International Airbnb Market(Cebu Philippines)

[Zachary Himes]

I own a house free and clear in Cebu City Philippines. I have many many questions regarding the market in Cebu. The house is about 15 minutes outside of the city, in a smaller suburb named Talisay. 

It is a four-bed 3 bath house, that is currently unfurnished. I have the funds to fully furnish and get this up and running but I have some concerns about this particular market. I've tried looking on AirDNA at Talisay and it is not on there. Cebu city which like I said the house is about 15 minutes outside of the city seems to be an okay market I think I saw it was rated a B on AirDNA or something. 

My Questions:

1. Does anyone have experience with Airbnb in Cebu? How is it?

2. Is it work the risk of furnishing, I've budgeted about 15k or so to fully furnish the entire house, how would I way this investment as there isn't a lot of info on the area?

3. The profit margin is great as I have no overhead except the furnishing costs, once it's up and going as it's paid off. 

4. I would invest the 15k elsewhere if this isn't the case, so it wouldn't be sitting doing anything.

[John Farkas]

Hi Zachary,

Sorry, but I have no answer for you in regards to the Philippine market. I am interested to hear if anyone else does. If you already have a house there and it is sitting empty doing nothing then why not furnish it and put it up as a LTR or STR? I do have some experience in international LTR/STR. I have 2 condos in Playa Del Carmen that I rent LTR/STR. I am flexible when it comes to LTR/STR and both condos have been rented under both conditions. One thing that I have learned is that you cannot predict the market and future and sometimes you just need to go for it and learn as you go in the international market. I think the biggest concern is location. Is it near the tourist area or the beach? If it is in the residential neighborhood then maybe only locals would want to rent and the rents might be lower.