel & Tourism

$206.1 billion; projected global tourism revenue for summer 2025—a 7.3% increase from 2024.
Source

4.9 million; TSA airport screenings over Easter weekend—a new post-COVID record.
Source

+22.5%; increase in Mexico-bound U.S. travelers this spring compared to 2024—geo-arbitrage still hot.
Source

🏡 Short-Term Rentals

67%; Airbnb's YoY revenue growth in rural markets for Q1 2025—urban saturation pushes hosts outward.
Source

38%; of STR hosts now offer a mid-term rental option (28+ days), reflecting market adaptation.
Source

$144; average U.S. nightly rate for Airbnb listings in April 2025, down 2.1% from April 2024.
Source

📈 Macro & Economic Indicators

62%; of Americans report cutting discretionary spending due to inflation pressure in April.
Source

2.4%; core CPI (excluding food & energy) YoY as of March 2025—slight cooling in inflation trend.
Source

5.4%; unemployment rate in April 2025 preliminary data—labor market starting to show cracks.
Source

👀 Keeping a Pulse on The Headlines…

🏠 Airbnb announces total price display as the new global standard, making booking transparency a priority for travelers worldwide. This shift eliminates surprise fees and helps guests see the complete cost upfront, potentially boosting consumer trust in the platform. The change comes amid growing regulatory pressure for pricing transparency in hospitality markets.

🔑 Total price display is now implemented globally across Airbnb's platform, addressing long-standing customer complaints about hidden fees. This significant change shows Airbnb's commitment to transparency and improved user experience as competition intensifies in the travel accommodation sector. The company believes clearer pricing will ultimately drive more bookings.

🌴 Short-term rentals face potential challenges as recession risks rise and Trump's second term brings policy shifts. Industry analysts point to changing travel patterns, regulatory pressures, and economic headwinds that could reshape the STR landscape in coming months. Property managers are advised to prepare for possible market adjustments.

🏙️ Houston City Council passes new ordinance regulating short-term rentals, implementing stricter rules for Airbnb and VRBO operators. The regulations include permitting requirements, occupancy limits, and neighborhood notification processes to balance tourism benefits with residential community concerns. Local hosts now face a compliance deadline with potential penalties.

🏆 California's most wish-listed Airbnb is a stunning treehouse in Occidental, capturing travelers' imagination with its unique design and forest setting. This distinctive property demonstrates how exceptional, Instagram-worthy accommodations can standout in competitive markets and command premium rates year-round. The success highlights growing consumer preference for experiential stays.

🎡 Coachella music festival drives massive spike in Airbnb searches for Palm Springs area accommodations, showing the continued impact of events on short-term rental demand. Property owners in festival locations can capitalize on these predictable demand surges with strategic pricing and minimum stay requirements. Music tourism remains a lucrative opportunity.

🏈 Hotels and short-term rentals remain available just one week before NFL Draft in Green Bay, surprising industry watchers who expected complete sellouts. This unusual availability pattern may indicate changing traveler booking behaviors or potential economic softening in event-driven travel markets. Property managers should monitor late booking trends for future major events.

💼 Airbnb announces 2025 Preferred Software Partners, strengthening its ecosystem of professional tools for hosts and property managers. This strategic partnership program enhances platform functionality through vetted third-party solutions for operations, marketing, and guest experience. Tech-forward hosts leveraging these tools may gain competitive advantages.

📊 Airbnb will announce first quarter 2025 financial results on May 8, with investors closely watching for indicators of platform growth and profitability amid changing travel patterns. The earnings report will provide crucial insights into post-pandemic travel trends and the company's ability to navigate economic headwinds. Market analysts are particularly focused on booking volume metrics.

⚖️ Irish Airbnb operators face multimillion-euro fines under tough new enforcement rules targeting illegal lettings. The regulations aim to return short-term rental properties to the long-term housing market amid severe housing shortages. This represents another example of growing regulatory pressures on STR platforms in housing-stressed markets.

🏘️ Villages resident complains about neighboring short-term rental operating "like a motel" in the popular Florida retirement community. This local dispute highlights the growing tensions between permanent residents and investors in communities not traditionally associated with vacation rentals. HOAs nationwide are increasingly implementing restrictions on minimum rental periods.

