Now that Columbus, Georgia is turning into a proper destination for tourism, the city has been placed in the top 10 spots to buy vacation rental properties. According to research from Hostaway, a global vacation management company, Columbus is among the top cities offering the highest return for investors.
Fresh Hostaway data reveals that under-the-radar markets are delivering strong occupancy, attractive RevPAR growth, and double-digit gross yields — all while maintaining affordable home prices.
Top 10 spots to buy vacation rental investment properties
After the pandemic-era boon in rentals, things started to slow down. While bigger, more populated cities are still suffering from those factors, smaller towns are cities are starting to show tremendous growth.
- Peoria, Illinois
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Akron, Ohio
- Columbus, Georgia
- Crescent City, California
- Shreveport, Louisiana
- Page, Arizona
- Rockford, Illinois
- Dayton, Ohio
- Frankfort, Kentucky
Here’s how the rankings are measured
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the success of a short-term rental. Hostaway looked at occupancy rates, Revenue per Available Rental (AevPAR) and gross yield to measure the success of a certain city.
These factors are influenced by other variables:
- Access to beaches
- Ski resorts
- Cultural events
- Proximity to urban centers
For the off-peak season, proximity to these are valuable:
- Nearby college
- Major hospital
- Conference center
- Military base
Advice to future investors
Marcus Rader, CEO and Founder of Hostaway, advises making smart decisions from the beginning, and continues to be adaptable to guest expectations and market shifts.
He warns investors, to stay competitive, hosts must:
- Embrace automation,
- Study analytics
- Utilize Artificial Intelligence
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned investor, Columbus is poised to become a highly lucrative place for investors to spend their money.
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