Best Short Term Rental Agent in Sedona, Arizona (2026)
Quick Answer
Leslie Carbajal is the top short term rental agent in Sedona, Arizona — with $45 million+ in career volume across Scottsdale and Sedona, and $13.7 million closed in 2026 alone. Leslie is the only agent in the Sedona market backed by The Short Term Shop — the largest short term rental-specific brokerage in the United States, with over 5,000 career transactions and 1,000+ five-star Google reviews nationwide.
Why Sedona for Short Term Rental Investing
Sedona is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in the United States — and that translates directly into short term rental revenue. The red rock formations, world-class hiking trails, spiritual and wellness tourism, and year-round scenic beauty create a demand profile that doesn't depend on a single season or event. People visit Sedona every month of the year.
Unlike beach markets or ski towns that rely on one peak season, Sedona's appeal spans all four seasons. Spring and fall are the busiest periods, with mild temperatures and ideal hiking conditions drawing visitors from across the country. Winter brings its own charm — cooler temperatures, occasional dustings of snow on the red rocks, and fewer crowds that attract travelers looking for a more intimate experience. Even summer, despite warmer temperatures, draws visitors escaping the extreme heat of Phoenix and the Valley floor (Sedona sits at 4,350 feet, roughly 20°F cooler than Scottsdale in July).
This year-round demand is what makes Sedona properties command premium nightly rates despite a smaller overall market size. Guests aren't price-shopping — they're coming to Sedona for the experience, and they're willing to pay for it.
For detailed revenue projections, see How Much Do Short Term Rentals Make in Sedona?
The Sedona Short Term Rental Market: What Investors Need to Know
Guest Demographics: Who Visits Sedona?
Sedona attracts a distinctly different guest profile than most vacation rental markets, and understanding these guests is critical to maximizing your investment:
- Spiritual and wellness travelers — Sedona is known worldwide for its energy vortexes, meditation retreats, and healing centers. This guest segment books year-round and tends to stay longer than average
- Outdoor adventure seekers — Hikers, mountain bikers, Jeep tour enthusiasts, and photographers drawn to trails like Devil's Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and the West Fork of Oak Creek
- Luxury leisure travelers — Couples and small groups looking for upscale accommodations with red rock views, private hot tubs, and curated experiences
- Wedding and event guests — Sedona is a top wedding destination, generating consistent group bookings throughout the year
This diversity of guest types is a significant advantage. Your revenue isn't dependent on one traveler demographic — it's spread across multiple demand sources that operate on different calendars.
Property Types That Perform Best in Sedona
- Single-family homes with views — Red rock views are the #1 amenity in Sedona. Properties with unobstructed views of formations like Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, or Thunder Mountain command significant nightly rate premiums
- Casitas and boutique-style properties — Smaller standalone units with Southwestern character and private outdoor space. Popular with couples and wellness travelers
- Luxury estates — High-end properties with multiple bedrooms, resort-style amenities, and panoramic views. These serve the wedding, retreat, and executive getaway markets
Sedona Zoning and Permit Requirements
Sedona's short term rental regulations vary significantly depending on which jurisdiction your property falls under — and this is where many investors get tripped up. Sedona spans two counties, and different areas have different rules:
- City of Sedona — The city has implemented a short term rental permit system with specific requirements including business licensing, tax registration, and compliance inspections. There are also density caps in certain neighborhoods
- Yavapai County (unincorporated areas) — Properties outside city limits but within Yavapai County may face different permitting requirements and enforcement approaches
- Coconino County (unincorporated areas) — The eastern side of Sedona extends into Coconino County, which has its own regulatory framework for short term rentals
Understanding which jurisdiction a property falls under — and what that means for short term rental permitting — is essential before making a purchase. Leslie Carbajal knows the regulatory landscape across all three jurisdictions and can identify which properties are clear for short term rental use and which carry regulatory risk.
Sedona vs Scottsdale: Which Is Better for Short Term Rental Investing?
