What Wilmington’s Rental Market Tells Us About Coastal Investing in the Post-Pandemic Era
A new article from May 2024 focused on Wilmington, NC, but if you’ve been watching coastal markets across the country, the story will sound familiar: short-term rental demand is down, and supply has officially outpaced it.
https://www.whqr.org/local/2024-05-23/wilmingtons-airbnb-stock-is-outstripping-demand
The WHQR piece highlights a sharp increase in the number of active Airbnb units in the Wilmington area—and not enough guests to fill them. That kind of oversaturation isn’t unique to Wilmington. We’re seeing similar patterns in many beach and vacation markets nationwide: too many listings, not enough bookings, and increasingly savvy travelers being more selective about where they stay.
So what does that mean if you’re considering buying a coastal property?
Coastal Buyers, Take Note: Short-Term Rental Trends Are Shifting
It depends on your goals.
If you’re aiming to run a high-occupancy, short-term rental business, you’ll need a strong plan and realistic expectations. The days of throwing a property on Airbnb and expecting it to book itself are behind us in many markets.
But if your goal is to use your beach home and rent it out occasionally to help subsidize your ownership costs—especially with mid- or short-term stays—there’s still a smart play to be made.
This model works especially well for buyers from the Triangle and beyond who want to enjoy the coast without the pressure of operating a full-time rental machine. And if you’re looking for easier management and more consistent income, long-term rentals are also worth a second look.
The bottom line? Coastal investing isn’t one-size-fits-all in 2024. Whether you’re looking at Wilmington or another waterfront market, now’s the time to get clear on your goals and align them with current market realities.
Let’s talk about how to make it work for you.
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