Investing in Airbnb properties can be an incredibly lucrative and personally rewarding, but it requires careful planning, informed decision-making, and the right tools. At Rabbu, we specialize in short-term rental data to help real estate investors find and purchase profitable vacation rentals. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to successfully buy your first—or next—Airbnb property.
1. Find a Great Market Using Rabbu’s Market Finder
The foundation of a successful Airbnb investment lies in choosing the right market. If you already have a target market in mind, great! If not, using Rabbu’s Market Finder tool, you can:
- Compare markets across the U.S. based on ROI scores, average property values, annual revenues, occupancy rates, and active Airbnb counts.
- Gain insights into the metrics that matter most for short-term rental profitability.
Not sure where to start? Check out our blog posts featuring Top Markets for Airbnb Investments (like this one in Florida), where we highlight high-performing markets with exceptional revenue potential and the right balance of supply and demand.
Market Data
Once you know your target market(s), search our free Airbnb Market Data tool by city or zip code for further insights.
2. Find a Great Target Property Using Rabbu's Featured Properties and Properties for Sale Pages
Featured Properties
One of the best ways to ensure compliance with local regulations is to buy an existing Airbnb for sale. In addition to providing free data tools, Rabbu is also the leading marketplace for selling vacation rentals. You can see all of the current Airbnbs for sale on our Featured Properties page. Existing Airbnbs will have historical performance provided by the seller or the seller's agent, making for a much more reliable financial decision.
Properties for Sale
Finding the right property is crucial, and our Properties for Sale tool makes it easier than ever. This tool allows you to:
- Filter properties by market, price, size, and estimated revenue.
- Compare properties side-by-side to find the one that best aligns with your investment goals.
Our platform provides data-backed insights to help you make informed decisions every step of the way. This property database includes the seller listings from the Featured Properties page, as well as other on-market listings that are not currently Airbnbs, but could be great short-term rental investments.
3. Partner with Local Agent Experts for On-the-Ground Insights
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to connect with our partner agents. These experts provide invaluable local knowledge, including:
- Regulatory requirements for short-term rentals.
- Property taxes and local ordinances.
- Recommendations for trusted property managers and service providers.
Local expertise is essential to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your investment runs smoothly from day one.
Airbnb Calculator
If no historical financials are available on the target property because it is not an existing STR, our partner agents -- along with our industry-leading Airbnb Calculator -- can help you estimate future revenue and returns. This article explains how we use our Airbnb Calculator internally at Rabbu.
4. Secure Financing with Rabbu’s Partner Lenders
If you plan to use financing, Rabbu’s partner lenders can help you explore loan options tailored to short-term rental investments. They will:
- Assess the target property’s current or potential performance.
- Provide competitive loan products based on your financial profile, including DSCR loans.
- Help you understand the cost of borrowing and how it affects your ROI.
With financing in place, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your investment is financially sound.
Start Your Journey to Airbnb Success Today
Investing in Airbnb properties doesn’t have to be complicated. With Rabbu’s suite of tools and resources—from the Market Finder to our network of partner agents and lenders—you have everything you need to make informed decisions and maximize your returns.
Ready to take the first step? Start exploring markets with our Market Finder or check out the latest listings on our Featured Properties Page today. Your Airbnb investment journey starts here!
