Buying & Selling

2 min read

How to Sell a Short-Term Rental Property Without an Airbnb History

Discover how to sell your property as a short-term rental investment, even without Airbnb history. Learn how to showcase its potential using Rabbu’s free Airbnb Calculator and attract motivated buyers.

Written By

Trent Hawthorne

Dec 18, 2024

Thinking about selling your property as a short-term rental (STR) investment but haven’t listed it on Airbnb before? You might wonder if buyers will still be interested.

The answer? Absolutely! Many Airbnb investors are looking for high-potential vacation rental properties, not just ones with existing rental income. Even without financial data from past bookings, you can still attract buyers by showcasing revenue potential and key STR features.

Rabbu’s Free Airbnb Revenue Calculator makes it easy to estimate potential earnings and create a data-driven listing.

Why STR Buyers Look Beyond Past Performance

Many buyers aren’t just searching for Airbnb properties for sale but rather they’re looking for the right property to turn into a profitable vacation rental. Instead of focusing on past bookings, investors may consider:

  • Location – Is it in a high-demand vacation rental market?
  • Property Layout – Does it have features like multiple bedrooms, outdoor space, or unique amenities that attract guests?
  • STR Regulations – Is short-term renting allowed in the area?
  • Market Demand – Does this type of property fill a gap in the local Airbnb investment market?

For these buyers, a property with untapped short-term rental potential is a valuable opportunity.

No Airbnb History? No Problem – Estimate STR Revenue

One challenge for sellers is not having historical Airbnb income data to show potential buyers. But this doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker.

Solution: Use Rabbu’s Airbnb Revenue Calculator to estimate how much your property could earn as a vacation rental investment based on market trends.

How It Works:

  • Analyzes property size, location, and historical market data.
  • Provides projected annual Airbnb revenue for your listing.
  • Helps buyers see the potential ROI of your property, even without past rental data.

Pro tip: Including a revenue estimate in your listing makes it more attractive to Airbnb investors who want clear data before purchasing.

Selling a Non-Airbnb Property Can Be an Advantage

Surprisingly, a property with no Airbnb history can be a huge selling point for the right buyer.

  • A Clean Slate: Investors get full control over pricing, guest strategy, and design all without inheriting past mistakes.
  • No Bias from Past Performance: A previous owner’s pricing strategy, booking consistency, or guest reviews might not reflect the true potential of the property. Investors prefer to optimize their own listings for maximum revenue.

Final Thoughts: STR Buyers Want Potential, Not Just History

Selling a property as a short-term rental investment, even if it’s never been on Airbnb, is not only possible, but often a great opportunity.

  • Investors prioritize potential over past performance.
  • Rabbu’s Airbnb Calculator helps you showcase revenue potential.
  • A fresh start allows buyers to optimize the property their way.

Ready to sell? Use Rabbu’s free tools to estimate revenue, optimize your listing, and connect with serious Airbnb buyers today!

Categories: Buying & Selling

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About the author

Trent Hawthorne

CPO @ Rabbu.com

Trent is the Chief Product Officer at Rabbu.com. Rabbu builds innovative tools and user-centric solutions for real estate investors. With a keen eye for market needs and a commitment to delivering exceptional product experiences, Trent ensures that Rabbu’s platform stays at the forefront of the short-term rental industry.

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