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STR deals are surfacing—be ready to act fast.

Get Pre-Approved for Your STR DSCR Loan Now

Florida’s housing inventory is surging, top STR deals are dropping, and new Airbnb trends are reshaping the market. Stay ahead with the latest insights and opportunities.

In this issue:

🔥 STR Classifieds – 20 trending STR homes for sale, price cuts, mountain escapes, and turnkey STR deals (on and off market!).
📈 Florida’s Inventory Surge – What it means for STR buyers and sellers.
🚨 STR Trending News Nuggets – Airbnb’s "soft travel" trend is booming, where major STR regulations impacting key markets, and much more.
🏡 Housing & Economic Report – Mortgage rate swings, consumer confidence drops, and what’s next for U.S. housing inventory.

More STR deals (everywhere) are hitting the market every day! Investors who get pre-approved for DSCR financing are locking in prime opportunities before they’re gone.

Let’s dive in!

— The STR Scout Team

📢 More STR Deals Are Hitting the Market—Here’s How to Get Ahead

More STR Deals Are Hitting the Market—Here’s How to Get Ahead

Inventory is rising, price cuts are rising, and motivated sellers are looking for serious buyers.

The best deals don’t go to the highest bidder—they go to the buyer who’s ready to close.

🔹 Sellers want certainty. A strong offer isn’t just about price—it’s about showing you can close quickly.
🔹 Pre-approval puts you in control. It removes financing delays and signals to sellers that you’re serious.
🔹 Leverage matters. The better your financing, the stronger your negotiation position.

Host Financial specializes in helping STR investors move fast.

✅ No tax returns or income verification required—they actually understand STR income.
✅ Pre-approval in 60 seconds—no credit pull, no waiting.
✅ They work exclusively with STR investors—so they know exactly what you need.

📢 If you're planning to buy, it’s worth getting pre-approved now. Even if you don’t buy today, it puts you in a stronger position when the right deal shows up.

🌲 $140K | East Hickory, PA: 2BD, 1BA renovated cabin near Tionesta. New plumbing, insulation, and flooring. Large deck, wood stove, and close to boating and kayaking. View Post

🌴 $319K | St. Augustine, FL: 1.5 blocks from the beach. Turnkey STR with $40K income. Furnished, hot tub, fire pit, and lush outdoor space. Low monthly costs. View Post

🔨 $375K | Pocono Lake, PA: 5BD home in Locust Lake Village. Successful STR with strong rental history. Opportunity for higher revenue with updates. View Post

🔨 $380K | Morganton, GA: 3BD, 3BA cabin on 1.15 acres in Maple Grove. Rustic style with hardwood floors, three decks, and STR potential. Needs TLC. Motivated seller. View Post

🐻 $390K | Sevierville, TN: Studio-style cabin near a hidden pond. $41K gross in 2024. King bed, fireplace, hot tub, and private deck. Minutes from Pigeon Forge. View Post

🏡 $398K | Kewadin, MI: 3BD, 3BA fully renovated home near Torch Lake. STR permit secured. New kitchen, appliances, bunk room, hot tub, and fire pit. Move-in ready. View Post

🏡 $425K | Pocono Pines, PA: 3BD, 2BA renovated home in Lake Naomi. High ceilings, skylights, pellet stove, and updated kitchen. Fully furnished. STR potential. View Post

🏡 $510K | Bandera, TX: Income-producing Airbnb on 1+ acre with 2 RV hookups. No HOA. Remodeled home with pool, garden beds, fruit trees, and chicken coop. View Post

⛷️ $530K | Virgil, NY: 4-unit STR near ski resort. $80K gross (2024-25). Fully furnished. Year-round rental demand with hiking, biking, and lake activities. HOA included. View Post

🌲 $600K | Sevierville, TN: 3BD, 2.5BA ranch on a creek. Active STR with rustic charm, game room, hot tub, fire pit, and fenced yard. New HVAC (2023). View Post

🏡 $625K | Long Pond, PA: 7BD, 3BA renovated STR on 1.34 acres. $142K revenue in 2024. Theater/game room, hot tub, and access to pools, lakes, and sports courts. View Post

🌴 $815K | Indio, CA: 4BD turnkey STR near Coachella. $78K actual income, $90K-$120K potential. Seller financing available. Opportunity to enhance revenue. View Post

