Looking to purchase first rental..... Do would anyone recommend MTR or STR?
WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes
Looking to purchase first rental..... Do would anyone recommend MTR or STR?
Most Popular Reply
Alan AsriantsBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votesMTR and STR operate more like a business. A lot of it has to do with how you advertise, your ammenities and features, and your track record. To stand out in the STR space especially you need to be very well accredited and offer and great and unique product. This requires a lot of marketing and intial investment into your furniture, activities, etc.
A lot of people think that buying a property and listing it on AirBnB is somehow going to make them better returns. Its a skill and a business. Not necessarily an investment.
The reality is that you need a lot of time and money up front to get your project started and you need to really work on building your credibility. Just think about yourself when you choose to stay at an airbnb. Do you stay at the sketchy looking log cabin for 300/night or do you go for the super well done cabin with a pool table, sauna and hot tub for 450/night - oh and they have a ton of reviews and listed as a super host.
if you want to have steady cash flow and steady returns to INVEST into real estate then ditch the idea of MTR and STR and get a LTR in a decent area
If you want to own a business than go for the STR or MTR model. But business returns are not immediate and take time and money to grow.
Alan Asriants - New Century Real Estate 590 Reviews
21 Replies
- Member since 2022 · 51 posts · 28 votes1y
Check out Jesse Vasquez Airventure on YouTube. He has a lot of good info on MTRs. He has podcasts as well.
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1y
Quote from @Nate Williams:
Check out Jesse Vasquez Airventure on YouTube. He has a lot of good info on MTRs. He has podcasts as well.
TY
- Wholesaler · Baton Rouge, LA · Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 0 votes1y
Hey Duane,
I’m Cristiana, and I’ve spent the last 10 years building and leading teams in the short-term and mid-term rental industry across Airbnb, VRBO, Furnished Finder, Booking.com, and 20+ other platforms. Managing 25 properties worldwide, I’ve scaled operations to generate $1M+ annually, which led to acquiring a hotel in Costa Rica.
Beyond operations, I specialize in connecting investors to exclusive, off-market opportunities through my extensive network. To guide you in the right direction, with whether STR or MTR is better suitable; I have a few questions:
- Where are you located?
- What major cities are nearby?
- What drives travel demand in these areas?
Looking forward to helping you navigate the best direction!
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1y
Quote from @Cristiana Rios:
Hey Duane,
I’m Cristiana, and I’ve spent the last 10 years building and leading teams in the short-term and mid-term rental industry across Airbnb, VRBO, Furnished Finder, Booking.com, and 20+ other platforms. Managing 25 properties worldwide, I’ve scaled operations to generate $1M+ annually, which led to acquiring a hotel in Costa Rica.
Beyond operations, I specialize in connecting investors to exclusive, off-market opportunities through my extensive network. To guide you in the right direction, with whether STR or MTR is better suitable; I have a few questions:
- Where are you located?
- What major cities are nearby?
- What drives travel demand in these areas?
Looking forward to helping you navigate the best direction!
Hi Cristiana,
I am looking in a few areas. Milwaukee, Janesville, Madison in WI.
Travel: all have uber services, but best in Madison and Milwaukee, rental cards, and busses in all.
Duane
- Wholesaler · Baton Rouge, LA · Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 0 votes1y
Okay, yes you are in the right direction; making sure that there is convenient transportation is key to getting clients. Location is the most important variable when it comes to choosing an investment property. Before you decide to do STR or MTR, I would see what type of guests are visiting. This would depend on the nearby attractions within 5 miles radius such as hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, amusement park, government building, major corporations, schools, etc.
Once you know WHY people are traveling to WI, you will be able to decipher which direction to lead into.
For an example; if it is by many corporations and more corporate/commercialized-- then MTR would be better. If it is mostly enternmaint/ more catered towards then I would do STR
- 1yShiloh LundahlPro MemberRental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
@Cristiana Rios we own three properties in Costa Rica. Where are your properties located?
- Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes1y
Quote from @Duane A. Snow:
I have gone back and forth about what kind of rental I start with. Was thinking a single family home 2 to 3 beds. Was wondering about starting in the Mid-Term rental area rather than STR. Yes I have pondered the Full year rental and that would do mortgage and give me a little extra, but thought MTR or STR might do better. Also, can you rent out each room for MTR? thanks for whom ever may lead in the right direc
Milwaukee's STR space is getting saturated, especially if you have nothing special to offer. Most STRs are generic, cheap homes with lots of paint and trendy but cheap furniture. Consumers pick up on that. The properties are often flawed and no well-suited for a family to live there long term (lot's of bedrooms, but tiny living room, no yard, no garage etc), that's why they sold for a discount an get used as STR. Long term that makes them tough to sell to anyone else but an STR investor.
There are much fewer quality STRs available to rent, so that's one way to differentiate. And then you got the vacation rental market. The problem with southern Wisconsin is that we don't have reliable snow coverage anymore, so you are limited to the summer season and will sit vacant for the winter. Or you go north, which makes you a lot more remote, far away from the next Home Depot, and a long drive for everyone, but opens you up the snowmobile and ice fishing season.
