🔥 Top 10 Unique STR Homes for Sale

^{TOGETHER WITH:}

Is your STR asset really protected? Compare your policy and premium with Steadily today. Get a fast and easy quote today.

Hello STR Scout Members,

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

🔑 STR Classifieds: 10 Unique Airbnbs: “A” frame, Treehouse, Church, or Historic Mansion?

🏠 News Nuggets: The latest trending Airbnb, housing, and economy news.

📣 On-The-Move: Here’s where Expats and STR investors are moving overseas.

Happy Scouting!

Andy Thoms
Editor, STR Scout

🏡 $649K | Sevierville, TN: Stunning 2BD/2BA new-construction A-Frame cabin, 1,200 sqft. Bright open living, wall of windows, luxury finishes, and serene wooded views. Ready Dec 2024. Unique design—don’t miss out! View Post

🌲 $599k| Sevierville, TN: Must see! Unique 1BD/1BA treehouse with loft in the Smokies. 922 sqft of charm, perfect for STR. One of only 3 available—standout investment opportunity! Don’t miss this rare gem! View Post

🏜️ $1.095M | Yucca Valley, CA: The Alchemist Retreat—1BD/1BA industrial-modern home on 2+ acres. Airbnb top 5% performer with 200+ 5-star reviews. Stunning desert views, Tesla charger, solar, hot tub, and luxe design. View Post

🏡 $248,750 | Pensacola, FL: 1BD/1BA cottage in Navy Point, STR-friendly with no HOA! Recent updates: roof, septic, and more. 0% seller financing, $1K+ cash flow potential. Prime location near beaches & downtown! View Post

🌅 $650K | SW Michigan: Unique STR—renovated turn-of-the-century church + charming cottage. Near beaches, St. Joseph, and South Haven. $100K+ annual income with growth potential. Stunning architecture! View Post

🌄 $849K | Wears Valley, TN: Upscale 3BD/4BA cabin on 1 acre with stunning mountain views. Furnished, bonus 4-car garage converted to bunk/game room. Walk to Smoky Mountain trails. STR potential! View Post

🏰 $1.65M | Jacksonville, IL: Restored 7-suite, 10BA mansion on 1.08 acres. Ideal for B&B, weddings, or event space. Near town square, golf, lakes. Huge income potential with endless possibilities! View Post

🐴 $975K | East Lyme, CT: Luxurious 5BD/4BA home on 7.27 acres with horse pasture, barn, pool, and firepit. Primary suite with spa-like bath, chef’s kitchen, and serene outdoor spaces. A private retreat! View Post

🏡 $475K | Tamworth, NH: Like-new 3BD/2BA home on 1.02 acres near White Lake State Park. Open layout, pellet stove, private hot tub, EV charger, metal roof. Direct trail access for year-round outdoor fun! View Post

🌲 $299K | Tobyhanna, PA: Turnkey 3BD/1.5BA cabin near Mt. Pocono. Fully operational rental with 16 Airbnb reviews (Top 10% rated). Strong rental history, fully furnished, ready to go! Ideal 1031 exchange. View Post

Airbnb

🏛️ Airbnb's Gladiator Experience at the Colosseum Faces Backlash. Airbnb's $1.5 million partnership with Rome's Colosseum to offer staged gladiator experiences has sparked controversy. Critics argue it commercializes a historic site and exacerbates issues like overtourism and housing affordability. Read more

💼 Airbnb Aims for Record Revenue Amid Regulatory Challenges. Despite increasing regulatory pressures, Airbnb is projected to achieve over $11 billion in revenue for 2024. The company faces scrutiny over its impact on housing markets in tourist-heavy cities, leading to varied regulations across countries. Read more

🎉 Homeowner's Short-Term Rental Turns into 'Megamansion Party House.' A California homeowner's property was transformed into a "megamansion party house" by tenants, resulting in approximately $100,000 in damages. The incident underscores the risks of short-term rentals and highlights the importance of thorough tenant vetting. Read more

✊ Protests Against Airbnb in Milan and Florence. Residents in Milan and Florence are protesting Airbnb's influence on local housing, vandalizing key boxes and advocating for fewer short-term rentals. They claim platforms like Airbnb drive up rents and displace residents, prompting calls for stricter regulations. Read more

🤝 Airbnb Launches Co-Host Network to Manage Properties. Airbnb has introduced a "co-host network" in ten countries, including the U.S., enlisting 10,000 experienced hosts to manage properties for owners unable to do so themselves. This initiative aims to simplify hosting and expand accommodation offerings. Read more

🏘️ Barcelona Plans to Ban Short-Term Rentals by 2028. Barcelona officials intend to ban all short-term tourist apartment rentals by 2028 to address the city's housing crisis. The move aims to curb rising rental and housing costs attributed to the tourism boom. Read more

🏔️ Chamonix Implements Regulations on Tourist Rentals. The French Alpine resort of Chamonix is introducing regulations to limit short-term tourist rentals, aiming to increase affordable housing for locals and seasonal workers. Starting May 2025, properties offered for short-term rental must be registered and authorized by the commune. Read more

🏡 Airbnb's Impact on Housing Markets Under Scrutiny. Airbnb's influence on housing markets is facing increased scrutiny, with critics arguing that short-term rentals contribute to housing shortages and rising rents in popular tourist destinations. This has led to protests and calls for stricter regulations in various cities. Read more