⛰️ $825K | Blue Ridge, GA: 3BD, 3BA cabin in ASKA Adventure Area. Mountain views, hot tub, fire pit, stone fireplace, and garage. Strong STR potential. View Post

🏔️ $875K | Fairplay, CO: 3BD, 2BA turnkey STR with stunning Mt. Silverheels views. Sleeps 6-8. $72K gross in 2025. Strong remote management team. Off-market deal. View Post

🌊 $899K | Key Colony, FL: 2BD, 2BA renovated waterfront home. New kitchen, floors, impact windows. Direct ocean and gulf access. High STR occupancy with 5-star reviews. View Post

🚤 $925K | Branson, MO: 9BD STR on Table Rock Lake with boat slip lease. $100K+ annual revenue, $63K booked for 2024. Community pools, playgrounds, lake access. Turnkey. View Post

🌲 $950K | Sevierville, TN: 2 luxury treehouses on 3 acres. Sleeps 8. Hot tubs, fire pit, arcade, frisbee golf. $30K+ gross (Q4 2024). 5 miles to Gatlinburg. View Post

🌴 $950K | Cape Coral, FL: 3BD, 2.5BA Gulf-access pool home. Modern design with high-end finishes, outdoor kitchen, and heated saltwater pool. Turnkey option available. View Post

🚤 $1.3M | Seneca, SC: 5BD, 4BA turnkey STR on Lake Keowee. 3500 sqft with covered dock. $130K+ projected income. Fully furnished. Seller financing available. View Post

🏡 $2.2M | Candler, NC: 7BD, 6BA estate on 10+ acres. Main home + 3BD guest house. Luxury kitchen, stone fireplace, sunroom, and mountain views. STR potential. View Post

STR Investors Alert: Florida’s Housing Inventory Just Hit a Record High

Florida’s real estate market is shifting in a big way. According to Redfin, the Sunshine State now has more homes for sale than ever before. This is a critical moment for both current short-term rental (STR) investors and those looking to break into the market.

What does this mean for your STR strategy? Let’s dive into the numbers and the takeaways.

Florida's Housing Inventory Hits Record High

Florida has seen an increase of 30% in active listings year-over-year, a trend not seen in over a decade. The surge in inventory is happening in nearly every major market, including Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, as well as vacation rental hotspots like the Panhandle, Sarasota, and Naples.

A few factors are fueling this shift:

• High Mortgage Rates – The cost of borrowing remains elevated, slowing down buyer demand.

• Homeowners Cashing Out – Many owners who saw huge appreciation over the past few years are now looking to sell.

• STR Investors Re-Evaluating Holdings – A cooling market, rising operating costs, and stricter regulations have some vacation rental owners opting to exit.

More Supply, Softer Prices—A Buying Opportunity?

With supply outpacing demand, price reductions are becoming common across Florida. Redfin’s data shows that over 40% of listings in some areas have seen price cuts. For STR investors, this could signal a rare buying window—especially for cash buyers who can avoid high mortgage rates.

What This Means for Current STR Owners

If you already own an STR in Florida, here’s what to consider:

• Increased Competition – More homes on the market mean more potential STRs, increasing competition for bookings.

• Adjust Pricing and Marketing – Dynamic pricing is more critical than ever. Position your STR effectively to stay competitive.

• Hold vs. Sell? – If you’re thinking of selling, be prepared for longer days on market and possible price reductions. If holding, focus on optimizing revenue and cutting unnecessary costs.

For Investors Looking to Buy

If you’ve been waiting for a better entry point into the Florida STR market, this could be it. Key strategies:

• Look for Motivated Sellers – Many owners are pricing aggressively to sell quickly.

• Analyze STR Demand Trends – Not all Florida markets are cooling equally. Areas with strong tourism demand and limited STR regulations (like certain zones in Orlando or the Panhandle) may hold up better.

• Leverage Cash – In a higher-rate environment, cash buyers have leverage to negotiate better deals.

• Get Pre-Approved – Get your STR loan pre-approval done today so you can shop with confidence and negotiate winning offers.

Bottom Line: A Market Shift With STR Implications

Florida’s housing market is shifting from the frenzy of 2021-22 to a more balanced (or even buyer-favored) market. For STR investors, this means opportunity—but also the need for strategic thinking. Whether you’re holding, selling, or buying, staying ahead of market trends and adjusting your approach is key.

