🔥 Top 10 Trending STR Homes for Sale

Hello STR Scout Members,

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

🔑 STR Classifieds: Explore the Top 10 Trending STR Homes for Sale.

👁️ Boost Your Bookings: With 45 million monthly views, you get unmatched visibility to get more reservations.

🔦 STR Spotlight: A rare turnkey gem just hit the market in Gatlinburg. Ready to elevate to elite STR status?

🏠 News Nuggets: Trending Airbnb, Housing, and Economy News.

Happy Scouting!

Andy Thoms
Editor, STR Scout

Get Your Vacation Home in Front of Millions More (and counting) 

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Vacasa.

It’s no secret: Vacasa outbooks competitors in 92% of the markets we serve.* 

But how do we do that? 

The short answer: We own and operate the largest direct booking website—Vacasa.com. 

Our secret weapon: Vacasa.com data from over 45 million site visits a year. 

Because we own and operate Vacasa.com, we gather and use all of the booking data to our owner’s advantage. We know details like:

• When guests are booking

• What amenities they search for

• How long they want to stay

• How much they’re willing to pay

• When they’re most likely to rebook

We then use that information to market our owner’s vacation homes the right way, at the right time, and to the right people—earning owners 33% more bookings than the competition on average.*

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

Top-Performing Turn-Key STR Gem in Gatlinburg!

🏡 $900K | Gatlinburg, TN: A must see. Stunning 3br + bunkroom, 3ba cabin, designed for maximum rental income and guest satisfaction.

• Consistently generates over $100,000 in annual rental income.

• Professionally designed with luxury furnishings, 5-star ratings on Airbnb & VRBO.

• Outdoor oasis: grassy yard, firepit, hot tub, and games.

• Conveniently located just 6 minutes to Great Smoky Mountain National Park and 12 minutes to downtown Gatlinburg.

Airbnb Link
STR Homes for Sale Post Details
For Sale By Owner: John Hayes
Text or Call for Property Details: (850) 375-4113

🏕️ $224K | Coldspring, TX: 1BD, 1BA luxury container home with 45'x12' RV pad near Lake Livingston. Quartz countertops, massive deck, and pavilion with mini kitchen. View Post

🏙️ $285K | Chattanooga, TN: 2BD, 1BA STR in downtown. 825 sqft, fenced backyard, hardwood floors, and $40K+/yr income with transferable permit. Walkable location. View Post

⛳ $349K | San Antonio, TX: 4BD, 2BA STR near Riverside Golf Course and Mission Trails. Fully furnished, smart home features, putting green, and dual rental options. View Post

🏞️ $470K | Murchison, TX: Fully renovated 3BD, 2BA lakefront home with 100ft pier. New HVAC, roof, windows, and more. Projected $64K/yr STR income. 1.5 hrs from DFW. View Post

🌳 $636K | Candler, NC: 3BD, 3BA home with 2544 sqft on 2.7 acres near Pisgah National Forest. Ideal STR or retreat, 15 min to Blue Ridge Parkway. Private and serene. View Post

🏡 $725K | Lampe, MO: 6 A-frame cabins on 1.6 acres near Table Rock Lake. 5 remodeled, nightly rental eligible, pool, and laundry. Expansion potential. View Post

🎬 $850K | Gatlinburg, TN: 3BD, 2.5BA new construction with 2570 sqft. Two decks, game/theater room, and projected $100K+/yr income. 10 min to downtown. View Post

🌲 $900K | Gatlinburg, TN: 3BD, 3BA + bunkroom STR grossing $100K+/yr. Luxury design, game room, hot tub, firepit, and 6 min to Smoky Mountains. Sleeps 12. View Post

🏔️ $1.15M | Coram, MT: 2BD, 2BA condo near Glacier National Park. 1337 sqft, turn-key STR with hot tub, garage game room, luxury finishes, and mountain views. View Post

