All Forum Posts by: Kelsey Ardoin

 @Latrisa Here's a link to the map where STRs are not allowed in Galveston: https://www.galvestonparkboard.org/DocumentCenter/View/1785/...

However, I also maintain a list of neighborhoods that "allow" STR but add stipulations such as the requirement for rentals to be weekly (not less than 7 days) or that a maximum number of guests (12 for ex) are allowed at one property regardless of bedroom size. The strictest rules I've seen state that the property must be managed by a property manager that is a licensed real estate agent in TX and has an office in Galveston.

 Sure thing! 

@Jules Simon My clients typically end up going with policies through Breana May at Goosehead. If you're interested, her info comes up in a search. Gabourel Insurance is another company I recommend. They specialize in policies along the Gulf Coast. 

@Marisa Lerario Dudiak, I specialize in STR's in the Galveston/Crystal Beach market. Both are good locations, with it being less than 2 hours from Houston, which is the 4th largest city in the US. Most of my clients tend to buy in Crystal Beach due to combination of being priced out of Galveston for beachside property and also assessing the bang for their buck. You can get a beachside furnished, 2012 3/2 in Crystal Beach for $500k, whereas in Galveston you're looking at closer to $550k for a 3/2 that's across the highway from the beach and a lot of times that's for a much older house (80's, 90's 00's).

I have STRs in Crystal Beach and in the Smokies. There are going to be risks anytime you own a house, and in a vacation market that's especially true as that typically means you're a little closer to Mother Nature. In the Smokies, there are wildfires. You need to plan for the worst and hope for the best. For us, that means being adequately insured and having rental replacement insurance in place. 

I did see a comment above that referred to flooding in the ground floor of a structure. There are some older structures that were constructed according to previous guidelines and have been grandfathered into flood zones that allow the presence of and insurability of ground floor structures. The current base flood level elevation is 14 ft. That means if you're buying a house built 2008 or later for sure, the lowest horizontal crossmember is 14 feet above sea level (elevation of land + elevation provided by pilings). So please know that most recent construction beach houses do not having living space on the ground floor. 

 Thank you so much, January! That means the world to me because I work HARD for my clients from introduction to well after closing. My door is always open to helping clients.

 Yes, January is exactly right (and does exactly this with her market in Florida). We promote self-management to help STS owners keep as much of the profit in their pocket as possible. 

 Yes, we sure are! We opened up the STS market in Crystal Beach/Galveston, TX in October 2021. 

 Thanks! I really appreciate that, Brooklyn! 

Avery, thank you for the recommendation!

Hi Ashley, I can definitely help you find a STR in Galveston. I am an agent with The Short Term Shop (Avery's team), and I specialize in helping investors find STRs in Galveston and Crystal Beach. I'll send you a connection request so we can discuss specifics of how i can help you.

Hi Katie, it's been great. We purchased in mid-February and had it in service by March 1. It's been rented every weekend since other than one weekend in November, and it was rented all but a handful of days over the summer. We will be closing out the year (March - December) with something like $85k - 90k in revenue. Haven't looked to get the latest figure. 

Helping short-term rental investors find beach houses in Crystal Beach and Galveston is what I do all day, every day. While I am an expert in this market and take great care of my clients, one of the biggest benefits to buying with me is that The Short Term Shop's resources (education, vendor lists, systems, private Facebook group with area-specific knowledge) are free to you going forward. If you'd like to explore the idea of buying a STR in Crystal Beach or Galveston, I'd be happy to discuss.