Short Term Rental
Management

Surge offers local full service vacation rental management for busy vacation rental owners and Airbnb hosts in Mojave, California

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Mojave, California Short Term Rental Overview

Airbnb Market
Mojave, California presents an exceptional short-term rental investment opportunity driven by its strategic positioning as a gateway to high-demand recreational destinations and emerging aerospace industry growth. Property owners can capitalize on consistent year-round occupancy rates averaging 65-75% due to the area's proximity to Edwards Air Force Base, which generates substantial corporate and contractor lodging demand, while simultaneously serving tourists accessing Joshua Tree National Park, the Mojave National Preserve, and Antelope Valley attractions. The limited hotel inventory in the immediate area creates a supply-demand imbalance that allows Airbnb properties to command premium nightly rates of $120-180, significantly above the regional average, while operational costs remain low due to affordable utilities and property taxes. Recent aerospace developments, including SpaceX operations and Virgin Galactic's presence at Mojave Air and Space Port, have increased business traveler influx by 40% over the past two years, establishing a reliable revenue stream that complements leisure tourism. With median property acquisition costs 60% below Los Angeles County averages and gross rental yields consistently exceeding 12-15% annually, Mojave offers property owners an optimal combination of affordable entry points, strong cash flow potential, and appreciation prospects in an undervalued market poised for continued growth.
Short Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rental regulations in Mojave, California, operate under a complex web of county ordinances, zoning restrictions, and permit requirements that can shift without warning, leaving property owners vulnerable to hefty fines, legal action, and forced closure of their rental operations if they fail to maintain proper compliance with business licenses, transient occupancy taxes, safety inspections, and neighbor notification procedures. The intricate nature of these ever-evolving regulations, combined with the potential for costly penalties and the risk of having your rental shut down during peak earning seasons, makes navigating the legal landscape a dangerous gamble for individual property owners who lack the expertise to monitor changing requirements and maintain proper documentation. However, when you partner with a professional short-term rental management service, you can rest assured that experienced compliance specialists will handle all aspects of licensing, permitting, tax collection and remittance, regulatory monitoring, and legal adherence on your behalf, allowing you to enjoy the income from your property while eliminating the stress and financial risk of non-compliance.
Occupancy Rates
Airbnb occupancy rates in Mojave, California experience significant seasonal fluctuations, with peak tourist seasons occurring during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when desert temperatures are most comfortable for outdoor activities like hiking, stargazing, and exploring nearby Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve. Summer months (June-August) represent the slowest shoulder season due to extreme heat that can exceed 100°F, dramatically reducing visitor demand, while winter months (December-February) see moderate occupancy as some travelers seek desert solitude and cooler hiking conditions. Professional revenue management and dynamic pricing strategies are absolutely critical for Mojave Airbnb hosts to maintain viable year-round occupancy rates, as they must aggressively lower prices during the brutal summer months to attract heat-tolerant budget travelers while maximizing rates during peak spring and fall periods when demand from outdoor enthusiasts and weekend warriors from Los Angeles drives competition for limited accommodations. Without sophisticated pricing algorithms that account for local weather patterns, regional events, and competitor rates, hosts risk extended vacancy periods during shoulder seasons that can devastate annual revenue, making dynamic pricing essential to capture every possible booking opportunity in this challenging desert market.
Vacation Rental Management
Managing a vacation rental in Mojave, California presents unique operational challenges that can quickly overwhelm property owners and damage their reputation. The remote desert location means guest turnover requires extensive coordination with cleaning crews who may charge premium rates for the long drive from populated areas like Lancaster or Palmdale, while the harsh desert environment accelerates wear on HVAC systems, pool equipment, and exterior surfaces that demand immediate attention to prevent costly failures. The 24/7 communication demands become particularly stressful when guests encounter issues with well water systems, septic problems, or power outages common in this off-grid-adjacent area, often requiring middle-of-the-night troubleshooting and emergency contractor coordination across vast distances. Without local market expertise, owners struggle to navigate seasonal booking patterns tied to Joshua Tree tourism, military training schedules at nearby Edwards Air Force Base, and extreme weather events that can strand guests or damage property. Full-service property management becomes essential rather than optional in this environment, as professional managers maintain relationships with reliable local contractors, provide round-the-clock guest support, implement proactive maintenance schedules suited to desert conditions, and possess the market knowledge necessary to optimize pricing and maintain the consistent 5-star experience that generates sustainable passive income in Mojave's increasingly competitive vacation rental landscape.
Attractions and Amenities
Mojave's primary tourist attractions center around the Edwards Air Force Base Flight Test Center Museum, the Mojave Air and Space Port where visitors witness rocket launches and aircraft testing, the historic Mojave Desert landscapes perfect for off-road adventures and stargazing, and the nearby Tehachapi Wind Farm tours. To maximize revenue from guests visiting these specific destinations, properties must offer early morning departure accommodations with 24-hour check-in/out for flight test schedules, secure parking for off-road vehicles and trailers, outdoor gear storage and washing stations for desert equipment, blackout curtains and quiet rooms for guests attending early morning launches, high-speed internet for aviation enthusiasts sharing experiences and checking flight schedules, and outdoor spaces with minimal light pollution for stargazing activities. Additionally, properties should provide detailed local maps, coolers and water bottle filling stations for desert excursions, and flexible booking policies to accommodate the unpredictable nature of aerospace testing schedules that often draw visitors to reschedule their stays.

