Community Perks with The STR Report

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management – Lower fees, higher payouts, and premium service. Built for investors who want performance and peace of mind. See how much more your property could earn—click to get your free performance assessment.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder – Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 213+ successful deals, all cash-flowing, you’re in good hands. Take 15 seconds to fill out the form to see how all of these properties are experiencing a 10-15% Cash-on-Cash return.

🤑 STR Loans & More – Need funding for your next short-term rental? Expect expert guidance, personalized service, and the best possible rates.

September 18th, 2025

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

🤫 Insider Scoop: Upcoming Webinar - You Found a Market with SummerOS… Now What?

📱Today’s Article: The Best STR Markets in the West

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Big Bear, CA & Boulder, CO

✉️ STR News: Vrbo Vacation Rentals Added to Expedia B2B Network

💸 Mortgage Rate Watch

🚒 Unique Airbnb of the Week

🏫 Subscriber Perks: Go Live Playbook, including: Beginner’s Guide E-Book, Guest Communication Messaging Templates, Airbnb Welcome Guide Template, STR Buy Box Template, & Tax Savings E-Book

✅ Community Perks: Top-Tier Property Management, Personal Airbnb Investment Finder, and STR Loans & More

📬 See our collection of newsletters here: Prior Newsletters

The Best STR Markets in the West🌞

Here’s part 2 of our deep dive into the best short-term rental markets for 2025! Your bite-sized breakdown of top-performing cities, real STR data from SummerOS, and a few stats worth bragging about at your next investor happy hour. 🥂

Today it’s The West Coast (Best Coast 🙌) — from hidden Hawaiian gems to Colorado towns your friends haven’t heard of yet.

Waianae, HI: Best for overall numbers

Basically Hawaii without the Waikiki price tag… or the Waikiki crowds.

According to the data, this beachside community boasts an occupancy rate of 81%, one of the highest in the country. Guests are drawn to Waianae’s uncrowded white-sand beaches and authentic local vibe, keeping bookings high nearly year-round.

• Occupancy: 81%

• ADR: $517

• Annual Revenue: ~$139,735

• Why We Love It: Uncrowded beaches, steady bookings, and serious cash flow potential.

Lake Isabella, CA: Best for affordability

This is where “budget-friendly” meets “passive income.” No Silicon Valley salary required.

Tucked in California’s Kern River Valley near Sequoia National Forest, this small lakeside town offers an incredibly low entry price of around $385,372 on average. That makes it one of the most cost-effective Airbnb markets in California.

• Occupancy: 39%

• ADR: $176

• Annual Revenue: ~$29,557

• Why We Love It: Outdoor vibes, minimal competition, easy entry point for first-time investors.

Henderson, NV: Best luxury investment

All the Vegas sunshine, none of the 3 a.m. blackjack noise.

Henderson is a prime pick for investors seeking a luxury Airbnb market with dependable returns. It’s located right outside Las Vegas, but unlike Sin City, it’s known for its safe, upscale communities and family-friendly feel (think tranquil parks and lakeside neighborhoods instead of the Strip).

• Occupancy: 67%

• ADR: $362

• Annual Revenue: ~$78,442

• Why We Love It: High-end stays just outside Las Vegas, minus the chaos of the Strip.

Florissant, CO: Best up-and-coming area

A mountain town your friends haven’t heard of yet (and that’s the point).

This small mountain town sits near the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and offers visitors a relaxing mountain escape with a dose of history and nature.

• Occupancy: 61%

• ADR: $272

• Annual Revenue: ~$54,108

• Why We Love It: Small-town charm + growing demand = “get in while you can” vibes.

👉 Full list + data breakdown here.

Check out two western markets with real data by SummerOS:

Big Bear, California 🐻

How Much Can I Make on an Airbnb in Big Bear, CA?

How much could a 5-bedroom Airbnb make in Big Bear?

• Annual Revenue: $78,104 (50th percentile), $109,723 (75th percentile), $149,757 (top 10%)

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $724 (median), $1,114 (top)

• Occupancy: 29% to 48%

Read the full Big Bear STR data breakdown linked above.

Boulder, Colorado ❄️

How Much Can I Make on an Airbnb in Boulder, CO?

How much could a 5-bedroom Airbnb make in Boulder?

• Annual Revenue: $92,914 (50th percentile), $152,938 (75th), $195,129 (90th)

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $664 (median), $1,197 (top)

• Occupancy: 44% to 60%

Read the full Boulder STR data breakdown linked above.

