New home inventory just surged to a 17-year high—opening the door to buy brand-new, STR-ready properties for less per square foot than many aging resales. This week’s edition highlights how to capitalize on the supply spike, the most-clicked STR deals on the market, and key headlines shaping the investment landscape.

Here’s what we’re tracking:
🔥 STR Classifieds – Top 10 short-term rental homes for sale this week.
🏠 17-Year Inventory High – Why this rare surge in new home supply matters for STR buyers.
📰 STR News Nuggets – Must-know headlines shaping the short-term rental and housing market.
📊 Housing & Economic Update – Recession signals are flashing. Mortgage rates climbed again, job growth slowed, and manufacturing activity contracted—fueling expectations of a Fed pivot. Here’s this week’s data pulse.

Let’s dive in 👇
— The STR Scout Team

🌲 $230K | Friendship, WI: Turn-key 1BD/1BA lake retreat on nearly 2 acres! Renovated w/ vaulted ceilings, stainless kitchen, LVP, new systems. Bluff views, kayak access, ATV trails. Peaceful getaway! View Post.

🪵 $250K | Mena, AR: Brand-new 2BD/2BA cabin on 1 acre w/ mountain views & stocked pond. Fully furnished, STR-ready near Wolf Pen Gap. 1hr to Broken Bow, untapped Airbnb market! Built with love. View Post.

🌅 $390.9K | Fairfield Bay, AR: 3BD/2BA custom cabin with stunning year-round Greers Ferry Lake views. 1,656 sqft, updated roof, lighting, paint & more. First time on market, true hidden gem! View Post.

🏡 $399K | Longview, TX: Former STR w/ 7BD/5BA, 3,926 sqft on 1.5 acres. Rented to traveling medical pros—referrals available! Turnkey setup, ideal mid-term rental. Motivated sellers! View Post.

🌊 $449K | Galveston, TX: “No Worries” 3BD/3BA corner townhome just 3 rows from the beach! Fully furnished w/ beach & bay views, new roof, LVP flooring, updated systems. STR-ready, great rental history. View Post.

🏔️ $475K | Pigeon Forge, TN: 1BD/1BA guest-favorite cabin just 2 miles from Parkway. 4.93 rating, private hot tub, deck, foosball, updated bath. Near Dollywood, The Island & more. STR ready! View Post.

🚤 $699K | Dayton, TN: Lakefront 4-plex near Blue Water RV Resort. 3 STR units + 1 long-term tenant. Fully furnished, renovated w/ new roof, windows, kitchens. Strong Airbnb income, epic lake views. View Post.

⛳ $1.295M | Galena, IL: 5BD/5BA custom home on 5.19 acres overlooking hole #5 of The General. 4,451 sqft, rental licensed w/ strong history. Stone fireplace, screened porch, fire pit, bar & more! View Post.

🌴 $2.1M | Panama City Beach, FL: 6BD/6BA just steps from the sand! Private pool, ocean views, STR-ready w/ $100K+ annual income & $200–$250K potential. Near Rosemary Beach, low-density west end. View Post.

🌊 $2.175M | Frisco, NC: Oceanview 8BD/6BA, 4,051 sqft home steps from the beach! Fully remodeled in 2024, $220K gross '24, $190K booked for '25. Game room, hot tub, pool, luxe furnishings. STR dream! View Post.

Together with Host Financial:

Unlock Airbnb Investment Success with Host Financial

Need a trusted STR lending partner to navigate today’s real estate market? Don’t settle for less—work with the best.

When it comes to short-term rental and Airbnb investing, your lender should be more than just a bank—they should be a strategic partner who gets the game.

That’s where Host Financial comes in. They focus exclusively on STRs and know this space inside and out. Whether you’re jumping on a discounted deal or pulling equity from an existing property, Host has the lending products and investor-friendly terms to help you move fast and smart.

In a shifting market, experience matters. Host Financial brings the knowledge, speed, and custom solutions that today’s STR investors need to stay ahead.

Work with a lender who speaks your financial language. Work with Host.

New Home Inventory Hits 17-Year High – What It Means for STR Investors 

🏡 Inventory Surge: New Home Supply at Highest Since 2007

What’s Happening:

The U.S. Census Bureau reports 490,000 new (construction) privately-owned homes were listed for sale in 2024—the highest level since the 2007 housing peak. This reflects a sharp rebound from the pandemic-era lows of 2020–2021, when supply dipped as low as 302,000 homes. The South leads the way with nearly 300,000 new homes for sale, while inventory in the West has also jumped to its highest since 2006.

Why It Matters:

Higher supply shifts the power dynamic from sellers to buyers—especially in short-term rental (STR) hotspots where oversupply could lead to softening prices. For STR investors, this uptick signals a crucial inflection point:

• Greater deal flow and negotiation leverage

• More price cuts and seller concessions

• Potential opportunity to lock in new construction inventory at below-market value

• There’s growing potential to purchase new home inventory at a lower cost per square foot than many older, dated homes on the market

How to Prepare:

• Start watching new build-heavy STR markets. Areas like Florida, Texas, and parts of the Southwest are showing strong inventory increases.

• Watch absorption rates. More supply doesn’t mean opportunity unless demand is keeping pace.

