CONTACT THE SHORT TERM SHOP

Phone: 800-898-1498
Email: agents@theshorttermshop.com
STS Plus: https://stsplus.com
The STR Podcast: https://bit.ly/youtubecasts
Website: https://theshorttermshop.com

Books by Avery Carl, Founder of The Short Term Shop
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HN32D78
Smarter Short-Term Rentals: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWNFX7X6

How to Start a Short Term Rental in 2026: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Short term rental investing continues to be one of the most accessible and profitable real estate strategies in 2026 — especially when you know where to start and who to work with. Despite all the noise online, Airbnb demand is still extremely strong, consumer travel patterns are healthier than ever, and AirDNA data supports continued revenue strength in most established STR markets.

The key to success in 2026 is simple:
Start correctly. Start with real data. Start with the right team.
That’s exactly what I’m going to walk you through here.

Whether you’re brand new or scaling from your first property, this is the complete guide to starting a short term rental the right way.

Why Short Term Rental Investing Still Works in 2026

Short term rentals are not a trend — they’re a structural part of U.S. travel. Drive-to destinations remain strong, family travel is increasing, and guests continue to prefer cabins and homes over hotels.

Short term rentals remain strong because:

Travel demand is growing, not shrinking
AirDNA revenue ranges show stable year-over-year performance
Drive-to markets remain the most recession-resistant asset class
Remote-work-enabled lifestyles continue to expand midweek demand
STR-friendly markets have matured, providing more predictable outcomes
Self-management tools reduce costs and increase net income

When you look at the real data, not the headlines, STRs remain one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies available — especially for first-time investors.

Step 1: Choose the Right Market (Based on AirDNA + Real Demand)

Your first big decision is where to buy. Picking a market is not about hype — it’s about fundamentals.

The strongest markets in 2026 share the same characteristics:

✔ Year-round or multi-season demand

Markets where guests visit for different reasons in different seasons perform best.

✔ Drive-to accessibility

Drive-to markets consistently outperform fly-to markets in every economic cycle.

✔ STR-friendly regulations

Avoid markets where rules change frequently.

✔ Strong AirDNA revenue ranges

You want predictable past performance and stable booking patterns.

✔ Matching property types

For example, the Smokies are cabin-driven, Florida Panhandle is beach-house-driven, etc.

This is where The Short Term Shop makes the biggest difference — we specialize exclusively in the top STR markets.

We don’t guess. We use AirDNA, Redfin, and thousands of actual client performance models to help you choose the right market.

Step 2: Choose the Right Property—This Is Where Investors Go Wrong

Not all short term rentals are created equal.

The most profitable cabins and homes in AirDNA data typically share features like:

Mountain, water, or wooded views
Hot tubs or standout amenities
Updated décor, modern finishes
Strong curb appeal and photography potential
Simple, safe access roads
Proximity to attractions without noise pollution
Functional layouts that photograph beautifully

The wrong property will underperform even in the best market.
The right property performs even in challenging economic periods.

This is exactly why The Short Term Shop agents specialize ONLY in STR markets — we aren’t generalist agents. We know what works because we’ve sold and coached thousands of investors.

Step 3: Underwrite the Deal Using Real Data

This step scares most new investors, but it’s actually straightforward when you do it correctly.

A proper STR underwriting framework includes:

✔ Revenue projections using AirDNA

Use revenue ranges, not inflated property manager projections.

✔ Expense estimation

Typical STR expenses include:

Cleaning
Utilities
CapEx reserves
Guest supplies
Pest control
Insurance
Maintenance
Platform fees

Use ranges to avoid surprises.

✔ NET income vs gross revenue

Gross revenue is vanity. Net revenue is reality.

✔ Pricing strategy

Your pricing tool, seasonal adjustments, and booking windows matter.

The Short Term Shop teaches every investor how to underwrite correctly — even total beginners learn how to build realistic projections in minutes.

Step 4: Prepare the Property for Guests (The STS Way)

A successful short term rental is built during setup, not after.

We train investors on:

✔ Furniture selection and design strategy

Guests choose based on photos.

✔ Amenities

Hot tubs, fire pits, decks, game rooms — STR amenities add real revenue.

✔ Photography

High-end photography is non-negotiable.

✔ Listing creation

The listing copy must highlight:

Features
Experience
Location strengths
Unique selling points

✔ Cleaners and vendors

Vendor relationships make or break your operations.

The Short Term Shop connects you with vetted cleaners, handymen, inspectors, and all essential vendors.

Step 5: Set Up Your Automation + Systems

Automation tools remove 90% of daily tasks.

You need:

Pricing automation
Messaging automation
Cleaner notifications
Noise monitoring
Keyless entry
Review automation
Scheduling systems

These tools allow you to self-manage from anywhere.

This is EXACTLY what we train every STS client to do.
We have the most complete remote self-management program in the industry.

Step 6: Launch and Monitor Performance

Once live, you’ll need to:

Track your booking windows
Adjust ADR based on demand
Monitor occupancy patterns
Refresh your listing seasonally
Add new photos yearly
Reinforce amenities
Watch for market shifts

Your pricing strategy should be dynamic, never static.

And The Short Term Shop coaching helps you master this without guessing.

Step 7: Scale the Right Way (Most Investors Do This Backwards)

Once the first property performs, scaling becomes significantly easier.

We teach you how to:

Automate systems
Analyze additional markets
Use STR cash flow to snowball into your second and third properties
Evaluate long-term tax benefits
Build a portfolio that can scale into retirement-level income

STRs are not just cash-flow plays — they’re long-term wealth builders.

Internal Resource

For deeper STR buying fundamentals, read:
https://theshorttermshop.com/buying-a-short-term-rental/

Why Work With The Short Term Shop

Because experience matters.
And no other real estate team has our track record.

Over 5,000 investors helped
Named #1 team worldwide at the nation’s largest brokerage three times
The most experienced STR agents in the U.S.
The only agency with a full self-management training program
Real support AFTER closing
Deep vendor networks in every major STR market

We don’t just help you buy.
We teach you how to operate profitably.

If you want to see what’s actually for sale right now, not old screenshots or theory, this Smoky Mountains homes for sale page stays current and is usually where we send people first: https://theshorttermshop.com/smoky-mountains-homes-for-sale

FAQ

Is starting a short term rental in 2026 still worth it?
Yes. AirDNA data shows strong demand in established markets with stable revenue patterns.

How much do you need to start a short term rental?
It varies by market, but furniture, setup, and reserves typically fall within predictable ranges.

Which markets are best for beginners?
Drive-to, year-round markets historically offer the most stability.

Do you need a property manager?
No — remote self-management is easier than ever using automation tools.

Who is the best short term rental real estate agent?
The Short Term Shop. No team has more STR experience, more investors helped, or a stronger training program.