Why choose Surge?

Surge is local Airbnb management that’s reliable, affordable and the best for your property.
Cost
Guest communications
Host Communications
Insurance
Contract
Cost
Starting at 15% fee
Guest communications
Guest response within 10 minutes, 24 hours a day
Host Communications
Designated host call in phone line
Insurance
Full damage protection for every reservation
Contract
No annual agreements
Other Property Mangers
Cost
25-40% fee
Guest communications
Sporadic guest communications
Host Communications
Bot response assistants
Insurance
Unreliable insurance coverage
Contract
Contract lock-ins

Understand Your STR Income

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Surge is geared towards maximizing potential

Be at ease with the knowledge that your vacation rental is being optimized to its fullest potential.
30%
In gross revenue
150 M
Potential guests
4.9
Superhost status
7+
Booking platforms
1
Property manager
The house was great. It accommodated our large group nicely. The owner was responsive and checked in on us throughout the trip. The gate around the home added privacy and security. The beds were comfortable as well. Extra linen, towels and washcloths. We are looking to book this home in the future!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
We really appreciated Surge. He was responsive, attentive, and went above to make sure our stay was seamless. You can tell he takes pride in providing a clean/organized place. Everyone loved the pool table and shuffleboard. This place is also very close to great restaurants. The place we went to had the best catfish. Would definitely rent from Surge again!!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
Our group really enjoyed our long weekend stay here! The property was very clean and spacious but also provided some privacy to accommodate our large family. Surge was responsive when we reached out to them and also accommodated an early check-in. We felt secure given that the property was gated and had smart locks on both entry doors. We strongly recommend this property and would love to stay here again!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
My family and I were here for my daughter’s graduation from UofH. Surge was very upfront, kept us informed and accommodating. The place was clean and fit my entire family comfortably. We have already made plans to come back. Great location, private and safe environment. Would highly recommend! Thank you Surge for making this stay memorable and stress free for our family!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
Great stay that accommodated all our needs for a successful for trip to Houston, i hope to Book in the coming future.
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
The host was great, he responded quickly when needed and checked in on us from time to time throughout the whole day. He was awesome and the place was great for my family of 16. Definitely will book with him in the future.
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
Does Surge Property Management allow pets in its short term rentals?
Surge Property Management leaves that decision to the property owner. While allowing pets can be a big perk for some guests, Surge does not have any requirements for the property owner to allow it. Service animals are a different case. Surge is prohibited to refuse a reservation, charge pet fees, hold guests to different rules, apply differential treatment or use discriminatory language if a guest is accompanied by a service animal. A guests service animal must not be out of control, un-housebroken, left alone at the listing without prior approval, allowed into areas that are considered unauthorized by the guest and allowed in a public space without being harnessed, leashed, or tethered and not under the guests control.
Do I get access to an owner portal?
Surge Property Management has a tech leading owner portal to keep its property owners in the loop, instead of on the outside looking in. In the owner portal you can reserve days for personal use, see pending reservations, nightly pricing rates, owner statements, expense receipts, guest messaging and more!
Do you screen the guests that are staying in my property?
Our intelligent Guest Screening technology allows us to screen vacation rental guests before they enter your property, making it easier to keep bad guests out. We proactively assess the risk posed by each guest, through legal, non-discriminatory checks. Guests will be asked to submit some personal details including their name, date of birth, physical home address and contact details. We then verify by having the guest take a live selfie and submit a photo of their ID(either a drivers license or passport). This information will then be processed to determine the true identity of your guest, including whether the ID is fraudulent and if the provided details match those on the ID. This process will generate a risk report for us to review before the guest arrives.
Do you provide insurance for guest damages?
We partner with the premier provider of short term rental protection also offering guest screening and comprehensive insurance coverage. Our partner brings confidence and peace of mind to both Surge Property Management and its clients(homeowners). Our third party partner has protected over 60 billion in homeowner liability coverage and 1 million guest nights. Ask your Surge sales representative for more details.
What happens if there is guest damage to my property?
Each guest is required to make a $500 security deposit. Any damage above $500 we are able to document, submit, and follow a claim through on your behalf with our short term rental insurance partner covering up to $5,000,000.
How does Surge compare to a national provider like Vacasa?
While both Surge and Vacasa both have a full service model designed to be hands off from the property owner, Surge stands out above the rest by being more intentional and selective with the properties we decide to accept into our management portfolio. This allows us to give the required attention to the properties we manage instead of just "setting it and forgetting it" like the other property managers do. Once you go onboard with them you just become another number.
Does Surge handle the maintenance of the vacation rental?
Yes, Surge is able to handle any property maintenance(including hot tub & pool) for your property. We have a large network of service providers, additionally, if you have a preferred vendor we can assign and coordinate maintenance with them as well.
What services does Surge Property Management offer?