🍁 Canadian travelers decrease U.S. visits and Airbnb bookings amid economic and political tensions, representing a concerning trend for border state tourism. This shift in travel patterns from America's largest international visitor market could significantly impact vacation rental owners in popular Canadian tourist destinations. Cross-border travel sensitivity highlights the vulnerability of tourism to geopolitical factors.

✈️ US tourism sector experiences significant downturns not just from Canada but from multiple key international markets including Mexico, Germany, UK, Spain, France, and India. Industry analysts attribute this concerning trend to a combination of economic uncertainties and changing global perceptions. STR owners in traditionally international tourist areas should diversify marketing toward domestic travelers.

🌎 Travelers are visiting the United States less frequently due to Trump's tariffs and rhetoric, creating economic pressure on tourism-dependent businesses. This international travel sentiment shift particularly affects gateway cities and coastal vacation rental markets that traditionally attract global visitors. Industry experts recommend property managers adjust pricing strategies to attract more domestic guests.

🇺🇸 US-Canada tourism experiences a potential boycott effect as cross-border tensions rise, threatening vacation rental markets in traditional Canadian visitor hotspots. Property managers in states like Florida, Arizona and California that typically welcome significant Canadian winter visitors are monitoring booking patterns with concern. This development underscores the vulnerability of tourism to international relations.

✈️ United Airlines reports strong premium travel demand despite broader economic concerns, suggesting luxury and business segments remain resilient. This trend indicates potential opportunities for high-end short-term rental properties catering to affluent travelers less affected by economic pressures. Upgrading amenities and targeting premium travelers could protect rental income in uncertain times.

🏡 Home sales hit their slowest pace in six years as high mortgage rates and affordability challenges continue to constrain the residential real estate market. This prolonged slowdown affects investor liquidity and makes property exits more challenging for STR owners considering portfolio adjustments. Experts suggest pricing strategies may need adjustment in this extended buyer's market.

📉 Housing bubble concerns grow as experts debate whether 2025 will bring price stabilization or correction in overheated markets. Analysis suggests regional variations with former pandemic boomtowns facing greater adjustment risks than supply-constrained coastal markets. STR investors should carefully evaluate local economic fundamentals before new acquisitions.

🏘️ Splendid housing bubbles report shows price drops in 33% of America's largest housing markets as of March 2025, with formerly hot markets experiencing the most significant corrections. This shifting landscape creates both challenges and opportunities for strategic STR investors looking for value entry points. Markets like Phoenix and Austin show particularly notable adjustments.

🔨 Trump tariffs impact homebuilding costs, creating potential ripple effects throughout the housing market. The increased price of building materials could further constrain new housing supply and ultimately affect rental market dynamics. STR investors should monitor construction trends as supply constraints often support rental rate growth.

🏗️ Housing starts and residential construction data for March reveal ongoing challenges in adding new supply to meet demand. The slower pace of new development amid continued population growth maintains pressure on existing housing inventory. This persistent supply-demand imbalance remains a fundamental support for property values despite affordability constraints.

🔮 Zillow turns full blown housing market bear in new forecast, signaling potential shifts ahead for residential real estate investors. The influential platform's pessimistic outlook could impact buyer psychology and transaction volume in coming quarters. STR operators should prepare contingency plans for possible market softening.

📊 Florida homebuilder slashes prices as the state's once-hot market shows signs of cooling. This strategic price adjustment highlights changing dynamics in a former pandemic boomtown where inventory is rising and buyer urgency is waning. The shift represents an early indicator of market normalization.

💰 Spread between 10-year Treasury yield and mortgage rates remains historically wide, keeping home financing costs elevated despite recent bond market movements. This persistent gap continues to constrain affordability and transaction volume in residential markets nationwide. Industry watchers debate when lenders might narrow this spread to stimulate demand.

🏠 Home sale cancellations surge nationwide as thousands of deals collapse, revealing increasing buyer nervousness and financing challenges. This concerning trend suggests growing market instability and potentially signals broader economic concerns affecting consumer confidence. Sellers and investors should prepare for longer marketing periods and potential renegotiation scenarios.

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