🌊 $1.35M | Kitty Hawk, NC: 4BD, 4.5BA home with pool, hot tub, ocean views, and rec room. Steps to beach, $123K rental potential, and fully furnished. View Post

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

Short Term Rental

🌟 Airbnb’s Brian Chesky is shaking things up. In a revealing interview, the CEO candidly discussed plans to make Airbnbs more affordable by cutting excessive fees and focusing on affordability. With travelers increasingly critical of high costs, Airbnb’s strategy seems poised to regain its competitive edge in the short-term rental market. interview

💸 Sticker shock might be steering travelers away. A recent analysis revealed that some U.S. cities impose the highest Airbnb fees, turning potential stays into pricy endeavors. Travelers are now weighing alternatives more carefully, sparking conversations about pricing transparency in the industry. fees

🏗️ STR markets could see growth where affordability improves. Industry experts suggest that the best markets for short-term rentals in 2024 might emerge in areas experiencing new construction growth. Tapping into this trend could provide opportunities for hosts willing to pivot to new destinations. construction growth

🌟 Why Are Airbnb and Vrbo Ratings So High? A culture of politeness and pressure fuels the glowing reviews. Hosts urge guests to address complaints privately, while guests often hesitate to critique publicly. This feedback loop inflates ratings, making transparency a challenge. star ratings

Housing

🏘️ Home prices might keep sliding, but not too far. Fannie Mae now expects sharper declines in U.S. home prices than previously forecasted, but a major correction is still unlikely. Tighter lending and affordability challenges are nudging buyers to stay cautious. forecasted

📉 2025 could bring a breath of relief to housing markets. Zillow predicts mortgage rates might finally ease, providing an opportunity for buyers to re-enter the market. Construction activity and investor purchases are also setting the stage for moderate market gains. Zillow

💡 Affordability challenges persist despite optimistic forecasts. Moody’s reports that even as the market stabilizes, affordability remains a key barrier for buyers, particularly in high-demand urban areas. Policymakers may need to step in to address this long-term issue. affordability

🎰 Investors are betting big on Las Vegas. The city saw over $1 billion in real estate investments last year, signaling confidence in its growth potential. With affordability challenges elsewhere, investor interest may reshape Las Vegas’ housing landscape. investments

📈 Modest housing gains might be on the horizon. Redfin’s predictions for 2025 suggest a steady recovery in the housing market, with slight price increases across most regions. Buyers and sellers alike are watching for this cautious uptick. predictions

🏡 Low-cost homes are harder to find. Redfin reports dwindling inventory for budget-friendly homes, making the dream of homeownership increasingly out of reach for many Americans. The gap is widening, especially in areas where demand exceeds supply. inventory

Economy

📊 The Fed’s pivot is catching eyes. With job markets showing renewed strength, the Federal Reserve is slowing its rate-cutting plans. This cautious approach reflects hopes of balancing growth without reigniting inflation fears. pivot

🛍️ Why is full employment not easing wallets? Experts argue that while the job market looks robust, rising living costs are stretching incomes thin. The paradox reflects deeper economic shifts, leaving families to navigate high prices despite pay raises. paradox

🌐 Boom and bust cycles may be behind us. BlackRock reports that the global economy is settling into a more stable rhythm, marking an end to the wild fluctuations of past decades. This shift could foster steadier growth opportunities across industries. stability

🤖 AI is taking the stock market by storm. Investors are rallying around AI companies, betting big on their transformative potential. As this technology reshapes industries, it’s becoming a lucrative area for savvy market players. betting

Destinations & Travel

✈️ Belize is tightening its entry rules. Starting in 2025, U.S. travelers will need a special travel authorization before visiting this tropical gem. While the new requirement raises eyebrows, Belize aims to streamline arrivals and ensure security. authorization

🏖️ When’s the Best Time to Visit Tulum? For sunny skies and fewer crowds, head to Tulum between November and December. This sweet spot offers ideal weather before peak tourist season kicks in, while avoiding the rainier summer months. Tulum