Short-term vs. Long-term: Is the extra effort for Airbnb actually worth it?

real estateinvestinglandlordairbnb
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Adrian_99
Joined:
08.09.2020
Posts: 990
Topic Starter
28.03.2025 11:12
I'm currently deciding how to manage my first investment property and I'm torn between the passive nature of a long-term lease and the higher potential yield of an Airbnb. I know the revenue numbers look better on paper for short-term rentals, but I'm worried about the constant turnover, cleaning costs, and the increasing regulatory hurdles in my city. Has anyone here made the switch from one to the other recently? I'd love to hear if the headache of managing guests is actually justified by the bottom line after accounting for all the extra expenses.
13 replies in this topic
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ObiknovenChovek
Joined:
16.07.2024
Posts: 2487
08.05.2025 01:02
Honestly, stick to long-term. Airbnb is basically a hospitality business, not a passive investment. Unless you enjoy being on call 24/7 for people who can't figure out how to work a smart lock, it's not worth the stress.
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Oli_S
Joined:
13.11.2020
Posts: 1356
08.05.2025 17:20
In reply to a previous post
I made the switch to long-term last year and I haven't looked back. My mental health has improved significantly since I stopped worrying about guest reviews and laundry turnover.
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Maya_L
Joined:
14.03.2025
Posts: 1210
09.05.2025 15:16
It really depends on your location. If you're in a prime tourist area, the margins on Airbnb are just too good to ignore. You just have to outsource the cleaning and management to make it truly passive.
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Viktoria_S
Joined:
15.10.2023
Posts: 756
13.05.2025 14:21
In reply to a previous post
To the person above, outsourcing management eats up 20-30% of your revenue though. Once you pay the property manager, the 'higher yield' often disappears compared to a stable long-term tenant.
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nov_tuk
Joined:
05.05.2025
Posts: 1249
17.06.2025 21:09
Don't forget about the regulations. My city just passed a law banning short-term rentals in residential zones, and I know people who had to scramble to find long-term tenants overnight. It's a huge risk.
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vulk_samotnik
Joined:
10.04.2025
Posts: 2395
29.06.2025 06:06
In reply to a previous post
I'm with you on the regulatory concern. I'd rather take a slightly lower, predictable income than wake up to a city council ordinance that makes my business model illegal.
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kris_1982
Joined:
03.01.2023
Posts: 1688
16.08.2025 13:59
The turnover is the real killer. Between the cleaning fees, the wear and tear on the furniture, and the occasional party that ruins your baseboards, it’s a constant battle.
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Aleks_K
Joined:
10.04.2023
Posts: 1730
29.10.2025 03:19
In reply to a previous post
I agree with the wear and tear comment. My apartment looked like it had been through a war zone after just six months of Airbnb guests. Long-term tenants treat the place like a home, not a hotel.
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SivaMishka
Joined:
26.11.2021
Posts: 2465
21.12.2025 15:45
In reply to a previous post
If you have the time, try doing a hybrid approach for a year. You can do short-term in the summer peak and mid-term (like 3-month leases) during the off-season.
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Alisa_K
Joined:
31.05.2025
Posts: 2001
16.01.2026 07:41
Everything comes down to your personal bandwidth. Do you have a full-time job? If yes, run away from Airbnb.
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Goshko_Bolo
Joined:
07.11.2023
Posts: 862
10.02.2026 08:52
I've been doing Airbnb for three years and I love it. You just need to automate your guest communication and find a reliable cleaning crew. Once you have a system, it’s not that bad.
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Hani_B
Joined:
25.05.2022
Posts: 1063
07.03.2026 18:01
In reply to a previous post
Exactly what I was going to say. People complaining about the 'headache' usually don't have their systems automated. Once you set up the templates and the check-in guides, it's pretty smooth sailing.
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Toni_M
Joined:
21.01.2023
Posts: 2356
13.04.2026 13:59
In reply to a previous post
Good luck with the decision! Whatever you choose, just make sure you have a solid lease agreement and a good insurance policy that specifically covers short-term usage.

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