For the full Redfin report and detailed data, check out the original article here: Redfin Report

🌿 Airbnb's latest trend report reveals travelers are embracing "soft travel" this spring. The platform has seen a 85% increase in searches for "slow travel" as guests prioritize relaxation over packed itineraries. Additionally, travelers are increasingly seeking authentic local experiences and wellness-focused amenities, with searches for "hammocks" and "heated pools" rising significantly as people look to unwind during their stays.

🏖️ Siesta Beach in Florida has been named the best beach in the United States by Tripadvisor. The Sarasota County destination topped the travel platform's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards, earning praise for its powder-white sand composed of 99% pure quartz. This recognition comes as Florida's coastal areas continue to draw visitors despite rising costs in popular vacation spots.

🌴 Florida's housing market has reached a concerning milestone with inventory hitting record highs. The number of homes for sale in the Sunshine State has reached a new peak, with active listings up 52.8% from last year and 31.4% from pre-pandemic levels. This surge in supply is particularly pronounced in coastal areas like Miami and Tampa, where inventory has more than doubled.

👥 Purchasing a vacation home with friends offers advantages but comes with potential pitfalls. While co-ownership can make luxury properties more accessible by splitting costs, experts recommend creating formal agreements that address usage rights, maintenance responsibilities, and exit strategies. Without proper planning, these arrangements can strain relationships when conflicts arise over property decisions.

🔍 Missoula is beginning to see the effects of its new short-term rental regulations. Since implementing stricter rules on January 1, the Montana city has received 118 applications for short-term rental permits, with officials approving 92 so far. The new regulations aim to preserve housing for residents by limiting short-term rentals to the owner's primary residence or an accessory dwelling unit, with the city planning to study these impacts over the next year.

🏙️ Birmingham is considering new regulations for short-term rentals amid growing concerns. The Alabama city's Planning and Zoning Committee is evaluating potential rules after receiving complaints about noise, trash, and parking issues related to these properties. Officials are weighing both the economic benefits of tourism against neighborhood preservation as they craft regulations that could include licensing requirements and operational restrictions.

🌊 Cocoa Beach has significantly increased fees for short-term rental properties. The Florida coastal community has raised annual registration fees from $150 to $450 per unit, with a $100 late payment penalty. City officials justified the increase by citing the need to cover administrative costs associated with enforcing the city's short-term rental ordinance.

🏛️ Austin's short-term rental rules could face changes during the upcoming Texas legislative session. As lawmakers prepare to convene, industry advocates and opponents are mobilizing around potential changes to regulations. Previous legislative attempts to limit local control over short-term rentals have failed, but supporters believe the political climate may now favor less restrictive regulations.

⛰️ Colorado is conducting a comprehensive study on short-term rentals to guide future regulations. The state's Department of Local Affairs is examining how these properties affect housing availability and community character across different regions. With municipalities taking varied approaches to regulation, from outright bans to permissive policies, this study aims to provide data-driven insights for more effective governance.

⚠️ The U.S. State Department has issued new travel advisories for several popular vacation destinations. Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas all received Level 3 advisories, urging Americans to "reconsider travel" due to crime concerns. These warnings come during peak travel season, potentially impacting tourism to these destinations.

🏔️ The Indy Pass, offering affordable access to independent ski resorts, is now available for the 2025-2026 season. Priced at $399 for adults, the pass provides two days of skiing at each of its 130+ participating resorts, averaging less than $60 per day. With no blackout dates on the standard pass, this option presents significant savings for skiers looking for alternatives to major resort conglomerates.

📉 New home sales fell sharply in January, dropping 4.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 661,000 units. This decline exceeded economists' expectations and indicates potential softening in the housing market despite recent mortgage rate decreases. The unexpected drop occurred across all four regions of the country, with the largest decline of 44.6% in the Northeast.

🏗️ The inventory of new houses for sale has reached its highest level since 2007. With 9.5 months of supply available, builders are increasingly offering incentives like mortgage rate buydowns and price cuts to attract buyers. This growing inventory suggests a significant shift toward a buyer's market as construction continues to outpace demand.

🔑 America's new home inventory has reached levels not seen since the 2008 housing crash. With nearly 467,000 new homes on the market, supply has surged to 9.5 months' worth, well above the balanced market threshold of 6 months. This oversupply is forcing builders to offer generous incentives as they compete for a limited pool of potential buyers.

