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 25th, 2025

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: ⛷️Winter Bookings That Heat Up Your Returns

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Estes Park, Colorado and Blue Ridge, Georgia

✉️ STR News: Winning the Shoulder Season: How Hospitality Pros Can Capture Hidden Demand

💸 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

🏔️ Ski Town STRs: The Mountain Money Makers

In elite ski towns, winter is not just busy—it’s booked solid. Markets like Vail, CO and Jackson Hole, WY regularly see 80–90% occupancy during ski season, with guests happily paying premium rates for slope access, hot tubs, and luxury finishes. These bookings are often made months in advance, giving investors a predictable revenue stream.

But the snow is only part of the story. Many mountain markets have embraced four-season tourism, with summer hiking, biking, music festivals, and food events keeping calendars full beyond winter. In some destinations, this means investors can see $90K to $200K annually—with the right mix of location, amenities, and property size.

Of course, entry costs in these markets can be steep, especially in well-known luxury destinations. And while regulation hasn’t hit all mountain towns yet, some communities are tightening rules. Plus, there’s the weather factor—snow-dependent markets can see softer years when conditions aren’t ideal.

Still, for those willing to make the upfront investment, ski towns offer both the high nightly rates and year-round potential that few other STR niches can match.

Markets to Consider:

• Park City, UT

• Steamboat Springs, CO

• Vail, CO

• Jackson Hole, WY

Pros:

• ❄️ Winter occupancy often 80–90%+ — Ski season demand is incredibly strong, with many properties booked solid months in advance by travelers willing to pay top dollar for lift access.

• 🌞 Year-round potential with summer outdoor activities — Mountain towns transform into summer adventure hubs, attracting hikers, bikers, and festival-goers when the snow melts.

• 💰 Luxury bookings = premium nightly rates & $90K–$200K potential — Upscale mountain properties cater to affluent travelers who expect and will pay for premium amenities, driving high annual revenue.

Cons:

• 💵 Steep entry prices in elite markets — Buying in top-tier ski towns often requires significant upfront capital, limiting accessibility for new investors.

• 🌨️ Revenue tied to snow conditions — Poor snowfall years can dampen demand and reduce rates, making income less predictable.

• 📜 Increasing regulation in some towns — Certain mountain destinations are considering caps or bans on STRs, which could impact future growth.

Key Success Factors for STR Investors

Not every mountain property will perform equally—success often hinges on a few critical elements. Location within the town is one of the most important. Homes with true ski-in/ski-out access or those within walking distance to gondolas and main streets command the highest premiums. Equally, properties offering après-ski comforts—heated garages, fireplaces, and private hot tubs—see significantly higher occupancy and guest satisfaction.

Seasonality management is another crucial factor. Successful investors build strategies to maximize both winter and summer income streams. This can mean aligning with property managers who specialize in year-round bookings or tailoring the property’s amenities to highlight warm-weather perks like decks, fire pits, and proximity to trails. With proper positioning, investors can smooth out income dips and capture strong returns across multiple seasons.

Final Thoughts

Ski town STRs represent one of the most lucrative yet competitive corners of the short-term rental world. They combine predictable winter demand with growing summer appeal, creating a unique dual-season cash flow opportunity. But these rewards don’t come without risks—high barriers to entry, regulatory uncertainty, and dependence on natural conditions mean this is a niche best suited for well-capitalized, long-term investors.

For those willing to navigate the challenges, mountain markets deliver what few others can: reliable occupancy, premium nightly rates, and a guest base willing to pay for luxury. In short, the right ski town property isn’t just a rental—it’s a year-round money maker that can double as a lifestyle investment.

Estes Park, Colorado🏔️

Downloadable Estes Park, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $424.68 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 57.60%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $119,793 per year

Read our full Estes Park, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

Blue Ridge, Georgia 🥾

Downloadable Blue Ridge, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $317 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 53.62%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $80,794 per year

Read our full Blue Ridge, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

📬 See our collection of 80+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports

💸 Winning the Shoulder Season: How Hospitality Pros Can Capture Hidden Demand
Dynamic pricing and revenue management solution provider, Pricelabs, shares how to capture hidden demand and ‘win’ shoulder season.

🏡 Urban Living Festival 2025: Key takeaways for short-term rentals
The 2025 Urban Living Festival offered a comprehensive look at the trends and challenges shaping hospitality and real estate.

🧑🏽‍💻 HomeToGo announces leadership changes
Vacation rental group, HomeToGo, has announced strategic changes to its leadership division following its acquisition of Swiss tourism company Interhome.

🤫 Airbnb Services: What We Know 4 Months After Launch
Airbnb is following the money on Services, and investing in the ones that are most popular. Test and learn, as they say.

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – September 25th, 2025

Current Mortgage Rates (as of September 25, 2025):

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.37 % (no change)

• 15-Year Fixed: 5.89 % (−0.01 %)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 6.27 % (+0.01 %)

• 30-Year FHA: 6.05 % (−0.01 %)

• 30-Year VA: 6.08 % (+0.01 %)

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.82 % (+0.02 %)

Market Overview: Mortgage rates held mostly steady today, with the 30-year fixed rate settling at 6.37%. That stability comes amid a backdrop of muted bond market movement, suggesting that lenders are cautious to shift pricing without stronger macroeconomic signals.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

• Short-Term: With such little movement today, expect rates to remain range-bound in the near future unless inflation data or Treasury yield shifts force more decisive action.

• Long-Term: While a Fed rate cut is already priced in by many markets, fixed mortgage rates may not fall dramatically unless bond yields and inflation expectations soften further. Movements could be more muted than hoped without a clear economic inflection.

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

Bored of staying at regular Airbnbs?

Ever dreamed of sleeping under the stars—in a treehouse that’s also a planetarium? 🌠

Imagine sleeping under the stars in a treehouse that doubles as a planetarium—this getaway at Beaver Lake, Arkansas, delivers just that. Perched among the treetops, the structure features a clear dome ceiling that lets you lie in bed and watch constellations sweep overhead. The interior feels cozy but elevated, with rustic wooden floors, comfortable furnishings, and thoughtful touches that blend nature with comfort. Outside, you have private decks and spots to take in the surrounding forest and lake views, making it perfect for nature lovers or anyone wanting a peaceful escape. At night, the remote setting minimizes light pollution, so the stars shine bright and the Milky Way reveals itself in all its glory. Whether you're curled up reading, sipping hot coffee at sunrise, or stargazing late into the night, this treehouse offers a magical mix of adventure and relaxation. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s an experience that makes you pause, breathe, and reconnect with the natural world.

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!