Short-Term Rentals: What are they and where to market them

A short-term rental is a property that is rented out for a brief period of time, typically less than 30 days.

Short-term rentals can take many forms, including vacation rentals, corporate housing, homestays, hostels, short-term apartment rentals, bed and breakfasts, house-sitting, and camping/RV rentals.

There are several types of short-term rentals, and the marketing strategy may differ depending on the type of rental. Some of the most popular platforms to market short-term rentals include Airbnb, Booking.com, HomeAway, Vrbo, TripAdvisor, Craigslist, and many others. What is the history of short term rentals

Short-term rentals have been around for centuries, but their popularity has increased significantly with the advent of technology and the rise of the sharing economy.

In the early days of short-term rentals, travelers would often rent rooms in private homes or boarding houses for short stays. In the 1920s, the first motels were built, providing travelers with a private room and bathroom for a short stay. In the 1950s, the concept of the vacation rental emerged, with families renting cottages or beach houses for a week or two during the summer months.

The rise of the internet and online booking platforms in the early 2000s made it easier than ever for property owners to advertise and rent out their properties for short-term stays. Airbnb, one of the most well-known short-term rental platforms, was founded in 2008 and quickly gained popularity, revolutionizing the hospitality industry.

Since then, short-term rentals have become a popular lodging option for travelers around the world, with platforms like HomeAway, VRBO, and Booking.com offering a wide range of properties for short-term rental stays. The popularity of short-term rentals has also led to increased regulation and scrutiny in many cities, as some communities have raised concerns about the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability and affordability.

Overall, short-term rentals have a long and varied history, and their evolution over time reflects changing societal and technological trends.

Here is a summary of the types of short-term rentals and where to market them:

1. Vacation Rentals: These are properties that are rented out to vacationers, usually fully furnished homes or apartments. You can market vacation rentals on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, HomeAway, FlipKey, TripAdvisor, and Craigslist.
2. Corporate Housing: These are fully furnished apartments or homes that are rented out to business travelers or professionals. You can market corporate housing rentals on Airbnb for Work, HomeAway Corporate Housing, CHBO, and CorporateHousing.com.
3. Homestays: These are accommodations where guests stay in a private room within someone’s home or apartment. You can market homestays on Airbnb, Homestay.com, and Couchsurfing.
4. Hostels: These are budget accommodations where guests usually stay in shared dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms and common areas. You can market hostels on Hostelworld, Booking.com, and HostelBookers.
5. Short-term Apartment Rentals: These are apartments that are rented out for a short period of time, usually for a month or less. You can market short-term apartment rentals on Airbnb, Booking.com, HomeAway, and Craigslist.
6. Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs): These are accommodations where guests stay in a private room within a family home or small inn. Breakfast is usually included in the price. You can market B&Bs on Airbnb, Booking.com, Bedandbreakfast.com, and TripAdvisor.
7. House-sitting: This is an arrangement where a homeowner allows someone to stay in their home for a short period of time in exchange for taking care of the property. You can market house-sitting services on Trusted Housesitters and House Sitters America.
8. Camping/RV Rentals: These are accommodations where guests rent campsites or RVs for a short period of time. You can market camping and RV rentals on Airbnb, Hipcamp, and RVshare.