Vacasa just released its Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home in 2025—we’re breaking down the key markets to watch. Plus, we’re tracking the latest STR deals and market trends shaping short-term rental investing right now.

🔹 STR Classifieds – Discover the Top 10 Trending STR Homes for Sale this week.
🔹 Top STR Markets – Dive into Vacasa’s Top 25 Vacation Home Markets for 2025—where are the best opportunities?
🔹 STR Scoop – Stay ahead with bite-sized insights on STR regulations, market shifts, and Airbnb trends in this week’s market pulse.

Let’s dive in.

— The STR Scout Team

⛳ $289K | Myrtle Beach, SC: STR-friendly 3BD/3BA condo in World Tour Golf Course community. New furniture & appliances (2023), new HVAC (2024). Just listed—great investment opportunity! View Post

🏔️ $465K | Durango, CO: Successful STR-friendly 2BD/2BA condo, minutes from downtown & Horse Gulch trails. Updated with LVT floors, new appliances, & fresh paint. Wood-burning fireplace, jetted tub, plus pool, hot tub & sauna access. Sold partially furnished—turnkey rental! View Post

🏡 $475K | Tampa, FL: Fully renovated 3BD/2BA historic bungalow, turnkey STR with strong bookings, outperforming AIRDNA projections. New roof (2023), HVAC (2020), sleek LED fireplace, quartz countertops, and a huge backyard—potential for ADU! Minutes from downtown. View Post

🏡 $495K | Prescott, AZ: Off-market deal! Two updated 1930s bungalows on one lot in downtown Prescott. Proven STR income, listing goes public in May—buy now at a lower price! No owner carry. Proof of funds required. DM for details. View Post

🌵 $699K | Phoenix, AZ: Unique STR setup with main house + casita, rent together or separately for max income. Generated $84K from Jan 2024–March 2025. Strong occupancy, prime location. Turnkey investment! View Post

🏡 $735K | Hollywood, FL: Income-producing duplex—2/1 & 3/2 units. Fully furnished Airbnb + partially furnished rear unit. Zoned for potential 3rd unit. New roof (2020), AC (2017), modern finishes, private patios, separate utilities. 7 mins to the beach! View Post

🏡 $749K | Roan Mountain, TN: Price reduced by $30K! Income-producing 5BD/4BA cabin on 3 unrestricted acres bordering the Doe River. AirDNA estimates $70K/year. Fully updated—new kitchen, baths, HVAC, well pump, & hot tub. Extra 3 acres negotiable. Turnkey STR! View Post

🏡 💰 $799K | Eureka Springs, AR: Fully remodeled 3-story historic home next to the famous Crescent Hotel! Zoned commercial—no STR restrictions. Live on-site or rent all 3 levels separately for max income. 3 units: 2BD/1BA, 1BD/1BA + flex, and studio w/ kitchen. Proven rental history. View Post

🌲 $1.2M | Sevierville, TN: Off-market 2024 custom concrete log cabin in Sky Harbor, appraised at $1.25M. 3BD en suites (sleeps 8), 5BA, arcade/game rooms, wet bar, indoor glow heated pool & hot tub. Turnkey sale with brand-new furnishings. Between Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. 5-star STR! View Post

🏡 $1.445M | $945K | Sevierville, TN: 5 luxury cabins + vacant lot just 5 min to Pigeon Forge, 10 min to Gatlinburg. Fully renovated & furnished. Grossing $400K+ annually. Buy one lot or both! Turnkey STR investment in a prime location. View Post

Vacasa Reveals the Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home in 2025

From Coastal Retreats to Mountain Escapes, Discover the Hottest Investment Destinations Across the U.S.

For real estate investors and vacation home buyers, choosing the right location is the first step to maximizing short-term rental potential. Vacasa, North America’s leading vacation rental management platform, has just released its 2025 Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home report, revealing the hottest markets for lifestyle-driven investments that generate strong rental income.

This year’s list spans from sun-soaked coastal retreats to charming mountain escapes, each ranked based on market conditions, rental revenue performance, and local appeal. Whether you’re looking for a serene beachfront escape or a bustling tourist hotspot, this report provides data-driven insights into the best locations for purchasing a vacation rental.

Vacasa’s Top 10 Markets for 2025:

1. North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

2. Dauphin Island, Ala.

3. Okaloosa Island, Fla.

4. Hatteras Island, N.C.

5. Girdwood, Alaska

6. Navarre, Fla.

7. Gatlinburg, Tenn.

8. North Topsail Beach, N.C.

9. Corolla, N.C.

10. Truro, Mass.

To access the full Top 25 list, click here.

