Buy a Texas
Short-term Rental

We specialize in proven short-term rental markets across Texas. Our primary focus areas include mountain resort communities, beach destinations, urban tourism centers, and emerging STR markets with strong growth potential. We have deep local expertise in regulations, seasonal trends, and neighborhood-specific performance metrics. If you're interested in a market we don't currently serve, we can leverage our network to connect you with trusted STR-focused agents in that area.

Absolutely! The majority of successful STR investors own properties outside their home state. We've perfected a remote investment process that includes virtual tours, local market video walkthroughs, third-party inspection coordination, and remote closing capabilities. Our team acts as your boots on the ground, visiting properties on your behalf, meeting contractors, and providing detailed video documentation so you can invest confidently from anywhere.

STR properties typically generate 8-15% cash-on-cash returns in strong markets, significantly outperforming traditional long-term rentals. Top-performing properties in high-demand areas can achieve 15-25%+ returns. However, returns vary based on location, property type, management quality, seasonality, and local regulations. We provide detailed financial projections for each property showing conservative, moderate, and optimistic scenarios based on real comparable data - never generic estimates.

STR regulations are critical to investment success and vary dramatically by location. Some cities have outright bans, others require expensive permits with limited availability, while many have minimal restrictions. We thoroughly research local ordinances including licensing requirements, occupancy limits, minimum stay requirements, tax obligations, and HOA restrictions before recommending any property. Our goal is to ensure you're investing in markets with stable, investor-friendly regulations - not gambling on potential regulatory changes.

STR investors typically use conventional mortgages (requires 15-25% down for investment properties), portfolio loans from STR-friendly lenders, DSCR loans (qualify based on property cash flow, not personal income), cash purchases, or creative financing like seller financing. We work with a network of lenders who specialize in STR investments and understand how to underwrite rental income projections. Many can also help you leverage existing properties through cash-out refinances or HELOCs to fund your STR purchase.

This depends on your capital, timeline, and risk tolerance. Turnkey STR properties command premium prices but generate income immediately with less headache. Fixer-uppers offer better purchase prices and value-add opportunities but require renovation capital, project management, and delayed cash flow. We help you run the numbers on both scenarios - sometimes a $350k turnkey property outperforms a $250k fixer that needs $75k in renovations and 4 months of lost revenue. We'll guide you to the strategy that maximizes your specific situation.

We conduct comprehensive STR financial analysis on every property using tools like AirDNA, Rabbu, and actual comparable listings. Our analysis includes: historical occupancy rates for similar properties, average daily rates by season, estimated gross revenue, operating expense projections (typically 40-50% of revenue), mortgage calculations, net operating income, cash-on-cash returns, and break-even occupancy rates. You'll receive a detailed pro forma showing month-by-month projections and sensitivity analysis for different scenarios.

The most costly mistakes include: ignoring local regulations and getting shut down, underestimating operating expenses and renovation costs, buying in oversaturated markets, choosing properties with limited year-round appeal, failing to account for seasonality in cash flow planning, and not budgeting for professional property management. Many investors also overlook the importance of quality furnishing and design - a poorly furnished property can lose 30-40% of its revenue potential. We help you avoid these pitfalls through education and careful property selection.

Yes! We've built relationships with top-performing property managers in each market we serve, including both full-service and co-hosting options. We'll introduce you to 2-3 qualified managers, help you evaluate their services and fee structures, and guide you through the selection process. Many of our investors use Surge Property Management for full-service needs or Surge Co-Hosting for a more hands-on approach - we'll help you determine which model fits your investment strategy.

Plan for 40-50% of gross revenue going to operating expenses. This includes: property management fees (20-30% for full service, 10-15% for co-hosting), cleaning and laundry ($75-150 per turnover), utilities ($200-400/month), internet and cable ($100-150/month), maintenance reserves (5-10% of revenue), property insurance (often 2-3x standard homeowner rates), HOA fees if applicable, supplies and restocking, and platform fees (3% on Airbnb, 5-8% on Vrbo). We build detailed expense projections into every property analysis.

The timeline varies based on market conditions and your criteria, but most serious investors find the right property within 30-90 days of active searching. In competitive markets, you may need to view 10-15 properties and make 3-5 offers before getting one accepted. We streamline this process by pre-screening properties and only showing you options that meet your investment criteria. Some investors get lucky and find their perfect property in week one - others take 6 months to find the right opportunity. We'll work at your pace.

We operate on standard real estate commission, typically paid by the seller at closing - meaning our buyer representation services come at no direct cost to you as the investor. Our fee is built into the transaction and we earn it by negotiating the best possible price, identifying value-add opportunities, managing the due diligence process, and ensuring a smooth closing. Unlike general real estate agents, our STR expertise often saves you tens of thousands in avoided mistakes and optimized purchase decisions - far exceeding our compensation.

Yes! We provide end-to-end support from property search through your first booking. Our services include: market analysis and property identification, financial modeling and due diligence, lender and inspector coordination, negotiation and transaction management, designer and contractor referrals for renovations, property manager introductions, and post-closing setup guidance. We're invested in your long-term success, not just the transaction. Many clients return to us for their second, third, and fourth STR investments.

STR investing works well if you have: adequate capital for down payment and reserves ($50k+ minimum recommended), ability to handle income volatility and seasonal cash flow, willingness to treat it as a business not passive income, comfort with property management oversight, and a 3-5 year minimum investment timeline. It's NOT ideal if you need immediate consistent cash flow, can't handle unexpected expenses, or want completely hands-off investing. Schedule a consultation and we'll honestly assess whether STR investing aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Post-closing, we continue supporting your success. We'll introduce you to our network of designers for furnishing consultations, coordinate with photographers for professional listing photos, connect you with your chosen property manager for onboarding, and provide guidance on listing optimization strategies. Many agents disappear after closing - we stay engaged because your success leads to referrals and repeat business. We want to celebrate your first five-star review and help you scale to multiple properties.

 We actively participate in STR investment communities, maintain memberships in short-term rental trade associations, monitor regulatory changes across our markets, analyze performance data monthly through platforms like AirDNA, and network with top property managers to understand ground-level trends. This intelligence directly benefits our clients - we'll warn you about emerging regulatory threats, identify undervalued emerging markets, and spot opportunities before they become obvious to the general market.

Yes! Our team members personally own and operate short-term rentals in the markets we serve. This firsthand experience means we understand the realities of STR investing - from late-night guest issues to seasonal cash flow management. We're not just selling you properties; we're recommending investments we'd make ourselves. This personal stake ensures our advice is grounded in real-world experience, not just theoretical knowledge.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your investment goals, budget, and target markets. We'll educate you on STR investing fundamentals, share market-specific insights, and develop a customized investment strategy. If we're the right fit, we'll begin actively searching for properties that match your criteria. Come prepared with questions - our goal in the first meeting is to empower you with knowledge, not pressure you into a transaction. Contact us today to begin your STR investment journey.