Airbnb Enemy method (calendar availability)

[Briana Smith]

Hey guys! I am trying to utilize the enemy method by finding properties on Zillow for sale that I like and are in my budget and then looking at the same area on airbnb and trying to compare prices and amenities to places on Airbnb. Part of my search includes looking at calendars and seeing if comparable places are fully or partially booked. I am noticing a trend where a lot of places have maybe a few bookings in the next couple months (March-April) and then fully blocked out and booked the rest of the year(July 2023-July 2024). Is that an airbnb tactic or does it mean something? Maybe they live in the unit and only rent it when out of town for a season? I think this info is available on AirDNA but I am avoiding buying it for now. 

Also, I read somewhere that studies show people are no longer booking far in advance, so it is normal for places to only be booked 2 months in advance. Do you guys believe that to be true, and consider it in your enemy method analysis?

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Brooklyn McCarty, our house is in North Idaho on Lake Coeur d'Alene. There are some STRs on the lake but not a ton. It is a large lake at 50,000 acres. It isn't easy to get a nice place on the lake for a week or 2 weeks so people book early. It has been that way since we started in 2017.

There is competition of course. I look at all the rentals on the lake pretty regularly and I know I am priced properly. We are a little above average based on places similar to ours but we have all 5 stars and lots of amenities.

It will be tough to saturate this area as cash flow will be negative based on the price increases over the last 2-3 years. Our home has appreciated just a little over 300%.