📋 Strategies for Success in the Short-Term Rental Market. Experts emphasize the importance of thorough tenant vetting, clear rental agreements, and regular property inspections to mitigate risks associated with short-term rentals. Implementing these strategies can help property owners protect their investments and maintain positive guest experiences. Read more

📈 Airbnb's Financial Performance and Market Position. Airbnb continues to dominate the short-term rental market, with projections indicating significant revenue growth despite regulatory challenges. The company's ability to adapt to changing market conditions and implement innovative solutions contributes to its strong market position. Read more

Housing

🏠 Housing Inventory Hits Record Lows Amid Rising Mortgage Rates. The number of homes available for sale in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level in decades, exacerbated by high mortgage rates keeping homeowners from selling. Experts warn that the lack of inventory could further inflate home prices. Read more

📊 New Home Construction Fails to Offset Inventory Shortage. While homebuilders have increased activity, new construction remains insufficient to address the severe shortage in housing inventory. This imbalance continues to leave many buyers competing for limited options. Read more

💡 Housing Experts Call for Policy Interventions to Boost Inventory. Economists suggest measures like zoning reform and tax incentives to encourage housing development and ease inventory constraints. Without intervention, the market's affordability crisis could deepen further. Read moreU.S. Economy

🏠 U.S. Housing Market Faces Challenges Amid High Mortgage Rates. Rising mortgage rates, currently near 8%, are slowing down the housing market as affordability continues to be a major concern for first-time homebuyers. This has led to a significant drop in home sales nationwide and increased demand for rentals. Read more

📉 Homebuilder Confidence Drops for Fourth Consecutive Month. Confidence among U.S. homebuilders hit its lowest point in a year, reflecting concerns about high interest rates and declining buyer traffic. Industry leaders warn that without rate cuts, new housing starts may stagnate further. Read more

🏢 Major U.S. Cities See Sharp Decline in Apartment Construction. Cities like Los Angeles and Chicago report a 20% drop in new apartment projects, driven by rising construction costs and labor shortages. Experts predict this trend will worsen the rental supply crunch over the next few years. Read more 

Economy

💰 Federal Reserve Hints at Possible Pause in Rate Hikes. In its latest statement, the Federal Reserve signaled it may hold interest rates steady as inflation shows signs of slowing. Officials emphasize a cautious approach to avoid over-tightening and harming economic recovery. Read more

📉 Fed Faces Balancing Act Amid Slowing Economy. The Federal Reserve is navigating pressures from high inflation and slowing economic growth. Analysts suggest that further rate hikes could exacerbate the slowdown, while easing too soon risks reigniting inflation. Read more

🏦 Regional Banks Push Back Against Fed’s Regulatory Changes. Smaller banks are raising concerns about the Federal Reserve’s proposed stricter capital requirements, arguing that the rules could stifle lending and hurt local economies. The Fed asserts that the changes are necessary to bolster financial stability. Read more

📉 U.S. Economy Shows Signs of Slowing Growth. Recent data indicates a cooling economy, with retail sales falling and industrial production slowing in October. Economists attribute the trend to high interest rates and inflation, signaling potential challenges ahead. Read more

📈 Consumer Confidence Declines as Economic Uncertainty Looms. U.S. consumer confidence dipped in November, reflecting concerns about inflation and job security. Analysts note that weakening consumer sentiment could impact holiday spending and broader economic growth. Read more

💼 Job Market Resilience Faces Pressure from Rising Layoffs. While unemployment remains low, several major companies, particularly in tech and finance, have announced layoffs. This trend may challenge the labor market's resilience as the Federal Reserve maintains high interest rates. Read more 

Expats on the Move: Post-Election Surge in Overseas Living and Investing

With the election behind us, more Americans are exploring opportunities to live, work, play, and invest overseas, seeking destinations where they can enhance their quality of life while enjoying a lower cost of living. Whether it’s a second home, a new career chapter abroad, or a shift in lifestyle, the trend toward expanding horizons internationally is growing. Here’s a look at recent insights and trending destinations for expats:

Here are recent developments relevant to expatriates:

📈 Surge in Americans Considering Relocation Post-Election
Following the recent presidential election, immigration attorneys report a significant increase in inquiries from Americans exploring relocation options abroad. This trend has renewed interest in global housing markets and expatriate communities worldwide. Read more

🏙️ Top Cities for American Expats
A recent survey highlights the top 10 cities favored by American expatriates, considering factors like quality of life, cost of living, and ease of settling in. The list includes cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, reflecting diverse preferences among expats. Read more

🏡 Ideal Locations for Second Homes Abroad
For those contemplating purchasing a second home overseas, certain locations stand out for their affordability, safety, and lifestyle offerings. Countries like Panama, Mexico, and Indonesia are noted for their favorable conditions for foreign property ownership. Read more

💼 Tech Professionals Returning to India to Launch Startups
A growing number of Indian tech professionals are leaving high-paying jobs in Silicon Valley to start their own companies in India. This trend is driven by economic opportunities, a booming startup ecosystem, and the desire to address local challenges. Read more

🇬🇧 Increase in Americans Moving to Britain
Estate agents in affluent areas of London report a significant rise in inquiries from Americans looking to relocate, particularly following recent political events. This influx is influencing local real estate markets and expatriate demographics. Read more