Obstacles and Opportunities Scaling Short-Term Rentals

While the short-term rental sector has grown dramatically over the past decade, scale and profitability have been elusive for many operators. Can new technology & rollup opportunities change that?

Thesis Driven dives deep into emerging themes and real estate operating models. This week’s letter is a guest post by Luke Bujarski, co-founder of Extenteam. It explores the recent history of the short-term rental sector including barriers to scale and opportunities for growth on the horizon.

On the surface, the short-term rental (STR) business model seems straightforward: acquire or manage existing residences, clean, promote, host, repeat. In reality, scaling short-term rental portfolios has proven to be complex and challenging. The sector remains highly fragmented; even a clear-cut definition for the short-term rental category remains elusive. Local governments—often with the backing of the hotel industry—continue to add regulatory pressure, with Dallas as the latest example of a city banning short-term rentals in single-family homes.

Today’s letter will discuss the future of the short-term rental category, specifically:

• The scope, size, and subcategories of the STR sector today;

• The short-term rental operator landscape;

• Operational challenges and the drivers of industry fragmentation;

• Consolidation and roll-up prospects and the future of the sector.