Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rentals: How Property Owners Earn More
Maximize Your Real Estate Income While Building Long-Term Wealth
Thinking About Selling or Renting Your Property?
If you’re a homeowner or real estate investor debating whether to sell your home, rent it long-term, or turn it into a short-term rental, the numbers tell a clear story:
Short-term rental properties consistently generate more revenue than traditional long-term rentals — often 2–3 times higher annual income.
With short-term rentals, you:
Keep your property as a growing asset.
Build equity while guests pay your mortgage.
Benefit from year-over-year appreciation in property value.
Why Short-Term Rentals Are More Profitable
The average long-term lease locks you into a low fixed monthly rate. Short-term rental income, however, adjusts dynamically based on demand, which means:
Higher nightly rates during peak travel seasons.
Flexibility to use your property yourself when you want.
The ability to target multiple guest segments — vacationers, business travelers, relocation stays, and more.
For property owners in tourism-driven and high-demand areas nationwide, the earning potential is unmatched.
Short-Term Rentals: A Long-Term Strategy
Unlike selling, which ends your investment, or long-term renting, which caps your earnings, short-term rentals offer a scalable wealth-building strategy.
Yes, there’s an upfront investment — you’re essentially turning your home into a mini hotel. That means:
Professional interior design to attract bookings.
Top-tier amenities to stand out in the market.
Consistent property upkeep to maintain 5-star reviews.
Done right, your property can produce high occupancy rates and premium nightly rates for years to come.
Self-Manage vs. Short-Term Rental Management
Managing a short-term rental is not passive income unless you have a professional team. Self-management involves:
Daily guest communication and troubleshooting.
Coordinating cleaning crews and maintenance teams.
Optimizing pricing based on seasonality and local events.
Marketing and listing optimization across multiple booking platforms.
It’s a full-time job — and that’s where OurStay Vacations comes in.
OurStay Vacations: Your Full-Service Short-Term Rental Management Solution
Whether your property is in a beach town, ski destination, major city, or national park gateway, OurStay Vacations can manage it anywhere in the U.S..
When you partner with OurStay Vacations, you get:
High occupancy rates year-round.
Revenue that outperforms self-managed properties, even after management fees.
End-to-end service — guest communications, bookings, cleaning, maintenance, design recommendations, and pricing strategy.
Access to industry-leading technology and marketing strategies to keep your property competitive.
We make short-term rentals truly passive — you own the property, we run the business.
The Bottom Line: Keep Your Asset, Earn More, Stress Less
Selling your property ends your investment. Long-term renting limits your income.
Short-term rentals let you:
Keep and grow your asset.
Earn significantly more than traditional renting.
Enjoy a hands-off, fully managed income stream.
If you’re ready to unlock the full earning potential of your property, OurStay Vacations is the proven choice for short-term rental management nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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On average, short-term rental properties can earn 2–3 times more annual income than traditional long-term leases, especially in tourism-friendly locations. The exact difference depends on your property’s location, size, and amenities — but short-term rentals allow you to charge premium nightly rates, especially during peak seasons.
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Absolutely. A professional short-term rental management company like OurStay Vacations typically earns more for property owners than self-management — even after management fees. This is because we maintain higher than industry standard occupancy rates, optimize nightly pricing, market across multiple booking platforms, and ensure your property is guest-ready at all times.
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Professional interior design and décor
High-quality furniture and linens
Guest amenities (kitchenware, toiletries, entertainment)
Professional photography to showcase the space online. Think of it as creating a boutique hotel— the better the guest experience, the higher your bookings and reviews.
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Yes. One of the biggest benefits of short-term rentals over long-term leasing is flexibility. You can block off dates for personal use whenever you want, while still keeping the property booked during other times of the year.
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If you self-manage, it’s not passive at all — you’ll be handling guest communication, check-ins, cleanings, maintenance, and pricing.
When you hire a full-service short-term rental management company like OurStay Vacations, your income becomes truly passive. We handle everything — you just collect your monthly payouts. -
No. We can manage properties anywhere in the U.S. as long as they’re large enough to perform well as a short-term rental and local regulations allow it. Our expertise works in beach destinations, mountain towns, urban markets, and everywhere in between.