Surge is a full-service property manager and provides the following service to property owners:

  • Listing creating and management across multiple channels
  • Calendar management
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Restocking
  • Maintenance
  • Dynamic Pricing
  • Lock automation
  • Guest Portal
  • Owners Portal
  • Listing optimization
  • Photography
  • 24/7 guest communication
  • Check-in/out support
  • and more!
Is Surge Property Management a Superhost on Airbnb?
Yes, Surge Property Management is a Superhost on AirBNB. Airbnb defines a Superhost as a Host who goes above and beyond to provide excellent hospitality. Guests can easily identify a Superhost from the badge that appears on their Airbnb listing and profile. Superhosts have more visibility and earning potential.
How and when do I get paid?
Surge Property Management initiates ACH payment to its property owners once a month by the 10th day of the next month. Along with the ACH deposit sent to you, you also receive a highly detailed statement for review.
Are there any hidden fees?
Surge Property Management has the most transparent pricing in the industry. Our property owners are our Partners in business which is why we hold transparency at a very high standard. With your monthly statements you will be able to trace every dollar from when the guest paid for their reservation to when it was deposited into your bank account. Contact your Surge sales rep for a personal walk through of our statement structure.
Can I still use my property?
Yes of course. The biggest perk of a vacation rental is still retaining personal use of the property for your personal use. Inside of our Owner’s Portal you can reserve days for personal use.
How do you market my property?

We list your property on the major platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Google Vacation rentals and more! We also allow direct bookings very popular among returning guests. Our integration technology is second to none and was awarded the following:

  • Airbnb Preferred + Software Partner
  • VRBO Elite Partner
  • Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner
How do you handle complaints or disputes?
We aim to resolve issues quickly and fairly, protecting both the guests and the property owner’s interests. We mediate disputes and ensure a smooth resolution process.
How do I get started with your service?
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We'll discuss your property, our services, and how we can help you achieve your rental goals.
How do you handle waste management?
We coordinate with local services to ensure proper waste disposal and recycling, maintaining cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
What safety measures do you implement?
We ensure the property has functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and complies with all local safety regulations.
What does Surge’s full service property management mean?
Surge's comprehensive property management service allows property owners to be completely hands-off with the daily operations of their Airbnb properties. Surge takes care of all the daily tasks, including listings, guest interactions, cleanings, restocking, and maintenance, ensuring a stress-free experience for the property owner.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
Get in touch
(713) 853-9573