Property Type and Amenities: Enhancing Short-Term Rental Investments

The short-term rental market has exploded in recent years. By 2030, it is expected to reach a valuation of $228.9 billion, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. Investors have noticed this sector’s immense potential, with more travelers opting for short-term rentals over hotels. 

However, listing a property on some sites is no guarantee of success. Investors must optimize their assets by selecting the right property type and amenities to attract guests and maximize returns. 

This article provides crucial insights into how property types and amenities can be leveraged to enhance short-term rental investments.

The Growing Allure of Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals appeal to modern travelers who desire more space, privacy, and amenities than traditional hotels. Guests also appreciate the ability to stay in residential neighborhoods and experience destinations like a local. 

For investors, Techvestor can generate significantly higher returns than long-term rentals. On average, short-term rental income exceeds long-term rental income by over 70%. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also fueled the popularity of short-term rentals. Travelers perceive them as safer than crowded hotels, leading to rising demand. As per AirDNA data, occupancy rates for short-term rentals in popular US cities averaged around 60% in 2021. This is compared to 44% for hotels. Higher occupancy and premium pricing allow short-term rental hosts to enjoy higher profit margins.

The short-term rental market is booming, with websites like Airbnb and Vrbo fueling their growth. Airbnb alone has over 6 million listings worldwide and facilitated over 100 million stays in 2021. As the market evolves, investors must gain a deep understanding of the factors that lead to a successful listing.

Selecting the Optimal Property Type 

One of the most crucial decisions is selecting the right property type. The accommodation type dictates the target audience, occupancy rates, and income potential. Some popular short-term rental property types include:

• Entire homes or apartments: The most common type of listing. It is ideal for larger groups and more extended stays. Lower maintenance costs than shared properties.
• Private rooms: A cost-effective option. Best suited for solo travelers and couples. Require higher guest interaction. 
• Unique stays: Increasingly popular options like tiny homes, RVs, houseboats, and villas. Appeal to adventurous travelers.

For example, in New York City, apartment and home listings comprise over 50% of some rental company’s total portfolio. Comparatively, cities like Los Angeles also have a substantial share of private rooms catering to budget-conscious travelers. 

Investors must analyze the demographics, travel patterns, and needs of potential guests to determine the ideal property type for an area. An insightful market evaluation can reveal lucrative gaps to target.

The property type directly impacts key investment metrics like occupancy rates, ability to charge premium pricing, and profitability. Investors must select the right property type aligned with the demographics and needs of the target guest profile for an area.

For example, Miami is a popular leisure destination, making entire waterfront homes with luxury amenities ideal to cater to high-end traveling families and groups. Whereas a city like Chicago attracts more business travelers who may prefer more affordable private rooms. 

Savvy investors use data intelligence to identify local short-term rental market gaps before acquiring a property. If a location mainly has 5-bedroom family homes listed on Airbnb, an investor may find an opportunity to provide more affordable options for millennial travelers in stylish 1-2-bedroom apartments. Conducting diligent market research using data from platforms like AirDNA can reveal opportunities to fill unmet demand and enjoy higher occupancies.

Amenities – The Key to Guest Satisfaction

Merely having a well-located and aesthetically pleasing rental property is not enough anymore. Guests expect amenities that elevate their stay. Some popular amenities include:

• Smart amenities: Keyless entry, bright lighting, and voice assistants. Provide convenience and help properties stand out.
• Recreational amenities: Pools, hot tubs, BBQ grills, and fire pits. Ideal for leisure-focused travelers.
• Premium amenities: Spas, gyms, gaming consoles, and golf simulators. Cater to luxury-seekers.

Recent surveys reveal that travelers increasingly favor one-of-a-kind accommodation experiences, with “glamping” (glamorous camping) rising over 35% in 2021 alone. This underscores the importance of creative amenities to grab guests’ attention amid fierce competition.

Tailoring Amenities to Property Types

Amenities must be tailored according to property types to generate maximum value. For instance, shared spaces like private rooms should focus more on community-building amenities like communal kitchens. Entire homes can offer upgraded in-room amenities to mimic luxury hotels. Unique stays should capitalize on experience-enhancing amenities like outdoor hot tubs with scenic views. 