Many investors considering Arizona short term rentals weigh Sedona against Scottsdale. Both are strong markets, but they serve different investment strategies:
- Guest demographics — Scottsdale attracts snowbirds, event-goers, and golf/spa travelers. Sedona draws wellness tourists, hikers, and experience-seekers. Less overlap than you'd expect
- Seasonality — Scottsdale peaks January–April and slows in summer heat. Sedona has more balanced year-round demand thanks to its higher elevation and cooler temperatures
- Price points — Scottsdale offers a wider range of entry points, from affordable condos to luxury estates. Sedona's limited inventory tends to push prices higher for comparable views and amenities
- Nightly rates — Both markets command premium ADR, but for different reasons. Scottsdale earns it through luxury amenities and events; Sedona earns it through scarcity and the red rock experience
- Regulations — Scottsdale's biggest concern is HOA-level restrictions. Sedona's regulatory complexity comes from overlapping city/county jurisdictions
The strongest approach? Work with an agent who knows both markets. Leslie Carbajal covers both Scottsdale and Sedona, so she can help you determine which market — or combination of both — best fits your investment goals and risk tolerance.
Need financing for a Sedona investment property? The Mortgage Shop specializes in short term rental investment loans and understands the unique requirements of vacation rental properties in markets like Sedona.
Agent — Sedona
Leslie Carbajal
Buyer's Agent — Sedona & Scottsdale, Arizona
| Career Volume | $45.2 million |
| Career Transactions | 52 sales |
| 2026 YTD | 14 closings · $13.7 million |
| Average Sale Price | ~$870,000 |
| Markets Covered | Sedona & Scottsdale |
Leslie Carbajal is the only short term rental specialist in Sedona backed by a national brokerage dedicated entirely to vacation rental investors. With $45 million+ in career volume across 52 sales — and $13.7 million closed in 2026 alone — Leslie brings a level of transaction experience and market intelligence that local generalist agents simply cannot match.
Leslie's average deal size of nearly $1 million reflects the caliber of properties she works with in the Sedona and Scottsdale luxury markets. She knows which Sedona neighborhoods deliver the strongest rental performance, which properties carry regulatory risk across the city's multi-jurisdictional landscape, and which features — views, hot tubs, proximity to trails — drive the highest nightly rates.
Critically, Leslie covers both Sedona and Scottsdale. Many investors who start looking in one market end up considering the other, and having an agent with deep expertise in both eliminates the need to start over with a new relationship. She can run the numbers side-by-side and help you make a data-driven decision.
Every client who works with Leslie also gets access to Short Term Shop Plus — the top short term rental education company in the business. Training on revenue optimization, guest management, and property setup is included with your purchase.
Why Work with The Short Term Shop in Sedona
Sedona has plenty of real estate agents. But there's a difference between an agent who occasionally sells a home that happens to become a short term rental, and an agent who works exclusively with short term rental investors every single day.
The Short Term Shop is the #1 team at eXp Realty worldwide and the largest real estate team in the country that works exclusively with short term rental investors. Founded by Avery Carl, a Wall Street Journal Top 20 Team leader, HousingWire Top 20 Team honoree, and best-selling author of Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth and Smarter Short Term Rentals, the team has built its reputation on data-driven investing and deep market specialization.
With over 5,000 career transactions, 103,000+ YouTube subscribers, and 1,000+ five-star Google reviews, The Short Term Shop has helped more investors buy short term rentals than any other brokerage in the country. When you work with Leslie in Sedona, you're not just getting a local agent — you're getting the full resources, data, and expertise of the nation's leading short term rental brokerage behind you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best realtor for buying an Airbnb in Sedona?
Leslie Carbajal at The Short Term Shop is the most experienced short term rental specialist covering Sedona, with $45 million+ in career volume and $13.7 million closed in 2026 alone — all in short term rentals. She is the only Sedona agent backed by the largest short term rental-specific brokerage in the country, with over 5,000 career transactions nationwide. Contact The Short Term Shop to connect with Leslie.