🏢 Despite mortgage rates falling to their lowest level since mid-December, housing demand remains sluggish. Rates for 30-year fixed mortgages dropped to 6.92%, yet mortgage applications increased just 1% for the week. This tepid response suggests factors beyond interest rates, such as high home prices and economic uncertainty, continue to suppress buyer activity.

💲 Fannie Mae has updated its 2025 mortgage rate forecast with surprising optimism. The government-sponsored enterprise now predicts 30-year fixed mortgage rates will average 6.3% for the year, down from earlier projections of 6.8%. This revised outlook reflects changing expectations about Federal Reserve policy and could provide relief for potential homebuyers waiting for more affordable financing options.

📊 Home sales forecasts have been updated with surprising changes that could benefit buyers. Experts now predict mortgage rates will fall faster than previously expected, potentially dropping below 6% by year-end. Combined with moderating price growth and increasing inventory, these conditions suggest a significant shift toward a more balanced housing market.

🏘️ The once-bright new construction sector of the housing market is rapidly losing momentum. New home sales dropped 4.5% in January, despite builders offering significant incentives. This cooling trend reflects increasing competition from existing homes and buyer hesitation in the face of persistently high housing costs, suggesting the new home market's role as a housing supply safety valve may be diminishing.

📈 Millennial home buyers now have a major advantage in the housing market. With inventory levels rising significantly, buyers under 45 are finding more options and negotiating power than in previous years. This demographic shift coincides with growing affordability challenges, as the combination of high prices and interest rates has stretched many young buyers' budgets.

🏡 The U.S. housing market is increasingly favoring buyers as inventory grows and price cuts become more common. February data shows a 28.9% year-over-year increase in active listings nationally, with 14.2% of homes experiencing price reductions. This trend is particularly evident in Florida, Texas, and Colorado, where the supply of available homes has surged over the past year.

🏷️ Home sellers are slashing prices as February inventory continues to climb. Nearly one in seven U.S. homes for sale experienced a price cut last month, as listings increased by 28.9% compared to last year. This shift toward a buyer's market is most pronounced in previously hot markets like Austin and Phoenix, where inventory has more than doubled.

📅 Weekly housing trends show steady improvement in market conditions for buyers. New listings were up 15.8% year-over-year for the week ending February 22, marking the fourth consecutive week of double-digit growth. Meanwhile, median listing prices grew at a moderate 1.1%, significantly slower than the 7.2% pace seen in February 2024.

📝 February housing data reveals a market in transition with increasing options for buyers. The month saw active inventory rise 28.9% year-over-year nationally, while the typical home spent 69 days on market, five days longer than last year. These trends, combined with moderating price growth of just 1.5% annually, suggest the market is finding a more sustainable balance.

🌇 Austin's housing market is showing signs of stabilization after years of extreme volatility. Local experts predict modest price growth of 2-3% in 2025, as inventory levels normalize and the frenzied pandemic-era market conditions fade. This more balanced environment is allowing buyers more time to make decisions and the ability to include contingencies in offers once again, a significant change from recent years.

🌊 South Florida's real estate market is experiencing a significant shift with luxury condo sales plummeting. January saw a 40% drop in Miami-Dade County condo sales compared to the previous year, with high-end properties particularly affected. This cooling trend follows years of explosive growth during the pandemic and represents a return to more normal market conditions.

🏦 Global policymakers are increasingly concerned about commercial real estate risks to financial stability. With property valuations down 20-30% from peak levels and $2.2 trillion in loans coming due in the next two years, central bankers are monitoring potential ripple effects through the banking system. The market's stress is particularly acute in the office sector, where remote work has fundamentally changed demand patterns.

📊 Weekly Housing & Economic Trends (Feb 28, 2025)

This week, mortgage rates declined, potentially improving affordability. Economic indicators presented a mixed outlook, with manufacturing activity rebounding while consumer confidence dipped.

🏡 Housing Market Trends

Data sourced from recent housing market analyses.

📅 Economic Calendar

Data compiled from recent economic reports.

🔍 Key Takeaway:

• The decline in mortgage rates to 6.59% offers potential relief for homebuyers, possibly stimulating demand in the coming months.

• However, falling consumer confidence and economic uncertainty may temper any significant rebound in the housing market.

• Consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months.

• Monitoring interest rate movements and labor market trends will be key in the coming weeks.

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