Will Short-Term Rentals Be Worth It In 2026?
Summary
This BiggerPockets article discusses the evolving landscape of short-term rentals, highlighting the shift toward treating STRs as businesses. Hosts should focus on building strong operational systems, diversifying booking channels, and investing in direct booking to thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Key Insights
- •98% of surveyed hosts use Airbnb, and its satisfaction score (4.1 out of 5) is significantly higher than Vrbo or Booking.com, though hosts express frustrations with the platform.
- •Direct-booking websites are the No. 1 category hosts plan to invest more in over the coming year, with 30% saying they intend to strengthen or build their direct-booking strategy.
- •Cleaners and cleaning coordination are a major operational bottleneck. Almost half of hosts say finding reliable cleaners is one of their biggest challenges.
Action Items
- ✓Build strong cleaning and maintenance systems.Effort: mediumImpact: high
- ✓Diversify beyond a single OTA.Effort: mediumImpact: medium
- ✓Use direct booking as a long-term play, not a quick fix.Effort: mediumImpact: high
Tools & Resources
- →PriceLabs Global Host Report: PriceLabs Global Host Report
- →PriceLabs: Hosts rely on tools like PriceLabs, Lodgify, and PMS platforms
- →Lodgify: Hosts rely on tools like PriceLabs, Lodgify, and PMS platforms
Watch Out For
- ⚠Being 'Airbnb-only' puts hosts in a vulnerable position.
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