Why Now is the Time to Invest in a Vacation Home

With more travelers seeking private, flexible accommodations over traditional hotels, vacation rentals continue to surge in demand. In 2025, emerging short-term rental markets are proving to be not just places to relax but also lucrative income-generating investments. Vacasa’s Senior Director of Real Estate, Daned Kirkham, emphasizes, “This year’s report highlights the growing demand for vacation homes in both traditional and emerging markets. Whether you’re seeking an investment opportunity, a personal retreat, or both, these top 25 locations offer a blend of lifestyle appeal, guest demand, and revenue potential.”

Maximize Your Vacation Home’s Potential with Vacasa

Purchasing a vacation rental is just the beginning—ensuring it reaches its full earning potential requires expert management. That’s where Vacasa comes in. As the #1 full-service vacation rental management company in North America, Vacasa helps homeowners optimize their rental income while handling everything from dynamic pricing, guest bookings, and property maintenance to 24/7 local support and marketing across top booking platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.

Homeowners who list with Vacasa benefit from:

• Real-time dynamic pricing technology to maximize revenue.

• Professional cleaning, guest service, and local management.

• Expert marketing strategies to attract bookings year-round.

• No-hassle ownership experience with complete property care.

How Much Can Your Vacation Home Earn? Get a Free Personalized Income Estimate

If you’re considering purchasing a vacation rental—or already own one—understanding your potential revenue is crucial. Vacasa offers a free Personalized Income Estimate, tailored to your property’s location, size, and unique features. Their advanced rental performance analytics ensure you have the clearest picture of your investment’s earning potential before making a decision.

Don’t leave money on the table—see what your vacation home could earn. Get your free personalized income estimate today!

About Vacasa

Vacasa is a premier vacation rental management platform, transforming the rental experience for both homeowners and guests. With its cutting-edge technology, expert local teams, and a nationwide footprint, Vacasa helps property owners earn more while enjoying a stress-free rental experience. The company manages thousands of properties across the U.S., Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico, ensuring every stay is seamless and every home is professionally managed.

Ready to Turn Your Vacation Home into a Profitable Investment?

Discover why thousands of homeowners trust Vacasa to manage their short-term rental properties. Request your Personalized Income Estimate now!

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping!

For the eighth consecutive day, 30-year mortgage rates have declined, bringing the average to 6.52%—the lowest since mid-October!

This drop aligns with falling Treasury yields, driven by market expectations of slower inflation and potential rate cuts. Tariff concerns are fueling economic caution, pushing investors toward bonds, which further lowers yields and mortgage rates.

📉 Click here to get a competitive DSCR loan quote for your STR purchase or refinance loan scenario.

The STR Scoop

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

🏘️The housing market is sending mixed signals this month, creating both challenges and opportunities. Newsweek reports a potential breaking point in US home sales, with mortgage rates maintaining their grip on market dynamics. Consumer confidence is dropping sharply, as MLive suggests a potential recession looming on the horizon.

📊Economic indicators are painting a nuanced picture of uncertainty and transformation. Yahoo Finance highlights a decline in consumer spending, while AllSides notes rising unemployment, suggesting we're on the cusp of significant economic recalibration. MarketWatch quotes JPMorgan warning of the economy potentially "plunging into an air pocket."

🌴The Florida real estate market is experiencing dramatic shifts. New York Post reveals Florida home sales hit a new low in January, with Newsweek reporting the state's largest insurer cutting 100,000 policies in just one month. Palm Beach Post further highlights increasing condo fees and HOA dues, creating unprecedented challenges for property owners.

💡Technology and innovation are reshaping real estate investment strategies. Forbes explores emerging paths to real estate wealth, moving beyond traditional home ownership. Cointelegraph highlights how tokenization could transform real estate investment, offering more accessible and flexible entry points.

✈️Travel and digital nomad trends continue to influence the STR landscape. Travel and Tour World identifies the top countries for digital nomads in 2025, including Portugal, Indonesia, Thailand, and Mexico. Veranda reveals European countries offering citizenship or residency through property purchases.

🔍Short-term rental markets are adapting to new regulatory landscapes. SF Examiner reports state tax collectors seeking property information from Vrbo and Airbnb. KVUE covers Austin's latest short-term rental amendments, highlighting the ongoing evolution of local regulations.

💻Technology giants are feeling the economic pressure. SF Chronicle reports Google implementing efficiency measures and layoffs, reflecting broader tech industry trends that could impact real estate and STR ecosystems.

🌍Destination insights offer bright spots for strategic investors. Timeout shares trending spring destinations according to Airbnb, while Cape Cod Times explores unique market dynamics, including Canadian vacation trends.

🔮Looking Ahead: Navigating Uncertainty with Strategic Insight The current landscape demands agility, informed decision-making, and a forward-thinking approach. By staying attuned to these emerging trends, STR professionals can transform challenges into opportunities.

Stay sharp, stay informed, and keep scouting! 🏡

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Have a great week!