Seattle STR rental vacancy rate

[Tracy Qi]

Hi we have a house at north side of Seattle. We are thinking furnishing it and use it as STR.

I check STR houses on Airbnb and VRBO. Many of them are available all the time which means there is huge vacancy rate.

How will you make money if the house is always vacant.

Thanks

[Henry T.]

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Hey @Tracy Qi, if you are looking for absolute certainty you aren't going to get it.

All of the analysis is an estimation. All you can do is gather data and see what shakes out.

Much will depending on your location, what kind of place you have and how it is setup, what kind of amenities you offer etc. The list goes on.

All you can do your best and move forward.

Seeing as LTRs are on the scarce side in Seattle and rents are high, you might do nearly as well with a long term tenant vs STR.

Spot on Mike. I would definately make more money on my Seattle STR if it were LTR. But, after many years landlording in Seattle, I quit. Seattle is a toxic unfriendly place for landlords. My Seattle STR is about 50% vacant per month(by choice), I'm happy with that. Actually thinking of raising the price so I have slightly less bookings. Even though the STR is more work than typical LTR I'm enjoying this new activity and expanding outside of Seattle. There's nothing unique about mine, no silly artwork, no hot tubs, or pool tables. Functional and clean. I can see where if I did certain things it would be really busy, but I dont want that, I'm good.