If you’ve been renting your property long-term or debating whether to list it on Airbnb or Vrbo, you might be asking: Is it really worth the extra effort to go short-term?
Here’s the short answer: Yes.
Short-term rentals (STRs) consistently outperform long-term rentals when it comes to revenue, flexibility, and control. And with the right property manager, the “extra effort” isn’t your problem — it’s ours.
Let’s break down why STRs win on profit.
💰 1. Higher Nightly Rates = Higher Monthly Revenue
Long-term leases lock you into a fixed monthly rent — usually below market rate, and always static. STRs, on the other hand, allow you to earn nightly income that flexes with demand.
For example:
- A long-term tenant might pay $2,000/month
- But a short-term rental charging $150/night could gross $3,000+ in just 20 booked nights
And in peak seasons or major event weeks (hello, ACL Fest, SXSW, or Texas football weekends), STR rates can spike dramatically — something a traditional lease can’t touch.
📈 2. Dynamic Pricing Keeps You Competitive
With STRs, pricing isn’t set once a year — it’s optimized daily. STR specialists (like us) use dynamic pricing tools and local market expertise to adjust rates based on:
- Seasonality
- Local events
- Demand trends
- Comparable listings
This means your property is always earning what it should, not what it used to.
🧽 3. Less Wear and Tear Than You Think
One myth we love to bust: STRs are harder on a home than long-term tenants. In reality:
- STR guests stay for a few days — not months or years
- Your property is cleaned professionally multiple times a week
- Damage is rare and covered by guest deposits or platform protections
Compare that to the unseen damage of long-term tenants who rarely report issues until they’ve become major problems.
🛑 4. You Stay in Control
With a long-term lease, your property is locked in — even if the tenant is difficult, late on payments, or causing issues.
With STRs:
- You control the calendar
- You can block off dates for personal use
- You can quickly remove problematic guests
- You’re never stuck with a 12-month mistake
STRs give you flexibility, which is a profit multiplier on its own.
📊 5. STRs Outperform — When Managed Right
It’s true: STRs require more attention. But that’s where a full-service STR manager (like Far Out) comes in. We handle:
- Listing optimization
- Pricing strategy
- Guest communication
- Cleaning + maintenance
- Reviews and reputation management
We turn your home into a high-performing business — without you answering messages at 2am.
Final Take: STRs Make More — And You Don’t Have to Work More
When done right, short-term rentals earn more, grow faster, and stay more flexible than long-term leases. And with a team of local STR experts behind you, there’s no guesswork.
If you’re looking for better returns and less stress, it’s time to think short-term for long-term profit.
👉 Want to see how much more your property could earn as a short-term rental?
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