📬 See The STR Report’s collection of 80+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports

📱Vrbo Vacation Rentals Added to Expedia B2B Network
Adding vacation rentals to Expedia Group's B2B partner network is progress, but it's amazing that it took so long when you consider how mainstream these properties have become.

❌ Airbnb’s Brian Chesky Is ‘Not Happy’ With the Company’s Growth. Here’s His Plan
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said the company needs to expand more into experiences, hotels, and the international market if it’s going to get the growth rate back up.

🔒 RemoteLock and ChargeAutomation centralize access control 
Universal access control software RemoteLock has partnered with ChargeAutomation to deliver a unified guest experience solution across its global portfolio of more than 80,000 properties.

📺 Airbnb Debuts First Ad for Services: ‘Now You Can Airbnb More Than an Airbnb’
In addition to launching a new Airbnb Services business, the company's new strategy is to lean heavily into social media advertising.

🚌 KRV opens RV Park and Resort in Plantersville, Texas
Knights of the RV (KRV) has opened its flagship RV Park and Resort in Grimes County, offering a mix of luxury amenities, outdoor recreation, and community-focused experiences.

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – September 18th, 2025

Current Mortgage Rates (as of September 18, 2025):

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.22% (+0.09%)

• 15-Year Fixed: 5.75% (+0.04%)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 6.14% (−0.01%)

• 30-Year FHA: 5.95% (+0.04%)

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.65% (no change)

• 30-Year VA: 5.98% (+0.06%)

Market Overview: Mortgage rates trended upward today, with the 30-year fixed rate increasing by nine basis points—the largest single-day rise in recent memory. The bump comes despite the Fed’s recent rate cut, suggesting that bond markets are reacting to signals of potential economic strength or inflation risk. While rates are still below recent highs, this movement may tighten the margin for buyers considering locking in.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

• Short-Term: Mortgage rates may face modest upward pressure in the near term, as markets digest recent Fed action alongside inflation and labor data. The latest move higher in the 30-year fixed rate shows how quickly bond yields can shift when investors interpret economic signals as stronger-than-expected. Day-to-day volatility is likely, but barring any surprises, rates should remain range-bound rather than breaking significantly higher.

• Long-Term: Looking ahead, the broader trajectory still points to gradual easing if inflation continues cooling and long-term Treasury yields retreat. However, analysts caution that mortgage rates may not fall as dramatically as Fed policy rates, since investor expectations and global bond markets carry heavy influence. Sustained declines will require consistent evidence of economic slowdown; otherwise, mortgage rates could hover near current levels for the remainder of 2025.

  For real-time mortgage rate updates, visit Mortgage News Daily.

Bored of staying at regular Airbnbs?

How about staying in a secluded fire lookout turned treehouse in Idaho? 🚒

Perched high among the treetops, Crystal Peak Lookout offers a unique stay in a historic fire lookout tower transformed into a cozy, off-grid retreat. This secluded haven sits on 13 acres of pristine forest, giving guests true privacy and an escape from the daily grind. The tower’s rustic charm blends with modern comforts for a perfect wilderness experience. Whether you’re seeking solitude, adventure, or a romantic getaway, this spot is ideal for hiking, wildlife watching, and stargazing. With scenic trails and breathtaking views nearby, nature lovers will feel right at home. Perfect for those looking to disconnect and recharge, this treetop retreat promises unforgettable memories. ✨

Subscriber Perks:

📖🏡💰 Go Live Playbook

The "Go Live Playbook" is your all-in-one guide featuring a beginner’s guide e-book, messaging templates, Airbnb welcome book, STR buy box template, and tax savings tips to kickstart your short-term rental success.

Community Perks with The STR Report

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management – Lower fees, higher payouts, and premium service. Built for investors who want performance and peace of mind. See how much more your property could earn—click to get your free performance assessment.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder – Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 213+ successful deals, all cash-flowing, you’re in good hands. Take 15 seconds to fill out the form to see how all of these properties are experiencing a 10-15% Cash-on-Cash return.

🤑 STR Loans & More – Need funding for your next short-term rental? Expect expert guidance, personalized service, and the best possible rates.

Partner with Us!

If you have a project you’d like us to promote, or a product or service you’d like to share, please reach out to us at [email protected].

We appreciate you being a part of our STR community and for sharing our group with your business partners and associates. Thank you!