They say everything is bigger in Texas, and San Antonio is no exception. For one, this beautiful city's population of 1.4 million is larger than the entire State of New Mexico. Its annual number of tourists is also 30 times more than its population: a whopping 41 million visitors!
So, why not rent out your house in the Alamo City so you can also enjoy the benefits of its thriving tourism industry? You can earn passive income by renting your home to vacation-goers.
We've shared rental property management tips to help you get started, so read on.
Meet All Necessary Codes
You must first prepare your house for rent by ensuring it meets San Antonio's building and housing codes. These codes are minimum requirements that govern building design, habitability, health, and safety. Not only do they exist to protect occupants (including guests), but the buildings themselves, their neighbors, and the community.
Sa.gov, San Antonio's official government website, is an excellent place to start learning about these codes. Alternatively, you can partner with a full-service property management company. They're experts in San Antonio's STR market and can help ensure your rental house complies with all the city's codes.
Acquire a Short Term Rental (STR) Permit
San Antonio requires registration and permitting of vacation rentals. These include residential dwelling units rented overnight (but not under 12 hours) for less than 30 consecutive days.
So, once you're sure your house meets all building codes, the next step is to secure an STR permit from the city's Development Services Department. You must also pay or report Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) monthly, the rate of which is 9% in San Antonio.
Market Your Property
When marketing and listing your home as an STR, highlight its best features. It will help give your prospective guests an idea of all the good things they can expect from your property. It can also help you attract more guests and maximize rental income.
Some of the features you should include in your listings are:
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, a full kitchen, cable TV, and gaming consoles
- Outdoor spaces, like a deck, patio, porch, pool, or well-manicured lawn
- Pet-friendly policies
You should also include information about the tourist spots near your home. For example, you can write about how close your house is to the San Antonio River Walk, The Alamo, or Missions National Historical Park. Don't forget to provide details about nearby services, like restaurants and shopping centers.
Rent Out Your House Successfully
Don't miss out on San Antonio's booming tourism industry. Instead, rent out your house and do it successfully by following our tips.
If you want the most straightforward way to earn passive income with your short-term rental property, PMI Profit Realty can help. Our full-service property management company can handle everything you need to start your STR business and make it thrive. We use the latest technology and are a proud member of PMI, the largest property management company in the U.S. with over 20 years of service.
Reach out to us today to get your free property consultation and analysis!