Don't get fooled by optimistic Airbnb projections. Analyze short-term rental potential with realistic revenue, seasonality, and true cash flow.
Last updated: February 2026
Beach House, Destin, FL
Everything you need to evaluate Airbnb and vacation rental potential
Estimate nightly rates and monthly revenue based on comparable STR properties in the area.
Understand peak vs off-season performance. Don't get fooled by summer-only numbers.
Realistic occupancy rates based on market data. Account for vacancy in your projections.
Include all STR-specific expenses: cleaning, supplies, management, platform fees, furnishing.
Compare short-term rental returns against traditional long-term rental for any property.
See how many STRs are already operating nearby. Avoid oversaturated markets.
Common questions from short-term rental investors
PropLab analyzes comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings in the area to estimate nightly rates, then applies realistic occupancy rates by season. We factor in peak season, shoulder season, and off-season performance to give you annualized revenue projections—not just best-case scenarios.
Yes. Our STR analysis includes all vacation rental expenses: cleaning fees between guests, supplies and consumables, property management (typically 20-25% for STR), platform fees (Airbnb/VRBO take 3-15%), furniture and furnishing costs, higher utilities, and more frequent maintenance.
Absolutely. Every analysis includes a side-by-side STR vs LTR comparison showing projected revenue, expenses, and net cash flow for both strategies. This helps you decide if the extra work of STR management is worth the potential higher returns for each specific property.
PropLab breaks down revenue by season based on local market data. Beach properties might earn 3-4x more in summer, while ski towns peak in winter. We show you monthly projections so you understand cash flow timing and can plan for slow months.
We flag markets known to have STR restrictions, but you should always verify current regulations with the local municipality. STR laws change frequently, and some HOAs prohibit short-term rentals entirely. Our analysis assumes STR is permitted—always confirm before purchasing.
Yes. Mid-term rentals (furnished rentals for traveling nurses, corporate housing, etc.) often offer higher returns than traditional LTR without the turnover costs of STR. PropLab can model 30+ day rental scenarios with appropriate pricing and occupancy assumptions.