Must have tools for a new STR investor.

[Suman Nandi]

Hi Everyone,

I recently moved to San Antonio and am in the process of purchasing an investment property to rent as a short-term rental. I’d appreciate some feedback on my current approach and advice if any.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

Pre-Approval: I’ve secured a pre-approval amount and interest rate from an online mortgage lender.
Property Analysis: I’m using the mortgage and STR calculators from BiggerPockets to assess the financials for potential properties.
Neighborhood Research: I’ve been exploring different neighborhoods using Niche to get insights into schools, safety, and livability.
AirDNA: I’m considering subscribing to AirDNA for data on occupancy rates and rental income estimates.

Questions:

Is AirDNA worth the investment for STR data?
Does anyone know of a reliable site or resource to check zoning laws for Airbnbs or STRs in general?
Any other tips or tools that have worked for you when investing and you think I should definitely consider?


Thanks in advance for your help!