Savvy investors conduct meticulous research to determine which amenities resonate best with their target guest profile. While luxury amenities have an allure, basic amenities like comfortable beds and WiFi connectivity still reign supreme for most travelers. Maintaining the right balance is key.

The Long-Term Payoff 

Installing amenities involves upfront costs that may cause apprehension. However, quality amenities provide long-term benefits that outweigh the costs:

• Increased occupancy rates: Make a property more desirable and identifiable to guests.
• Higher rental income: Allow owners to charge premium rental rates.
• Lower turnover costs: Guest satisfaction reduces unit turnover between occupants.
• Favorable reviews: Happy guests leave positive reviews that attract more bookings.

For perspective, upgraded amenities can boost rental income by 10-15%, generating a return on investment in under a year in many cases.

The financial benefits of installing quality amenities make the upfront investment worthwhile:

• Increased occupancy: According to HP Hotels’ 2021 Vacation Rental Report, properties with the highest ratings achieved 45% higher occupancy than those with average ratings. Travelers actively seek out top-rated rentals.
• Higher rental income: Units with upgraded amenities can charge 10-15% higher rental rates. Properties managed by TurnKey Vacation Rentals with premium amenities command a daily rate premium of $100+ on average.
• Lower turnover costs: Reducing unit vacancy between bookings saves costs of preparing units multiple times. Happy guests also reduce unit damage or wear and tear.
• Free marketing: Satisfied guests leave positive reviews, which boosts a listing’s search ranking and visibility. This organic reach helps attract more bookings.

For a 2-bedroom short-term rental unit averaging $150 per night, a 10% rental rate increase due to upgraded amenities can raise annual rental income by $5,475. With the right amenities, the investment can pay for itself within a year.

Adapting to Changing Trends

Consumer preferences evolve constantly. Investors must stay updated on amenity trends and plan amenities with an eye to the future. Some emerging favorites include virtual tours, electric vehicle charging stations, and touchless entry systems. Leveraging data by tracking occupancy rates and feedback across units can provide actionable insights into tweaking amenities based on changing needs. 

Remaining vigilant about improving amenity offerings also adds value for guests, resulting in sustainable success amid market fluctuations.  

• Several factors make constant evolution crucial in the short-term rental business:
• Guest expectations tend to increase over time. Amenities that once wowed guests become expected.
• Technology keeps bringing new conveniences like smart home gadgets and faster WiFi speeds.
• Competitors raise the bar on amenities to remain attractive.
• New platforms like TikTok and Instagram introduce guests to new interior design and amenity trends.
• External events like the pandemic can abruptly change consumer priorities and needs.

To adapt, hosts should track occupancy rates, pricing, ratings across their properties, and the competition. Guest feedback can also provide direct insight into amenities they desire. Ongoing market research into changing guest preferences is key to remaining competitive.

Minor upgrades every 2-3 years may suffice to keep up with trends rather than major overhauls, which may involve reinventing amenities that guests still value. Planning and setting aside a budget for iterative improvements provides long-term stability despite evolving market dynamics.

Conclusion

The short-term rental market provides immense potential but requires careful strategizing to thrive. Investors can maximize occupancies and rental income by selecting the optimal property type and amenities. Although amenities have upfront costs, they provide long-term returns through increased demand, premium pricing, and favorable reviews. 

With the right amenities that align with their target customer profile, investors can elevate their properties from simply being an accommodation to an unforgettable experience. Investors must continuously reevaluate amenities and trends as guest expectations evolve to remain competitive. With proper planning and intelligent use of data, short-term rental investors can look forward to a lucrative future in this accelerating market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the most popular property types for short-term rentals?

Ans: Entire apartments and homes are the most common, followed by private rooms. Unique accommodations like cabins and RVs are also gaining popularity.

Q2. Should I just focus on installing luxury amenities?

Ans: Not necessarily. While some high-end amenities can help charge premium pricing, most guests expect basic amenities like comfortable beds, functioning WiFi, and cleanliness. Finding the right mix is essential.

Q3. How often should I update the amenities in my rental units?

Ans: Ideally, evaluate amenity upgrades every 2-3 years based on changing guest expectations, new technology, and occupancy trends across your units. Minor iterative upgrades are advisable over significant overhauls.

Evaluating property types and amenity offerings can help unlock immense value in short-term rental investments. With intelligent planning and data-backed decision-making, investors can thrive in this highly lucrative market.