What is Turnkey STR?  Factors to Consider When Buying a Short-Term Rental Business.

Revised February 2023 There has recently been a rise in properties for sale that are described as “Turnkey STR,” a term that has come to mean a property that is fully operational as a short-term rental and being sold as a complete package.  These are often properties that have recently been upgraded, are very tastefully designed and furnished, are licensed as STR, and that have been generating steady income for the seller.  These homes have been drawing a lot of attention from individual investors eager to get started in the rental business, but as with many things in real estate, it is often not quite as simple as writing a check and jumping right in.  While “Turnkey STR” seems attractive, there are some things you should be aware of. Appraisal Gaps are Huge with Turnkey STR In many cases investors are selling successful STR businesses because the demand for them is very strong.  With a solid rental history and potential profit, these properties seem very attractive to small investors who see turnkey as a way to skip the many steps it takes to startup a STR business.  This readiness comes at a cost and these properties are offered at very significant premiums over other homes.  The work the investor did in design, renovation, set-up and then successfully bringing guests is reflected in the price of the home so be prepared that this work comes at a premium price.  If you the buyer has cash, this may make for a wise investment.  If you are financing, you better prepare for some uncertainty. Financing a property with a mortgage requires the property be appraised and the value of the loan will depend on the appraised value.  Real estate appraisals depend on comparable value and strict guidelines for appraisers mean that furniture, furnishings and rental history contribute no value to the appraisal and thus the appraised value will likely be much lower than the purchase price and this gap is known as an Appraisal Gap.  If you are looking to use a standard mortgage to purchase a Turnkey STR and successfully compete with cash buyers, you should prepare to address this appraisal gap with a pledge of cash to cover the gap.  If you don’t have plenty of cash to cover the appraisal gap, one way around this is to use a business loan rather than a typical mortgage because your purchase of a Turnkey STR is really the purchase of a business.  One common type of business loan for investment real estate is DSCR which looks to use rental income and property value as the basis for the loan, but you should look deep into whether the lender can let you use STR income for a DSCR loan Turnkey STR isn’t completely Turnkey While a property that is currently operating as a short-term rental can quickly shift from one owner to another, not everything will transfer hands.  Look deeply into these potential roadblocks to a quick transfer:
  • Municipal STR Licenses: In the Poconos, most municipalities require a license to operate a short-term rental.  The license often requires an inspection and certain guarantees provided by the new owner.  Licenses are generally not transferrable, so before you buy, double check with the local township or borough as to what is required for a license.  Check out my Pocono STR Municipal Scorecard for links to township rules and regulations.
  • Reviews: Most booking sites (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) take the position that the review is mostly about the operator and not the property, thus the listing with its reviews does not transfer when you purchase a rental property.  The rare exception may be the full purchase of a company that owns and operating the property, but for the vast majority of short-term rentals, the listing, with all the descriptions, photos and reviews will not transfer.   Check the community forums on the listing sites for more detail on transfer of property ownership in STR.
  • Future Reservations: Like the reviews, future reservations won’t transfer.  There are creative ways in which you can try to retain the booking as long as the property’s buyer and seller and in agreement on a plan.  A reservation may be viewed by the seller as an asset, and while it should cancel at the settlement, the seller can let the future guest know in advance that a new owner is taking over the property and may be contacting them about rebooking.  Of course, this will depend on how quick the new owner will get their license and get set-up with their community association, so this is a delicate process potentially filled with risk as Airbnb and VRBO do not like it when hosts cancel reservations. Read more on Transferring Future STR reservations
This all gets further complicated when a seller is listing a property for sale and continuing to run their STR.  Booking real estate showings around STR guest stays is difficult, frustrating and in many ways indicates that a seller is not really serious about selling.  The seller of a successful STR may be testing the waters or may be thinking “what do I have to lose by listing?”  You as the buyer should think hard about what you are really gaining in buying a “Turnkey STR.”  The Appraisal Gap is one thing that gets quickly measured, but the Operations Gap in buying an existing short term rental property may be much harder to calculate and predict.  Don’t get me wrong, buying a Turnkey STR can solve a lot of problems and get you quickly onto the path of success. Turnkey STR properties will often come with a local team that will be willing to switch to a new owner. You can see from reviews how the property has done and how well the team is doing. Having obtained a license also helps put your mind at ease, with the property already having gone through that review. All this comes at a cost and as we often say in real estate, “Time is of the essence.” Data provided by sellers can be a good indicator, but is should be viewed with some skepticism as these are not audited financials and in some cases properties are being sold because the operator may not have been good. One way to get additional insight into the potential performance of a STR is through one of the many third party providers that collect and analyze data. These services can not only be helpful in your search for a property, but will be very helpful in your operations, especially when it comes to setting rates and keeping an eye on your local competition. These data providers include: In the end, all of the indicators can help you get started, but your ultimate success will come from the product you deliver. I believe half of the success of a STR comes from the property, and half from the operations. Data and past performance won’t guarantee that you run a quality operation so take data as it is intended, an indicator of success.

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July 03, 2023

Some communities are more friendly to VRBO and Airbnb, others oppose the practice.  Here is an summary drawn from various HOAs (Home Owner Associations) and township regulations. Last Updated: March, 2024 ARROWHEAD LAKE (Coolbaugh Township and Tobyhanna Township, PA) As one of the area’s most recognized vacation home communities, Arrowhead Lake has a rich traditionContinue reading "Short-term Rental Friendly Pocono Communities"

The post Short-term Rental Friendly Pocono Communities appeared first on Pocono Vacation Home Sales & Short-term Rental.

March 01, 2022

Zoning, Rules and Regulations regarding Short-term Rentals, VRBO and AirBnB are changing in the Poconos, here is a scorecard of municipalities and what they say about running a short-term rental from your vacation home or income property.

The post STR Municipal Scorecard: Rules on Short-term Rentals in Boroughs and Townships in Poconos appeared first on Pocono Vacation Home Sales & Short-term Rental.