Short Term Rentals: Investments For Your Future
Jonathan Branson, REALTOR®
What are short term rentals? Well it really depends on where you are located as to how it is defined. The State of Alabama defines short term rental as the use of a property for rental purposes to a single individual for less than 180 consecutive days. The City of Tuscaloosa defines short term rentals as the transient use of a property for the use of rental purposes for less than 30 consecutive nights. Short term rentals are an underused but highly lucrative option for investing in real estate. If you've never considered investing in short term rentals, you're certainly not alone. However, this is actually an excellent investment opportunity for even the novice real estate investor. Although the vacancy rate for short term rentals is generally higher than for long term rentals, the additional income typically covers the difference. Short-term rentals also offer more flexibility than properties with a monthly or yearly lease. Companies such as Airbnb and VRBO have brought the short-term rental market into the mainstream, making it easier than ever for investors to profit from real estate ownership. Owning this type of rental property allows investors to reap income over time while the underlying asset appreciates.
Benefits Of Short Term Rentals
Short term rentals give their owners flexibility and greater control over their property and many other benefits. So let's take a look at some of the main advantages that short term rentals offer their owners:
Personal vacation use: Many investors like to make personal use of their vacation rental property and rent it out to others when it is not in use. When a property is listed on the short term rental market, it is much easier for the owner to block off the dates they would like to use the property.- Less wear and tear: Short term rentals tend to be occupied around weekends and busy tourism seasons, but not throughout the entire year. Because of this, it tends to take relatively longer to build up noticeable wear and tear on the property.
- Easier maintenance: Similar to the less frequent wear and tear of short term rentals, these properties are often easier to maintain. Short term rentals are cleaned and prepared for new occupants more regularly, which translated to better-maintained properties. This helps to prevent any long term damage to the property. If any maintenance problems arise, a short term rental owner has easier access to the property without disturbing residences.
- More overall rental income: Owners are typically able to charge a higher nightly rate for short term rentals, compared to long term vacation rentals. Although occupancy can fluctuate, making rental income less consistent, short term rentals tend to provide more rental income long term.
- Price Adjustment: Short term rentals offer their owners the ability to adjust the price of rent more often than owners of long term rentals can. Short term rental homeowners can change the price of rent in between occupants as they see fit. If there is a higher demand for their rental in the summer season, they can raise their rent and produce more income. They are not limited to year-long lease terms that long term rental homeowners experience.
Short term rentals are not without potential downsides. Because rental income is a direct result of being able to book short-term guests throughout the year, short term rental owners will find that they need to put in more effort to market their home. This could include messaging back and forth between interested guests, updating listing sites, or offering promotional discounts. Also, many rental owners will choose to manage tenant turnover on their own to help lower costs but that could become time consuming. Finally, most guests will expect their short term rental to be nicely furnished when going on vacation. This will require owners to update or replace furnishings as needed, which is a cost that should be considered.
In summary, when weighing the pros and cons of investing in a property for short term rental, the pros significantly outweigh the cons. Why not have a property that you can benefit from both financially and personally.
At Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams, we believe our mission goes beyond real estate—it’s about investing in people, purpose, and progress. Whether through homeownership or community service, we are committed to helping neighborhoods grow in meaningful and lasting ways. Recently, Recently, we took great pride to be part of an initiative that reflects those very values: the creation of Alabama’s first public Holocaust Memorial, now open to all at Birmingham’s historic Elmwood Cemetery. This powerful new monument was spearheaded by Barbara Bonfield, a visionary leader whose dedication and persistence brought the project to life (Barbara’s moving interview can be seen in the dedication video) . Funded by members of Birmingham’s Temple Beth El, including Vikki and Ken Grodner and others in the greater Birmingham community , the memorial stands as a tribute not only to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, but also to the survivors who found the strength to rebuild their lives and legacies in new places—including right here in Alabama. When Terry Holzman, a friend and client, approached Ken and Vikki to support this effort, they immediately felt called to contribute. Ken joined the initiative with gratitude and purpose—helping lead outreach efforts and encourage others to support this historic moment. The result is an 8-foot-tall, 700-pound steel sculpture in the form of a dead tree, resting on rusted railroad tracks. The tracks—originally used during the era of slavery in Alabama—evoke a chilling duality: a local legacy of oppression and the haunting memory of the trains that carried millions to Nazi extermination camps. In its starkness, the sculpture demands reflection. Yet, in its permanence, it offers a call to remember, learn, and ensure “never again” truly means never again. The memorial is not just a place of mourning—it is also a place of resilience and renewal. It honors those who survived the Holocaust, rebuilt their lives, started families, and continued their traditions in the face of unimaginable loss. For Ken, Vikki, and all of us at Hospitality Network Group, this project exemplifies our mission to uplift and support causes that enrich the communities we serve. We’re proud to stand behind efforts like this that preserve history, promote understanding, and inspire future generations to act with compassion and courage. We invite you to visit the memorial at Elmwood Cemetery and to learn more by reading the Alabama News Center’s coverage. Thank you to Barbara Bonfield, Terry Holzman, and all those who contributed to making this vision a reality. Together, we’re not only remembering the past—we’re building a stronger future that safeguards pride, protects honor, and upholds the integrity of all people. Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams – Client focused . Performance driven The Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams is honored to be part of a company that fosters a culture of excellence, empowering its agents to deliver unmatched service and expertise. This commitment to excellence is why Keller Williams agents consistently achieve results that set the standard in the industry. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, our team is here to ensure your goals are not only met but exceeded. Trust the Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams to guide you through every step of your real estate journey. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your real estate dreams.