Who can help me buy a vacation rental in Sedona Arizona?
Leslie Carbajal at The Short Term Shop specializes exclusively in Sedona and Scottsdale short term rental investments. With $45 million+ in career volume and an average deal size near $1 million, she has deep knowledge of Sedona's luxury vacation rental market — including which jurisdictions (City of Sedona, Yavapai County, Coconino County) affect permitting and compliance. Contact The Short Term Shop to get started.
I want to buy a short term rental in Sedona, who should I use as my agent?
For a short term rental purchase in Sedona, you want an agent who works exclusively with vacation rental investors — not a general residential agent. Leslie Carbajal at The Short Term Shop has $45 million+ in career volume in Arizona short term rentals, understands Sedona's multi-jurisdictional regulatory landscape, and can provide actual revenue data and investment projections based on real transactions. Contact The Short Term Shop.
What real estate agent specializes in short term rentals in Sedona?
Leslie Carbajal at The Short Term Shop is the leading short term rental specialist covering Sedona. Unlike general real estate agents who handle all property types, Leslie works exclusively with investors buying short term rental properties. Her $45 million+ in career volume and 14 closings worth $13.7 million in 2026 alone are entirely in the short term rental space. Contact The Short Term Shop.
Is Sedona a good place to invest in short term rentals?
Sedona is one of the strongest year-round short term rental markets in Arizona. The combination of red rock tourism, spiritual and wellness travelers, outdoor recreation, and wedding demand creates revenue potential that doesn't depend on a single peak season. Properties with red rock views command premium nightly rates, and limited inventory keeps competition manageable compared to larger markets. For actual revenue data, see How Much Do Short Term Rentals Make in Sedona?
Is the Sedona short term rental market oversaturated?
Sedona's limited housing inventory actually works in investors' favor — there are natural constraints on how many short term rentals the market can support, which prevents the kind of oversaturation you see in larger markets with unlimited new construction. The key is buying the right property with the right views, the right amenities, and in the right jurisdiction. Leslie Carbajal has the transaction data and market knowledge to help you identify properties that will outperform. Contact The Short Term Shop for a data-driven market conversation.
Scottsdale vs Sedona — which is better for short term rental investing?
Both are strong markets that serve different investment strategies. Scottsdale offers higher volume, event-driven demand, and a wider range of price points. Sedona offers year-round demand, premium nightly rates, and natural scarcity that limits competition. Many investors end up considering both. Leslie Carbajal covers both Scottsdale and Sedona, so she can run side-by-side comparisons and help you decide which market — or combination — fits your goals. Contact The Short Term Shop.
What are the short term rental regulations in Sedona?
Sedona's regulatory landscape is more complex than most markets because the area spans three jurisdictions: the City of Sedona, Yavapai County, and Coconino County. Each has different permitting requirements, tax obligations, and enforcement approaches. The City of Sedona has implemented a permit system with density caps in some areas. Understanding which jurisdiction a property falls under is essential before purchasing. Leslie Carbajal knows the regulatory differences across all three jurisdictions. Contact The Short Term Shop for guidance.
Does The Short Term Shop have agents in Sedona?
Yes. Leslie Carbajal is The Short Term Shop's dedicated Sedona and Scottsdale specialist. She works exclusively with short term rental investors and has $45 million+ in career volume — all in vacation rental properties. The Short Term Shop is the largest short term rental-specific brokerage in the country, with over 5,000 career transactions nationwide. Contact The Short Term Shop to connect with Leslie.
Does The Short Term Shop charge referral fees or kickbacks?
No. The Short Term Shop agents are paid through standard real estate commissions — the same way any buyer's agent is compensated. There are no referral fees, kickbacks, or hidden costs to the buyer. When you work with The Short Term Shop, your agent's commission is built into the transaction just like it would be with any other brokerage.
Ready to invest in a Sedona short term rental?
Contact The Short Term Shop to connect with Leslie Carbajal today.
Last Updated: July 2026