🔥 Top 10 Trending STR Homes for Sale

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Hello STR Scout Members,

Stay ahead in the STR market with this week’s insights and opportunities:

🔑 STR Classifieds: Explore Today’s Top 10 Trending STR Homes for Sale.

🔦 STR Spotlight: Showcase your STR to reach more buyers. Own the spotlight!

🏠 News Nuggets: All the trending Airbnb, Housing, and Economic News to stay ahead in today’s market.

Happy Scouting!

Andy Thoms
Editor, STR Scout

Put Your Vacation Home in Front of Millions (and Growing)

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What does this mean for you? 

A chance to get in front of guests where they’re looking to book, to fill your calendar, and to earn better revenue.

The battle for vacation rental bookings is fierce. Get more with Vacasa. 

Get your personalized income estimate.  

*Based on Key Data Q3/Q4 2023

📣 Own the Spotlight!
Feature your Airbnb home for sale here. Reach our community of 35,000+ Airbnb investors, buyers, and operators in each issue.

👉 Click Here to Own The Spotlight! 🔦

🏡 $420K | Okeechobee, FL: 2-unit STR with main house + 1BD, 1BA 700 sqft apartment. $70K revenue since late 2023. Hands-free management option available. View Post

🏔️ $525K | Lake Harmony, PA: 4BD, 2BA home in Lake Harmony Estates. Modern design, updated baths, 3 decks, corner lot. Walk to private beach. 4.93 Airbnb rating. View Post

🏞️ $590K | Blue Ridge, GA: 3BD, 2BA cabin on 2.05 acres with stunning mountain views. Features stone fireplace, hot tub, and gated community. No rental restrictions. View Post

🏞️ $600K | Smithville, TN: 4 tiny cabins + 3 RV sites near Center Hill Lake. Turn-key STR with $47K revenue (2024), projected $74K (2025). Room for expansion. View Post

🌲 $675K | Broken Bow, OK: 2BD, 3BA new build on 1.3 acres. Features king suites, game room, hot tub, and secluded location. Fully furnished. Active on Airbnb. View Post

🌴 $690K | Panama City Beach, FL: 4BD, 3BA home with beachy decor. Includes hot tub, game room, and fenced yard. Rental projections over $88K. Walk to beach access. View Post

🏡 $795K | Sarasota, FL: 4BD, 3BA mid-century modern home in Whitfield Estates. Heated saltwater pool, $110K rental income (2024), .44-acre lot. Turnkey STR. View Post

🏙️ $950K | Sacramento, CA: Cash-flowing STR with 2 units in Midtown. Top unit: 3BD, 2.5BA (2075 sqft). Bottom unit: 2BD, 1BA (1000 sqft). Prime location, fully furnished. View Post

🏞️ $1.95M | Sevierville, TN: 5BD, 6BA lakefront lodge on 1.82 acres. Features 3 fireplaces, game room, 2 kitchens, boat dock, hot tub, and stunning lake views. Turnkey STR. View Post

🏠 $5.2M | Davenport, FL: Package of 10 fully furnished townhomes near Disney. Includes 6 units (4BD, 4BA + den, pool) & 4 units (5BD, 4BA, pool). High STR potential. View Post

Need an STR Loan Quote? Vincent Jacobbi at Host Financial.

Mortgage Rate Watch: As of December 12, 2024, Freddie Mac reported the following average mortgage rates:

These rates have decreased for the third consecutive week, providing some relief for prospective homebuyers.

For the most competitive DSCR interest rates, contact our trusted partner Host Financial for a quick quote.

