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Austin’s short-term rental (STR) market is hotter than ever. With an 83% year-over-year increase in new Airbnb listings, the market is becoming increasingly saturated. For property owners, this means one thing: competition is fierce. If you want your rental to succeed, you need to stand out from the crowd.

At the same time, the City of Austin is considering new regulations that could impact how short-term rentals operate. With changes on the horizon, staying ahead of the curve is more important than ever.


How to Differentiate Your Short-Term Rental


If you want to attract more bookings and maximize your revenue, you need to offer something special. Here are some of the most effective ways to make your listing shine in Austin’s crowded market:

1. Smart Design for Social Travelers

Guests booking Airbnbs in Austin often come for events, festivals, and group gatherings. A well-designed home with an open floor plan makes entertaining easy, whether guests are hosting a bachelor party, a family reunion, or a group getaway.

2. Top-Tier Amenities That Guests Love

In a market flooded with options, offering premium amenities can make all the difference. Some of the most sought-after features include:

  • Swimming pools & hot tubs – Perfect for relaxation in the Texas heat.

  • Pickleball & basketball courts – Unique amenities that attract active travelers.

  • Putt-putt courses & game rooms – Great for families and large groups looking for fun at home.

3. Accommodating Larger Groups

One of the biggest shifts in the market has been a shortened booking window. Travelers are now booking stays on much shorter notice, but larger groups tend to plan further in advance. By maximizing your property’s sleeping capacity—think bunk rooms, extra beds, or creative sleeping arrangements—you can tap into this lucrative segment of the market.

4. Prime Location Matters

While amenities and design are key, location remains a major deciding factor for guests. Properties near downtown Austin, South Congress, Rainey Street, or the East Side are always in demand. If your rental isn’t in the heart of the city, consider emphasizing nearby attractions, scenic views, or easy access to major event venues.


Upcoming Short-Term Rental Law Changes in Austin


With the rapid rise in STRs, the City of Austin is considering new regulations that could impact how property owners operate. Some key proposed changes include:

  • Stricter owner and platform regulations – Airbnb and Vrbo may be required to collect hotel occupancy taxes, with additional compliance requirements for owners.

  • Limits on multi-family STRs – New rules may cap the number of short-term rentals allowed in apartment complexes, restricting investors from turning entire buildings into STR hubs.

These proposed regulations are still under discussion, with public feedback being considered. Staying informed about these changes will be crucial for STR owners who want to remain compliant while continuing to operate profitably.


Final Thoughts


The Austin short-term rental market is more competitive than ever, but with the right strategy, your listing can thrive. Focus on offering standout amenities, maximizing group accommodations, and choosing (or marketing) your location wisely. At the same time, keep an eye on pending law changes to ensure your rental stays compliant and profitable.

As Austin continues to evolve, those who innovate and adapt will be the ones who come out on top. If you’re ready to take your short-term rental to the next level, now’s the time to invest in what makes your property unique.



Tips to Choosing the Short-Term Rental Property Management Company

Short-term rentals are popping up all over the world as more and more companies switch to remote working and people are able to work remotely anywhere they want. With this increase in remote working and travel has come a demand for short-term vacation homes that people can rent that have amenities one would expect staying in their own home. However, the management of these properties can be tricky for investors. Especially if they are investing outside of the city where they are located.


Unlike long-term tenants on leases, short-term guests typically book through online marketplaces like Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway. These guests will sometimes have stays as short as one night! This means extra work for anyone trying to self manage these properties. You have to be available to schedule cleanings, deal with last minute bookings, cancellations, re-stocking amenities, maintenance issues, and more. For this reason many seasoned investors, especially those with larger portfolio’s are transitioning to professional property management companies specialized in short-term rentals to handle this side of things.


Choosing The Right Property Management Company

When looking into property management companies for your short-term rental or rental properties there are a few things you should consider as an owner/investor:


Consider What you’re Looking for in a Management Company

You as an investor and owner of a property need to give some thought into what you’re looking for out of your short-term rental property management company. Are you looking for this to be a completely passive investment where the rental company does everything? Are you wanting to remain involved in communicating with guests and just need someone to handle the cleaning and restocking of amenities? There are a variety of service levels with short term rental property management companies and you as the owner should be educated on these as they come with varying management rate percentages as well. Please check out our website for some of the different service levels.


Find out About The Firm’s Marketing Strategy

There are a lot of services that a short-term property management company will provide you. This typically includes onboarding of the listing, professional photography, guest vetting and communication, pricing strategies, cleaning scheduling, restocking amenities, etc. One important thing not to overlook is the company’s marketing strategy. Do they have one? Or are they just relying on the marketplaces like Airbnb or VRBO to market your property for you?

Unfortunately with the increased supply of short-term rentals on the marketplaces, the days of just throwing listings on the marketplace and expecting them to remain constantly booked might be over. You need to ensure that your property management company has a solid foundational marketing strategy to make your property stand out.


Check The Reviews

This is an obvious one but you should definitely look into each company’s reviews both via their website and if you can find their company profiles on the online marketplaces such as Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway. Similar to how you would look at restaurant reviews before going to try the food you should look at their website for Google Reviews that past or current clients might have left about their services. Looking online on the marketplaces will show you reviews guests have left staying at the properties they manage. This should give you an idea of the customer service level and will also allow you to review what the other properties look like that this company is managing. Are they similar to yours? Looking at reviews can give you a good indication of the type of property management company this is.


Compare The Management Fee

Working with a short-term property management company does provide a wide array of services, but it also comes with a cost. Most property management companies will charge a percentage of the gross nightly rate per booking, or gross payout per month depending on the level of service they offer. When evaluating different property managers you need to compare the services that are being included with the specific fee to ensure you are getting an apples to apples comparison.


Examine Any Contracts

Many but not all management companies will have you sign contracts if you want them to manage your property. It is important to review these carefully to protect yourself as the owner. Some companies will try to lock you into mandatory periods of time where you are unable to fire them without paying a penalty. In this instance, if there is a bad experience you may end up coming out of your own pocket with fees and still have to restart the search for a management company. 


 

Connect with The Right Company

If you have been thinking about working with a short term rental property management company, then please contact us at NomadSTR. We are industry experts in this market and provide a level of customer service both for our clients and guests that is unmatched. Our level of services are unrivaled and customizable for every owner. We will ensure you maximize your return on investment without the hassle and headache of managing a short-term rental property!

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