As real estate continues to be one of the most effective tools for building and preserving wealth, many families are strategically using homeownership to transfer financial security to the next generation. By leveraging real estate investments, parents can provide both immediate support and long-term financial stability for their children. With home prices on the rise and tax laws evolving, proactive wealth transfer strategies can maximize benefits while minimizing tax burdens. Rather than waiting to pass on assets through inheritance, many parents are choosing to transfer wealth now by helping their children acquire property and enjoy it additional years of the benefit. Here’s how they’re making it happen. 1. Gifting a Home with a Structured Loan Forgiveness Plan A married couple can loan their single child $500,000 (or any other amount) to purchase a home, following the guidelines established by the IRS. This method allows parents to maintain financial control while gradually transferring wealth. Here’s how it works: The parents forgive an amount equal to the maximum annual gift tax exemption per parent ($19,000 in 2025) on the loan, totaling $38,000 per year. This process can be repeated annually until the full loan amount is forgiven. If the child is married, their spouse can also receive the same gift amount, effectively doubling the annual forgiveness to $76,000 per year. Over time, this strategy allows parents to gift a home while minimizing tax implications. 2. Buying a Home in Cash and Gifting It For parents who have the financial means, purchasing a home outright and gifting it to their child can be a tax-efficient way to transfer wealth. Here’s how it works: A married couple buys their child a $500,000 home in cash and gifts it to them. They file the required gift tax return, which falls under the lifetime gift and estate tax exclusion of $27.98 million per married couple (for 2025). This strategy allows for the immediate transfer of homeownership without requiring the child to take on a mortgage. Important Note: The lifetime gift and estate tax exclusion is set to drop significantly in 2026, from $13.99 million per individual ($27.98M per couple) to approximately $5 million per individual. This means high-net-worth families should consider making large gifts before the exemption decreases. Why Real Estate Is a Smart Wealth Transfer Strategy 1. Tax Advantages By structuring gifts properly, families can leverage the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime gift tax exemption to pass on real estate with minimal tax consequences. Additionally, if the child holds onto the property, they may benefit from step-up in basis rules if the home is inherited later. 2. Long-Term Wealth Growth Real estate historically appreciates in value (on average 5% per year over the last 30 years), making it an excellent asset for wealth accumulation. By helping children buy a home now, families position them for financial growth through home equity. 3. Immediate Use & Stability Unlike other investments, real estate provides immediate utility—offering a stable place to live while also serving as a valuable financial asset. Start Building Generational Wealth with Real Estate Today As wealth transfer strategies evolve, real estate continues to be a cornerstone of financial planning for families. Whether through structured loans, gift exemptions, or outright purchases, helping your adult children acquire property now can be a powerful way to secure their financial future. If you're considering using real estate as a generational wealth transfer tool, contact The Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams today. Our team specializes in guiding families through smart real estate investments that maximize long-term wealth potential. Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams – Client focused . Performance driven The Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams is honored to be part of a company that fosters a culture of excellence, empowering its agents to deliver unmatched service and expertise. This commitment to excellence is why Keller Williams agents consistently achieve results that set the standard in the industry. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, our team is here to ensure your goals are not only met but exceeded. Trust the Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams to guide you through every step of your real estate journey. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your real estate dreams. Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this blog is for general informational purposes only. You should consult your own legal, financial, or tax advisor and verify all information to your satisfaction prior to taking any action.
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