Thinking About Selling Your STR? Here’s What Hosts Need to Know

If you’ve ever thought about selling your short-term rental, you’ve probably wondered—how much is it actually worth? And can I sell it as a functioning, revenue-generating business?

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer Lori’s thoughtful question about preparing an STR for sale and explore what it takes to position your property as more than just a home.

The first thing to understand? STRs are almost always appraised as residential real estate—not businesses. That means your furniture, future bookings, and even five-star Airbnb reviews aren’t automatically baked into the price. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have value.

Here’s what you can do to maximize your potential sale price and make the process smoother:

• Find a STR-savvy realtor: Your agent should understand the STR landscape, be connected to investor buyers, and know how to market a turnkey furnished rental.
• Build out business assets: A direct booking website, guest email list (via tools like StayFi), and strong social following all add to your property’s appeal—especially for investors looking for plug-and-play businesses.
• Keep detailed performance records: Historical booking data, occupancy rates, and revenue numbers help buyers understand income potential—even if your current margins aren’t stellar.
• Consider creative deals: If your future bookings are tied to your personal Airbnb account, you might offer to co-host for a few months while the buyer ramps up. Or you might sell the furnishings separately to someone who sees the value in your setup.
• Leverage your network: Word-of-mouth might be your best lead. Don’t underestimate the power of your personal and professional connections.

The key takeaway? Selling your STR requires a shift in mindset—from host to small business owner. The more you treat your property like a brand and a business, the more attractive it becomes to buyers.

Resources mentioned:

StayFi – StayFi helps you collect guest emails for future marketing and direct bookings.

Google Vacation Rentals – A powerful way to generate direct bookings outside Airbnb.

Hosting Business Mastery – Learn how to run your STR like a business with Thanks for Visiting’s exclusive program.

Have More Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your hosting questions to the Hosting Hotline and tune in to the podcast for answers. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more tips: @thanksforvisiting_.

Download a transcript of this episode.

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