• Get prepped to buy. With interest rates stabilizing and more motivated sellers in the pipeline, buyers with cash or flexible financing stand to gain the most.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Historical Time Series on New Residential Construction. Data includes new, privately-owned residential housing units only. Existing homes are not included in the Survey of Construction.

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

🏘️ Airbnb Expands Strategic Partnerships: HotelTonight has launched a new discount program, offering Airbnb credits for hotel stays. This innovative approach demonstrates Airbnb's continued strategy of diversifying and interconnecting travel experiences. Airbnb Partnership

🏨 Short-Term Rental Landscape Continues to Evolve: Regulatory challenges and market maturation are creating new hurdles for STR operators. Local governments are increasingly implementing specific guidelines, requiring operators to stay agile and informed about changing landscape. STR Challenges

📍 Local Market Highlights: Michigan and Indiana see increased interest in Airbnb destinations, with specific counties appearing on more travelers' wish lists. This trend suggests nuanced regional variations in short-term rental appeal. Local Markets

🔍 Regulatory Landscape Shifts: State and local governments continue to develop and refine short-term rental regulations, presenting both challenges and opportunities for STR professionals. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for successful operation. STR Regulations

🏗️ New Construction Trends Reveal Market Complexities: Spec house inventory has jumped 34% year-over-year, with the Southern market seeing significant growth. Western regions are experiencing the highest new housing inventory since 2007, pointing to potential shifts in real estate investment strategies. Construction

🏘️ Housing Market Dynamics Shift as Prices Climb and Challenges Emerge: The latest Case-Shiller index reveals a continued upward trajectory in home prices, signaling resilience in the real estate market despite economic uncertainties. Analysts are closely watching how these trends might impact short-term rental investments and strategies. Prices

🌴 Florida Real Estate Market Echoes Past Volatility: Market analysts are drawing parallels between the current Florida housing landscape and the conditions preceding the Great Recession. This comparison raises critical questions for short-term rental investors about market stability and potential risks. Florida Market

🏠 Home Buyers Adopt Wait-and-See Strategy: Current market conditions show potential buyers holding off on purchases, anticipating lower prices, reduced interest rates, and improved income prospects. This trend could dramatically impact short-term rental and real estate investment strategies. Buyer Behavior

💼 Corporate Sentiment Turns Cautious as Recession Fears Grow: A recent CNBC survey of corporate CFOs suggests a pessimistic outlook, with many anticipating an economic downturn. Consumer confidence has hit a 12-year low, reflecting widespread economic anxiety that could potentially reshape travel and investment landscapes. Recession

🏦 Banking Sector Faces Unprecedented Challenges: The US is experiencing a series of bank closures in 2025, signaling potential instability in the financial sector. These closures could have significant implications for lending, real estate investments, and overall economic confidence. Bank Closures

🛒 Retail Giant Feels Consumer Confidence Squeeze: Walmart has experienced a significant $22 billion loss, reflecting the broader economic pressures on consumer spending. This downturn highlights the interconnected nature of retail performance and overall economic health. Walmart

💳 Financial Strain Impacts Consumer Behavior: Credit card debt continues to rise, with inflation putting significant pressure on American wallets. This economic stress could potentially impact travel and short-term rental booking patterns in the coming months. Debt Trends

🌊 Tourism Faces Localized Challenges: St. Augustine's tourism industry confronts uncertainty amid emerging travel advisories. Short-term rental operators must stay attuned to local market conditions and potential disruptions. Tourism Uncertainty

🏡 Vacation Home Market Shows Interesting Trends: Emerging reports highlight top vacation home markets for 2025, offering insights for potential investors and short-term rental entrepreneurs looking to expand their portfolios. Vacation Homes

🌐 Global Perspectives and Travel Insights: Tourism faces uncertainties with ongoing border challenges and travel advisories. STR professionals must remain adaptable and responsive to these dynamic global travel conditions. Tourism Trends

As we navigate these complex market dynamics, one thing remains clear: adaptability and strategic insight will be key to success in the short-term rental landscape. Stay tuned for more updates that could reshape your investment strategy.

📊 Weekly Housing & Economic Trends (Mar 24–28, 2025)

This week, the U.S. housing market faced headwinds from rising mortgage rates, while inventory levels and rental prices remained stable. On the economic front, job growth slowed, manufacturing showed signs of contraction, and hotter-than-expected core inflation rattled markets—dimming hopes for near-term Fed rate cuts.

🏡 Housing Market Trends

📅 Economic Calendar

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Mortgage Rates: Both 30-yr and 15-yr rates rose for a second straight week, tightening affordability.

• Builder Sentiment: The Housing Market Index ticked down to 41, a continued sign of builder caution.

• Permits Slip: A slight drop in building permits signals developer hesitation amid rate pressures.

• Job Market Cooling: Job growth slowed significantly (ADP +102K; NFP +132K), and jobless claims rose to 228K.

• Inflation Surprise: Core PCE rose 0.4% in February, above expectations, sparking a late-week market selloff.

📌 Market Outlook

With rates climbing and core inflation surprising to the upside, the Fed may delay rate cuts. Slower job growth and cooling manufacturing suggest economic momentum is fading—but policy tightening could linger if inflation stays sticky.

Sources: MBA, Realtor.com, U.S. Census, BLS, ISM, ADP, WSJ, Trading Economics

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