STR - which is best: 3 beds with pool OR 4 beds with no pool?

[Chris Bird]

I'm looking at a STR in N. Phoenix/Cave Creek/Scottsdale (no HOA) and have one question: which do you think would get more income over the full year: 3 bedrooms with a pool or a 4 bedrooms with NO pool?

I ask because an acquaintance that I just met has 4 STRs in another part of town and says that he'll never buy one without a pool.  I'm inclined to believe him because of his experience.  But from my own Airbnb experiences and because I've been in Scottsdale for years and know that most don't even use their pools in the high-demand months of December-March.  

No doubt, it would be easier to rent in the non high-demand months but seems like 50% of the income is going to come from those 4 months when the pool would likely not get used (unless it has a $5k heater + high gas expense)

Thanks in advance everyone!  I'm new to the community and it's been great to see how helpful everyone's been. 

-Chris

[Michael Baum]

I think you have your answer @Chris Bird. Pool it is. Now, how hard would it be to add a pool to the 4 bedroom? Is there plenty of yard space to make it work? Have you checked and gotten some bids on installing one? Is the 4 bedroom in a better area?

Do other places right near the 4 bedroom have pools? You might be able to make it a negotiating tactic to get one installed.

It could be the best of both worlds. More heads in beds and a pool.