Short-Term Rental

🌋 Airbnb bubble concerns grow. Rising costs and regulatory challenges are leading some to question whether the STR boom is losing steam, with implications for hosts and travelers alike. Airbnb bubble

🏔️ Colorado debates stricter STR rules. Local councils across Colorado are reassessing short-term rental policies to balance resident concerns with tourism needs. Summit County is leading the charge in exploring impactful changes for the industry. Colorado STR regulation

🏘️ Europe pushes for fair STR laws. Airbnb advocates for balanced short-term rental policies across Europe, ensuring hosts and travelers benefit from affordable and accessible stays while addressing local concerns. Fair STR rules

🏅 Highlighting STR innovation. The Skift Short-Term Rental Awards celebrate 2024’s most impactful leaders and companies shaping the STR landscape with creativity and foresight. Skift STR finalists

🌐 Airbnb battles hotel unions. In New York, tensions between Airbnb and hotel unions highlight ongoing conflicts over regulations, labor impacts, and housing availability in key cities. Airbnb vs. unions

🏡 Santa Ana clamps down on STRs. Santa Ana, California, is moving forward with stricter regulations to address resident complaints and limit the rapid growth of STRs. Santa Ana crackdown

🌉 Marin County restricts STR licenses. New measures in Marin County aim to limit short-term rental licenses to address housing shortages and community concerns, potentially impacting rental availability. Marin County STR rules

🏚️ Cleaning fees drive travelers away. As STR cleaning fees rise, many loyal Airbnb users are opting for traditional hotels, raising questions about long-term affordability for STRs. STR cleaning fees

Housing

📉 Home prices to fall further. Analysts at Fannie Mae forecast sharper declines in U.S. housing prices, driven by persistent market corrections and affordability challenges. Fannie Mae forecast

📊 November housing inventory jumps. Home listings surged in November 2024, giving buyers more options in what has been a historically tight market. Housing inventory

🏠 Future housing trends evolve. Experts predict the U.S. housing market will remain soft through 2025, with affordability and interest rates playing key roles. Housing market forecast

🔮 2025 housing forecast. The U.S. housing market faces continued challenges, with affordability and demand stagnation likely to persist well into 2025. 2025 housing forecast

📉 Five types of homes facing declines. Analysts warn that vacation homes, luxury properties, and certain other categories may see significant price corrections. At-risk housing types

📊 Real estate investment grows. Institutional investors are increasing allocations to real estate, citing its resilience and long-term growth potential amidst market volatility. Real estate investment

🛠️ Build-to-rent trend expands. Developers are capitalizing on the growing demand for rental properties, with build-to-rent projects gaining momentum nationwide. Build-to-rent market

Economy

💵 Inflation persists into 2024. Core inflation metrics show steady increases month-to-month, keeping economic pressures high despite cooling elsewhere. Inflation trends

🔥 CPI inflation accelerates again. Core inflation climbed for the fourth consecutive month, reflecting persistent pressures across sectors. CPI inflation

💡 Expert strategies for hedging investments. Financial experts highlight innovative ways to hedge against market risks, including alternative investments like real estate and Bitcoin. Investment hedging

Destinations

🌴 Panama shines for expats. Affordable costs, beautiful landscapes, and a welcoming culture have earned Panama the title of 2025’s best retirement destination. Panama retirement

🏄 El Salvador gains attention. Known for its surf towns and cultural richness, El Salvador is quickly becoming a favorite for travelers seeking hidden gems. El Salvador attractions

📷 Caribbean tourism on the rise. Islands like Grenada and Saint Kitts are seeing increased interest, driven by eco-conscious travel trends and luxury demand. Caribbean travel

🏖️ Boca Grande’s exclusive allure. This serene Florida island, loved by the rich and famous, offers tranquility and a taste of old-world luxury, making it a coveted escape. Boca Grande highlights

✈️ Best countries for American expats. A new report ranks the top destinations for U.S. expats in 2025, with Panama and Portugal among the standouts. Expat destinations

🌐 Detour travel trends rise. Travelers are increasingly seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations, prioritizing unique and less crowded experiences. Travel trends

🎿 Vail Resorts reports pass drop. Fewer Epic Pass purchases this year are raising concerns for the broader ski industry’s profitability. Ski trends

🍷 Historic Panama’s appeal grows. Casco Antiguo, with its vibrant streets and gourmet dining, continues to draw attention from travelers and investors alike. Casco Antiguo highlights

🛍️ Luxury resorts planned for Deer Valley. New developments in Deer Valley promise to elevate the area’s appeal with upscale accommodations and experiences. Deer Valley luxury