STR Smoky Mountains low occupancy on Airbnb?

Question

Hi everyone, I am looking to purchase my first STR and did some research in the Smokey Mountains area on Airbnb. When I was looking at occupancy rates on Airbnb for a few random listings most of them only had 5-7 nights occupied?Is it the non busy season in that area? I’ve heard of really high occupancy rates, but when researching for a ‘worst case scenario’ when I do purchase a STR, a lot of listings don’t have any bookings for the month of February?

Jonathan Ball · Answer

I have a STR in Gatlinburg with 95% occupancy throughout the year, but I’ve only had 3 bookings in January. It’s the slow season right now, and occupancy is down in the entire area due to Omicron.

John Underwood · Answer

January and February is the slow season there.

Account Closed · Answer

@Keegan Schaub  You can look at the historical occupancy rates vía PriceLabs, sort by bedrooms, and cordon off an area too.

William Beck · Answer

Check again in March. It'll be strong

Jerry Calhoun · Answer

I agree Jan and Feb are our slowest months but this year I have properties that are doing better than previous years. I have a 5 bed 4 bath cabin that is 74.98% for Jan and 71.43% for Feb. I have a 4 bed 4 bath cabin that is doing 38.71% for Jan and 32.14% for Feb. I also have a 2 bed 2 bath condo that is doing 80.60% for Jan and 85.71% for Feb.

I assume it must be the overall economy as i am not really doing anything different than in previous years.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

a) slow season, b) what about all of the houses that may be occupied by VRBO owners? And the others...

Justin Beasley · Answer

Yes. January & February are slower months. First sign of a return to "normal"

Buddy Holmes · Answer

@Keegan Schaub

Keegan, Other than times and places around local Ski resorts, the Summer is the main tourist season.

Skiing is weather dependent which is variable, so that season is short within the winter.

just IMHO.

Cheers,

Buddy

STR Smoky Mountains low occupancy on Airbnb?

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