IMO the most important thing is to buy quality real estate, no matter how you rent it. We have a chronic housing shortage in Milwaukee. Home prices have doubled in the last ten years and we are still well below the national average.
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1y
Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:
Quote from @Duane A. Snow:
I have gone back and forth about what kind of rental I start with. Was thinking a single family home 2 to 3 beds. Was wondering about starting in the Mid-Term rental area rather than STR. Yes I have pondered the Full year rental and that would do mortgage and give me a little extra, but thought MTR or STR might do better. Also, can you rent out each room for MTR? thanks for whom ever may lead in the right direc
Milwaukee's STR space is getting saturated, especially if you have nothing special to offer. Most STRs are generic, cheap homes with lots of paint and trendy but cheap furniture. Consumers pick up on that. The properties are often flawed and no well-suited for a family to live there long term (lot's of bedrooms, but tiny living room, no yard, no garage etc), that's why they sold for a discount an get used as STR. Long term that makes them tough to sell to anyone else but an STR investor.
There are much fewer quality STRs available to rent, so that's one way to differentiate. And then you got the vacation rental market. The problem with southern Wisconsin is that we don't have reliable snow coverage anymore, so you are limited to the summer season and will sit vacant for the winter. Or you go north, which makes you a lot more remote, far away from the next Home Depot, and a long drive for everyone, but opens you up the snowmobile and ice fishing season.
IMO the most important thing is to buy quality real estate, no matter how you rent it. We have a chronic housing shortage in Milwaukee. Home prices have doubled in the last ten years and we are still well below the national average.
Hi Marcus,
Thank you for the response. I do know the market and shortage for LTR purposes. I live in Walworth by Lake Geneva. People do not want to STR Lake Geneva because of all the regulations the local government are making. I know Milwaukee has UW-Mil. and Marquette so thought a good put together MTR. There is hospitals for VA, Private, and public sectors, plus a lot to do in the area. Love AJ Bombers, and 3rd street market. That is not including Bucks games/stadium concerts and events plus the Brewers. So just weighing options when I do purchase in a month or so.
Thank You
Andy
- 1yAlan AsriantsBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
MTR and STR operate more like a business. A lot of it has to do with how you advertise, your ammenities and features, and your track record. To stand out in the STR space especially you need to be very well accredited and offer and great and unique product. This requires a lot of marketing and intial investment into your furniture, activities, etc.
A lot of people think that buying a property and listing it on AirBnB is somehow going to make them better returns. Its a skill and a business. Not necessarily an investment.
The reality is that you need a lot of time and money up front to get your project started and you need to really work on building your credibility. Just think about yourself when you choose to stay at an airbnb. Do you stay at the sketchy looking log cabin for 300/night or do you go for the super well done cabin with a pool table, sauna and hot tub for 450/night - oh and they have a ton of reviews and listed as a super host.
if you want to have steady cash flow and steady returns to INVEST into real estate then ditch the idea of MTR and STR and get a LTR in a decent area
If you want to own a business than go for the STR or MTR model. But business returns are not immediate and take time and money to grow.
Alan Asriants - New Century Real Estate 590 Reviews - 1yDavid ButlerPro MemberFlipper/Rehabber · Lake Geneva, WI · Member since 2016 · 39 posts · 27 votes
Quote from @Duane A. Snow:
I have gone back and forth about what kind of rental I start with. Was thinking a single family home 2 to 3 beds. Was wondering about starting in the Mid-Term rental area rather than STR. Yes I have pondered the Full year rental and that would do mortgage and give me a little extra, but thought MTR or STR might do better. Also, can you rent out each room for MTR? thanks for whom ever may lead in the right direction.
To me, the answer depends on both the property and what are your super powers--i.e. where do you have a competitive advantage? I don't feel there is one answer to this question as every property is different and what are your goals, how much time do you have to manage, what are your strengths when it comes to working the trades, people skills, etc as that will help drive towards your super power. A STR is probably going to take more day to day time to manage than LTR--do you have the bandwidth to handle more demands? What are your long term goals with real estate? Are you looking to quite your W2 job--STR might get a leg up because of the STR loophole in becoming a real estate professional? All of these things may well point to the best direction for you.
- 1yShawn AckermanPro MemberReal Estate Entrepreneur · Mid West, East Coast · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
@Duane A. Snow Milwaukee is a great market to invest in. There is a great selection of SFR's and MFR's. I'd say consider split testing the SFR and LTR approach. You can try this with a duplex. Location will matter oncourse so be mindful of that. Is your strategy more monthly income focused or appreciation?
- 1yGary NelsonBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Branson, MO · Member since 2016 · 141 posts · 93 votes
It depends on your market and how hands-on you want to be. STRs can bring in higher revenue but require more turnover, guest management, and keeping up with regulations. MTRs offer steady income with fewer turnovers, making them more passive. Start with a competitor analysis—see what STRs and MTRs in your area are charging and their occupancy rates. STRs can be lucrative, but if vacancies worry you, MTRs may be a better bet. Either way, running the numbers and knowing your local demand is key.
Gary Nelson Real Estate, EXP Realty, LLC554 Reviews - 1yClare PitcherBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2024 · 162 posts · 97 votes
I like long term rentals because there is much less turnover and you can time the market a little better. You are able to have a guarenteed tenant for at least 12 months. With short term or mid term rentals you risk vacancy, especially in the winter since it gets so cold in the winter. It all comes down to your goals for the property, but I think the most important thing is to buy in a good area that will attract good tenants no matter which type of rental you pursue!
Welcome Home Milwaukee4.4453 Reviews - Rental Property Investor · Oconomowoc, WI · Member since 2016 · 996 posts · 431 votes1y
I think Janesville is a great market for MTR. I could also see there being a larger future market for STRs. An MTR market at Janesville would work well with the larger medical community here and in Madison, (Traveling nurses!) plus visiting executives, etc for the other employment there. As far as i know Janesville doesnt any local restrictions on either type of rentals currently.
- Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2019 · 14 posts · 1 vote1y
I have a property in Janesville that is set up for STR/MTR as well as a portfolio of long term rental properties. STR/MTR does OK. I don't recommened MTR being your only plan in Janesville. Plan to serve travelling nurses didn't really work out after Covid and we pivoted to STR to keep the cash flow going. I think Janesville is a great long term rental market.
- Realtor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2014 · 147 posts · 73 votes1y
I gave a presentation on this exact topic at the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin Annual Convention last year, and the key takeaway was that all rental strategies have their merits, but you need to know what you’re signing up for. Some can be passive investments, while others are full-fledged businesses.
Long-Term Rentals (LTRs) are the best starting point for most investors because they offer consistent income, lower management demands, and a truly passive approach. A 12-month lease means stable cash flow, fewer turnovers, and minimal involvement, especially if you use a property manager. Financing is also easier since lenders prefer predictable rental income over the fluctuations of STRs or MTRs.
Short-Term Rentals (STRs) and Mid-Term Rentals (MTRs) can be lucrative but require more hands-on management. STRs, in particular, are closer to running a hospitality business than a passive investment, with constant guest turnover, cleaning coordination, and regulatory risks. MTRs fall somewhere in between but still require furnishing and active tenant acquisition. If your goal is long-term wealth with minimal effort, LTRs are the best place to start, allowing you to scale without making real estate your full-time job.
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1yThank you
Quote from @Corina Eufinger:
I think Janesville is a great market for MTR. I could also see there being a larger future market for STRs. An MTR market at Janesville would work well with the larger medical community here and in Madison, (Traveling nurses!) plus visiting executives, etc for the other employment there. As far as i know Janesville doesnt any local restrictions on either type of rentals currently.
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1y
Quote from @Oktay Ugur:
I have a property in Janesville that is set up for STR/MTR as well as a portfolio of long term rental properties. STR/MTR does OK. I don't recommened MTR being your only plan in Janesville. Plan to serve travelling nurses didn't really work out after Covid and we pivoted to STR to keep the cash flow going. I think Janesville is a great long term rental market.
Oktay,
I do know Janesville for the LTR I use to help low income families try to find housing there for years. Just trying to see if MTR or STR would be something worth trying in the area. Thank you for reaching out. I look to purchase first property with in the next 2 months with VA loan.
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1y
Quote from @Pat Parrillo:
I gave a presentation on this exact topic at the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin Annual Convention last year, and the key takeaway was that all rental strategies have their merits, but you need to know what you’re signing up for. Some can be passive investments, while others are full-fledged businesses.
Long-Term Rentals (LTRs) are the best starting point for most investors because they offer consistent income, lower management demands, and a truly passive approach. A 12-month lease means stable cash flow, fewer turnovers, and minimal involvement, especially if you use a property manager. Financing is also easier since lenders prefer predictable rental income over the fluctuations of STRs or MTRs.
Short-Term Rentals (STRs) and Mid-Term Rentals (MTRs) can be lucrative but require more hands-on management. STRs, in particular, are closer to running a hospitality business than a passive investment, with constant guest turnover, cleaning coordination, and regulatory risks. MTRs fall somewhere in between but still require furnishing and active tenant acquisition. If your goal is long-term wealth with minimal effort, LTRs are the best place to start, allowing you to scale without making real estate your full-time job.
Thank you for the information. I do understand the more hands on. I was trying to see how well on the financial side and what I may need to make it more attractive to go those ways.
- WI · Member since 2023 · 74 posts · 24 votes1y
Quote from @Shawn Ackerman:
@Duane A. Snow Milwaukee is a great market to invest in. There is a great selection of SFR's and MFR's. I'd say consider split testing the SFR and LTR approach. You can try this with a duplex. Location will matter oncourse so be mindful of that. Is your strategy more monthly income focused or appreciation?
Thank you
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